Granted the leaves are now turning and falling, but is that not all the more reason to cling desperately to our summer habits? And isn’t ice cream one of the best summer habits?! With its enormous selection of cones, sundaes, shakes, frozen yoghrts, cakes, and pies, Merla Mae’s is one of London’s best hidden treasures. Incongruously located on Adelaide (just south of Huron), this retro-style ice cream parlour offers affordable homemade treats through the glass windows of a pastel-infused concrete cavern. With flavours like toasted coconut, peanut butter, strawberry shortcake, and marshmallow, it’s easy to see why downtowners frequently brave the rather un-scenic, traffic-ridden bike trip to quench their thirst for creamy ice deserts. Watch out for long line-ups on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Merla Mae’s Ice Cream gets 4 hearts out of 5: