Top 10 Best Toronto Soft Serve Dessert Spots

We all scream for ice-cream, but sometimes we swerve for soft-serve. On the days when a twirled treat sparks more joy than an icy blend, here is my list for the best soft-serve shops in the 6ix!

If you’ve checked out all of the soft serve offerings, don’t forget to check out my Top 10 Toronto Ice-Cream list by pressing the link below!

Top 10 Toronto Ice-Cream

Note: This list is in an arbitrary order. They are not ranked from best-to-worst.

1. Bar Ape Gelato

Bar Ape Gelato is a tucked-away soft serve and gelato shop along St. Clair West.

Boasting a rotating “gelato soft-serve” menu of innovative flavours such as pear, pumpkin seed, rhubarb, brown sugar, or gooseberry (amongst many more), this place is an excellent choice for those who like to be more adventurous with their food!

Bar Ape switches up the flavour offerings every Wednesday, so you’re always sure to come back to a fresh, in-season surprise. If you prefer to err on the side of caution, their website does list each weeks soft-serve pairings in advance. They state that there is always a vegan option available!

This speciality shop also sells “gelato sundaes” (based on fior di latte soft-serve) with a variety of toppings, and “gelato bars” for those who aren’t interested in the soft-serve pairing of the week (though I do encourage you to be adventurous with your food).

Although the menu isn’t extensive, the small shop specializes in one thing, and definitely does it well. It’s completely cash-based, and there isn’t any seating, but if you’re craving unique soft-serve, you can’t go wrong with Bar Ape Gelato. My only complaint is that it doesn’t serve it’s soft-serve during the colder months (as a Canadian, I don’t mind a frozen treat in the dead of winter)!

Toronto Neighbourhood: Hillcrest Village
Closest Subway Stop: St. Clair West — take 512 streetcar West to Arlington Avenue

Location:
283 Rushton Rd

Noteworthy Feature:
The soft-serve ingredients seem to be sourced in Ontario! 👏Support👏Local👏Workers👏

2. Les Épicuriens Ice Cream

A bit of Montreal flavour can be found here in Toronto, by simply stepping foot into Les Épicuriens Ice Cream. This unassuming shop appears small from the outside, but don’t let that fool you - it’s well worth a visit!

Les Épicuriens specializes in dipped soft-serve. On top of their base soft-serve (dairy and vegan options), you can choose to have your icy delight dipped into a number of tempting flavours. Red velvet, salted caramel, strawberry, and hazelnut are only a few of the options. These dips harden on contact, which adds a really nice “crunch” to the treat. It reminds me of a gourmet version of the dipped cones from Dairy Queen!

There are other toppings you can add, like crushed smarties, almonds, or sprinkles. There is also the choice of waffle cone, regular cone, or cup. Essentially, Les Épicuriens is a customizable soft-serve experience, and a nice one at that. I have always been greeted with a smile when I’ve gone.

In my opinion, the store is aptly named, as “Epicureanism” (or épicurisme in French) does refer to the thoughts of philosopher Epicurus, whose philosophical doctrine is most well known for it’s primary goal of happiness, and satisfying above all the natural and necessary pleasures we have. I definitely satisfied my need for ice-cream and salted caramel. Délicieux!

Toronto Neighbourhood: Midtown Toronto
Closest Subway Stop: Eglinton

Location:
2109 Yonge Street

Noteworthy Feature:
Hefty portion sizes!

3. Butter Baker

A minimalistic interior and simple decor are the backdrop of this French-style bakery and soft-Serve joint in downtown Toronto.

Although its known as Butter Baker, I find it surprisingly it’s not known as Butter Soft-Serve since they are so talented at making the dessert! Every so often, they change up the flavour combinations, and magic happens. Vanilla, lychee, chocolate, and raspberry are all flavours to look out for!

The bakery takes pride in using local ingredients, and this plays a part in the quality of the finished product. Their soft-serve is more creamy than airy, and there is no need for toppings as the product itself is very well made. One thing I find amusing about their soft-serves is that they seem more “tubular” than the offerings of other companies. I find the shape really enticing and fun!

The website states they believe “simple is better”, and in the case of this classic treat, it definitely works for them!

Toronto Neighbourhood: Downtown Toronto
Closest Subway Stop: Dundas

Location:
120 Dundas Street West

Noteworthy Feature:
The space is very minimalistic and clean. I’m a dan of the greenery!

4. La Diperie

The Canadian chain La Diperie offers customers a chance to customize their own frozen delight. Their base of vanilla soft serve can be “dipped” into a number of different Belgian-chocolate covered coatings, which are then topped by various toppings.

This is a perfect place to bring a picky date or friends, as tailor-making your perfect cone/ cup is the very basis of this shop!

More information on La Diperie and other ice cream suggestions can be found by clicking this link. If you want to discover other Uptown/ Midtown ice-cream shops, click here.

Toronto Neighbourhood: Yonge and Lawrence
Closest Subway Stop: Lawrence

Location:
3264 Yonge Street (Uptown)
372 Danforth Avenue (Downtown)
923 Queen Street W Unit B (Downtown)

Noteworthy Feature:
There is a dizzying amount of dips and toppings from which to choose!

5. Milkcow Café

Release your inner child at this whimsical and fun soft-serve joint! The famous Korean dessert café’s Toronto establishment gives customers a chance to pick milk soft-serve based creations with an assortment of toppings. You can go for something more traditional (milk soft ice-cream topped with macarons and almonds) or be more adventurous with your choice (milk soft ice-cream topped with actual honeycomb).

Every item on the menu is not only delicious, but also Instagram-friendly. This establishment is already quite well-known throughout Asia, and it is definitely something I think is a positive addition to North America!

Want more places like Milkcow Café? Press think link!

Toronto Neighbourhood: Yonge and Lawrence
Closest Subway Stop: Lawrence — take the 97A/ 97B/ 97F bus towards Lytton Boulevard

Location:
2651 Yonge Street

Noteworthy Feature:
The design of the store is super cool, and I adore the artistic map on the black wall.

6. Roselle desserts East

Roselle was a small-and-sweet pastry shop near the Distillery District that has recently opened up a new flagship location on Queen West.

Roselle was able to expand thanks to its cult following for their lovely treats (especially the Earl Grey soft serve). Those treats, by the way, are made from scratch!

Their soft serve is very high quality, and it’s clear that there isn’t too much “air” in the mix - it’s dense, has a rich taste, and I love it that way! If earl grey flavouring isn’t your cup of tea, they do have an alternative with vanilla soft serve.

They describe themselves as a “fiercely passionate small business”, and I’ve always had pleasant and kind service whenever I’ve visited.

Pop in for a soft serve or one of their pastries after a day downtown, and you won’t be disappointed!

Toronto Neighbourhood: Corktown
Closest Subway Stop: King — take the 504B streetcar to Parliament Street

Location:
362 King Street East (King East)
(New location: 108 Dovercourt Road (Queen West)

Noteworthy Feature:
Roselle is completely cashless!

7. Café Bora

Whether you prefer to eat your ube as Bingsu, tiramisu, or perhaps ice-cream, Café Bora creates delicious desserts using the ubiquitous purple yam. Although this is a “Top 10” list, these sheer cuteness of these ice-creams made it a must for me to add them to this list! They certainly would light up any Instagram feed.

Not a fan of ube? Not to worry - there’s plenty of other flavour options available! A citron sparkling water, or perhaps a matcha tiramisu might do just the trick.

Another plus? The Korean chain has no additives or preservatives in their desserts. Yummy, delicious, and healthy. Score!

Who knew “purple” tasted so yummy?

Toronto Neighbourhood: Yorkville
Closest Subway Stop: Bloor-Yonge or Bay

Location:
87 Yorkville Avenue #3

Noteworthy Feature:
There are lovely purple flowers all throughout the minimalistic shop.

8. Sweet Jesus

Sweet Jesus is a real sweet treat! The soft serve company serves up cones or cups dipped in wonderful toppings such as chocolate, fudge, caramel, peanut butter, cotton candy, amongst others. With multiple locations across the GTA, you can get your fix wherever you live - and that includes North York!

In their words, they “#blessyourmouth”, and I have to admit, they really do!

If you want to read up more about Sweet Jesus and the other soft serves in the city, click here!

P.S. If you like Sweet Jesus, you may be interested to know that they have a partnership with a delicious Mexican restaurant called La Carnita (psst - they are glunte-friendly!) Click here to read more!

Toronto Neighbourhood: Multiple
Closest Subway Stop: (In order of list below) Sheppard-Yonge, Queen, St. Andrew

Location:
4841 Yonge Street (Uptown)
220 Yonge Street H029C (Downtown)
106 John Street (Downtown)

Noteworthy Feature:
Each location feels ultra-trendy with it’s bright teal walls and neon pink signs emblazoned with “Sweet Jesus”.

9. Tsujiri

Lovers of matcha will rejoice at Tsujiri, an originally Japanese powdered green-tea chain from Kyoto. All of the desserts here made with high-quality matcha, ensuring that each item had a rich taste. Choose from a variety of treats such as matcha soft serve (with adzuki beans and dango) or a matcha cookie puff.

Tsujiri have been in business since 1860, and have had a long time to perfect their speciality.

Whether you prefer to grab a tea or a treat, a trip to Tsujiri is totally worth it (wow… what an alliteration).

Find out more info about Tsujiri and other dessert spots by clicking here.

Toronto Neighbourhood: Multiple
Closest Subway Stop: (In order of list below) St. Patrick, Sheppard-Yonge

Location:
147 Dundas Street West (Downtown)
4909 Yonge Street (Uptown)

Noteworthy Feature:
The interior is relaxing and has nods to Japanese architecture. I adore the wood!

10. iHaloKrunch

The most Instagram-friendly soft-serve award on this list has to be given to iHaloKrunch.

Going full speed ahead with the charcoal trend, this hip shop sells ice-cream and cones in a number of unconventional colours and flavours. If you’re feeling particularly goth, try one of their black charcoal cones with black or purple ice-cream inside!

While I’m personally not a huge fan of the flavours (except the vanilla), there’s no denying the temptation to buy one of the black / purple / green swirled concoctions from this store near Trinity Bellwoods. There’s something very fun about digging into what looks like the food version of Ursula from The Little Mermaid.

This is definitely a place you visit for the experience, and the photos. Cool!

Toronto Neighbourhood: Multiple
Closest Subway Stop: (In order of list below) St. Patrick, Sheppard-Yonge

Location:
147 Dundas Street West (Downtown)
4909 Yonge Street (Uptown)