The best ice cream shops: National

Baskin Robbins
The signature pink ice cream store that continues to bring us 31 flavours is turning 40 years old in Canada this year. Try one of their sundaes with three new toppings: Triple Berry Indulgence, Mango Paradise or Caramel Passion.

Cold Stone Creamery
Made with rich ingredients, this chain’s ice cream is best known for its creamy texture. Indulge in one of their Signature Creations – Cookie Doughn’t You Want Some, a delectable mix of French Vanilla ice cream, chocolate chips, cookie dough, fudge and caramel served in a waffle cup. Some counters are located next to Tim Hortons coffee counters.

Dairy Queen
Enjoy DQ’s rich and thick soft-serve ice cream in everything from a dipped cone to a cookie sandwich or a waffle-bowl sundae. Other customer faves include their famous Buster Bar and Oreo Brownie Earthquake.

Dippin' Dots
These teeny flash-frozen beads of ice cream melt like snowflakes on the tongue. Try one of their newest ice cream creations – Dots ’n Cream – or the ever-popular Cotton Candy. Sold throughout Ontario and Alberta in kiosks and vending machines.

Laura Secord
They may be known for their chocolate, but their ice cream is just as good. Top any scoop, whether it’s their signature Bordeaux Cherry, Mocha Double Double or SuperKid (banana, blueberry and strawberry), with a medallion chocolate.

Marble Slab Creamery
Daily batches of fresh ice cream are blended with your choice of “mixins” (including fruit, candy and nuts) for a one-of-a-kind flavour. Kid favourites include sweet and pink Bubblegum, colourful Cotton Candy and creamy Birthday Cake. Lactose-free flavours such as Strawberry-Banana, Chocolate and Vanilla are also available.

Menchie's Frozen Yogurt
An American chain recently established in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Newfoundland, Menchie’s offers up to 100 rotating yogurts and 70 rotating toppings (depending on the location). Choose your flavour – try something different like Root Beer Float or Watermelon Tart – or have a “mixologist” help you customize one, then select your toppings before you weigh it all in to pay.

Purdy's Chocolates
The chocolatier that brings decadent treats like Hedgehogs and Sweet Georgia Browns also delivers on mouth-watering ice cream in chocolate (of course) and a half-dozen other flavours. Get your cone dunked in white or milk chocolate and topped with your choice of sprinkles, nuts or candy. Locations in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.

TCBY
You’ll get guilt-free real dairy frozen yogurt in 40 different flavours, including Chocolate Pudding, Hawaiian Coconut and Creamy Caramel. Their cones, sundaes and shivers (frozen yogurt blended with toppings) also come in a sugar-free option.

Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt
Tutti Frutti’s offerings include a light-tasting frozen yogurt that comes in decadent flavours like Banana Pudding, Birthday Cake and Royal Red Velvet. And you’ll love the cheery, playful seating spaces with its orange couches, floral-patterned chairs, green padded stools and whimsically painted walls.

Yögen Fruz
This chain lets you indulge in a sweet frozen treat that’s still relatively healthy. Create your own concoctions using low-fat and non-fat probiotic frozen yogurts with fruit and several toppings. Try their latest refreshing treat: a delicious mango, mint and pineapple real-fruit, non-dairy smoothie.