Ice cream is sweet any time of the year, but a frozen treat is extra when the temperatures rise and school lets out. Whether you’re craving something creamy and decadent or fruity and dairy-free, these scoop shops are sure to please. This list includes the winner and top vote-getters from this year’s Best of Arlington awards, plus some additional sweet contenders.
Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream
For 18 years, Toby and Monina Bantug’s Westover spot has scooped out cups, cones and sundaes. In 2023, the Best of Arlington 2026 winner added locations in Vienna and National Landing. The ice cream, made with all-natural ingredients and at least 16% butterfat for maximum creaminess, comes in 20-24 flavors at any given time. Ube is the most popular, Toby Bantug says, but “we will also be showcasing Philippine Mango ice cream, our award-winning Coffee Oreo ice cream, Horchata ice cream and Calamansi sorbet.” 5849 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Westover), and 510 14th St., S., Arlington (National Landing)
Lazy Mike’s Deli
This Falls Church café and ice cream shop has a large covered patio (which comes in handy on scorching or rainy summer days) and a walk-up window, so you can scoop up a cone or sundae in a jiffy. Choose from a bevy of classic treats, such as homemade ice cream sandwiches, banana splits and milkshakes at this sister restaurant of Clare and Don’s Beach Shack. Ice cream flavors run the gamut, from Leo’s Classic Chocolate to Pooh’s Honey and Coffee Toffee. 7049 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church
Lil City Creamery
The vast menagerie of figurines at this petite storefront on Falls Church’s main drag is almost as popular with kiddos as its signature sweet. New flavors include Peanut Butter Cups, Key Lime Pie and Cardamom. The menu also includes sippable desserts such as an affogato (a scoop of ice cream with a pour-over double shot of espresso) and the Shake Shake Shake Milkshake. If you’re in the mood for a sweet sandwich, ask for the ice cream layered between two chocolate chip cookies. 114 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Mimi’s Handmade
This hub for frosty treats is named after one of owner Rollin Amore’s daughters, although both are involved in the biz. Find offbeat flavors such as Butterfly Pea Coconut in Sticky Rice Pudding, Wasabi Peas, Sweet Corn and cucumber sherbet, plus boozy options for adults. Want to try more than one flavor? Get a five-scoop flight. Sorbet and vegan scoops are also available at both NoVA locations. 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost), and 2985 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
The Scoop N Scootery
Just in time for summer, this ice cream franchise offering 70-plus creative sundae variations opened June 6. The picture-perfect concoctions include Mint City (mint Oreo ice cream with a chocolate-frosted cake core, topped with fudge, chocolate chips and homemade Oreo frosting) and Banana Hammock (salty caramel ice cream with Reese’s peanut butter cups, banana slices, chocolate syrup and homemade whipped cream). Don’t feel like going out? Get your sugar fix delivered until 2 a.m. on Tuesdays-Saturdays. The shop is closed Mondays and open 3-10 p.m. on Sundays. 1138 N. Irving St., Arlington (Clarendon)
Ice Cream Jubilee
Stop by for a waffle bowl of Banana Bourbon Caramel or Mint Chocolate Brownie. Feeling extra? Top it with butter cookie crumble or good ol’ chocolate fudge. Plus, there’s something extra sweet about supporting owner Victoria Lai, the lawyer-turned-ice-cream-maven who made her first ice cream at home with a machine she bought off Craigslist. Today, she has seven locations throughout the DMV. 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston), and 151 W. Falls Station Blvd., Falls Church
Jake’s Ice Cream
Robin Rinearson’s Barcroft Plaza shop sells artisanal small-batch ice cream made onsite, and trains and employs adults with disabilities. The team recently started making Valrhona chocolate waffle cones that you can fill with new flavors with a Central and South American fruit vibe. There’s lucuma, which Rinearson says is popular in Peru and Bolivia. It “looks a bit like a yellow avocado and tastes a bit like butterscotch,” she says. There’s also tamarind, guava and dairy-free pineapple. Coming soon: Lemon Chiffon with Blueberry Swirl and Amaretto Sour. Create a DIY ice cream sammie by throwing in two David’s Premium cookies, which are made in-house, too. 6353 Columbia Pike, Falls ChurchÂ
Chip City
Known for its giant cookies in more than 25 flavors, this bakery also sells ice cream at its two Arlington locations. (It has a Tysons Corner Center spot, too, but that one doesn’t sell scoops.) There’s simply no law preventing you from spreading a scoop of Chocolate S’mores or Dairy-Free Cookies N Cream between a Limonada or Red Velvet Cheesecake cookie. The 2700 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon), and 4014 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
The Dairy Godmother
OK, so it’s not ice cream, per se, but the Wisconsin-style frozen custard made fresh daily at this Del Ray institution is a creamy, cold treat. A flavor of the day is blended by hand with the shop’s traditional vanilla. Watch the calendar for the “Flavor Forecast” to see what’s coming. (June promises options such as Banana Macadamia Toffee; Pink Ladies, which is lemon with strawberry sauce and yellow cake crumble, and Boston Baked Bean, a combo of molasses-brown sugar and sugar-coated peanut pieces). For an extra bite of decadence, gild the lily with a doughnut from Just Fine Doughnuts. 2310 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria (Del Ray)
La Moo Creamery
This shop in the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center specializes in Thai rolled ice cream and a buffet of mix-ins, such as raspberry boba and graham crackers. Try a ready-made creation such as Moocha—green tea ice cream with strawberry, mocha and strawberry Pocky—or create your own. La Moo also serves an array of chilled-out beverages, from milk tea to dairy-free chopped ice. Japanese-style crepes filled with wonders like Nutella and candy round out the menu. 2501 N. Harrison St., Arlington
The Italian Store
Owner Robert Tramonte, whose family hails from the Calabria region in Italy, opened the Westover location of this beloved Arlington fixture in 2015 with an espresso and gelato counter. The frozen treats are made by D.C.-based Dolci Gelati, and the flavors change based on availability, but chocolate, vanilla and bacio (chocolate and hazelnut) are always in the case. (Note: The Italian Store’s sister location in Lyon Village doesn’t serve gelato.) 5837 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Westover)
Pupatella
Arlington’s favorite pizzeria also sells creamy gelato made by Anastasiya Laufenberg, who owns the chain with her Italian husband, Enzo Algarme. She learned to make it at Dolci Gelati’s lab. It’s the real deal. 5104 Wilson Blvd. and 1621 S. Walter Reed Drive, Arlington; 2980 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Juice Time
This Mideastern dessert shop and juice bar just celebrated its first anniversary. Raise a cup (of ice cream) in its honor with decadent options including Bubbles (vanilla with blueberry and red berry sauces and boba-type bubbles) and Cotton Candy, which comes with actual cotton candy. Not in the mood for frozen? Try the kanafa, a crunchy Middle Eastern pastry layered with sweet cheese and soaked in syrup. 7506 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church
Van Leeuwen
As of June 12, there’s yet another way to get your hands on this New York City-based shop’s famous vanilla. (The New York Times named its Vanilla Bean one of the best vanilla ice creams on the market.) The newest local location opened in Ballston, bringing other tempting flavors, too, such as Strawberry Matcha Latte and Brown Sugar Cookie Dough Brownie. You’ll also find milkshakes, sundaes, house-made waffle cones and vegan scoops. 4075 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston); 2800 Clarendon Ave., Arlington (Clarendon); and 269 19th Court S., Arlington (National Landing)
Dolcezza Gelato
Heading to the Mosaic District? Pick up a cup of Blueberry Lavender or Thai Coconut Milk gelato, or Blueberry Lemon Thyme sorbet to enjoy as you stroll the shops or sit fountain-side at Strawberry Park. Want just a quick sugar-fix? Get your gelato or sorbet in push-pop form. It’s a single serving of the good stuff in a pushable plastic container. 2905 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Founder Jeni Britton, a James Beard Award-winning ice cream maker, opened an outpost of her eponymous Ohio-based shop in Tysons in 2021 and Shirlington in 2023, bringing funky flavors such as Queen Charlotte Sponge Cake, a Bridgerton-inspired treat made with almond-scented buttercream ice cream, honey cake and raspberry-rose jam. Also on the menu: gluten-free Summer Berries & Passion Fruit, a blend of raspberries, blackberries and blueberries folded into cream with cultured buttermilk, fresh yogurt and passionfruit curd. 4150 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington), and 1669 Silver Hill Drive, McLean (The Boro)
PLNT Burger
Co-founded by celeb chef Spike Mendelsohn, this 100% plant-based restaurant has vegan soft serve and milkshakes. Flavors include Chocolate, Strawberry Love, Mint Cookies & Cream, and Banana Creme Brûlée. Or get a chocolate-and-vanilla twist in a cup with sprinkles. 1635 Boro Place, McLean (The Boro)