7 Best Vegan Ice Cream Spots in San Diego
Vegan ice cream in San Diego has moved beyond the sorbet. Try out these top San Diego vegan ice cream shops for innovative flavors made with coconut milk, oat milk, soy and other plant-based ingredients.
Since it’s (almost) summer year-round in San Diego, there’s always a good ice cream place to be found.
Here’s our favorite local places that serve at least 3-5 delicious vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and/or gluten-free flavors, alongside traditional dairy classics.
Stella Jean’s Ice Cream
There’s no shortage of vegan/gluten-free ice creams at Stella Jean’s and they’re packed with flavor.
Menu mainstays include Matcha Pistachio (v, gf) and Mango Sticky Rice (v, gf). Additional plant-based, gluten-free selections have included:
- Lychee + Rainbow Mochi
- Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
- Strawberry Oat Crumble
stellajeans.com, 4404 Park Blvd Ste B, San Diego, CA 92116
Kula Ice Cream
This women-owned and operated business sells handcrafted 100% vegan AND gluten-free ice cream sold in sustainable packaging. Win, win, win!
Try one of many Kula’s funky flavors:
- Lava Cake
- Peanut Butter Chip
- Rocky Road
- Unicorn Poop (!)
They also have gluten-free and vegan ice cream cakes for order! Stop by Kula’s new tasting room, or grab a pint at local farmer’s markets and natural food grocery stores.
kulaicecream.com, 9883 Pacific Heights Blvd Suite F, San Diego, CA 92121
Mutual Friend Ice Cream
A spin-off from sister company, Dark Horse, Coffee Roasters, Mutual Friend Ice Cream in Golden Hill serves up several vegan, gluten-free ice cream options.
Mutual Friend’s flavors include the classics as well as novel selections:
- Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Sea Salt Vanilla Bean
- Hawaiian Latte
- Strawberries and Cream
- Tropical Guava Sorbet
3004 Juniper St, San Diego, CA 92104
Salt & Straw
Known for its high-quality ingredients and out-there flavors, Salt & Straw has quickly become a local favorite.
Since Salt & Straw is always innovating, its menu is ever-evolving and takes inspiration from seasonal and unexpected ingredients (i.e. Boysenberry Oat Milk Sherbet).
Local classic flavors include:
- Strawberry + Coconut Water Sherbet
- Freckled Mint TCHO-cholate Chip
Little Italy: 1670 India St, San Diego, CA
Del Mar: 3705 Caminito Court, Suite 0580, San Diego, CA
saltandstraw.com
Bobboi Natural Gelato
Using the classic gelato techniques of Italy, Bobboi gelato is crafted from local, seasonal ingredients. The result is creamy, flavor-rich gelato that delights your tastebuds.
Past vegan varieties have included:
- Ataulfo Mango
- Kibana (kiwi/banana)
- Strawberry Sorbet
- Dragon Lemon
La Jolla: 8008 Girard Avenue, La Jolla, CA 92037
Little Italy – Kettner: 2175 Kettner Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101
Little Italy Food Hall: 550 W Date St, San Diego, CA 92101
bobboi.com
JoJo’s Creamery
Located in downtown Encinitas on the 101, JoJo’s Creamery serves up small-batch ice cream using organic dairy products from Northern California.
JoJo’s vegan flavors lean on the classic side:
- Vegan Cookies n’ Cream
- Vegan Mint Chip
- Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie
- Vegan Strawberry
jojoscreamery.com, 937 S Coast Highway 101, Suite 106, Encinitas, CA 92024
Scoops La Jolla
Scoops La Jolla serves up the perfect seaside scoop, with traditional and vegan ice cream flavors of Van Leeuwen’s ice cream.
Scoops La Jolla’s vegan flavors include:
- Vegan Mint Chip
- Vegan Strawberry Cookie Crumble
- Oat Milk Vegan Strawberry
scoopslajolla.co, 2179 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037
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