Did you know that Montreal is especially known in Canada for the diversity and originality of its ice creams?
The nice hot days are finally here and it's THE season for ice cream. Get ready to see these places on your social networks over the next few months.
Many have vegan, lactose-free, or gluten-free options that are just as worth a visit!
20, ave. Cartier, Ouest-de-l'Île (Montréal), H9S 5L5
A must in Pointe-Claire, Wild Willy's has been open for almost 30 years and offers over 48 types of homemade ice cream! For the lactose intolerant or vegan, they have frozen tofu. Strawberry, chocolate espresso, Kahlua Oreo, and chocolate peanut butter are just a few flavors you can enjoy on the spot or by delivery. Otherwise, go for the float, sundae, banana split, parfait, King Kong (15 scoops), or frozen banana.
Read also:Where to Satisfy Your Sweet Cravings
Multiple locations
If you feel like going off the beaten path and eating ice cream in different forms, the 2 branches of Icy Vibes are a must. Mainly known for their chocolate-covered waffles on a stick with toppings, you should also go there for the ice cream. Soft cream, gelato, sorbet, Taiyaki cone, Booza Ashta, ice cream panini burger, and more. If you go to Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, the view is beautiful on the riverfront.
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3873, rue St-Denis, Montréal, H2W 2M4
Located on Saint-Denis in the Plateau Mont-Royal, this must-try restaurant changes flavor every week. The two owners are avid travelers and want to share the flavors they've enjoyed around the world through their different recipes. Unicone has continuous vegan and lactose-free options and these ice creams are just as delicious. A few examples from the last few weeks to give you an idea of what you can find: Colombia with Dulce de Leche ice cream and Lulo mango and pineapple sorbet); Bastani - Saffron rosewater ice cream with Iranian pistachios and Yemen with Mocha Sanani ice cream and cherry sorbet.
Multiple locations
This particular ice cream chain has several locations in Canada. They offer about twenty (if not more) different dips and toppings. Each visit can be different or the same depending on your mood. Add toppings such as pretzels, pistachios, Oreos, Reese, and chocolate cake to name a few. They are constantly innovating by offering to customize your chocolate bars, donuts, or ice cream.
4458, rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, H2J 2L1
This Plateau creamery with its colorful facade will allow you to enjoy custard-based ice cream with Madagascar vanilla, dark chocolate, Chinese ginger, cardamom, soy milk ice cream, fruit sorbets, and also vegan options! The small bench at the front of the store is the perfect place to enjoy your cone and take in the ambiance of Saint-Denis Street.
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Photo Credit: @redlipstalk
6220, rue St-Hubert, Montréal, H2S 2M2
The charming little restaurant L'Armoire à Glaces offers scoops of artisanal ice cream and a wide range of desserts and ice cream cakes at Plaza St-Hubert. From timeless flavors to bold ones like lavender or mango-coriander, and also vegan and lactose-intolerant options.
Multiple locations
Ca Lem means ice cream in Vietnamese, which may explain the inspiration for flavors that travel the globe. Many of the flavors are coconut milk-based, so vegans or lactose-intolerant people can enjoy them. They are known for having colorful and diverse flavors that change weekly. Some examples are Taro ice cream & Passion Fruit sorbet, gluten-free; Pandan Coco & Mango sorbet; Cotton Candy ice cream & Strawberry sorbet or Earl Gray tea ice cream, or Tahitian Vanilla Bean.
Photo Credit: @therealmtlfoodie
Multiple locations
Gelaterie Pierino is an independent Italian ice cream store located in Montreal North and Laval. Their Gelato/Sorbets are their specialties, all homemade and produced with pride. There are NO artificial flavors or colors added and ALL of their ingredients are sourced in Italy. Buon appetito!
1320, Rue Bélanger, Montréal, H2G 1A1
Iconoglace is located in the Petite-Patrie and is inspired by the word iconoclast which means the rejection of tradition. If you're craving new ways to eat ice cream, this is the place to do it. Much of the menu is vegan, gluten-free, or lactose-free, making the place accessible to everyone. One product that really stood out to them was their kombucha slush with ice cream inside.
2425, Rue Centre, Montréal, H3K 1J9
This small neighborhood café has carved out a niche for itself in Pointe-St-Charles and recently celebrated its second year of operation. During the summer season, they offer homemade ice creams with different flavors. Flavors that have been available since the beginning of the season are Chai & Salted Butter Caramel Latte, Vegan Lime Pie, or Salted Butter & Caramel Popcorn. Follow their social networks to know their flavor of the week.
545, boul. des Laurentides, Laval, H7G 2V3
Another place located in Laval is Dolce & Santella. Enjoy the most exquisite artisanal gelato made only from local ingredients. Marco is of Quebec-Italian origin and blends his heritage to offer unique flavors. Each recipe is calculated and made with passion. Let yourself be tempted by the mascarpone & pistachio, tiramisu, pistachio, strawberry, or almond. You can even call upon their catering service for your next event and consult them for the making of your favorite flavors.
Multiple locations
Since its foundation in 1983, the objective of Le Bilboquet is to make the best ice creams and sorbets available. Everything is made in an artisanal way with only the highest quality raw materials. They have several locations in the city of Montreal.
60, ave. Fairmount O., Montréal, H2T 2M2
With two locations, one in Fairmount and one in Des Ormeaux, they must be on your summer bucket list. The owner couple is French-Vietnamese and their creativity draws crowds throughout the summer season. The durian ice cream is a must-try if you want to be introduced to this fruit known for its strong smell. The twists are constantly changing and will allow you to explore a new ice cream with each visit. Some examples: mango and coconut; blueberry sorbet and honey ice cream; rose, lychee, and raspberry or apple and cinnamon.
423, place Jacques Cartier, Montréal, H2Y 3B1
When you are in the Old Port, this is a must. Several sorbets and soft-serve ice creams are offered with different dips. Bring out your childlike soul with cones decorated with "fruit loops" or "lucky charms", to name a few. Want a little boost at the same time? Their coffee is selected with choice and good quality. If you are a sundae fan, we recommend the maple and walnut sundae. Nice stop with a service that will make you forget the waiting time.
Multiple locations
Every Wednesday at 5:00 pm, follow their website to discover the new products of the week. The chef-owners have over 25 years of combined experience in the restaurant business and it shows! Located in Saint-Henri, the ice cream cookies are a treat as are the different flavors offered. Everything is homemade from Quebec ingredients.
Multiple locations
Little hidden gems in Laval and Montreal, these places offer homemade Middle Eastern ice cream. This method of making is called Bouza/Booza made with ashta, an ice cream usually flavored with rose water or orange blossom water. On the internet, you will find several videos showing the elasticity of this one. You can find typical flavors with rose, pistachios, and one of their great specialties: the Bouza ice cream with cotton candy. It is a place that makes a change and deserves to be discovered.
11798, boul. de Salaberry, Ouest-de-l'Île (Montréal), H9B 2R8
Jukebox Burgers and Dairy Bar, located in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, is a great place to bring family and friends! You'll love their huge, juicy burgers made with fresh AAA-grade meat! Finish your meal with a delicious dessert, and choose the "make your own" option at the ice cream counter.
1274, boul. de Maisonneuve E, Montréal, H2L 2A3
Sachère Desserts has won the hearts (stomachs) of many desserts and ice cream lovers since it opened. Trained as a pastry chef, owner Sonya offers decadent cakes with vegan and gluten-free options. It's impossible to pass up her ice creams, there are 100% vegan twists every week like an Earl Grey sorbet and blood orange sorbet; matcha and dark chocolate, or the olive oil sorbet and grapefruit mint sorbet.
150, ave. du Mont-Royal E, Montréal, H2T 1P1
It's impossible not to feel like a kid when you walk into the Blueboy. The decor is inspired by the 50's era of Doo Wop. Specializing in homemade frozen yogurt, they offer different condiments to accompany your frozen yogurt. The flavors of their ice cream and sorbets change weekly. Here are different recipes that have been paraded over the past month: homemade Tahitian vanilla ice cream with homemade caramel sauce, Oreo powder, and Oreo cookie; pomegranate & rose ice cream alongside chocolate and mochaccino churro sundae. If you're a fan of watermelon, I suggest you keep an eye on their social media, as they have the famous "boat" with ice cream and fruit a few times a summer.
Multiple locations
Ice cream and sorbet makers, make everything on the spot from A to Z, even the cones. They are open year-round to offer desserts and pastries. You may have come across their 500ml tubs at a grocery store near you. Everything is made with local and natural products. On the menu, they have soft ice cream, hard ice cream, the tour (tasting of many flavors), the Roteux (choux pastry bread, ice cream sausage, and condiments), floats, sorbets frappes, ice cream sandwiches, and the pitounes.
474 Avenue Victoria, Saint-Lambert, J4P 2J4
In addition to offering a vast selection of artisanal chocolates, Hartley's offers over 40 flavors of hard ice cream! It is a must in old Saint-Lambert, which warms our hearts as much as it refreshes us throughout the summer.
Multiple locations
Crémerie Pineault, a true institution located in Laval since the end of the 1950s, has invented a unique manufacturing process that allows you to insert fruits and sweets of your choice into soft-serve ice cream, and to twist several flavors of ice cream into one product! One word? YUM! They now have 2 locations, in Laval East and Rosemere.
Multiple locations
People of Beloeil, Terrebonne, Joliette, and Brossard, if you haven't been to Chocolato yet, what are you waiting for? This chocolate and creamery offer you all kinds of delights to sweeten your mouth. Let yourself be tempted by 20 dipping choices to accompany your ice cream sandwiches, a dessert, or even the classic soft-serve ice cream cone. Anything you can imagine is possible at Chocolato. Let your sweet temptation run wild and try every combination of ingredients you can think of.
835, boul. Décarie, Montréal, H4L 3M3
Located on Decarie, this chocolate factory offers several artisanal ice creams. A wide variety of hard ice cream as well as soft ice cream (vanilla and chocolate). You have the option to dip your cone in one of the 8 Belgian chocolate dips. Everything is homemade from fresh ingredients. Don't miss their chocolates, pastries, and cakes.
4645 Grande Allée, Brossard, J4Z 3E9
The ice cream shops are full of creativity and worth a visit, keep an eye on social media to see which address you go to based on the flavors offered. Sure, many have a wait, but it's worth it.
Be sure to check out all the ice cream options in Montreal.
We wish you all a great ice cream season!
