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5 Best Ice Cream Shops in Calgary for Every Craving

Flavour Variety and Quality: I checked classic and creative seasonal recipes, plus ingredient quality, dairy bases and plant-based options. Steady texture and balanced flavours make a scoop worth the trip.

Dietary Accommodation: I looked for dairy-free, vegan and gluten-friendly choices, and whether plant-based scoops got the same care as dairy ones. Groups often include people with different diets.

Value and Portion Size: I compared scoop sizes against menu prices across single scoops, double cones and take-home tubs. A sweet treat should feel worth the money.

Atmosphere and Seating: I looked at each shop's seating, layout, patios and fun touches. A cone is often a social outing, so the space matters.

I spent last July convincing myself that a daily double scoop counts as essential hydration during a heatwave. My bank account disagreed, but my taste buds didn’t.

Plenty of dessert spots in Calgary sell sweets, but keeping that habit going means finding a scoop shop that pleases both a toddler wanting classic chocolate and a friend wanting vegan coconut. 

I compared Calgary ice cream shops on flavours, prices and seating.

Here are the best ice cream shops in Calgary to grab a cone today.

How much does ice cream cost in Calgary?

A single scoop of ice cream in Calgary costs $4.00 to $7.50, and a kids’ scoop runs $3.00 to $5.25. Double scoops cost $7.99 to $9.99, and take-home pints cost $11.50 to $16.75.

OptionTypical price
Kids / small scoop$3.00–$5.25
Single scoop / cup$4.00–$7.50
Double scoop$7.99–$9.99
Take-home pints / tubs$11.50–$16.75

1. Amato Gelato Cafe – Kensington

amato-gelato-cafe-kensington-logo

Website: https://www.amatogelatoalberta.com/

Address: Unit 7, 2104 Kensington Rd

Contact: (403) 270-9733

Hours: Sunday–Saturday: 10:00 AM–11:00 PM

A dessert stop works best when everyone at the table finds something they like. Amato Gelato Cafe makes that happen with over 72 rotating flavours of Italian gelato, plus hot paninis, Roman-style pizza and espresso.

That variety means parents can grab a quick lunch while kids pick out fruit sorbets or plant-based scoops without leaving the table.

Plus, their menu follows traditional family recipes, with desserts like cannoli, tiramisu and gelato-topped affogatos.

The setting is just as inviting. When I dropped by their Kensington location on a summer evening, the enclosed patio was packed with people enjoying scoops well past dark.

The catch is that a single serving runs near $8.49, which is high for local frozen treats. And as a full cafe, it suits sit-down visits better than a quick cone.

Pros

  • Over 72 rotating gelato and sorbet flavours
  • Full cafe menu with paninis and espresso
  • Plant-based and vegan options
  • Enclosed patio seating

Cons

  • Single servings cost about $8.49
  • A full cafe rather than a quick scoop stop

We loved it and we will be definitely coming back! 🤗 …

This was definitely the best ice cream my family and me have ever had in Canada! Staff is very welcoming and kind, and the service was exceptional. They even offered us free croissants! 😊We loved it and we will be definitely coming back! 🤗 …

Anks | Google Review

Cookies ice cream and she is totally impressed with the flavour.

My first visit and I loved the ambiance.

Ordered for espresso and felt like I was in Milan. My daughter ordered Cream & Cookies ice cream and she is totally impressed with the flavour.

Will be coming back to have more and continue my blog.

Food Around The World | Google Review

2. My Favorite Ice Cream Shoppe

my-favorite-ice-cream-shoppe-logo

Website: https://www.myfavoriteicecream.com/

Address: 2048 42 Ave

Contact: (403) 287-3838 | [email protected]

Hours: Summer: Sunday–Thursday: 11:00 AM–10:00 PM; Friday–Saturday: 11:00 AM–11:00 PM. Winter: Sunday–Thursday: 12:00 PM–9:00 PM; Friday–Saturday: 12:00 PM–10:00 PM

Stepping through the doors in Marda Loop feels like a trip back to an old-fashioned parlour. 

My Favorite Ice Cream Shoppe stocks 72 varieties of Foothills Creamery hard ice cream, with classics like Rocky Road, Mint Chocolate Chip and Butter Pecan.

Kids love the nostalgic interior, with vintage decorations, church pew seating and an in-store piano. Anyone who plays the piano for ten minutes earns a free scoop.

Single servings start around $3.00. They also build custom ice cream cakes from $38.00 to $68.00 for birthdays and celebrations, so you can order the cake and the scoops in one stop instead of splitting dessert with bakeries in Calgary.

When I called about ordering a cake, their staff explained the size options clearly.

The downside is that custom cakes need at least three business days’ notice, so last-minute party planners are out of luck. 

Pros

  • Single scoops from $3.00
  • Free scoop for playing the piano
  • Nostalgic parlour decor and church pews
  • Custom ice cream cakes for celebrations

Cons

  • Custom cakes need 3 business days’ notice

Can’t wait to come back on a proper hot summer day.

Already planning a return visit. We went on a cooler night so it was nice and quiet.

Huge flavour selection with a mix of nostalgic classics and fun new combos. The rum and raisin in a waffle cone brought back some core memories. Seating is limited, but we were able to grab a bench inside. Easy enough parking with a few spots out front and street options.

Great ice cream. Can’t wait to come back on a proper hot summer day.

Michelle Greene | Google Review

Highly recommend stopping by for a delicious treat!

This ice cream shop is an absolute gem! They offer tons of flavors, from classic favorites to unique, creative options that you won’t find anywhere else. Every scoop is rich, creamy, and full of flavor, making it hard to pick just one! The customer service is fantastic—the staff is friendly, patient, and always happy to offer recommendations. Whether you’re a chocolate lover, a coffee lover, a fruit fanatic, or someone who enjoys adventurous flavors, there’s something for everyone. Highly recommend stopping by for a delicious treat!

Yesha Gotherwal | Google Review

3. Parlour Ice Cream

parlour-ice-cream-logo

Website: https://www.parlouricecream.ca/

Address: 537 Riverfront Ave

Contact: (250) 300-7071 | [email protected]

Hours: Daily: 11:00 AM–10:00 PM

Walking along the Bow River in East Village often calls for a cold treat. Parlour Ice Cream makes premium ice cream on-site with locally sourced ingredients.

That craft approach gives you rich texture and carefully balanced sweetness, from staples like London Fog and Salted Caramel to seasonal picks like Matcha or Toasted Coconut.

Vegan options sit alongside the dairy line, so there’s a scoop for plant-based eaters too.

Your scoop can go in a house-made waffle cone baked fresh in the shop. If you’d rather eat at home, you can order take-home pints online.

The catch is that the menu has no savoury cafe items or paninis, so it won’t work as a meal. And indoor seating is limited in cold weather.

Pros

  • Fresh house-made waffle cones
  • Premium ice cream made on-site
  • Vegan flavours on the menu
  • Take-home pints ordered online

Cons

  • No savoury food options
  • Limited indoor seating in cold weather

We went 2 nights in a row! LOVE is Parlour’s Ice Cream

Excellent ice cream shop in East Village, close to many hotels and walking distance to Bow river. Many delicious flavors to choose from, with vegan options too! We went 2 nights in a row! LOVE is Parlour’s Ice Cream

Anne DomPierre | Google Review

Thank you for the cute little sticker on the bag. it was a lovely touch💌

the ice cream was excellent, and the portions were generous. the pistachio and chocolate peanut butter flavors were my favorites. the tiramisu wasn’t quite as much to my taste, but it was still good.

i ordered delivery, and thank you for the cute little sticker on the bag. it was a lovely touch💌

Iryna | Google Review

4. Abbey’s Creations – Montgomery/Bowness

abbeys-creations-montgomery-bowness-logo

Website: https://www.abbeys.net/

Address: Unit 13, 4703 Bowness Rd

Contact: (403) 454-0072

Hours: Sunday–Thursday: 12:00 PM–9:00 PM; Friday–Saturday: 12:00 PM–10:00 PM

Boredom with standard chocolate and vanilla pushes dessert fans toward artisan shops. 

Abbey’s Creations makes small-batch ice cream from scratch at their Montgomery location with adventurous pairings like Ube Queso, black sesame, cheese and fig.

That small-batch process gives you dense texture and bold taste you won’t find in standard commercial tubs.

Pricing is generous too. Single scoops cost about $6.99 and come with unlimited toppings, which kids love, while a double scoop is $7.99.

Beyond scoops, they offer vegan choices, custom ice cream cakes and catering for local events.

Keep in mind that small batches mean popular flavours can sell out quickly on warm summer weekends.

Pros

  • Small-batch ice cream made from scratch
  • Flavours like Ube Queso and black sesame
  • Unlimited toppings with single scoops
  • Vegan options and custom cakes

Cons

  • Popular flavours can sell out quickly

The service is always great at Abbey’s, and the ice cream never disappoints.

My family went to Abbey’s in Bowness for the yyc ice cream fest ice cream nachos on Thursday evening. There was only one staff member working (Kate) and it was very busy. She handled the lineup so professionally and moved everyone through with a smile and an apology for the wait.

The ice cream nachos were absolutely delicious, with a scoop of Dubai ice cream. The service is always great at Abbey’s, and the ice cream never disappoints. We would highly recommend Abbey’s Bowness

Corinne Yon | Google Review

Then to top it off, you have the option of adding in unlimited mixings

One of our favourite ice cream shops! You can choose from classic flavours or if you’re in a more adventurous mood, exotic flavours that never disappoint (e.g. cheese I’ve, salty duck egg). Then to top it off, you have the option of adding in unlimited mixings and delicious choices for cones/cups. 

Grace Leung | Google Review

5. Village Ice Cream

village-ice-cream-logo

Website: https://www.villageicecream.com/

Address: 431 10 Ave

Contact: (403) 261-7950

Hours: Summer (May–September): 11:00 AM–11:00 PM daily. Winter (October–April): Sunday–Thursday: 11:00 AM–10:00 PM; Friday–Saturday: 11:00 AM–11:00 PM

Locals in Victoria Park know that a lineup wrapping around the block usually leads straight to Village Ice Cream. 

They craft their ice cream fresh on-site every day, with signature flavours like Village Vanilla Bean, Toasted Coconut and Maple Pecan. That daily batch gives an ultra-smooth texture that keeps dessert fans coming back in every season.

Cups and fresh waffle cones run $6.00 to $6.82. With several locations across town, grabbing a favourite pint is simple.

For community gatherings, they also rent portable freezers, run catering carts and deliver online.

The drawback is that hours change between summer and winter, so check before heading out in early autumn.

Pros

  • Ice cream made fresh on-site daily
  • Signature flavours like Toasted Coconut
  • Portable freezer rentals and catering carts
  • Delivery and pickup options

Cons

  • Hours change by season

My friend and I had a great experience at Village Ice Cream.

Five stars.

My friend and I had a great experience at Village Ice Cream. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and clean, and the staff were very friendly.

We tried four different ice cream flavours, both in cups and cones, and they were all really delicious and enjoyable. Everything tasted fresh and had great flavour.

Highly recommended.🍦

Sid Moay | Google Review

They were friendly and quick. I will definitely be going back

I was looking online for ice cream with vegan options and found Village within walking distance. I’m allergic to dairy and gluten and they were very accommodating and made sure to use clean scoops for my cone. It is the best vegan ice cream I have ever tasted and had zero allergic reactions. My partner had the regular coffee ice cream said it was the best she ever had. They were friendly and quick. I will definitely be going back for more lemon poppyseed vegan ice cream on a gluten free sugar cone!

SA Kenny | Google Review

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