Let’s get one thing straight—this isn’t sad sorbet. This is creamy, dreamy, flavor-loaded, 100% plant-based frozen magic. From coconut milk swirls in Maui to oat milk soft-serve in Chicago, these vegan ice cream shops aren’t just good for vegan spots—they’re straight-up standouts in the dessert world.

Here’s where to go when your sweet tooth doesn’t do dairy.

Frankie & Jo’s – Seattle, WA

🛑 4 locations
🌱 Gluten-free, vegan, house-made everything

Seattle may be known for clouds, but Frankie & Jo’s is pure sunshine. This PNW trailblazer makes every scoop, cone, and crumble topping from scratch—with no dairy, no gluten, and no compromise on flavor. If you’re curious what “California Cabin” tastes like, think smoky vanilla pine meets cozy sweater weather. Pro tip: the Salty Caramel Ash is hauntingly good.

Don’t miss:

  • Salty Caramel Ash
  • Chocolate Tahini Supercookie
  • California Cabin

FoMu – Boston, MA

📍 Seaport, Jamaica Plain, Fenway, South End
🥥 Coconut-based, creatively classic

FoMu (short for “faux moo”) has been making dairy-free cool since before it was cool. With a silky coconut milk base and rotating flavors that toe the line between nostalgic and inventive, it’s a Boston icon with a serious cult following. Grab a scoop of Black Raspberry Chunk or one of the elevated, limited-batch flavors, like Earl Grey Shortbread.

Fan favorites:

  • Grasshopper Pie
  • George Howell Cold Brew
  • Chocolate Pudding

Gati Ice Cream – Austin, TX

🎨 40+ rotating flavors
🥥 Coconut-milk-based, locally loved

What started as a humble scoop shop is now a full-blown Austin essential. Gati (pronounced “gah-tee”) leans heavily into Southeast Asian flavors, seasonal ingredients, and the kind of smooth, luscious texture that makes you double-check it’s really vegan. Spoiler: it is. Grab a cup of the fresh and fruity peach or black sticky rice horchata.

Try:

  • Cake Batter
  • Golden Milk
  • Thai Tea

Kate’s Ice Cream – Portland, OR

🏆 Award-winning, woman-owned
🌿 100% vegan and gluten-free

Kate’s is the type of place where Cracker Jack ice cream exists and you don’t question it—you just eat it and feel joy. With bold, craveable combos like Strawberry-Chocolate Potato Chip, this scoop shop proves vegan treats can be just as indulgent (and way more interesting) than the dairy kind.

Must-haves:

  • Pistachio
  • Java Chip
  • Salted Peanut Butter Brittle

Sweet Izzy – Denver, CO & Harwich Port, MA

🍦 Soft-serve and scoops
🌾 Soy-free, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly

Sweet Izzy is a sweet-tooth sanctuary for literally everyone. Whether you’re dodging soy, gluten, or dairy, their oat- and coconut-based creations have you covered. From silky Salted Caramel swirls to the chocolate-packed Coffee “Oreo”, the only hard part is picking just one.

Top picks:

  • Salted Caramel
  • Coffee “Oreo”
  • Chocolate Fudge Brownie

Runaway Cow – Chicago, IL

🐮 Bridgeport soft-serve shop
🎉 Nostalgia-forward, 100% oat milk

Soft-serve lovers, this one’s for you. Runaway Cow brings retro charm and creamy oat milk swirls to the heart of Chicago. The base menu is simple—chocolate and vanilla—but it’s all about the toppings and sundaes. The Elvis sundae? Pure banana-peanut butter bliss.

Try these:

  • Classic Vanilla
  • Classic Chocolate
  • “The Elvis” sundae

Angie’s Epicurean – Miami, FL & West Palm Beach (food truck)

🍨 Cashew-based gelato
🎨 Luxe vibes, tropical flavors

Think of Angie’s as a high-fashion dessert boutique on wheels. From sleek design to artistic presentation, this isn’t your average scoop stand. Cashew milk gives their gelato an ultra-creamy texture, and flavors like Key Lime Pie and Mango Lassi are straight-up vacation in a cup.

Standouts:

  • Mango Lassi
  • Cookies & Cream
  • Key Lime Pie

Ice Queen – Portland, OR

🌈 Trendy paletería
🌶️ Bold, inclusive, unapologetic

This is not your typical ice cream shop. Ice Queen blends Latinx tradition with queer pride and fearless flavor profiles. Come for the Watermelon Tajín paletas, stay for the Oatchata soft-serve, and don’t skip the murals or merch.

What to get:

  • Oatchata
  • Watermelon Tajín
  • Toasted Coconut

Coconut Glen’s – Maui, HI & Folly Beach, SC

🌴 Roadside legend turned multi-state gem
🥥 All-coconut everything

What started as a colorful shack in the Maui jungle is now a beloved bi-coastal brand. Coconut Glen’s is a one-ingredient marvel—rich, creamy, coconut-milk-based scoops in tropical, inventive flavors. Yes, the Avocado Macadamia Nut is exactly as decadent as it sounds.

Bite into:

  • Avocado Macadamia Nut
  • Chili-Cacao
  • Lilikoi (Passion Fruit)