Summer in New Brunswick means one thing above all else: finding the nearest scoop before the heat wins. Whether you’re in the Capital Region, down in Moncton, along the Fundy coast, or passing through a farm stand on a country drive, the province is packed with small-batch creameries, roadside stands, and old-fashioned parlours worth the detour. Here’s where locals and visitors are lining up this season.
Fredericton and the Capital Region
Downtown Fredericton has become something of an ice cream destination in its own right. Delish Gourmet Rolled Ice Cream on King Street has built a loyal following for its handcrafted rolled ice cream and rotating lineup of flavours, and it’s regularly named one of the top spots in the city. For something more classic, Queen Street Creamery is a summer-only artisan ice cream truck run by the team behind Chess Piece Patisserie, serving small-batch scoops right in the heart of downtown.
If you’re willing to drive a little, the surrounding Capital Region is where things get really good. Riverhaven Red Barn in Fredericton Junction, a family-run seasonal operation on a working farm, pairs its ice cream with homemade baking and has been recognized as one of Atlantic Canada’s best ice cream shops. Out toward Central York, Skinny’s Scoop and Café sits among the apple orchards near Mactaquac and is known for its apple cider floats, plus a small petting zoo for kids. KT’s Tasty Treats in Sunbury-York South rounds things out with an extensive flavour menu.
Moncton and Dieppe
The Moncton area is arguably the province’s ice cream capital, with new spots popping up every season. lostandfound on St. George Boulevard has earned a reputation for its inventive flavours — think ginger snap, strawberry balsamic sorbet, and blueberry lavender — along with homemade slush and soft serve. G’s Ice Cream, tucked inside Stirling’s Apple Market, is loved for its colourful presentation and laid-back market setting. For old-school prices, Candy Depot on Mountain Road drops scoops to a dollar twenty-five on Tuesdays, and Green Pig Country Market is worth a stop for its ice cream stand alone, never mind the produce and baked goods.
Saint John and the Fundy Coast
Down on the water, Bella’s Traditional Ice Cream is the standout, with a loyal following praising its rich, full-flavoured scoops. Along the coast toward the U.S. border, roadside stops like Octopus Ice Cream on the wharf in St. Martins offer a genuinely scenic way to enjoy a cone, right by the water.
Saint Andrews
This seaside town punches above its weight for ice cream. Tall Tom’s on Water Street is a local favourite for its ice cream, lemonade, and homemade kettle corn, while McGuire Chocolate Company draws praise for its chocolate ice cream in particular, served alongside its café menu.
The Takeaway
New Brunswick’s best ice cream isn’t concentrated in one place — it’s spread across farm stands, food trucks, and small shops from the Fundy coast to the Fredericton Capital Region. The common thread is small-batch, locally made product, often tied to a farm, orchard, or family business. Worth noting: ice cream season in this province is short and many of these spots are seasonal, so it’s worth checking hours or social pages before making the trip, especially early or late in the summer.
Menus, hours, and seasonal openings can change quickly at small operations like these — it’s always worth a quick check of a shop’s Facebook or Instagram before you go.
