I was recently asked to create a list of the best affordable ice cream options鈥攁 guide for frugal 色色啦nians seeking a cheap and cheerful scoop.
On paper, it was a dream assignment, arriving just in time for the dog days of summer: explore the city, indulge in cold treats, and get away from the computer.
In reality, it wasn鈥檛 so simple.
Ice cream these days isn鈥檛 cheap! Unless you鈥檙e buying from a supermarket or fast food chain, it鈥檚 almost impossible to find a cone or cup of creamy goodness for less than a fiver.
I also learned that ice cream shop websites aren鈥檛 very helpful: many don鈥檛 have updated prices or current hours.
Thus, I had no choice but to unsaddle my trusty steed, and scour the city streets to find the best bang-for-your-buck ice cream.
Here鈥檚 what I found. Tell me in the comments below what I missed: What’s your favourite affordable scoop in the city?听听
Sunnyside Provisions
287 Roncesvalles Ave.
Score: A+
My first stop was Sunnyside Provisions, a grocery and takeaway spot in Roncesvalles, perhaps best known for its exceptional (and super affordable) fish and chips.听
Sunnyside also has a soft-serve ice cream machine offering chocolate, vanilla or a swirl. I ordered the swirl and was delighted to learn that I could add rainbow sprinkles or chocolate chips at no extra charge.
The cone cost $4.75 鈥 a dollar more than what was listed on their website鈥攂ut was worth every penny: creamy and sweet, with a fun crunch from the sprinkles. It also tasted real, without the artificial, chemical-y flavour you might notice in soft serve from McDonald鈥檚.
I ate my cone on Sunnyside鈥檚 shaded sidewalk patio, licking happily and indulging in some people-watching. As a bonus, they offer cold sparkling water free of charge.
Lickadee Split Ice Cream Shoppe
Tiger tail from Lickadee in East York.
Richie Assaly980 Coxwell Ave.
Score: B+
My next stop was Lickadee Split, an old-fashioned ice cream shop in East York known for its generous portions.
I hopped on my bike and made my way through the Don Valley, braving the scorching heat and what听. I arrived drenched in sweat, desperately craving a cold treat. Inside, I was charmed by the shop鈥檚 small-town vibe and bright orange interior, though a bit surprised by the prices. Fortunately, the friendly server assured me that the 鈥渕icro mini鈥 cone ($4.45) would be more than enough 鈥 and she was right.
Feeling nostalgic, I ordered a scoop of tiger tail, a classic Canadian flavour that combines orange creamsicle with black liquorice. It tasted just as I remembered: citrusy and sweet, with a slight bitterness. It was nice to feel like a kid again 鈥 though I鈥檓 not sure it was worth the trek.
La Diperie听
Vanilla soft serve at La Diperie on King Street West.
Richie Assaly573 King St. W.
Score: C-
Whenever I searched 鈥渃heap ice cream 色色啦,鈥 La Diperie kept popping up 鈥 a chain known for dipping its soft serve into various flavours of Belgian chocolate.
Unfortunately, the cheapest 鈥渄ipped鈥 cone costs $8 鈥 a useful detail not listed on La Diperie鈥檚 website. I opted for a classic vanilla ice cream cup, which was $6.50. It was a massive portion, but the flavour was quite bland. After a few bites, I was full, and my stomach didn鈥檛 feel great. Sheepishly, I tossed the remainder into the garbage.
Gaspar Caf茅
Rainbow sherbet at听Gaspar Caf茅.
Richie Assaly10 Sousa Mendes St.
Score: A-
This quaint Portuguese caf茅 in the Junction Triangle serves sandwiches and pastries but also offers a large selection of ice cream at a very affordable price 鈥 a single scoop costs $4.25.
On another scorching day, I ordered a scoop of rainbow sherbet, a blend of lemon, orange, and raspberry flavours. It was light, refreshing, and pleasantly tart. With lovely service and a nice patio, it was the perfect spot to kick back and enjoy.
奥别苍诲测鈥檚听
482 Queen St. W.
Score: A听
My final day on the hunt was a disaster.
I鈥檇 scouted two spots that seemed promising, but both were unexpectedly closed. Nearly ready to give up, I spotted a Wendy鈥檚 in the distance鈥攊ts red signage shimmering in the heat like a desert oasis.
A “Frosty” at Wendy’s.
Richie AssalyI popped inside and ordered a Frosty, the chain鈥檚 signature 鈥渇rozen dairy dessert,鈥 which was on sale for 99 cents.
And boy, was it tasty.
Slightly thicker than a milkshake but less dense than soft serve, it was beautifully creamy, a little salty, and went down like a glass of cold water.
Turns out that even in a super-expensive city, some things remain inflation-proof.
What’s your favourite affordable scoop in the city? Tell us in the comments, below.
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