Est. 2009 formerly as Lula's Sweet Apothecary with name change in 2013. All vegan frozen dessert and vegan ice cream parlor, styled after old time soda parlors. Also serving baked goods, coffee and tea, snacks. FEB 2016 SHUT THIS MONTH.
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516 E 6th St (at Ave A, Manhattan), New York City, New York, USA, 10009
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Last update on 17 Feb 2016 by Guest
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Added by gonepie on 03 Feb 2009
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31 Reviews
First Review by gonepie
KarinaU1
Points +56
Vegan Ice Cream Shop - Edit
Vegan ice cream sundaes! That's all that really needs to be said I think. Some of the best I've cream you'll ever eat.
Read morePros: Amazing flavors, Brownie sundaes
Cons: Tiny space, Very limited seating
Guest
kimward8
Points +574
Best Vegan Sundae Ever! - Edit
The vegan cookie dough soft serve is without a doubt the best thing I have ever put in my mouth. So delicious. I was sad that I had gotten another flavour in my sundae as well because that meant I had less cookie dough soft serve. I highly recommend this place. So good. I wish I lived in New York so it could be more than just a memory!
Read moreGuest
Oscar M
Points +199
Great vegan ice cream - Edit
After a dinner in a restaurant nearby that didn't turn out as expected the ice cream in this little shop managed to save the day (food wise talking). Incredible brownie sundae with toppings, cream and a cherry. What else could you wish for?
Read morePros: Excellent ice cream, Great toppings
Guest
LillaMy
Points +64
BEST VEGAN ICE CREAM!! - Edit
I was in this place a couple of years ago and thought I had landed in paradise. There were different base alternatives -soy base, cashew base... and maybe more?-, plus lots of flavours and toppings to choose from.
Read moreI had dark chocolate ice cream and peanut butter ice cream. Both were mouth watering but, even though I am a chocolate addict, I thought the peanut butter was the BEST ice cream I had ever had, great flavor, rich, heavenly creamy and not too sweet. I am usually very demanding and I found it just perfect!
ABSOLUTELY A MUST!!!!
Updated from previous review on Saturday August 16, 2014
Guest
iaotigerlily
Points +22
Delicious - Edit
Some of the best vegan ice cream that I have had. Friendly staff. Can't go wrong with any flavour you choose. They are changing their name.. but they don't know what their new name is yet..
Read moreGuest
SLC
Points +113
Go there! - Edit
As a heads up: This place is so tiny I walked passed it even though I was looking for it. I don't even want to spend a lot of time on this review because there is really just one thing to say about it: Go there!
Read moreSome of the best ice cream I have ever had. And it's not your usual soy stuff. The atmosphere is super sweet, it's like you are stepping back in time, and a time I at least didn't see coming. If you want to satisfy your sweet tooth and you want my advice go there... and if it's between this and Babycakes which is almost around the corner: Go to Lula's.
Pros: Delicious, Lovely , Something special
Guest
Babette
Points +2113
Great sundaes - Edit
Vegan ice cream parlour = paradise
Read moreI recommend you go all out and get a sundae with all your favorite ingredients.
They sell Go Max Go Chocolate Bars as well.
Pros: deliciousness, nice neighbourhood, nice vibe
Cons: not open everyday
Guest
veggiewoman
Points +378
YOU HAVE TO TRY IT - Edit
I just got back from NYC. Unfortunately Lula's only opens at 3 pm, so it didn't work with our trip to go in person. BUT Blossom carries Lula's ice cream so I was able to have 3 flavours after dinner. And. it. is. a. fricking. mazing.
Read moreI had 3 cashew-based ice creams and they were all so flavourful and creamy. And the flavours tasted so natural, unlike most ice creams (vegan and non-vegan). The flavours I tried were almond-vanilla, pumpkin and apple (the latter two might have "spice" or something like it in the proper name). All 3 were heavenly. I literally shut my eyes while eating them to experience the flavour. It is just so high quality. I have been vegan for almost 7 years, and have sampled vegan ice creams around the world, and this is the winner so far!
If you are vegan or do not eat dairy for any other reason, I cannot recommend Lula's highly enough. It was a highlight of my trip to NYC.
Pros: Creamy texture, Rich flavour, High quality
Cons: Ridiculous store hours
Guest
places-in-pieces
Points +679
velvety & delectable - Edit
this is what heaven would taste like. fortunately for all of us, heaven is made-up, and this place exists!
Read moreplus, blythe is like a ray of sunshine.
Pros: yes
Cons: nope
Guest
sglcklch
Points +3761
It's alright - Edit
My partner and I came here for dessert after having dinner nearby. He wasn't really the adventurous type and happily settled for the chocolate flavor. I was up for something more interesting and creative but felt a little disappointed with the flavor selection that evening. Ended up having the caramel with ginger cookies. Was good, although a tad too sweet for my taste. Place was very small with only a few bar stools.
Read morePros: vegan ice cream
Cons: place too small
Guest
gr8vegan
Points +2357
Cash ONLY, ATMS not near! Cake batter soft serve! - Edit
Lula's is beyond amazing. The Cake batter soft serve had us hiking to an ATM to double down on that insanely sweet confection. I have a hard time wrapping my taste buds around how soft serve can taste like you are licking the beaters @ grandma's after she's made your birthday cake... Cute small ice cream shop with a few additional treats, bring your cash, however, no plastic accepted!
Read morePros: soft serve
Cons: cash only
Guest
fanciful bean
Points +58
Hurraw for cashew ice cream! - Edit
I have been trying to reduce my soy intake, so I was excited to find cashew ice cream at Lula's...delicious!!
Read morePros: Cashew based ice cream
Cons: Very tiny space
Guest
Took
Points +180
Verry Sweet - Edit
Too sugary sweet for me and my bf, but cute place. We ordered shakes. I think next time I would just get a soft serve and not cake batter or chocolate peanut butter (way too heavy on the pb).
Read morePros: Friendly service, Cute shop, Open late
Cons: Not the best I've had
Guest
newspanishvegan
Points +52
Vegan heaven - Edit
A tiny little cafe, so small I couldn't find it at first, but what a find it was once inside!! I didn't know it was possible to make vegan ice cream til I ate here. Absolute paradise. I had a sundae of peanut butter and chocolate chip ice cream, chocolate ice cream with chocolate chips, a hot fudge sauce, pecans and coconut whipped cream with a cherry on top. Wow!!!! Absolute heaven to the tastebuds. And I think it was about $7. Seriously you couldn't tell it was non dairy and I know my friends who're all carnivores and think I am a crazy person going vegan would love to eat this sort of ice cream. Wish I'd been in Nww York longer to be able to go back and back and back and back
Read morePros: delicious
Guest
natz
Points +133
Updated review 2012! - Edit
My previous 2009 review is below but a june 2012 update - we were disappointed in the changes found this week on our second trip, there was only one soft scoop ice cream option (cake batter which is not the most exciting of flavours and was the only soft scoop back in 2009!) and there were lots of hard scoop options but seemed to be safer (boring?) than back in 2009. The mixed berries flavour was nice but no vegetable flavours and the server was not that smily or welcoming. The whip coconut cream was excellent but looking at my previous review its time Lula went back to her earlier creativity especially as competition is hotting up with Stogo now open. We expected a lot more given how good it was last time and how friendly she was.
Read moreEven heavy snow could not keep us away from Lula's and on our holiday we went there twice. Really friendly welcome, you can try as many ice creams as you like before you buy and you could buy everything!! Absolutely amazing, the ice cream is made daily on the premises mainly from cashew cream and they do some unusual flavours. The green juice is an aquired taste, it's like vegetable ice cream but does mix well with a chocolate ice cream. The cake batter soft scoop ice cream was amazing as was the rocky road. Highly recommended, I'd have gone back again if it wasn't so cold in January!!
Updated from previous review on Sunday January 10, 2010
Pros: excellent food, Cool venue, Nice topping choices
Cons: Not moved on from 2009 , difficult to find and not nice area, doesn't open until 3pm
Guest
amaranth
Points +115
I LOVEDDDDD this place! - Edit
On a recent trip to NY we made a stop here. OMG it was amazing. I had a hot fudge sundae with peanut butter & bittersweet chocolate icecream, cream, nuts and a cherry on top. Everything tasted so wonderful. I regret not finishing it! My non-vegan bf had a banana split and said it was the best one he has ever had. It's way better than dairy icecream. They give you LOADS of toppings too, and you can choose whatever you want. Halfway down, I was stilling getting nuts and topping. Amazing little place, the decor is so cute. I also bought a vegan lip gloss and some donuts & s'mores for breakfast the next day :) You can also buy vegan chocolates. Really friendly staff too.
Read morePros: Excellent food, Massive servings, Friendly staff
Guest
your_ad_here
Points +82
best ice cream ever? - Edit
I'm kinda embarrassed to admit how many times I went here during a one week trip to NYC. Lula's has the best ice cream. There's plenty of flavours to choose from including soft serve. Oh and their sundaes... the coconut whipped cream is amazing. I'm drooling just thinking about it!
Read morePros: delicious, friendly staff, wide selection of flavours
Cons: limited seating
Guest
·X·
Points +28381
Lula's Sweet Apothecary - Edit
Holy vegan cake batter soft serve!!! That pretty much says it all! The employees were super friendly and very helpful in helping me pick out the perfect ice cream cone. Upon recommendation of the staff, I went with the vegan cake batter soft serve, and I was not disappointed. In fact, it was so good that my tongue actually hurt because I could not put the cone down. A trip to NY would not be complete without a stop at Lula's, highly recommended.
Read moreGuest
CraigFruitbat
Points +149
Amazing! - Edit
Amazing selection with flavours changing every day. Not to mention choices of 3 different sauces and many toppings to go on your cone, banana split, sundae or brownie.
Read moreTruly delicious with very friendly staff.
Pros: selection, staff, presentation
Cons: none
Guest
Mellifluoust
Points +831
Vegan decadence - Edit
Since I'm from a much smaller city, the capitol of NZ, an all-vegan ice cream parlour was a huuge treat for me. Since I figured it'd be my only chance to sample such a shop for a loong while, I went all out and ordered the sundae... A scoop of coconut-based strawberries'n'cream and one of nut-based chocolate + chocolate sauce + sour gummy bears + coconut whipped cream. Got sickly towards the end but it was worth it! The fact that I remember a dessert which I ate well over a year ago in such detail proves just how memorable I found Lula's.
Read morePros: Decadent, Choices!
Cons: Don't think about the calories...
Guest
greenjdmd
Points +69
Great treats, awful customer service - Edit
Love the "ice cream" but a few weeks ago braved the bitter cold on a Tuesday night to visit with my husband and, even though the place was empty, found the music in the background so loud that it was painful. Not only was it not my taste (though I could have tolerated it at the right volume) it was impossible for my husband to hear me while standing next to me. The place is very small. Even with more than just the two of us there it would have been very annoying. Nonetheless, we had gone out of our way to get there and wanted to stay; I had planned to buy Rescue chocolate, a tee shirt, and sundaes for us both. So we nicely asked the clerk to turn the music down. He refused, saying he was not allowed to touch the music. We got our ice cream "to go" (one serving only and nothing else) and left. I emailed Lula and was told that indeed the music, including the volume, was part of the "atmosphere" and the clerk was right in refusing to turn it down. The message was fairly clear: Lula's would rather lose a customer than do something as simple (and unrelated to the product they are selling) as lowering the volume of their background music.
Read morePros: vegan ice cream
Cons: awful customer service
Jerr202020
I went to Lulas 3 times and found it mediocre. I think their concept as an old time apothecary just doesn't work. I was not impressed with their vegan frozen treats and found the flavors dull. Something about the ice cream just doesn't feel right in your mouth.I think I would spend my time and money elsewhere.
Read moreOh, yes and I found the music banal and grating, too and feel it was just annoying and didn't add anything to the 'experience.' I would just go to Stogos and call it a day ! I won't bother going there anymore. I gave them a few tries and feel there are so many great places in the East Village it doesn't make sense to waste your time where your patronage isn't appreciated.
We went to Stogos instead and it rocked ! Stogos
Guest
DC Vegan
Points +345
Seriously awesome - Edit
Lula's is a little gem in the Village that serves yummy vegan ice creams. The three times I've been there--and believe me, I would go more often if I lived in NYC--the majority of the flavors have been cashew-based, but they do have coconut and soy ice creams. The cashew ice creams have a delightfully creamy texture that would rival their animal-based counterparts. You can get floats, sundaes, banana splits, and "egg creams" in Lula's small but charming space.
Read moreI usually get a sundae, while my boyfriend gets the banana split. I do wish they'd serve the sundae in a bowl instead of the sundae glass for easier eating. Still, it's fun to sit on my stool (not a lot of seating there) and dig in. The whipped-cream is coconut-based but tasty. The nuts on my sundae on my most recent visit formed a nice salty counterpoint to the sweetness of my ice cream.
I do wish they offered more sauces for their sundaes and splits--they only have chocolate, hot fudge, and marshmallow. A vegan caramel and/or strawberry topping would be nice. But that's really my only complaint.
However, if you're a vegan searching for an ice cream parlor, check out Lula's. It's a fairly short walk from the 2 Avenue/Lower East Side subway station.
Pros: vegan ice cream, hello!, many unusual flavors, friendly
Cons: small space, more sauce flavors--please!
Guest
bill
Points +104
Good but beware the hours of operation - Edit
We loved the soft-serve ice cream (especially the cake-batter vanilla). But be aware of the limited hours of operation. We arrived on a very hot afternnon after 12:00 only to find out that the apothecary does not open until 3:00 p.m.! The late opening-time seemed inexplicable for an ice cream parlour and was very disappointing, on a hot day, especially for our daughter (fortunately, there was a pub around the corner, which helped to pass the time).
Read moreGuest
Sprout
Points +218
vegan ice cream parlor: need I say more?! - Edit
I loved Lulu's! The young man working behind the counter seemed to genuinely love his job and was proud of his product. I appreciate that. Plus, as others noted, he eagerly offered to let me try any flavors. I went with the blueberry and strawberry, and my brother got the chocolate. All three flavors were cashew-based (the menu board notes what the base of each flavor is) and I enjoyed this immensely. The cashew base added a subtle, yet rich, element to the flavor, which was incredibly delicious. There's really not much space in the actual store, and the few seats were already occupied, so we had to get ours to go (and that would have made a sundae difficult I think.) But there's a nice little park nearby, plus the neighborhood is fun for a stroll, so it worked out fine. The guy in line behind us came in and said "Make me whatever you want!" The young man behind the counter asked if he had any allergies or dislikes, and the customer said no, make whatever you want and surprise me! How cool is it, vegans, to be able to do this? On my next visit I am going to order this way!
Read morePros: vegan ice cream, delicious cashew base, friendly staff
Cons: small space
Guest
veggiegoth
Points +217
awesome! - Edit
i have only been to lulu's a couple times and it is sooo good! i had the chocolate-peanut butter flavor and mint. they were both delicious. can't wait to go back when weather warms up!
Read moreGuest
VeggiePinkoKat
Points +142
Be-bop-a-LULA'S-It's Amazing! - Edit
Lula's is THE best. I had a hot fudge sundae w/ Rocky Road & Mint Chip. So nice to enjoy my fave flavor of Rocky Road again sans marshamallows. The ice cream had a great consistency and fresh made taste. My guy had a peanut butter fudge shake served with a silver straw and it didn't last long--down the hatch fast, delish! The place is small and decorated cute in an old-timey fashion with old fashioned bottles and signs hanging. I heard the employee mention their seltzer is made special in Brooklyn--it comes in the old school seltzer glass bottles. Lots of toppings and open til 11:3PM--bring cash and mind that it's closed Mondays. If only we had a Los Angeles Lula's! P.S. You can sample 2 flavours free! Enjoy xoxo
Read morePros: Best Ice Cream, Friendly Staff, Good value
Cons: Tiny space, Cash Only
Guest
Bow
Points +112
Worthy of the hype - Edit
I came here with high expectations after reading the rave reviews, and was certainly not disappointed. This is vegan paradise. I went there three times, and there was a different range of flavours each time. Every one was sweet, creamy and delicious. My (non-vegan) partner was as impressed as I was. They allow you to try as many flavours as you like before you place an order, and as the flavours keep changing, you get five minutes of sampling heaven before you buy a thing. But of course you do then go on to buy something, because it's sooooo good! They have a range of options (cones, sundaes, banana splits, brownies, milkshakes...) or you can customise. I chose to customise on my second and third trips, allowing me to have more flavours (by having 'half-scoops', which were still pretty copious). Flavours I enjoyed over my three trips included rum and raisin, mint choc chip, coffee, espresso, chocolate brownie, coconut fudge, peanut butter crunch, peanut butter fudge, lemon meringue, banana cream pie, orange creamsicle, and probably other wonderful things that I have since forgotten. For toppings, they have a range of delicious sauces including hot fudge and hot caramel with peanuts, and you can round it off with generous lashings of toppings such as oreos, peanut butter cups, gummy bears etc. It was simply the most delicious food I ever ate.
Read moreThe service was generally fantastic, although the Irish guy was a bit grumpy (but I think he is the culinary genius behind all these flavours so we have to forgive him). The location is not ideal, as it is pretty far out east (between avenue A and B), nowhere near the subway or anything else other than the East Village restaurants. But the way I see it, it's an excuse to eat an extra scoop and then walk it off on your way back to wherever you came from. It is also not cheap, but the quality means that you still get good value for money. They also sell vegan chocolate bars.
I don't think any self-respecting vegan can come to New York and not come here, unless they are diabetic. Vegan tourists - make this top of your list.
Pros: Best icecream ever!, So many flavours, Free samples
Cons: A bit off the beaten track
Guest
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