Indulge your sweet tooth at these ice cream spots in Hamilton

Jul 15 2017, 12:50 am

Written for Daily Hive by Amanda Stancati of People of Hamilton in partnership with Hamilton Economic Development.

There’s nothing like an ice cream cone to get you in the summer mood.

We’re giving you the scoop on some of the top spots to get a sweet summer treat during your next trip to Hamilton.

Big Scoops

ice cream

Big Scoops Ice Cream/Facebook

This name isn’t a joke, and what this place lacks in square footage, it makes up for in ice cream portions. Place your order in the small space and choose from around 20 flavours of Hewitt’s Dairy ice cream. Enjoy mega scoops in a cone or cup, without the bells and whistles. Pro tip: get a size smaller than you usually would (or just go for the full Big Scoops experience…that works too). You may also visit Biggies (a Hamilton mountain staple for 20 years) or spot the Big Scoops Trailer at a local event.

Address: 2 Duke Street, Hamilton
Phone: 289- 689-3112

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Panini & Ice Cream


It may have a simple name, but the creations inside are nothing short of masterpieces. People caught on to this not-so-hidden gem and as photos took over Instagram, word got out. The shop specializes in ice cream and sandwiches (who would have thought?) and serves up regular cones, sundaes, and milkshakes. Order the “half and half” and build your own sundae-milkshake fusion with all the toppings.

Address: 1505 Main Street East, Hamilton
Phone: 905-531-7357

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Hutch’s on the Beach


As nostalgic as it gets, this diner has been serving its famous fish ‘n chips, burgers, hotdogs and milkshakes since 1946. Visit on a hot day and there will be a line-up — but it’s well worth the wait to experience this Hamilton landmark. Enjoy your cone in a booth with 50s tunes from the jukebox or head outside for a walk on the beach and to spot the murals along the outside.

Address: 280 Van Wagners Beach Road, Hamilton
Phone: 905-545-5508

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AMO Gelato Caffe

Just over a year old, this Locke Street cafe serves gelato made in-house 7 days a week plus specialty Italian coffees. Gluten free, vegan and dairy free options are always available. In the winter, you’ll find crepes too. But summertime calls for a gelato on the patio while you people watch in one of Hamilton’s trendiest neighbourhoods.

Address: 171 Locke Street South, Hamilton
Phone: 289-396-5693

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Henry Brown’s

Located on the top floor of the Hamilton Farmers’ Market, Henry Brown’s Small Batch Ice Cream serves both Hewitt’s Dairy ice cream plus their own small batch flavours. Get a taste of classic favourites or something more unique, handmade with natural, organic ingredients (and local when possible) with a seasonal spin. Sometimes you’ll find treats like ice cream sandwiches made-to-order or butter tart sundaes. Flavours rotate so come by the market (Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday) to see what excites your taste buds!

Address: 35 York Boulevard, Hamilton

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Sprinkles on Top

Sprinkles on Top has all the ice cream treats you can think of: cones, cups, sundaes, banana splits, milkshakes, ice cream sandwiches, peanut butter boats, dairy free popsicles andBelgian waffles topped with ice cream (their ice cream comes from Kawartha Dairy). With so many options — and we didn’t even get to the toppings — this is one spot you’ll want to leave room for. They also host kids character birthday parties.

Address: 39 King Street East, Stoney Creek
Phone: 289-253-4247

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The Purple Pony Ice Cream Shop

ice cream

The Purple Pony Ice Cream Shop/Facebook

The Purple Pony, open May through Labour Day, serves classic hard ice cream from local Ontario dairies, Kawartha Dairy and Hewitt’s Dairy. The cute Ancaster shop has toy purple ponies on the outside and 30 flavours including dairy free and gluten free options on the inside. Sister team Taren and Kirby opened The Purple Pony in 2006.

Address: 346 Wilson Street East, Ancaster
Phone: 905-928-1110

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Chocolat on James


Chocolat on James serves vanilla, chocolate, or twist real dairy soft serve with 8 different toppings (ice cream is just served on weekends in the winter). Try the hazelnut-praline, milk chocolate peanut butter, or white chocolate cookies and cream, to name a few. They also offers waffle bowls and house-made brownie and cookie bowls. Enjoy on their pop-up patio and savour the sunny days of summer.

Address: 123 James Street North, Hamilton
Phone: 289-396-5097

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A & J Sugar Bowl


Offering a dreamy selection of treats including bubble tea, cotton candy, and popcorn, A & J Sugar Bowl’s ice cream dessert selection is impressive, made with Chapman’s ice cream. Indulge in crepes, funnel cakes, waffles, sundaes, banana splits or a simple bowl of three scoops of your favourite kind for just $2.95.

Address: 124 McNab Street North, Hamilton
Phone: 905-308-7927

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Steel City Ice Cream

Steel City Ice Cream

Steel City Ice Cream

Pink walls, checkered floors, 40 flavours of Hewitt’s Dairy and over 20 soft serve varieties set the tone for what you can expect at Steel City Ice Cream, opened just a few months ago by Greg Willson and Corrie Corrigan. If you’re feeling something different, try one of their dipped cones, milkshakes or a tornado (their version of a blizzard). On Sundays, order the float to mix your favourite ice cream and Pop Shoppe together or go for the malt, both 50s style treats.

Address: 837 Fennell Avenue, Hamilton
Phone: 905-388-7373

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Amanda StancatiAmanda Stancati

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