Carvel: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Carvel keeps this simple. It’s an ice cream shop, so there’s no meat anywhere on the menu, and the real question for vegetarians is just which treats carry dairy, egg, or gelatin.

What to order at Carvel

Soft serve, sundaes, shakes, and the ice cream cakes, including Fudgie the Whale and Cookie Puss, are all vegetarian, since they’re built on dairy ice cream. For vegan picks, order the sorbet or Italian ice, both dairy-free, or check for the Klimon non-dairy ice cream at select New York shops. A sundae with hot fudge, sprinkles, or crushed cookies works for vegetarians who eat dairy. The waffle cones and bowls are vegetarian too, though they contain dairy, so they’re not a vegan workaround for the cone itself.

What to watch out for

The one item to skip outright is the gummy bear topping, since it’s made with gelatin. Marshmallow sauce contains egg, so ask before adding it to a sundae. None of the soft serve, cakes, or Flying Saucers are vegan, since they’re all built on a milk-and-cream base, so if you’re strict about dairy, the sorbet and Italian ice are your safest bets. Standard Carvel ice cream is lacto vegetarian, meaning it’s fine if you eat dairy but off the table if you’re strict vegan, so read the vegan column of the menu twice before ordering for a vegan guest. The Klimon non-dairy option is only in limited test shops, so confirm availability before you count on it.