26 Spots for the Best Ice Cream in Ottawa (2024)
Looking for places to get ice cream in Ottawa? You’ve come to the right place.
If you’re anything like me, ice cream is always a good idea. I love it all year round.
Living in Ottawa has given me the opportunity to try out a variety of ice cream shops, all in the name of research, of course.
Ottawa is a city with so many hidden gems, so to make it easier, I’ve organized this list by neighborhood. That way, you can find that perfect spot for ice cream in Ottawa no matter where you are.
Colorful beach shacks that create whimsical soft serve cones, magical liquid nitrogen ice cream, and shops with over 60 flavors are just some of the best spots for ice cream in Ottawa.
Let’s dive in and explore the fantastic ice cream and gelato being made in the city.
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Byward Market
1. Mantovani 1946
This family-owned and operated shop gives you a true taste of Italy. They are master artisanal gelato makers and import all their ingredients from Italy to craft their famous gelato, pastries, and Neapolitan Espresso.
Address: 87 Murray Street
2. Piccolo Grande Artisan Gelateria
Piccolo Grande has handmade gelato and sorbet, including many vegan options. They’ve been around since 1987 making their famous gelato and espresso for locals and tourists alike. It gets pretty busy during the summer with lineups out the door!
Address: 55 Murray Street
3. Lois ‘N’ Frima’s
An Ottawa staple for over 25 years, Lois ‘N’ Frima’s offers more than 60 flavors of ice cream. They also have dairy-free and sugar-free choices. You can’t miss their bright pink and blue shop front or the occasional horses (yes, horses!) that stop by for a treat.
Address: 71 George Street
4. Chris’s Ice Cream
Chris’ Ice Cream provides a new experience everytime you go. They are always testing out new flavors and even take ideas from their customers. Offering dairy-free, Keto and gluten-free, sorbet, and classic ice creams, everyone is sure to find something at this spot! Their Cinnamon Bun and Confetti Cake flavors are delicious!
Address: 34 Murray Street
5. Quelque Chose
Known primarily as a patisserie with delectable macarons, their Byward Market location features signature milkshakes that can’t be missed. Flavors like Smores and Strawberries & Cream are popular. Each milkshake also comes with its own matching macaron! They have delicious soft serve creations like Confetti Cake and Maple Wafer to add to your must try list.
Address: 70 George Street
6. Amore Gelato
Amore Gelato is an artisanal gelato shop with raving reviews for its tropical flavors. Try their passion fruit, coconut, or mango creations. If you’re in the mood for something richer, have the chocolate gelato, you won’t be disappointed! I’m a gelato addict so this is a great spot I hit up all the time!
Address: 71 William Street
Centretown and Surrounding Areas
7. Moo Shu Ice Cream & Kitchen
Moo Shu is an epic place to get a taste of unique ice cream flavors. Offering Hong Kong Milk Tea and vegan Dalgona & Coffee, you’ll definitely be tempted to try something new here! They also have rotating monthly flavours and freshly made bubble waffles. If you haven’t tried bubble waffles definitely take a trip to Moo Shu. They’re so good!
Theo’s main walks as a puppy were to and from my apartment to Moo Shu in the summer. Their sesame is my favourite flavour.
Address: 477 Bank Street
8. Magic Molecule
This ice cream shop has to be on your bucket list for ice cream in Ottawa. They’re the only spot specializing in liquid nitrogen ice cream! After watching the staff work their magic with the liquid nitrogen, you can have your ice cream served in a waffle bowl or a bubble waffle cone.
Address: 217 Bank Street
9. ThimbleCakes
ThimbleCakes is a standout bakery that prides itself on being nut, sesame, egg, honey, and gelatine free. They offer soy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options. For their ice cream they use coconut milk, giving it a distinct flavor and a creamy texture. Try their tasty ice cream sandwiches with homemade cookies!
Their gluten free cupcakes are also an obsession of mine.
Address: 369 Bank Street
10. Farinella (Little Italy)
Farinella’s mission is to bring Italy back to Little Italy. They’re doing this by creating artisanal gelato available in cones or in pints. Try their Creme Brulee or Milk Chocolate Skor gelatos for a rich and creamy treat!
Address: 492 Rochester Street
Nepean
11. Stella Luna
Stella Luna Ottawa has been awarded the Best Gelato in Canada and they also make vegan sorbet from premium, local ingredients. The owner is trained by Italian Gelato Masters and creates fresh batches of artisanal gelato daily. Try the Chocolate, Cinnamon & Chillies for a unique, sweet and spicy dessert!
Address: 1103 Bank Street (They have another location at 1130 Wellington Street West in Hintonburg)
12. Malak and Sons
Crafting premium artisanal gelato, Malak and Sons is located in Old Ottawa South by the Rideau River. Alongside their gelato and sorbet, they offer a unique delicacy: Ashta, a Lebanese ice cream. Made with pistachios and almonds, this is worth trying for sure!
Address: 1216 Bank Street
13. The Beach Shack
This colorful beachside ice cream shop is what childhood dreams are made of. There’s always a new creation full of flavor and packed with toppings. Try out their Salted Caramel Pop-cone for a spin on soft serve and popcorn!
Address: 2960 Riverside Drive
Hintonburg and Surrounding Areas
14. The Merry Dairy
This cute ice cream spot offers nut, peanut, and sesame-free options. As well as gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and vegan options. They have some great local flavors like Ottawa Valley Maple and more uncommon ones like Roasted Banana. Try their Trash Panda blend for a bit of everything, all mixed into one delicious flavor!
Once I moved to Kanata, I drove into town just to get their mint chip that’s vegan every week.
Address: 102 Fairmont Avenue
15. Little Jo Berry’s (Wellington Village)
Little Jo Berry’s vegan bakery has upped its offerings to include an outstanding soft serve. They’ve got a wide array of ice cream bars, and on the weekends, you can bypass the cone and get your ice cream served in a watermelon slice! If you are a vegan, this is the place for you.
Address: 1305 Wellington Street West
16. La Diperie (Westboro)
This famous Montreal-born soft serve has finally come to Ottawa! Choose your cone and flavor, then select one of more than 30 decadent dips, and roll the whole thing in the topping of your choice. Milkshakes, ice cream sandwiches, sundaes, and ice cream cakes are all on the menu here. Plus, it’s vegan-friendly!
Address: 429 Richmond Road
Britannia Beach Area
17. The Beachconers
A 10-minute walk from Britannia Beach, The Beachconers is the perfect place to stop after a day in the sun. They’ve always got different vegan soft-serve flavors, and the ice cream flavors change daily. Try their Beer ‘n’ Bacon, or Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble for something new!
Address: 273 Britannia Road
18. Coco’s Cafe Creamery
This cute and colorful ice cream spot is a must-try, serving up vanilla and chocolate soft serve with many add-on options. Add FlavorBurst (flavored, colorful stripes) of Raspberry or Pina Colada to your vanilla soft serve. Coco’s Cafe Creamery is an ice cream Ottawa favorite!
Address: 2293 Carling Avenue
19. Brett’s Ice Cream
Hidden at the corner of an auto shop building, this ice cream spot is worth finding. Brett’s Ice Cream has FlavorBurst for their vanilla cones and plenty of dips and toppings for their chocolate or vanilla soft serve. Don’t skip on the Puppy Cone if you’ve got a dog. My dog, Theo, gives it a 10/10!
Address: 1001 Beaverbrook Road
20. Chocolats Favoris
This empire of Ottawa chocolate shops originated in Quebec. They offer indulgent soft serve and sorbet, with the option to dip your swirl in their house-made chocolate. The Cookies and Cream white chocolate dip is delicious, and the Smores milk chocolate dip might be your new favorite. They also have ice cream smoothies and sandwiches half-dipped in a chocolate of your choice.
My roommate is obsessed with their chocolate dipped ice creams.
Address: 449 Hazeldean Road
21. Luna Crepes and Cafe
This hidden coffee shop makes great breakfast as well as some epic gelato. Their flavors, like Raspberry Cheesecake and Strawberries & Cream, are so popular they usually sell out! Luna Crepes and Cafe also has a large patio to enjoy your gelato outside on a hot summer day.
Address: 329 March Road, #110
22. Carp Custom Creamery
This ice cream shop is about 40 km (25 miles) outside the city center, but they’re worth the drive. They have 16 daily flavors, over 40 flavors to take home in pints, and a doggy cone for your pup! Plus, they like experimenting with yummy combinations like their recent Raspberry Pop Tart flavor.
Address: 3763 Carp Road
23. Jo-Jo’s Creameria
This ice cream spot is full of character! They do their best to make each cone a work of art. With bubble waffle cones, pink waffle cones, and cones with candy toppings, this spot is ideal for a date night or summer treat! Just ook for the bright pink truck on Stittsville Main Street!
Address: 1573 Stittsville Main Street
24. Cassis Gelato & Sorbet
Though technically not in Ottawa, Gatineau is only about 14 km (9 miles) from the city center. Cassis Gelato & Sorbet serves unique flavors like Yuzu sorbet and Black Sesame gelato. They have raving reviews and even have ice cream for dogs!
Address: 68 Rue Principale
25. La Cigale
Located right across from the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, La Cigale has more than 70 flavors of ice cream and changes them up daily. Try their Guinness Chocolate for a rich deep chocolate taste. They have dairy-free and vegan options on the menu as well.
Address: 14 Chemin Scott
26. Frissons Et Bonbons
With such a brightly colored sign, it’s hard to miss this ice cream shop! They have soft serve, scooped ice cream, and tons of candy toppings to make your custom creation. You’ve got to try their slushy bubble teas as well.
Address: 894 Boulevard Maloney East
FAQs About Ice Cream in Ottawa
What’s the difference between gelato and ice cream?
There are differences between gelato and ice cream. Here is a list of what makes them different:
Gelato:
– Contains more milk than cream
– Slower churning speed
– Milkier and dense with less air
– More intense flavor
– Served at a higher temperature
Ice Cream
– Contains more cream than milk
– Typically includes egg yolks
– Rapid churning speed, which introduces more air into the mixture
– Creamier and consists of 25-90% air
– Served at a very cold temperature
Which is healthier, gelato or ice cream?
Both ice cream and gelato contain large amounts of sugar and fat. Gelato usually has 4-9% fat and ice cream around 10-25% fat.
Though neither is considered “healthier.” You should have these as an occasional treat and consider how much toppings you put on them. The toppings will make the big difference in which dessert is healthier.
Are ice cream containers recyclable in Ottawa?
The City of Ottawa’s recycling guidelines state that ice cream containers are recyclable and should go in your blue bin.
Is it illegal to eat ice cream on Bank Street in Ottawa?
According to multiple sources, including the City of Ottawa itself, this by-law is a myth.
The backstory tells the tale of a politician enjoying a leisurely walk down Bank Street on a sunny Sunday when he was bumped by a child enjoying his ice cream cone. The ice cream got all over his suit, and the man was so upset that he decided to outlaw ice cream on Bank Street on Sundays.
There are so many ice cream shops on Bank Street that it would be bad for business if this were true. Thankfully, you can eat your ice cream without worrying about the Ice Cream Police.
Wrap Up: The Best Ice Cream in Ottawa
Whether you prefer soft serve, sorbet, scooped ice cream, or artisanal gelato, there is no doubt that Ottawa has an ice cream spot for you.
Ottawa has some outstanding ice cream shops near the beach, like The Beach Shack.
If you’re spending the day in the city center, Byward Market is dotted with so many different ice cream and gelato spots, it’s difficult to choose which one to visit first.
I’d suggest the gelato at Mantovani 1946 as your starting point. Then head to 217 Bank Street Ottawa for a science experiment in ice cream!
While we’re on the topic of sweet treats, check out some of these brunch spots to start your day off on the right foot. Take a walk, then get some ice cream!
✅Planning for your next trip? Travel with confidence with TripAdvisor!
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Ottawa Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy Ottawa travel insurance?
100% YES! — There’s a misconception that Canada has “free healthcare” for everyone. Nope! Only Canadians. So you’ll need to get travel insurance to visit Ottawa. I recommend this one.
💧Can you drink the tap water in Ottawa?
Yes – ish — While you can technically drink the tap water in Ottawa, as a local I don’t recommend it. Old hotels especially can have some nasty things in their pipes. Instead, get a filtered water bottle. (Read more)
🚙💨 Do I need to rent a car in Ottawa?
Yes — Renting a car in Ottawa is one of the best ways to get around! You’ll be able to see more of the city and beyond, like the epic hiking trails. I recommend Discover Cars for the cheapest rates possible.
📲 Do I need to know French in Ottawa?
Nope! — The primary language of Ottawa is English. While French is also spoken and on some signs, you can easily get by without knowing any French. (Read more)
🏩 What’s the best way to book my Ottawa accommodations?
For Ottawa hotels, Booking is the best site. If you’re considering an Ottawa Airbnb, don’t forget to also check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb. My #1 hotel recommendation in Ottawa is the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy Ottawa flights?
For finding cheap Ottawa flights, I recommend Skyscanner. You can even set a price alert to find out when flights are on sale.
🎫 Do I need a Visa for Ottawa?
Likely Not — U.S. and most European Passport holders don’t need a Visa to visit Canada.
📍 Where is Ottawa? And what’s nearby?
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located in Ontario. It’s right on the border of Quebec. It’s about 2 hours from Mont Tremblant, 3 hours from Montreal, or 5 hours from Toronto. You can take a road trip to get to other places or fly.
