Looking for the best ice cream in Hamilton this summer? From towering scoops to small-batch gelato and vegan-friendly froyo, the city is packed with frozen treats worth tasting.
To help you plan your sweet summer adventure, we’ve rounded up the top ice cream shops by neighbourhood. Whether you’re strolling the waterfront, exploring downtown, or discovering a hidden gem, you’ll know just where to go for your next cone and chill out in the sweetest way possible.
Downtown + West Harbour
Big Scoops
2 Duke St.
A seasonal ice cream spot known for their seriously HUGE scoops of Hewitt’s ice cream from the takeout window. When they say big, they really mean it! Open till late every day.
Willard’s Ice Cream: The Second Scoop
10 Mulberry St.
This second location of a local favourite offers nut-free, small-batch ice cream with rotating flavours, vegan-friendly options, and house made waffle cones.
Bonito’s Pizzeria & Gelato
219 James St. N.
A pizzeria and gelato shop serving Roman-style pizza and handcrafted gelato, with gluten-free cones available so everyone can enjoy a sweet treat.
Waterfront Scoops
47 Discovery Dr.
Right by Pier 8, grab a scoop of Shaw’s ice cream, a milkshake, or a float - perfect for strolling the pier on warm summer nights, roller skating at the outdoor rink, or catching a summer salsa night.
Locke Street
Donut Monster
246 Locke St. S.
Vegan-friendly and full of options: soft serve, milkshakes (made with Hewitt’s or Fairly Frosted), and donut ice cream sandwiches, all available in dairy or vegan.
Edenoel’s Panini & Ice Cream
291 Main St. W.
Known for their Half N Half - a creative blend of half milkshake, half sundae - with over 10 combinations to choose from, along with scoops and floats with Hewitt’s ice cream.
Summer's Ice Cream
171 Locke St. S.
Find homemade scoops with over 30 creative flavors to choose from, plus soft serve. Prefer a dairy-free treat? Look for their oat-based vegan options.
Ancaster
Capri Gelato
13 Hatton Dr., Ancaster
Right next to Castelli Mercato, this family-run shop serves handcrafted gelato and sorbetto in rotating flavours, bringing a taste of Italy to the neighbourhood.
The Purple Pony Ice Cream Shop
346 Wilson St. E., Ancaster
A beloved seasonal ice cream spot serving classic hard scoops from Ontario dairies, complete with adorable purple rocking ponies outside that kids love.
Summit Station
1391 Powerline Rd. W.
This seasonal farm ice cream counter serves a weekly rotation of six Ontario-made flavours, all topped off with a cute train chocolate. Enjoy your scoops in a locally made waffle cone! Don't leave without a few bottles of their award-winning milk (in chocolate and strawberry flavours) and famous cheese curds.
Ancaster Little League Snack Bar
286 Jerseyville Rd. W., Ancaster
Little snack bar by baseball diamond with over 100 flavours to choose from, including plant-based and dairy-free options. Plus every purchase helps support Ancaster Little League.
Dundas
Jax Sweet Shoppe
33 King St. W., Dundas
This charming 1950s-style diner in Dundas serves up Hewitt's Dairy schoops along with sundaes and shakes. They've also got great desserts and a popular breakfast menu.
Dyment’s Market
416 Fallsview Rd. E., Dundas
Treat yourself to a scoop or butter tart sundae from the coffee & dairy trailer at this popular Dundas farm. Don't miss their popular smash burgers in the summer and housemade bakery pies.
East Hamilton
Willard’s Ice Cream
942 Main St. E.
The original location of this local gem serves nut-free, small-batch ice cream and house-made waffle cones - perfect for enjoying while strolling around nearby Gage Park.
Panini & Ice Cream
1505 Main St. E.
The original location for Half N Half. Pick from their creations or make your own, plus enjoy scoops and floats with Hewitt’s ice cream.
Hutch’s on the Beach
280 Van Wagners Beach Rd
A Hamilton classic since 1946, serving up old-school diner favorites. Share a banana split or grab a scoop of Shaw’s ice cream and enjoy a walk along the Waterfront Trail.
Fruit & Yo
363 Barton St. E.
This family-run froyo spot blends real fruit with every order, letting you pick your own or choose from tasty combos - and they've got dairy-free and vegan options too!
West End
Realfruity Ice Cream
998 King St. W.
From a mobile ice cream bike to a brick-and-mortar shop in Westdale, Realfruity is a neighbourhood favourite! Enjoy their customizable, made-to-order New Zealand style real fruit ice cream and froyo.
Stoney Creek
Nani’s Gelato
90 Hwy 8 Unit G3, Stoney Creek
Every Nani’s location makes their small-batch gelato on site while rotating flavours every two weeks. Go for the seasonal flavours with Ontario fruits or classics like pistachio!
Bliss Gelato & Cafe
621 Barton St., Stoney Creek
The variety here is huge with over 30 flavours of small batch gelato and sorbets to choose from, including dairy free, gluten free and vegan options.
Hamilton Mountain
Biggies
519 Upper Sherman Ave.
A sister shop to Big Scoops, a cherished local favorite on the mountain known for its generous scoops and no-frills, quick service.
Festival Creamery
417 Concession St.
One-stop shop for frozen desserts, with everything from classic scoops and Hawaiian shaved ice to New Zealand style real fruit ice cream and Dole Whip.
The Parlour Dairy Bar
581 Concession St
You'll find this cute pink ice cream parlour on Concession, serving classic scoops of London Ice Cream, indulgent milkshakes, and sundaes.
The Sweet Side Tracks
They keep it simple with a smaller selection, but these solid frozen treats are absolutely worth the stop.
Madam Bonbon
165 Locke St. S.
On top of beautifully crafted bonbons, they offer small-batch ice cream bars dipped in chocolate in flavours like Double Chocolate and London Fog seasonally.
Rony’s
312 Grays Rd., Stoney Creek and 1242 Upper James St.
Enjoy some house made froyo here where mango’s the most popular flavour. Grab a ready-to-go container or, if you’re lucky, catch some fresh soft serve from their Stoney Creek location.
Daigyo
125 King St. E.
This downtown shop serves up Japanese teas and treats. Their matcha soft serve is a must try - get it swirled with their feature flavour like white peach or make it a float over a slushy.must-try.
Burnt Tongue
10 Cannon St E., 182 Locke St. S., 1019 King St W., 11 King St. W., Dundas
Best known for their comforting soups, The Burnt Tongue also offers house made ice cream sandwiches at all of their locations for the perfect sweet finish to your meal.
Rosales Dinier
303 Dundurn St. S.
Family-friendly neighbourhood diner serving soft serve ice cream featuring classic vanilla alongside a rotating, dole-based vegan option.