Few things say summer in Kingston quite like an ice cream cone in hand. Whether you're strolling the waterfront, exploring downtown, or making a dedicated dessert run, Kingston's local ice cream shops deliver everything from nostalgic classics to small-batch creations worth planning your day around.
From homemade scoops and authentic Italian gelato to limited-edition flavours inspired by The Tragically Hip, these five local favourites are serving up some of the coolest treats in town.
Quick Guide
- White Mountain Homemade Ice Cream – Bee's Nest
- General Brock's Commissary – The Tragically Chip
- Mio Gelato – Mia Mix Gelato
- Mile and a Quarter Ice Cream – Create your own soft serve twist
- Reid's Dairy – Blueberry Cheesecake
176 Ontario Street
The Scoop: Bee's Nest
Why You Need to Try It: A Kingston summer tradition for generations, White Mountain is the kind of place that sparks instant nostalgia. The downtown shop makes all its ice cream in-house and offers an impressive lineup of flavours, but Bee's Nest remains a standout. Rich vanilla ice cream is loaded with ribbons of caramel and generous chunks of cookie dough, creating the perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and chewy in every bite. Grab a cone and wander the nearby waterfront for the quintessential Kingston summer experience.
55 Brock Street
The Scoop: The Tragically Chip
Why You Need to Try It: This summer, General Brock's Commissary is serving up The Tragically Chip, a limited-edition flavour created through a collaboration between Kawartha Dairy and The Tragically Hip. The nostalgic scoop comes as Kingston celebrates the 10th anniversary of the band's iconic final hometown concert through the city's Forever Hip programming and events. Featuring a decadent base of maple whisky-flavoured ice cream packed with dark chocolatey chunks and a rich black cherry ripple, it's a sweet tribute to one of Canada's most beloved bands. Pick up a cone, then head out to explore the many Forever Hip experiences happening across the city, making every bite feel like part of the celebration.
178 Ontario Street
The Scoop: Mia Mix
Why You Need to Try It: Since opening its doors in 2010, Mio Gelato has become a Kingston favourite for authentic Italian-style gelato, sorbetto and frozen yogurt. Every flavour is crafted in-house, resulting in the smooth, intensely flavourful texture that gelato lovers crave. The signature Mia Mix gelato remains a go-to choice, but part of the fun is discovering what's fresh in the case each visit. Stop by their second location, Mio on King (320A King Street East), across from Springer Market Square, and see what's being featured as their soft serve of the week.
772 Blackburn Mews
The Scoop: Create your own soft serve twist
Why You Need to Try It: At Mile and a Quarter, choosing a flavour can be the hardest part. With 55+ soft serve flavours available and the option to mix and match, the combinations are nearly endless. Whether you'redreaming up a nostalgic childhood favourite or creating a one-of-a-kind swirl, every visit offers something new. Beyond its impressive soft serve lineup, Mile and a Quarter has become a destination for handcrafted frozen treats and creative seasonal features, including the limited-edition The Tragically Chip collaboration with Kawartha Dairy. For ice cream lovers who like a little customization with their dessert, this west-end gem is worth the trip.
1695 Bath Road
The Scoop: Blueberry Cheesecake
Why You Need to Try It: A west-end Kingston favourite, Reid's Dairy serves up rich, creamy ice cream alongside its famous milkshakes. The Blueberry Cheesecake flavour combines cheesecake ice cream with sweet blueberry swirls for a dessert-inspired scoop that's perfect for summer. Whether you choose a cone or one of their iconic milkshakes, it's a classic Kingston treat.
