These days, you can’t visit a supermarket and not spot at least one vegan option in the ice cream section. So many major companies now offer vegan ice cream pints, bars, and sandwiches. But what about ice cream shops? It turns out that they’re catering to the ever-growing vegan demand, too. Choosing dairy-free options helps keep mother cows with their calves instead of being torn away from them shortly after birth. Compassionate customers can help encourage these companies to make the right choice—so go ahead and indulge.
Here are a few of our favorite spots to grab a scoop of vegan ice cream:
Davvero Gelato
This charming vegan gelato shop in Richmond, Virginia, has served classic flavors like Pistachio and seasonal creations like Apple Cider Caramel. Its gelato is allergy-friendly—all varieties are gluten- and soy-free, and other allergens are clearly listed. Get a scoop of your favorite flavor in a cup, in a cone, or as a frappe or float made with oat milk.
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
Bruster’s offers lots of vegan-friendly ice cream flavors made with an oat milk base. Specific flavor options vary by location, so check in with your location to find out what’s available.
Carvel
This classic ice cream establishment offers numerous sorbet flavors that are vegan.
Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop
This San Francisco–based chocolate company has ice cream shops around the country and offers non-dairy ice cream.
Dairy Queen
After years of pressure from PETA, Dairy Queen has rolled out its first vegan frozen dessert—a gluten-free variety of its classic Dilly Bar. The Non-Dairy Dilly Bar is made with a coconut cream–based soft serve, which is wrapped in a crunchy chocolate coating. Availability varies from franchise to franchise, so call your local store to see whether it has this option in stock. If not, say that you’d like to try it!
Amy’s Ice Creams
According to Amy’s Ice Creams, “By popular demand, we here at Amy’s created our very own vegan ice cream!” Flavors include Mexican Vanilla, Vegan Chocolate, and more.
Ben & Jerry’s
After vegan pints were introduced, cruelty-free scoops became available in select Ben & Jerry’s shops nationwide. Flavors include Key Lime Pie, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and Strawberry Swirl.
Baskin-Robbins
Fans of Baskin-Robbins can grab a cake cone or cup of Non-Dairy Cookies ‘n Creme or Daiquiri Ice.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni Britton Bauer, founder of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, set out to “make a plant-based ice cream using … perfect and wonderful plants, cacao and coconut with little else.” First, the chain introduced its dairy-free Dark Chocolate Truffle flavor, packed with fair-trade, Dutch-processed cocoa powder. Since then, it’s added even more vegan flavors: Cold Brew With Coconut Cream, Texas Sheet Cake, and Lemon Bar. All flavors are available online and many are offered at Jeni’s scoop shops nationwide.
McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams
For 70 years, McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, based in Santa Barbara, California, was known for its dairy “products.” Now, the brand is giving the people what they want: vegan ice cream scoops. The deliciously creamy options may include flavors like Cookies & Cream, Coffee Cookie Crumble, Passionfruit Lemon Swirl, Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch, and Vanilla Bean. Visit your local McConnell’s scoop shop to try the vegan flavors today. Not near a scoop shop? No problem! Visit a Gelson’s or Bristol Farms supermarket to pick up a pint.
OddFellows
New York City chain OddFellows serves up several flavors of vegan ice cream. OddFellows’ flavors change regularly, so be sure to check its website for daily offerings.
Perry’s Ice Cream
If you live in the Northeastern U.S., chances are you’ve heard of Perry’s Ice Cream. The regional brand has been serving ice cream in places like New York, western Pennsylvania, New England, and northeast Ohio for decades. Now, to meet the growing demand for animal-free food, it’s added several vegan flavors to its lineup: Cookies & Cream, Peanut Butter & Cookies, and Vanilla. Click here to find a stand that offers the almond-based flavors.
Salt & Straw
Known for its uncommon flavor combinations, West Coast–based chain Salt & Straw serves vegan ice cream year-round.
Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream
Sub Zero shops are taking over the U.S., and luckily, they have vegan options. Every ice cream order can be customized. Choose from a soy-, almond-, or cashew-milk base. Then choose the flavor and toppings you want, and let the liquid nitrogen do the rest.
Van Leeuwen
Forget chocolate and vanilla. Van Leeuwen shops and trucks offer vegan flavors that have included Salted Caramel, Cookie Crumble Strawberry Jam, and Concord Grape PB&J. Its ice cream scoops are available in Los Angeles and New York City.
