Looking for vegan restaurants in London with a difference? Healthista’s Vicky Hadley reviews the first dairy-free, healthy, TOTALLY vegan ice-cream parlour in London
How many times do you dream about ice cream? I’ll admit, despite being a health obsessed vegan it’s pretty regular. But, of course not only is ice cream fattening and full of sugar it is also banned from the vegan lifestyle because it is made with dairy. So, the ice cream is off the menu and what do you find you’re left with? Fruit salad.
COMPETITION: Take our 5-minute health survey for a chance to win health products worth £350
It’s happened to me numerous times that I’ve almost forgotten what ice cream tastes like. Don’t get me started on the rest of my diet: gluten free, wheat free and a nut free… vegan. Basically meaning my menu options are either, salad, salad or salad and for dessert? Fruit salad.
Well, it might not be that way for long… in fact, it isn’t anymore. Only last week did the Healthista’s version of heaven open up in central London. We’re talking about the brand new, first and only vegan ice cream parlour, Yorica.
Lush surroundings, lush desserts
Yorica is situated in Wardour street in Soho and has a stunning turquoise exterior that you can’t miss. Upon entering the venue you are surrounded by quirky and attractive wooden furniture that is dotted around the room including a circular chair that instantly reminds you of your childhood.
With flavours from beetroot chocolate to moringa and peanut butter to cookies and cream you will not be left short of choice
Not that you will spend long looking at the furniture when you make it to the colourful counter of ice cream. With flavours from beetroot chocolate to moringa and peanut butter to cookies and cream you will not be left short of choice. Oh, not to be forgotten, there are plenty of traditional options too for those who favour vanilla, strawberry and chocolate of course.
OMG, it’s PROPERLY healthy, free-from ice-cream
As I mentioned previously, I have many allergies so was curious just how ‘free from’ this cafe really was. Well, the peanut butter ice cream is nut free – I think that says it all. It is made from wild butter that has been cleverly created to suit vegans, those with dairy allergies and those with nut allergies. The most impressive part is that it actually does taste like peanuts – any nut butter addict out there, I recommend you try it because you will definitely agree.
I have many allergies so was curious just how ‘free from’ this cafe really was. Well, the peanut butter ice cream is nut free…
The beetroot chocolate was my favourite closely followed by the mango flavour. The beetroot chocolate tastes like a rich and delicious dark chocolate cacao bar, which mixes perfectly with the unique Moringa (matcha green tea) flavour that melts your taste buds. The mango flavour leaves you dreaming of summer with the tangy, fruity flavours.
…even peanut butter ice-cream – without nuts
The best part of the ice cream, besides the fact it is vegan and free from allergies, is that it is created with fructose from agave rather than refined white sugar that conventional ice cream is created with. The main ingredients are rice milk, seaweed, vanilla bean paste and natural sugars. For those who are still to be convinced, you don’t have to choose a pot for your ice cream, Yorica has thought of it all. There are gluten, wheat and nut free cones too.
The main ingredients are rice milk, seaweed, vanilla bean paste and natural sugars.
Don’t miss the Fro-yos
Not to be missed are the Fro-yos. The Fro-yos are a softer version of the ice cream that melt on your tounge and leave you wondering who devoured your pot. The chocolate is a must have and the staff have great fun recommending and designing colourful swirls of Fro-yo for your personal preferences. Yorica haven’t just stopped at the basic level either, there is a huge array of toppings to choose from: Healthy fruit and dried goji berries, to popcorn and from gluten free oreos to dark chocolate nibs you will be left crying with happiness whilst still feeling guilt free.
Yorica is open until 12am for the full menu see their website. Who fancies a date for late night ice cream then? Yorica at 130 Wardour Street, London, W1F 8ZN. Prices are between £2.95-£5.20.
Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.
