The best ice cream in Montreal this summer

From its tiny storefront on Sherbrooke, Ca Lem’s Instagram-friendly interiors and rainbow of 18 flavours screams summer to those in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighbourhood. Think Piña Colada, Coconut Key Lime Pie and Cotton Candy Carnival Queen, a swirl of pink strawberry and blue candy floss covered with a confetti of sprinkles. For a breakfast throwback, try the Apple Sorbet Cinnamon Toast Crunch that comes topped with cereal. Ca Lem, which means “ice cream” in Vietnamese, also pays homage to its owner’s roots with purple taro, black sesame, coconut ash and other inspired concoctions. 

This family-run Park-Ex favourite is famous for its ice cream flavours inspired by Indian desserts. Head over for scoops of Madras Kaapi (think South Indian coffee chicory blend) or the  Mango Chili Chaat (where sweet mango meets chili powder heat) before they sell out.

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Tahini and chocolate swirl covered in sesame crumble, pistachios, cinnamon and cardamom? Oat milk vanilla soft serve in a vegan waffle cone? Matcha twist served with a coconut cookie? And did we mention this Petite-Patrie spot is also dog-friendly? What are you waiting for?

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It takes some serious skill to make ice cream, gelato and sorbet tempting for Montréalers who spend half their year in sub-zero temperatures. That means restaurant veterans Michael Dalla Libera and Nick Rosati had to offer something special at Dalla Rose, and, go figure, it’s their whole menu: Whether it’s by the bowl, cone or between two cookies, every scoop of ice cream, sorbet and gelato from Dalla Rose—made with a range of fresh fruits, spices, nuts and candies—is sure to satisfy.

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Summer in Montréal unofficially begins in April when Ngoc Phan and Vincent Beck, the husband and wife team behind this Mile End institution, roll out their sorbet-pink awning and open their lime-green doors. The shop’s name translates to “third auntie’s ice cream” in Vietnamese, a nickname from Phan’s niece that attests to her signature soft serve skills. Made from scratch, the duo’s ice cream and sorbet flavours feature fresh ingredients like coconut-mango, passionfruit and lemon, and even durian, all sans artificials and preservatives. Lineups here are so notorious that someone started an unofficial Twitter account that tweets the queue tally, but don’t worry, it moves fast.

This neon-lit Plateau crèmerie is not your garden variety parlour. For 30 years, Guy Morad has spiced up the city’s ice cream scene with a menu that offers zesty ginger, cardamom, curry, and balsamic vinegar alongside classics like chocolate hollandaise and Madagascar vanilla. While these all-natural frozen custards are the main draw, the homey hole-in-the-wall also serves up frozen yogurt, sorbet, soft serve, milkshakes, juices and soy-milk scoops for dairy-free diets. 

Come for the coffee and stay for the gelati at this Petite-Patrie-based Italian eatery. Everything from fusilli primavera to cannoli can be ordered from the menu of its upstairs restaurant, but it’s the adjoining gelateria that has earned Roberto its reputation. Recipes passed down from the family’s gelateria in Italy have been used since 1982 to craft artisanal classics like pistachio, tiramisu, Baci chocolate, mint stracciatella and more. For an icy indulgence, splurge on the famous three-layer gelato cake comprised of thick round slabs of hazelnut, Gianduja chocolate and vanilla.

There are always plenty of flavourful surprises at this under-the-radar Plateau parlour which serves its gelato, frozen macarons, smoothies and crêpes all year long. Mark the calendar for seasonally appropriate specialties like pumpkin to spice up Halloween, candy cane and gingerbread for yuletide festivities and Champagne to ring the New Year. Come spring, the maple-taffy Tire d’Érable pulls no punches. In the summer, enjoy an aperol spritz sorbet al fresco on the patio, or get your greens with a green tea matcha, mojito or avocado gelato.

With locations in Hochelaga, Villeray, and Rosemont, plus tubs in supermarkets across the city, Les Givrés has swiftly been embraced as a freezer staple, despite only first breaking the ice in 2010. Made in a Montréal atelier, the artisanal brand boasts saveurs that are proudly local, from bagel and cream cheese with strawberry jelly, to Épluchette de blé d’Inde crafted with roasted Québec corn. Everything from pitounes glacées (chocolate-dipped ice cream bars) to des cornets (cones) are made from scratch, as evidenced by the logo etched on its edges. But newcomers may want to skip the cone for La tournée, a tour de force six-scoop sampler.

Though tiny, this 300 square foot mainstay on the Main has been making waves since 1984 with its variety of funky flavours. Favourites among some 30 choices include Halvah, a sesame-butter based cream marbled with chocolate and nougats and Kulfi, an Indian-inspired mix of cardamom and nuts. But it’s staples like the Chocolate 6X and the award-winning French Vanilla that make the double scoop or return trip inevitable. The creamery also offers a fruity lineup of sorbets, two of which are spiked with real rum. A second shop opened its doors a stone’s throw from St-Viateur Bagel Shop in Mile End on Jeanne-Mance.

This Plateau-based spot only opened its doors in May of 2019 across the street from its owners’ former steamed-bun venture Hào, but Swirl’s vegan soft serve has already roused a few swirling lines outside its takeout window. Minimalist in its approach, coconut milk-based flavours change seasonally from seabuckthorn and vanilla bean to hazelnut and dark chocolate. As the seasons churn, expect chill yet inventive options made from Asian-inspired ingredients, fresh fruit and herbs. Skip a visit if it’s raining, the soft stuff’s only served when the sun’s out.

With its anchor outpost at Jean Talon Market year round and three other locations across the city, Havre aux Glace is a bona fide haven for cool treats in Montreal. Blood oranges, lulo, strawberries and other fruits are sourced directly from the market for flavours that are as rich and raw in texture as they are in flavour. In fact, passion for flavour is so deeply rooted with founders Robert and Richard Lachapelle that in 2009 they bought their own maple grove. Up to 24 sorbets and ice creams are available at any given time, but maple crème brûlée takes the cake as their pièce de résistance.

While this Little Italy gem may be better known for slinging pies, the secret’s out on its homemade frozen custard too. Served from a walk-up window, the rich and creamy treat is made in-house with dairy from Laiterie Chagnon in Waterloo, Quebec and offered in traditional flavours⁠—pistachio, vanilla, and chocolate⁠—that are switched up on the regular. The cherry on top? Toppings like macerated cherries, roasted nuts, and butterscotch or chocolate sauce can be added at little extra cost.

Hidden away near Parc Laurier, this sweet spot has been keeping Plateau cool since 1989. Old fashioned soft serve, milkshakes, and slushies can be ordered over the counter, but owner Gilles Prudhomme’s specialization in the hard stuff are the most recommended with more than 24 flavours stocked in the curved glass display counter. Scoops aren’t skimpy here, but it may still be a good idea to go for two since it’s a tough call between classics like bubblegum, cookie dough, espresso and creations like rosewater, hibiscus cranberry or crème brûlée.

Wrangle together a pack of friends and head west to Wild Willy’s in Pointe-Claire to conquer the King Kong, 15 scoops of hard homemade ice cream. While that may sound like it’d get tiring, their 48 flavours on offer go from vanilla to donut, so pickings are anything but slim. Not to mention the froyo, hurricane blends, choco-dipped bananas, frozen tofu and more. Can’t choose between hard and soft? The Zigamazoo cone has you covered with its mixed textures. Sweet-toothed canines are in luck too with puppy- and regular-sized treats on offer for furry friends.

Known as one of the best pastry shops in the city, Sachère Desserts has also developed a reputation for their soft-serve ice cream twists—not to mention the vegan ice cream mochi and ice cream sandwiches.

First founded in 1983, Bilboquet’s original outpost in Outremont is now just the tip of the iceberg for this glacial franchise which dominates the city’s cup and ball game with multiple locations and widespread distribution. Signature handmade flavours include the Moka Fouili with coffee, chocolate and crunchy caramel toffee, and the rowdy Brou Ha! Ha! made with vanilla, melted brownie chunks, caramel and shredded praline. Above all, its crème de la crème is the Maple Taffy, loaded with liquid gold and available in limited supply.

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