8 Chill Spots to Get Vegan Ice Cream in Vancouver

If vegan ice cream has no fans, I’m dead. I don’t think there is a better treat for sweaty summer days, especially if you’re cursed with lactose intolerance and also just a little bit in denial of said curse. Unlike vegan cheese (sorry, Daiya) most dairy-free ice cream manages to really nail the taste, texture and delightfulness of milk-based options. So, fellow lactose intolerators, while our options on menus may not be extensive, they are excellent: here are the best menus to order vegan ice cream from this summer.

8 Sweet Places to Get Vegan Ice Cream in Vancouver

For Asian Excellence: Elephant Garden Creamery

Some experts say that up to 90% of Asian-Americans are lactose intolerant (join the club, we’ve got jackets) so it’s not surprising that Asian-influenced Elephant Garden Creamery on Commercial Drive has some kickass vegan options. The mango coconut sticky rice is my favourite—proof: the photo above was taken by me—and currently they also have a dairy-free raspberry lemonade on offer.

Address: 2080 Commercial Dr.
Website: elephantgarden.ca

For Summer-y Scoops: Uno Gelato

Maybe all ice cream is inherently summer-y, but there’s something about the light, whimsical (and vegan) sorbetto at Uno that feels particularly perfect for taking in the sunshine. Plus, Uno has more non-dairy options than most other shops: there’s yuzu lemon, almond Siciliano, passionfruit, coconut, “midnight chocolate” and “mango tango.” The coconut is the best, IMO.

Address: Multiple locations
Website: unogelato.com

For Insta-Worthy Cones: Motoretta Gelato

Motoretta Gelato has a very photo-worthy interior, and ice cream cones happen to be one of nature’s most photogenic treats. Currently, the gelato shop’s vegan flavours include dark chocolate, pistachio, yuzu citrus, mango and passionfruit. If you for some reason need another excuse to go, Kitchen Table Restaurants (owner of Motoretta as well as other Italian icons like Ask for Luigi, Bacaro, Carlino, Di Beppe and Pizzeria Farina) has a “Summer Like an Italian” event on from July 23 to September 21, where you can receive “passport” stamps every time you dine at any of their restaurants and enter to win prizes.

Address: 1001 West Cordova St.
Website: motorettagelato.com

For Gluten-Free Sandos: Innocent Ice Cream

Innocent has mastered the gluten-free cookie game, and generously shares their baked goods with a hefty scoop of ice cream in between. Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry shortcake, lemon meringue, chocolate peanut butter, cappuccino, banana pudding and mango passionfruit sorbet are the plant-based flavours available.

Address: 2103 East Hastings St.
Website: innocenticecream.com

For Sweet Shape-Shifters: Earnest Ice Cream

Local fave Earnest regularly serves ice cream that defies the limits of dessert. You like Nanaimo bars? Try Nanaimo bar ice cream. You’re a key lime pie fan? A hefty scoop of key lime pie ice cream will do. Both of those flavours (plus a Thai tea take I’m loving) are vegan, and there’s dairy-free cookies and cream, too.

Address: Multiple locations
Website: earnesticecream.com

For Reinvented Classics: Rain or Shine

Back when I was a UBC student, I think I spent more time studying the menu at Rain or Shine than I did studying my textbooks (this isn’t a knock on my academic achievements—I’m a big nerd—it’s a vulnerable admission of ice cream obsession). The vegan chocolate peanut crunch is spectacular—creamy and sweet and salty, all those good indulgent things. For a fruitier option, Rain or Shine’s collab with the Cider house, a boozey peach bellini cider sorbet is scoopable while supplies last.

Address: Multiple locations
Website: rainorshineicecream.com

For (Almost) Unlimited Flavours: Le Parfait

I’ve hyped up Lebanese ice creamery Le Parfait before, and I’ll do it again. This little shop’s unique flavours and gloriously elastic-y scoops are something special (not to mention the fact that you don’t have to pay more for more flavours per serving… something that a certain weather-related local legend on this list could learn from). Le Parfait’s vegan flavours include strawberry, mango and lemon.

Address: 812 Homer St.
Website: leparfait.ca

For Takeout Pints: Sunshine Coast Convenience

Another spot I frequent probably more frequently than I should—the small but mighty Sunshine Coast Convenience has an insane selection of vegan pints in their freezer, with brands from Häagen-Dazs and Halo Top to Calgary-based Righteous and here-based Nora’s. Because as lovely as an ice cream cone is, the real value is in the pints.

Address: 2798 W 4th Ave.