Best Ice Cream Shops Along the Rideau Canal
Nothing tops off a good summer afternoon than the inclusion of a great ice cream—served in a cup, bowl, traditional cone, waffle cone or cone with sprinkles!
The Rideau Canal corridor is home to more than 150 dairy producers, local fruit growers & maple producers. Many of the ice cream and gelato shops along the Rideau Canal use these locally sourced ingredients in their icy treats that are scooped up all season long.
A boat trip on the Rideau Canal always seem just a little bit happier when you can take it all in while enjoying the a double scope piled high in a chocolate dipped waffle cone (sprinkles optional) . Here are some of our must visit shops along the Rideau Canal that set themselves apart by either making their own ice cream or offering a wide selection of flavor combinations that you can’t find anywhere else
Smiths Falls, Ontario
Sweet Scoops - a Waterfront Destination est. 2013
Satisfy your sweet tooth at Sweet Scoops, nestled along the historic and picturesque Rideau Canal inside our satellite location found at The Pickled Pig by the Basin.
Milkshakes, sundaes and hard ice cream are all on the menu at Sweet Scoops. Visit our downtown location for more expansive menu options such as rich espresso or creamy latte, or pick up some delicious sweet treats and more. All of your sweet dreams will come true at this store's charming downtown location, and satellite location on the banks of the Rideau Canal.
Perth, Ontario
Pete’s Family Fare Restaurant- Ice Cream Booth -Take out stand
84 Gore Street E. Perth Ontario K7H 1J2 (613)267-4033
Around the corner from Pete’s Family Fare Restaurant on Market Square is their busy little ice cream booth – proudly serving Chapman’s Ice-cream in wide range of flavors . There is plenty of seating at the nearby picnic tables or walk just a few minutes and you will be at Stewart Park. Located behind the Town Hall, Stewart Park is the most distinctive landmark in Perth and home to the annual Stewart Park Festival. The Tay River runs through Stewart Park and is met by green grass, weeping trees and beautiful landscape and bridges. Enjoy your ice cream and walking around, enjoying the peaceful landscape and beauty gardens.
Perth Pie Co:
12 Gore St E, Perth, ON K7H 1H5 (613) 200-8743, www.perthpieco.ca
Nothing pairs better with ice cream than a nice slice of home made pie! The Perth Pie Co. is a local retail bakery operating from their location at 12 Gore Street East in Perth, Ontario, Canada. They make all of our baked goods from real ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible, and made entirely from scratch without the use of artificial flavorings or colourings, or preservatives. They are celebrating over 12 years in business! The shop carries a variety of both sweet and savory pies that changes daily, weekly, and seasonally. You can find pies, crumbles, tarts, cookies, biscuits, and squares along with a selection of take home, frozen goods such as, raw/frozen fruit and meat pies, pastry shells and crumbles that can be baked fresh in your oven at your convenience.
Merrickville, Ontario
Downtowne Ice Cream Shoppe
165 St Lawrence St, Merrickville, ON K0G 1N0, (613) 269-2168 www.downtowneicecreamshoppe.ca
Family run business that has been opened since 2002. The experiment with lots of exciting flavors of ice cream and have developed over 150 flavors. All their ice cream is made on the premises and include locally sourced ingredients such as maple syrup, fudge, spices and fruits-be sure to try the Maple Walnut, Beet-O-Rama or the Hokey Pockey, perfect treat on a hot summer day!
Stella Luna:
111 Main St E, Merrickville
Stella Luna has location in Ottawa and in the town of Merrickville ON K0G 1N0, (613) 269-4949, www.slgelato.com
A family-owned Cafe serving up breakfast, lunch, snacks, desserts, and serving up new flavors of Home-made gelato each Day. Awarded BEST GELATO in CANADA and TOP 3 GELATO SHOPS in THE AMERICAS at the Gelato World Tour (Chicago, 2016)! Trained in Bologna by Italy's finest; owner and Master Gelato Chef Tammy Giuliani combines old-world techniques and handcrafted recipes with a passion for finely prepared food. Stella Luna is the recipient of The INTERNATIONAL JOURNALIST'S CHOICE AWARD (Italy, 2017) and has been rated Top 5 Desserts in Ontario.
My go to choice is always the chocolate hazelnut and salted caramel …but I can sometime be persuaded to try the flavour of the day that usually contains fresh in season berries or fruit purees. I also enjoy the mid-day boost from a large cup of expresso with a shot of gelato.
Westport, Ontario
Vanilla Bean's Cafe & Creamery,
34 Main St, Westport, ON K0G 1X0
Located just a 2 minute walk from Westport Harbour and at the top of the street, you can’t miss going for ice cream at the Vanilla Bean’s Café & Creamery.
I love the Chocolate Peanut Butter and always ask for a pint to go so you can enjoy later from the top deck of your Horizon Cruiser.
Westport Ice Cream and Candy,
Corner of Main Street & Bedford St.
This other popular local spot located on the main street in Westport features a wide variety of ice cream flavors as well as a full wall of candy, local fudge and maple syrup products to choose from!
Be sure to pick up a bottle or two of locally produced maple syrup as a souvenir or for breakfast on your boat this week.
Chaffey's Lockstation - Eglin, Ontario
The Opinicon Ice Cream Shop,
1697 Chaffeys Lock Rd, Elgin, ON K0G 1E0, (613) 359-5233
The Opinicon Ice Cream Shop is an iconic spot for a summer treat. This spot will remind you of enjoying a giant ice cream cone at summer camp and come with large scopes of ice cream and a fantastic video of Opinicon Lake. My favorite here is the Moose Tracks loaded with chocolate peanut butter cups and fudge that create as smile with every scope. They also have some great sandwiches and lunch specials if you are looking for something more substantial than ice cream to snack on.
[Photo courtesy of Emma Presley @emmasfro]
Newboro, Ontario
Kilborn’s on The Rideau
10 Drummond St, Newboro, ON K0G 1P0 (613) 272-0114
Just a 5-10 minute walk from Newboro lock station is a very unique shopping experience located in historic town Newboro. (ask the Lockmaster to point you in the right direction and follow the path into town) . This store has it all -including , clothing, gifts, big shoe selection, small pantry of food items and a small ice cream counter at the front of the store. Kilborn’s gets its name from Col. John Kilborn, a prisoner of the United States in the War of 1812, who escaped and eventually came to settle in Newboro. Achieving the highest rank for a member of the militia, Col. Kilborn went on to become a representative in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada, Postmaster and a judge. The present-day dining room of Stirling Lodge is the main structure of his 1832 home. Next to Kilborns is the historic Stagecoach Inn restaurant with a great patio. It is open year-round for both lunch and dinner. Join them for steak, Prime Rib and great seafood, featuring Alaskan crab legs, lobster ravioli, and amazing Humboldt squid calamari every Friday and Saturday night. Please call for inquiries and to make a reservation 613-272-2900 (they also serve dessert!)
Kingston, Ontario
Marble Slab Creamery
27 Princess St, Kingston, ON K7L 1A3, (613) 549-7522, www.marbleslab.ca
Small-batch ice cream is hand-blended with loads of mix-ins – and located near the Kingston Harbour. Premium Ice Cream and over 50 flavors to choose from , plus unlimited Mixins served on a hand rolled cones. 100% Real Canadian Dairy, Made Fresh In Store. They also sell great ice cream by the liter or as beautiful cakes if you want to take one to go and celebrate a special occupation onboard or eat for desert tomorrow night!
Mio Gelato
178 Ontario St, Kingston, ON K7L 2Y8 (613) 547-4053 www.miogelato.ca
Try their favor of the week . We don't just claim to be homemade, we actually ARE homemade right on site; on any given day you can witness our busy chef mixing quality ingredients and artfully arranging fresh gelato, sorbetto, ice cream or frozen yogurt into eye catching display pans. Can’t decide that what to – try a few sample before you select the frozen treat of your choice!
Ottawa, Ontario
Just minutes away from where you moor your Le Boat cruiser in downtown Ottawa is ByWard Market- a buzzing hub of outdoor farmers’ market stalls and specialty food shops selling Canadian cheese and maple-infused chocolate. It’s also known for its colorful street art and hip stores filled with crafts and clothes by local designers and also home to the icon BeaverTails (sweet fried pastries in the shape of a beaver’s tail), great restaurant and desert cafes.
La Catrina Churros + Café Bar
ByWard Market, 105B Clarence St., Ottawa, ON K1N 5P5, (613) 421-9910
Ottawa’s only Mexican café and Churro Shop- Fall in love with their fresh made churro with a side of chocolate sauce and scoop of soft serve ice cream. A churro is a long piece of thick deep-fried dough, coated with cinnamon and sugar. It is a Mexican and Spanish dessert, popular for its crisp exterior and soft interior. Try it stuffed, dipped or traditional. La Catrina is a nestled in the heart of Ottawa’s downtown ByWard Market and is a family-owned café and the city’s only churreria (churro shop). La Catrina specialize in authentic Mexican churros and have an espresso bar, a dessert display, drinks, ice cream and Mexican sandwiches.
Piccolo Grande Gelateria
102-55 Murray St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5M3 (613) 241-2909
This five star rated artisan Gelateria & Escpresso bar is also located in Byward Market where Hotel Martineau, built in 1872 . Their most popular flavours include Bacio - Pistachio - Chocolate - Hazelnut - Chocolate Peanut Butter – Coconut. They also offer vegan sorbet options including lemon, lime, passion fruit, grapefruit or cherry. Piccolo Grande - Little fat, Big taste. "Forse, la migliore gelateria nel mondo! - Based on an age old Italian tradition, Piccolo Grande have taken the charm of the Italian Gelateria, adapted it to the North American market and palate, creating a concept that has proved to be a gastronomic sensation, as well as a home grown success story for 30 plus years. Piccolo Grande will always use the finest ingredients available; including imported traditional flavorings direct from Italy and are commitment to remarkable service backed up by quality craftsmanship in the pursuit of an authentic Italian experience in the heart of Ottawa.