First Review, felt compelled to write after whom I presume is the owner ran to my 6 year old daughter telling her she cannot throw away her happy meal box in their garbage, despite coming in with 10 ppl to order ice cream. Sadly we couldn’t enjoy their ice cream as this woman decided zero tolerance policy for outside trash was more important than business.
She was an absolute horrible individual!!!
Never spending my or contributing to their sales due to that old nasty lady.
avery violaine
The Real Meltdown at Lorna Dunes
In short: - Rude, dismissive service. - No customer washroom. -Cash-only trap with an ATM right there. -Sticky, melting cones and zero hospitality.
After a long beach day, my friends and I thought a stop at Lorna Dunes would be the perfect way to cool off. Instead, we got served a full scoop of attitude.
The woman taking orders (I can only assume “Lorna” herself) had zero interest in actually serving customers. Mid-order, she literally cut my friend off, threw a finger in his face, and stormed away to answer her personal cell phone. Not the store phone—her cell phone. Because clearly, that call was more important than the customers standing right in front of her.
When she finally came back, she barked at us like we were inconveniencing her. My friend asked for an XL soft serve dipped in butterscotch, and instead of simply saying “sorry, we can’t dip XL cones,” she snapped in a tone that could peel paint off the walls: “XL CONES CAN’T BE DIPPED!” (You’d think we asked her to churn the ice cream by hand.) Then came the payment fiasco. We pulled out a card, only to be yelled at again: “CASH ONLY!!!!! THERE ARE TWO SIGNS SAYING THIS AND ONE OF THEM IS LIT UP!!!” The hostility in her tone was completely unnecessary—it felt more like being scolded than being served.
So fine, we go to the ATM in the corner (oh look, how convenient 🙄). By this point, one of my friends’ cones—given to her at the start of “Lorna’s meltdown”—was a puddle of sticky ice cream in 80-degree heat. Any decent shop would have replaced it. Not here.
We sat down at the picnic table outside, trying to salvage the experience, but of course—no napkins out for customers. Just one flimsy cocktail napkin per cone. When we asked for more, it was like pulling teeth. To top it off? No customer washroom. Serving food and drinks without giving customers a place to wash their hands isn’t just inconvenient—it’s illegal. Under Ontario’s Health Protection and Promotion Act (O. Reg. 493/17: Food Premises), any food establishment with seating must provide a customer-accessible washroom. Lorna Dunes has picnic tables, yet refuses to provide one. That’s not just bad service—it’s a direct public health violation. I will be reporting this to Ontario Public Health, because no customer should be put in that situation.
By this point, the entire experience had gone from frustrating to laughable. The rudeness, the yelling, the cash-only trap, the melting cones, the missing napkins, and now no washroom—it was so over-the-top terrible it felt like a parody of how not to run a business.
For a place that should be the sweet treat on a hot beach day, Lorna Dunes turned into the bitterest part of ours. If you want ice cream without the side of humiliation, head literally anywhere else. ⭐ 1 star (because 0 isn’t an option).
Wildernessman Ventures (Shawn)
Lorna Dunes is a true hidden gem that’s been part of the community for years. Hands down the best ice cream you’ll ever have—creamy, delicious, and always worth the stop. It’s one of those places that never disappoints and keeps you coming back
Ken Barbe
Best ice cream, reasonably priced
Marie Mosahib
I would give zero stars if I could. Our visit to Lorna Dune Ice Cream Shop was extremely disappointing and upsetting. The staff was rude and openly hostile toward us. When our friend politely asked to use the bathroom, they were told it had “just closed,” even though it was still within operating hours — an excuse that felt discriminatory and targeted.
The tone and treatment we received were unacceptable, and the experience left us feeling unwelcome and disrespected. We will not be returning and cannot recommend this business to anyone who values basic courtesy, inclusivity, and respect.
It’s just a business running themselves into the ground since 1955.
Miguel Rolo
Okay ice cream with rude staff. I assume the owner sitting in the corner watching them all day or counting the cash register may have something to do with it.
Haley Martin
If I could give this place zero stars I would!! The old lady is super rude and pushy to order. It’s cash only and there’s no bathroom, the soft serve wasn’t working, and you’re not allowed to use the garbage. My family and I walked in on a day trip to Wasaga and immediately was made to feel uncomfortable, my spouse took out cash from their ATM with the intention of buying us all ice cream and after encountering the rude old women taking orders we decided to take our business elsewhere! We went to Grandmas beach treats which we then had an amazing experience at. All in all skip this place, there are way better ice cream and treat spots in wasaga beach!
Tim W.
Been coming here since I moved to the area and finally got to go back this summer. The ice cream is what I remember and it was delicious! We all got twist cones!
Just a heads up, it’s cash only.
Also the large ice cream cone is BIG so be prepared if you order it!
Emily Nurse
Poutine was decent, hot dog was good. The attitude of the woman behind the counter could use an adjustment.
Timothy Hasiuk
Affordable and great ice cream. Reminiscent of decades past.
The server was rude and opinionated. Refuses to give a third scoop of ice cream even if you're paying for it.
Sandra Leroux
Still doesn't take debit as a payment and the 2 ladies at the counter are not happy. A smile goes a long way. Miss the old ownership of this business.
Kelsey Hamilton
Our first visit to Lorna Dunes Ice Cream was really upsetting. An older staff member was extremely rude to me and my kids from the moment we walked in. We were rushed to order while still looking at the menu, and when I panic I accidentally asked for a kids size instead of a small, their annoyance was obvious.
I hadn’t noticed the “cash only” sign, and when I quickly stepped out of the way to get cash, they muttered rude remarks under their breath. It made the whole experience uncomfortable and stressful—especially for my children. We left immediately even after a lovely couple behind us offered to buy our ice cream. I understand that everyone has bad days, but if you’re running a family-friendly business, kindness and patience should come standard. Really hoping they consider improving their customer service.
Zahra Hazari
Agree with the other reviews. Older lady with the glasses is unnecessarily rude. Takes away from the whole experience of getting ice cream on a sunny day. Don’t recommend.
Chantelle Vaine
CASH ONLY ‼️
Great fries & gravy, milkshakes, soft serve ice cream & best of all KAWARTHA BLUE BUBBLEGUM & MOON MIST ICE CREAM 🥹❤️
A bonus that the staff are always friendly. Updated photos to come ✨
First Review, felt compelled to write after whom I presume is the owner ran to my 6 year old daughter telling her she cannot throw away her happy meal box in their garbage, despite coming in with 10 ppl to order ice cream. Sadly we couldn’t enjoy their ice cream as this woman decided zero tolerance policy for outside trash was more important than business.
She was an absolute horrible individual!!!
Never spending my or contributing to their sales due to that old nasty lady.
The Real Meltdown at Lorna Dunes
In short:
- Rude, dismissive service.
- No customer washroom.
-Cash-only trap with an ATM right there.
-Sticky, melting cones and zero hospitality.
After a long beach day, my friends and I thought a stop at Lorna Dunes would be the perfect way to cool off. Instead, we got served a full scoop of attitude.
The woman taking orders (I can only assume “Lorna” herself) had zero interest in actually serving customers. Mid-order, she literally cut my friend off, threw a finger in his face, and stormed away to answer her personal cell phone. Not the store phone—her cell phone. Because clearly, that call was more important than the customers standing right in front of her.
When she finally came back, she barked at us like we were inconveniencing her. My friend asked for an XL soft serve dipped in butterscotch, and instead of simply saying “sorry, we can’t dip XL cones,” she snapped in a tone that could peel paint off the walls: “XL CONES CAN’T BE DIPPED!” (You’d think we asked her to churn the ice cream by hand.)
Then came the payment fiasco. We pulled out a card, only to be yelled at again: “CASH ONLY!!!!! THERE ARE TWO SIGNS SAYING THIS AND ONE OF THEM IS LIT UP!!!” The hostility in her tone was completely unnecessary—it felt more like being scolded than being served.
So fine, we go to the ATM in the corner (oh look, how convenient 🙄). By this point, one of my friends’ cones—given to her at the start of “Lorna’s meltdown”—was a puddle of sticky ice cream in 80-degree heat. Any decent shop would have replaced it. Not here.
We sat down at the picnic table outside, trying to salvage the experience, but of course—no napkins out for customers. Just one flimsy cocktail napkin per cone. When we asked for more, it was like pulling teeth. To top it off? No customer washroom. Serving food and drinks without giving customers a place to wash their hands isn’t just inconvenient—it’s illegal. Under Ontario’s Health Protection and Promotion Act (O. Reg. 493/17: Food Premises), any food establishment with seating must provide a customer-accessible washroom. Lorna Dunes has picnic tables, yet refuses to provide one. That’s not just bad service—it’s a direct public health violation. I will be reporting this to Ontario Public Health, because no customer should be put in that situation.
By this point, the entire experience had gone from frustrating to laughable. The rudeness, the yelling, the cash-only trap, the melting cones, the missing napkins, and now no washroom—it was so over-the-top terrible it felt like a parody of how not to run a business.
For a place that should be the sweet treat on a hot beach day, Lorna Dunes turned into the bitterest part of ours. If you want ice cream without the side of humiliation, head literally anywhere else.
⭐ 1 star (because 0 isn’t an option).
Lorna Dunes is a true hidden gem that’s been part of the community for years. Hands down the best ice cream you’ll ever have—creamy, delicious, and always worth the stop. It’s one of those places that never disappoints and keeps you coming back
Best ice cream, reasonably priced
I would give zero stars if I could. Our visit to Lorna Dune Ice Cream Shop was extremely disappointing and upsetting. The staff was rude and openly hostile toward us. When our friend politely asked to use the bathroom, they were told it had “just closed,” even though it was still within operating hours — an excuse that felt discriminatory and targeted.
The tone and treatment we received were unacceptable, and the experience left us feeling unwelcome and disrespected. We will not be returning and cannot recommend this business to anyone who values basic courtesy, inclusivity, and respect.
It’s just a business running themselves into the ground since 1955.
Okay ice cream with rude staff. I assume the owner sitting in the corner watching them all day or counting the cash register may have something to do with it.
If I could give this place zero stars I would!! The old lady is super rude and pushy to order. It’s cash only and there’s no bathroom, the soft serve wasn’t working, and you’re not allowed to use the garbage. My family and I walked in on a day trip to Wasaga and immediately was made to feel uncomfortable, my spouse took out cash from their ATM with the intention of buying us all ice cream and after encountering the rude old women taking orders we decided to take our business elsewhere! We went to Grandmas beach treats which we then had an amazing experience at. All in all skip this place, there are way better ice cream and treat spots in wasaga beach!
Been coming here since I moved to the area and finally got to go back this summer. The ice cream is what I remember and it was delicious! We all got twist cones!
Just a heads up, it’s cash only.
Also the large ice cream cone is BIG so be prepared if you order it!
Poutine was decent, hot dog was good. The attitude of the woman behind the counter could use an adjustment.
Affordable and great ice cream. Reminiscent of decades past.
Restaurantji Recommends
The server was rude and opinionated. Refuses to give a third scoop of ice cream even if you're paying for it.
Still doesn't take debit as a payment and the 2 ladies at the counter are not happy. A smile goes a long way. Miss the old ownership of this business.
Our first visit to Lorna Dunes Ice Cream was really upsetting. An older staff member was extremely rude to me and my kids from the moment we walked in. We were rushed to order while still looking at the menu, and when I panic I accidentally asked for a kids size instead of a small, their annoyance was obvious.
I hadn’t noticed the “cash only” sign, and when I quickly stepped out of the way to get cash, they muttered rude remarks under their breath. It made the whole experience uncomfortable and stressful—especially for my children.
We left immediately even after a lovely couple behind us offered to buy our ice cream.
I understand that everyone has bad days, but if you’re running a family-friendly business, kindness and patience should come standard. Really hoping they consider improving their customer service.
Agree with the other reviews. Older lady with the glasses is unnecessarily rude. Takes away from the whole experience of getting ice cream on a sunny day. Don’t recommend.
CASH ONLY ‼️
Great fries & gravy, milkshakes, soft serve ice cream & best of all KAWARTHA BLUE BUBBLEGUM & MOON MIST ICE CREAM 🥹❤️
A bonus that the staff are always friendly. Updated photos to come ✨
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