Ontario's Best Biker-Friendly Ice Cream Stops

When you’re on a fun motorcycle road trip in Ontario this summer, what better place to stop than at a roadside ice-cream parlour to cool you down and give you that boost of sugar-induced energy you need to continue on to your final destination?

The next few weeks are expected to be off-the-chart hot, but that won’t stop us motorcyclists from heading out on two wheels to enjoy the amazing routes that Ontario has to offer! It simply means we need to get creative to keep ourselves cool on the road. Last season I wrote about some of the best beaches in Southern Ontario to ride to for a quick dip, and now I’m going to add to that list with my thoughts on some of the best ice-cream joints to visit as well.

It’s always hard to know where to stop when riding, and so I find it's sometimes better to pick a place ahead of time and then plan your route around that destination. Not to worry though, I’ve gone ahead and done a lot of the work for you by picking out some of my favourite motorcycle-friendly ice cream stops in Southern Ontario. Keep in mind this is nowhere near a complete list of ice cream stops. As I’m sure you can imagine, there are a gazillion places that sell ice cream across our beautiful province, so please, share your favourite spot so I can continue adding to my list and create a comprehensive ice cream route!

Another note to mention here: We’re bikers, so I’m assuming most of us don’t need fancy dollops of sprinkles, or triple baked brownie concoctions. We want something fast, simple and tasty at a place that is biker-friendly. Give us a paved parking lot, shaded picnic table, and solid customer service and that’s all we need. The ice cream stop gives us a chance to replenish our sugars, take a washroom break, toss back some water, and then get back on the road to enjoy Ontario’s motorcycle roads.

Check out my top five favourite motorcycle friendly ice cream stops—I look forward to hearing about yours!

Avondale Dairy Bar - Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON

Operational since 1955, this ice cream shop sits on a fully functional dairy farm amongst vineyards and farmland. The rustic location is a beautiful ride, especially if you take the Niagara Parkway there. With over 40 flavours of homemade ice cream, Avondale Dairy Bar offers something for everyone. The parking lot is paved, has ample parking, and the location offers washrooms and picnic tables to sit at. Be prepared for it to be busy, and to pay a bit more than you might expect for a cone, but the line moves quickly and the homemade ice cream is worth the extra cost!

Region: Niagara Canada

Jazzy Scoops - Stevensville, ON

Cut through Stevensville on your way to Crystal Beach or to Highway 3, which will take you towards Port Colborne and Ontario’s South Coast. Either way, I suggest you check out this small ice cream shop. I was pleasantly surprised when I stopped by on two separate occasions, as we never waited in line and the service was quick and extremely friendly. We were able to park the bikes on the street, right in front of the shop, and there was also an empty parking lot across the street. Heaping scoops of ice cream were served in homemade waffle cones, which offered great value. We enjoyed a nice break in the outdoor garden area on a quiet patio before heading back out on the road.

Region: Niagara Canada

Candy Safari - Port Colborne, ON

If you can get past the over-the-top candy-themed interior of this shop, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the great ice cream selection and nice-sized scoops. Best of all, this place is located across from Port Promenade, and just south of the lift bridge on the west side of the Welland Canal. It’s a great place to stop and watch the ships come through, and we usually don’t have a hard time finding free parking along West Street or in a nearby parking lot.

Region: Niagara Canada

The Arbor - Port Dover, ON

The Arbor has been open since 1919, so I can’t even imagine how many ice cream cones they must have served over the years! Clearly, the folks at The Arbor are doing something right! I first went here during a Friday the 13th motorcycle event, where it was hot and ice cream was a “must-eat” that day. The service is quick and friendly, and there is lots of parking out front with outdoor seating as well. The beach and pier are a short walk away as well, which makes this place a great place to stop along your tour of Ontario’s South Coast.

Region: Ontario's Southwest

Hutch’s on the Beach - Hamilton, ON

Another iconic stop to visit is Hutch’s, which was established in 1946. Originally famous for their fish and chips, hamburgers and milkshakes, they also have a great ice cream selection as well. The parking lot is paved, washroom facilities are on site, and there is ample seating room both inside and outside. It’s a busy place, but the short wait is worth it to eat your ice cream while going for a walk along the Lake Ontario shoreline.

Region: Hamilton, Halton and Brant

Kawartha Dairy - Bobcaygeon, ON

While I didn’t include this place on my route map, I definitely couldn’t leave it off my list of top ice cream shops to visit. Established in 1937, Kawartha Dairy is a 100% Canadian and family -wned company based out of Bobcaygeon. With nine additional locations across Ontario, plus plenty of others that serve homemade Kawartha Dairy ice cream, the chances are you will likely come across this ice cream on your travels.

Region: Kawarthas Northumberland

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