After not getting her sugar fix from our last cafe stop and the confusion of an oat latte actually having condense milk in it, Monkey Joyce was now determined to enjoy some dairy-free ice cream. Luckily Innocent Ice Cream was a quick block walk away.
For those who remember, Innocent started off as a ice cream bike cart, then grew into an ice cream truck, before getting their first brick and mortar in the Main Street area. That didn’t last due to rent restrictions, but they have now found their new permenant home in the Hastings Sunrise area. A whole timeline and journey catalogued in mural on their back all.
Their cafe is so cute with pink ceilings, fluffy cloud lights, plenty of cushion seating, some cleverly designed around the perimetered ledges of the room.
Their logo is in memorium of the owner’s beloved pet, given a halo and wings. It is highlighted in neon and on their merch for purchase. And on this high of 18 sunny day this was all a welcome sight.
Their East Van shop crafts gluten-free ice cream sandwiches, milkshakes, ice cream cones, and soda floats with plant-based and non-dairy options. Everything is made by hand and available exclusively in-store all year-round.
You are invited to try any of the ice creams before you buy. Each scoop is with a double sided paddle so two tastes at a time is recommended.
They have more dairy-free options than they do dairy-regular ones, allowing those with such dietary restrictions to not feel like an after thought. Each marked accordingly.
Today the former includes fruity sorbets, cappuccino, strawberry shortcake, chocolate peanutbutter, and lemon meringue; all made with a coconut milk base.
The seasonal flavour is a coconut mini egg, it is essentially plant-based, except the actual bits of crushed mini eggs that do contain milk chocolate. This is what Monkey Joyce got, she liked the sample and deemed the chocolate worth the slight discomfort she would assume shortly after.
I tried their mint chip and dark cherry from the eight regular milk options. Each was light and refreshing, not overly creamy or sweet, with a focus on the advertised flavour. However, I had my sugar quota from the above, so decided to pass on anymore here. Instead, I lived vicariously through Joyce’s joy derived from her kids sugar cone.
She would enjoy it as we walked the neighbourhood and took in the spring flowers and the warmth of a clear and sunny day.
Innocent Ice Cream Parlour
2103 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V5L 4L5
(604) 879-8584
innocenticecream.com
