I recently visited Vaca's Creamery in Uptown Chicago, Aka (City Skyline Lounge) and the experience was unlike any coffee shop I've been to before. From the moment you walk in, the whole space feels like you're boarding an airplane, such a creative and immersive concept that immediately sets the mood. The atmosphere is cozy, welcoming, and perfect if you're looking to get out of the house and knock out some work or simply relax for a bit. The service was excellent from start to finish. Everything came out quickly, the staff was attentive, and the owner was incredibly friendly and welcoming, which made the visit feel even more personal. We tried the Pistachio Coffee, and it was easily the highlight of the visit. It had the perfect balance of sweetness, was wonderfully creamy, and absolutely delicious without being overpowering. You can tell a lot of care goes into both the drinks and the overall experience here read more

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It's summertime in Lincoln Square and vodka's creamery has established itself as a go to place for frozen treat. Hard to believe everything is dairy free and vegan! Loved the candy bar sundae which featured their seasonal birthday cake soft serve with chocolate shell and peanuts. $14.95 feels expensive for the serving, but they note they pay everyone a living wage. Super clean inside & friendly service. Love the outdoor seating too! read more

Vaca's Creamery - Candy Bar Vaca Grande Sundae - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Visiting Vaca's Creamery felt like stepping into the Emerald City of soft-serve. Our cups looked straight out of Wicked -- dramatic, delicious, and totally spellbinding. One cup was giving full Elphaba energy: dark chocolate drizzle, rich chunks, and bold flavors that made each bite feel powerful and unapologetically indulgent. The other cup channeled Glinda the Good--light, sweet, sparkly vibes with those golden waffle wings floating behind the soft-serve like a sugary halo. Together, they were the perfect duo: One short, one tall. One dark, one bright. Both completely magical. The shop itself has a clean, calm atmosphere that makes you feel like you're backstage before a big show -- but the real performance is in the toppings and textures. Every spoonful was a hit, a harmony, a showstopper. If you're looking for an ice cream experience that feels a little bit defying gravity, Vaca's Creamery is your stage. read more

Vaca's Creamery - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a cute place! I love the decor here, and wonder if it's the same all year round, or do they have lights in the windows just for Halloween? I was really excited to try this vegan creamery, and I was not disappointed in the least bit! I ordered a regular size vanilla/chocolate swirl in a cup. Then I added a peanut butter topping, and chopped nuts. It was so so so good! The ice cream was very cold, and creamy. The flavors were a perfect combination. The woman working behind the counter was very helpful and the service was fast! I will definitely be back here, just wish I lived closer! read more

Vaca's Creamery - Vanilla and chocolate swirl, with peanut butter and chopped nuts for the toppings - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I really loved this vegan soft serve spot! Honestly the ice cream itself did not taste super special however they get so many bonus points for having super fun themed menus and an abundance of unique toppings! When I went the menu was wizard of oz themed, I got the "flying monkey sundae" which came with oreos, this really delicious bubble gum (I think) flavored sauce, and waffle wings. As the base I got the swirl of the seasonal flavors of pistachio and cranberry (pink and green to fit the theme lol) both of which were really good, though I preferred the pistachio. It looked so cute when it came out and also tasted delicious with all the toppings together. I wish I lived here so that I could come back to try their constantly rotating menu. It seems the menu theme changes at least once per month. They also sell pints of ice cream and have a few fresh baked goods such as cookies and rice krispies, and I also saw one savory option for a Brazilian cheesebread. They also had some packaged vegan candy bars and other treats. Everything they make/sell is completely vegan and most of it is gluten free as well! Portion sizes are pretty big, the kid's size is definitely enough for a substantial dessert. Staff was really nice and they have a nice bathroom as well. Many places to sit inside and decor is very inviting. Highly highly recommend! read more

Vaca's Creamery - flying monkey sundae (kids size) - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I cannot say enough good things about Vaca's Creamery except it's the best vegan ice cream! From the moment you walk in the staff is welcoming and smells like pure dessert heaven. The staff is always so patient while I agonize over which flavor to get (because they're all incredible). Finding non-dairy ice cream that's both creamy and flavorful is usually a challenge, but Vaca's knocks it out of the park every single time. Their vegan bases are unbelievably smooth, rich, and satisfying. I love trying their rotating seasonal flavors, they're always creative and delicious. It's also awesome that Vaca's is a local, woman-owned business and commitment to sustainability. They even use compostable packaging. Whether you're vegan or not, you have to check this place out. Vaca's Creamery has proven that plant-based ice cream can be next-level delicious! read more

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Vacas had been on my list for literally years and it was so fun to venture up to ravenswood to try it! Such a cute area. This location has indoor seating and outdoor picnic tables in benches in a little square. Feels like another world and I loved it! We all sampled the season flavor this month which is sweet corn - it was PHENOMENAL. All the people working were so kind as well. They have a full freezer of pints you can buy, but it appears they rotate which one is available per month. I got the sundae with cookie dough and Oreos, and you get to pick your soft serve that is with it. Everything was so delicious and prepared with great presentation! I would definitely go out of my way to come here again :) read more

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Favorite ice cream place in the entire world. I'm allergic to gluten and dairy and can it basically everything there. And everything there is so unique and delicious. Even my boyfriend who doesn't have allergies says it's his fave ice cream spot. Fun season flavors. Super format staff. Very charming shop with cute indoor and outdoor seating in the square. We are very happy regulars here. read more

Vegan ice cream for lunch! For this lactose intolerant person, this is the ideal summer dessert that cools the throat and is gentle on the stomach lol. I've come to love this place for a couple reasons. They have great new flavors all the time like Pineapple whip which was part of my fluffernutter sundae, and while their prices are higher , it's including a fair wage to make sure the hard working staff are taken care of. Interior is pleasant to sit in or sit outside at their tables. #vegan #icecream read more

Vaca's Creamery - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cute vegan ice cream spot tucked away in Lincoln Square. Service is super quick! They let you try flavors before you buy. I had the special matcha flavor with rainbow sprinkles. We also got chocolate with strawberry sauce and brownies, vanilla with chocolate shell, peanuts and caramel, and a strawberry shortcake sundae. We all tried each others and each combo was great! A lot of community seating near by to enjoy. read more

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I heard a lot of good things about this place so I was really excited to try. I was surprised by the limited flavor options for the soft serves. They had plenty of sauces and toppings to go with it. I do wish the ice cream flavors were available for purchase instead of just in pints. Still a cozy vegan option in the neighborhood! They also had plenty of gluten free pastries and cookies read more

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What can I say, Vaca's Creamery is terrific in SO many ways: Inclusion: Variety of options of vegan desserts which is a win for vegans, those with dietary restrictions, health conscious and people wanting to try something new. Responsible business: No need to tip - Vaca's Creamery pays all of their employees a livable wage through the pricing of their products. I wish more businesses did this so food service workers have stability and support and patrons have transparency on what they should pay upfront. Taste: Delicious and high quality ingredients! You can't go wrong! We'll be back soon! read more

Vaca's Creamery - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My first time trying vegan ice cream and it was just as good as a regular creamery! Super tasty! I believe this is a new location with its OG spot in Wicker park. They offer fun flavors and specialty sundaes that target your inner child sugar cravings. My bf got the candy bar sundae with vanilla ice cream and it literally tasted and looked like a drumstick in sundae form. I got the oreo cheezecake. Everything may look like it's super sweet but it wasn't. I also bought their Pandan flavor to take home but I haven't tried it yet. I was happy to see a filipino flavor offered! Great addition to the Lincoln Square community! read more

Vaca's Creamery - Oreo cheesecake and candy bar sundae - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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vacas is delicious. if it wasn't for their mission to justify their prices it wld probably be 4 stars just bc of how expensive it is, but it lives up to the hype for sure. i got the strawberry shortcake with chocolate ice cream and loved it! because its vegan ice cream made with oat milk, the texture is a little more watery than creamy and it melts a lot faster but you have to know the limitations of nondairy ice cream and as an ex-vegan i think this is easily the best nondairy ice cream i've ever had which is amazing! the shortcake pieces were rlly what made this experience go above and beyond for me because they were soo good. i am a huge texture person and the chunks of shortcake were just exactly what i wanted and never knew i cld have. service was friendly and i love the outdoor seating where you can enjoy the chill and peaceful vibes of lincoln square. read more

Vaca's Creamery - strawberry shortcake (left), cookie monster (right), candy bar (back) - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Okay and proves ice cream without the cream is udderly futile! It's okay but I prefer the real ice cream no offense cows. I'll give you an udder hand for all the work you cows do for ice cream. This place is good for ONE time in a lifetime for me thank you very much. Expensive and status quo ie atmosphere a certain type of clientele and type of people hipster funnies and all the associatedness read more

I came here for pistachio soft serve. Never had Vaca's before, but always heard great things... and they're vegan, amazing, my tummy is so happy! I had softserve in a kids cup (which was still an ample serving size), with strawberry sauce. Delicious. Sweet, creamy, and a hint of salt. The store itself is super cute and giving Dentolgie vibes with the pink, white, and generally soft millennial aesthetic. ALSO, we stan a business that believes in paying a living wage. Tips are allowed (in cash), but not an option on the payment touchscreen. read more

A little pricey for ice cream, but I get it because it's vegan. The inside is really cute and it's located in a fun spot in Lincoln Square. Wouldn't recommend the caramel since it was a little runny, but all my friends loved their ice cream. read more

Vaca's Creamery - Ice Cream with brownies and caramel - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Everything here is so delicious!! and they have really cute merch. best ice cream in chicago!!

The wife and I were out to see a show and were in the mood for some desert on the way home. Did a quick search and found Vaca. Didn't realize it was vegan, but I'm open to trying something. My wife loved her S'more ice cream. I had a regular size cup of pumpkin pie. It didn't disappoint!! I would definitely go back again!! read more

Vaca's Creamery - S'mores - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Vaca's is a fun stop for a sweet treat, and the Lincoln Square location is in an awesome spot, but the product is just okay. I've had maybe 5 times now and realized that every flavor of their soft serve actually tastes the same- it's that salty, sugar-loaded oat base & it's quite overpowering. I tried their to-go pints twice and found them to taste the same too, and that they were a super hard/watery texture. It's def difficult to pull off a good texture for hard-serve plant-based ice cream.... and yeah, vaca's isn't it for me! Basically, I think this spot is great the first time (especially if you get a bunch of fun toppings), but I don't like it as a staple- I definitely prefer regular soft serve or ice cream, and feel v lucky to have the privilege to have a stomach that allows me to partake in those :-) read more

Came here on a whim at night to get some dairy free ice cream. The inside is cute and has a decent amount of seating, and there is also outdoor spots to eat your ice cream. I got the Death By special with chocolate ice cream. This is a chocolate lovers paradise - The ice cream is pleasantly creamy, the chocolate shell adds a light crunch and the brownies add some density to the combination. I really enjoyed it and the regular size was plenty. My girlfriend got the Corn on the Cob (corn soft serve) and she enjoyed it but wished the corn soft serve had a bit more corn flavor to it. They have a good amount of unique combinations that are relatively allergen friendly, and they clearly list the things on their menu that have common allergens. read more

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Yay! New Lincoln Square location! I've been wanting to try Vaca's for so long. I ordered the pumpkin pie and maple almond soft serve twist. The pumpkin flavor was my favorite. It was pretty good ice cream, and I would definitely recommend checking them out, even if you're not vegan! This new location is located right in the square in the heart of Lincoln Square. They have indoor seating, a restroom, outdoor seating, or you can sit and eat in the square. It's so cute! I can't wait to come back and try more things. read more

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Cute little vegan soft serve shop! The soft serve ice cream is always available in chocolate and vanilla and has an oat base and then they rotate out other flavors that very in the base. I got the soy based mint one which was very tasty and not overwhelming minty. You can ask for a sample if you want to try a flavor before buying it. The cake was okay it had a good texture but I wish the frosting was different to give more of a cake experience. read more

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Vaca's is a vegan ice cream shop that my girlfriend has been telling me about for months. Finally, she got me out here and I'm upset it took her this long. The ice cream is fantastic and the portion sizes are perfect. Also, you wouldn't even notice it were vegan if they didn't say so. Pair that with the lovely outdoor space, which had live music, and you have a great little ice cream shop. read more

Vaca's Creamery - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was delicious! Stopped here with a friend and ordered the pavlova with strawberry sauce, meringue, marshmallow and vanilla base -- delicious! I honestly didn't know this was vegan until I looked this place up after the fact to do a review! Cute interior and friendly service! read more

Vaca's Creamery - Pavlova with strawberry sauce, meringue, marshmallow and vanilla base -- delicious! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I am so glad that Vaca's opened a second location much closer to where I live. It was always worth the trip down to their small shop on Blackhawk, but to now be within walking distance is, well...dangerous. This is some of the absolute best ice cream in the city (especially now that Sundae Stop is no more, RIP). Not just the best vegan ice cream, the best period. The flavors seem fresh and are well thought out, the subtleness of the pretzel salt in the Rocky Road balancing the sweetness of the chocolate and marshmallow. The subtle lavender helping that blueberry pop and keeping it from being too tart. It really is a master class in ice cream flavors, and I am excited to try their seasonal flavors throughout the year. The shop is sort of tucked away in that Giddings Square on Lincoln - they would do themselves a favor to have some sort of signage to let people know they're back there. I came up specifically for Vaca's and it took me a minute to find them. When you do, you'll see this is a fairly large shop with tons of seating, unlike their original location. You can sample any of the flavors they're serving, have tons of options for sundaes and other treats, and two giant freezers of premade pints to take home. Yes, the prices are a couple of dollars more than your average ice cream shop. But, this is to ensure a livable wage for their staff, and also removes the need for tipping. If a pint at Scooter's (another favorite) is $9, after tip you're at about $11. At Vaca's, a pint is $12, so what's an extra dollar for inventive vegan ice cream and to ensure their staff can make rent? Congratulations on your second location - looking forward to your spring and summer flavors! read more

Vaca's Creamery - Blueberry Lavender & Rocky Road Ice Cream, Chocolate Pie - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So yummy!! The Paddington tasted just like the description. The toast w/ orange marmalade was a perfect combo and exactly the flavor I was going for! My fiancé got the Candy Bar flavor which he loved as well! First timers and we were not disappointed! These are larger pints than usual in my opinion and worth every penny! read more

Vaca's Creamery - Pictures don't even do these flavors justice! Don't hesitate. Try it yourself! SO GOOD! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It was a decent option for someone who is lactose intolerant and glad that they were open fairly late during the winter on a random week night. I do wish they had more soft serve options in terms of flavors. They only had gingerbread/tiramisu and chocolate/vanilla. I didn't try any toppings, but I'd certainly return for that. read more

Cute little vegan ice cream shop in the heart of Lincoln Square. They have only 4 flavors for soft serve but the pairings can be be served as a swirl. We opted for the tiramisu and the gingerbread flavor. I would say that by itself, the flavors were okay, but if you get in a swirl and eat them together, it compliments each other. Would recommend this combo if you are visiting. The service was relatively quick since it is soft serve and they do offer samples! One thing I really liked about the store was that they offered compostable utensils, cups, napkins etc. There were options to order other ice cream flavor in pints to go, but I didn't see it on the menu as an option to get a scoop. The place was well-lit and had plenty of seating. The store was also nicely designed. read more

Vaca's Creamery - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've gone here quite a few times and the seasonal flavors have always been a hit with me. I have been here with friends that usually eat dairy ice cream and were expecting to be disappointed...but they weren't! I highly recommend trying whichever the seasonal flavor is. I also love their baked goods/other desserts. They've all been so dang delicious! I always walk out wishing I had gotten more. You can also buy pints of various flavors to take back home with you. However, I do not recommend the s'mores flavor. The consistency is good but it doesn't taste like s'mores. Tastes more like caramel swirl flavor with way too much salt. Service has always been good and fast, and they do have seating inside. I like how they're open fairly late, so I'm able to swing by after work. read more

Vaca's Creamery - Left (strawberry cheesecake cup), right (matcha swirled with blueberry lavender) - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have nothing bad to say about vacas at all -- I love the original location of vacas and was excited to see that they opened a location with seating! They sell a lot of varied pints, pastries, and cakes here. The interior is nicely decorated and there are plenty of seats. The space feels very open with the big windows. I love that there are so many seasonal flavors that rotate. I haven't ever had anything I really disliked from Vaca's, and I'll always come back to either location whenever I'm in the area. The service is always extremely friendly and also generous with samples. I highly recommend this place to anyone! read more

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You wouldn't believe this is soft serve vegan ice cream. It's delicious! I find most American desserts overly sweet, but not this...it's just right! There are only a handful of flavors but the add ons will give you an array of combinations. They also have a small selection of vegan baked goods. The staff is friendly and patient (especially for those going in for the first time with questions). The place is simple with tables and chairs and very clean. They do have a picnic table outside for sitting with friends or a larger party. I find most people order their ice cream and walk out to the Giddings water fountain to sit at benches or walk around the strip. On the weekends you will find the line outside the door, I believe that says something about the place. I also like that they're open til 9:30pm which is great for a late snack. I think it's a great place to end a date or meet up with friends. Very casual vibe and love the plants wall. I find myself going at least once a month. Overall, I recommend the place. read more

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Truly the best vegan soft serve! I've been here a few times and the flavors are always amazing. My favorite thus far has been the sweet corn, which is also my niece's favorite! During my most recent visit, I had the warm blueberry crumble. The soft serve was melting fast so it ended up becoming more of a soup but I wasn't complaining. Overall, a great spot for dessert for both vegan and non-vegans! read more

Vaca's Creamery - warm blueberry crumble (10/15/2023) - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Vegan friend highly recommended this place to me, a non-vegan multiple times so finally I made it here to try! I sampled the chocolate and pumpkin spice flavor and settled for a child-size cup of vanilla to get a better appreciation of the base flavor. The chocolate and pumpkin spice flavors were very light compared to how regular chocolate / pumpkin spice dairy ice creams are. For a vegan dessert, this is very delicious! The texture is not as creamy or rich as high in dairy fat / cream ice cream but it's not bad... pretty well churned and creamy with just a little bit of iciness. The flavor seems to be mostly almond milk and maybe the creaminess is from the coconut cream. Sweetness levels are balanced as well. In hindsight death by chocolate sundae would've been more enjoyable, but I didn't feel like eating a massive amount of ice cream alone on a chilly night. Perhaps I'll share with the vegan friend next time. Despite the positive tasting experience, I still do prefer dairy ice cream over vegan ice cream. So if you're not vegan and total dairy ice cream snob, it may be difficult to be open minded and appreciate this other type of ice cream. Nonetheless, this Vaca offers excellent vegan dessert options and I would recommend to vegans! read more

man is this place outstanding. I had the death by chocolate with the hard shell, chocolate sauce, and added peanuts (instead of brownies). its vegan soft serve and you would never know. in fact its better...lots better. I would have this every day, probably a bit scared to see the calories but its outstanding. We also had the mint passion fruit which was perfect and not too sweet. Run to this place and vegan up. read more

Yum for vegan soft serve!! This was my first time at this Vaca's location! I love how this Vaca's has indoor and patio seating as opposed to just the walk up window at their Wicker Park location. Their soft serve is amazing! I got the Regular size Death By... Sundae with Vanilla/Chocolate swirl. I liked this one better than the S'mores one! Just as good as non-vegan soft serve! Can't wait to go back! read more

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Seriously the best vegan ice cream my sister and I have every tried! My sister can't eat dairy and misses ice cream so we were so excited to try this place! We tried samples of strawberry olive oil and it was good. I got chocolate vanilla swirl in a cone with chocolate shell and my sister got vanilla with peanut butter shell. It was so rich and delicious and a huge portion, definitely worth the price. So so cute too we loved the wall. read more

Vaca's Creamery - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is great. Don't let the vegan aspect deter you in case you aren't vegan. The soft serve is great and all my dairy eating kids approved ( and my husband who eats non dairy was super pleased. Pricy but portions are generous. Choose from basic flavors like chocolate, vanilla and raspberry or swirl. read more

Vaca's Creamery - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It's very mediocre not worth the hype. They give a lot of ice cream which is nice. The pumpkin flavor was yummy but would not go back here. Service was great the cashier was super helpful. Lots of seating but not much decor read more

Vaca's Creamery - Pumpkin - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This spot was very popular and busy for a warm summer night but unfortunately was not good. As someone who can't have dairy I was excited to give this a try and ended up with something pretty that tasted like a melted watery popsicle. I'd rather stop just about anywhere else next time the marshmallows were hard and tasted like paste and the meringue was salty and awful. read more

Vaca's Creamery - Passionfruit Pavlova - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Chicago, Illinois