The warm summer days we’ve been waiting for are finally here. Local ice cream and gelato shops are ready to help the community cool off with sweet, creamy goodness. There’s no shortage of fun spots to grab a cone, sundae, milkshake or gourmet popsicle. We’ve rounded up a few favourites that are synonymous with summertime.
Il Gelato di Carlotta
312 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville
gelatodicarlotta.com
Craving a European escape? The Cattani family’s gelato-making roots trace back generations to Florence, Italy. After moving to Canada, Carlotta Cattani, president and director of production, set out to bring authentic Italian gelato to Ontario. In 2013, with her husband and two brothers, Carlotta opened a shop in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Its sweet success led to new locations in Niagara Falls, Oakville, Toronto and Port Dalhousie. The company takes gelato to the next level with cookie sandwiches, mini cones and even gelato cannolis.
The Flavour Fox
2464 Lakeshore Road West # 5, Bronte
theflavourfox.com
Head to downtown Bronte’s The Flavour Fox for a crisp, thin Italian waffle cone filled to the brim with artisanal gelato made fresh daily. Colourful prints line the glass display case, making it nearly impossible to choose just one. But the truth is, you can’t go wrong. With a rotating selection of flavours like limoncello and stracciatella — plus classics like salted caramel and roasted pistachio— you’ll leave happy.
RC’s Boardwalk Fries & Ice Cream Parlour
2013 Lakeshore Road, Burlington
F/p/RCs-Boardwalk-fries-and-ice-cream-parlour
RC’s is a longtime staple on the downtown Burlington waterfront, a retro-style diner bursting with charming décor like neon signs and vintage posters.They’ve just launched a brand-new flavour: Monster Cookie Ice Cream, which has a bright blue base loaded with cookie dough chunks and cookie crumbs. RC’s is also famous for whipped-cream-topped milkshakes, classic banana splits and perfectly dipped chocolate cones.
Nanis Gelato
2485 Appleby Line, Burlington
www.nanisgelato.com
Named after the word for “grandmother” in several South Asian languages, Nani’s Gelato is inspired by South Asian and Indian flavours. After opening their first shop in Toronto’s Liberty Village, Nani’s has now made its way to Burlington — bringing bold, unique combos like coffee cardamom, mango lychee and carrot halwa (a spiced Indian dessert made with carrots, ghee and condensed milk).
La Creme de la Creme Creamery
389 John Street, Burlington
lacremedelacremecreamery.ca
Chocolate lovers, this one’s for you. Family-run La Creme de la Creme coats its soft serve in premium Belgian chocolate with flavours like pink bubble gum, blue cotton candy, Oreo and dark raspberry. Top it off with crushed peanuts, Fruity Pebbles, or waffle cone bits for the ultimate crunch. It’s a vibrant, flavour-packed experience. The vegan dark chocolate with oat-based soft serve is a great dairy-free option.
Hippie Pops
Order online or at Mary’s Muffins, 326 Kerr Street, Oakville
hippiepops.ca
Serving up Paletas, which are Latin American-inspired fruit pops, Hippie Pops is a local gem doing events and pop- ups that stand out for all the right reasons. These colourful treats are 100% vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar- free, making them perfect for anyone with dietary restrictions or simply looking for a healthier option. Each paleta is handmade with care. Top-selling flavours include Ontario strawberry, pink lemonade, piña colada mango, and blood orange clementine.
Centro Noca
590 Brant Street, Burlington
centrogarden.com
Centro Noca’s gelato is a delicious escape tucked right into the heart of Downtown Burlington. Each scoop is creamy, dreamy, and packed with vibrant, authentic Italian flavour. Whether you’re into classics like pistachio and dark chocolate, or fruity seasonal picks, there’s something to make your taste buds dance. The charming, stylish shop set inside a stunning Victorian era building (complete with a sunny patio, huge corten steel planters AND a trickling fountain!) add a touch of European magic to every visit. It’s the perfect sweet stop after a day of shopping, strolling, or simply soaking up the downtown vibes.
Kawartha Dairy
3465 Fairview Street, Burlington
kawarthadairy.com/burlington
Everyone’s cottage country favourite, Kawartha Dairy is one of the newer additions to Burlington’s ice cream scene and already a go-to for many. The warm, sugary smell of fresh waffle cones greets you at the door. Proudly Canadian and family owned since 1937, they’ve truly mastered the art of ice cream: rich, decadent, and made with fresh milk and cream from local farms. Each scoop is a little taste of tradition!
Other Local Favourites:
JAX SWEET SHOPPE
33 King Street West, Dundas
jaxsweetshoppe.com
LA DOLCE VITA
22 Lakeshore Road West,
Oakville
ladolcevitaoakville.com
NYLA’S ROOM
109 Thomas Street, Oakville
nylasroom.com
CREMA DI GELATO
415 Locust Street, Burlington
cremadigelato.weebly.com
BY LAUREN MEDEIROS
