I’ve got the scoop (wink, wink) on a place you should probably try.

Ice cream doesn’t always have the creamiest texture — and that can be disappointing. But you won’t feel like you’re missing out on velvety goodness at this sweet spot in Vancouver. 

Mister Artisan Ice Cream has exactly what the ultra-creamy treat doctor ordered (in my opinion, at least). I’ve tried several of the ice creameries around town, and the texture of the treat I bought on a recent visit was top notch. 

My friend and I were wandering around Yaletown after some post-FIFA final fun in July when the “where the heck can we get an immediate ice cream” pangs hit.

Voilà: Mister Artisan Ice Cream. 

Ice cream near me: Expanding my sweet horizons in Vancouver

I don’t often go out for ice cream, but when I do, I have a few usual stops, including Earnest Ice Cream (the flavours are so good), as well as anything strictly gelato. (Is that snobby?) 

I also recently tried Little Pisces, which was delightfully refreshing and fun, served in a fish waffle cone. 

I visited the Yaletown Mister Artisan Ice Cream shop at 1141 Mainland St, but there’s another location at 1193 Robson St.

If you’ve never had a chance to try it, you’ll be greeted by the behind-the-scenes process without having to peek behind any curtains. Mister lays out the churning and flash-freezing before your eyes, with a lineup of chic ice cream makers and inventive-looking gadgets spread out in plain view. 

I ended up grabbing a double Oreo ice cream cone, which is a delicious mix of Oreo ice cream and Oreo cookies. I typically love Oreo-flavoured ice cream concoctions, but this one was slightly richer, without adding extra sweetness. Best of all, it was creamy yet thick and wasn’t melting quickly, even in the summer heat.

Mister’s founders say a special step in the ice cream-making process creates that signature texture. 

Liquid nitrogen: A clever tool for ultra-smooth ice cream

Co-owners Michael Lai says and Tommy Choi say they discovered the liquid nitrogen ice cream at a restaurant in Los Angeles. While it might look like a gimmick to get people through the door, he says it’s a key part of the signature texture.

“We were amazed by how incredibly smooth and creamy the ice cream was; it was unlike anything we had tasted before,” Lai says. “At the time, we hadn’t seen anyone using this method in Vancouver, so we thought it would be a great opportunity to open a shop specializing in made-to-order liquid nitrogen ice cream.” 

“Liquid nitrogen freezes the ice cream base almost instantly, much faster than traditional methods. Because the freezing process is so rapid, there is much less time for large ice crystals to form, resulting in a much smoother and denser texture. Since we make each batch fresh to order, we also don’t need to add preservatives, which allows us to serve a fresher product,” he says.

Mister has expanded its menu to include a few new items, including ice cream doughnuts and floats, “which have been very well received by our customers,” Lai says. 

Fun flavours to discover, unique treats beyond the cone 

Aside from Oreo, you’ll find several fun flavours in Mister’s lineup, including Crème Brûlèe, Dark Chocolate, Thai Milk Tea, Vegan Chocolate, Vegan Oat Nog Brûlèe, Shortbread, and Candy Cane. 

Most of these classic and unique flavours are also available as ice cream sandwiches, which are also amazing. 

The ice creamery’s Facebook page also shows another addition to the sweet lineup: Ube Ice Cream. Made with purple yam, it’s described as “mildly sweet and nutty, with delicate hints of vanilla and coconut in every creamy bite.”

Check out the lineup of other creations on Mister’s website.