If you're looking to beat the summer heat without the dairy, Toronto's got you covered.
Several vegan ice cream options have popped up throughout the city over the years, and from ice cream sandwiches to oat milk soft serve and dairy-free gelato, no matter what vegan preferences you enjoy, there are plenty of options to get that frozen fix. Restaurants are dreaming up such decadent flavours with entirely plant-based ingredients—fruit or nut milk bases, flavour infusions and indulgent accompaniments that most people would never know the difference—or miss the milk.
This summer check out one (or more) of these deliciously, legen-(non)-dairy sweet spots.
Honey's Ice Cream
Dundas West in Toronto is home to Honey's, a newly-opened plant-based ice cream parlour created by Ashley Wittig. Wittig realized her ice cream needed a home after selling out of flavours such as peanut butter and saltine crackers, Atlantic salted caramel, and chocolate chip cookie dough within 20 minutes at pop ups throughout the city. She co-founded Bunner’s Bake Shop in 2010, Toronto’s first vegan and/or gluten free bakery, and in addition to ice cream, Honey's offers gluten-free, plant-based ice cream sandwiches, the best of both dessert worlds.
Creamery X
Small-batch shop Creamery X is serving up hand-made frozen custard and vegan ice cream with locally-sourced ingredients and add-ins. Each delicious batch—coconut cream pie and earl grey & almond brûlée to name a few—takes three days to make, cure and develop flavours. Restocks happen every Monday at 9:30am.
On Third Thought
Not only is On Third Thought Gelato vegan and allergy friendly, they use only the highest quality ingredients in all their recipes. On Third Thought ships in ingredients directly from Italy and each season, whether it's for their blueberry, lemon or strawberry shortcake gelatos, they source Ontario fruits at their peak ripeness for their seasonal flavours. Dedicated to creating a product and service that tastes good with the smallest environmental impact, all On Third Thought's packaging, including cups and spoons are biodegradable.
Nanashakes
Nanashakes is doing something special with their vegan soft serve, which is banana-based, and always full of healthy, nourishing, whole food ingredients. With infusions and toppings like natural peanut butter, crushed pistachios, matcha powder, cacao, and juicy berries as the infusions and toppings, Nanashakes make every frozen treat guilt-free.
Bloomer's
Bloomer’s isn’t just for doughnuts anymore. This popular all-vegan Toronto spot offers incredibly delicious and creamy oat-based ice cream made in-house by the pint or half-pint. Choose between French Vanilla, Cookies n’ Cream, Funfetti, Dark Chocolate or take home more than one so you don't have to.
