Nelson has some faboulous desserts, but the ice cream selection in this town is equally impressive! Classic soft serve, handcrafted gelato, and flavour packed hard ice cream are all well represented here, and we’re willing to bet it’ll be some of the best you’ll ever have. Grab your waffle cone or spoon of choice, get your sandals out, and get ready to explore the sweetest spots in town!
What’s the #1 pick? That depends on whether you like your ice cream hard, soft, or Italian 🍨
We have a huge appreciation for anyone that makes their product from scratch, so the three institutions that make their own are at the top of the list. Follow your heart on this one 😍🍦
Gina’s Gelato
Fully embodying Nelson’s value for boutique handmade products, Gina’s Gelato is love and care in edible form. Handmade gelato? Scrumptious, but just the starting point.
Gina’s incredible selections are made with locally grown produce, chocolate sourced from right down the street, or made from scratch (handmade graham crackers anyone?). They have gooey handmade cookies and brownies, handcrafted browned butter waffle cones. The list goes on and on.
If it comes from Gina’s, it’s going to be real, heartwarming goodness.
Big Dee’s
Big Dee’s specializes in two things: gourmet hot dogs and small-batch, handmade hard ice cream. They offer classic flavours like cookies & cream and bubble gum alongside creative rotating options like banana fudge. Choose from cones (extra fancy or classic), cups, or even homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches.
Marzano
With a rotating gelato selection curated by their three talented chefs, Marzano’s gelato is a perfect after-dinner delight. It’s just so flavourful – especially their Pistachio Cardamom, a favourite amongst the Kootenay Current crew. Their fruit flavours and classic vanilla are also amazing though – mix and match.
It’s one of our picks for the best desserts in Nelson (although we hear the pistachio-caramel is also top notch)! All of their flavours are made in-house, and deliver that intense, smooth flavour that makes gelato so special.
Beauties
Beauties soft serve ice cream is simply delicious. It’s the Foothills Creamery custard soft serve that’s their secret, and it’s available in a cup or a cone, or as a sundae!
Their sundae flavours include passionfruit cheesecake, raspberry Oreo, or salted caramel cookie, all made with their rich custard vanilla base. They also put that delicious soft serve to work making ice cream sandwiches with their house-made brownie cookies. 🍪
Wait’s on Nelson
The original hard ice cream spot in Nelson, Wait’s served many a cone from its Baker Street location since it opened in the mid 1930’s. Now they’re in a much bigger location on Nelson Ave, and still serving up that delicious Foothills Creamery hard ice cream.
With 12 rotating flavours and their famous malted shakes, Waits is still a community gem that knows how to deliver when it comes to frozen treats! 🥤
Uphill Market
Keeping all the folks at Lions Park refreshed all Summer long, Uphill Market offers creamy Foothills goodness for the whole family. More than just an ice cream parlour, this cute cafe has amazing smoothies, coffees, and groceries to keep you going all times of the day!
Pixie Candy
Your kids will already be well aware of this Nelson candy institution, but did you know they also serve up amazing frozen creations? Floats, sundaes, and yes – hard ice cream cones are all just an order away.
These sundaes are a highlight: two scoops of Foothills ice cream, your choice of sauce, whipped cream, sprinkles, and a mini cone to sweeten the deal.
Oh, and they also have plain vanilla cones to keep dad happy too.🍦
Dairy Queen
While Nelson is well known for its “shop local” culture, DQ in Nelson is a time-honoured tradition, and not your usual DQ experience. You won’t find the fast food staples like French fries or chicken strips here, only the frosty Summer desserts that made DQ famous!
This iconic destination has remained unchanged since 1957, and still maintains the walk-up window service that makes this location unique. Right next to Lakeside Park, Nelson DQ is a quintessential summertime stop, and no ice cream list would be complete without it.
The hunt for the best ice cream in Nelson is a noble cause, and one that the whole family will enjoy! Let us know your favourite in the comments below 🍦🍨🍧
And if you’re not feeling ice cream tonight, why not check out our picks for the best desserts in Nelson?
