Traditional handmade gelato & desserts — crafted in the heart of Nelson, BC
Welcome to Lakeside Scoop House, a small gelateria on Baker Street. We favour slow-food habits, real ingredients, and an unhurried hospitality that still fits the Kootenays — art nouveau–deco details, hand-rolled cones, and no industrial bases.
Latest
Open Tue–Sun 12pm–9pm. Late scoops are back.
A few weeks before we tip from baking season into full gelato season, people start tugging the Baker Street door a little earlier each day. It is the most honest seasonal signal we get.
Until autumn cools the patio, the doors stay open, the hills turn gold later, and "we should get gelato" after dinner usually gets a yes.
So if you are asking: yes — we are open tonight (Tuesday through Sunday).
Old-world artisan gelato
There are no pre-made mixes or industrial bases here. We pour the milk from BC dairies, grind the nuts ourselves, crack fresh eggs, and roll cones in our kitchen every morning. Local first — Nelson and the Kootenays — then British Columbia, and only then farther afield.
- Pour the milk (Kootenay cows, not a carton of "base")
- Grind the nuts — no factory pastes
- Crack the eggs, fresh from Creston Valley farms
- Hand-roll the cones before the doors open
- Source fruit, cacao, and coffee as close to home as the season allows
You might say Lakeside feels like stepping into a slower dessert kitchen — and that is intentional. It is what we are aiming for on Baker Street.
Who we are
Nora Klein opened Lakeside after a decade in pastry kitchens across Vancouver and Florence. She wanted a room where families could linger — no rush, no screens shouting over dessert — just gelato and the West Kootenay hills outside the window.
Before the doors open, the team has already browned butter, mixed cone batter, and rolled every cone. The cookie on the vintage cart, the whipped cream on your sundae — they made those too.
The Insider's Scoop
Love food writing? Our short journal covers traditional gelato notes, kitchen seasons, and the local producers we buy from. It goes out when Nora can step away from the churn — not on a spam schedule.
Read the journal & sign upVisit us: how, when & where
Get in the door for from-scratch gelato, sorbetto, and dessert. No judgement if you choose "and."
Hours
| Tuesday – Sunday | 12:00 – 21:00 |
| Monday | Closed |
Hours shift with the season and the team's school calendars. Summer runs longer.
Local friends, producers & suppliers
We buy close to home when we can — strengthening the same food system that feeds the rest of Nelson.
- Kootenay dairy farmsFresh milk for every churn
- Sunshine Valley Farms, CrestonEggs for custard bases
- Viva Cacao, Slocan ValleyChocolate for dark scoops
- Trail Coffee Co.Beans for affogato
- Nelson Olive Oil Co.Oils for finishing desserts
- Virtue Tea, NelsonMatcha & Earl Grey infusions
- Treasure Life Flour MillsWhole wheat for grahams
- Family orchards, KootenaysFruit for inclusions & sorbets
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between gelato and ice cream?
Gelato is churned slowly with less air, so it is denser and served a touch warmer. Less fat means flavour shows up louder. Portions look smaller by volume because you are not paying for overrun.
Why does a scoop cost more than supermarket ice cream?
Density and labour. We make nut pastes, cones, and bases in-house without industrial stabilizers. You are buying ingredients and time — not a pile of air.
Do you use pre-made mixes?
No. Batches start from milk, sugar, eggs, and real inclusions. Texture varies slightly by flavour and humidity — that is a feature of traditional methods, not a flaw.
Why are your scoops piled so high?
We weigh every portion, but gelato is dense — a modest cup holds more than it looks. Tasting is expected; ask for samples until you find a flavour you will finish.
Can I taste before I choose?
Yes — tasting is part of the ritual. Ask for as many samples as you need.
Vegan or gluten-free options?
Many sorbetti are traditionally dairy-free. We also rotate oat- or coconut-based scoops. Everything shares one kitchen, so we cannot promise allergen-free products.
Are you open late?
Through summer evenings, yes — we built this place partly so Nelson had somewhere unhurried that is not a bar. Check the hours block above; Mondays we rest.
Is Lakeside good for kids?
Absolutely. Cones, kid-sized cups, and a patient counter team. High chairs by the front window when available.
Do you cater events?
Small events and wedding dessert tables, yes — write ahead with your date and approximate headcount. We do not ship scoops by courier.