Who doesn't love a delicious, creamy ice cream cone on a hot summer day?!  Here’s a taste of our favorite ice cream, custard, gelato, and novelty treat shops throughout the Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia area. 

FAMILY FAVORITE AND TRADITIONAL ICE CREAM

Photo courtesy of Tipped Cow

Tipped Cow

Purcellville, VA

Located in Historic Downtown Purcellville, in the same building as the delicious Monk's Barbecue, is Tipped Cow creamery. Tipped Cow is excited to provide Western Loudoun with fresh hand crafted ice cream.

Grutos

Leesburg, VA | Purcellville, VA 

Gruto’s Soft Serve is a fun, family-friendly, locally-owned soft-serve ice cream shop. From its opening, Gruto’s quickly became a favorite among locals and a must-stop for those exploring western Loudoun.

Red Fox Creamery

Winchester, VA

Red Fox Creamery specializes in homemade ice cream, featuring 16 flavors daily. They also serve sundaes, milkshakes, baked goods, gourmet truffles, sandwiches, and soups. Stop by for a full meal or a simple treat.

Photo courtesy of Jubilee

Ice Cream Jubilee

Navy Yard, DC | Arlington, VA

Started in 2014 by corporate lawyer-turned-entrepreneur Victoria Lai, this popular spot wins local DC favorite awards year after year. The shop specializes in some of the most creative flavors around, including several with a boozy twist, like banana bourbon caramel and gin and tonic sorbet.

Thomas Sweet Ice Cream

Georgetown, DC

A staple destination since 1979, this location offers a huge selection of homemade ice cream and options to “blend in” delicious toppings. Our favorite is the chocolate chip cookie ice cream, but you can’t go wrong with any variety.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

14th Street, DC | Barracks Row, DC | Bethesda, MD | Alexandria, VA | Tysons, VA | Arlington, VA | Richmond, VA

In 2002, Jeni Britton Bauer began making ice creams that The New York Times called “worth the drive to Ohio” and Time magazine called “the best in America.” You won’t regret your visit for tons of awesome flavor choices, and feeling good about your purchase: Jeni’s uses Direct Trade and Fair Trade ingredients, employs a diverse team of people, and works with women- and minority-owned businesses. 

Photo courtesy of Nicecream

NiceCream

Clarendon, Arlington, VA

With a rotating calendar of flavors, this shop is a must. They combine local grass-fed cream with other local ingredients then mix and freeze them right in front of you using liquid nitrogen. What could be cooler than feeling like your ice cream is a science experience just for you? Subscribe to their newsletter for free treats sent straight to your inbox.

Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream

Old Town, Alexandria, VA

Serving more than 32 flavors, this neighborhood favorite offers an “atmosphere that evokes the golden age of America’s main streets.” Ray “Pop” Giovanni had been serving popular ice cream in the DC area since the 1940s, and even used to serve Eleanor Roosevelt’s favorite ice cream at White House parties. Today, the shop still uses his legacy and recipes.

Toby’s Ice Cream

Arlington, VA | Vienna, VA | National Landing, VA

Voted Arlington’s Best Ice Cream by Arlington Magazine! Your friendly neighborhood ice cream shop, Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream now has three locations to serve you. They serve the richest, creamiest ice cream and the best ice cream cakes! Guaranteed to have the flavor you crave!

Lil City Creamery

Falls Church, VA

Lil City serves up the best ice cream made fresh from uber-pampered grass-fed Jersey cows at Woodside Farm Creamery in Hockessin, DE and from Bassett’s of Philadelphia, the oldest ice cream company in the U.S. (They also offer Smith Island Cakes ﹘ a true treat!)

Woody’s Ice Cream

City of Fairfax, VA

Located in the heart of the historic district, Woody’s Ice Cream is a perennial favorite in the City of Fairfax. Whether you are in the mood for sundaes, milkshakes, cones, or other classics, Woody’s is the perfect spot with a spacious outside patio and plenty of tables. 

FROZEN CUSTARD, ITALIAN ICE & GELATO

Dairy Godmother

Del Ray, Alexandria, VA

Did You Know: “Genuine frozen custard has at least 1.4% egg yolk (pasteurized) and at least 10% milk fat, and is made in a special machine created for producing frozen custard only.” [Source: Dairy Godmother]

A neighborhood obsession, this no-frills spot specializes in some of the best, Wisconsin-style frozen custard around. It is made fresh, not held at sub-zero temperatures, and comes in vanilla or freshly mixed with the flavor of the day. Click here to see their monthly flavors. You can even share some of their popular banana or pumpkin-flavored Puppy Pops (made from plain yogurt, and wheat-free) with your furry friend!

Photo courtesy of Custard Shack

Custard Shack

Alexandria, VA

All of their custard bases are made with cream, milk, sugar, and pasteurized egg yolks which are sent straight from the “unofficial” frozen custard capital of the world, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The basic vanilla and chocolate are always gluten-free. In some cases their featured flavors may contain gluten, and/or nuts. Come and enjoy some delicious custard, and don’t forget to grab a puppy cup on the way out!

Dolcezza

CityCenter, DC | Dupont Circle, DC | Hirsshorn, DC | Mosaic District, VA | Fairfax, VA | Bethesda Row, MD

This popular chain is opening locations at a rapid pace throughout the DMV. Dolcezza specializes in serving “old world” gelato with locally sourced ingredients. You can even check out their farmer partners here. In addition to the more traditional locations, they operate at the Dupont FRESHFarm market on weekends. Their Mom & Pop location in Mosaic District features coffee from Unido, pastries and biscuits, breakfast sandwiches, and toasts loaded with premium toppings including avocado and smoked salmon.

Dolci Gelati

Old Town, Alexandria

This delicious Alexandria spot has been serving up some of the best gelato around for over 12 years. The business was founded by Gianluigi Dellaccio, who was appointed Italy’s “Ambassador of Homemade Gelato” in 2018. 

Pitango Gelato

Penn Quarter, DC | Adams Morgan, DC | The Wharf, DC | Old Town, Alexandria, VA| Reston Town Center, VA | Bethesda, MD | Fells Point & Pintago Bakery & Cafe in Baltimore, MD

Did You Know: “In the U.S., gelato cannot be called ice cream because by legal definition ice cream must contain a minimum of ten percent milk fat; premium ice cream brands can contain twice that amount of fat. In contrast, gelato is made with only five to eight percent milkfat, making it a healthier alternative.” [Source: Pitango Gelato]

Boasting a number of convenient locations, with a focus on the “classics done right,” Pitango Gelato does not disappoint. The sorbet flavors are all vegan and are derived from fresh organic fruit that is in-season and locally sourced whenever possible.

Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato

Old Town Alexandria

A great spot to grab Argentinian-style gelato and other desserts. The owner of Casa Rosada (the pink house) was originally a chemical engineer by trade before turning the gelato business, so he has the craft down to a science.