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8 Mouthwatering San Francisco Vegan Bakeries & Ice Cream Spots

Updated January 8, 2024

I don’t know about you, but I’m the type of person that needs to look at the dessert menu before ordering an actual meal! I mean, it’s essential to be prepared — do I save room for a mega vegan ice cream sundae topped with everything but the kitchen sink, or maybe just a simple slice of decadent chocolate cheesecake? 

A girl’s gotta plan ahead!

And that plan is super important when you’re in a vegan-friendly city like San Francisco! There are so many amazing things you will want to sample, including indulgent cakes, donuts, chocolates, ice creams, and more!

The next time you’re craving something sweet, check out this lineup of fantastic vegan bakeries, donuts, and ice cream in San Francisco!

Must Visit Vegan Bakeries in San Francisco

These lovely vegan bakeries have everything from vegan and gluten-free cakes to irresistible donuts — get ready for that sugar high!

#1 Wholesome Bakery

299 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117
If you’re vegan and gluten-free, you must come here! Everything in this beautiful, cozy café is 100% gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, and organic. Start the day with a delicious scone or gooey cinnamon roll with a spicy chai, then grab an ultra-fudgy brownie or seven-layer bar for later! In addition to those sweets, they also offer cookies, cupcakes, custom cakes, and many other sweet treats — the menu rotates regularly. 

vegan chocolate swiss cake roll topped with white frosting and peppermint candies from wholesome bakery in san Francisco
Credit: Wholesome Bakery

#2 The Donut Farm

1 Ferry Building #1, San Francisco, CA 94111
This vegan donut shop is located inside the bustling Ferry Building, and it’s frying up a donut storm that you won’t want to miss! Their incredible donut lineup is extensive and far from boring; get ready to sink your teeth into flavors like chocolate cookie, coconut whiteout, lemon pudding, whiskey tangerine fig, and so many more. 

lineup of nine vegan donuts topped with chocolate, pink icing, yellow icing, coconut from the donut farm in san Francisco
Credit: The Donut Farm

#3 LH Bakeshop

Unfortunately, there isn’t a bakery to visit (just yet) for this shop, but if you’re looking to pre-order a custom cake or a box of yummy vegan cookies, you’ll want to check them out!   LH specializes in all things sweet — from mouth-watering chocolate chip cookie dough cakes to ube white chocolate macadamia nut cookies! On top of pre-ordering, you can sometimes find the owner popping up at select spots around San Francisco, like Cup a Joe Coffeehouse on Sutter Street — the perfect time to sample multiple treats!

a small round vegan chocolate birthday cake with cookie crumbs on the side and topped with cookies and flowers from LH bakeshop in san francisco
Credit: LH Bakeshop

#4 The Happy Vegan

293 Bayshore Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94124
Vegan and gluten-free friends, you’re getting spoiled — he’s another spot that’s fully friendly for you! This sweet little café opened during the pandemic offering a small lineup of sweets and quickly expanded to include breakfast and lunch eats. You’ll find cheesecake, pie, cookies, blondies, and more on the dessert menu! One note, there really isn’t any inside seating at the moment, so order ahead and pick it up, or if you’re not feeling the trek out to Bayview, you can Door Dash or Uber Eats all the sweets you want!

7 bright pink vegan donuts topped with sprinkles and a piece of strawberry in the center from the happy vegan bakery in san Francisco
Credit: The Happy Vegan

The Best Spots for Vegan Ice Cream in San Francisco

Now that we’ve covered vegan bakeries in San Francisco, let’s move onto ice cream! You can’t go wrong at any of these vegan-friendly shops.

#5 Garden Creamery

3566 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
This ice cream shop is well known for its creative, hand-crafted flavors, and that doesn’t stop with the vegan options! All of their vegan ice creams and sorbets are coconut based and sweetened with agave nectar and include tantalizing flavors like spiced chai, earl grey, coconut pandan, dark chocolate, and more! They always offer six vegan flavors, so no worries about getting stuck with just one option!

#6 Salt & Straw

Multiple locations throughout San Francisco
This California-based vegan-friendly ice cream chain started with four used ice cream machines and an ice cream cart, and now you can find them throughout the West Coast and in Miami! Their flavors rotate monthly to include seasonal ingredients and inspiration, but you’ll always find multiple vegan options like Marionberry coconut sherbet, Freckled mint chocolate chip, or a seasonal favorite like pumpkin and gingersnap. 

#7 Holy Gelato!

1392 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
This vegan-friendly gelato shop will have you saying, holy smokes, when you see their vegan lineup! You’ll have quite the decision on your hands once you start to peruse their vegan options; there’s not one or two options; there are 12! The creative flavors include Thai tea, sea-salted caramel, Mexican chocolate, and more! In addition to some of the creamiest gelatos in town, you won’t want to miss their specialty drinks like the ube latte or Matcha rose garden tea.

Vegan Restaurant in San Francisco with Great Dessert Options

So maybe you don’t have the time to make it to a bakery or ice cream shop and want to make sure you choose a restaurant with an outstanding dessert menu; look no further than these excellent vegan restaurants in San Francisco!

#8 Wildseed

2000 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123
After enjoying a delicious Wildseed burger or cheesy pizza pie, there is no better way to wrap up the meal than with one of their house-made desserts. The dessert lineup varies and includes mouthwatering favorites like lemon cashew cheesecake, sticky toffee pudding, chocolate cake, and more.

a small round vegan and raw cheesecake with a graham cracker crust and topped with a scoop of ice cream from wildseed in san francisco
Credit: Wildseed

More Vegan Eats Around the World!

Still hungry? I got you! Whether you’re exploring more of San Francisco or beyond, check out these fantastic vegan travel guides and articles to plan your adventure.  

15 Can’t-Miss Restaurants for Vegan Food in San Francisco
How to Spend One Day in San Francisco
What to Do with One Vegan Day in LA
Comprehensive Vegan Travel Guide to LA

13 Amazing Vegan Bakeries & Ice Cream Spots in LA
The Ultimate Vegan Travel Guide to New Orleans
Must Book Vegan-Friendly Resorts in Mexico
The Best Berlin Vegan Travel Guide
The Perfect Vegan Travel Guide to Philadelphia

12 Fantastic Vegan Bakeries and Ice Cream Spots in Portland

About Author

Rebecca is the founder of the vegan travel company Veggies Abroad. In 2021, she bid her 15-year career goodbye and ventured into the world of ethical business with the launch of a vegan travel blog (the one you’re reading!). As the blog flourished, Rebecca expanded her vision to encompass personalized travel planning services and launched Veggies Abroad's inaugural vegan tour to Thailand, marking the beginning of many more eco-conscious, plant-powered adventures to come. Follow her adventures on Instagram or Facebook @veggiesabroad