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Dutch Dreams
Category: Food Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt [Edit]
78 Vaughan RdToronto, ON M6C 2L7
(416) 656-6959
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 12 pm - 1 am
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Parking:
- Street
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
39 reviews for Dutch Dreams
Review Highlights
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"The Dutch chocolate on a waffle cone is enough for two..." In 9 reviews -
"...adorned with plenty of fresh fruit and berries along with..." In 3 reviews -
"...each order with fresh whipped cream and seasonal fruit and..." In 13 reviews
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39 reviews in English
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Review from shyni y.
5/7/2012
I had to wait a couple of days AFTER my second visit here to write a review because I was still high from the experience of being surrounded by nommy nommy smells that just made you giddy and smiley and bright bright colours and hunge cones covered with all sorts of sweets.
This store makes me giddy; yes, many things make me giddy but I was giddy about it as soon as my wee eyes got a peek inside, and I am giddy about it 2 days after. In my mind, this is the result of a rainbow a clown barfed; does it make sense? IT makes sense to me....
The Waffles are delicious to look at and certainly is huge enough to feed me and another friend with massive sweet tooth. It makes for a great dessert to a birthday dinner - try the birthday cake ;)
Maybe if you visit it, the rainbow barfing clown will make sense to you also. -
Review from Maheen M.
4/2/2012 2 photos
Dutch Dreams is one of the most unique ice cream experiences I have had to date in Toronto. Every time I visit, my experience is completely different from the previous. I am in awe as to how much ice cream they can physically serve you without it tumbling over on to myself.
I love the kitchsyness of this place, they have random things hanging on the ceiling which makes it a fun experience.
I am a fan of their peanut chocolate ice cream, real peanut butter is tasted in every bite/lick. They have an extensive ice cream selection. Their milkshakes are HUGE, enough for two people; which they serve it in an ice cream tub. There is even soft serve frozen yogurt that you can pick your favourite flavour from their lengthy flavour list.
If you are ever in the St Clair West area, do make a pit stop for your very own unique ice cream experience.Listed in: Ice Cream & Frozen Treats
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Review from Val G.
Dutch Dreams? More like Dutch nightmares! The Dutch would never run such a sloppy operation, where a simple ice-cream filled cone with some whipped cream and fruit costs you 45mins of your life in a line-up. I deeply question the sanitation of this place and don't think they can keep up with the popularity of their business.
I visited Dutch Dreams twice last summer, both times in the evening. The first time we gave up after having waited 20mins in an unmoving line. The couple who arrived after us, stood next to us instead of behind us and chatted on cell phones, like they didn't notice we were there. Things would have gotten ugly if I had cared to stick around for the inevitable battle.
The second time, we actually made it inside after 25mins of waiting, only to find the place was disgustingly dirty (see photos). Display items were covered in dust, the floor was filthy. The tubes of ice-cream were littered with droppings from a days worth of sloppy scooping. If you have allergies, beware! The chocolate covered dipped cones had piles of crumbs below them. Is there no one on staff whose job it is to clean?! Service was so slow, so I had plenty of time to take photos. Seriously, the rats must love this place!
Frankly, Toronto has way better ice-cream and gelato on offer these days. I've got Lansdowne Cone, Arte Gelato and Bakerbots in my 'hood and they are all offering superior products in my opinion, without the wait or the questionable sanitation. There's really no reason for me to subject myself to Dutch Dreams' line-ups and the kind of riffraff (yes, I'm using that word) it attracts.
The ice-cream I received after 45mins of waiting was not memorable or worth it, but maybe I should just be glad it didn't make me ill. I was not consulted before whipped cream and fruit were added. The ordering and paying process took another 15mins because of the confusion behind the counter. A guy behind me buying a tub, actually managed to get in and out before me, likely because his server moved at a turtle's pace instead of a snail's, like mine.
The Breakdown:
* -1 star for the class-less crowds and tourists who don't know any better
* -1 star for the extremely long wait
* -1 star for the untrained teenage employees who cause the long waits and don't give proper customer service
* Minus many more stars for running a dirty ship
FINAL WORD: Whoever owns this place isn't taking enough time and care training their employees, teaching them how to serve quickly, efficiently and clean-up properly. I came here because I had heard good things, but my experience was memorable in all the wrong ways. If Dutch Dreams was really worthy of the dutch title, it would be sparkling clean and they'd have that line-up moving like a sneltrein to Den Haag.
UPDATE: A quick DineSafe check shows their last 2 inspections in the fall and winter cleared but on June 15, 2011 and again on June 21, 2011 they had several infractions including:
http://app.toronto.ca/...
"-FAILURE TO PROTECT FOOD FROM CONTAMINATION Operator fail to ensure food is not contaminated/adulterated C Notice to Comply
-IMPROPER MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / UTENSILS /EQUIPMENT Operator fail to properly maintain mechanical washer S Notice to Comply
-IMPROPER MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT"
My visit and photos were taken in August, after these issues were supposedly corrected. Definitely won't be back! -
Review from Lanna J.
Toronto, ON
4/27/2012
I dream in Dutch whenever I fall into an ice cream induced sugar coma (it's that good). Although it's hard to ignore the gaudy Dutch paraphernalia overwhelming your senses upon entering the shop, no worries, one lick of their product will pull you into a tizzy equalling the character of the store!
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Review from Adhish V.
Toronto, ON
3/8/2012
Ordering here can be a bit confusing because of how small the entrance is and the fact that you have to walk up and down the line to see what flavours they have. I got the pina colada flavour which was good but didn't really blow my mind. What I do love is the whipped cream and fruit toppings that go onto every scoop and the decor. I love the tables and lighting in the seating area and all the freaky deaky dutch pictures and stuff they have all over the place. haha
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Review from Jonathan S.
York, ON
8/10/2011
I'm told that Ghandi once said that there were two things that he could not abide: people who were intolerant of other peoples' cultures, and the Dutch.
I'm not really sure that Ghandi actually said that. I don't really trust the source...me...I actually borrowed that line from Michael Caine in "Austin Powers in Goldmember". But I sound much more credible quoting a Nobel Prize winning peace activist than a third-rate movie sequel.
Nevertheless, Dutch Dreams is exactly the kind of place you'd expect a spoof Bond Villain to open if he wanted to sell frozen dessert. Located on Vaughan, just north of St. Clair, it would be a tiny, unassuming spot if it weren't painted and decked out in bovine kitsch. A single, tight door frame leads you in to the shop, where you find yourself pressed between a series of ice cream counters and a stack of shelves that hold bric a brac and grocery items from the Nether-world. Low on Indonesian Ketchup and butter cookies? This is the place for you!
They sell ice cream and frozen yogurt too, in cups, cones or waffles so laden with chocolate and candy you'd think they were evidence in an Oompa-Loompa murder trial.
Yogurt should be familiar to those raised on Yogen Fruz; your choice of toppings pulverized into a soft-serveish tangy peak. It's very tasty, but clearly positioned as a treat for the pale dieter in the group.
Ice cream shows just how intense flavor can be when carried by butterfat. Chocolate fudge is almost black with cocoa. Paired with a scoop of espresso studded with chocolate covered coffee beans, it's the perfect buzz. Pistachio brings soapy-nuttiness while a lurid-purple black cherry scoop is reinforced by tonnes of fruit. Mint chocolate chip would be perfect except for it's weird aqua colouring. Chocolate peanut butter receives mixed reviews. Reeses aficionados approve of the balance between ingredients, while ice cream purists would prefer smooth peanut butter ice cream over stodgy chunks of frozen legume in the middle of a perfectly good dessert.
Visitors can Dutch-Dream as big as they like; portion sizes range from a single scoop to bathtub-sized. I'm hard-pressed to finish two scoops. Diners beside me polish off sundaes that are bigger than my head.
Best of all, each portion comes topped with whipped cream and a handful of fruit.
So really, it's healthy. Right? -
Review from Ailin K.
Toronto, ON
2/26/2012 2 photos
This is how all ice cream shops should be! Fun, colourful, with ice cream and candy ornaments everywhere! This is like a store out of the storybook. It reminds me of why I love ice cream so much as a kid :) I got the rum raisin and heavenly hash ...the scoops were large .and it came with whip cream, 2 waffle cookies + fruits as topping. It's the ice cream store that doesn't stop giving!
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Review from Monica F.
8/8/2011 1 photo
Does everyone know that the movie Half Baked was filmed here? The scene where Dave Chapelle takes Mary Jane on a date with barely any money? I'm not lying! (See pic)
Came here this weekend right after it rained and got lucky! Minimal lineup, which was nice. (It didn't stay that way though...)
My 2 scoops in a cup of turtle fudge and pralines and cream was just okay. I personally thought the whipped cream and fruit was the best part. I still think Baskin Robbins has THE BEST pralines and cream ice cream in the world and challenge anyone to come close to it.
My boyfriend, a coffee ice cream connoisseur, was disappointed to see that only 1 coffee flavoured ice cream was still remaining on the menu, as opposed to the 3 that he remembers them having.
It was $11.55 total for two orders of 2 scoops in a cup. 2 scoops is too much ice cream I think. 1 scoop should do any normal person just fine.
All around, I'd say this place is worth visiting at least once, just to say you've been. Otherwise, I think store bought Breyer's will satisfy your ice cream cravings just as well.
3.5 stars + .5 stars for being featured in Half Baked. -
Review from andrew m.
Toronto, ON
11/28/2011
From what I remember...
The ice cream they use is from Nestle (but considering they make everything else in house, you may let them pass on that._
Dutch Dreams makes their own whip cream. They have different toppings, like dark chocolate sauce, nuts, sprinkles. They have fresh fruit for toppings and they make their own waffles for some of their other dishes.
Visually you get some great looking deserts at the end of the day. Big portions for some of their deserts that fills-like a meal. It just takes a while to make.
Just looks at the pictures you see from the desert and you'll understand.
The decor is subject to personal taste (so i won't go there but some people like it) -
Review from Allison T.
Toronto, ON
5/23/2011
I'm lactose intolerant. I might never recover from my time here, but I couldn't resist. & sure, I paid the price later - but while I was there - oh sweet delicious Dutch Dreams!
They have tons of flavor options & cone options. There are toppings galore. Their servings are huge & topped with a fruit mixture & whipped cream.
This is the ice cream that eats like a meal. Eating a meal of ice cream surrounded by clogs and cows? --Turns out is really amazing on a sunny Friday afternoon in May.
1. For the record, they do have non-lactose options.
2. & yes, birthday cake & rum raisin ice cream 'go together' well. -
Review from Steph L.
5/13/2011
I scream, you scream, we all scream for Dutch Dreams!
This little ice cream shop is colorful and offbeat . It reminded me of Amsterdam (where ice cream isn't the only fun treat you can get from a small weird looking store).
The staff was friendly and let me sample a bunch of flavors.
Creamy, sweet, and cold... served in a waffle cone..
They top off your ice cream with fruit which is a nice touch.
I also liked how they have a large assortment of Dutch sweets, waffles, and chocolates galore. I was tempted to buy so many things, you can spend more on treats than on ice cream!
The weather was colder when I visited, so, I didn't encounter any giant lineups. However, the summer will be an entirely different story!
It's a great place for ice cream! If I'm in the neighborhood, there's a pretty good chance I'll pop in for a scoop or two! -
Review from The Vong Choice I.
Toronto, ON
6/22/2011
One of my favourite places to get ice cream with a lot of character is award winning family business- Dutch Dreams! The entire experience is thrill ride. Located at St. Clair and Vaughn road, you can't miss the colourful, kitchy house on the corner with neon coloured milk jugs, life size ice cream cones and lots of knick knacks. In my opinion, the only thing the house is missing is a giant windmill.
As you near the house, you can smell the aromas of freshly pressed waffle cones through the air and you get a peak through the doorway of the massive ice cream cone selections from Oreo, Skor, M&M, chocolates and peanuts, sprinkles and marshmallow caramel. Your mind starts to wonder what flavours to pick as there are so many to choose from and you usually have a bit of time to contemplate this as there's always a line up especially on a hot and sticky summery day.
There's so many options to pick and they are home made! From their frozen yogurt selections of lychee, avocado, marshmallow, grape (which I've been very curious about) and coconut to classics like Mint Chocolate chip, Cherry Cheesecake and Moose Droppings (reeces peeses and chocolate).
They always add extra fruit with fresh blueberries, pineapple and whip cream on top of your ice cream so if you aren't in a fruity mood- remember to decline! -
Review from Dave M.
2/3/2011
I love this place. It combines two insanely awesome things: Ice cream, and a way-cool decorative setting that would probably scare the crap out of everyone if the lights were suddenly dimmed.
I've read a lot about long lines, but I've been by this place many times, and I've never had to wait behind more than one or two customers. Bizarre.
As for the ice cream itself...size matters, and this place is like asking for DeVito, and getting Schwarzenegger. I haven't tried all of the flavours (not even close!), but the ones I've tried have all been quality, and blueberries, strawberries, and waffle cone thrown into the mix doesn't hurt either.
I can't say with certainty that this is the best ice cream I've ever had, but its gotta be close, and really, it doesn't matter. It's ice cream! Just eat some. Do it. Don't piss off the porcelain cows and clowns watching you. Just eat it. Mmm!Listed in: Late Night Eats
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Review from Sean S.
Toronto, ON
7/8/2011
This place is great. I went with a friend on a weekday afternoon (a scorcher of a day), and it was virtually empty. From what I can tell, this place packs up on evenings and afternoons, so if it's an option, try a less popular time.
The spot is really cool, I love the tables up the stairs in the back. Feels a little like an Amsterdam coffee shop, but with an LSD candy store atmosphere. Does that even make sense? Another reviewer suggested the inside of the store looked like what he imagined clown innards might look like. I would have to agree.
Aside from the wonderful diary treats, here's the important info: they import all kinds of crazy flavored oreos. With peanut butter centers. Or strawberry burst cream centers. Or lemon creme centers. Really cool stuff to have in the cupboard when you have people over at your home. Or you have the munchies.
I don't even have much of a sweet tooth. But this place is definitely worth checking out. -
Review from neesa r.
3/14/2011
whoa! I haven't written a review for this fairy tale-ish place yet???
well here it goes...
this is a great amazing awesome ice cream place!=)
first of all the decor! you can't pass by this place and miss it. The building itself is packed with bizarre decorations - huge waffle cones, cows' heads and tails, clowns... you name it. But it makes it all even more colorful and entertaining!
The ice creams/sundaes/frozen yogurts are yummylicious! and oh the portions! so you ask for half-and-half instead of 2 scoops expecting it to be of a consumable size... what you get is an enormous scoop of ice cream (size of a small melon) topped with fluffy whipped cream, and fresh fruits - strawberries, pineapple, kiwi, grape!
and oh the choice of sugar cones - with chocolate, with marshmallows, with peanuts, plain, with sugar... ah...
there is a small back room with 6-8 tine tables for 4 people each or so. the room is too humid and hot in the summer but warm and cozy in the winter time. the decorations of this room is the continuation of the outside decorations - flying cows and air ballons, jumping clowns and floating ice cream cones... makes you feel as if you're in the alice in wonderland cartoon=)
it's a great place to hang out with friends, have a date, come by yourself and cheer up=) and definitely for any time of the year!
oh two tips: it's cash only and the place is closed on mondays. -
Review from WaYnE c.
Maple, ON
9/19/2010
As I stood inside after 20 minute wait I counted the UFOs hovering around and I believe I saw Fruit Flies, Flies, Mosquitoes, Wasp, Bee. The only one I'm 100% sure about is Mosquitoes as I have physical proof somewhere on my face. Maybe those Mosquitoes liked the Pulled Pork BBQ Sauce from Stockyards as much as I do.
There's no entrance door that closes or at least it never closes because of the long line-up going outside the door onto the street. It's like an open space therefore UFOs are part of the natural habitat to be expected.
Another 20 minutes waiting inside cramped with a couple kids with customers walking in and out within the narrow space isn't fun. That 10 year old kid told me so, as he just wanted everyone in front to get moving.
They began with 2 staff where 1 of them had to split her task serving the dine-in customers therefore that 1 young Men amazingly immuned to Mosquitoes(?) served the eager line-up as best he could. It's a nice touch to have fruits on top of the Ice Cream but it does take extra time for the staff to put them on piece by piece.
The Dutch theme(Cows & Clogs, etc...) is a feature attraction on it's own if you aren't bothered thinking why you've been waiting forever to enjoy the scenery. It's a nice get-away from what awaits you right outside the doors(Retail Garbage Bin & Dark Alley).Listed in: Desserts - Frozen
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Review from Robert B.
Toronto, ON
6/12/2011
Do you like ice cream joints with tonnes of hand made flavours and a lot of crazy crap on the walls? Well head on over to St Clair and Vaughn Rd. Dutch Dreams is a tiny, crazy, olde tyme iced cream parlour that puts whipped cream and fruit slices on everything, even if you don't ask for it!
Wacky fun! Also I want to try one of their huge ice cream cakes! -
Review from bold c.
Toronto, ON
After 50+ years of delivering the goods it is wonderful that this Toronto gem always delivers excellent value and consistent product quality. The Dutch chocolate on a waffle cone is enough for two people. Smooth texture and sensuous flavor.
Parking is very very tight. Go to the P Parking around back.
THEY TOW CARS HERE! -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
9/25/2010 1 Check-in Here
The lineup gods were smiling this past Thursday night, and even on a full belly of Stockyards meats, I gave into the ice cream urge. With no queue, we walked through a childhood dreamlike door and into another world and another decade, full of knickknacks and smiling dolls and the sweet sweet smell of sugar.
Cherishing my child size (half size of the small cup) peanut butter chocolate treat we headed out into the street, which by this time, had become full of people waiting in line to get in. Would I wait in the line myself? No way. But I'm thankful that we seized that one moment of opportunity!Listed in: Toronto Musing
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Review from Vivek S.
9/25/2010 1 Check-in Here
I had just finished telling Crystal H about the omnipresent crowds at Dutch Dreams when we walked past and witnessed a contradictory sight: no one was there. Even though we were both stuffed to our necks in fried chicken, I knew this was not an opportunity that should be squandered. We rushed through the front door and within a minute a sturdy line had formed behind us, making an un-liar out of me, and solidifying us as winners of a Thursday night iced cream lottery.
But on to Dutch Dreams. What a krazy kaleidoscope this place is. You could spend an eon gorging your retinas on the colourful cornocopia that is DD's decor. I imagine if you sliced open a clown, this is what it would look like. And the smell: heavenly. If noses could salivate, this place would make me drool.
Gross metaphors aside: I ordered a small scoop of pralines and cream in a cup and it was just fucking enormous. Not only that, but it was topped with strawberries, kiwi, whipped cream, and a shard of waffle cone the size of a five dollar bill. I don't use this word a lot folks, but I was flabbergasted. Go now.
Obligatory Title Pun: If you ain't DUTCH, you ain't much.
Menu Readability: What? There are cows on the ceiling!
Need to mention: You can get stroopwafels here.
What this place teaches me about myself: I expect that clown innards resemble ice cream shops.Listed in: I'll Take Mine To Go, Where to get fat in Toronto
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Review from Kat F.
Sooo...the ice cream here's still great (sugar cones trump the waffle cone, big time) and I love the huge selection of flavours, but such quality and variety translates to hour long lineups (especially since the place is staffed exclusively by 16 year-olds) during our very brief summer. Unless you want to like waiting outside with snot-nosed kids and their misbehaved parents. I had the misfortune today of waiting in front of two guidos and their hyperactive nephew, and I got more than an earful - it was a constant commentary about every single moment of the wait.
"I've never waited this long, not even in Italy."
"Holy mackerel, the line is so long."
"What is that [pointing to someone's ice cream], a Montosaurus?"
"Do they have limonetta?"
And so forth. It was incessant.
They sell stroopwafel here for $2.99. That rarity in itself might make it worth the trip out to Bathurst & St. Clair, but if I were you I'd make this an off-season visit or avoid weekends and holidays.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/21/2009
Finally, I've made my Dutch dreams come true! At 10pm on a Monday we took our chances at Dutch… Read more »
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Review from Janna S.
6/1/2010 ROTD 7/4/2010
It's surprisingly difficult to find stores or restaurants specializing in Dutch imports in Toronto, but this place is the next best thing. The Dutch theme here is pure tchotchke, but where else can you enjoy photos of Queen Wilhelmina while eating stroopwafel? As a first-generation Canadian with Dutch parents, I can't help but love a place decked out in Delftware. The ice cream sundaes here are gorgeous; I love taking visitors here because it's such a uniquely delicious Toronto landmark. Portions here are generous and perfect for sharing, unless you are like me and prefer to eat dessert as the main course.
It's always busy in the hot weather but if you get the chance, visit in the off-season. I went in November and the place was empty, save for the owner, Theo, and a group of French tourists. They decided to have a go at the decor and spent about 10 minutes snickering before Theo turned around and put them in their place...in French. Touché! -
Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
9/24/2010 10 photos
Novelty wise Dutch Dreams is a 4 stars.
Ice cream wise is a 3 stars.
I don't mind lining up for ice cream.. but when the line is not moving at all and it took me 30 minute+ to get ice cream.. that will be the 1st and last time I going to do that!
The decoration inside is a little tacky, feels like I am in an amusement park, the kids just love that!
However, inside is quite flithy... 1 star. There are flies everywhere.. big ones and the fruit flies. I just not feel comfortable eating the waffle cones that look so nice when there are flies around them.
The nice server is really patient and doing a good job to serve us but basically he is by himself doing the takeout line and while the other girl has to serve the people in the sit down area.
I maybe back or I may not be back... -
Review from Michael J.
2/22/2010
So, it would seem that this past weekend that the pregnancy cravings have officially begun.
I was peacefully sitting here on my PC, doing what I normally do - playing CS and downloading the pr0n, when our of nowhere this hallow, spine chilling shrill echoes through the entire house "Oh Em Gee...I really want yogurt!!!!"
Now, I'm not sure if anyone you know this, but a pregnant women is quite possibly the scariest thing on the planet. Imagine a roller coaster...apply named "The Hormonal Roller Coast of Doom." It clanks, and clanks, and clanks and you continue up and up and up...and then swoosh...you're plummeting down, you're pregnant fiancee goes psycho, and turns Super Saiyian. I don't know about you, but I greatly fear a hamehameha wave from a hormonally psycho pregnant fiancee, so I immediately stopped what I was doing, grab the car keys, got in the car, and got the hell out of there.
Problem was I didn't know of any yogurt places in Toronto since I'm still relatively new here, so I actually had to go on my Blackberry and use Yelp Mobile for the first time ever. I know...I'm all grown up now that I am officially using my cell phone for things other than making and receiving calls. I suppose I could download the Skype App for my Blackberry so I call be all like "Sup Dawg, we heard you like talking on the phone so we put a phone in your phone so you can talk while you talk."
Anyway, so Dutch Dreams sounded interesting. Good reviews, and I thought "How can it miss?" Well...it did miss. First of all, this place is very...colorful. Very bright, very loud, and for a person who likes peace and quiet...we don't mix well. Kind of like Vodka and Whiskey. Sure you'll get double the amount of alcohol but the inevitable vomiting later doesn't make it worth it.
Secondly, why is it when I called it "Froyo", I got a weird look? Don't judge me.
Thirdly, why the hell does Sonic the Hedgehog still exist?
Wait, I'm getting off track. So colorful place, and a few weird looks later, I got myself ice cream, and yogurt for my fiancee. I hurried home, because you know...frozen things melt. I enjoyed my ice cream...but it felt...like there was something missing. I don't know how to quite explain it, other than I grew up in the Bay Area, California, and we have some of the best ice cream places in the world. Perhaps that has spoiled me. I thought my ice cream was good, but...it wasn't that good. It's kind of like you're watching Lost, and you actually expect Jack to make a sound, responsible decision, that will actually help all the survivors, but then he does and does he typical douche-bagery and screws everything up even more. Kind of like that.
Bright colors, loud environment, questionable looks, and sub-par delicious ice cream, Dutch Dreams is...meh. It's good enough to the point where if I happen to be in the neighborhood, or if my fiancee decides to RAGE and demands yogurt I'll be going back. But other than that, I can take or leave Dutch Dreams. -
Review from Kevin D.
Toronto, ON
3/26/2009
YOU WON'T FIND A MORE SATISFYING ICE CREAM EXPERIENCE ANYWHERE...
Oh Dutch Dreams! You turn me into a boy when I walk in to your Wonka-esque sugar lair of sweet, sweet goodness. How do you make such delightful treats? In fairness, it's the ingredients.
Order just a simple ice cream cone and you'll be amazed how much better DD is from any ice cream parlour on the planet. They top each order with fresh whipped cream and seasonal fruit and melon. So yummy!
My advice: order a sundae. That hot fudge will change your life. It's a big order, but some days in August require one's frozen treat craving level to peak. Trust me. I've been there!
On weekends be prepared for BIG lineups outside the door. Doesn't that almost make you want it more? -
Review from Mag P.
York, ON
9/12/2009
I may be alone on this, but I think Dutch Dreams is totally overrated. The lineups are ridiculous. The space ridiculously cramped. The service inefficient and the high countertops make it difficult to communicate with your server. The decor - I know it's supposed to be wacky and kitsch and I can appreciate that, but to me seems really dingy. Like everything could use a good scrubbing and a fresh coat of paint.
Now, it's true the selection of cones is impressive. But I usually prefer a cup. True, the portions are humongous, but it's more than I can eat. True, they pile on loads of whipped cream and fruit, but I don't want any healthy fruit nonsense distracting from my ice cream indulgence! And when I finally get to the ice cream, I think it tastes a little stale.
No, thanks. -
Review from Dmitry K.
York, ON
6/1/2010
Probably my most favourite place in Toronto, period. It's impossible to walk out of here without a smile. The ice cream is plentiful and delicious without leaving you bloated, and the interior design is delightfully amusing and homey.
Last time I've been here my flavour knowledge got a little rusty, and the friendly clerk girl proceeded to enlighten me and my mom, who was visiting over from Van, about all the flavours and which were her favourites. For the $4-5 we paid for each ice cream, we got two humongous scoops adorned with plenty of fresh fruit and berries along with whipped cream. We ate some of it for about 10 minutes at the cafe, silently, and then proceeded to walk all the way to Vaughan and Oakwood, for a total of about 30 minutes of ice cream eating time. They really were huge.
The best time to come is any time before late afternoon as there are almost always big lineups, sometimes wrapping around the building. -
Review from Julianna B.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 7/14/2009
Too bad, so sad - why are they suddenly so stingy with the hot fudge? They've changed, man. It used to be about the sauce. Am I standing in line for half an hour for that pitiful drizzle on top?
There seem to be changes afoot. Not only are the big, generous helpings of hot fudge a thing of the past, but there's some new signage and some kind of associated place across Vaughan, with an ice cream cone shaped slide out front. New management, or coincidence? I will have to keep an eye on this.Listed in: Best food near Wychwood
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/24/2009
On warm summer evenings, the whole neighbourhood turns out to stand in the line at Dutch Dreams.… Read more »
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Review from Alejandro A.
Toronto, ON
12/12/2008
An extremely colourful ice cream parlour, Dutch Dreams is decked out in total kitsch fashion. The walls are adorned with tons of allegedly Dutch memorabilia, making the store as wacky and exciting as the ice cream itself.
The ice cream is very delicious. They have a huge variety that plays the necessary variations on your regular themes of chocolate, strawberry and rocky road, but also have tons tons tons of other options. They offer you fruit and nuts as toppings, which is already a treat. Make sure you order a waffle cone, because they are delicious.
I don't usually venture here in the Winter, and part of that is because I'm fairly certain that they're closed, although I can't say I've actually ventured here on a snowy afternoon to confirm this. Like most ice cream parlours in this part of the world, they hibernate in the winter months. -
Review from Ana W.
5/20/2010
Cutest ice cream store in TO! Very random, but it works.
They a lot of selection when it comes to waffle cones and yogurt flavours.
They didn't carry ice cream flavour that I liked, but they do have extra fruits, whipped cream topping, as well as other dry ingredients (e.g. nuts, sprinkles, etc.). It's awesome!!! My inner child was in heaven.
Instead of ordering ice cream, I got their frozen yogurt. I thought it was similar to the ones you can get at the malls, but the fruit flavour is a bit richer.
Portions are huge! I got a small, but I think it's enough to buy one and share between 2 people.
Flavours I tried:
- pineapple + mango + 'all nuts over you' cone
- mango + strawberry + 'all nuts over you' cone
The strawberries they use here is REALLY good. Very tasty unlike some places that I've tried.
The girls that work there are all very nice and polite. It gets crazy. I went there two nights ago and the lineup was out the door to the parking lot.
I would definitely come back if I was in the area -
Review from Chris P.
7/27/2009 1 photo
WOWZA!!!
Not only can I get great cup of sorbet but I can grab a bag of droppies too. I had the regular sized watermelon sorbet (check out the pic). If I had known any better I would have gotten the small because that would have been more than enough. After getting through the fruit salad that they pile on top I found the sorbet. Both the fruit and the creamy mush underneath were the perfect afternoon treat on a hot summer day. -
Review from Tammy Y.
3/28/2010
'Twas a rainy day in Pizzaville and Dutch Dreams was still brimming at the rim. The actually quite impossibly narrow establishment was humming with "excuse mes" and "coming throughs" as a steady stream of customers made their way in - probably before the mad summer rush begins.
There are tons of flavours to choose from, but no matter what you get, you'll be practically reeling with regret by the end of it because the cones are HUGE and make you want to cry for your mama. There is an overwhelming selection of waffle cones dipped and wrapped in any kind of candy coating. Ice cream comes in fruity flavours, chocolatey flavours, nutty flavours, and more, and whatever you get it'll be topped with a heap of whipped cream and fresh fruit. Thankfully there is seating in the back of place - cause really, there isn't any chance that you'll be able to get very far with your heaping leaning tower of indulgent bliss. Take a seat, kick back, feast on your massive cone, and let your eyes feast on the...erm... eclectic decor. -
Review from Naureen H.
3/13/2010
So when Im pregnant my husband seems to crave Ice Cream...actually I think its his escape and his way to deal with my hormones since he doesnt drink or smoke ;)
After debating between here and going to Gregs we chose here just cause, no special reason. The flavors are great and the sundaes are yummy!! We had a chocoholic/espresso sunday with bananas and chocolate sauce. Loved it!! I thought the place had a bit of a stale smell though.....
Unlike many ice cream places this one actually has a sitting area in the back so thats pretty nice for winter cravings! -
Review from Shari M.
Toronto, ON
8/23/2009
Best coffee flavoured ice cream ever....
fruit, yummy
waffle cone, yummy
service, slow...but friendly
will be back fur shure!!!!!
highly recommend!!!! -
Review from Andrew G.
Toronto, ON
2/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Amazing ice cream! Closer to evenigs and on weekends there is a huge line up, although it moves very fast! Must visit in Toronto
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Review from Elame G.
Toronto, ON
2/3/2011
I love how this place tops off each ice cream with whip cream and fruits. The combo is absolutely to die for! As well love how I can ask for extra fruit and I don't get looked at weirdly. Also love the funky decor throughout the store
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Review from Aaron T.
Toronto, ON
4/12/2010
Worth the lineup. They were sold out of some flavours by the time we got inside but it was still worth it. They have one the best 'Cookie Dough' ice creams around.
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Review from Cyn C.
7/5/2010
This place looks like the place Pinocchio goes to called "Pleasure Island" where it's an insane carnival and everything's great and colorful and there's clowns and candy everywhere. Lots of stuff to look at, crowds of excited folks, and multiple flavors to choose from. Instead of Donkey ears, however, you get mediocre ice cream that should not be mistaken for anything above Baskin Robbins in terms of flavor or texture (it's more icy than creamy). One special thing, however, is they put good whipped cream and fresh fruit (like kiwi, berries, and mango) atop your scoop. Otherwise, an exciting shop to say the least.
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Review from Downtown D.
Toronto, ON
4/22/2010
I went here last summer and luckily managed to avoid the lineups. I think they make their own ice cream. I like the decor (lots of stuff on the walls and hanging from the ceiling) with Dutch theme.
