Food & Drink
Best Dessert Spots in Kelowna
Kelowna Team
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Summary
The best ice cream, pastries, gelato, and late-night dessert spots in Kelowna right now, with hours and when to avoid the lines.
In this article:
The best dessert spots in Kelowna are Parlour Ice Cream, Karat Chocolate & Pastry Boutique and Sprout Bread, all downtown. This guide covers 11 ice cream shops, gelato counters, bakeries and a late-night dessert cafe, with hours and when to avoid the lines, all independent alternatives to the drive-thrus on Highway 97. Several shops don't publish fixed hours; check their sites before you go.
| Spot | Type | Price | Hours noted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parlour Ice Cream | Ice cream | $ | Until 10 PM in summer |
| Karat | Pastry and chocolate | $$$ | Check site |
| Moo-Lix | Ice cream | $ | Usually 10 PM or 11 PM |
| Bliss Bakery & Bistro | Bakery | $$ | 2:30 PM (West Kelowna, weekdays) or 4 PM (Peachland) |
| D Spot Dessert Cafe | Late-night desserts | $$$ | 11 PM (midnight Fri-Sat) |
Parlour
Parlour Ice Cream
1571 Abbott St | $ | Open until 10 PM in summer
Parlour is a craft ice cream shop known for waffle cones made fresh on-site all day. It sits across from City Park and the lake. The menu uses local ingredients: the Whisky Hazelnut is made with Okanagan Spirits whisky and Gellatly Nut Farm hazelnuts, and the roasted strawberry is a strong second choice. Parlour also has a shop at Gyro Beach, listed in the ice cream section below.
The downside: summer lines are long. At 8 PM on a Saturday in July, the wait can reach forty-five minutes. Go mid-afternoon or in the off-season.
Karat
Karat Chocolate & Pastry Boutique
1526 Ellis St | $$$ | Check their site for hours
Karat is a high-end pastry and chocolate shop run by Chef Julian Helman, best for celebrations and gifts. The triple chocolate croissants are rich and heavy. The geometric chocolate bars are a good gift, for example when visiting friends in Glenmore.
The downside: prices are high, and popular items sell out. By 2 PM the selection is thin. Arrive before 10 AM.
Sprout
Sprout Bread
125-1295 Cannery Lane | $$ | Check their site for hours
Sprout Bread, just off Ellis, is known for pastries made with naturally fermented dough, served in an industrial space. Despite the name, the pastries are among the best in town: cruffins, danishes and scones. There's a patio for coffee and a pastry.
The downside: it's busy, and tables are often taken by people working on laptops. Plan to take your order to go.
Sandrine
Sandrine French Pastry and Chocolate
1865 Dilworth Dr (second shop at 3275 Lakeshore Rd) | $$ | Open daily; check their site for hours
Sandrine is a French patisserie known for real French macarons. Sandrine moved here from France, and the mille-feuille, fruit tarts and chocolate truffles are made to the standard you'd find in Paris. Quality is consistent, and staff give knowledgeable recommendations.
The downside: the Dilworth shop is in a strip mall off Dilworth Drive near highway traffic, with no patio. It's a takeout stop.
Moo-Lix
Moo-Lix Ice Cream
239 Bernard Ave | $ | Open late (usually 10 PM or 11 PM)
Moo-Lix is a long-running downtown ice cream shop with over forty flavours at any given time. Portions are large; a single scoop is usually enough. A second location near McCurdy avoids downtown parking.
The downside: the ice cream is very sweet and more commercial than the craft shops nearby. The downtown shop is on Bernard's main strip, which is crowded all summer.
Bliss
Bliss Bakery & Bistro
320-1405 Stevens Rd, West Kelowna (also 4200 Beach Ave, Peachland) | $$ | Closes at 2:30 PM in West Kelowna (weekdays only) or 4 PM in Peachland
Bliss is a home-style bakery known for large cinnamon buns, made without artificial additives or preservatives. The coffee is roasted locally. It's a practical stop before a hike or a drive down the lake. For more options, see the best bakeries in town.
The downside: it closes early. It's a morning or mid-afternoon stop, not an after-dinner one.
Amore Mio
Amore Mio Gelato
270 Bernard Ave | $$ | Check their site for hours
Amore Mio is an Italian gelato shop that makes everything from scratch and uses local BC fruit in all its sorbets. The pistachio gelato is the standout. It also serves espresso, so an affogato is an option.
The downside: the Bernard Avenue location means higher prices, and a small cup isn't cheap. The patio is exposed to traffic and foot-traffic noise.
350 Bakehouse
350° Bakehouse and Cafe
Spall Rd (relocated from Bernard Ave) | $$ | Check their site for hours
350° Bakehouse is a Dutch family-owned bakery known for large, fluffy yeast donuts. It also makes traditional Dutch items like stroopwafels and broodje kroket. The maple bacon donut is among the best in the city.
The downside: as at most Kelowna bakeries, the best items are gone by noon. Go early for a specific donut.
The Mission Creamery
450 Cook Rd | $$ | Check their site for hours
The Mission Creamery is a small-batch ice cream shop in the Lower Mission, near the Eldorado Hotel and the new Aqua building. Everything is made from scratch; the Milk & Cookies flavour includes house-made chocolate chip cookies. It's a good stop before a walk on the lakeside boardwalk, and quieter than the downtown shops.
The downside: summer parking in the Mission is difficult, with boat trailers and beach traffic. Walk or cycle if you can.
Bread Co
2949 Pandosy St | $$ | Check their site for hours
Bread Co is a Pandosy bakery with a large pastry case, including dense chocolate brownies and fruit tarts. It's the local option for Mission residents who don't want to go downtown.
The downside: the lunch rush is busy. A quick dessert can mean waiting behind six people ordering sandwiches and sourdough.
D Spot
D Spot Dessert Cafe
426 Bernard Ave | $$$ | Open until 11 PM (midnight Fri-Sat)
D Spot is a late-night dessert cafe serving large milkshakes, skillet cookies and waffles filled with chocolate syrup. The room is loud and lit with neon signs.
The downside: prices are close to sit-down restaurant prices. Portions are large enough to share.
Where's the best ice cream and gelato in Kelowna?
The best ice cream and gelato in Kelowna comes from Parlour, Moo-Lix, Amore Mio and The Mission Creamery, all covered above. One more is worth knowing:
Parlour at Gyro Beach
3405 Lakeshore Rd | $ | Check their site for hours
Parlour's second shop is in the Mission, a short walk from a day on the sand.
A few tips for ice cream season:
- ●Expect lines in July and August, especially in the evenings.
- ●Follow the shops on social media for seasonal flavours and daily specials.
- ●Ask for a sample if you're unsure about a flavour. Most shops offer one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best ice cream in downtown Kelowna?
Parlour Ice Cream on Abbott Street is the top choice for craft ice cream made with local ingredients. If you prefer big scoops of traditional flavours, Moo-Lix on Bernard Avenue is the best alternative.
Are there any late night dessert spots in Kelowna?
Yes. D Spot Dessert Cafe on Bernard Avenue stays open until 11 PM most nights and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. It serves heavy desserts like milkshakes, waffles and skillet cookies.
Where can I get authentic French macarons in Kelowna?
Sandrine French Pastry and Chocolate on Dilworth Drive is the only spot in town making authentic, high-quality French macarons. It also makes traditional French pastries like mille-feuille and fruit tarts.
What dessert places are in the Lower Mission?
The Mission Creamery makes small-batch ice cream near the Eldorado Hotel in the Lower Mission. Bread Co on Pandosy Street has a big case of fresh pastries.
Are there any vegan ice cream options in Kelowna?
Some. Amore Mio on Bernard makes its fruit sorbets from scratch with BC fruit. Vegan options change often, so ask at each shop.
Are there any ice cream shops near Gyro Beach in Kelowna?
Yes. Parlour Ice Cream has a shop at 3405 Lakeshore Rd at Gyro Beach, so you can grab a cone and take it down to the sand.
Is it hard to find parking near downtown Kelowna dessert shops?
Yes. Parking along Bernard Avenue and Abbott Street is tough during the summer. You're better off walking, biking, or parking a few blocks away in a paid lot and walking over.
