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13 cool treats to try before summer ends

Watermelon with chocolate seeds, bubble tea in baby bottles and vegan ice cream sandwiches await

There’s rarely a bad time for a cold treat, but they pair oh-so-well with a hot summer day in the Lower Mainland. From brand new treats to tried and true sweets, there’s always something delicious to eat that’s perfectly summery around town.

We’ve rounded some classics and some wildcards to give you a bucket list of cold treats to enjoy before summer ends. Some will still be here when the leaves start to fall, but some aren’t made to last. Get ’em while you can.

What-a-Melon from Milkcow

 

Made with a hollowed-out slice of watermelon that’s studded with chocolate “seeds” and filled with watermelon soft serve, Vancouver foodies will now find the dessert at Milkcow in Richmond (better than traveling to Japan, where it originated last year).

Address: 105-5668 Hollybridge Way, Richmond

 

Summer Cones from Cacao 70

 

You can get dipped cones all year at Cacao 70, but they have a special line-up of soft serve in cake cones coated and studded with all sorts of flavour combos.

Address: 115-3866 Bayview St, Richmond

 

Bubble tea in baby bottles at Milkcha at the Richmond Night Market

 

Is this the best bubble tea ever? Probably not. But hey, it comes in a very Instagrammable container: A baby bottle.

Address: Richmond Night Market

 

Cinnamon Bun Ice Cream Sandwiches at Welcome Parlour

 

Head to North Van’s Welcome Parlour to get an ice cream sandwich made with cinnamon buns from Bad Dog Bread.

Address: 277 8th Street East, North Vancouver

 

Puff Cream at Popina

 

This new Granville Island food destination is claiming this is a world’s first–who knows if it’s accurate but it’s hard to say no to a puff pastry filled with soft serve.

 

Address: Granville Island, Vancouver

 

Vegan Ice Cream Sandwiches from Say Hello Sweets

 

The demand is high for these all-vegan ice cream sandwiches. Find their truck or follow them on Instagram to find out who’s stocking the coveted sammies.

 

Gold chimney cake ice creams from The Praguery (at the PNE)

 

The Praguery

 

The Praguery is taking their chimney cakes to the next level by covering them in edible gold for their stint vending at the PNE.

 

Dole Whip at Poke Time

 

A little taste of Disneyland is now available at all Poke Time locations. Whip it good!

Address: 3 Vancouver locations

Boozy Popsicles at D/6 Bar and Lounge

This one is for grown-ups only! You’ll find these adult Iced Popsicles on the daytime menu at D/6 at the Parq Vancouver. They come in either sangria or vodka & watermelon-kiwi flavours.

Address: 39 Smithe Street (in the Douglas)

Music-inspired sundaes from Beta5

Ziggy Stardust Sundae

The chocolatier, ice cream, cream puff, and all manner of treats-maker has come up with a theme for each delicious weekend instalment that will have you whistling a happy tune, for sure. The wildly inventive sundaes Beta5 will have on offer for their Ice Cream Socials are all inspired by pop music. PS: They also have ice cream scoops for dogs!

 

Address: 413 Industrial Avenue, Vancouver

Adult milkshakes at Mary’s on Davie

 

Try out the revamped Mary’s with a new owner in Vancouver’s vibrant Davie Village. Their milkshakes can get a little boozy boost, too. Fabulous!

Address: 1202 Davie Street, Vancouver

 

Vegan taiyaki at Stuffies

 

Ditch the dairy and other animal products and still have a cool feast with these vegan soft-serve stuffed and topped taiyaki at Stuffies in North Vancouver.

Address: 1571 Oxford Street, North Vancouver

 

Sundaes at Glenburn Soda Fountain

Glenburn Soda FountainWhat’s the best day for ice cream? SUNDAES! Go get them at Glenburn Soda Fountain, because they are the best in Metro Vancouver. Period.

 

Address: 4090 Hastings Street, Burnaby