Carvel is testing dairy-free ice cream again in select stores now partnering with the brand Klimon, a 100% plant-based, vegan, and dairy-free frozen dessert brand. This marks the latest evolution of the chain’s plant-based dessert offerings following its Oatly collaboration in 2024 that quietly fizzled out.
After a day spent scouring social media, Carvel has confirmed to me directly that the new Klimon products are currently available only at select test locations “for now,” with more expected in the future.
Where to Find It
According to Carvel, the following locations are currently participating in the test rollout:
- Ardsley, NY — 666 Saw Mill River Road
- Bellmore, NY — 301 Bedford Avenue
- Brooklyn, NY — 27-44 Coney Island Ave
- Brooklyn, NY — 7517 3rd Ave
- East Islip, NY — 216 E Main St
- Jefferson Valley, NY — 3643 Hill Blvd.
- New Rochelle, NY — 5 Quaker Ridge Road
- New York, NY — 165 W 48th St
The new partnership appears to include dairy-free soft serve, scooped ice cream, and novelty desserts made with Klimon, a plant-based frozen dessert company known for ultra-creamy vegan ice cream products. We tried the soft serve recently at the NatWest Expo this past March and loved it. It was very creamy with a dense consistency reminiscent of traditional Carvel.
What Will Be Offered?
Social posts and promotional materials tied to the launch have referenced possible flavors including:
- Strawberry soft serve
- Chocolate soft serve
- Cold brew soft serve
- Pistachio soft serve
- Mint Oreo hard scooped
- Cookies & cream hard scooped
- Chocolate peanut butter hard scooped
The Difference Between Oatly and Klimon
Carvel’s previous dairy-free partnership with Oatly focused on oatmilk-based frozen desserts. Klimon’s products, however, use a pea protein and coconut oil base instead of oats.
That shift could be important for some customers because pea protein allergies and sensitivities do exist, particularly among people with broader legume allergies. It also means the flavor and texture may differ noticeably from the previous Oatly products, potentially creating a richer and creamier texture more similar to traditional dairy soft serve.
Carvel’s Non-Dairy Past
Carvel has experimented with dairy-free desserts before. In 2022, some grocery stores including Publix locations began carrying Carvel oatmilk ice cream cakes, giving consumers an early sign the brand was exploring plant-based frozen desserts beyond scoop shops and soft serve counters.
Then in 2024, Carvel partnered with Oatly to launch oatmilk-based frozen desserts at some locations, giving vegan and dairy-free customers their first large-scale plant-based Carvel rollout. It was phased out sometime in 2025 with no reasons given but this often happens with brands.
Carvel also hinted “more to come” in the future, suggesting additional expansion could still be possible depending on customer response. We’re finally getting a Carvel location in Sarasota, Florida so I for one really hope it expands further south.
All store photos courtesy of Carvel in Ardsley, NY.
