Nothing beats a cold, creamy treat on a warm summer day, and with National Ice Cream Day coming up on Sunday, July 19th, we’ve got the perfect excuse to indulge. Whether you’re a fan of classic soft serve, artisan gelato, or creative frozen custard, the DMV area is packed with incredible local spots waiting to be discovered. From historic neighborhood favorites to bold new shops serving up unique flavors, we’ve rounded up a delicious guide to the best places in Washington, DC, Maryland, Northern Virginia, and West Virginia to cool off and satisfy your sweet tooth.
Family Favorites and Traditional Ice Cream
Grutos
Gruto's Soft Serve is a fun, family-friendly, locally-owned ice cream shop that quickly became a favorite among locals and a must-stop for those exploring western Loudoun since it opened in 2007. Longtime customers and current owners Don and Erin Wilson are carrying on the shop's mission of bringing moments of joy to the community.
Harpers Ferry Ice Cream Shoppe
Just off Rt 340 and right in front of River Riders Family Adventure Resort, Harpers Ferry Ice Cream Shoppe is an easy stop for a sweet treat. Serving up Hershey's Ice Cream in all the most popular flavors, they've got cones, cups, milkshakes, cookie sandwiches, and sundaes to satisfy any craving.
Ice Cream Jubilee
Multiple locations in DC, MD, & 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 strawberry matcha latte and brown sugar boba.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Multiple locations in DC, MD, & 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.” Jeni’s uses direct trade and fair trade ingredients, employs a diverse team of people, and works with women- and minority-owned businesses.
Lazy Mike’s Deli
Lazy Mike’s is Falls Church's go-to spot for beating the heat with a scoop in hand. Grab a treat from the walk-up window and settle onto the large covered patio, or dig into classic favorites like homemade ice cream sandwiches, banana splits, and milkshakes. Flavors run from Leo's Classic Chocolate to Pooh's Honey and Coffee Toffee, so there's something for every craving.
Maryland Dairy
They’ve been scooping up smiles since 1924, when the dairy science faculty first started making ice cream in Turner Hall as part of a working lab that also sold butter and cheese. A century later, this award-winning, scientifically perfected treat is still going strong, made by university Dining Services and served up at the Stamp Student Union.
Moorenko’s Ice Cream
Silver Spring, MD | Capitol Hill, DC
Owner Susan Soorenko studied under renowned ice cream makers in New York and gelato specialists in Italy to learn how to make the purest, highest-quality ice cream. Their ice cream is also custard-based, using egg yolk as an emulsifier. You can’t beat this creamy treat!
Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream
Pop's Old Fashioned Ice Cream brings the golden age of America's main streets to life, one scoop at a time. The story starts with Ray "Pop" Giovanni, who was serving up ice cream in the DC area as far back as the 1940s. Today, his legacy lives on in every one of the shop's 32-plus flavors, keeping alive the recipes and old-fashioned charm that once made First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt happy.
Red Fox Creamery
Red Fox Creamery is Winchester's go-to scoop shop, serving up handcrafted ice cream in 16 flavors daily. Made in small batches with real cane sugar, local South Mountain Creamery dairy, and zero added chemicals. Beyond the scoop, you'll find sundaes, malts, milkshakes, baked goods, gourmet truffles, sandwiches, salads, and soups.
Rocky Point Creamery
Just south of Frederick, this family-owned creamery serves up 120 flavors of the freshest ice cream around in a scenic countryside location. If you prefer to shop local, there is another great reason to stop by: you can buy their milk, cheese, eggs, and farm-raised beef at the same location. It even has a playground for the kids!
The Scoop N Scootery
This scoop shop started a decade ago as an ice cream truck, spending years perfecting a menu and system built to be faster, better, and more convenient than the old-school scoop shop model. Think frosted red velvet cores, Nutella whipped cream, marshmallow fluff tunnels, and Oreo frosting – bold creations you won't find anywhere else. New to the area but already a social media darling, it's quickly becoming the spot everyone's talking about (and lining up for).
Toby’s Ice Cream
Arlington, VA | National Landing, VA | Vienna, VA
Voted Arlington’s Best Ice Cream of 2026 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!
Woody’s Ice Cream
Tucked in the heart of Fairfax's historic district, Woody's Ice Cream has earned its spot as a perennial neighborhood favorite. Stop on Monday through Thursday for weekly specials, or swing by anytime for sundaes, milkshakes, cones, and other classic treats. With a spacious outdoor patio and plenty of tables, Woody's is the perfect place to sit back and enjoy the scoop.
Van Leeuwen
Founded in 2008 by brothers Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen and Laura O’Neil as a single yellow post office truck in New York City, Van Leeuwen now has more than 100 scoop shops across 15 states. Their speciality is French-style ice cream made with extra egg yolks. They do have vegan options. Fan-favorites include Praline Butter Cake, Earl Grey Tea, and Honeycomb.
Yala Greek Ice Cream
Georgetown & 950 New York Ave, DC
Yala Greek Ice Cream is a true family affair, born from the story of Papou, founder Chrys Kefalas' grandfather, George Minadakis, a Greek immigrant who built his American dream on hard work, pride, and never cutting corners. That family legacy shows in the best ingredients: farm-fresh milk and premium sourcing from Greece, the Mediterranean, and top producers worldwide that go into every handcrafted scoop.
Photos courtesy of Jubilee, Pop's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Co., and Custard Shack
Frozen Custard, Italian Ice, and Gelato
Carmen’s Italian Ice and Cafe
Rockville, MD | Olney, MD | Partner Locations
Carmen’s Italian Ice & More isn’t just an ice cream shop. It’s Maryland's dessert Emporium with locations open year-round, serving you freshly made, delicious treats. They have something for everyone, including dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options. They also offer a mobile truck and can cater for parties and events.
Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato
A great spot to grab Argentinian-style gelato and other desserts. The owner of Casa Rosada, Benjamin Umasky, has the craft down to a science. All their treats are produced on-site with the highest quality natural ingredients, giving our customers the most authentic Argentine dessert experience in the area.
Custard Shack
All of their custard bases are made with cream, milk, sugar, and pasteurized egg yolks, which are shipped straight from the “unofficial” frozen custard capital of the world, Milwaukee, WI. The basic vanilla and chocolate are always gluten-free. Some featured flavors may contain gluten and/or nuts. Don’t forget to grab a puppy cup on the way out!
The 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 flavor forecast. 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!
Dolcezza
Multiple locations in DC, MD & VA
Dolcezza specializes in serving “old world” gelato with locally sourced ingredients. You can even check out their farmer partners here. 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
This delicious Alexandria spot has been serving up some of the best gelato around for over 14 years. The business was founded by Gianluigi Dellaccio, who was appointed Italy’s “Ambassador of Homemade Gelato” in 2018.
Packs Cones n More Dairy Corner
Packs is one place you don’t want to miss out on when it’s open for the season, with delicious flavors and toppings varying every month. You can check their Facebook page to view their featured flavors each week!
Pitango Gelato
Multiple locations in DC, MD & VA
Noah Dan, who spent his childhood in Trieste, Italy, founded Pitango in 2006 to re-create the pure and wholesome gelato of his youth. Still a family-owned business, Pitango now has eight locations in DC, Maryland, and Virginia that focus on the “classics done right.” The sorbet flavors, all of which are vegan, are made with fresh organic fruit that is in-season and locally sourced whenever possible.
