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The Best Ice Cream in Toronto (2026)

Bang Bang Ice Cream & Bakery, Death in Venice Gelato, Bar Ape, and Dutch Dreams anchor this guide. Cookie sandwiches, gelato labs, seasonal soft serve, vegan scoops, Greek frozen yogurt, and classic parlours — verified August 2026. Expanded from a thin eight-spot list; every profile remirrored with a unique hero.

Updated for 2026•18 Destinations
No.1
Ice cream sandwich style photography used as last-resort hero for Bang Bang (official site parked)
Shop• Ossington

Bang Bang Ice Cream & Bakery

“Best cookie sandwich on Ossington: London Fog between house cookies — call ahead; the official site is currently parked.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Bang Bang Ice Cream & Bakery?** Located at 93A Ossington Avenue between Queen and Dundas, Bang Bang is the compact, white-tiled dessert counter founded by siblings Rosanne and Arthur Pezzelli. The storefront is streamlined and takeaway-focused, with no indoor dining tables and only the bustling sidewalk of the Ossington strip to lean against while you eat. It remains one of Toronto’s definitive sweet spots, built around made-from-scratch bakery items paired with dense, custard-rich ice creams. **Bang Bang Ice Cream & Bakery Menu & What to Order** The essential move is the custom ice cream sandwich—a hefty scoop pressed between house-baked cookies like the Everything Cookie (packed with pretzels, chocolate, peanut butter, and oats) or the salted chocolate RoCocoa sablé. Flavours rotate on the chalkboard and span from the fragrant Earl Grey-steeped London Fog and rich Burnt Toffee to vibrant Totaro (ube and coconut) and Matcha-Genmaicha Tiramisu. Beyond cookies, order your scoop rolled into a warm, made-to-order Big Bang Hong Kong egg waffle or folded into a craquelin cream puff. **Know Before You Go** Bang Bang operates strictly on a walk-in counter basis, and lines routinely stretch down the block on warm evenings and summer weekends. Visit during weekday mid-afternoons to avoid peak waits, or take your order south toward Trinity Bellwoods Park. Take the 501 Queen or 505 Dundas streetcars to Ossington, as street parking in the area is notoriously scarce.

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No.2
Death in Venice gelato shop photography from deathinvenice.ca
Shop• Dundas West / Brockton

Death in Venice Gelato

“Best experimental gelato on Dundas West: olive oil–sea salt or the butter-tart pint when the board is on.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Death in Venice Gelato?** Anchoring Dundas West near Dufferin, Death in Venice operates less like a standard scoop shop and more like an experimental flavour lab. Founded by chemical engineer-turned-chef Kaya Ogruce, the compact space applies serious culinary science to small-batch frozen desserts. Seating is virtually nonexistent, making this a focused counter-service stop built for grabbing a fresh cone before strolling the strip. **Death in Venice Gelato Menu & What to Order** The rotating freezer case swaps candy-sweet clichés for botanical complexity, savoury accents, and clever pastry construction. First-timers should sample the Ricotta Rosemary Lemon or Olive Oil & Sea Salt to understand the kitchen's technical balance, while the Maple Butter Tart with Smoked Pecans and the Pistachio Yogurt Baklava bring top-tier dessert drama. Plant-based visitors will find equally compelling vegan scoops like dark Chocolate Coconut Vanilla and vibrant seasonal fruit-herb sorbets. **Know Before You Go** The shop operates strictly on walk-ins, with breezy queues forming out the door on balmy summer evenings and peak weekend afternoons. Dundas West street parking is limited, so hop on the 505 Dundas streetcar for effortless transit access. The shop is open seven days a week with extended weekend hours, and the front freezer stays stocked with takeaway pints.

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No.3
Bar Ape soft-serve gelato photography from bar-ape.com
Shop• Wychwood / Corso Italia

Bar Ape

“Best seasonal soft-serve gelato: Rushton window, cash only, weekly fruit twists — go Thu–Sun before October ends.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Bar Ape?** Tucked onto a quiet residential side street just north of St. Clair West at 283 Rushton Road, Bar Ape is Toronto’s essential seasonal gelato walk-up. Founded by James Carnevale and Nick Genova—who started out slinging frozen treats from a vintage three-wheeled Piaggio Ape motorcycle—the brick-and-mortar storefront operates strictly during the warm weather months. There is no indoor dining room; patrons order directly from the curbside takeout window and snag spots on the sidewalk wood benches to eat before their cones melt. **Bar Ape Menu & What to Order** The kitchen bypasses powdered mixes entirely, pouring scratch-made, traditional Italian gelato recipes straight into calibrated soft-serve machines to achieve an extraordinarily dense, velvet swirl. The weekly soft-serve feature rotates continuously, spotlighting peak seasonal fruit pairings like Niagara stone fruit, roasted apricot, or blackberry alongside dairy staples like toasted almond and Fior di Latte. The hand-dipped gelato bars on a stick—notably the pistachio, chocolate hazelnut, and lemon—are masterclasses in texture, while dairy-free patrons will always find at least one bright, vegan soft-serve or bar option on the board. **Know Before You Go** Bar Ape is strictly walk-up, non-reservable, and cash-only, with flat pricing that includes tax. Peak summer evenings bring long sidewalk lineups, but the window service is remarkably fast and efficient. The shop operates seasonally from spring through mid-autumn, closing Tuesdays and Wednesdays and opening earlier on weekend afternoons.

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No.4
Dutch Dreams cotton candy ice cream photography from dutchdreams.ca
Shop• St. Clair West / Wychwood

Dutch Dreams

“Best maximalist parlour north of St. Clair: Cotton Candy cone, Grapenut for classicists, daily late hours.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Dutch Dreams?** Located just south of St. Clair West at 36 Vaughan Road, Dutch Dreams is a multi-generational, unapologetically maximalist dessert institution founded by the Aben family in the 1980s. The interior resembles a technicolor antique parlour packed floor-to-ceiling with vintage Delftware, Tiffany lamps, movie props, and eccentric curiosities from Holland. Seating is casual and fast-moving, consisting of high-turnover indoor perches and outdoor benches where crowds linger with overflowing cones. **Dutch Dreams Menu & What to Order** The counter serves over five dozen kosher, fresh-cream ice cream flavours alongside warm, scratch-made Dutch pancakes and pressed waffle cones. Crowds flock to the hand-dipped waffle cones encrusted with crushed nuts or cookies and crowned with an over-the-top cloud of freshly spun cotton candy. Purists should stick to legacy dairy classics like rich Dutch Chocolate, French Vanilla, or Grapenut, while sweet-tooth adventurers gravitate to Toronto Traffic Jam and Drake's Chocolate Peanut Butter. Big celebration groups can even order the vintage flaming Baked Alaska, complete with toasted meringue and lit sparklers. **Know Before You Go** Dutch Dreams is strictly walk-in only, and warm summer nights reliably trigger queues stretching down Vaughan Road, though the line moves briskly. Street parking along Vaughan and St. Clair West fills quickly, making a quick hop on the 512 St. Clair streetcar from St. Clair West subway station the smartest transit route. The shop stays open until late daily, making it a premier midnight dessert run.

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No.5
Ruru Baked ice cream photography from rurubaked.com
Shop• Bloordale Village

Ruru Baked

“Best custard scoop in Bloordale: Hong Kong milk tea when it is on the board — yolks, not a soft-serve mix.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Ruru Baked?** Located at 659 Lansdowne Avenue just steps from Bloor in Bloordale Village, Ruru Baked is the brick-and-mortar scoop shop from pastry chef Luanne Ronquillo, born out of wildly competitive pandemic-era pre-orders. The compact, minimalist storefront is strictly a counter-service operation with no indoor seating, designed for grabbing cones, house-baked treats, and packed pints before strolling through the neighbourhood. **Ruru Baked Menu & What to Order** Ronquillo specializes in French-style custard ice cream churned with local dairy, egg yolks, and low overrun for an ultra-dense, creamy texture without artificial extracts. The rotating roster leans heavily into bakery classics and Asian-inspired profiles, led by staples like Banoffee Pie packed with real banana, aromatic Pandan, and bold Viet Coffee. Dairy-free visitors have reliable vegan sorbets and tofu fa options, while the warm Hawaiian Butter Mochi and De Mello coffee affogatos prove the baked goods are far more than an afterthought. **Know Before You Go** Service is walk-in only, and lines routinely stretch down Lansdowne during warm summer evenings and peak weekend afternoons. You can secure high-demand pints for same-day pickup directly through the shop's website to dodge sellouts. Lansdowne subway station is less than a two-minute walk away, making the TTC by far the easiest way to visit.

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No.6
Ed's Real Scoop ice cream photography from edsrealscoop.com
Shop• Roncesvalles

Ed's Real Scoop

“Best classic Roncesvalles scoop: Maple Bacon Crunch when you want salty-sweet, not another gelato counter.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Ed's Real Scoop?** Situated at 189 Roncesvalles Avenue, this west-end institution by founder Ed Francis brings traditional, small-batch ice cream craftsmanship to a lively stretch of Roncy. The space is bright, open, and straightforward, centred around a deep display case of freshly churned batches with window bar stools and simple indoor tables. Outside, the wide sidewalk doubles as an impromptu community gathering spot for families, dog walkers, and post-dinner strollers. **Ed's Real Scoop Menu & What to Order** The shop churns out dozens of rotating ice creams, Italian-style gelatos, and fruit sorbets made with dairy from Canadian farms and natural ingredients. The indisputable crowd favourite is Burnt Marshmallow—a rich scoop capturing the exact caramelized char of a campfire roast—paired inside a freshly rolled waffle cone. Non-dairy fruit sorbets like mango and tart lemon provide dairy-free alternatives, while decadent house confections like chocolate-dipped Giant Tortoises layered with caramel and pecans make exceptional take-home treats. **Know Before You Go** Everything is counter service and walk-in only; expect steady queues out the front door on sunny afternoons and warm summer nights, though the scoopers move the line quickly. The 504 King streetcar drops off right nearby, and paid street parking is available along Roncesvalles. Pints, ice cream sandwiches, and ice cream pies are readily stocked in the grab-and-go freezer if you want to skip the cone line.

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No.7
Waffle cone scoop in front of the Brokn Milk storefront window at 151 Barton — from venue Instagram @brokn_milk
Shop• Christie Pits

Brokn Milk

“Best new small-batch counter: Barton Ave, Fri–Sun 3–8 only — check Instagram before you walk over.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Brokn Milk?** Brokn Milk is a small-batch ice cream shop at **151 Barton Avenue** in Christie Pits. Family-run; opened July 3, 2026 after pop-ups at Big Trouble Pizza and Tiny's General Store. There is no marketing website. Instagram [@brokn_milk](https://www.instagram.com/brokn_milk/) is the storefront. Bio: "Proper small batch ice cream made from scratch. Fri - Sun 3-8. For now." **Is it Broken Milk?** Yes. Searchers typing **Broken Milk Toronto** mean this shop. The brand spelling is Brokn (without the e). **Hours** Instagram bio (re-checked 2026-09-10): **Fri - Sun 3-8. For now.** That is Friday-Sunday 3:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. only; closed Monday-Thursday. Confirm same-day on @brokn_milk. Stories sometimes note same-day exceptions (one past graphic said 4-8:30); treat the bio as the rule. **Where in Christie Pits?** 151 Barton Ave, Toronto, ON M6G 2H1, across from Christie Pits. Weekend neighbourhood scoop, not a tourist-strip parlour. **What flavours this weekend?** The board rotates and sells through. Brokn Milk posts a starting lineup on Instagram; do not treat any press or old graphic as this weekend's menu. Check [@brokn_milk](https://www.instagram.com/brokn_milk/) the day you go.

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No.8
Summer's Ice Cream photography from summersicecream.com
Shop• Yorkville

Summer's Ice Cream

“Best Yorkville classic: Toronto Pothole scoop in a family shop that has been here since the Cumberland days.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Summer's Ice Cream?** Perched along the brownstones at 101 Yorkville Avenue, Summer's Ice Cream has been an essential midtown scoop shop since Len and Helka Tokey founded it in 1984, drawing on Helka’s family ice cream-making roots from 1930s Czechoslovakia. Now spearheaded by second-generation owner Ron Tokey, this subterranean parlor retains its nostalgic, unpretentious charm amid Yorkville's luxury corridor. Seating is strictly grab-and-go with a handful of courtyard patio benches outside where patrons linger under the trees on warm evenings. **Summer's Ice Cream Menu & What to Order** Every small-batch flavour is churned on site, led by the crowd-favourite Toronto Pothole—a rich chocolate base loaded with marshmallow swirl, caramel, and chopped nuts that serves as a playful homage to city driving. If you prefer nut-forward profiles, the Almond Butter Toffee and whole-nut Pistachio deliver buttery crunch with velvety density. Fresh fruit sorbets provide dairy-free relief, while indulgent scoops like Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Cookie Cookie packed with Oreos remain heavy hitters. **Know Before You Go** This is a strict walk-up counter operation, so expect fast-moving queues stretching onto Yorkville Avenue during sunny weekend afternoons and post-dinner rushes. It sits a short five-minute walk from Bay station, with paid underground parking nearby on Cumberland and Yorkville. The shop stays open late into the night, operating until midnight on weekdays and 1:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

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No.9
Honey's Ice Cream photography from honeysicecream.ca
Shop• Leslieville

Honey's Ice Cream

“Best vegan scoop in the east end: Peanut Butter Saltine — worth it even if you usually eat dairy.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Honey's Ice Cream?** Occupying a cheerful storefront at 1026 Queen Street East near Pape Avenue, Honey’s Ice Cream is Leslieville’s dedicated plant-based scoop shop from Bunner’s Bake Shop co-founder Ashley Wittig. The bright, minimalist counter features clean pastel tiling, sun-drenched front windows, and casual outdoor bench seating where locals congregate in warmer months. Built on rich cashew-cream and coconut-milk bases, the parlour crafts dairy-free scoops with the dense, velvety texture of traditional ice cream. **Honey's Ice Cream Menu & What to Order** The runaway favourite is the Peanut Butter & Saltine, a creamy scoop layered with crushed salted crackers that wins over sceptics immediately. Traditionalists should zero in on the Atlantic Salted Caramel, Supernatural Chocolate, or fruit-forward berry churns, while the novelty freezer stocks decadent chocolate-dipped ice cream bars and the DQ-inspired Hot Fudge Crunch Pie. Everything in the shop is 100% vegan, with frosty oat-milk milkshakes and a wide variety of gluten-free flavours readily available. **Know Before You Go** Service is walk-in only, and lines regularly stretch down Queen East on warm summer nights following dinner service. Streetcar riders can take the 501 Queen streetcar directly to Pape Avenue, while drivers will find metered street parking along surrounding side streets. Pints, pies, and novelties sell out quickly on warm weekends, but local stock can be reserved in advance through their online store.

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No.10
Mizzica Gelateria & Cafe photography from mizzica.ca
Cafe• Queen West

Mizzica Gelateria & Cafe

“Best Queen West gelato café: Bacio in a real sit-down room, not just a takeaway window.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Mizzica Gelateria & Cafe?** Perched at 307 Queen Street West near John Street, Mizzica Gelateria & Cafe brings the regional dessert traditions of Sicily and Abruzzo to the Queen West strip. Founded by Paolo Di Lallo and Denise Pisani, the bright, bustling cafe pairs an authentic Italian espresso counter with refrigerated display cases showing off award-winning, small-batch gelato and fresh baked goods. Indoor cafe seating gives guests a place to sit with an espresso, though much of the crowd takes scoops out the door for a stroll through the downtown core. **Mizzica Gelateria & Cafe Menu & What to Order** Start with the acclaimed Pistacchio Siciliano, an intensely nutty and velvety scoop made with imported Sicilian nuts, or opt for the Bacio for a rich hazelnut-and-chocolate profile. Pastry fans should look straight to the cannoli, which are piped fresh to order with sweet ricotta or hazelnut crema, alongside the ricotta-and-candied-fruit Cassata Siciliana gelato. Dairy-free diners are well looked after with vivid seasonal fruit sorbetti and an intense water-based Dark Chocolate, best paired with a properly pulled espresso doppio. **Know Before You Go** Mizzica runs entirely on walk-in counter service, so expect lines to form quickly on warm summer evenings and after shows in the nearby Entertainment District. Street parking on Queen West is tight, making the 501 Queen streetcar or a quick walk from Osgoode Station your best transit bet. The shop stays open daily from early morning until 11:00 p.m. or midnight on weekends, making it one of downtown's most reliable late-night dessert runs.

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No.11
iHalo Krunch charcoal cone photography from ihalokrunch.com
Shop• Trinity Bellwoods / Queen West

iHalo Krunch

“Best charcoal cone in the city: Trinity Bellwoods flagship — order the black cone, not a plain cup.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is iHalo Krunch?** Perched at 831 Queen Street West across from Trinity Bellwoods Park, iHalo Krunch is Toronto's original purveyor of charcoal-cone soft serve. Founded by Charlene D'Aoust and Tuan Nguyen, the shop channels Filipino and Vietnamese dessert traditions into eye-popping, vibrant swirls. The compact space operates strictly as a grab-and-go counter with no dine-in seating, funneling steady park traffic and dessert seekers back onto the sidewalk. **iHalo Krunch Menu & What to Order** The house signature is the Ubenut, a striking split-swirl of sweet purple yam and jet-black coconut charcoal soft serve loaded into a hand-rolled black charcoal cone. Other standout flavours include Meet Your Matcha, aromatic floral Pandan, and fruity dairy-free options like the Vegan Manga sorbet. Guests can also grab ice cream boba drinks layered with chew-forward tapioca pearls. For the best bite, ask for your Ubenut in the signature charcoal waffle cone, which hides a marshmallow at the bottom to catch melting drips. **Know Before You Go** The shop operates on a walk-in basis with no reservations, and peak lines often snake onto Queen West during warm weekend afternoons. Take transit via the 501 Queen streetcar to Niagara or Strachan, as street parking along the strip is competitive. Operating hours generally run daily from early afternoon into late evening, making it a reliable stop after park picnics or late dinners.

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No.12
Spoonful of Cono gelato with cream, swirl and brittle shards in a ceramic bowl
Shop• Little Italy

Cono Gelato

“Best chef gelato on College: Canis alumni behind the counter — skip Mon–Tue, go for the current board.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Cono?** Cono is the College Street small-batch gelato shop from chefs Jeff Kang and Tosh Agassiz (formerly Canis), at 932 College Street in Little Italy. Official [wearecono.com](https://www.wearecono.com): scoops, pints, and waffle sandwiches. It is a walk-up counter, not a reserved table. Closed Monday to Wednesday. **Flavours menu** The flavour board *is* the Cono gelato menu: it rotates. Check the current board at [wearecono.com/flavours-on-now](https://www.wearecono.com/flavours-on-now) rather than treating any dated list as permanent SKUs. As of 2026-09-01 that board listed Salted Caramel, Miso Blondie (G); Basque Cheesecake (G); Yogurt, Strawberry & Rhubarb; Hazelnut & Coffee (N); Milk & Tamarack Farms Maple Syrup; Blueberry & Mint Sorbet (V); and Cantaloupe Sorbet (V). The board marks (V) vegan, (N) nuts, (G) gluten. **Hours** Hours from [wearecono.com/location](https://www.wearecono.com/location) (re-checked 2026-09-09): **Thursday to Sunday, 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.**; closed Monday to Wednesday. First visit: read the current board rather than hunting a permanent SKU, and get a scoop (brown-butter waffle cone when they are spinning them). Weekend evenings on College queue. No reservations. Email info@wearecono.com; Instagram [@wearecono](https://www.instagram.com/wearecono/). This is chef gelato: go when you want precision over parlour nostalgia.

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No.13
Gelato North in-house gelato photography from gelatonorth.com
Shop• North York / Willowdale

Gelato North

“Best North York gelato: Yuzu Cheesecake on Yonge — worth the subway if you already live north.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Gelato North?** Set along the busy Willowdale corridor at 5510 Yonge Street, Gelato North is a dedicated artisanal scoop shop run by Italian-Canadian gelato maker Gisella Zomparelli Chung and her husband, Justin Chung. Churning small batches on-site using a Bravo Trittico machine, the kitchen bridges time-honoured Italian recipes with East Asian flavours. The bright, compact storefront functions strictly as a walk-up takeout counter with no indoor seating, sending crowds straight onto Yonge Street with cones and cups in hand. **Gelato North Menu & What to Order** Start with the award-recognized Yuzu Cheesecake, a silky blend of ricotta, mascarpone, and tart yuzu juice topped with amaretti crumbs. Richer palates should gravitate toward the Dubai Chocolate gelato, loaded with imported Italian pistachio paste and crisp toasted kataifi pastry, or Korean-inspired scoops like Hotteok packed with cinnamon and walnuts. Dairy-free and vegan guests get just as much attention via creamy, real-fruit sorbets like Alphonso mango and lychee cherry. **Know Before You Go** This is a counter-service operation with no reservations, so expect brief sidewalk queues during peak evening dessert rushes, especially on warm weekends. The shop is an easy five-minute walk south of Finch subway station, with paid street parking available along nearby side streets. Doors open in the afternoon and stay open late into the evening seven days a week.

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No.14
Nadège patisserie and ice cream photography from nadege-patisserie.com
Shop• Queen West

Nadège Ice Cream Shop

“Best patisserie scoop: add the mini-macaron cluster at the Queen West flagship counter.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Nadège Ice Cream Shop?** Situated at 780 Queen Street West across from Trinity Bellwoods Park, this dedicated frozen counter is the warm-weather extension of fourth-generation French pastry chef Nadège Nourian's flagship boutique. The space mirrors the brand's pristine, minimalist Parisian aesthetic, featuring sleek white counters, gleaming display cases, and a handful of sidewalk patio tables along Gore Vale Avenue. Seating is limited, built specifically for quick counter service before crossing the street into the park. **Nadège Ice Cream Shop Menu & What to Order** Every scoop is approached with classical patisserie precision, churning seasonal fruit sorbets and rich custards made with premium ingredients. The non-negotiable move is topping your cup or waffle cone with a cluster of Nadège's signature crisp mini macarons. Go for deep Valrhona dark chocolate or pure Sicilian pistachio gelato, or opt for dairy-free fruit picks like passion fruit and cassis sorbet. **Know Before You Go** Service is strictly walk-in with zero reservations, and lines regularly stretch onto the sidewalk during peak summer weekends and post-dinner rushes. Catch the 501 Queen streetcar directly to Gore Vale Avenue, as street parking around Bellwoods is notoriously difficult to secure. The boutique opens daily at 8:00 a.m. and scoops until 9:00 p.m. from Monday through Saturday, closing at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.

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No.15
Tom's Dairy Freeze banner photography from tomsdairyfreeze.ca
Shop• Etobicoke / The Queensway

Tom's Dairy Freeze

“Best classic soft serve west of the Humber: Queensway cones and sundaes — expect a summer evening line.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Tom's Dairy Freeze?** Operating at 630 The Queensway since 1969, Tom's Dairy Freeze is Etobicoke’s quintessential roadside dairy counter. Marked by its retro illuminated pylon sign and walk-up ordering windows, the setup delivers straightforward mid-century nostalgia without indoor seating. Patrons take their cones to the outdoor picnic tables with umbrellas or perch on car hoods across the surrounding lot. **Tom's Dairy Freeze Menu & What to Order** The main draw is soft serve made with real cream for a dense, velvety texture, served straight, swirled with flavour bursts, or plunged into chocolate, cherry, or warm butterscotch dip shells. Order the chocolate-vanilla twist dipped in butterscotch for the seasoned regular's pick, or go big with an old-school banana split loaded with fruit toppings and whipped cream. Thick milkshakes, slushie floats, fresh-baked ice cream cookie sandwiches, and hot fudge brownie sundaes round out the sweet-heavy board. **Know Before You Go** Lines stretch down the sidewalk on balmy summer nights, but the seasoned window staff moves queues at a brisk pace. Service is walk-up only with zero reservations, running on a seasonal schedule typically from mid-March through late November. A small on-site parking lot fills fast during peak hours, though street parking is available nearby and the 80 Queensway TTC bus stops directly out front.

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No.16
Cherry on Top gelato café photography from cherryontopto.ca
Cafe• Ossington / Dundas West

Cherry on Top Gelato & Cafe

“Best cherry gelato café on the strip: Dundas at Ossington — stay for a drink, not just a sidewalk cone.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Cherry on Top Gelato & Cafe?** Taking over the prominent corner at Dundas and Ossington at 1134 Dundas Street West, Cherry on Top is a dedicated cherry-centric gelato parlour and espresso bar. The room trades cramped takeaway counters for a bright, airy café layout with seating that actually welcomes you to sit and stay. It operates as a daytime caffeine and pastry haunt that effortlessly transitions into an after-dinner dessert stop for the Ossington strip. **Cherry on Top Gelato & Cafe Menu & What to Order** The kitchen churns Italian-style gelato daily without artificial colours or flavours, spotlighting tart and sweet stone fruit across both dairy and plant-based offerings. The essential scoop is Ma Chérie—vanilla gelato swirled with sour cherry ripple and dark chocolate chunks—or the deeper, decadent Midnight Melt. For dairy-free and vegan visitors, the Cherry Cherry Baby sorbet brings pure, vibrant fruit punch. Pair your cone or cup with an iced Cherry Matcha Latte, a fizzy Cherry Lemon Soda, or an espresso affogato. **Know Before You Go** Service is counter-order and walk-in only, with lines stretching out the door during peak evening Ossington dinner rushes. Take the 505 Dundas streetcar straight to Ossington Avenue to bypass tricky neighbourhood street parking. The shop stays open until 10:00 p.m. early in the week and 11:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, making it one of the area's best late-night sweet spots.

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No.17
Kela Greek Frozen Yogurt hero from Very Toronto review assets
Shop• Yonge–St. Clair

Kela Greek Frozen Yogurt

“Best Greek frozen yogurt in midtown: sour base, pistachio cream — confirm Instagram hours before you go.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Kela Greek Frozen Yogurt?** Located at 81 St. Clair Avenue East (Unit 112) just east of Yonge, Kela is a minimalist frozen yogurt counter founded by partners Kerem Karaca and Laura Delaossa after trips exploring authentic Greek dairy culture. The bright, compact shop completely strips away the hyper-sweet, artificial soft-serve style of typical fro-yo bars in favour of an uncompromising, naturally tart yogurt blended with Ontario kefir. With essentially no indoor seating, the space functions as a pure grab-and-go counter designed for Midtown walkers and neighbourhood regulars. **Kela Greek Frozen Yogurt Menu & What to Order** The counter centres around one hero foundation: an unsweetened, protein-dense Greek frozen yogurt whose pronounced tang stands out against sweet toppings. First-time visitors should order a medium cup with a drizzle of rich pistachio cream or a sprinkle of chocolate crunch, keeping garnishes restrained so the clean acidity of the yogurt remains the star. For a wholesome spin, opt for the granola, fresh strawberries, blueberries, and honey combination, and pair it with a fresh Colombian drip coffee or espresso. The product is vegetarian-friendly, naturally low in sugar, and made without chemical stabilizers or preservatives. **Know Before You Go** Kela operates entirely on a walk-in basis, and short queues regularly stretch onto the sidewalk during peak evening dessert rushes and warm weekend afternoons. Transit access is effortless via St. Clair subway station, located just a two-minute walk away, while metered parking is available along St. Clair and nearby side streets. Operating hours can fluctuate seasonally, so check same-day updates on their Instagram page before visiting.

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No.18
Little Moo Ice Cream photography from Very Toronto’s existing business asset
Shop• Leslieville

Little Moo Ice Cream

“Best casual Leslieville scoop when you are already on Queen East — check Instagram for today’s hours.”

— Very Toronto Editors

**What is Little Moo Ice Cream?** Stationed along Queen Street East in Leslieville, Little Moo Ice Cream is a seasonal scoop shop set in the open-air Venelle Courtyard. The setup is casual and community-focused, featuring sheltered pavilion seating and outdoor benches where neighbourhood families, strollers, and dog walkers congregate. It trades destination gelato pretension for generous scoops, sunny courtyard hangs, and approachable east-end charm. **Little Moo Ice Cream Menu & What to Order** The counter serves a rotating lineup of Ontario-sourced ice creams, anchored by house hits like Banana Peanut Butter & Jam and refreshing Lavender Lemonade. Richer profiles like Salty Caramel, Pralines & Cream, and Strawberries and Cream hit the right classic notes, alongside creamy dairy-free mango and chocolate options. Rounding out the board is a warm-weather drink roster that includes ice cream floats, iced coffee, and fizzy Italian sodas. **Know Before You Go** This is a walk-up counter with no reservations, so prepare for a brief queue snaking out into the courtyard on balmy summer evenings. Little Moo is a seasonal operation that generally runs from May through early autumn, with hours occasionally flexing around inclement weather. Reach the shop via the 501 Queen streetcar to Leslie Street, and check their Instagram for the day's fresh scoop list and updates.

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