A no messing around guide to the coolest things to eat, drink and do in Vancouver and beyond. Community. Not clickbait.

Opening Soon Chinatown

Vegan, Organic Gelato Shop ‘Umaluma’ To Open In Chinatown Next Month

Portrait
IMG_0438

The new Chinatown condo development at 235 Pender Street is getting an organic, 100% vegan gelato shop. I took a look inside the 1,200 sqft construction site late last week with owner Ian Bruce – a software industry executive and passionate foodie – and the interior and brand designers (St. Marie and Glasfurd & Walker). Umaluma – as it’s called – will be a retail pint and scoop operation with 16 seats and over 20 flavours when it opens next month. What’s in a name? ‘Umaluma’ is pure poppycock. “I just like saying it,” Ian told me. “It means nothing and everything.” (Likewise, ‘poppycock’.)

I’m not all that into vegan representations of anything and that for damn sure includes gelato, but after a few spoonfuls of the stuff – drunken cherry with bourbon and salted pecan; dark chocolate truffle; strawberry malbec – I was totally sold. Each taste was super creamy, smooth and densely textured with boldly pronounced flavour. There’s really nothing on the market like it. Take a look…

Umaluma_moodboard-03 Umaluma_moodboard-04 Umaluma_moodboard-06 Umaluma_moodboard-07 Umaluma_moodboard-01

    EXPLORE THIS NEIGHBOURHOOD

    There is 1 comment

    1. It isn’t vegan. Please admend article. It has honey in it which is not vegan as it is not from a plant.
      Also not 100% plant based due the the aforementioned honey

    Opening Soon

    See more from Opening Soon
    Opening Soon

    Rosalia Osteria Set To Open in Yaletown This Fall

    The brothers behind Via Tevere and Don't Argue Pizza are adding a tiny Yaletown osteria to their portfolio, one built around the house-made pasta and family dinners that shaped them long before they became known for pizza.
    Opening Soon Chinatown

    From Birdhouse to Pony Room: A New Queer Event Space Takes Shape in Chinatown

    With pink tile, thrifted chandeliers, peacock glassware, and an enthusiastic obsession for cabaret, Pony Room is bringing a distinctly playful new hospitality project to Chinatown this summer.
    Opening Soon Fraserhood

    Maria Celeste Brings Portuguese Tasca Cooking to Fraser Street

    Portuguese food has a real foothold in Toronto and Montréal. Vancouver's been slower to catch up. The Isidro brothers are here to change that.
    Opening Soon Gastown

    Amber: A Gastown Listening Lounge Built Around Sound

    Listening bars are having a moment. Amber opens this May with vinyl programming, a room designed to manage sound, and food that sits between bistro and steakhouse formats.

    The Scout Community

    Become a member