As a lactose-intolerant ice cream enthusiast, life gets hard. Alas, I have learnt to work my way through it. Over the last three years, I have thoroughly invested myself in an intensive, meticulous study of ice cream in Kelowna. My research has led me to many places far and wide (often at the cost of tummy aches). Drawing from my own experiences and expert opinions of enthusiasts in the Ice Cream Club, my research has finally yielded results. With summer just around the corner, I am happy to share my findings and defend my thesis on the best ice cream places in Kelowna.
Ice cream is more than its component parts of milk and sugar, and it is often the associated memories that bring us joy. This has been a journey of love and labour so far, and hopefully would help you get started on your own path to discovering the best ice cream places in town.
Amore Mio Gelato, Downtown
This is a great place to get some authentic gelato if you prefer the fancier things in life. They also have a great coffee selection if you are not in the mood for ice cream. They have some lovely outdoor seating and a rotating menu to keep things fresh. This is a super fun spot to try out with friends or on a date. It is a bit on the pricier side, but I am a fan of their espresso con panna. They also have a great pastry collection, so it is a little bit more than just a gelato place. My favourite flavour that I tried there was the wild berry mix.
Moo-Lix, Downtown and McCurdy
Kelowna-based and family-owned, Moo-Lix is a great, low-key spot to get ice cream after a hot day at the beach. They are located both downtown and at their accessible McCurdy location, which keeps many of their iconic flavours and rotating seasonal varieties. This is also one of the places you’ll be able to find on DoorDash, which is super convenient for a late-night ice cream run.
Moo-Lix has a wide variety of vegan options which is always amazing. I personally am a big fan of their salted caramel brownie mix, but I have heard wonderful things about the vegan chocolate flavour as well. Plus, they always have fun new things coming up like their Gulab Jamun ice cream combo.
Marble Slab Creamery, Lower Mission
Another iconic Kelowna favourite, Marble Slab Creamery is known for their iconic hand-churned slab ice creams. They also offer a great collection of flavours that are updated seasonally. It can feel a bit far from campus, but it nonetheless is worth the trip. They also make custom birthday cakes, crumbles, and gourmet popcorn which is always a fun bonus. My personal favourite is their double dark chocolate flavour.
Tru Frozen Yogurt
Though technically not an ice cream place, Tru Frozen is still an iconic Kelowna summer stop. Apart from Fro-Yo, they also have a variety of smoothies, crepes, and seasonal desserts. I especially love the variety of toppings they have; it always makes for a good custom mix. My go-to Tru Frozen order has to be their chocolate flavour topped with all the fruit.
Parlour Ice Cream, Downtown
Last but certainly not the least, Parlour Ice Cream is a Kelowna legend. Though their collection is on the smaller side, they nonetheless have some of the best flavours in Kelowna. They also have great vegan and gluten-free options. Nothing makes a picnic in the City Park more fun than getting ice cream from Parlour and walking by the boardwalk. The ducks in the park also seem to be a fan of their waffle cones, and always seem to be begging for some. Parlour has to be one of my personal favourite ice cream places in Kelowna, and I have fond memories of them. My favourite Parlour flavour keeps changing, but currently it is the Tiramisu.
Finally, to finish off with a shameless self-promotion, did you know that with an Ice Cream Club membership you can get great discounts at most of these places? Probably one of the many reasons they’re frequently voted as the best club on campus. ?
So, add something cool to your summer bucket list and get some ice cream. ?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sanaa Shaikh is a third-year international student from India. She is studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics with a minor in Spanish. Sanaa loves spontaneous trips, petting small animals, and starting new projects that she’ll never finish. Her favourite thing to do in Kelowna is getting ice cream downtown and chilling by the marina.
