Longing for the warm embrace of your grandmother and the smell of her freshly baked cookies? Welcome to your (grandmother’s) home away from home.

This minimalist cafe can easily be overlooked; it was its chalkboard sign advertising Earl Grey ice cream that caught my attention and made this place my go-to on the dog days of summer. Home Baking Co., owned by Bakerbots’ Christopher Stopa, offers both ice cream and “farmhouse”-inspired baked goods year-round. Their ice cream roster is always changing, offering up best-selling flavours from Ed’s Real Scoop like Burnt Marshmallow and French Mint – as well as their own soft serve in vanilla and Earl Grey, brewed and mixed themselves in house! And let me tell you, it is TEA-LICIOUS! There are also vegan and dairy-free options, and ice cream sandwiches if you can’t decide between a cup or a cone.

If you’re more in the mood for afternoon tea, they’ve got you covered. With minimal seating, perhaps cozy up in the window seat with a freshly brewed tea or coffee and one of their baked goods, like butter tarts, cake slices, cookies and vegan banana bread. Compared to other specialty cafes and ice cream vendors in the neighborhood – Home Baking Co. offers up their slice (and scoop) of home-made goodness for very reasonable prices – $4 for a regular (but usually heaping) cup/cone of ice cream, and their baked goods ranging from $2 – $6.

I know, I know – your grandmother’s are always free, but hey – this is the next best thing.