Queen West ice cream trail + blind tasting (6 km)
Details
Attendance policy is enforced for this hike because it's a popular one. See below for details.
Embrace Canadian winter by having ice cream! Deep winter is the best time for it. There are no line-ups and ice cream doesn't melt. And in Toronto, it's not so cold that ice cream becomes super-frozen.
West Queen West has the highest concentration of ice cream joints in the city, so that's where our hike will be. We'll see street art in hip neighbourhoods and pass by attractions such as a chocolate factory and Dufferin Mall (!).
At the middle and end of the hike, there is an optional tasting of signature ice cream flavours from various shops en route. For those who want something savoury, The Village by the Grange is a popular student hangout for cheap eats. The best of the lot is Manpuku, offering a large range of Japanese dishes.
Highlights
- Ruru Baked (depart 2pm; come earlier if you want to get something)
- Dufferin Mall
- Cadbury factory
- Honey's Ice Cream / Death in Venice (depart 2:42pm)
- Bang Bang Ice Cream
- Outside Trinity Community Centre (depart 3:25pm)
- Nadège
- Sanko Trading Co.
- Holy Shakes / Aux Merveilleux de Fred
- Mizzica Gelateria / Kome Yogurt
- OCAD (arrive 4:15pm)
- Manpuku Modern Japanese Eatery
Neighbourhoods
Bloordale Village > Dufferin Grove > Brockton Village > Trinity-Bellwoods > West Queen West > Fashion District
Map
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1vii5YcymZ70QH0JX4kxzIoyIHUsj_tU&usp=sharing
How it works
Hike starts punctually. Late or can't join at the beginning? Meet us at scheduled checkpoints.
We'll browse many food places but won't linger long. See the route in advance, organize takeout, then pickup along the way.
Two rounds of ice cream blind tasting. Outside Trinity Community Centre and outside OCAD. You can do the hike for free and skip the tasting.
- Will contain dairy. We will try but cannot guarantee that we can accommodate other dietary restrictions.
- Blind tasting means that you won't know which store or what flavour the ice cream is until the end.
- Rate the ice cream and guess their main ingredients online
- Tasting portions: at least 1 teaspoon of each flavour.
- $10. Covers both rounds of tasting. Includes at least 6 ice creameries and surprise desserts.
- Payment by cash or e-transfer to globaltorontoeats@gmail.com
- Sign up for the tasting when we reach Death In Venice. If you're joining us after, e-transfer before 2:42pm to guarantee food.
Cutlery and containers are not provided. Please bring your own for sharing and bringing back leftovers.
See our About section for more info.
Attendance policy
Please check in with an organizer when you attend. 24 hours before the hike, we'll check who is on the confirmed list. Those that don't show up will be flagged. Repeat offenders may be banned. Please change your RSVP if you can no longer attend.
If you made it off the waitlist less than 24 hours before the event, you won't be considered a no-show.