Looking for the perfect ice cream shop to satisfy your sweet tooth? This is the guide for you! I have searched for the best spots to indulge in this delicious treat. Whether you prefer classic flavors like Chocolate or interesting flavors like Cookie Butter, I have compiled a guide to help you find your new favorite ice cream shop in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area.
Note: This guide will be updated as I find more shops to recommend. Also, I’m waiting to hear back from some shops about whether they are wheelchair accessible. Thank you for your patience.
Last updated: April 16, 2024
D.C.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is known for its beautifully smooth and creamy French ice cream. Their mission is to make good ice cream that makes you feel good. I love that the founders (Ben, Pete, and Laura) focus on it being okay to enjoy a bowl of tasty ice cream. Van Leeuwen’s menu has a couple of simple or classic flavors (like Vanilla Bean and Sicilian Pistachio) and a bunch of unique flavors such as Marionberry Cheesecake, Lemon Poppyseed Muffin, and Praline Butter Cake. Vegan ice cream flavors are also available. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is also sold in pints at stores like Giant, Safeway, and Walmart. Check the locator here to see whether it’s sold at a store near you.
My recs: Honeycomb, Earl Grey Tea, Marionberry Cheesecake
Adams Morgan: 2421 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009 (inside the Little Shop of Flowers)
Georgetown: 3245 Prospect St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Union Market 418 Morse St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Instagram: vanleeuwenicecream
Maryland
The Charmery
The Charmery’s Chevy Chase location is its first store in the DMV. It was founded by husband and wife team, David and Laura Alima, who are also Maryland natives. This shop is known for its interesting and fun flavors like the seasonal Lemon Peppermint and Old Bay Caramel (only right for a Maryland establishment) to the surprising flavors like Lemon Stick (a Baltimore classic) and Puttin’ on the Ritz (buttery ice cream with Ritz cracker pieces). Sometimes, the Charmery offers experimental flavors like Green Apple Curry (one of my faves). Classic ice cream flavor lovers can still enjoy the experience with flavors like Pure Vanilla and Tell Tale Chocolate. Two dairy-free flavors are always offered as well. Locally grown and created ingredients are used when possible. If you’re someone who loves ice cream shops with unique flavors that you’ve probably never seen anywhere else, the Charmery is the shop for you.
My recs: Old Bay Caramel, Lemon Stick (summer flavor), Fresh Mint and Figgy Lime (summer flavor), Thai Tea
Read my review about the Charmery here.
8551 Connecticut Ave Suite 202, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Instagram: thecharmery
Dolcezza Gelato & Coffee
Dolcezza Gelato & Coffee is known for its tasty, handmade gelato and coffee drinks. It was founded by Violeta Edelman and Robb Duncan in 2004 in Georgetown, a Washington, D.C. neighborhood. Years later, they’re still making classic and creative gelato flavors and have many shops across the Washington, D.C. Metro Area. I love that most of the ingredients are locally sourced and the owners’ passion for innovation. If an ingredient isn’t produced locally, they ensure that they find the highest quality version of those ingredients. If you don’t live in the area, Dolcezza ships nationwide on Goldbelly and can be found in many grocery stores.
My rec: Mascarpone & Berries; Mascarpone & Fig; Black & White Cookie Batter
Read my review of Dolcezza here.
7111 Bethesda Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814; Washington, D.C. and Virginia locations
Instagram: dolcezzagelato
Kyoto Matcha
If you’re a matcha person, Kyoto Matcha is the place for you. The menu is filled with almost everything matcha. The ice cream flavors are Matcha, Milk, and a mix of the two. Ice cream toppings include gold sheet leaf, matcha powder, red bean, and cornflakes. The Matcha and Milk mix is one of my favorite things to order. Kyoto Matcha also sells floats (regular and latte), and you choose one of the ice cream flavors for it.
My rec: Matcha and Milk swirl ice cream
Read my review of Kyoto Matcha here.
Rockville: 33 Maryland Ave, Unit A, Rockville, MD 20850
La Gelatteria
La Gelatteria is a Black-owned gelato and coffee shop nestled in Kensington, MD. You can order a bowl of gelato or try out their affogato. Gelato flavors include Stracciatella, Honey Mascarpone Fig, and Cranberry Orange Sorbet (seasonal). As for the affogato, you can order the classic one (gelato + espresso) or the Matcha Affogato (gelato + matcha green tea). La Gelatteria also offers milkshakes.
Note: La Gelatteria is wheelchair accessible. Park and enter through the front of the store on the Knowles Ave side. There are parking spaces available there.
My rec: Lychee Sorbet, Passionfruit Sorbet, and Mojito Sorbet (seasonal flavors – spring/summer); Matcha Affogato
Read my review of La Gelatteria here.
10414 Detrick Ave, Suite 500, Kensington, MD 20895
Instagram: lagelatteriadmv
Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream
Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream makes small-batch, all-natural ice cream with local ingredients (when possible). It’s owned by mother-daughter duo, Sarah and Annie Park. I love that they’re committed to using high-quality ingredients. All products are made in-house in Bethesda, MD. Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream was Best of Bethesda’s 2022 Best Solution for Indecisive Ice Cream Eaters. In addition to their classic flavors, seasonal flavors are available and regularly rotated. Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream also has vegan and sorbet flavors. The classics include Blueberry Swirl, Coffee Oreo, and Simply Vanilla Bean.
Note: Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream is wheelchair accessible. The customer can call for assistance. Online orders can be brought to the customer’s vehicle.
My rec: Chai Tea-ramisu, Banana Pudding (seasonal), Cinnamon Apple Crisp (seasonal), Salt & Cream Oatmeal Cookie (seasonal)
Read my review of Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream here.
Kenwood Station: 5241 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20816
Wildwood Shopping Center: 10219 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814
Instagram: sarahshandmadeicecream
The Scoop
The Scoop is a shop located in Potomac’s Cabin John Village. Brothers (and Montgomery County natives) Mitchell and Timothy Ryoo own it. Inspired by how happy their father was when he had ice cream, their mission is to spread happiness through ice cream. All of the ice cream is handcrafted in-house. The menu includes Animal Cracker, Banana Cream Pie, Hokkaido Milk Tea, and Sweet Potato Pie. The Scoop also offers boozy, vegan, and seasonal flavors.
My rec: Cookie Butter, Bourbon St.
Read my review of the Scoop here.
7909 Tuckerman Ln, Potomac, MD 20854
Instagram: thescoopicecreams
Vigilante Coffee
Vigilante Coffee is not a coffee shop, but they have a dessert that I strongly recommend to those who enjoy coffee. Vigilante’s affogato was the first one I tried and the best I’ve ever had. There are usually two to three ice cream flavors available. The ice cream is topped with a 2 oz. shot of Vigilante Coffee’s Tin Lizzie Espresso.
Note: Both Maryland locations are wheelchair-accessible.
My rec: Affogato with vanilla ice cream
Read my review of Vigilante Coffee here.
Hyattsville, MD: 4327 Gallatin St, Hyattsville, MD 20781
College Park, MD: 8200 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740
Instagram: vigilantecoffee
Virginia
Del Ray Boccato
Nestled in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood is this gem, Del Ray Boccato. It offers homemade gelato, empanadas, and pastries. Flavors include Cannoli, Mango, and Del Ray’s Amaretto with Cherries. When I stumbled upon this shop, Pumpkin Pie was one of the seasonal flavors available. The shop is small and doesn’t have much indoor seating, but it’s a great spot to get some tasty gelato!
My rec: Pumpkin Pie (seasonal)
Read my review of Del Ray Boccato here.
2400 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
Instagram: boccato_
Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats
If you haven’t checked out Goodies, you need to ASAP. This Black-owned shop–owned by Brandon Byrd–serves Wisconsin-style frozen custard and is 1950s-inspired. They make stellar ice cream sandwiches. The first one I ever tried from them was a red velvet donut ice cream sandwich. I’ve also tried their apple cider donut with frozen vanilla custard and LOVED it. They don’t miss!
My rec: Apple Cider Donut with frozen vanilla custard (pictured below – if available)
200 Commerce St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Instagram: mmmgoodies
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
If you’re looking for unique flavors, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is an ice cream shop you need to check out. It was founded by Jeni Britton, and the ice cream is made from scratch using her recipe that was perfected over 20+ years. The flavors are inspired by art, history, pop culture, and more. Their flavors are some of the most unique ones I’ve ever seen. If you’re not near a shop, check out their website to see if it’s sold in a store near you. I’ve seen it at MOM’s Organic Market, Target, and Giant.
My recs: Wedding Cake; Sweet Cream Biscuits & Peach Jam (seasonal); Gooey Butter Cake; Everything Bagel
Read my review of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams here.
102 S Patrick St, Alexandria, VA 22314 and other Virginia, D.C. and Maryland locations
Instagram: jenisicecreams
Ice Cream Jubilee
Ice Cream Jubilee brings the heat with interesting classic flavors like Banana Bourbon Caramel and Thai Iced Tea, but don’t sleep on their seasonal flavors. Ice Cream Jubilee is owned by Victoria Lai, who was inspired by ice cream’s connection to her childhood. Ice Cream Jubilee is Victoria’s way of bringing joy to others through imaginative flavors. Ice Cream Jubilee uses super-premium, all-natural cream and makes the ice cream in small batches in Washington, DC. If cool flavor combos are your thing, this is the ice cream shop for you!
My rec: Thai Iced Tea; Blackberry Chamomile (seasonal); Orange Blossom Tea Cake (seasonal)
Read my review of Ice Cream Jubilee here.
4238 Wilson Blvd Level C, Arlington, VA 22203 and two D.C. locations (Navy Yard, Logan Circle)
Instagram: icecreamjubilee
Nicecream
Do you want some of the freshest ice cream in the area? As in, ice cream that’s made-to-order right in front of you? Then Nicecream is the place for you. This Arlington ice cream shop is known for making their ice cream on the spot using liquid nitrogen, which gives you the freshest ice cream. Most of their ingredients are sourced from Pennsylvania dairy farms and some of their other ingredients are from local places or nearby states. FYI, the flavors seem to rotate regularly. Flavors that they’ve had are White Chocolate Peanut Butter, Vanilla Bean, Salted Caramel, and Peachy Keen.
Note: Call ahead for wheelchair assistance so an employee can open and hold the door.
My rec: White Chocolate Peanut Butter (below); Dark Chocolate
Read my review of Nicecream here.
2831 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
Instagram: nicecreamdc
SnoCream Company
Have you ever heard of snocream? It’s a hybrid of ice cream and shaved ice, and trust me…it’s amazing. You can choose up to two sno flavors. Flavors include Vanilla Latte, Honeydew, Coffee, and Thai Tea. Two toppings are included in the price, and additional toppings are $0.50 each. Toppings include Oreos, honey boba, Cap’n Crunch, and bananas. Add one drizzle of choice: condensed milk, chocolate, or white chocolate.
My rec: Thai Tea SnoCream
Read my review of SnoCream Company here.
4221 John Marr Dr, Annandale, VA 22003 (inside of The Block VA)
Instagram: snocreamcompany
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Until next time.
Foodish Ways 