If you’re not a fan of vegan food, you probably haven’t tried Nami, a soft serve ice cream and coffee shop in Midtown Phoenix with the latest scoop on unexpected dessert creations.
Located on 7th Street, the shop offers treats as quirky and unpredictable as the city around it– the perfect stop for a refreshing summer treat.
An edgy, upbeat ambience characterizes this must-try bistro, evocative of the many artsy cafes in the city’s Roosevelt Row arts district.
The shop’s namesake and most iconic dessert, the tsoynami, is a decadent combination of homemade vegan soy soft serve mixed with countless other vegan sweets, from cakes to sugary cereal.
Each tsoynami is composed of chocolate or vanilla soft serve, but Nami’s unique selection of toppings elevate the dessert’s complex flavors and textures from mediocre to exceptional.
For example, the “Ts’mores” tsoynami is loaded with vanilla wafers, organic chocolate, toasted marshmallow syrup and ricemellow fluff. The “Life’s A Peach” blends deconstructed peach cobbler with house granola and caramel.
Of the 21 tsoynami varieties listed on the menu, 13 are also gluten free.
With such a diverse array of indulgent ingredients in each frosty and refreshing bite, one hardly notices the icier texture of the soy soft serve as opposed to a dairy-based ice cream.
Nami also brews a variety of organic, shade-grown coffees and serves hearty breakfast items, brunch favorites and unconventional baked goods.
Perhaps just as enticing as the tsoynami are the mouthwatering vegan donuts which come in uncommon flavors including chai, mocha and strawberry.
All of Nami’s treats are 100 percent vegan and 75 percent of its ingredients are organic.
Vegan ice cream even has some health benefits, according to Spoon University. Its soy base contains less sugar and fat, and more protein, than its dairy counterpart.
Plus, skipping the dairy helps reduce the cafe’s carbon footprint as vegan foods are better for the environment. Nami also uses biodegradable cups, boxes and flatware.
Although seating is rather limited due to the shop’s size, the sunlit eatery provides a relaxing backdrop for a caffeine-powered study session or cozy dessert date.
Nami is one of only 434 vegan dining eateries in Arizona, according to Happy Cow, an online vegan dining guide.
A must-try for vegans and omnivores alike, Nami will satisfy your sweet tooth and your adventurous side in just one stop.