There’s something special about an ice cream run.
Maybe it’s celebrating a birthday, cooling off after a day in the sun, rewarding yourself after a hike, or simply catching up with family and friends. Whatever the reason, an ice cream stop has a way of turning an ordinary day into a memorable one.
This National Ice Cream Day, we're celebrating some of Metro Vancouver's favourite local ice cream shops while encouraging everyone to support the amazing small businesses that make our communities unique.
At BusyBee Creates, we're passionate about discovering local gems. Whether we're visiting neighbourhood markets, exploring new communities, or finding inspiration for our next design, we love sharing places that make Metro Vancouver such a wonderful place to call home.
So grab a spoon—or a cone—and let's go exploring!
🍦 Burnaby Favourites
Glenburn Soda Fountain
A true Burnaby classic, Glenburn Soda Fountain has been delighting visitors for generations. Their vintage-style soda fountain serves delicious ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes, floats, and classic comfort food, making it the perfect stop for families and anyone looking for a little nostalgia.
🌐 Website: https://glenburnsoda.com
📱 Instagram: @glenburnsoda
Crema Ice Cream
Known for handcrafted small-batch ice cream, Crema combines locally sourced ingredients with Latin American and Asian-inspired flavours. Their rotating menu means there's always something new to discover.
🌐 Website: https://cremaicecream.ca
📱 Instagram: @cremaicecream
Nuvola Gelato & Dolci
If authentic Italian gelato is your favourite, Nuvola is well worth the visit. Their smooth, handcrafted gelato and refreshing sorbets are ideal after a summer walk around Burnaby.
🌐 Website: https://nuvolagelato.com
📱 Instagram: @nuvolagelato
Soft Peaks Ice Cream
Made with organic Avalon Dairy milk, Soft Peaks has become a Metro Vancouver favourite. Their creamy soft serve paired with seasonal toppings creates a dessert that's as beautiful as it is delicious.
🌐 Website: https://softpeaks.ca
📱 Instagram: @softpeaksicecream
🍨 Richmond Gems
J Squared Ice Cream
For adventurous ice cream lovers, J Squared offers exciting flavours inspired by Asian desserts, including Black Sesame, White Coffee, Matcha, and many seasonal creations.
📱 Instagram: @jsquaredicecream
Timothy's Frozen Yogurt
Located in the heart of Steveston Village, Timothy's has been serving frozen yogurt and ice cream to locals and visitors for years. Grab a cone before strolling the boardwalk and enjoying Richmond's beautiful waterfront.
📱 Instagram: @timothysfrozenyogurt
Soft Peaks – McArthurGlen Designer Outlet
Need a shopping break? Soft Peaks at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet is the perfect excuse to pause and enjoy one of Metro Vancouver's favourite soft-serve treats.
🌐 Website: https://softpeaks.ca
📱 Instagram: @softpeaksicecream
🍦 Vancouver Must-Try Spots
Rain or Shine Ice Cream
One of Vancouver's most recognizable ice cream shops, Rain or Shine is famous for handcrafted classics and creative seasonal flavours made with quality ingredients.
🌐 Website: https://rainorshineicecream.com
📱 Instagram: @rainorshineyvr
Earnest Ice Cream
Earnest has earned a loyal following thanks to its small-batch approach and imaginative flavours. Whether you choose a classic favourite or a limited-time creation, every scoop is made with care.
🌐 Website: https://earnesticecream.com
📱 Instagram: @earnesticecream
Bella Gelateria
Award-winning Italian gelato made fresh daily. Bella Gelateria is known for its authentic recipes and beautifully crafted flavours that keep locals and visitors coming back.
🌐 Website: https://bellagelateria.com
📱 Instagram: @bellagelateria
La Casa Gelato
Why settle for one flavour when you can choose from hundreds? With more than 200 flavours available, La Casa Gelato has become one of Vancouver's most iconic dessert destinations.
🌐 Website: https://lacasagelato.com
📱 Instagram: @lacasagelato
Mister Artisan Ice Cream
Using liquid nitrogen to create incredibly smooth ice cream, Mister offers both a fun experience and delicious flavours. Watching your dessert being made is part of the experience!
🌐 Website: https://madebymister.com
📱 Instagram: @madebymister
🍦 Turn It Into an Ice Cream Adventure
Looking for a fun weekend activity? Create your own Metro Vancouver Ice Cream Crawl!
Here are a few ideas:
🍦 Visit one shop in each city.
📸 Take a selfie at every stop.
⭐ Rate each flavour from 1–10.
👨👩👧 Let everyone choose a different flavour and share bites.
🚶 Pair your visit with a nearby park, beach, shopping district, or waterfront walk.
🎁 Stop by another local small business while you're in the neighbourhood.
The best part? Every stop supports local entrepreneurs and helps strengthen our communities.
🐝 Why BusyBee Creates Loves Local
At BusyBee Creates, we believe every adventure—big or small—is worth celebrating.
Whether it's your first ice cream of the summer, a family outing, date night, or simply trying a new flavour, these little moments often become our favourite memories.
That's why we love supporting local businesses throughout Metro Vancouver. Every neighbourhood has something unique to discover, and every small business has a story worth sharing.
We hope this guide inspires your next outing and encourages you to explore somewhere new.
If you enjoy discovering local favourites, creative gift ideas, fun events, and behind-the-scenes moments from BusyBee Creates, we'd love to stay connected.
📲 Follow BusyBee Creates
Instagram is where we share our latest adventures, new products, local finds, market appearances, seasonal inspiration, and exciting updates first.
Follow us: @busybeecreates
Join our community, tag us in your adventures, and you might even be featured in one of our future posts!