Image Credit: PIXABAY
June 01, 2019 - 9:30 AM
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - With the weather starting to heat up, Okanagan locals are looking forward to summer and everything that comes with it.
For some, that means gardening, boating or camping. But in all honesty, for most of us it means ice cream season.
Check out these locally owned ice cream shops in the Okanagan and start planning your next weekend adventure!
KELOWNA
QB Gelato
Owners Kevin and Victor are some of the few making their Gelato from scratch in Canada, using techniques they learned in Italy.They came to the heart of the Okanagan to open QB. Now, they use local ingredients from the Okanagan like fresh milk, and a plethora of herbs, berries, nuts and wine to make their delicious gelato.
How many flavours: 10
Flavour Highlight: Bacio — rich milk chocolate and hazelnut paste, a.k.a. Nutella flavour
Located: in the Landmark district
Cream N' Bean
Unlike most of the other ice-cream joints listed here, Cream N’ Bean also does a full breakfast (we're talking omelettes) and specialty lattes. The best thing about this little place, other than the ice cream of course, is their home-made perogies. Truly comfort food at its finest. Make sure you watch your ice cream being prepared, as the process is pretty neat. After putting your chosen ingredients on a freezing cold plate, they pour the cream over top and in a cutting, mixing process to ultimately create your ice-cream rolls.
How many flavours: 16
Flavour Highlight: Banana, Peanut Butter and Honey
Located: intersection of Rutland and Leathead Road in Kelowna
Parlour
Parlour is quite a popular place, and a favourite spot for many local Instagram influencers (Shanelle Connell was certainly impressed). Parlour also offers take-home pints in any flavour you want. You can eat it in bed... or let’s be honest, on the way home. Local ingredients are a priority here, and it shows.
How many flavours: 15 rotating regularly
Flavour Highlight: Bergamot Lavender
Located: Downtown Kelowna on Bernard
Amore Mio Gelato
Amore Mio brings authentic, italian gelato made with years of experience to the table — but that's not all. They also make authentic croissants, paninis, pizza, stuffed risotto balls and more. With an always friendly and knowledgable staff who allow gellato taste samples to help you make up your mind, there's no going wrong with this downtown Italian bistro.
How many flavours: 20
Flavour Highlight: Marscapone and Pear
Located: Downtown on Bernard, Kelowna
KAMLOOPS
Scoopz
Considered a Kamloops classic by regulars, Scoopz is everything you need in an ice cream parlour. Something unique about Scoopz is their annual ice cream for the summer giveaway, which gets one lucky winner a free ice cream cone twice a week, every week for the whole summer! Enough said.
How many flavours: 48
Flavour Highlight: Cherry Custard
Located: in the Sandman Hotel
VERNON
Cool Treats Ice Cream Truck
Not only does Cool Treats have 32 flavours of hard ice cream, they also have a full menu of sundaes, floats, slushies and milkshakes. There is lots of outdoor picnic tables available, and the prices and very affordable — a double-scoop cone is only $5.25.
How many flavours: 32
Flavour Highlight: Grape Soda
PENTICTON
The Peach
Housed in the giant Penticton Peach on Skaha beach, this obviously isn’t your typical ice cream shop. But even more unique is their super-thick “Crazy Shakes,” served piled mile-high with tons of toppings (The Strawberry not-so Shortcake literally has a piece of strawberry shortcake on it). These shakes are majorly Instagram-worthy.
How many flavours: 5
Flavour Highlight: The Happy Birthday — with a slice of birthday cake, a candle and sprinkles on top
Located: Lakeshore Drive in Penticton
Lickity Splitz
Recently opened in early May 2019, Lickity Splitz is a Surf themed ice-cream shop on the shore of Skaha lake. Not only do they serve hard ice cream, but Screamers as well: soft ice-cream layered with slushy. Look out for the giant, sunglasses-wearing Penguin standing guard outside.
How many flavours: 48
Flavour Highlight: Moon Mist — banana, grape and bubblegum swirl
Location: Lakeshore Drive in Penticton (beside Salty's)
Tickleberry's on the Beach
Yes, you read that right. Ice-cream fans no longer have to drive all the way to the original Tickleberry’s location in Okanagan Falls to get their fix. Plus, this Tickleberry’s is right near the beach. Can’t argue with that.
How many flavours: 72
Flavour Highlight: Caramel Whiskey Crunch — with Skor toffee bits
Located: in Skaha Lake Park
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News from © iNFOnews, 2019