

Order a scoop or twist in a homemade gluten-free waffle, or one of their other irresistible treats like ice cream sandwiches, floats, fruit popsicles, and cupcakes.

The larger space means more creations, such as their unique (and nut-free) Midwest-style frozen custard which is denser and smoother than standard ice cream. In 2012, The Merry Dairy started serving premium soft-serve out of a retro-cool food truck, and in 2017, they opened a storefront location on a residential street in Hintonburg. Visit their original eatery in Little Italy or the Kanata location for flavours by the scoop or half-pint, granitas, or frappés (milkshakes). They’re now renown for metre-long pizzas, savoury and sweet treats, and incredible gelato. The Ottawa-born brother and sister team behind Farinella were raised with Italian traditions and received culinary training in Italy. The handcrafted gelato is made with only the best ingredients, and the sorbets are dairy-free, fat-free and many consist of 50% pure fruit! Try special flavours like the Fat Elvis (peanut butter, banana, skor, oreo and caramel) or Lemon Curd, Cranberry & Ginger. Since then, her artisanal gelato has received awards around the world (including Italy) and she’s opened a second location in Hintonburg. She later trained in Italy as a master gelato maker before opening the original Stella Luna in the Old Ottawa South neighbourhood in 2011. Ottawan Tammy Giuliani traveled to Italy, married an Italian and returned home to start a family. Stella Luna’s gelato is as sweet as its backstory. The lucky cat logo is the perfect backdrop for Instagram snaps or selfies! Stella Luna

Visit on Wednesdays to try their famous bubble waffles that come in flavours like Earl Grey and Apricot & Cardamom. The shop on Bank Street in Centretown offers mainstay flavours like Black Sesame or Ginger Vanilla Bean, as well as rotating flavours like Black Cumin & Chocolate, Red Bean or Vegan London Fog. Owner and chef Liz Mok creates small-batch ice cream and ice cream truffles using pure Ontario dairy, the best premium dark chocolate and whenever possible, local ingredients from the bountiful Ottawa region. Moo Shu Ice Cream and Kitchenįun with ice cream is the motto at Moo Shu. In addition to their ByWard Market kiosk, you can get your Lois ‘N’ Frima fix in Stittsville (West Ottawa). Non-dairy and sugar-free options are available, as well as Ontario-made Gaylea soft serve. Their roster of 60 flavours includes Black Cherry, Chocolate Orange Sunshine and Strawberriana. Lois ‘N’ Frima’s has been making classic, rich ice cream since 1984 using Ontario's farm-fresh milk and cream. The corner of George and William Streets in the ByWard Market area is a dessert destination with two sweet staples: BeaverTails pastries and Lois ‘N’ Frima’s Ice Cream. They also offer dairy-free sorbettos made with fresh fruit pulp as well as diabetic-friendly flavours. Mantovani 1946 uses traditional ingredients imported from Italy, such as Sicily’s best pistachios from Bronte and the world’s best hazelnuts from Piedmont. Walk into this stylish café in the ByWard Market neighbourhood and you’ll instantly be lured by the fresh, decadent pastries and artisanal gelato made on site.
