Robert WebbThere’s a quote attributed to Steve Jobs that goes “If you want to make everyone happy don’t be a leader, sell ice-cream.” Which we take to mean that being a leader requires difficult choices that might occasionally tick people off, whereas selling ice cream does not. This seems particularly apt when we take a look at the best ice cream and gelato shops in Vancouver, where the stores themselves count making their community happy as part of their purpose for existing. Thought of that way, ice cream places are basically like NGOs! But that doesn’t mean that deciding is always an easy choice, does it?
How Much Does Ice Cream Cost in Vancouver
You can still get an ice cream cone with the loonies and toonies you find hidden in the couch cushions. A single cone will cost you in the range of $5-$7 dollars.
OUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM SHOPS IN VANCOUVER
Now that you know how affordable great ice cream can be, we’re willing to bet that you’re just dying to pick up a fresh scoop. So, let’s get on with the show and introduce you to the best ice cream parlors in Vancouver.
1. Rain or Shine Ice Cream
Website: https://www.rainorshineicecream.com
Address: Kits, Cambie and UBC
Contact: (604) 428-7246
Hours: 12-10 everyday
PRO TIP: Try the blueberry balsamic: balsamic vinegar reduction swirled into blueberry ice cream.
With three locations around town (Kits, Cambie, and UBC) you’re never too far from a scoop at Rain or Shine. Not bad for a couple of amateur ice cream makers with exactly zero experience in hospitality or professional kitchens. The story has it that the couple behind the shops just really, really (REALLY!) liked ice cream and couldn’t find anything in town that met their standards. So after buying a home ice cream maker and feeding their friends the TK of their experiments, they decided they’d open up a shop. Turns out they were on to something! They pride themselves on the quality of their ice cream and make it using fresh, natural, sustainable and organic (wherever possible) ingredients. Rain or Shine counts making neighborhoods happy as their ultimate goal (it’s literally in their mission), and if their busy outdoor seating area in Kits is any indication, they’re nailing it.
Anything else you need to know? Rain or Shine has a small cast of regular flavours and a rotating list of seasonal flavours. Plus their waffle cones are gooood. Can’t decide? Ask about their ice cream flights: four flavours at a time.
Pros
- Uses locally-sourced ingredients
- Offers ice cream service rentals
- All compostable packaging
- Short but unique list of ice cream flavors
Cons
- Limited options for ice cream flavors
2. Earnest Ice Cream
Website: https://earnesticecream.com/
Address: 3992 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC V5V 4E4, Canada
Contact: Phone number: (604) 428-0697
Email: [email protected]
Hours: 2-10 M-F Fraser and Quebec locations
3-10 M-F Frances Street
1-9 M-F North Van
All four locations open 12pm-10pm on weekends
PRO TIP: Whiskey Hazelnut is a long-term fave and best-seller, made with local roasted hazelnuts, and Canadian rye whiskey ice cream.
Socially conscious ice cream is delicious! Since 2012, the duo behind Earnest Ice Cream has been all about accountability, community and positive change. And they put their money where their mouth is, with DEI audits, donations, carbon footprint tracking, powering operations with 100% renewable natural gas, legitimately working on becoming a zero-waste company (they were the first ice cream company to package pints in refillable, returnable glass jars. Last year we received over 191,063 jar return. But you can be forgiven if you don’t want to hear about that and you just want to know about their ice cream. Fine. It’s delicious! Made with local, seasonal ingredients from suppliers that Earnest has carefully considered) Earnest features rotating flavours that launch on the first of every month so there’s always something new to try. Plus they have lots of vegan and/or gluten free products.
Anything else you need to know? You can see the daily menu for each of the four locations on their website. Oh! And you can enjoy/rent Earnest Ice Cream scoop stands for events, with 3 flavours of ice cream and 2 hours of professional ice cream scoopage.
Pros
- Offers delicious seasonal flavors
- Makes classic sundaes
- Changes flavours regularly
- Socially conscious business
Cons
- Some flavors run out extremely fast
Customer Reviews
For quick, delicious ice cream servings, it can be tough to beat the Earnest Ice Cream parlor:
“No doubt about it. When you need an ice cream fix; you come to Earnest. This location in the north shore is particularly good because it is exponentially less busy that all the other locations in the city. Still busy and lined up, but it moves well and is far shorter than the other locations. COVID precautions are in force here, so no tasting, but the service is fast and friendly, and the scoops just keep coming! I had vegan chocolate, my partner has Nanaimo, my kid had cookies and cream, and we were all in heaven for awhile; carried away from the heatwave for a few yummy minutes. If I lived on the condo above this location; I’d build a vacuum tunnel directly to the Earnest freezer and become an ice cream hermit. Will come again; so good.”- Christopher N.
“Superb ice cream with lots of unique and amazing flavors. Highly recommend the to go scoops or the pints both are amazing. You can also find some of the pint flavors but not all on grocery stores if this location is to far away! Would highly recommend and will be back many more times.” – Sean L.
3. Bella Gelateria
Website: https://www.bellagelateria.com/
Address: 1001 W Cordova St, Vancouver
Contact: Phone number: 604.596.1010
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am -11pm
Sat & Sun 10:30am to 11pm
PRO TIP: Their Akbar Mashti, a traditional iranian ice cream with saffron, rosewater, cream and pistachios.
Open later than many of its competitors, Bella Gelatoria is the place to go until 11pm every night for a scoop or two of italian-style gelato. They’ve won won some impressive awards, as well, including the Ranking No.1 at the Gelato Festival. They were also the first in Vancouver to import Effe machines from Italy to make their gelato. They make their gelato in small batches, so it’s always fresh, and they make it all from scratch. Inexplicably, they also have a gelato eating challenge, which we can’t imagine anyone actually winning: participants eat a 22-scoop sundae within 30 minutes. If you can do it, you don’t have to pay for it.
What else do I need to know? They serve italian-style pastries on order as well, plus gelato and sorbetto in nut-free, gluten-free and dairy-free options and catering is available.
Pros
- Extremely unique flavors
- Offers great milkshakes
- Delicious coffee and tea
Cons
- Limited variety
4. Uno Gelato
Website: https://unogelato.com/
Contact: Phone number: +1 604-733-5884
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Kitsilano
Sun. to Tue. 12-8pm
Wed. to Sat. 12-9pm
Vancouver
Sun., Wed. & Thurs. 12-6pm
Fri. & Sat. 12-8pm
Try: If you’re a coffee fan, try their Lavazza Espresso gelato.
They call it farm-to-cone, because the gelato and dqaiary-free sorbetto at this shop (with year round locations in Kits and Vancouver, plus seasonal stands in False Creek and West Van) is made from scratch using sustainable, local products. That’s true of all the places in our picks. However, what’s different about this place is that the gelato is made fresh from scratch every single day. So you’re always getting the very freshest cone, assuming you arrive before they’re all gone. The magic behind the flavors is Columbian-born Andrés Bermudez, a maestro gelatiere and proud alumnus of the prestigious Gelato University Carpigiani in Bologna, Italy, where he earned his Advanced Gelato certificate in 2020.
What else do I kneed to know? Sustainability extends to their operations too, with practices like offering metal spoons for sampling, biodegradable spoons for takeaway, and using recyclable paper cups and containers for their pints. This is alsp the only gelato shop we know of that offers hands-on gelato-making classes regularly.
Customer Reviews
Here are some reviews from their customers:
“Love James’s gelato creations. So excited this place opened up in our neighbourhood! A must try.”
“High quality gelato and great service! ❤️ support local!”
5. LA CASA GELATO
Website: https://lacasagelato.com/?wphyperspeed=1616383031
Address: 1033 Venables St, Vancouver, BC V6A 3R9, Canada
Contact: (604) 251-3211
Hours: 1pm-10 everyday
Tip: Try the pear and blue cheese ice cream. The flavours really do work together!
For those of us with decision fatigue, Casa Gelato might be a bit of a nightmare. Why? Because it’s a gelato joint with 238 flavours. Indeed, they are in the Guinness Book of World Records for their variety. But for everyone without decision fatigue this place is A LOT of fun: line up, get your token, and sample flavours as diverse as roasted garlic or kimchi or durian or chocolate bacon before making your pick (yes, they have traditional flavours too). With its smooth velvety texture and wide assortment of flavors, you’ll likely find something that speaks to you (even if roasted garlic doesnt – but cmon, admit it, you want to try a taste don’t you?!) If you’ve had your fill of gelato but you still want more, these folks also have fruity sorbets and yogurts.
What else do I need to know? Casa Gelator also offers gelato cakes, Italian pastries, and even handmade chocolates, and there’s parking nearby.
Customer Reviews
“This gelato place is worth the trip! They have a parking lot across the street and a cute outdoor area covered by trees and lights where you can sit. They have very good COVID protocols in place, and it’s like being at a fair indoors. There are SO many flavours to choose from! You’ll definitely find a flavour for you.” – Annie L.
“I visited here at the weekend! It seems very busy all the time. After about 15 minutes line up, we finally to our turn. I was really surprised about huge amount of ice cream flavor – 238. You even can have some example for all types! I choose durian ice cream, and the taste is really delicious. I am sure will be back here many time! Parking is available around” – Nancy V.
FAQs About Ice Cream
That tops off our list of the best ice cream parlors in Vancouver. Now that you’re familiar with what the city has to offer, you can set out on your ice cream adventure to find your own personal favorite.
If your aching teeth are regularly keeping you from enjoying ice cream then perhaps you can use our list of the best dentists in Vancouver. To help you find the best dental doctor, we’ve provided reviews, clinic summaries, and FAQs for reference.
