Whether lactose-intolerant, allergic to dairy or avoiding animal products, many of my clients need dairy-free options in their diet– including the occasional sweet treat. And I’m happy to have done the leg work to find lactose-free and dairy-free frozen treats to give them the option to indulge with friends and family. Here are five spots I love in Chicago for a dairy-free treat:

Pretty Cool Ice Cream

Located in Logan Square near the corner of California Avenue and Fullerton Avenue, Pretty Cool Ice Cream has a little something for everyone, which is one of the reasons I love it. Their menu of ice cream novelties includes a variety of ice cream bars, smaller “pony” pops, pup pops for dogs and dairy-free “plant pops” and ice cream truck-inspired popsicles. My favorite plant pop is the Natalie’s Bar (a vegan version of their popular peanut butter potato chip custard bar).

Currently, PCIC is available for online order and pick up at their window on California Avenue.

Pictured here: banana horchata

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

With locations across the city and one in the ‘burbs, Jeni’s definitely has a cult following in Chicago. At busy times there is often a line out the door– and with good reason. Their dairy-free offerings are as interesting as the rest of their flavors, which isn’t always the case when it comes to dairy-free ice creams. Check out what they are currently scooping here. Their frosé sorbet is also a winner and is available by the pint in many Whole Foods. Try a kid’s size scoop for a smaller serving.

Pictured here: dark chocolate truffle

Miko’s Italian Ice

Miko’s walk-up windows have been a Chicago summer staple since 1997. They have 25+ rotating flavors throughout the summer (follow them on Instagram to see availability of specialty options), and I love that you can get a combo in any of their size offerings. I almost always get their coconut, which is much creamier than any of the other flavors I’ve tried, and then mix it up with the other flavor. Passion fruit and pineapple are personal favorites. All of their offerings are dairy-free, gluten-free and made with real fruit.

Pictured here: Miko’s iconic flavor board at their Logan Square location

Annette’s Italian Ice

Another walk-up window, Annette’s is a best-of-both-worlds kind of place with both ice cream and Italian ice, which is really nice when going out with friends or family with different taste preferences or dietary restrictions. All of their Italian ice is made in-house daily with nothing more than fruit, water and cane sugar. If you tolerate some dairy, they also do an Italian ice and frozen yogurt combo (“Italian Fro Yo”) that is the perfect marriage of cool and creamy.

Pictured here: strawberry frozen yogurt + coconut Italian ice

Black Dog Gelato

In addition to their Ukrainian Village, West Loop and (new!) Logan Square locations, the Black Dog Gelato truck can be found at different locations around the city. I enjoyed this blood orange sorbet at the Logan Square Arts Fest last summer and was thrilled when they opened a location in my neighborhood. Their dairy-free chocolate is served year round, but their seasonal sorbets are where it’s at (in my opinion). Their current flavors are always listed on their website.

Pictured here: blood orange sorbet

Don’t live in Chicago? No problem! There are a number of frozen treats I recommend that are available across the country: Talenti’s dairy-free sorbetto is a favorite (try the cold brew coffee flavor), So Delicious coconut milk ice cream bars are dairy-free and low in FODMAPs, and Beckon Ice Cream is my go to recommendation for my lactose-intolerant friends– made with real dairy minus the discomfort.