All the best places to get vegan ice cream this summer

There is no season for ice cream – for those who really love it, ice cream is a treat all year round. However, there is no doubt that ice cream consumption increases during the summer – double, dare we say? – and thanks to the rise of herbal options, there’s always a vegan option around the corner. We love our independent vegan ice cream parlors, but today we’re celebrating the vegan options that are growing in non-vegan confectionery across the country. Here’s where to buy vegan ice cream this summer, no matter where you are.

Baskin robbins

1. Baskin-Robbins

Vegans rushed to their nearest Baskin Robbins when the company launched its first vegan flavor in 2019. Today, the chain of over 2,500 stores made four non-dairy flavors: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough , Chocolate Extreme, Vegan Coffee Caramel Chunk and a dairy-free strawberry streusel oatmeal. Order in a vegan cup or cake cone.
Find it here.

Van Leeuwen

2. Van Leeuwen

Part ice cream parlor and pint maker, Van Leeuwen has several branches in New York, New Jersey, California, Texas and Pennsylvania. Vegan options vary by season and location, but you can always find exaggerated vegetable flavors in rotation. Order a double scoop of Cookies & Cream Caramel, Oat Brownie Sundae or Cookie Caramel Strawberry Jam in a mug and stock up on hot vegan fudge, vegan whipped cream and other tasty toppings.
Find it here.

Ben & jerry’s

3. Ben & Jerry’s

Due to limited space, you won’t find more than 15 Ben & Jerry’s non-dairy flavors at the Scoop Shop, but you can count on at least two. Usually the stores are full of bestsellers, so you know you are going to get something good. Currently, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Change the Whirled, Cold Brew Coffee Fudge Chip, and Coconut Almond Fudge Chip are in rotation. Order in a mug or waffle cone and sweeten the deal with pieces of dairy free cookie dough. Note: Always ask for the ingredient list if any of the sorbets catches your eye – many contain honey or other animal ingredients.
Find it here.

Vegan Koalified

4. Queen of dairy products

We’re still waiting for a vegan Blizzard cookie dough, but vegans can satisfy their sweet tooth with the Non-Dairy Dilly Bar. The nostalgic treat is made with vanilla ice cream made with coconut and a dairy-free chocolate coating. We appreciate the effort, but we still want this Blizzard.
Find it here.

Salt & Straw

5. Salt and straw

Long queues amplify the fun of the experience, and that is certainly the case with Salt & Straw. Innovative ice cream always has a line that wraps around the block. The chain typically offers two vegan flavors that vary by location – the company strives to incorporate local food suppliers into their recipes wherever they locate. You can find Salt & Straws in California, Washington, Oregon, and Florida. Order your Mathilde’s Hibiscus Coconut Sorbet or Freckled Mint TCHO Chips in a cup or pint to go.
Find it here.

The happiest vegan in the world

6. Ghirardelli

Not just a chocolate factory, Ghirardelli offers an old-fashioned salon experience with classic scoops and sundaes. Raspberry sorbet has been around for a while, but the non-dairy vanilla and coconut is a new addition. Order in a mug and hit town with the strawberry or pineapple sauce, diced almonds, sea salt and sprinkles.
Find it here.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream

7. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

The highly prized flavor of Everything Bagel is not vegan, but Jeni’s offers several. Options vary based on location, but only a few include sticky caramel and pecan buns, roasted peanut butter and strawberry jam, Texas sheet cake, and cold brew with coconut cream. Find Jeni’s in 12 states plus Washington, DC.
Find it here.

Christine Tjahjadi-Lopez

8. Perry’s ice cream

This east coast scoop store and distributor has a few vegan options depending on the location. With around 1,000 franchised stores, you’re bound to find one near you if you live in New York, Pennsylvania, or Ohio. The chain has partnered with the Elmhurst 1925 vegan milk brand to develop a line of seven oat-based flavors under the name Perry’s Oats. Flavors range from blueberry pancake to peanut butter coffee cake.
Find it here.

Haagen dazs

9. Haagen-Dazs

Häagen-Dazs launched its non-dairy flavors shortly after Ben & Jerry’s, but unlike its competitor, the company no longer offers its creamy vegan flavors in stores. However, any vegan can walk into a Häagen-Dazs spoon store and choose from a selection of fruity sorbets. Order in a vegan mug or waffle cone.
Find it here.

16 handles

10. 16 handles

This upscale soft-serve store has regularly offered a growing variety of vegan ice cream flavors. From indulgent options like Belgian Chocolate Fudge and Cookie Dough Craving to lighter, fruity flavors like Dreamboat Coconut and Key Lime sorbet, there’s plenty to choose from. Enjoy as is or garnish with dairy free chocolate chips, crushed fruit or Oreos.
Find it here.

Amy’s ice cream

11. Amy’s ice cream

Texans beat the heat with this multi-city ice cream shop. The chain offers a host of clearly marked vegan flavors made with oats and coconut. Dip into a scoop of creamy vegan strawberry, spicy vegan Mexican vanilla, or decadent oat milk chocolate.
Find it here.

Cream

12. Cream

Don’t bother with a mug in this chain – this place specializes in ice cream cookie sandwiches. Choose from mint chips or soy-based strawberries to sandwich between two gigantic hot vegan cookies. Pro Tip: Most people choose just one cookie flavor, but you can actually get one cookie flavor for the top and another for the bottom. Vegan cookie options include Chocolate Banana Bliss, Fudging Awesome, and Maple Oatmeal Spice. Towels are a must.
Find it here.

VeGeL

13. Burn

This coastal creamery offers nine vegan flavors made with coconut milk. It’s hard to choose between the unique Graham Central Station, the freshness of mint chocolate chips and the refreshing strawberry. We suggest you order several balls. Note: flavors vary by location.
Find it here.

Rita’s

14. Rita

No ice cream and no crushed ice, Italian ice cream is something you have to experience to understand. All natural ice cream flavors are vegan as well as standard Italian ice cream options (except chocolate chocolate chips). Avoid the custard and ice cream options. Depending on the store’s specific menu, you can go fruity with flavors like kiwi-strawberry and mojito or go for a bit of decadence with chocolate peanut butter and peanut butter and jelly.
Find it here.

Tanya flink is a digital editor at VegNews as well as a writer and fitness enthusiast living in Orange County, California.