Olivia TaylorIf you ever spot someone in Ottawa chasing an ice cream truck in the dead of winter, that’s probably me. My sweet tooth knows no season—especially when gelato enters the chat.
You see, I’ve taken my creamy obsession to the next level by taste-testing almost every gelato spot in the city—rain, shine, or snowstorm. Honestly, Ottawa’s gelato game is impressive!
So, fellow gelato lovers, here are our go-to spots in Ottawa guaranteed to make you smile (and probably go back for seconds). Read on for your next sweet tooth fix!
Piccolo Grande Artisan Gelateria
– Media credit: 2bitereviews
Address: 55 Murray St #102
Contact details: +1 613 241 2909
Operating hours:
- Friday and Saturday – 1 PM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 1 PM to 9 PM
Cost: $$
Piccolo Grande has been serving up small-batch gelato crafted with imported ingredients and time-honoured Italian methods for more than 30 years. The flavours here are the real deal—they source ingredients straight from Italy!
Their flavour selection rotates, but regulars rave about the saffron French vanilla and chocolate peanut butter—both sell out quickly, so you’d better come in fast. If you’re dairy-free, the vegan chocolate is always on the board, and tastes great too!
If you’re a coffee lover like me, the affogato is a must: rich espresso poured straight over a scoop of gelato, full-on Italian style. They’ve even got a gelato cart for private events if you want to bring those creamy scoops on the road.
| Pro tip: If you want to skip the line or bring some magic home, don’t forget to ask about their take-home tubs! Gift cards are also available here, so it’s a solid choice for treating someone or for last-minute gifting. |
Stella Luna Gelato Cafe
– Media credit: thevirtualfoodie
Address: 1103 Bank St.
Contact details: +1 613 416 4300
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 10 AM to 10 PM
Cost: $$
Stella Luna is a favourite for gelato lovers and anyone who loves a diverse menu. On the gelato front, the choices change often, but you can count on crowd-pleasers like their fiorpuccino and caramel sundaes.
These flavours are combined with vanilla gelato with espresso, chocolate, caramel drizzle, and plenty of toppings. Want to share portions? Their gelatos are available in half-litre and litre tubs, plus gelato cakes perfect for birthdays or group gatherings.
Beyond their gelatos, you’ll also find buttermilk waffles, and you can fully customize them with toppings or even a scoop (or two) of gelato! If you happen to be hungry and want a little heavier options, their menu also features gourmet panini, soups, and salads.
| Pro tip: If you’re planning a birthday, work party, or just a big get-together, keep in mind that Stella Luna offers catering services and even lets you hire their Bank St. cafe as your own private venue. |
Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana Ltd.
– Media credit: pasgelitaliana
Address: 200 Preston St.
Contact details: +1 613 233 2104
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday – 9 AM to 9 PM
Cost: $$$
Pasticceria Gelaria’s claim to fame is being the very first shop in Ottawa to serve gelato, so it’s safe to say they know their stuff. They’ve got all the classic flavours you’d hope for, along with some fruity favourites like mango and coconut in the mix.
Their sorbets are a solid choice if you’re after something dairy-free. Now, what kept people coming back is the pistachio and the chocolate bomb (both are next-level with caramel, Oreo bits, and extra chocolate) —these are among the bestsellers here.
It’s not just about grabbing a scoop, either—they do gelato cakes that you can totally customize with your own mix of flavours and cake bases (just remember, those are made to order). If you’d rather enjoy your treat outside, their patio is perfect!
| Pro tip: Before you head out, swing by their website’s recipes section. They share tried-and-true pastry and gelato cake recipes, so you can bring a little Italian magic to your own kitchen. |
Farinella Rochester
– Media credit: farinella.ottawa
Address: 492 Rochester St.
Contact details: +1 613 422 6462
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 8 PM
Cost: $$
Farinella is the place for real-deal Italian gelato, and the best part is, it’s made every single day! They’re always switching things up, but a few flavours you can always count on (and shouldn’t skip) are the ricotta cinnamon, amarena, and the ever-popular tiramisu.
If you’re lucky, you might even catch a few other surprise flavours in their rotation, so definitely ask what’s new. But the fun doesn’t stop at gelato. Farinella is also famous around town for their massive Roman-style pizzas—think meter or half-meter sizes.
Nothing beats snagging a few slices and finishing off your meal with one (or more) of their gelato scoops. Honestly, if you haven’t lined up a pizza-and-gelato combo here, you’re missing out!
| Pro tip: If you’re planning to pick up one of those gigantic pizzas for takeout, definitely order ahead since they get super busy (and the pizzas take a bit more time to prep). And if you’ve got a get-together coming up, Farinella caters, too! |
Malak and Sons
– Media credit: hellosister.to
Address: 54 Byward Market Square
Contact details: +1 613 668 3073
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Cost: $
Malak and Sons offer a lineup that hits all the classics and then goes beyond, especially with their huge variety of both gelato and sorbet. Their sorbets are totally dairy-free—think flavours like strawberry, mango, and mixed berry.
When it comes to their gelato, expect all your creamy favourites, like chocolate, hazelnut, and pistachio. You might think it’s just classics here, but nope, you shouldn’t sleep on the more unexpected picks, like Canadian maple and saffron gelato!
If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, definitely go with their ashta—this Lebanese ice cream is made with rare ingredients from all over the world and comes in variations like almond and pistachio.
| Pro tip: If you’re planning to grab a larger quantity (maybe for a get-together or any event), Malak and Sons does wholesale orders—just reach out by phone or email ahead of time. |
The Beachconers Microcreamery
– Media credit: beachconers
Address: 273 Britannia Rd.
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 6 PM
Cost: $$
The Beachconers Microcreamery is always changing things up—you pop in one week, and there’s a flavour you’ve never seen before. They do small batches, and whatever’s in season or on their mind ends up in the freezer, which keeps things interesting.
You’ll always find a few old-school favourites here, and then out of nowhere, they’ll drop something like salted caramel in the fall or go wild with berry swirls in the summer. The menu’s got your back if you’re dairy-free or vegan, too, so nobody feels left out.
If you want to know our favourites, it’s their chocolate fudge brownie—it’s full-on chocolate overload in the best way—and the Meyer lemon sorbet. And if you’ve got a craving for baked goods, grab a scone or cookie while you’re here!
| Pro tip: Beachconers has merch! Yup, tote bags, t-shirts, all that fun stuff with their sweet shop logo on it, so if you want a souvenir, check out the rack by the counter while you’re grabbing gelato! |
Del Piacere
– Media credit: delpiacere
Address: 416 Preston St.
Contact details: +1 613 422 4416
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11 AM to 11 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 10 AM to 11 PM
Cost: $$$
Del Paciere knows how to do everything well—classic Italian pizzas, Tuscan-inspired mains, and yes, gelato that’s worth making space for. While locals know them for their pizza Napoletana and cucina Toscana, their gelatos are making waves, too.
Their homemade gelato lineup changes daily, but you can almost always count on the staples like pistachio (super nutty and creamy), tiramisu, and salted caramel that has the perfect sweet-salty combo.
The best part is that you get options when it comes to indulging—go for the gelato piccolo (three scoops) if you’re craving just enough, or take on the gelato grande (six scoops) if you’re feeling extra or want to share with friends.
| Pro tip: Del Paciere has its own app where you can order takeout for pickup or even get it delivered. First-time app users get 10% off, so if you want to treat yourself and save a bit too, this is absolutely the way to go. |
Via Cibo
– Media credit: viacibo_kanata
Address: 120 Earl Grey Dr #100A
Contact details: +1 613 599 9979
Operating hours:
- Monday – 11 AM to 9 PM
- Tuesday and Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Wednesday – 11 AM to 11 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 11 AM to 12 AM
Cost: $$
Vie Cibo makes it super easy to drop in for a treat thanks to their dedicated gelato bar, right up front. You’re greeted by a colourful row of gelato flavours the moment you walk through the door, and honestly, the options will tempt you to order a couple of scoops.
They keep their gelato selection fresh and exciting, featuring both classic and modern picks, such as pistachio, salted caramel, and strawberry. If you’re down for a twist, ask about their affogato; many have sworn by it, and we too!
Now, since Via Cibo is a restaurant, you’ll love how well their gelato pairs with everything else on their menu.
| Pro tip: They usually run specials and deals that make it even better, especially if you’re coming in with a big group or want to treat the whole crew without breaking the bank. |
Vittoria Trattoria
– Media credit: nastoandnonsense
Address: 3625 Rivergate Way
Contact details: +1 613 731 8959
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
Cost: $$$
Vittoria Trattoria is known for its classic open-kitchen setup, so you get a front-row seat to the chefs tossing pasta and firing pizzas, plus there’s a glass wine cellar centrepiece that’s pretty impressive.
Onto the gelato, their flavours change daily, so there’s always a surprise waiting for you—just don’t expect a huge spread to choose from. When it comes to must-try flavours, chocolate and lemon are always safe bets—they tend to be the most popular picks!
But if you ever spot pistachio or hazelnut on their gelato board for the day, go for it and thank yourself later. By the way, Vittoria makes it easy to bring friends or family along, thanks to their dedicated group menus designed for sharing!
| Pro tip: Their desserts sometimes sell out, so if you’ve got your heart set on gelato (or the molten chocolate cake), mention it when you reserve or right as you order to make sure you don’t miss out. |
