People know me as someone who’s an avid Pilates lover. Someone who is Erewhon-obsessed. But just as much as I love greens powders and hot lemon ginger water, I could eat ice cream like it’s my job (wouldn’t that be sort of nice? Getting paid to consume what you love most?), which I probably shouldn’t. Unless it’s Halo Top.
Let’s cut to the chase: here are my top six ice cream spots in Los Angeles that offer vegan options or are entirely vegan! Note that I’ve stuck to dairy free ice cream since becoming plant-based, which has helped environmentally, ethically, and health-wise for my lactose intolerance.
For the International Flavors: Wanderlust Creamery
You know me, I love high-quality ice cream with super punchy flavors nobody can find anywhere else. Wanderlust Creamery is no exception. My favorite flavors are their seasonal dairy free options, though I also tend to stick to their gianduja (tastes like frozen Nutella!), sticky rice & mango (duh), and to complement the latter: passionfruit cacao! Oh, and a pandan cone is a MUST. To die for.
For the Health Nuts: Frozen Fruit Co
This is the spot for you if you’re avid on natural ingredients, including sugar and sources of fat. Frozen Fruit Co uses only fruits such as dates and plant-based ingredients for their ingredients, with the exception of inclusions such as nuts, high-quality chocolate, maple syrup, Paleo cookies, and more for their daily specials. Every visit of mine, I leave with a different flavor; however, I always love their salted chocolate, Sweet Laurel Bakery cookies n’ creme, peanut butter cup, and vanilla fudge brownie swirl!
For the Thick and Chunky Ice Cream Lovers: Salt & Straw
Very contrarily to the previous place, Salt & Straw is your go-to if you WANT that rich, decadent, and sweeter product. There is always a long line at each location–for good reason! The top-tier quality is there. Even though this shop does not have too many dairy free options, when they follow through with their annual dairy free indulgences, they mean it! I always make sure to stock up on their more creative dairy free flavors, but for a classic, be sure to try their freckled mint chocolate chip! It’s my favorite rendition on mint chip ice cream ever!
For the Oat Milk Fiends: Dear Bella Creamery
Oat milk has taken the food industry by storm; now we see oat milk in our coffee beverages, cereal bowls, smoothies, and of course, our desserts! Dear Bella Creamery is an AANHPI women-owned ice cream business with locations in Hollywood and Costa Mesa where nearly all of their ice cream flavors are oat milk-based. Some have nuts and coconut with a select few including soy, but this is mostly due to certain inclusions they integrate. Many of their flavors rotate every season, so there’s always something to look forward to! Classics I enjoy are Taiwanese Pineapple Cake, Cookie Monsta, Strawberry Fields, whereas seasonal flavors that I consider my favorites are their Matcha White Chocolate n’ Cookies, Kabocha Pie, Carrot Cake, SB N’ Cookies, Snickerdoodle, Dan Dan, Queen Cake, Mango Sticky Rice, and Hong Kong Milk Tea soft serve!
For the Ones who Prefer Soft Serve: Yoga-Urt
Yes, I have room in my heart for soft serve. Yoga-Urt is a woman-owned business that has to be one of my favorite spots for soft serve in Los Angeles! They have locations in Santa Monica, Glendale, and Echo Park, each with their unique line-up of flavors every day. All of their soft-serves are actually almond-based, organic, dairy free, gluten free, and soy free, with several of them being naturally sweetened! Bonus: added probiotics. So they’re healthy, right? In all seriousness, I tend to enjoy their more unique flavors such as tahini and beautiful blueberry, but the simple flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and peanut butter blossom are also to die for. An essential from this spot are their brownies. Absolutely FABULOUS!
For Those Who Believe Flavors Know NO Bounds: Van Leeuwen
Van Leeuwen initially made way in NYC, but are now available in multiple states and offer nationwide shipping! Moreover, they center their ice cream on quality ingredients and unique, timeless flavors. While there are some combinations that stand much better than others, Van Leeuwen has quickly become a family favorite since there is a local shop in our city. Unlike most places listed here, I gravitate towards the simpler flavors from this shop. Exhibit A, B, C… (all vegan btw): oat milk brown sugar chunk, churros n’ fudge, strawberry shortcake, and honeycomb. However, the basic B’s pumpkin cinnamon roll won me over one season!
superfitbabe 
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