It’s never a bad time for ice cream, although summer is prime season for frozen treats. Whether you crave something creamy and decadent or fruity and dairy-free, scoop shops throughout the area have the perfect choice.
Captain Cookie & the Milk Man
In 2023, Arlington became home to the fourth location of this beloved shop, which began 12 years ago as a food truck. Get cookies—confetti, snickerdoodle and double chocolate, for instance—individually or in batches, or opt for a made-from-scratch ice cream sandwich. Pro tip: Put one cookie flavor on top and another on the bottom. // 2200 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Courthouse)
The Dairy Godmother
OK, so it’s not ice cream, per se, but the Wisconsin-style frozen custard made fresh daily and served here is also a creamy, cold treat. Guests can watch the specialized machines churn out the yumminess. A flavor of the day is blended by hand with the shop’s traditional vanilla. Watch the calendar for the “Flavor of the Day Forecast.” Birthday Cake (cake batter custard with Funfetti cake pieces), Samoa (caramel custard with chocolate hard shell and toasted coconut), and Bananas Foster (banana/cinnamon custard with dulce de leche sauce) are all coming in June. Pick up a doughnut from Just Fine Doughnuts while you’re there. // 2310 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria (Del Ray)
Dolcezza Gelato
Got some shopping to do in the Mosaic District? Grab a Roasted Strawberry Pushpop or a cup of Mascarpone and Berries or Pistachio Siciliano to enjoy as you wander and window shop this fashionista’s paradise with stores like Kendra Scott, South Moon Under and the region’s only Bloomie’s, a tiny version of the luxury department store. Mosaic is also home to Target, Pottery Barn and 30-plus restaurants. // 2905 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Ice Cream Jubilee
Stop by Ballston Quarter for a waffle bowl of the shop’s summer special flavors – Blueberry Crisp, Peaches and Cream, and Toasted S’mores – or a perennial fave such as Marionberry with Graham Crackers. Pints are also sold in many grocery stores around the area. Plus, there’s something extra sweet about supporting Victoria Lai, lawyer-turned-ice-cream-maven who made her first ice cream at home with a machine she bought off Craigslist. Today, she has three locations, including two in D.C., and four more are coming soon, including one in West Falls Church at 151 West Falls Station Blvd. // 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Jake’s Ice Cream
This three-year-old shop in Barcroft Plaza offers artisanal small-batch ice cream made onsite, and the business trains and employs adults with disabilities. Fill a cup or cone with a taste of the season in the form of Strawberry Rhubarb Swirl and Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp, or spring for other fruity flavors such as guava, passionfruit, lucuma and chirimoya, aka custard apple (a tropical fruit that is a cross between an apple and a pear). Got a celebration coming up? Order a custom ice cream cake or just hold the party at 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 last year, bringing funky flavors such as Nebula Berry, Supermoon and Powdered Jelly Donut to another local neighborhood. (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)
La Moo Creamery
This Arlington shop specializes in Thai rolled ice cream and out-of-the-ordinary mix-ins, such as cotton candy and pie crust. Try one of their popular concoctions, such as Monkey Business—vanilla ice cream with Nutella, chocolate chips and banana—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, candy and fruit 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 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 homemade ice cream sandwiches, banana splits, sundaes, milkshakes 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 or cone and peep the vast menagerie of figurines at this petite storefront on Falls Church City’s main drag. Coming to the menu soon are FlufferNutter, Chloe’s Wild Cherry Chocolate Chip and Amelia’s Sweet Amaretto—”the last two flavors are a shout-out to the grandkids,” says creamery owner Jeff Goldberg. The menu also includes sippable desserts such as a Frozen Horchata, Mango Madness smoothie and affogatto, a scoop of ice cream in a double shot of espresso. // 114 W. Broad St., Falls Church City
Matcha Café Maiko
This international chain has a kiosk in Tysons Corner Center, where you can try the “Golden Shogun,” homemade matcha soft serve ice cream topped with real gold leaf. For something more traditional, go for the matcha or vanilla in a cone or layered in a parfait with chestnuts, mochi and azuki beans. 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. Pick your faves from about three dozen ice cream flavors, including Finocchio (fennel), Drunken Cherry Chocolate (a boozy option for customers 21 and older), Wasabi Peas or Grilled Beets. Curious to sample more than one of those oddball flavors? Get a five-scoop flight. Sherbet, sorbet and vegan scoops are also available at both NoVA locations in Westpost and the Mosaic District.// 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost); 2985 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Nicecream
Lessons in chemistry come free with your order here. Try new flavors, such as homemade Cookie Butter, Pea Blossom Lychee and Dreamsicle, made with fresh orange juice and zest, or old favorites, including Strawberry Fields, Lime in the Coconut and Nutella. Then, watch as staff combine ingredients in mixers and add liquid nitrogen to create 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)
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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). Last year, the Best of Arlington award winners opened locations in Vienna and National Landing. (The latter, in Met Park, is conveniently situated by a playground and dog park.) Beat the heat with customer favorites such as Buko Pandan (flavored with pandan leaf and coconut), calamansi sorbet, horchata and ube, made with purple yams from the Philippines. // 5849 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Westover); 510 14th St., S., Arlington (National Landing)
VanLeeuwen
This one is a bit of a tease because it’s not quite open yet, but word on the street is that the New York City-based shop will be scooping up its famous flavors in June from a new location in National Landing. Prep those taste buds for Peanut Butter Brownie Honeycomb, Earl Grey Tea and Buttermilk Berry Cornbread. You’ll also find milkshakes, sundaes, house-made waffle cones and vegan ice cream options. // 269 19th Court S., Arlington (National Landing)