Your Guide to Vancouver's Best Ice-cream

 

 

 

Summer’s here and you know what that means. It’s time to cool off and savour the sunshine and there’s no better way to do just that with some cold, delicious ice cream. For a rainy city, Vancouver is home to a number of creative and unique ice cream shops. So grab your kids, a friend or that significant other, here are the top five ice cream shops you need to visit this summer.

 

 

Step back in time at this old-fashioned ice cream parlour in Burnaby that looks like a classic 50s diner. Glenburn serves up hand-crafted ice creams, sundaes, ice cream sodas, to name a few. A must-try is their sweet and salty pretzel sundae. You’ll also be able to find other icy treats here, such as milkshakes, fountain drinks, egg creams and malts. This is definitely an ideal spot for some quality time with the kids. 

 

 

 

 

Didn’t think ice cream could be healthy? Soft Peaks might change your mind. Their special handcrafted ice creams are made from organic milk and ingredients that results in a cup of creamy goodness that’s all-natural and has fewer calories and fat than regular ice cream. A must-try option is their honeycomb peak – which is topped with a piece of local Okanagan honeycomb. Located in Gastown, they’ve also opened another location at Kingsway in Burnaby.  

 

 

Nitrogen-churned artisanal ice cream anyone? Mister uses liquid nitrogen to churn their handmade ice cream for a denser, smoother and creamier scoop. Each cup is made fresh, right before your eyes and it’s definitely fun to watch. They’re also pretty innovative when it comes to the flavours – they were one of the first shops last year to introduce the black ice-cream trend with their dark coconut ash flavour!

 

 

 

 

Ever had Chinese ice cream? If not, this is the place you want to try. This little hole-in-the-wall store in the Marpole area specializes in Hong Kong style desserts. It’s a small place with limited seating, so get there early for a taste of Asian-inspired flavours such as matcha, mango and durian. You can also try their shaved ice creations, which are a popular Asian treat. End your experience by taking home a pint or two of their homemade ice-cream that’s made from fresh fruit.

 

 

 

 

Craving a taste of Italy this summer? Head to La Casa Gelato for some good, old-fashioned gelato and sorbetto. A Vancouver institution, La Casa Gelato have been serving up scoops of icy goodness for the past 34 years. You’ll be spoiled for choice here as La Casa Gelato has over 500 flavours...although only 238 are available in store at any time. Ever wanted to try exotic flavours like curry or jalapeno gelato? You know where to go now.