PIXABAY

We’ve got the scoop on ice cream in the Thompson-Okanagan

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

Tiramisu gelato ?? great in an affogato!

A post shared by Amore Mio Kelowna (@amoremiokelowna) on

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

yummmmm

A post shared by Cool Treats IceCream (@cooltreatsicecream) on

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

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor. 

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

Tags
Brie Welton

Brie is a recent graduate from UBC Okanagan where she studied English and French while managing the campus newspaper. After working as an intern reporter for the summer of 2019 in her home-town of Kelowna, she rejoined the InfoNews team in March 2020 and moved to Kamloops.
Her interests range from food features and artist profiles to politics, crime and minority issues. She has a passion for story-telling and aspires to one day become a full-time court reporter.

Related Articles