I’ve actually been sampling ice cream spots in downtown Toronto since last fall. There’s certainly no shortage to choose from, especially in the summer months when Torontonians line up for a refreshing sweet. Though I’ve been to quite a few places, I’ve narrowed it down to just three that had a definite wow factor. The rest were good (except one, which was a disappointment), but these three really stand out in my mind. In no particular order, here are my top ice cream spots in Toronto for a cool summer treat!
Death in Venice Gelato
If you know me, you know that this one was going to be a winner based on branding alone. A literary reference, my favourite Italian city, gelato, and a logo that incorporates both a skull and a gondolier. The clever packaging at Death in Venice Gelato certainly got me in the door, but for this to make the list there needed to be some substance to go along with it. I really wanted to try their soft serve (they have more flavour options in hard ice cream) but I was a bit nervous about the flavour choices. The non-vegan soft serve was Mexcian chocolate (I already know I’m not a fan of chocolate ice cream). The vegan flavour was raspberry. I was worried the vegan soft serve might be icy or the texture would be off, but the girl who waited on me told me it was really good and gave me a sample. SOLD. The raspberry soft serve tasted exactly like the raspberry gelato I used to get daily in Venice when I visited the city, and the texture was perfect, creamy despite being non-dairy. I recommend this spot for ice cream and next time I go I really feel I’ll have to get one of their super cute t-shirts!
Nugateau Patisserie
Another soft serve win was at Nugateau Patisserie on Queen West. This place was not on my list, I just happened to see a sign advertising soft serve outside the shop. I decided to ask about flavours inside. There were only two, vanilla and tropical, and the man who served me suggested a swirl. Tropical is not my favourite, but I decided to try it out anyway. After momentary sticker shock (I think it was about $9 for a cone – I later learned that isn’t even the most expensive ice cream in Toronto), and a quick photo in the neighbouring entryway, I was so surprised to find this was one of the best ice creams I had had in a long time. For a shop that doesn’t specialize in ice cream, this was a true hidden gem downtown. If you love soft serve, this is a must try!
Scooped by Demetres
Though I’m a big soft serve fan, I just plain love ice cream, so here’s an option for those who prefer hard ice cream. After leaving a dance event in the Distillery District one night, I had a craving for something cold and refreshing. I had probably walked past Scooped by Demetres dozens of times, but never stopped to try it. A very short line cinched the deal. I had a sample of Earl Grey ice cream (delicious!), but ultimately opted for the maple pecan crunch. The flavours here were truly excellent and there’s more than one location in Toronto. Definitely give this spot a try next time you are craving an ice cream!
More Ice Cream Photos
Though these spots didn’t make my top three, there’s still some tasty-looking photos from my research!
