Oh baby, it's hot outside! And for foodies, that can only mean one thing: ice cream season in Montreal.
While there's no shortage of frozen desserts in the city — from ice cream to gelato to fro-yo to sorbet — not all scoops are created equal. These 21 ice cream shops take everyone's favourite summer treat to the next level with their flavour selections, quality ingredients and exceptional creativity. No wonder we all scream for this icy goodness!
Whether you're looking to cool off, planning a date night or simply want to eat something delicious, we've got the scoop on must-try spots that should definitely be added to your summer bucket list. Yes, even if you're vegan or lactose intolerant... there are options for you guys, too.
Bon appétit!
Le Blueboy
Address: 150, av. Mont-Royal E.
Why You Need To Go: Although Mont-Royal's Le Blueboy is famous for its giant ice-cream-filled watermelon bowls, the whole menu is packed with unique mouth-watering delights — many of which have a Latine twist... literally. For instance, the Bloody Mango is a twist of soft-serve Tiger’s Blood and mango sorbets, topped with Chamoy, Tajin, Pulparindo tamarind candy, strawberries and a Miguelito lollipop. Spicy and refreshing all at once!
Le Grand Verglas
Address: 92, boul. Saint-Luc, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC
Why You Need To Go: Ice cream fans know that more is always better! Le Grand Verglas (The Great Ice Storm), a creamery on Montreal's South Shore, lives by the same motto with its famous four-level cones. How could you not add crushing one of these delicious behemoths to your summer bucket list?
Gaufres & Glaces
Address:
- 6589, rue Beaubien E. (Beaubien)
- 4376, boul. Saint-Laurent (Plateau Mont-Royal)
- 3286, boul. Saint Martin O. (Laval)
- 585, av. Saint-Charles (Vaudreuil-Dorion)
- 433, rue King-George (Longueuil)
- 1026, boul. des Seigneurs (Terrebonne)
Why You Need To Go: Are you in the mood for ice cream or waffles? At Gaufres et Glaces you don't have to choose because pairing the two together is their specialty. Offering up more than 100,000 ice cream and waffle combinations, according to their website, with toppings ranging from Kinder Bueno to cotton candy, it's safe to say there's something to satisfy every sweet tooth.
CA LEM
Address:
- 6926, rue Sherbrooke O. (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce)
- 315, place d'Youville (Old Port)
- 4297, rue Jean-Talon O. (Jean-Talon)
- 138, av. Atwater (Atwater Market)
Why You Need To Go: Known for unique flavours — think black sesame, dragon fruit or blue raspberry freezie — CA LEM never leaves taste buds disappointed. Plus, the bubble gum pink Volkswagen camper van parked outside their NDG location makes every ice cream run feel like a summer road trip.
Kem CoBa
Address:
- 60, ave. Fairmount O. (Plateau Mont-Royal)
- 2525, rue des Ormeaux (Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve)
Why You Need To Go: This vibrant creamery with inventive flavours of ice cream, soft-serve and sorbet is so popular that there are often lineups out the door. But don't be scared off. It moves quickly and is well worth the wait. After all, there's a queue for good reason.
Unicone
Address:
- 3873, rue Saint-Denis
- 368, av. Mont-Royal E.
Why You Need To Go: Unicone's rotating menu is inspired by the owners' international travels, turning every bite of ice cream or sorbet into a tasty adventure. The Kunafeh soft serve, for example, melds pistachio and orange blossom flavours with roasted pistachios and shredded phyllo dough, creating a finished product that's reminiscent of the succulent Arabic dessert it's named after. Yum.
Sachère Desserts
Address: 1274, boul. de Maisonneuve E.
Why You Need To Go: Sachère Desserts has sadly announced that 2024 will be its final season, making this summer your last chance to taste some of the most refined and elegant soft-serve combos in the city. From Guava and Combava (kaffir or lime leaf) topped with actual fresh mint leaves to Earl Grey and Blueberry topped with edible centaur flower, Sachère's twists are always well-balanced, beautiful and — of course — very yummy. The cherry on top? It's all vegan. Oh, and there's also literally cherry fruit batter on top of their Oat Milk and Cherry with Tonka Beans swirl so make that two cherries on top.
Wild Willy’s
Address: 20 av. Cartier, Pointe-Claire, QC
Why You Need To Go: No summer is complete without at least one trip to this iconic West Island ice cream parlour, which has been serving up homemade hard ice cream for 28 years and counting. And with more than 40 flavours to enjoy, there's something for everyone — including furry friends who are welcome at the pet-friendly outdoor tables (and who are sometimes even treated to a scoop). Soft ice cream, banana splits, milkshakes, hurricanes, slushies, vegan options and gluten-free options are also on the menu.
Iconoglace
Address:
- 1320, rue Bélanger
- 50, rue Laurier O.
Why You Need To Go: With locations in the Plateau Mont-Royal and Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, Iconoglace is a go-to spot for homemade vegan ice cream, Coaticook soft-serve and other frozen delights that'll keep you cool all summer long. We suggest digging into one of their decadent sundaes or Kombu Floats, which are made with kombucha and homemade maple syrup slush. Or, how about some unicorn poop? Don't worry, it's not gross. Unicorns obviously poop out soft-serve vanilla ice cream dusted with magic unicorn powder (lots of candy and cotton candy). Warning: Iconoglace notes that this dish can cause space travel.
Le Blue
Address:
- 950, boul. Curé-Poirier E. (Longueuil)
- 576, av. Victoria (Saint-Lambert)
Why You Need To Go: Come for the stellar Instagram shots and stay for the delectable desserts. Le Blue, on the South Shore, has mastered the art of the "wow factor" with their stunning, edible creations. The menu item that perhaps best encapsulates this place is Le Blue Star, which consists of blue-coloured raspberry ice cream covered in blue-coloured white chocolate and blue cotton candy, topped with a skewer of blue candies, a blue chocolate bar and a marshmallow on a blue-and-white straw. Are you noticing a pattern? While your food may be blue, we promise you'll leave Le Blue feeling anything but that.
Zetti's
Address: 3839, boul. Saint-Laurent
Why You Need To Go: Since opening on The Main in 2021, Zetti's has solidified itself as a top spot for indulging in sweet treats thanks to its artisanal ice cream and over-the-top desserts. From extravagant sundaes to ice cream-stuffed waffles to milkshakes topped with huge pieces of cake, everything on the menu is to die for... because each bite will make you feel like you've gone to heaven. Plus, there are lactose-free options.
MTL Dulce
Address: 250B, rue Saint-Paul E.
Why You Need To Go: Not only is this Old Port dessert spot as cute as they come with its pastel pink design details — from the doors to the rotary telephone to the wall made of flowers — it's also home to the most scrumptious churro sundaes. If you've never tried dipping a warm, sugary churro into a cold ice cream sundae, take this as your sign to do so before summer ends. Trust us. You won't be disappointed.
Dalla Rose
Address: 4609, rue Notre Dame O.
Why You Need To Go: Dalla Rose is beloved for its chef-inspired ice cream and cookies. While you can expect consistent quality from anything you order at this Saint-Henri staple, new flavours drop every Wednesday at 5 p.m. so you'll never get bored. If available, we suggest trying the Quebec Lavender or Peanut Butter and Jelly, which will surely take you right back to childhood. The ice cream sandwiches are also a must-order.
Bouza
Address:
- 1222-9000, boul. de l'Acadie (Ahuntsic-Cartierville)
- 3821, boul. Saint-Martin O. (Laval)
Why You Need To Go: Known for its chewy and stretchy Mediterranean-style ice cream, Bouza is the perfect place to try something different while scratching your itch for a cold, creamy dessert. Bouza's ice cream is handcrafted with fresh natural ingredients, but pistachio — dipped in actual nuts — is their signature flavour. You can also mix and match with other flavours, including rose water, achta, banana chocolate chip, and so much more.
Meetha
Address: 787A, rue de Liège O.
Why You Need To Go: The Indian ice cream and chai shop in Park Ex serves up South Asian-inspired flavours you're unlikely to find anywhere else in the city. These flavours — which come in scoops, pints and cakes — include Mango Rasmalai, Elaichi Pista, Gulab Jamun, Jalebi, Falooda and Masala Chai-G. Can't decide on one? There's a tasting menu that comes with six different mini scoops.
Frisquet
Address: 970, rue Rachel E.
Why You Need To Go: Most famous for its artisanal gelato and cookie ice-cream sandwiches, Frisquet is one of the hottest places in town to cool down. The Sucré-Salé, vanilla ice cream wedged between two pretzel cookies and then stuffed with oozing salted caramel filling, is the perfect blend of salty and sweet, making this Plateau Mont-Royal creamery an ideal destination for keeping cravings content.
Pizzeria GEMA
Address: 6827, rue Saint-Dominique
Why You Need To Go: While not technically ice cream, GEMMA's famed frozen custard hits the spot just as well. Whether you opt for a more classic, velvety vanilla or more surprising "flavour of the moment," this Little Italy pizzeria and milk bar will keep you coming back for more (because you will become addicted to the custard... take this as a fair warning).
Ripples
Address:
- 5554, rue Jeanne-Mance
- 3971, boul. Saint-Laurent
Hoche Glacé
Address: 2225, av. Bennett
Why You Need To Go: Hoche Glacé offers frozen products of all kinds: classic or vegan soft-serve ice cream, sorbets, refreshing drinks, and a wide range of coffees — all with 100% homemade recipes crafted at their workshop in Hochelaga. Google reviewers call the products here "creamy and drool-worthy" and the quality "out of this world," noting that the lineups on hot days are worth the wait.
Crèmerie SWIRL
Address: 230, Rachel E.
Why You Need To Go: This minimal shop in the Plateau Mont-Royal creates dairy-free soft-serve completely from scratch, and the results are divine. With organic coconut milk as a base and rotating flavours — such as passion fruit with vanilla and chocolate coffee — SWIRL delivers a light and refreshing goodie that everyone can enjoy, whether you're vegan, lactose-intolerant or just a lover of delicious eats.
Virevent
Address: 1517, rue Fleury E.
Why You Need To Go: Virevent may be a neighbourhood gem, but you don't have to be from Ahuntsic to add it to your bucket list. In fact, regardless of where you live, the adored artisanal ice cream and sorbet shop is definitely worth a trip... you know, if you're into incredible quality, innovative flavours and rich, creamy textures (and, if you're not, you may be an alien). For an added bonus, try dipping your ice cream in chocolate, cookies and cream, matcha, or maple syrup confection — we dare you not to drool.
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