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.
Amorino Gelato al Naturale
The first location of this gelateria opened in 2002 in Paris, and now it has found its way to Arlington, with a counter at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. Known for shaping the ice cream into a rose, the confectioner has flavors such as Mascarpone Fig, Sicilian Mandarin and Stracciatella, plus eight vegan sorbets. Enjoy them in a cone with a macaron on top, in a crepe or on a waffle. 1100 S. Hayes St., Arlington (Pentagon City)
Captain Cookie & the Milk Man
What began with a food truck is now a four-shop brick-and-mortar business with three locations in D.C. and one in Clarendon. (The food truck is still making rounds, and you can track it here.) Choose two of its fresh-baked cookies—in flavors such as confetti, double chocolate or vegan chocolate chip—to create your own chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla ice cream sandwich. Pro tip: Put one cookie flavor on top and another on the bottom. 2200 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Courthouse)
Chip City
Known for its giant cookies in more than 25 flavors, this bakery also sells ice cream at its two Arlington locations. There’s simply no law preventing you from squishing a scoop of Chocolate S’mores or Dairy-Free Cookies N Cream between a Brookie or Horchata cookie. 2700 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon); 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 Marshmallow Chai, Pina Colada and Mexican Dark Chocolate with almond and ancho chili). For an extra bite of decadence, gild the lily with a doughnut from Just Fine Doughnuts. 2310 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria (Del Ray)
Dolcezza Gelato
Heading to the Mosaic District? Pick up a cup of Black Sesame gelato or Avocado Honey Orange sorbet to enjoy as you shop the newest additions to this ever-expanding evolving and dining destination. 2905 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Ice Cream Jubilee
Stop by this shop’s newest storefront in West Falls Church for a waffle bowl of Strawberries and Cream or Vanilla Fudge Ripple. Pints are also sold in many grocery stores around the area. 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 six locations, including one in Ballston Quarter. 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston); 151 W. Falls Station Blvd., Falls Church
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)
Jake’s Ice Cream
This Barcroft Plaza shop sells artisanal small-batch ice cream made onsite, and trains and employs adults with disabilities. Fill a cup or cone with a new menu item such as Hibiscus Strawberry, or take a lick of gluten-free Guava, blue-hued Cookie Monster or vegan coffee. Manager Stacey Playle says this summer’s new offerings will include flavors such as Blended Rootbeer Float, Lucuma (a South American fruit that tastes like butterscotch and sweet potato) and Honeydew. Got a celebration coming up? Order a custom ice cream cake or bring the party to Jake’s and create your own ice cream flavor. 6353 Columbia Pike, Falls Church
Jeni’s Ice Creams
Founder Jeni Britton, a James Beard Award-winning ice cream maker, opened an outpost of her eponymous shop in Shirlington in 2023, bringing funky flavors such as Brambleberry Crisp (oven-toasted oat streusel and a sweet-tart brambleberry jam in vanilla ice cream) and Goat Cheese with Red Berries. She’s also got a scoop shop at The Boro in Tysons that opened in 2021. 4150 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington); 1669 Silver Hill Drive, McLean (The Boro)
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Juice Time & Papa Kanafa
The Dubai chocolate viral sensation meets cool summer treat at this new Middle Eastern dessert shop and juice bar that opened May 30. All ingredients are imported from Dubai, including the signature green pistachio cream. Try it on top of vanilla soft serve with vermicelli crunch, or in the Dubai strawberry cup. Other ice cream flavors include mango, blueberry and cotton candy. Not in the mood for frozen? Try the kanafa, a crunchyMiddle Eastern pastry layered with sweet cheese and soaked in syrup. 7506 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church
La Moo Creamery
This shop in the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center specializes in Thai rolled ice cream and out-of-the-ordinary mix-ins, such as strawberry jelly and waffle bites. Try a popular concoctions such as Muddy—chocolate with brownies, chocolate chips and chocolate syrup—or create your own. La Moo also serves an array of chilled-out beverages, from fruit slushies to dairy-free chopped ice. Japanese-style crepes filled with wonders like crème brûlée and candy round out the menu. 2501 N. Harrison St., Arlington
Lazy Mike’s Delicatessen
This Falls Church cafe and ice cream shop sports 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, milkshakes and egg creams at this sister restaurant of Clare and Don’s Beach Shack. Ice cream flavors run the gamut, from Leo’s Classic Chocolate to Fireball (spicy cinnamon candy), Butterfinger or Butterscotch. 7049 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church
Lil City Creamery
Order a cup or cone and behold the vast menagerie of figurines at this petite storefront on Falls Church City’s main drag. New flavors include Banana, Black Forest and Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Swirl. “We are also coming out with a budget-friendly option: Philadelphia Water Ice in a variety of flavors,” says creamery owner Jeff Goldberg, including Uncle Sam (cherry, vanilla and blueberry swirls). They’ll be $3 for a single. The menu also includes sippable desserts such as a Frozen Cookies & Cream, a Lemonade Madness smoothie and the Black Cow, a root beer float.114 W. Broad St., Falls Church City
Matcha Café Maiko
Feeling fancy? Try the “Golden Shogun,” which finds house-made matcha soft serve ice cream topped with real gold leaf, at this Tysons Corner kiosk. For something more conventional, order the matcha or vanilla in a cone, or layered in a parfait with matcha chiffon, chestnuts and shiratama mochi. Also on the menu are shaved ice, teas and lattes. 1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean (Tysons)
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 Finocchio (fennel), Snow Ginger and Grilled Beets, plus boozy options for adults. Want to try more than one flavor? Get a five-scoop flight. Sherbet, sorbet and vegan scoops are also available at both NoVA locations. 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost); 2985 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Nicecream
Lessons in chemistry come free with your order here—at least until the 11-year-old store relocates this fall. Choose flavors such as Strawberry Basil, Key Lime Pie, dairy-free Peanut Butter or Dark Chocolate, and watch as staff combine ingredients in mixers and add liquid nitrogen to product a frozen treat with a uniquely smooth texture. Ask someone to show you what the liquid looks like when it comes out of the large tank. The menu changes every Saturday so check the calendar. 2831 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Pupatella
Find creamy gelato at all NoVA locations of this award-winning pizzeria. Anastasiya Laufenberg, who owns the chain with her husband, Enzo Algarme, makes the gelato herself, having learned how at Dolci Gelati’s lab. 5104 Wilson Blvd. and 1621 S. Walter Reed Drive, Arlington; 2980 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream
Since 2008, Toby and Monina Bantug’s Westover spot has scooped out cups, cones and sundaes. In 2023, they 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. The current customer fave is Ube (a purple yam native to the Philippines)—”now outselling vanilla,” Toby says. Other twists on Asian flavors include Ube Cheesecake with graham cracker crust, and Mango Float (Mango ice cream with graham cracker crumbs and mango chunks). 5849 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Westover); 510 14th St., S., Arlington (National Landing)
VanLeeuwen
This New York City-based shop is known for a vanilla that is anything but, well, vanilla. The New York Times named its Vanilla Bean one of the best vanilla ice creams on the market, although there are plenty of other tempting flavors, too, such as Malted Cookie Dough Shake and Buttermilk Berry Cornbread. You’ll also find milkshakes, sundaes, house-made waffle cones and vegan ice cream options as well. 269 19th Court S., Arlington (National Landing)