Chill Out at These Ice Cream Shops

Let’s face it—it’s hot out. A simple way to take the edge off is with a scoop (or heck, three) from any of the well-stocked ice cream shops around town. Give these ones a spin next time you need a cool-down:

Ice Cream Jubilee

Founded by Victoria Lai, an immigration lawyer who started her ice-cream venture with a machine she found on Craigslist, Ice Cream Jubilee now has three locations in the DMV, including a popular stall at Ballston Quarter Market. Stop by to sample seasonal creations like lemon muffintop (lemon and poppyseed ice cream with demerara sugar), buttered toast and marmalade, and dairy-free strawberry hibiscus. // 4238 Wilson Blvd., #143, Arlington (Ballston) 

Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream

Since 2008, Toby and Monina Bantug’s Westover spot has scooped out cones, sundaes and other treats (mmm … Oreo sammies). Now they have a second location in Vienna. Beat the heat with flavors such as butter pecan, cinnamon, ube or cherry blossom sorbet. // 5849A Washington Blvd., Arlington (Westover)

Jake’s Ice Cream

Opened last summer, Robin Rinearson’s Falls Church scoop shop employs roughly two dozen adults with disabilities, who develop work skills with on-site job coaches. Here, find 28 flavor choices—from banana bread to vanilla-salted caramel ribbon to non-dairy options—as well as custom cakes and cupcakes. // Barcroft Plaza, 6353 Columbia Pike, Falls Church 

La Moo Creamery

Green tea ice cream? They’ve got it. Strawberry Nutella crepes? Check. Crème brûlée milk tea? They’ve got that, too. This Arlington shop that specializes in Thai rolled ice cream offers out-of-the-ordinary mix-ins for its frozen creations, such as Pocky and gummy worms. It also serves an array of chilled-out beverages, from fruit slushies to dairy-free chopped ice. // 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 days) and a walk-up window, so you can pick up a cone in a jiff. Choose from a bevy of classic treats, such as banana splits, sundaes and egg creams at this sister restaurant of Clare and Don’s Beach Shack. // 7049 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church

Lil City Creamery

Order a cup, cone or smoothie and peep the vast menagerie of figurines at this petite storefront on Falls Church City’s main drag. Flavor options include fluffernutter, pink peppermint chocolate chip and steam oil (coffee ice cream with chocolate and swirls of green caramel). The menu also includes plenty of sweet drinks to sip on, such as barbajadas (a hot chocolate drink originating in Milan, Italy) and frozen cappuccinos. // 114 W. Broad St., Falls Church

Mimi’s Handmade

This recently opened hub for frosty treats in Westpost (formerly Pentagon Row) is named after one of owner Rollin Amore’s daughters. Pick your favs from roughly three dozen ice cream flavors, including ginger heaven and vegan creamsicle. // Westpost, 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington (National Landing)

Pupatella

The Neopolitan pizzeria that opened its first storefront in Bluemont in 2010 and now has several area locations is also known for its gorgeous gelato. Try salted caramel, pistachio or stracciatella, or reach for blood orange and other sorbetti for something non-dairy. //5104 Wilson Blvd., Arlington and 1621 S. Walter Reed Drive, Arlington

Nicecream

Get a chemistry lesson at Sandra and Gil Welsford’s Clarendon confectionary, where staff employ liquid nitrogen to convert a blend of cream and milk into a smooth, dense treat that has less air than traditional churned ice creams. Keep tabs on their flavor calendar to stay current on the options. (We’re looking at you, strawberry fields and piña colada.) // The Crossing, 2831 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)

Three Whistles

In 2019, this Clarendon coworking cafe rebranded as Three Whistles to highlight its three central uses: eat, drink and work. Luckily for us, its gelato case remained in place. The shop carries several flavors (mint chocolate, tropical sunrise) and also offers gelato and sorbetti in shake form. // 2719 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)

The Italian Store

Hey, you’re already stopping in to pick up a pizza or a Milano sub with extra sweet peppers. Swing past the gelato counter and have dessert first with a scoop of bacio (chocolate hazelnut), tiramisu or classic pistachio. The Westover store’s gelato case is stocked with enticing flavors from D.C.’s award-winning Dolci Gelati.  // 5837 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Westover)

The Dairy Godmother

This Del Ray sweet-treat outpost almost closed its doors five years ago, before its longtime owner found a new buyer for the business. Today, it dishes out can’t-pass-up flavors like cereal milk (cereal-milk custard with fruity pebbles) and summer pudding (strawberry custard with angel food cake and berries). If frozen custard isn’t your thing, they’ve also got vegan donuts and sorbet, plus yummy snacks for your canine companions.  // 2310 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria (Del Ray)