Kem CoBa (in Vietnamese it means "third auntie's ice cream", nickname given to co-owner Ngoc by her niece) offers fresh ice cream and sorbet prepared with premium quality ingredients, with no preservatives nor artificial flavours. You'll also find homemade soft ice cream, with featured flavours that change based on the 2 chefs' mood and creative escapades. How about coconut-mango or strawberry cheesecake? You can also buy pastries that complement ice cream and sorbet. But this time, they're Ngoc's own little creations (baked on site). Now we're talking about shortbread, brownies, almond tiles, butter cakes, canelés, sponge cakes, etc. And a little (sweet) Asian touch is what makes them so special...
Reviews present Kem CoBa as a Montreal ice cream landmark known for inventive, high quality flavors and a silky texture, with soft serve often highlighted as a standout and many calling it the best in town. The menu features bold, rotating flavors including pandan, lychee, rose, durian, mango, matcha, corn flakes with salted caramel, and other Asian inspired options, along with solid hard ice creams; tasters praise strong, balanced flavors and a creamy mouthfeel that stays light rather than cloying. The experience is sometimes described as artisanal and house made, with several notes about the soft serve and sorbet being refreshingly delicious. The shop operates cash only, so visitors are advised to bring cash, which can contribute to longer lines that nevertheless move at a steady pace. A few reviews mention pricing for small portions as a drawback, but overall the place is called a Montreal classic and a must for ice cream lovers, drawing repeat visits to sample new flavors and enjoy the friendly atmosphere.
We were in Montreal for two days & we went to Kem Co Ba two times. We wanted to go more but we couldn't! The ice cream & sorbet was out of this world. Texture on the chocolate 72 was silky smooth. Simply the best.
The line was kinda long, & moved slowly. Didn't know ahead of time that this place is cash only, so be prepared. The soft-serve 72% chocolate twist with framboise was delicious. Tried the hard praline first, & wasn't a big fan. Prices are reasonable.
Aug 24, 2025
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Unique flavours. Their soft serve is delicious & it changes often. They have one of the best chocolate ice cream I've ever had. Cash only, so come prepared.
Pretty standard ice cream shop that you see in a big city. They only allow one tester & one I tried was absolutely horrible & one I picked was safe choice (chocolate & something else) which worked okay. Long line ups but worth it on a hot day.
As usual, absolutely delicious spot! The soft serve is my favorite. But the flavors on the home made ice cream are so delicious. The soft serve is a twist of dulce de lèche & pear flavor. The pear was very powerful tasting. Almost like you are biting into a pear. The other ice cream was 70% chocolate & Vietnamese coffee, both wonderful!
Kem Coba is one of the top 3 places for outstanding ice cream in Montreal. If we are having dinner in the area we stop for dessert here. About every two weeks there soft ice cream flavour changes & the flavours are exquisite burst of a perfect blend of flavours. In the fall their last soft ice cream taste like apple pie. WOW. Dry duran, salted butter, the dark chocolate is devine.. Not sure if you will like the soft ice cream, just get a mini & come back for more.
Vincent , Ngoc family & team are very friendly & patient.
The line up is long in summer, hence the rope because that is how good & popular Kem Coba is . There are seats to enjoy & chat with friends. The summer heat has finally arrived & its time for delicious ice cream & sorbet . Also a stop on my ice cream tours of Montreal.
Highly recommended
Ruby Roy
Jun 3, 2025
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The hype is real, folks. Just do like I do & go when it's rainy & cold. My last visit I had a goat cheese & sour cherry ice cream, it was absolutely mind blowing. The dark chocolate is rich & tasty, & they have sorbets with weird fruits too. I could have had anything on the menu & I know it's good.
This is the best ice cream store in montreal. It combines extremely high quality ice cream (rich, creamy, great texture) with incredibly creative flavours. The salted butter & 72% chocolate go together extremely well. But the matcha & pandan leaf (if they have them) are the stars of the show. Both bring an earthyness that contrasts beautifully to their sweetness. If you want good ice cream bring cash & get ready for a line, but it'll be worth it.
Interesting variety of asian inspired flavors for ice cream, sorbets & soft serve with classics as well. My group got chocolate, apple spice, Vietnamese coffee, pandan, soursop, all were great!
Sorvete maravilhoso (especialmente o soft serve, que muda de tempos em tempos). A fila enorme, virando o quarteirão pode confirmar o hype! Já experimentei os sabores: framboesa + lichia, framboesa + chocolate e maçã + canela. Vale super a pena! Um dos melhores sorvetes de montreal. Unico defeito é só aceitar dinheiro
