The Best Places in Los Angeles for Vegan Ice Cream

Vegan Planet Earth ice cream cone at Van Leeuwen truck in the Arts District
Vegan Planet Earth at Van Leeuwen ice cream truck | Photo: @vanleeuwenicecream, Instagram

Vegan ice cream—yes, it’s a thing that sweet dreams are made of, and we are swimming in it here in Los Angeles. We explored the city to find places where you can keep your cool while being kind and cruelty-free.

Soft serve at Besties Vegan Paradise in East Hollywood
Soft serve at Besties Vegan Paradise | Instagram: @bestiesveganparadise

Besties Vegan Paradise



Dip into the "Best Vegan Grocery Store in America" (as voted by VegNews) for a swirl of soft serve you'll not soon forget. Besties Vegan Paradise go with the seasonal flow so take whatever is on tap, go big with the magic shell chocolate and don't forget the sprinkles.

Mango Sticky Rice ice cream at Dear Bella Creamery
Mango Sticky Rice | Photo: Dear Bella Creamery

Dear Bella Creamery



Opened as Cocobella in 2017, Dear Bella Creamery serves up dozens of luscious seasonal flavors, decadent signature sundaes, classic and deluxe shakes, root beer and nitro cold brew floats, and a deliciously gluten-free waffle cone. The ice cream is made with "proprietary blends of oatmilk, coconut milk, or nut butters" and the portions are generous. Reflecting the Taiwanese heritage of owners Alice Cherng and Belinda Wei, AAPI-inspired flavors are always in the rotation, such as Mango Sticky Rice and Taiwanese Pineapple Cake. Summer 2023 flavors include Campfire S'mores, Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake and Vietnamese Coffee.

Located just a few blocks from Hollywood Boulevard, Dear Bella's spot in the same shopping center as Doomie’s and Doomie's NextMex makes this strip mall a vegan destination.

Combinations at Happy Ice on Melrose Avenue
L to R: Rainbow Rocket, Time Machine and All-Star | Photo: Happy Ice

Happy Ice



Happy Ice makes classic Philly water ice, a frozen dessert that makes everyone happy - nut-free, dairy-free, vegan, kosher and full of flavor. Mix and match up to three flavors, or pick a combo like the Time Machine: Cherry Bomb, Mango Madness, Pineapple Potion. Check out their Melrose location, or look for the rainbow-covered truck at gatherings across the city by following @happyice on IG.

Fried Softserve Pie at Magpies Softserve
Fried Softserve Pie | Photo: Magpies Softserve

Magpies Softserve - Silver Lake



Years ago, vegan soft serve was hard to come by, but this Silver Lake sweet shoppe (also in Highland Park and Tarzana) offers a buffet of flavors and toppings, which explains why there’s often a line out the door. The Fried Softserve Pie (corn almond soft serve layered with vegan fudge, honeycomb, topped with non-dairy whipped cream and fried cornflake streusel) is perfect for parties or celebrations. Not everything is vegan, so study the menu or ask the friendly staff questions before ordering.

Travis' Oat Matcha Latte Shake at Monty's Good Burger
Travis' Oat Matcha Latte Shake | Photo: Monty's Good Burger

Monty's Good Burger



The fun fast food local vegan chain known for its burgers and tots gets even cooler with signature Oatly-based milkshakes. Ten flavors to choose from (including Travis' Oat Matcha Latte Shake, Banana Split and Neapolitan), all perfect for soda floats.

Ube Freeze at Pressed
Ube Freeze | Photo: Pressed

Pressed



If you like drinking Pressed juices, you’ll love eating them frozen and whipped into a creamy frenzy. Flavors include Ube Freeze, Acai Freeze, Dragon Fruit Freeze and Vanilla Freeze. Customize your order with toppings like coconut chips, blueberries and granola. With locations from Downtown LA to the Valley and the Beach Cities, there's sure to be a Pressed near you.

scoops
Scoops

Scoops



This locally-owned chain of mom and pop shops, while not 100% vegan, was a pioneer in the L.A. alternative ice cream world by always offering several non-dairy options. Each Scoops location (Highland Park, Chinatown, Torrance) offers sweetness with a smile.

Vegan Planet Earth ice cream cone at Van Leeuwen truck in the Arts District
Vegan Planet Earth at Van Leeuwen ice cream truck | Photo: @vanleeuwenicecream, Instagram

Van Leeuwen



With locations across the country, Van Leeuwen offers a cashew-based vegan menu of classic and inventive flavors. Warning: pints of Churros & Fudge and Cookie Crumble Strawberry Jam may not make it home. Along with half a dozen brick and mortar LA locations, their pastel-colored truck scoops on Abbot Kinney most weekends.