Mario Loscerbo was the first Vancouver operation to move his traditional, Italian-style ices into the mass market -- all without sacrificing quality and natural ingredients. Offers a wide range of exotic and interesting combinations, as well as the local flavours we expect, from the Asian favourite "Green Tea," to amusing combos like "Viagra."

With over 130 flavours in rotation (18 at a time), including torrone (roasted hazelnuts and honey), mango (their biggest seller!), pistachio to excellent fresh fruit sorbets such as lemon, raspberry and blackberry. Excellent new sorbet flavours include lemon and candied ginger as well as a superb Mexican Conga (pineapple, orange and grapefruit). Rich, full natural flavours.

This West End establishment includes some 24 flavours of ice creams and frozen yogurts with such flavours as cheesecake, peach mango and black raspberry. Check out their weekly dessert specials. Good quality, standard selection of flavour combinations. Produced by Bendick Ice Cream.

A Canadian franchaise originally from the east, boasts over 50 flavours including one of my favourites, wowie-cowie (vanilla with English toffee, chocolate chips and Skor bar chunks). Overlook the tacky tourist souvenirs to find some of the city's best ice cream flavour combinations.

Custom-made for them under the direction of Vic Sharun at Bendick Ice Cream (604-482-3188), House of Brussels' ice creams echo their find Belgian chocolate line, with flavours like "Hedgehog" and "Raspberry Cheesecake Truffle." Our favourites are "Decadent Double Chocolate" and "Raspberry Ripple Chocolate."

Flavours include: "Kahlua 'n' Cream," "Guava," "Pomegranate," and "Lychee," and for younger (or less-travelled) tastebuds, "Cookies 'n' Cream," "Bubblegum" and "Dirt & Worm." Seriously.

With 26 locations in the Lower Mainland and 31 rotating flavours every month, this U.S. based chain covers alot of ice cream territory all year round. A bit too "American Sugar & Spice" for me but some great seasonal flavours such as their pumpkin ice cream found around Halloween time. Good commercial quality and selection.

La Casa Gelato has been an institution since husband and wife team Vince and Giuseppina Misceo began concocting their gelatos 18 years ago. This gelatoria sells some 155 flavours including some of the most wackiest ones I've ever tasted. For those gourmands looking for dandelion-burdock, garlic, wasabi, or even the obnoxious durian, this is the place! A great selection, but the quality tends to be inconsistent.

One of the more recent local entries in the ice cream sweeps. Owner Maurizio Grande's upscale gelato shop echos the old country of Italy and its artisan gelato recipes.

Tops at Ghirardelli's are its vanilla and chocolate flavours, made to a secret recipe.

1393 Marine Drive, West Van (604-925-2401);
14961 Marine Drive, White Rock (604-536-7644);
15445 Marine Drive, White Rock (604-536-5078);
3500 Moncton Street, Steveston (604-271-6507);
1303 56th St, Delta (604-943-4644);
and 4857 Elliot Street, Delta (604-940-4850).

Another excellent line from Bendick Ice cream. Flavours include Bubblegum, Black Raspberry Cheesecake and Mocha Almond Fudge, Hedgehog, Espresso Crunch and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup.

Tucked away on West Broadway, this is not where you'd expect to find authentic Italian ices.

Another Steveston ice creamery.