All it takes is a few warm sunny days in a row and our thoughts automatically turn to summer and everything that comes with it.  Bbq’s, patios, beach days, park picnics and most importantly, ice cream!  That’s right, it’s ice cream season!

Toronto has no shortage of instagram-worthy ice cream spots and the lineups to match. Want to know which lineups are worth waiting for?  Spoiler alert: All of them, it’s ice cream!

We know you value your time, so we’ve rounded up our list of favourite line-up worthy west end ice cream spots you need to try this summer. 

Ruru Baked – Bloordale

Have you heard of Ruru Baked Ice Cream? This amazing creamery opened its doors at 659 Lansdowne (at Bloor) in April, and the lineups have never stopped.  Originally only available online through Instagram, Ruru Baked built up a cult following for their custard based, unique ice cream flavours such as Banoffee Pie and Viet Iced Coffee. Pints sold out in record time, keeping everyone hanging on for the next flavour drop, and next chance to score a pint. Now only available at the brick and mortar store, pints are limited to 2 per customer, allowing as many people as possible to at least get one pint. 

From the minimalist storefront, customers can also pick up a scoop for the road. Though they’ve yet to sell out of their scoops, they do sell out of their most popular flavours early.  The shop opens at 2PM and the lineups are already down the street by 1:45PM! Don’t worry though, it moves quickly. We we’re lucky enough to score a drop on instagram in February and can confidently recommend the Fresh Mint Chocolate Chip as well as the Rosemary White Chocolate.

Ed’s Real Scoop – Roncesvalles

A classic Roncy treat.  If you’ve even in the west end during the summer lately, chances are you’ve had Ed’s Real Scoop.  Although these days every business has a line up due to capacity restrictions, Ed’s always had a small line up even before the pandemic.  With an amazing selection of ice creams and sherbets, Ed’s is the place to be on a summer Sunday evening.  Opened on Roncy in 2012, Ed’s is also doing double duty as a west end ice cream shop with yet another west end location in Mimico.  There’s a reason they have multiple locations across Toronto, their ice cream, gelato and frozen yogurt is all made on-site, so you are guaranteed the freshest of fresh scoops!

More than just an ice cream shop, Ed’s also offers coffee, cappuccino, floats and even smoothies!  It’s your one stop shop for cool sweet treats on Roncy.

The Loop Creamery – Long Branch

Another hot spot for frozen custard, The Loop on Lakeshore West. Named after the 501 Streetcar loop on Lakeshore is one of the first (if not the first) frozen custard shops in Toronto. Opened in Mimico 5 years ago, this creamery was definitely ahead of its time. They’ve had over 5 years to perfect their recipe, and we have to say, it’s quite perfect!  The flavours rotate weekly, so check their website for what is available.  You can pick up a pint to take home, or get a sweet treat to go on the spot.  At the time of writing, one of our favourite flavours is currently available, Earl Grey and Lavender.  A light, fragrant blend of floral notes, not too sweet, just creamy perfection!

iHalo Krunch – Bloor West Village

Do you remember the charcoal cone craze of summer 2020? That trend kicked off courtesy of the next shop on our list, iHalo Krunch. Newly opened in Bloor West Village and serving the most beautiful soft serve you’ve ever seen in jet black cones made with activated charcoal from coconut husks. The contrast between cream and cone is absolutely stunning, and oh-so-Instagrammable! Founded by Charlene D’Aoust and her partner Tuan Nguyen, together they have come up with amazing recipes influenced by their backgrounds (Filipino and Vietnamese) and their love for nostalgic desserts.  With flavours like ube, matcha and coconut charcoal, iHalo Krunch is not to be missed.  For optimum flavour and Instagram-worthy pics, opt for a twist on a charcoal cone.  Your tastebuds, your eyes and your Instagram followers will not be disappointed.

Bang Bang Ice Cream

Have you ever been down Ossington Ave. on a beautiful sunny day and wondered what that huge line up was for?  It’s for Bang Bang Ice Cream – the most outrageously delicious ice cream sandwiches you’ve ever had.  Started by Baker Bots owner Rosanne Pezzelli, Bang Bang has acquired an almost cult-like following since it opened its doors in Parkdale in 2014.  Almost?  Actually, maybe it is a cult and with good reason! Pull up to this small Ossington storefront and be taken in by the trays of cookies and lists of ice cream flavours galore.  Choose your cookie base, choose your ice cream filling and behold the 4 inch thick ice cream sandwich of your dreams!  The secret to these incredibly delicious treats is all in the cookie (we think) A delightfully chewy cookie really holds it all together, so you can rest assured that your Bang Bang ice cream sandwich won’t turn into a crumbly delicious mess on first bite. 

Honourable Mention:

Tom’s Dairy Freeze

A Lakeshore staple and another place worth lining up for, and you will be lining up.  Open in 1969. Tom’s Dairy Freeze also offers burgers, fries, milkshakes and banana splits.  Oh, and they also sell Christmas trees in December!

Tom’s Dairy Freeze is, and always has been located at 630 The Queensway

Do you want to have more than just ice cream in the west end of Toronto? Why not move to one of these sought-after west end neighbourhoods and experience buying your Christmas tree from an ice cream shop!  For local real estate expertise and help finding your dream west end home, contact us here for assistance.

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