Orléans Food Spot Review - Kawartha Dairy

If you grew up in the era of red roofs and personal pan pizzas, pulling into the Kawartha Dairy on St. Joseph Blvd in Orléans is going to trigger a wave of déjà vu. The building is unmistakably a former Pizza Hut, that distinctive steep blue metal roof gives it away immediately, but Kawartha Dairy has done an impressive job of leaning into the bones of the space and making it their own. The exterior is painted in their signature bold blue, with the brand's logo prominently displayed near the entrance, and the patio seating area outside already feels lived-in and inviting with lots of space for even a very busy night of patrons getting their ice-cream on.

Inside, the space is surprisingly large and airy. Blue Adirondack chairs are scattered throughout the floor, giving it a relaxed, cottage-country feel that's very on-brand for a dairy that hails from the Kawartha Lakes region. The wood-look tile floors and warm retail shelving give it a general store aesthetic, somewhere between a lakeside gift shop and a proper ice cream parlour. One wall features a beautiful full-mural timeline called "Kawartha Dairy Through The Years," tracing the company's history all the way back to its founding in 1937 by Jack and Ila Crowe. It's a nice touch that gives the brand some real depth and personality. You can learn about their first home delivery trucks, early milk bottles, and the evolution of their packaging over the decades. It's worth a slow read while you wait in line.

And about that line, we showed up on a random Thursday night, with no special event or promotion in sight, and the lineup was out the door. The crowd was enormous, a real mix of families with strollers, young couples, teenagers, and grandparents. For a location that had only recently opened, the buzz was, evidently, very real. The Orléans community has clearly been waiting for this.

Let's start with the main event: the ice cream. Kawartha Dairy offers 32 flavours at this location, served from open tubs behind a glass counter. The selection is amazing: crowd-pleasing classics sit alongside more adventurous options. From what we could see in the display case, the flavours ranged from Death by Chocolate and Salty Caramel Truffle to Dockside Cappuccino, Muskoka Mocha, Moon Mist, Raspberry Lemon-Lime Sherbet, Cookies and Cream, and what appeared to be a vivid orange sherbet that looked absolutely gorgeous in the tub. There's something for everyone, whether you're a purist or someone who wants something a little unexpected.

The ice cream itself is excellent. It's made with fresh Canadian milk and cream and it shows! The texture is rich and dense without being icy, and the flavours are bold and well-defined. We tried the Moon Mist (a swirl of raspberry and blue bubblegum that's almost neon-pink in the cup) and the orange sherbet, both of which were outstanding. We also ordered a two-scoop waffle cone with Death by Chocolate, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and the sheer size of it was almost comical. Two scoops at Kawartha Dairy ice cream is massive, most people will not finish it in one sitting, especially in warm weather. Consider yourself warned (or delighted, depending on your appetite).

Beyond ice cream, the shop has a well-stocked retail section that leans into local and Canadian products. You'll find maple syrup and honey from Maple Bluff Farm in multiple formats and sizes, artisan jams and preserves, and a fun selection of freeze-dried candy from Minus 50 Foods (Lil Skizzies, Jolly Puffs, Lil Berry Skizzies — the kind of thing kids and adults alike will want to grab). The coffee section stocks Muskoka Roastery Coffee Co. in several roasts including Muskoka Maple, Loon Call Breakfast Blend, Howling Wolf, Butter Tart, and Black Bear. There are also boxes of Joy Ice Cream Cups and waffle cones for sale, presumably so you can bring the Kawartha experience home. You can also purchase their ice cream in 1.5L tubs to take home from the freezer section, where we spotted flavours like Salty Caramel Truffle, Moon Mist, Raspberry Lemon-Lime Sherbet, and more.

One thing worth flagging for first-time visitors: the serving area can look like organized chaos when you first walk up. There's a slightly unconventional flow to how the line moves and how orders are placed and filled, but don't let it stress you out. Once you understand the rhythm of it, it actually moves remarkably quickly for such a busy location. The staff are clearly well-practiced and efficient, and the wait time, even with a line out the door, was shorter than expected.

This was excellent poutine. Some of the best we've had in Ottawa, no doubt about it. The balance between the three elements: fries, curds, gravy, was impressive, and the quality of the St-Albert curds in particular elevated the whole dish. It's the kind of poutine that reminds you why the classic version doesn't need to be complicated to be exceptional.

One thing worth flagging for anyone planning a visit with a group: the large size is more than enough for three people. We're not exaggerating. It's a generous, heaping portion that will absolutely surprise you. If you're two people who aren't enormous eaters, you might want to share a large between you and complement it with a side. Order accordingly.

🍦 Waffle Cone with Death by Chocolate, and : 4.7 / 5

🍨 Moon Mist : 4.3 / 5

🍨 Orange Sherbet : 4.4 / 5

⭐️ 4.6 stars out of 5

Kawartha Dairy Orléans earns a very strong 4.6 out of 5. It's a welcome addition to the east end of Ottawa, bringing a beloved Ontario institution to a neighbourhood that clearly needed it. The ice cream is premium quality with real flavour and generous portions, and the retail selection adds a nice reason to browse even if you're not in the mood for a scoop (though you will be). The space is comfortable and fun, the history wall is a lovely detail, and the cottage-country vibe translates surprisingly well inside what is, at its structural core, a Pizza Hut.

The only mild knocks are the initial confusion of the counter system if you've never been before, and the sheer volume of people, though that's really a testament to how good the product is, not a flaw. Go on a weeknight if you can, go hungry, and don't be afraid to ask for a taste before you commit to your two scoops. You've got 32 flavours to choose from. Take your time.