Anne-Charlotte PasseraThe ice cream shops of Montreal are the stars of the summer season.
As soon as the snow has finished melting and it’s over 20 degrees outside, Montrealers flock to the ice cream shops. Don’t be surprised if there are endless lines. This sweet tooth lasts until the Indian summer, sometimes even until October!
It’s hard not to crave a little ice cream when the sun is in full swing after a family outing.
Although we didn’t test all the ice cream shops in Montreal, here is a small list of places to discover with your family, dogs included.
But first of all, do you know the differences between ice cream?
The differences between sorbets and ice cream and more
In France we say glace. Here in Quebec we say crème glacée. Who is wrong? Who is right?
In fact, the word glace is a generic term used in France to describe sorbets or ice cream. We don’t make the difference.
They are called glace because they usually contain ice. In fact, glace is water ice that resembles a sorbet, but the fruit is replaced by derivatives such as juice, fruit puree, or syrup.
Ice cream
The term “crème glacée” in Quebec is a literal translation (like many other words) of the American word “iced cream”.
Ice cream contains a minimum of 5 to 10% fat, including light cream. It’s the most caloric of all as it contains the most saturated fat.
Sorbet
Basically, sorbet is a mixture of water and sugar with a dose of fruit. It’s less caloric than ice cream because it does not contain fat. (Source: femmeactuelle.fr)
A sorbet is fresher, more digestible and much less guilt-inducing.
In a classic sorbet recipe, there is 25% of fruit. However, there are exceptions like citrus fruits, such as lemon or orange, which are reduced to 15%. Don’t ask me why, I haven’t found the answer.
Sorbets are generally sweeter than ice cream, but contain much less fat. It is the healthiest option.
Gelato – Italian ice cream
What about gelato?
Gelato is the Italian name for “ice cream” in Quebec or “glace” in France. For me, it is more like sorbet.
Having lived in Italy before my teenage years, I became very fond of gelato. My favorite flavors to this day remain lemon and raspberry. But I would sometimes go for orange and mint as flavors. I used to go so often after school with my mother that the gelato shop owner on our way home would sometimes wait for me on the doorstep with my cone of gelato ready to be devoured.
History of Gelato
Supposedly, during one of his adventures, Marco Polo would have seen ice cream being made in China and would have introduced it in Italy.
However, the “modern” gelato made its first official appearance in a café in Paris, France, in the late 17th century. Granted, it was thanks to an Italian, a certain Franceso Procopio dei Coltelli.
In 1686, he opened the Café Procope in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district which is still open today. It is the oldest café in Paris.
So what is a Gelato?
A gelato contains a little more milk and less cream than regular ice cream. It is smoother because there is less air going inside, according to the Italian artisanal way.
Thanks to the fact that there is less air, it keeps more creaminess and can be kept at a lower temperature, like -15 degrees. Whereas in North America, it is at -20 degrees. Hence the difference in texture.
Recipe for Gelato
If you feel like making your own gelato at home, here are the ingredients you will need
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup of cream
- 1/4 cup of milk
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- The fruit of your choice
French tradition
If you go to Paris, go to Berthillon. It’s THE French ice cream shop that I talk about in THIS ARTICLE. Otherwise, ice cream is an Italian affair. Period.
However, we French have been able to integrate ice cream to our meals, but not at the end!
Let me introduce you to the Trou Normand (Norman Hole), born in the Normandy region, not far from Paris.
The Trou Normand is a digestive action in the middle of a multi-course meal to give the guests back their appetite. Yes, in France we LOVE to eat and spend hours at the table.
It is a custom that is most often found at a wedding.
Generally, it is presented in the form of apple sorbet sprinkled with Calvados or lemon with drops of Vodka.
In fact, this mixture of sweetness with alcohol is not unusual. Alcohol dilates the walls and reduces the impression of satiety.
Ice cream for kids
The CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommends waiting until your child is at least 2 years old before offering him or her ice cream. The added sugar alone is not too healthy for your child.
According to webmd.com, on average, one serving of vanilla ice cream has 21 grams of sugar. That’s a lot for a young child’s small stomach and digestive system.
Instead, offer fruit that you can freeze that they can then suck on. Otherwise, make a small smoothie out of it.
The same is true for dogs. Dairy products aren’t necessarily good for our furry friends. But it’s hard to resist giving them some when they’re watching us with puppy eyes.
If they eat too much, just like children, they will be on what we call a sugar high. Way too excited. Any mom who has ever experienced this knows that it is to be avoided.
Here is an alternative for both dogs and kids: Banana Ice Cream.
- Freeze 2 bananas
- Mix them in a blender and serve.
You can also freeze applesauce or pumpkin sauce (for dogs) in silicone molds (with or without a stick) for a frozen treat.
The Ice Cream Shops of Montreal – Our Addresses
Personally, I like to combine a family activity with food. For me, the two go hand in hand to make the pleasure last and create memories.
Good to know. Unfortunately, not all of Montreal’s ice cream shops are open year-round.
If you have a sweet tooth during the winter, pick up a tub of ice cream from Les Givrés or Le Bilboquet in a delicatessen. Tasteful pleasure guaranteed!
Les Givrés have been in Montreal for over 10 years.
Our sorbet recipes are made exclusively from ripe fruit purée, sugar, and water. Each year, we process more than five tons of local fruit, which makes us the only ice cream maker on the market to offer sorbets made from Quebec fruit.
Les Givrés – Artisans Glacier
If you are in the Villeray district, not far from Jarry Park, you can stop at their shop to take an ice cream cone for the road.
Address: 334 de Castelanu E.
Metro: De Castelanau
In the Outremont district, you can discover one of the oldest ice cream shops in Montreal, installed since 1983 on Bernard Street. Le Bilboquet offers ice creams and sorbets made with Quebec products, without coloring or additives. The sorbets are made from organic fruit puree. There are also vegan ice creams made from soy.
(…) seasonal flavors such as strawberry-basil or passion-rosemary in summer and pumpkin or apple in fall. This allows Bilboquet ice creams to stand out and remain a must-have for Montreal summers.
le bilboquet
Quartier Le Plateau – Le Péché Glacé
Le Péché Glacé was our favorite ice cream shop when we lived in Le Plateau. It still is. And for good reason. Their artisanal ice creams are of great quality.
The diversity and originality of their flavors will force you to take three different scoops. Just to taste a bit of everything. Moreover, the portions are very generous. For the children, it’s better to take in a pot than in a cone to limit the spills.
However, it will be hard to resist their waffle cones folded into a cone. It’s so good!
There is a tiny park right across the street with a playground for the kids. It’s convenient because there is no outdoor terrace, at least not when we were there last time.
Address: 2001 Mont-Royal Ave. E. Bordeaux corner
Metro: Mont-Royal
Things to do in the area
Not far from Péché Glacé is the large Parc Lafontaine where you can play bocce, see a puppet show. There is also a large playground for children.
Otherwise, there is Baldwin Park nearby with 2 very nice playgrounds and also water jets!
If it rains, you can go climbing with the kids at Zero Gravity on Papineau Avenue.
Of course, there are the famous murals of Montreal that dot the neighborhood. You can discover them while doing the free activity of Les Fouines du Plateau.
Mile End – Kem Koba
Kem Koba is THE Mile End ice cream shop owned by a French-French Canadian couple, both pastry chefs, and has been open for 10 years.
The name is a Vietnamese term that means: Aunt 3’s ice cream. Aunt 3 being the nickname given to the owner by one of her nieces.
They offer a soft artisanal ice cream whose flavors change weekly. For example: orange, cardamom and cherry or pear and dulce de Lèche.
You will also find original pastries baked on site.
Beware, unless you go at the opening, there will be a nasty line.
Address: 60 Fairmount West. Clark corner
Metro: Laurier
Things to do in the area
Just like on the Plateau, you can stroll the streets of the Mile End while enjoying a Kem Coba soft cream and discover the neighborhood’s murals.
Otherwise, there’s an outdoor escape game you can do through Adventure City Games.
Not far away lies Laurier Park. It’s the perfect place to picnic, swim, play bocce and has a beautiful children’s playground.
Rosemont: 2 addresses
Rosemont-La Petite Patrie is a huge neighborhood. There are plenty of ice cream shops that will do the trick. Here are two of them to discover today.
L’Affaire est chocolat
Located next to the Cinema Beaubien is L’Affaire est Chocolat. As the name indicates, there is chocolate. Chocolate treats, crêpes, hot chocolate, and also ice cream. They have several declensions of flavors based on chocolate but sorbets as well.
Open all year round, you’ll always find something for your sweet tooth.
Address: 2350 Beaubien Street E. Corner of Des Écores
Metro: Iberville or Beaubien
Things to do in the area
Other than the Beaubien Cinema, there is Molson Park. Although small, you can play bocce, ping-pong, or in the large playground for children. In this playground, you’ll also find plenty of toys for children. So no need to bring your own.
Iconoglace
Iconoglace is a dairy bar that offers soft serve and vegan ice cream. The name is inspired by the word Iconoclast.
Who is an enemy of all tradition, who seeks to do away with all that is the past.
The flavors change from week to week depending on the availability of products. On-site you’ll find 6 flavors of soft ice cream, 4 of which are certified vegan.
Everything is homemade, even the gluten-free cones.
On the menu, Unicorn poop ($5.50), glacial fluid (maple water slush). Latest novelty: Cotton candy with real fruit!
Address: 1320 Belanger Street. Corner of Lanaudiere
Metro: Fabre
What to do in the area?
There’s not much to do in the area, except for the large water fountains at Père-Marquette or a trip to the Jean-Talon market.
Hochelaga: Hoche Glacé
At Hoche Glacé you’ll find vegan soft ice cream and a nice terrace to enjoy it. However, its particularity is to propose ice cream for dogs at 2,95$. It’s served between two pieces of cookies and tastes like vanilla.
Address: 2225 Bennett Avenue. Corner of Rouen Street
Metro: Viau
What to do in the area?
With your dog on a leash, have him digest his ice cream at Maisonneuve Park. Otherwise, with the kids, you can go to the Botanical Garden and Insectarium or the Biodome. If you get the Montreal Access Card, you’ll get a discount on the entrance fee.
Ahuntsic – Virevent
While strolling along the beautiful Promenade Fleury, let yourself be tempted by a gustatory discovery at Virevent.
The flavors of the sorbets change often and this ice cream bar offers 6 kinds of homemade chocolate coatings.
You’ll find original flavors such as the homemade turron ice cream made with honey and almonds. If you don’t know what turron is, it’s basically a form of nougat.
The flavor of the moment of soft ice cream: Cherry and Vanilla.
Address: 1517 Fleury Street East
Metro: Sauvé
What to do in the area:
The Parc Nature de l’IIe de la Visitation is a beautiful place to stretch your legs.
Visit the ruins of the old mills or the Maison du Pressoir and enjoy the views of the Rivière des Prairies from the lookouts.
montreal.ca
Old Port – Ben & Jerrys
To finish off our sweet list of Montreal ice cream shops, we end with Ben & Jerrys.
While waiting for the U.S. land border to open its doors again so that we can go to the birthplace of Ben & Jerry’s, 2 hours from Montreal, you’ll have to make do with the one in the Old Port.
There are many activities available in the vicinity, and I tell you all about them in our MAY edition.
Otherwise, ever had frozen oranges or lemons? If you are from France, chances are you have. I don’t know why, but they are offered as a dessert in every Chinese restaurant in France.
You can find them here in Montreal at Cool et Simple (Quebec’s version of Picard) on Mont-Royal Avenue.
Have a great summer visiting Montreal while discovering its ice cream shops. Watch out for cavities!
[…] And let’s not forget ICE CREAM of course! We all have a sweet tooth and you can get your fix throughout the city. I’ve put together a shortlist of interesting ice cream shops worth checking out on your next family outing in Montreal. READ ME ! […]