The best dairy-free ice creams in Shanghai
Craving an ice cream to help tackle the heat of the Shanghai summer but can't have one because you can't eat dairy? Sure, you can pound the frozen drinks on the regular, but persistent boozing won't do your liver any favours. Well, you're in luck: we've rounded up six ice cream places that serve dairy-free treats.
Buco
Not only does the newly opened gelateria Buco serve authentic Italian gelato, it has dairy-free options as well. The sorbets – peach, fig, and blueberry – are all vegan. Additionally, the chocolate gelato is so smooth and creamy in texture that you would never believe it to be dairy free… but it is.
Buco 20 Donghu Lu, near Huaihai Zhong Lu. Price: 25RMB for one scoop; 40RMB for two.
Bonus
Bonus, the ever-so-popular pop-up that recently opened a new store, serves a rotation of dairy-free sorbets. It gained popularity through its interesting flavour combinations such as pine nuts and olive oil, salted egg yolk, and more. The dairy-free flavours currently are peach Bellini, mojito and coconut, and in the past have included mango passion fruit and waxberry.
Bonus 276 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu, near Wuyuan Lu. Price: 20RMB for one scoop; 30RMB for two.
Gracie's
All Shanghai ice cream lovers should be familiar with Gracie’s and their large frozen treat selection. Gracie’s serves up delicious, creamy ice creams, but it also makes sure there are dairy-free alternatives. Options include lemon and almond, strawberry lemonade, mango coconut and avocado.
Gracie's 204 Xinle Lu, near Donghu Lu. Price: 30RMB for one scoop; 50RMB for two.
Pâte
Pâte Patisserie is known for some of the best pastries around, but it also has a gelato bar AND a gelato truck, which is pushed outside when the weather is deemed nice. Vegan/dairy-free options include balsamic fig, blood orange, white peach, melon (without the prosciutto) and their new pandan coconut palm sugar flavour.
Pâte Room E107, SOHO Fuxing Plaza, 462 Hefei Lu, near Madang Lu. Price: 25RMB for one scoop; 45RMB for two; 35RMB for two scoops from the gelato truck.
Casa Di Sorbetto
Casa Di Sorbetto serves gelato and sorbets, influsing Italian gelato with Taiwanese flavours. It creates unique flavour combinations such as oolong tea, durian, black sesame with pumpkin seeds. The signature flavour is currently 'Chilled Mango Bird’s Nest Cream with Pomelo.' Dairy-free options include passion fruit, white peach, lychee, and raspberry red wine.
Casa Di Sorbetto 10 Baoqing Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu. Price: 25RMB for one scoop; 35RMB for two.
Movo
A gelato cart situated in the SML mall, Movo markets its gelato to have a shelf life of only 12 hours. Their gelato is churned and spun in the cart while being stored, and there are only four flavours per day. Flavours rotate on a regular basis, with vegan options including raspberry and mango.
Movo B2, Sun Moon and Light Central Plaza, 618 Xujiahui Lu, near Ruijin Er Lu. Price: 24RMB for one scoop.