Best Ice Cream Shops in Parksville Qualicum Beach

It's no secret that our culinary scene is thriving with sensational frozen treats. Create life-long memories with your friends and family as you enjoy a refreshing ice cream cone on the beach from one of the region’s many delightful ice cream shops.

Ice Cream Dreams

Specializing in rolled frozen delights, Ice Cream Dreams on the Qualicum Beach's waterfront walkway is definitely what ice cream dreams are made of. Start by choosing your base (vanilla, chocolate or vegan coconut) and then let your imagination run wild with your “mix-ins”—like cotton candy, Twix bars, blackberries and more. Choose one, two, or even more (we won’t judge!) and then add on toppings like sprinkles or strawberry sauce.

Riverside Resort & Campground

Indulge in a variety of frozen flavors at Riverside Resort's ice cream parlour! The Riverside Resort's convenience store will have you cooling down with a tried-and-true ice cream flavor before embarking on your next adventure. Select from an array of specialty waffle cones, sundaes, and milkshakes.

Swell Sweets

Swell Sweets will have you relishing delicious handmade gelato—by itself or in a cake form—for any celebratory occasion . Nothing says “congratulations” like a raspberry Belgian chocolate gelato cake!

Shore Restaurant

Shore Restaurant (2831 Island Hwy W) is an ice-cream lover’s ultimate destination. Dip your soft serve in chocolate or butterscotch, or order up some Dole Whip (vegan, gluten-free soft serve from Hawaii). They also have decadent sundaes and milkshakes, and specialty treats called “Tycoons”—their creamy vanilla ice cream mixed with candy favourites like Skor and Smarties.

The Cone Zone

You simply can’t miss The Cone Zone (5970 Island Hwy W). They serve 32 flavours of premium Island Farms ice cream (which uses BC milk that is free from artificial growth hormones and antibiotics) and Foothills Creamery flavours, like blueberry cheesecake, frosted choco malt and banana fudge swirl.

French Press Coffee Roasters

Why not pair your go-to coffee order with a homemade ice cream sandwich? French Press Coffee Roasters (425 Stanford Avenue) is a local gem, thriving with expertly crafted drinks. Experience a stunning balance between the rich, bitter notes of your drink and the sweet creaminess of this frozen treat! The affogato is another can't-miss delight, featuring a mixture of espresso and vanilla ice cream.

Little Qualicum Cheeseworks

Down in Parksville, Little Qualicum Cheeseworks (403 Lowry's Road) is a must-visit, but they are only open seasonally so plan your visit accordingly. Enjoy some chocolate or vanilla soft serve (or both!) that they make onsite with their very own farm-fresh milk.

Purebread Bakery & Cafe

Experience additional family-friendly fun at Paradise Fun Park (375 Island Hwy W, Parksville), where you can enjoy a round of mini golf and then satisfy your sweet tooth with their ice cream and snow cone offerings at the onsite Purebread Bakery & Cafe.

Realm Food Co.

At Realm Food Co. (Unit 2 – 180 Craig Street), order up some Burnt Honey Ice Cream. Made in Nanaimo by ice-cream maker extraordinaires Kara and Fiona Shedden, the delicious handmade ice cream features local ingredients. You can even add salted caramel or chocolate ganache to top it all off. And at 1000 Resort Drive in Parksville, you’ll find yourself with two great ice cream stop options: The Log Cabin General Store is the perfect pit stop for ice cream and Riptide Lagoon Adventure Golf is the perfect place to cool off with a cone and have some family fun.

Billy Gruff Creamery & Bistro

Billy Gruff Creamery & Bistro at Coombs Old Country Market (2326 Alberni Highway, Coombs) offers a wide assortment of ice cream, gelato and sorbetto—there’s a flavour for every taste palette. And they’re always experimenting with unique flavours so you can try a new scoop every time.

Coombs Ice Cream Parlour

Coombs Ice Cream Parlour at the Coombs Emporium (2300 Alberni Hwy, Coombs) features an inviting, rustic space, where you can satisfy your sweet tooth with ice cream—and slushies, milkshakes and more. Come hungry—they have a reputation for serving massive scoops!