Being a vegan in Vancouver is pretty awesome...
Sugar free café latte gelato
The past few years have seen a huge upswell in vegan friendly options, making pretty much any type of cuisine accessible to every diet and palate in the city.
But did you know one of Vancouver’s most historic gelato spots has been serving dairy free, sugar free and milk-alternative desserts since 1983?
Amato Gelato Café and Mario’s Gelati (78 E 1st Ave) are known for serving authentic Italian gelato and sorbetto in the heart of the Olympic Village. With three generations of flavour crafting experience on hand, the family run business uses local B.C. products, resulting in a product that’s authentically Italian while remaining unique to B.C.
This store has been serving anyone with a sweet tooth for twenty years, which includes vegans and those sensitive to cow milk and sugar. If you’re looking to add some options to your “I can eat here list”, check out what they have to offer below.
Tofulati high protein gelato
Chocolate tofulato
Amato Gelato Café’s Tofulati has been the shop’s flagship non-dairy gelato since in 1983! The soy based dessert is as creamy and delicious as traditional gelato, which the shop makes according to a century old family recipe (yes, actually), and has the added bonus of being super high in protein. This might just be Vancouver’s OG dairy-free dessert.
Sorbetto made with real fruit
Vegan mango sorbetto
Amato’s Sorbetto comes in a variety of bold, fruity flavours that are so intense, you’ll actually experience the true essence of each fruit. It should be noted, Amato’s uses real fruit in all their sorbetto flavours. They even go as far to de-seed their raspberry and blackberry flavours so you don’t need to deal with pesky seeds getting caught in your teeth. With approximately 40 flavours of sorbetto to choose from, each of which is fruit based, dairy free and vegan friendly, you’re sure to find at least a few flavours that will have you saying “ice cream who?”
Sugar free options
Super into creamy dairy based gelato but just can’t deal with the sugar? Not to worry, there are more than a few options for you. Amato’s offers a variety of sugar-sensitive products which are milk based and sweetened with maltitol with a hint of sucrolose. According to the shop, diabetics and those looking to cut down on their sugar intake can almost always find something that works for them.
Goat and Buffalo milk
Sugar free caramel toffee goat milk gelato
While some are vegan or dairy free, others may just have a specific sensitivity to cows. Fortunately, Amato’s also offers goat and buffalo milk based gelato flavours. Each offers a gorgeous creamy texture that you might even like more than a traditional gelato. Go ahead, try something new!
Vegan raspberry calipops
Amato Gelato Café is located at 78 E 1st Ave. Gelato is prepared courtesy of Mario’s Gelati. Amato Cafe and Mario’s Gelati products are available by the scoop and also in retail novelty style packaging. Any product in their scooping display freezer can be hand packed in 500 ml or 1 litre containers to go.
To learn more, visit amatogelato.com
