Toronto: Ice Cream Guide
Creamy, full-bodied, custardy goodness. Dairy or non-dairy. It can be as simple as you want it to be or you can inject flavour bombs through and through. Ice cream is for everyone.
If you grew up in Canada, you probably have fond memories of summers with gigantic spoonfuls of No Name’s vanilla ice cream in the classic yellow 4L tubs. My childhood ice cream palate consisted of that and Breyer’s mint chocolate chip (in its bright green goodness).
Thankfully, I’ve broadened my horizons and now consider myself a bit of an ice cream snob. Depth of flavour, temperature, and consistency are what I look for.
During my latest trip to Toronto, I visited 6 ice cream shops and was not disappointed. Let’s talk about it.
RURU BAKED
My very lactose intolerant best friend is obsessed with this place and will go through all sorts of abdominal pains and cramps for a scoop of delight. I am also lactose sensitive but discovered Lacteeze (far more superior than Lactaid, in my humble opinion) and it has served as my saving grace. Ruru Baked, an ice cream brand owned and operated by pastry chef Luanne Ronquillo since 2017, serves custard-based ice cream in Asian-inspired and/or nostalgic flavours. According to their website, they do not use any preservatives and try their best to stay away from artificial flavours and colours.
What I ordered: creme brûlée (single) in a cup
Rating: 3/3 - texture was unbelievably creamy and it wasn’t sickeningly sweet.
Creme brûlée (single) in a cup at Ruru Baked
NANI’S GELATO
Nani’s Gelato specializes in Indian and Asian gelato flavours - the perfect mix of East and West (which I love as a second generation immigrant). All of their gelato is made in-house and from scratch on a daily basis, using fresh ingredients. To keep you going back, the flavours rotate every week. A close friend of mine lives a 6 minute walk away from their Downtown location… to say that I am jealous would be an understatement. My wallet and waistband are probably thankful though.
What I ordered: banana greek yogurt crumble and golden graham cereal milk (double scoop) in a cup
Rating: 3/3 - the golden graham cereal milk gave me serious Milk Bar vibes. Worth the hype. Go line up.
FUGO DESSERTS
Fugo Desserts is an Asian-inspired dessert spot with ice cream, soft serve, and mini donuts. They even serve one of my favourite treats: pineapple Dole Whip. Their ice cream flavours remind me of what you would also find at Kekou Gelato. Solid, but nothing to rave about imo. I would recommend their specialty soft serve sundaes as my friend ordered one and said it was incredible, but make sure you’re ready for a sugar rush.
What I ordered: HK milk tea ice cream (single) in a cup
Rating: 2/3 - nothing wrong with it, but nothing to rave about either.
HK milk tea ice cream (single) in a cup at Fugo Desserts
Banana greek yogurt crumble and golden graham cereal milk (double scoop) in a cup; pistachio and golden graham cereal milk (double scoop) in a cup at Nani’s Gelato
Cinnabomb (vanilla soft serve, cinnamon toast crunch, cinnamon rolls, apple jelly, apple pie donut) at Fugo Desserts
GOOD BEHAVIOUR
After eating my bodyweight in tacos from Seven Lives, followed by a donut from Dipped Donut Co, I delightfully stumbled upon Good Behaviour (sharing a space with our beloved Eggbae) in Kensington Market. Naturally, I had to give it a try even though my stomach was about to burst. I ordered the mango mint mojito sorbet (mango, mint, flor de cana rum) and was so impressed; it tasted nothing like the sorbets I’ve had in the past. I usually avoid sorbets due to their iciness but this had so much punch and creaminess. The sweetness of the mangoes really shone and I adored the pieces of mint sprinkled throughout each bite.
What I ordered: Mango mint mojito sorbet (kids sized) in a cup
Rating: 3/3 - not icy at all despite being a sorbet and perfectly flavoured!
Mango mint mojito sorbet (kids sized) in a cup at Good Behaviour
Mango mint mojito sorbet (kids sized) in a cup at Good Behaviour
THE BIG CHILL
During my first night in Toronto, en route from one bar on College Street to the next, my friends and I decided that we wanted a sweet treat and that treat had to be ice cream. Enter The Big Chill. The Big Chill is a retro ice cream parlour serving up scoops, sundaes, and milkshakes with window service and hours that will allow you to satisfy your ice cream craving until 11PM (12AM on weekends). Here, you’ll find a twist on classic ice cream flavours such as Mickey’s birthday cake, Ferrero Rocher, superkid, and lavender lemonade.
What I ordered: Ferrero rocher (single) in a waffle cone
Rating: 1/3 - it was your standard scoop shop ice cream and it didn’t dazzle me.
PANDOUGHRA’S BOX
Located at Stackt Market (Front and Bathurst), Pandoughra’s Box is the brainchild of two amazing sisters, Soumini and Rujuta, making ice cream, edible cookie dough, and cookies from scratch. The ice cream was memorable (hello rose lassi!) but the edible cookie dough stole the show for me.
What I ordered: rose lassi ice cream and chocolate chip cookie dough in a cup; cookies and cream cookie
Rating: 1/3 - love the creativity in ice cream flavours but they can’t compare to Nani’s and Ruru Baked in terms of texture. With that said, the owners are the sweetest humans ever so please go and support them by buying some edible cookie dough!
Ferrero rocher (single) in a waffle cone at The Big Chill
Rose lassi ice cream and chocolate chip cookie dough in a cup at Pandoughra’s Box
Cookies and cream cookie at Pandoughra’s Box
And an honourable mention goes to Pancho’s Bakery for serving churro soft serve cones. Go to Kensington Market and get yourself one because they are an absolute delight. They are a must-have for me every time I’m in Toronto!
