National Ice Cream Day is this Sunday, July 17! What a great excuse to eat everyone’s favourite cold treat. Whether you want to stop for a scoop of classic vanilla, are craving an ice cream sandwich, or are keen to get adventurous with special toppings like boba or caramel popcorn, downtown has something for you. Read on to discover all downtown has to offer for ice cream, gelato, and more…

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

Marble Slab

1150 Douglas St | Website

With over 50 flavours of ice cream and unlimited mixins, the possibilities at Marble Slab are endless! The shop also offers vegan options so that everyone can find something they love. If you are not satisfied with simple ice cream, try out their ice cream desserts such as Strawberry Shortcake or a Banana Split. For this summer, they also provide discounts for some items listed on their website because who doesn’t like a deal?

Victoria Ice Cream & Fudge Factory

905 Government St

Looking for new flavours? Victoria Ice Cream & Fudge Factory not only offers classic flavours but also some must-try flavours like kiwi sorbet, cheesecake berry, or fruits of the forest. If you are looking for more sweet treats, you can also find fudge, cotton candy and other treats in this shop.

Momo Tea

762 Yates St | Website

If you like creamy soft serve, Momo Tea is the place that you should check out! The shop was formerly a MilkCow location but now it also serves a wide variety of bubble milk teas. You can choose the flavours from its selections such as dirty boba, island blue, or Tiramisu or you can make your own from their soft serve base.  The ice cream here is smooth, light, and creamy enough to make you leave with a big smile!

Hazel’s Ice Cream

1029 View St, #103 | Website

Perhaps you have spotted Hazel’s cart before on Dallas Street or elsewhere around town. Now you can visit their shop on View Street! Hazel’s uses 100% Canadian vanilla ice cream as its base and then dips the base in different flavours of chocolate to satisfy your taste bud. From coffee toffee to high-quality matcha, Hazel’s has a bunch of tasty flavours.

Just Matcha Tea Shop

544 Pandora Ave | Website

Just Matcha Tea Shop is not only a spot for matcha drinks but also a place for DOLE WHIP® and Organic Vegan Matcha Soft Serve! Both its Dole Whip and matcha soft serve are vegan, gluten-free, and delicious. As its Dole Whip flavours change every week, remember to take a look at its Instagram page to check the which flavour it offers before visiting!

Chocolats Favoris

1010 Government St | Website

The Chocolats Favoris is famous for its dippings made with real chocolate and is available in 12 distinct flavours. If you are a chocolate lover and want an epic chocolatey ice cream treat, this shop is for you!

Purdys Chocolatier

1150 Douglas St, #102 | Website

Purdy’s makes ice cream bars dipped in their delicious chocolate and decorated with nuts and sprinkles. If you have never experienced a Purdy’s ice cream bar, go, now! You will not be disappointed.

Do you know the difference between gelato and ice cream? Honestly, we didn’t, so we looked it up. Here’s what we found…

According to thekitchn.com:

“Gelato is the Italian word for ice cream. It starts out with a similar custard base as ice cream, but has a higher proportion of milk and a lower proportion of cream and eggs (or no eggs at all). It is churned at a much slower rate, incorporating less air and leaving the gelato denser than ice cream.

Gelato is served at a slightly warmer temperature than ice cream, so its texture stays silkier and softer. Because it has a lower percentage of fat than ice cream, the main flavor ingredient really shines through.”

Now that we’re clear on what gelato is, below are options for downtown gelaterias.

Oh Gelato

718 Fort St | Website

Grab delicious gelato from Oh Gelato! You can find almost every flavour you can think of here and you can choose just a scoop or two scoops on a cup or a cone.

Mosi Gelato

1280 Broad St | Website

With its original location in West Saanich, Mosi has a devoted following thanks to their amazing, high-quality menu items. Mosi Gelato provides unique gelato for you to cool down in the heat. Besides gelato, Mosi also has a variety of tasty baked goods for you to check out! Best of all, Mosi sells their ice cream in pints so you can take it home and enjoy later.

Medzo Gelato Bar

Inside the Victoria Public Market, 1701 Douglas St | Website

It is time to add Medzo Gelato Bar to your summer gelato bucket list! Medzo just opened last month, the little shop offers hand-crafted artisan gelato made from scratch. While you are shopping in the Victoria Public Market, don’t forget to grab a cup of gelato from Medzo Gelato Bar!

Fol Epi

732 Yates St| Website

Did you know that Fol Epi also sells gelato? Fol Epi’s unique, small batch gelato is a must-try next time you’re nearby.

Below are some outside-the-box ice cream options.

SH91 Dessert

759 Yates St | Website

Have you tried SH91’s Egg Bubble Waffle? Its various choice of egg bubble waffles not only contain a scoop of ice cream but also other small toppings to please your sweet tooth. Visit SH91 Dessert and share the treat with your loved ones!

Wannawafel

560 Johnson Street, #102 | Website

What a great idea to put ice cream on waffles! No matter whether you order Wannawafel’s sweetened (LIÈGE) waffles or light and fluffy Brussels waffles, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top to make the tasting experience happier!

Oni-Oni

585 Johnson St | Website

If you have not tried Japanese iceballs, Oni-Oni is a must-go spot for you! Compared to the creamy texture and flavour of ice cream and gelato, iceballs at Oni-Oni taste light and can you bring a different ice-tasting experience. Visit the shop with your loved ones so that you can share different flavours of Japanese shaved kakigori!

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