The Best Ice Cream Parlours in North America

Gelato and ice cream

North American parlours come in two kinds. The gelato shops follow the Italian method, and several are run by people who trained in Italy, among them Mack’s Finest Gelato in Park City, Gelateria Degli Angeli in Sarasota and Dolce Mondo Gelato in Hamilton, Ontario. The ice cream shops make the American style, which has more cream in it, and serve it in waffle cones baked in the shop. Country Creamery in Reno and Mamoo's Creamery in Hot Springs are of this kind. Affogato, a scoop with espresso poured over it, is on the menu in both.

Samples

Tasting before ordering is the custom. Most counters hand over a small spoonful on request, and Dolce Mondo Gelato offers one of every flavour. A few shops limit it or leave it out. Made In Rome Organic Gelato in Siesta Key allows two samples per person, and Timberline Ice Cream in Flagstaff gives none.

Canada

The Canadian parlours are spread across the country. Twin Peaks Creamery at Warman, north of Saskatoon, is a working dairy farm with goats, sheep and picnic tables in the yard, and its ice cream is made from the farm's own milk. One flavour is Nanaimo Bar, named after the layered Canadian chocolate square. Honey’s Ice Cream in Toronto is entirely plant-based and sells ice cream sandwiches, bars and pies beside the scoops. Vashti Rose in Port Moody is take-out only, lets one party in at a time and puts a free taster dollop on top of each order.

Parking and seats

Many shops stand in strip malls or small downtowns, and most customers arrive by car. Germano’s Premium Gelato in Pompton Plains has plenty of parking, while street parking can be tricky at La’Creamian in downtown Fort Worth. Seating inside is often limited to a few chairs.