People are often surprised when I tell them the Twin Cities has many vegan ice cream options. A few places have savory food as well, so you can enjoy a full meal all in one spot!
Crepe & Spoon | 339 22nd Avenue NE, Minneapolis
Crepe and Spoon is one of northeast Minneapolis’ newest hot spots, slinging vegan crepes that feature The Herbivorous Butcher’s meats and cheeses along with a nearly full case of coconut-cashew ice cream offerings. Flavors change regularly so you never quite know what you’re going to find, but don’t worry—you can sample before you decide. I’ve tried everything from Thai Tea to Popcorn to PB&J to Matcha. I’m convinced you haven’t lived until you’ve savored a scoop of creamy ice cream nestled inside a fresh, hot crepe.
J. Selby’s | 169 N Victoria Street, St. Paul
You’ve likely heard of J. Selby’s and their infamous Dirty Secret. My secret is that you can go for happy hour weekdays from 4 to 6pm and get $2 off appetizers and SoyClones (think: vegan Blizzard®!) and walk away perfectly satisfied. So nosh on a basket of Cauliflower Wings, then choose between vegan chocolate and vanilla soft serve; add-ins include house-made brownies and chocolate chip cookies, Newman Mint-O’s, peanut butter, and more. Or keep it simple and get a dish of soft serve on its own.
Milkjam Creamery | 2743 Lyndale Avenue S, Minneapolis
Offering five to six whimsical vegan ice cream flavors daily, Milkjam Creamery has not disappointed. If Black (dark cocoa) is available, it’s the perfect place to start, and I know many non-vegans that love it, too. The Wadi brothers who own Milkjam also own World Street Kitchen next door, so I’ve grabbed a Bangkok Burrito with crispy marinated tofu before snagging a scoop many times. In the summer, you’ll often find a line down the block, but it’s worth the wait and usually goes quickly. Also make sure to double check the Sundae Special because the offering has been vegan occasionally.
Wedge Community Co-op | 2105 Lyndale Avenue S, Minneapolis
Wedge Table | 2412 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis
If you’re looking for an inexpensive, small sweet treat, pop into the Wedge Co-op or Wedge Table and grab a kids’ coconut milk soft serve cone. Feeling more adventurous? Go for the Chai’s The Limit or Espresso Bomb shake. Both locations also have a selection of made-to-order savory food, and the Table has indoor and outdoor seating.
And that’s not all…
Izzy’s Ice Cream
- 2034 Marshall Avenue, St. Paul
- 1100 2nd Street S, Minneapolis
- izzysicecream.com
La La Homemade Ice Cream
- 3146 Hennepin Avenue S, Minneapolis
- lalahomemadeicecream.com
Loulou Sweet & Savory
- 2839 Emerson Avenue S, Minneapolis
- loulouandco.com
MN Nice Cream (NEW!)
-
807 Broadway St NE #102, Minneapolis
- mnnicecream.com
Pumphouse Creamery
- 4754 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis
- pumphouse-creamery.com
Sebastian Joe’s
- 1007 W Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis
- 4321 Upton Avenue S, Minneapolis
- sebastianjoesicecream.com
Sweet Science Ice Cream
- In stores only; no storefront
- sweetscienceicecream.com
This article was originally published in the 2018 issue of Twin Cities Veg Living.
Laura vanZandt writes the blog One Girl, Two Cities and is the Marketing Communications Coordinator at The Herbivorous Butcher.