James MartinThere’s just something about the ice cream in Halifax. Maybe it’s the salty sea air giving it that extra oomph, or perhaps it’s the city’s effortlessly chill vibe—or it could simply be that the best darn ice cream happens to be made right here!
Don’t tell anyone, but I make it a weekly ritual to hunt down the perfect scoop. And recently, I dragged my pals along for an epic ice cream expedition to settle the score on who reigns supreme in the creamy kingdom.
And let me tell you, choosing a winner was tougher than deciding what to binge-watch next! So long story short, we had no losers—only winners.
Whether you’re sweltering in the heat or need a sweet hug after a rough day (thanks a lot, boss), ice cream is the ultimate comfort. Trust me, it’s a proven remedy!
So, whatever sitcom, thriller, or drama your life might be now, here are the best ice cream spots (in no particular order) that’ll make everything just a little bit better!
1. The Dairy Bar
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Website: http://www.manualfoodanddrinkco.com/dairy-bar/
Address: 5688 Spring Garden Rd
Hours:
- Open daily from 12–10 PM
The Dairy Bar on Spring Garden Road is the place to be if you’re into craft beer, hot dogs, and gourmet soft serve—sometimes all at once!
Halifax summers are short, so why not indulge? Run by Manual Food & Drink Co., this spot specializes in soft-serve selections that’ll make you question why you ever settled for regular ice cream.
There are always two flavors of soft serve—vanilla paired with something more exciting, like Maple, Mexican Chocolate, Banana, or even Pumpkin Spice!
Remember, this isn’t your ordinary ice cream; it’s a local favorite that has people-watching and dessert-eating down to an art form!
| Pro Tip: Get your ice cream fix and your caffeine hit by getting their nitro cold brew coffee together. Who said multitasking wasn’t fun? |
2. Dee Dee’s
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Website: http://www.deedees.ca/
Address: 5668 Nora Bernard St
Phone: +1 902-407-6614
Hours:
- Closed on Monday
- Tuesday to Sunday: 12–9 PM
Dee Dee’s on Cornwallis Street may seem like any old ice cream shop, but it’s a shrine to artisanal goodness. Starting out in 2004 in Peggy’s Cove, they’ve made a name for themselves with hand-made ice cream that’s everyone’s favorite in Halifax.
The ice cream is made in small 18-liter batches with milk and cream from local dairies. Real ingredients mean flavors like Banana Cardamom, Shaker Lemon, Mexican Chocolate, and Mango Sorbet are always on point.
A couple of scoops from Dee Dee’s after roller skating on the Oval? Perfection.
| Pro Tip: Don’t overlook the burritos. They’re the perfect savory complement to your sweet ice cream indulgence! |
3. Cows
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Website: http://cows.ca/
Address: 1549 Lower Water St
Phone: +1 902-835-3584
Hours:
- Open daily from 10 AM–9 PM
It’s all moos and no boos! Cows on Lower Water Street is a slice of PEI nostalgia smack in the middle of Halifax.
Starting on the Cavendish Boardwalk in 1983, this ice cream joint has become a Canadian icon with flavors like “Gooey Mooey” and “Wowie Cowie” that sound as fun as they taste!
Yes, the line is always long, filled with fanny packs, screaming kids, and dad jokes. But resist the urge to walk past when you smell those waffle cones.
Locals might roll their eyes and call it a tourist trap, but one bite and you’ll understand why people keep coming back!
| Pro Tip: Don’t just grab a cup—go for the waffle cone. The smell alone is worth the wait, and it’s practically a requirement for the full Cows experience. |
4. The Sweet Spot Chocolate Shop
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Website: https://sweetspotchocolateshop.com/
Address: 601 Hwy #2, Unit 3, Elmsdale
Phone: +1 902-883-7417
Hours:
- Monday to Tuesday, Friday to Saturday: 10 AM–6 PM
- Wednesday to Thursday: 10 AM–8 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
The Sweet Spot Chocolate Shop in Elmsdale is the kind of local hotspot that makes you wonder why you ever settled for anything less.
Famous for their dipped cones, they offer dark, milk, and white chocolate dips that will make your ice cream dreams come true.
Just imagine your favorite flavor of hard ice cream, and then picture it dipped in a luscious coating of your choice. Can you see it now?
It’s not just an ice cream cone; it’s a masterpiece. For anyone out Elmsdale way, missing out on The Sweet Spot is practically a crime against dessert!
| Pro Tip: Don’t be shy about mixing and matching your dips. Try the milk chocolate dip with fruity ice cream for a delightful combo that’ll make you thank the dessert gods. |
5. Rousseau Chocolatier
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Website: http://www.rousseauchocolatier.ca/
Address: 5151 South St
Phone: +1 902-802-6463
Hours:
- Sunday to Monday: 11 AM–5 PM
- Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30 AM–5 PM
Rousseau Chocolatier on South Street is where dreams of chocolate and ice cream collide. Known for their incredible chocolates, they’ve now ventured into the world of soft serve.
And let me tell you, it’s every bit as heavenly as you’d imagine!
Three kinds of chocolate dips—dark, milk, and white—make your ice cream experience truly decadent. Ever tried a rich, single-origin Haiti chocolate twisted with blackberry sorbet? Life-changing!
Here, you can expect flavors like praline, peanut butter, blood orange, and whatever other delicious concoctions Julien (the head honcho) dreams up next. Toppings like maple flakes, cocoa nibs, and caramel pearls? Yes, please.
| Pro Tip: Go for the dark chocolate dip. It’s rich, indulgent, and pairs perfectly with just about any soft serve flavor they’ve got. Yes, go ahead and treat yourself; you deserve it! |
6. Sugah Confectionery & Ice Cream Emporium
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Website: https://www.facebook.com/sugahhfx/
Address: 1479 Lower Water St
Phone: +1 902-421-6079
Hours:
- Open daily from 11 AM–9 PM
Sugah is where Halifax locals and tourists alike converge for a sweet treat on the Boardwalk or in the Public Gardens.
They’re known for their hand-crafted confections and they take ice cream to the next level by mixing it on a marble slab with all sorts of goodies. We recommend getting a Farmers brand ice cream and then going wild with fillings.
Vanilla ice cream with peanut butter fudge and waffle cone pieces? Yes, please.
The hand-paddled process turns your chosen flavors into a chunky, chewy delight that’s perfect for those who love a little texture with their treat.
But if ice cream’s not enough, pair a couple of large scoops of their frozen coffee delights with a slice of their wicked rum cake drizzled with caramel sauce!
| Pro Tip: No summer in the Maritimes is complete without Moon Mist ice cream. A magical swirl of banana, bubblegum, and grape, this bright and happy concoction is pure nostalgia in a cone. |
7. Black Bear Ice Cream
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Website: https://instagram.com/blackbearicecream?utm_medium=copy_link
Address: 1751 Lower Water St
Phone: +1 902-237-7217
Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Thursday, Saturday to Sunday: 10:30 AM–10 PM
- Tuesday: 10:30 AM–8 PM
- Friday: 10:30 AM–9 PM
Black Bear Ice Cream is a fantastic spot right on the Halifax boardwalk. Delicious ice cream and top-notch customer service make this place a must-visit if you’re in the area.
Their old-fashioned ice cream is made in Nova Scotia and comes in funky flavors like licorice caramel and nostalgic ones like grape nut and orange pineapple.
The owner clearly loves his job and meeting people, making every visit a blast. The crew here are a joy to deal with, and they keep the line moving fast!
| Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on the espresso flake. It’s a flavor explosion that’ll perk you right up and leave you craving more. |
8. Marble Slab
Website: https://www.marbleslab.ca/pages/store-locator
Address: 278 Lacewood Dr
Phone: +1 902-433-7522
Hours:
- Open daily from 11 AM–11 PM
Marble Slab on Lacewood Drive is the ultimate spot to squash your ice cream cravings. Specializing in hand-crafted, small-batch ice cream, they dish out mouth-watering flavors like chocolate, banana, and caramel that even the pickiest eater can’t turn down.
Here, you’re the boss. Pick from a variety of flavors and mix-ins—fruits, chocolate, cookies, gummies, sprinkles—whatever tickles your fancy. Cone or cup, they’ve got you covered, and the prices won’t break the bank!
| Pro Tip: Try the sweet & salted caramel cake for a mind-blowing sweet and savory combo. But if it’s not for you, then dive into the chocolate peanut butter cake or the turtle cake smothered in fudge, pecans, and caramel! |
9. Chicken Little
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Website: https://www.chicklittle.ca/
Address: 1527 Bedford Hwy
Phone: +1 902-593-1241
Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 7 AM–7 PM
- Thursday to Saturday: 7 AM–8 PM
- Sunday: 8 AM–8 PM
Chicken Little—bet you thought it was all about fried chicken, huh? Well, surprise! This cozy little spot in Bedford, Nova Scotia, is actually a sweet tooth’s paradise specializing in ice cream galore.
Forget the drumsticks; they’re dishing out soft-serve Hurricanes that’ll blow your mind. We’re talking Oreo, peanut butter cup, Skor, and birthday cake flavors swirling together in creamy perfection—but only at their Bedford Highway joint, though!
And hey, they’ve even got dairy-free options for the lactose-sensitive. Big win for everyone!
| Pro Tip: Settle into their retro diner digs with picnic benches outside for a cool family outing. And don’t forget to snap some pics for the ‘gram—it’s all about that vibe! |
10. Booza Emessa
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Website: https://www.facebook.com/boozaemessa
Address: 819 Bedford Hwy
Phone: +1 902-835-2487
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday, Saturday: 12–10 PM
- Friday: 3–10 PM
- Sunday: 12–11 PM
Booza Emessa might sound like a brewery, but it actually specializes in homemade Syrian ice cream and sweets.
The best part? It’s all dairy-free and gluten-free, with vegan options to boot. Who knew ice cream could be this inclusive?
Their ice cream is a texture sensation—creamy, chewy, and stretchy. It’s definitely the yoga master of ice creams.
Just bring your squad because they serve ice cream in family-sized portions. You can even bring your own additional ingredients for them to pack it up just the way you like it!
The dark chocolate flavor? Mmm, delicious. And the owners? Super sweet and welcoming, just like their treats.
| Pro Tip: Try the pomegranate yogurt flavor. Tangy, sweet, creamy—it’s a flavor combo that’ll have you wondering why it took this long to discover it. |
11. The Fog Company
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Website: https://thefogcompany.com/
Address: 1709 Lower Water St #108
Phone: +1 902-334-1210
Hours:
- Open daily from 10 AM–10 PM
Just hold onto your sweet tooth, because The Fog Company on the Halifax waterfront isn’t playing around with your dessert cravings! They’ve mastered the art of handcrafted ice cream, cookies, and doughnuts—all with a sprinkle of whimsy and a dash of flair.
Their soft serve isn’t just soft—it’s a melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece adorned with everything from churros to gold flakes and spun-to-order “fog” (hint: it’s cotton candy, but let’s keep that between us dessert aficionados).
Here, you can forget the ordinary. They’re flipping the script on traditional soft serve with real ingredients and a swirl that’s Instagram-worthy.
Plus, their churned ice creams are divine! Made fresh in small batches, these Canadian-inspired flavors and creamy dairy-free sorbets rotate faster than you can mumble “More scoops please”!
| Pro Tip: Dive into their Seas The Day—a vanilla soft serve extravaganza with brown butter crumble, candy sea glass, cotton candy sprinkles, and a cloud of candy fog! |
