We are well into summer. With the sun making more of a presence for itself, many of us are looking to these local purveyors of ice cream and gelato to help cool us down. Here are 8 local icy options to lick up.
Johnny’s Pops (pop-up)
Not your childhood popsicles, these frozen fruit and cream bars come in flavours like London Fog, Creamy Strawberry Lemonade, and Strawberry Balsamic Basil. Made mostly from ingredients found within BC, you can find their rotating assortment of flavours at numerous farmer’s markets and events around the city. And if you don’t want to go to them, bring them to you by enlisting their catering services to your next event or occasion. Check their website for their next pop-up.
Innocent Ice Cream Parlour
4895 Main St, Vancouver, BC
(604) 879-8584 or innocenticecream.com
What started off as a little ice cream cart puttering around the beach scene is now a storefront hosting vegan-friendly ice cream sandwiches in regular and mini sizes. Take freshly baked, gluten-free cookies and use them to sandwich small-batch ice cream, and the possibilities are endless. Their dairy-based ice creams feature all local ingredients and their vegan options are made with oat or coconut milk. Mix and match to make your own dessert sandwich. Or lean on their curated menu with options like Cherry Bomb with double chocolate cookies and wild cherry ice cream. Or the Canadian with oatmeal cookies and maple walnut ice cream.
Buckets Ice Cream
3330 Main St, Vancouver, BC
(604) 559-5776 or bucketsicecream.com
Located on Main Street, this family-run ice cream shop specializes in liquid nitrogen ice cream that freezes faster and avoids ice crystal. They currently have their scoops pre-made and pre-dole out into little compostable buckets for easy take out. With dairy and vegan options you can enjoy their ice cream in a pint, like cake, milkshake, or ice cream sandwich. Chose from popular flavours like Blueberry Lemon Crisp, Mint Oreo, and Pandan.
Elephant Garden Creamery
2080 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC
(604) 251-6832 or elephantgarden.ca
Located on Commercial Drive, this newer ice cream parlour features many popular Southeast Asian flavours turned into ice cream. Find fan favourites like Vietnamese Coffee, HK Milk Tea, and Mango Coconut Sticky Rice. The latter being the go-to of many and is vegan to boot. And be sure to check in on their fun rotating flavours like Salted Egg Yolk, Jasmine Cloud Tea + Strawberries, and Avocado Milk.
Passione Gelato
55 Smithe St, Vancouver, BC
(604) 652-3915 or parqvancouver.com/food-drink/passione/
This is a small neighbourhood Gelateria by Parq Casino. They use fresh organic ingredients and traditional Italian methods to make their rich and creamy gelato, boasting a substantial selection of vegan gelato as well. You can find more traditional flavours like Salted Caramel and Madagascar Vanilla, and pair it with Black Sesame, Roasted Green Tea, and even Durian.
Mister Artisan Ice Cream
1141 Mainland St, Vancouver, BC
(778) 379-2833 or madebymister.com
Located in Yaletown, this artisan ice cream parlour uses liquid nitrogen and an active imagination to dream up some of their fantastical flavours and concoctions. Most notable by their perfectly quaffed peaks, their unique flavours are made using all-natural ingredients, which is rotated it by season, and presented in a way that takes your dessert consumption to a whole new level. Buzzworthy past creations include a Milo ice cream sammie with puffed rice, a Lucky Charms cereal sammie, and Vancouver’s first hot Cheeto and ice cream collaboration.
Rocky Point Ice Cream
2800 Murray St, Port Moody, BC
(604) 492-3119 or rockypointicecream.com/
Port Moody’s ice cream shop is opening and continuing to scoop out their popular ice creams in singles and as doubles in cups and cones. What better away to end your walk around the pier or a day in the park than with a cool treat? They have the classics like cotton candy and bubble gum, as well as some more modern combinations like Blackberry Sage and Earl Grey & Honey.
The Praguery (pop-up)
Take a fall and winter classic: the chimney cake, turn it upside down and fill it with soft service ice cream for a treat you can enjoy this warmer season. This summer their food truck is rolling all around Vancouver with toppings like mango, berry, lemon, and caramel. Check their website for their next pop-up.
Featured image by Brooke Lark
