Summer has begun, and with that comes the sweltering heat and humidity that can only be resolved with an icy cool treat. From classic cones to modern gelato desserts – the Halton area has it all! No matter if you fancy a single scoop bubble gum with rainbow sprinkles in a classic cone, or a Ferrero gelato in a waffle cup, if you’re looking to treat yo’ self, here are some delicious options that will curb those sweet cravings.
Easterbrook’s Ice Cream
694 Spring Gardens Rd, Burlington
A family favourite for many years, Easterbrook’s has been serving up hot dogs and fries, and scooping up ice cream for over 85 years. Mable Easterbrook opened the store as a tea house in 1926. In 1930 Easterbrook’s began serving hotdogs and the family has been running it the same way for 4 generations. Located just near the Royal Botanical Gardens, Easterbrook’s is a great stopover before or after one of those weekend hikes with the family. Their retro diner offers a rotating menu on the chalkboard of many different ice creams that they source from Central Smith ice cream in Peterborough. Prepare for a line-up, but it’s worth it! Customer favourites include: Chocolate Peanut Butter, and traditional like Bubblegum and Cotton Candy.
easterbrooks.ca
Kelly’s Bake Shoppe Vegan Ice Cream
401 Brant Street, Burlington
Gone are the days when vegans were only able to enjoy a salad for their meals, because Kelly’s Bake Shoppe is here, heading the burgeoning vegan scene in the area. Owners Kelly Childs and Erinn Weatherbie create mouth-watering baked goods and desserts that anyone could enjoy – even those under gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, butter-free, vegan and peanut-free diets. Customer favourites include their health-friendly ice cream tubs, soft serve ice creams and cookie sandwiches with ice cream. Kelly’s offers seasonal flavours of their vegan ice cream, like chocolate or charcoal. All of their ice creams are made in house by the Kelly’s team.
kellysxo.com
The Sweetest Thing
282 Kerr St, Oakville
This iconic boutique bakery located on Kerr Street in Oakville offers scratch-made cupcakes, cookies, cakes, ice cream treats and more! Stop by The Sweetest Thing for a refreshing softserve cone or one of their ice cream sammies!
thesweetestthing.com
The Flavour Fox
103A-77 Bronte Road, Bronte
Specializing in hard ice cream, hand-crafted gelato, shakes, homemade cookies and gourmet hot chocolate – The Flavour Fox team took over an existing ice cream store and renovated it to become the new and improved ice cream spot in Bronte. On top of their original Kawartha Ice Cream available in cones or cups, The Flavour Fox offers 16 different milkshake flavours and Belgian waffles. Best of all, The Flavour Fox is located right at the Bronte Harbour – so you can enjoy watching the boats go by while you lick on your cone!
theflavourfox.com
La Dolce Vita
22 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville
Located just steps to the Oakville waterfront, La Dolce Vita offers up artisanal gelato flavours that they make in-house – featuring traditional flavours like pistachio or lemon, and modern favourites like bubble gum and passion fruit. On top of enjoying gelato the classic way, they also offer gelato desserts like gelato pops, gelato cannolis, gelato paninis and gelato cake!
ladolcevitaoakville.com
Piazza Bistro
94 George Street, Oakville
Not only does Piazza Bistro serve up amazing lunches, dinners, handmade pizzas and cappuccinos, they also offer an extensive gelato menu! Carrying 16 flavours per season, there are so many creamy options to choose from. Customer favourites include the Mango and the Chocolate Hazelnut.
piazzabistro.ca
RC’s Boardwalk Fries & Ice Cream
2013 Lakeshore Road, Burlington
As you’re strolling the Burlington lakeshore, the neon lights of RC’s Boardwalk will call to you – reeling you in like a fly to honey. And yes, similar to the metaphor, a sweet treat waits at the end. Offering 32 flavours of ice cream, along with milkshakes, flurries, sundaes, floats, funnel cakes and banana splits (plus savoury food), RC’s is a retro restaurant through and through. From the pink walls to the checkerboard flooring and tin signage, RC’s is the ideal place to get that classic cone and feel like you’re living in a simpler time. If you’re more about the modern options and looking for something super Instagram friendly, try their Frozen Yogurt twist cones!
@rcsboardwalk
I Love Gelato
1477 Lakeshore Road, Burlington
Aiming to bring back the memories of childhood in Italy, the family-owned I Heart Gelato creates authentic made-in-house gelato…with everything from gluten-free to sugar free and vegan options. The only thing that could make their gelato even better? Their location! When you grab your cone or cup, walk right out the front door and stroll the Burlington Waterfront. Try their Ferrero or Pistachio, but get there early – because they may sell out!
@ILOVEGELATOBURLONT
by Heather Peter
