I was recently asked to create a list of the best affordable ice cream options—a guide for frugal Torontonians seeking a cheap and cheerful scoop.
On paper, it was a dream assignment, arriving just in time for the dog days of summer: explore the city, indulge in cold treats, and get away from the computer.
In reality, it wasn’t so simple.
Ice cream these days isn’t cheap! Unless you’re buying from a supermarket or fast food chain, it’s almost impossible to find a cone or cup of creamy goodness for less than a fiver.
I also learned that ice cream shop websites aren’t very helpful: many don’t have updated prices or current hours.
Thus, I had no choice but to unsaddle my trusty steed, and scour the city streets to find the best bang-for-your-buck ice cream. Here’s what I found.
Sunnyside Provisions
My first stop was Sunnyside Provisions, a grocery and takeaway spot in Roncesvalles, perhaps best known for its exceptional (and super affordable) fish and chips.
Sunnyside also has a soft-serve ice cream machine offering chocolate, vanilla or a swirl. I ordered the swirl and was delighted to learn that I could add rainbow sprinkles or chocolate chips at no extra charge.
The cone cost $4.75 — a dollar more than what was listed on their website—but was worth every penny: creamy and sweet, with a fun crunch from the sprinkles. It also tasted real, without the artificial, chemical-y flavour you might notice in soft serve from McDonald’s.
I ate my cone on Sunnyside’s shaded sidewalk patio, licking happily and indulging in some people-watching. As a bonus, they offer cold sparkling water free of charge.
Lickadee Split Ice Cream Shoppe
My next stop was Lickadee Split, an old-fashioned ice cream shop in East York known for its generous portions.
I hopped on my bike and made my way through the Don Valley, braving the scorching heat and what my weather app was calling “abysmal” air quality. I arrived drenched in sweat, desperately craving a cold treat. Inside, I was charmed by the shop’s small-town vibe and bright orange interior, though a bit surprised by the prices. Fortunately, the friendly server assured me that the “micro mini” cone ($4.45) would be more than enough — and she was right.
Feeling nostalgic, I ordered a scoop of tiger tail, a classic Canadian flavour that combines orange creamsicle with black liquorice. It tasted just as I remembered: citrusy and sweet, with a slight bitterness. It was nice to feel like a kid again — though I’m not sure it was worth the trek.
La Diperie
Whenever I searched “cheap ice cream Toronto,” La Diperie kept popping up — a chain known for dipping its soft serve into various flavours of Belgian chocolate.
Unfortunately, the cheapest “dipped” cone costs $8 — a useful detail not listed on La Diperie’s website. I opted for a classic vanilla ice cream cup, which was $6.50. It was a massive portion, but the flavour was quite bland. After a few bites, I was full, and my stomach didn’t feel great. Sheepishly, I tossed the remainder into the garbage.
Gaspar Café
This quaint Portuguese café in the Junction Triangle serves sandwiches and pastries but also offers a large selection of ice cream at a very affordable price — a single scoop costs $4.25.
On another scorching day, I ordered a scoop of rainbow sherbet, a blend of lemon, orange, and raspberry flavours. It was light, refreshing, and pleasantly tart. With lovely service and a nice patio, it was the perfect spot to kick back and enjoy.
Wendy’s
My final day on the hunt was a disaster. I’d scouted two spots that seemed promising, but both were unexpectedly closed. Nearly ready to give up, I spotted a Wendy’s in the distance—its red signage shimmering in the heat like a desert oasis. I popped inside and ordered a Frosty, the chain’s signature “frozen dairy dessert,” which was on sale for 99 cents.
And boy, was it tasty. Slightly thicker than a milkshake but less dense than soft serve, it was beautifully creamy, a little salty, and went down like a glass of cold water. Turns out that even in a super-expensive city, some things remain inflation-proof.
