Plant-Based and Proud: Vegan Donut & Gelato Near Bear Creek is Winning Over Houston’s Sweet Tooth
Located in West Houston near the tight-knit communities of Bear Creek and Deerfield Village, Vegan Donut & Gelato is more than a bakery—it’s a heartfelt mission brought to life by new owners Hung and Van, who took over the shop in February 2025. Known for its 100% plant-based donuts, vegan gelato, and fusion eats, the shop is quietly redefining dessert for conscious eaters in the Houston area.
A Legacy of Plant-Based Goodness
Originally founded in 2018 with a vision of sustainability and animal welfare, the shop had already gained popularity among Houston’s vegan community. When Hung and Van stepped in, their goal was to keep that legacy alive—and expand it.
“What inspires us now to keep the shop running is so customers who either have allergies or are vegan for health, animals, or the planet can enjoy delicious vegan sweets and foods here,” said Van.
The husband-wife duo brought their experience from running Loving Hut in Houston and infused it into the shop, introducing an even wider array of fully vegan dishes, from Asian-inspired noodles and spring rolls to Western staples like burgers and kolaches.
From Scratch, From the Heart
Every vegan donut and gelato scoop at Vegan Donut & Gelato is made fresh in-house. The couple takes pride in crafting treats that are free from animal products and cross-contamination, a particularly critical concern for customers with dietary sensitivities.
“We want to make sure that our ingredients are safe for customers who have allergies and also those who are strict vegans and want to avoid animal ingredients and contamination,” Van emphasized.
Instead of traditional dairy and eggs, they rely on high-quality alternatives like oat milk, soy milk, and plant-based butter to achieve that just-right texture and flavor. Crowd favorites include taro and lemon cheesecake gelato, as well as a variety of iced, cream-filled, and old-fashioned vegan donuts.
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A Welcoming Space for All Diets
Though many of their customers follow vegan diets, Van says the shop frequently attracts curious first-timers who are new to plant-based eating.
“We have customers who tried Krispy Kreme and other big brands—and they have testified that our donuts are more tasty and they feel better after eating,” she shared.
For those still hesitant to try vegan desserts, Van encourages them to stop by and take a bite. With a growing fanbase that includes everyone from lifelong vegans to health-conscious families, it’s clear that deliciousness knows no dietary label.
Building a Vegan Community in Houston
For Hung and Van, the mission goes beyond pastries. They see their business as a way to spark conversations about ethical eating and inspire others to consider plant-based options.
“Our core mission is to offer customers pure vegan foods so that more people will know about vegan foods and how they can eat well without using anything from animals—to maybe have more people think about all the vegan options we have nowadays and we can maybe leave the animals in peace,” said Van.
Community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with customers frequently expressing joy at finally having a place where they can indulge without compromise. Van recalls, “It always melts our hearts when customers tell us how they have been dreaming of vegan donuts for such a long time, and our shop is like a dream come true.”
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Looking Ahead
While the couple’s current focus is on growing awareness of vegan donuts in Houston, they’re also exploring potential new offerings—like gluten-free options, in response to customer demand.
In the meantime, they’re inviting the community to their shop at 16618 Clay Road to explore what they have to offer, and to help spread the word.
“Come try our vegan donuts and food, let us know how we can support them in their endeavor to be more vegan,” Van encouraged.
Whether you're a seasoned plant-based eater or someone simply curious about cruelty-free desserts, Vegan Donut & Gelato offers a warm welcome—and a sweet reminder that doing good can taste great, too.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
