If you’ve gone outside in the last week, you’d know the globe is warming and Mother Nature is scorching us all.
My ancestors are from the desert and yet, even I can’t handle the extreme heat that’s going on out there.
But hot weather means it’s time for ice cream and if you’re tired of the average soft serve from the typical fast food chains, then I’ve rounded up five ice cream spots in the city that offer a cultural flair.
Stretchy ice cream at MADO
Turkish ice cream, also known as dondurma, is stretchy and elastic-like, but oh so delicious. I’m gonna get hate for this, but I think Turkish cuisine is overrated! Their ice cream game, however, is top-notch.
MADO’s prices range from $4.99 for an ice cream scoop to $19.99 for bigger dessert plates. Give it a shot and you might never go back to regular ice cream. It has a few spots across the Greater Toronto Area, with one location at 144 Yonge St.
Saffron ice cream and lavashak madness at Tochal
Who doesn’t love saffron? Someone who doesn’t know ball, that’s for sure. If you’re looking for a Persian-inspired, sweet treat in the city, check out Tochal for its saffron ice cream, also known as bastani sonnati.
In true Persian fashion, Tochal also has a pomegranate ice cream — an essential ingredient in all Persian households. This spot is located at 1269 Dundas St. W.
Mouth-watering bingsu at Kream
Picture this, you’re outside and you’re dying from the heat, but then you see Kream and run in. Looking at the menu, you notice they have bingsu and there are way too many choices to pick from.
That sounds like the ideal day for me — and it’s what literally happened yesterday.
I accidentally tripped into Kream and ended up buying everything that it had on display, including the double strawberry matcha bingsu. It’s crazy how the wind blew me inside when it was so hot!
Anyway, bingsu is a bowl of shaved ice with sweet toppings, milk and syrups. Most of the bingsu flavours are under $10 and big enough to share with a friend. This spot is located at 526 Yonge St. in the downtown core and 3290 Midland Ave. in Scarborough.
📸: Provided by Aia Jaber.
Chamoy and shaved ice at Hielto Bits
Paletas are Mexican ice pops made from fresh, natural ingredients, like fruits. Check out Hielto Bits for an assortment of flavours, or grab a fresas con crema, which is fresh strawberries in sweetened cream and cinnamon.
You’ll also have the chance of getting shaved ice with chamoy at this spot located at 2765 Lakeshore Blvd. W.
Creamy kulfi at Meher’s Ice Cream
In the mood for a thicker, denser and creamier frozen dessert than regular ice cream? Give kulfi a shot — an eggless, aromatic sweet treat.
From a gulab jamun to mango flavours, Meher’s little ice cream spot at 335 Yonge St. will leave you wanting more.
Did I miss a yummy, refreshing ice cream spot in the city? Email me at aia@thegreenline.to, so I can include it in the next round up. And if you end up giving one of these places a try, tag @tglhelps on Instagram to be reposted on our story.
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