I scream, you scream: 9 of the best ice cream spots in and around Victoria

Summer is in full swing, and nothing pairs with a hot day like some delicious ice cream!

Ice cream is a phenomenon here in Victoria, and with good reason. We’re lucky to have some truly incredible ice cream shops in this city.

We’ve asked our community for their best spots for ice cream in the city, and everyone knows that ice cream is not something to gatekeep. So we’re sharing some of our favourite spots in and around Victoria for you to check out.

While some enjoy a simple treat with classic flavours, others prefer creativity, mix-and-matching or local ingredients.

There’s something for everybody on this list, so be sure to try whichever seems like your speed.

Here are 9 spots to grab some delicious ice cream in and around Victoria:

Parachute

Parachute has been serving up the Victoria community for years now, quickly becoming one of the city’s favourite spots to stop on a hot (or any) day.

They advertise sourcing locally for their ingredients, and all of their ice cream is handcrafted in small batches and made on-site.

They’ve also got sorbet, frozen yogurt, milkshakes and even cakes on the menu, so there’s something for everyone.

With locations in Victoria and Langford and recently expanding to Oak Bay, there’s no excuse not to grab some locally made, delicious treats from Parachute Ice Cream!

True fans know that the cookies are their secret!

• Where: 
  • Victoria – 105-2626 Bridge Street
  • Langford – 129-735 Goldstream Avenue
  • Oak Bay – 2548 Windsor Road

49 Below

It doesn’t get any more grass roots than 49 Below.

Starting as something intended just for friends and family, then moving into a small-batch subscription business and now growing into stores in Fernwood and Oak Bay with another recently opening in Vic West, 49 Below is all about telling the local story through ice cream.

Their website says the team is devoted to west coast flavour, creativity and community, and it couldn’t be more true.

Try for yourself!

• Where:
  • Oak Bay – 2575 Cadboro Bay Road
  • Fernwood – 1288 Gladstone Avenue
  • Vic West – 420 Craigflower Road

Cold Comfort

Another hyper-local favourite in the city is Cold Comfort.

Starting out as another small-batch subscription service after the success of a pop-up at Devour, an old restaurant in Victoria, this ice cream was always bound for big things.

From there, Cold Comfort started with a cute little storefront in Fernwood and quickly became one of the big dogs in the Victoria ice cream game.

They’ve now moved their headquarters to Rock Bay, which is becoming one of the best spots in town to find good food of all kinds.

The ice cream sandwiches at Cold Comfort steal the show, so make sure to pick up a

If you can’t make it to their headquarters in Rock Bay, they’ve got another location on Cook Street, or you can find their delicious ice cream in many local businesses, from grocery stores and liquor stores to corner shops and coffee shops all around the city.

• Where: 
  • Rock Bay – 2716 Rock Bay Avenue
  • Cook Street Village – 102-200 Cook Street

Scoop & Waffle

Scoop & Waffle is one of the new kids on the block, and they are quickly turning heads.

Located in Sidney, they’re committed to offering year-round ice cream to the Sidney community.

They pride themselves on milkshakes and fun menu items like the affogato, while also serving up treats like Belgian waffles and mini donuts.

If you’re looking for the next big ice cream store, this is it. Next time you’re in Sidney, give Scoop & Waffle a try!

• Where: 2423 Beacon Avenue, Sidney

Chocolate Favoris

Those visiting downtown Victoria are lucky to have some of the best ice cream in the city at Chocolate Favoris.

Originally starting in Quebec, Chocolate Favoris has grown into a national phenomenon, and has the hearts of so many Victorians.

Chocolate Favoris specializes in chocolates, but when that specialty meets ice cream the result is out of this world.

Visitors can mix flavours of ice cream like Cotton Candy, Dulche de Leche, Original Dark and Salted Caramel with a chocolate coating to get a treat that is simply unbelievable.

Head down to Chocolate Favoris and see what the buzz is about!

• Where: 1010 Government Street

Better Acres

Born from a love of farming and sustainable living, Better Acres itself is a love letter to ice cream.

In the shop, visitors will notice a mural naming the room “the chicken coop.”

This is an homage to the owner’s father, who, after borrowing some fresh eggs from his neighbour, realized that he and his wife missed the simple joys of homegrown food from their childhood in the former Yugoslavia.

This love of simple living was imparted onto Better Acres and the ice cream they serve.

With clean, simple ingredients and uncomplicated flavours like the Sea Salted Cream and Summer Strawberry, it’s all about the ice cream.

• Where: 1019 Government Street

Kid Sister Ice Cream

Like many businesses in the city, Kid Sister Ice Cream has started to make a name for themselves through getting involved in community events.

You can catch them at their scoop shop in Esquimalt, or at some of Victoria’s favourite events in the cutest little ice cream truck you’ve ever seen.

This weekend they’ll be helping to provide some treats at the Reading Party at St. Ann’s Academy, or next weekend at the Victoria Pride Festival.

The ice cream is heavenly, but they’re also serving up tons of other options, including frozen yogurt, sherbet, vegan sorbet, ice pops and more!

• Where: Storefront – 1320 Esquimalt Road

Overboard Ice Cream

Overboard Ice Cream is a bit of a hidden gem.

Located under the breakwater bistro on Dallas Road, this shop is ideal for a quick ice cream break.

They also advertise using local ingredients and seeadvertise their ice cream as a celebration of Victoria’s vibrant spirit.

With dairy-free and vegan-friendly options also available, everyone can enjoy a cold treat at Overboard.

• Where: 199 Dallas Road

Beacon Hill Drive In

A list talking about the best places for ice cream in Victoria would be remiss without mentioning the Beacon Hill Drive In.

There’s a reason this spot won the ‘Best Ice Cream’ in Victoria awards for so many years.

The Beacon Hill Drive In has been serving the community for decades, and ice cream has been a best seller for them the whole way through.

Simple classics like the chocolate dip and vanilla swirl are favourites, but try one of the delicious avalanches, which feature soft-serve blended with treats, coming in flavours like Kit-Kat and Skor.

Just one of the many great things about ice cream at the Drive In is that you can enjoy it while walking along Dallas Road or through the beautiful Beacon Hill Park, which is really what ice cream is all about.

• Where: 126 Douglas Street