Vaca’s Creamery
Ice cream shop · Lincoln Square ·
Artisanal vegan soft serve, pastries, and coffee. Gluten-free friendly.
Artisanal vegan soft serve, pastries, and coffee. Gluten-free friendly.
"Vaca’s Creamery, Chicago’s first all-vegan ice cream shop, debuted in 2021 with a walk-up location in West Town serving oat milk-based soft serve — a move that won over locals of all dietary stripes. Co-owners Mariana Marinho and Dylan Sutcliff have since launched a second outpost in Lincoln Square with their signature vanilla, chocolate, swirl, seasonal flavors, and new varieties, which are also available by the pint. Those in need of a pick-me-up can opt for a cup of affogato." - Jeffy Mai
"Chicago’s first all-vegan ice cream shop, Vaca’s Creamery broke new ground in the city with its 2021 debut in Pulaski Park. Founded by alums of Sweet Ritual, a now-shuttered vegan ice cream hit in Austin, Texas, Vaca’s has won over vegans and dairy-eaters all over town with oat milk-based soft serve in flavors like vanilla, chocolate, cherry, and piña colada. Savor them sans accouterment or doctor them up with sauces (think miso caramel, strawberry, and chocolate shell) and vegan brownie bites and rainbow sprinkles. There’s a second outpost in Wicker Park." - Naomi Waxman
"A vegan soft-serve pioneer, Vaca’s Creamery’s second outpost serves plant-based soft serve and other treats, expanding from the original Wicker Park location." - Naomi Waxman
"Chicago’s first vegan ice cream shop began as a Noble Square walk-up in May 2021 and quickly became an unexpected summer hit thanks to long lines and strong word-of-mouth. Founded by Mariana Marinho and Dylan Sutcliff after working together in Austin and running a gluten-free vegan waffle-cone business, the shop centers on creamy oat-milk soft-serve (vanilla, chocolate, swirl and rotating seasonal/unique flavors), mostly gluten-free offerings, sundaes, shakes with local mix-ins, and a dedicated machine for taking pints home. The owners are opening a larger second location on Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Square (between Lawrence and Leland) that expands their kitchen from about 400 to 1,000 square feet, adds indoor seating for 12–16, and allows them to bake and offer more vegan and gluten-free pastries. The operation emphasizes ethical, high-quality sourcing (including vetted slavery-free chocolate), compostable packaging, partnerships with local vendors, and paying employees a living wage rather than relying on tipping; as a result, prices can be higher than competitors, though baked goods and coffee are kept competitively priced. Above all, the team stresses no compromise on flavor and texture and is planning a February opening, with the listed address at 2324 W. Giddings Street." - Marla Rose
"This comes as Wrigley Field has started to serve oat milk-based soft serve ice cream and business like Vaca’s Creamery, Chicago’s first all-vegan ice cream shop." - Naomi Waxman