Montreal's Best Ice Cream and Dessert Shops for Families

Sweet Treats Worth the Trip

Montreal's dessert scene is world-class, and some of the best spots in the city are also the most family-friendly. Whether it's a hot summer day calling for ice cream or a winter afternoon perfect for hot chocolate, here's where to take the kids for a sweet treat they'll remember.

Ice Cream & Gelato

Kem CoBa in the Plateau is Montreal's most acclaimed ice cream shop, and for good reason. Their inventive flavours blend Asian and Middle Eastern influences — think sesame, salted egg yolk, rose water, and lychee alongside classics like chocolate and vanilla. A scoop is $5-6, and the quality is extraordinary. The line on summer evenings wraps around the block, but it moves fast. Pro tip: go at 2 PM on a weekday for no wait. Kids can stick with familiar flavours or be adventurous — either way, they'll be happy.

La Diperie takes soft-serve ice cream and lets you dip it in your choice of 30+ chocolate shells — from classic milk chocolate to Oreo, birthday cake, maple, and pistachio. The dipping process is mesmerizing for kids, and the results are delicious. Cones are $5-8 depending on size and dips. Multiple locations across Montreal.

Chocolate & Pastries

Juliette & Chocolat is chocolate paradise for families. Their menu features chocolate fondues, brownies, crêpes, waffles, and the most decadent hot chocolate you'll ever taste. Kids' favourites include the chocolate fondue ($14-18 for two to share) where you dip fruit and marshmallows, and the Nutella crêpe ($10). Multiple locations, with the Saint-Denis and Laurier spots being the most spacious for families.

Neighbourhood Gems

Dalla Rose in the Old Port serves rolled ice cream — made fresh on a frozen plate right in front of you. Kids are mesmerized by the process. Scoops are $7-9.

Le Bilboquet in Outremont — Old-school ice cream with seasonal Quebec flavours like maple walnut and blueberry lavender. A neighbourhood institution since 1983.

Ca Lem in Mile End — Vietnamese-inspired ice cream sandwiches that are creative, delicious, and Instagram-worthy.

Winter Desserts

Ice cream season is summer, but Montreal's dessert scene shines year-round:

• Churros at Manolo in the Plateau — Warm, crispy, and perfect for cold days
• Beaver tails in Old Montreal — The classic Canadian pastry, especially good with Nutella and banana
• Sugar pie at any cabane à sucre — Take the kids to a sugar shack for the ultimate Quebec dessert experience

Tips for Dessert Outings

1. Time it right — A 3 PM dessert outing breaks up a long afternoon perfectly
2. Share generously — Most portions are big enough for a parent and child to split
3. Try before you buy — Good shops will let you sample flavours
4. Bring wet wipes — Essential with young kids and ice cream
5. Make it a tradition — A weekly family dessert outing creates lasting memories

Find more family restaurants in Montreal on FamiliQC.