Cool off with the best ice cream in Washington, DC, Virginia & Maryland

We love to make popsicles and homemade ice cream in the summer but we also welcome a scoop (or two) at an ice cream shop! In fact on my daughter’s summer bucket list she added, “go to as many ice cream shops” this summer. Game on. There’s nothing like a good scoop of ice cream or an ice cold popsicle when it’s hot.

Sarah’s Handmade -2 Locations in Bethesda, MD

Handmade ice cream that stays true to Sarah’s commitment to the highest quality ice cream that she would “feel proud feeding my family,” Sarah uses only the best, local-whenever-possible ingredients and sticks to her small-batch, all-natural recipes. The flavors are endless and always a hit!

Southwest Soda Pop Shop -SW, DC

Southwest Soda Pop Shop is a family owned ice cream parlor and restaurant that serves up the best lunch at Washington, DC’s District Wharf. Southwest Soda Pop Shop has been serving sweet treats, like soft serve ice cream, and refreshing drinks with a smile to guests at the District Wharf since 2018, and is proud to be one of the only black owned restaurants in DC’s District Wharf.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream – Bethesda, MD & NW, DC

THE. BEST. (#notanad) Always a line, definitely worth waiting in, enough said, go and get some scoops, many scoops and report back. 

The Baked Bear – Bethesda, MD

Homemade cookies from original recipes and hand-scooped on site, cookies are made with the highest quality ingredients and baked fresh from scratch every day, so you can imagine the aroma flowing from Baked Bear! You can choose your base (brownie, doughnut and/or cookies), then your ice cream flavor followed by toppings and sauces. Don’t forget to ask to have it pressed if you want a warm end result. Recipe uses an all-natural mix made only with rBGH-free cream, pure cane sugar and natural stabilizers. 

State Fair at The Roost – SE, DC

State Fair features playful riffs on composed sundaes using homemade frozen custard, replete with all of the delicious sauces and toppings you’d expect, and several more you won’t. Pastry Chef Allie Cheppa is at the helm of the nostalgic spot, serving up composed sundaes and floats, or build-your-own by mixing and matching custard bases + toppings.

The Creamery at Union Market – NE, DC

A family-owned and operated dairy shop sourcing local milk and ice cream located in Union Market.

Ice Cream Jubilee – SE, NW DC & Ballston, VA

I found out about ICJ because of the mouth-watering Instagram photos everyone posts and then I realized you can order from UberEats! The best flavors come from the best ingredients.  They use only all-natural cream and milk from a local creamery, just 50 miles from our scoop shop in Washington, DC.  and are proud about the small-batch technique – just a few gallons at a time; allowing to create the highest-quality product and the freshest flavors.

Millie’s – NW, DC

Brought to you by the owners of Surfside & Jetties. Walk up to an outdoor ice-cream stand (attached to the take-out hut) and grab delicious scoops and toppings.

Honey Bee Goods – NW, DC

In the old Sugar Fox location with the same concept. Flavors that change weekly if not daily. They also offer cookies and other delicious treats.

Broad Branch Market – NW, DC

A market that has most everything you need at a higher price but you feel like you live in Mayfield when you walk in. They have a freezer of about 8 flavors to order scoops from and milkshakes are available also as well as a freezer of novelties and handcrafted treats in the back.

Nicecream Factory – NW, DC & Virginia

Handcrafted ice cream is their passion. They start the process by combining fresh milk and local ingredients from nearby farms. Using a freezing agent, liquid nitrogen, then freeze the ice cream on the spot in front of guests, creating the freshest handcrafted cup of ice cream you can get. Flavors are typical with some fun ones worth trying; white chocolate peanut butter and bananas foster are on my list!

Thomas Sweet – NW, DC

A Georgetown staple. This extensive sweets shop is complete with homemade fudge and chocolates—in addition to ice cream. The specialty here is the one-of-a-kind ‘blend ins’ with homemade ice cream. It’s not a place for the indecisive as they have a chalkboard full of flavors like peanut butter chip, vanilla cherry and our favorite, coffee oreo. Keep in mind that the kiddie-sized cup is very large—about 2 scoops of ice cream.

The Dairy Godmother – Alexandria, VA

This summer, you’ll find some exciting new additions at this custard shop. Stick with what you know and get Wisconsin-style frozen custard in vanilla or chocolate every day, or try the flavor of the day. Tollhouse cookie and toasted almond are both on the schedule; see all the upcoming flavors of the day here. They’ll also be offering homemade marshmallows and sorbet this summer along with puppy pops—a treat for your dog!

Goodies Frozen Custard – Alexandra, VA

You may have seen Goodie’s cater an event as they started as a food truck of sorts. Now the Wisconsin style frozen custard has a permanent home in Alexandria.

Moorenko’s Ice Cream – Scoop shop in Silver Spring, MD & pints found in markets through DMV

This ice cream brand, which is sold throughout the DMV in markets and deli’s, is made right here in D.C.! They even have a small shop where you can go for freshly made, hand-crafted ice cream. They’ve got the classic flavors as well as some unique flavors like Cinnamon Cappuccino & Blackberry Chocolate Chip.

Mount Desert Island – Mt. Pleasant, DC

Serving premium homemade ice cream in small batches.

Captain Cookie and the Milkman – 3 trucks & 4 locations

What started as a food truck serving milk and cookies and ice cream sandwiches, now has 3 food trucks you can hunt down in the city or hire for an event. For those of us who can’t make it to a truck stop, there are 2 actual locations you can visit. They also deliver!

Jarabe – A variety of locations in DMV

Jarabe Gourmet Pops is a Latin American specialty pop-up based found at various farmers markets that specialize in Mexican-style gourmet pops. 

Jetties – A variety of locations in DC & Bethesda, MD

Serving Gifford’s ice cream, Jetties is not just an ice cream shop, but also well-known for delicious sandwiches and salads. It’s the perfect place to grab lunch followed by a scoop for dessert, with the option of adding toppings like sprinkles and crushed oreos to your cone.

Sfoglina – NW, DC & Rosslyn, VA

Italian soft serve gelato: your choice of Vanilla Gelato or Blueberry Balsamic Sorbetto. I promise you will want to go back the next day for another!

Maracas Pops – Georgetown

Originally from Mexico, the owner, Julia has been inspired by tropical flavors and refreshing treats. She fell in love with paletas, also known as Mexican ice pops, and was inspired to share her love for their unique flavors by starting her own company, Maracas Ice Pops.

Did you know Maryland has 9 dairy farms that offer fresh, delicious on-farm ice cream? Together, they make up the “Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail.” Visit each creamery and get a trail passport stamped to be named Maryland’s Ice Cream Trail Blazer! Sounds like a delicious summer bucket-list item. Now in its ninth year, the Ice Cream Trail is designed to promote the state’s dairy industry and has become increasingly popular, drawing participants from across the state and the region.

Reader recommended:
Everyday Sundae
Carmen’s Italian Ice
Class 520
Nathan’s Dairy Bar

Oldies but Goodies:
Dolcezza Gelato
Milk Bar
Dolci Gelati
Pitango Gelato
Godiva
Ben & Jerry’s
YogiBerry

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