50 Best Ice Cream Shops near Kingstowne

“Everything is by weight. Lots of options for flavor and topping. The machines are working well and none are broken so that’s definitely a plus! They have fruit options (dairy free) and sugar free options as well. Friendly staffs at this location. Plenty of seatings indoor or outdoor.“

“Every time I have a mad craving for ice cream I make my way over to this Dairy Queen. It's cheap and delicious! I love soft serve ice cream so much as it does remind me of my childhood. There are definitely other more complex flavored and phenomenal ice cream places, particularly Pops in Old Town Alexandria, but this Dairy Queen is easy to get to, parking is never an issue, the people are friendly, and it hits the spot every time. So please visit them and keep them in business.“

“As a somewhat regular at the Tombs and having dined at a few of the many Clyde's Restaurants, I can honestly say that my expectations were nowhere near as high as to the level of quality that my friends and I enjoyed tonight at the 1789. In a word it was simply "AMAZING". The service was flawless, there were there when we needed them and mysteriously disappeared when we were set. Sometimes in fine dining the service staff can be hovering over us like Seagulls on the prowl at the Jersey Shore. We took our time to consume three courses and an enjoy a few libations. The dining room is intimate and inviting the fireplace was lit aglow, warm and comforting to sit by. The menu is adventurous but not contrived or so esoteric that we needed to google explanations so that we might navigate our choices. Presentations were elegant and simple with the emphasis on execution. Unlike so many trendy new places around DC seem to be awash in multiple concoctions that involve far too many syllables. The flavors were on point and the kitchen showed a prowess that must only come as a notice that it's all about the taste, the freshness and the seasonality that we find ourselves in. The New Bedford Seared Sea Scallops were delicious, plump and sweet. And the accompanying sauce just perfectly paired with the Scallops. The Escargot garlicky and salty. The only ever so slight misstep was with the Grilled Octopus, a wee tad rubbery possibly didn't poach long or slow enough to tenderize the tentacles before they were finished on the Grill. Our Entrees were all eagerly passed around the table and there was unanimous agreement that all four were perfect. We sampled the Lamb, the Halibut, Duck and the Wagu Short-ribs, whose taste and tenderness took me back to a similar experience 30 years ago at a small French Cafe in Newport. In my Humble opinion this entire experience was undoubtedly the finest meal I've ever been served in our Nations Capital. Reservations are almost always a must but trust me it is indeed worth the wait. Everyone got dessert because we were all part of the Clean Plate Club. Of particular note was the 1789 Pastry Chef's interpretation of Classic Carrot Cake. Reservations are highly recommended and be assured that you will leave with a delicious taste in your mouth and an overwhelming urge to plan your return to the "1789".“

“Truly delicious! Visited Alexandria and noticed there are lots of ice cream shops to get a scoop you could get at home, but we wanted something special. Goodies is it! We tried the brownie sandwich sundae, the apple donut sandwich with homemade caramel sauce and the Oreo sundae. All were fantastic and my family loved them! Very nice outdoor seating area in a great location. Brandon (the owner) was really helpful and friendly. There was a bit of a line on a sunny Sunday afternoon, but it moved quickly and was so worth the wait. FYI, it was cash only. We'll be back for sure!“

“I had tons of gelato when I traveled to Italy with one of our favorite spots being Venchi. Since coming back, we've tried other gelato places but none have been anything like what we had there. Imagine how giddy I was to find out that the same Venchi was located in the States and close to my house!! We promptly tried the stracciatella ( my daughter's favorite) and it immediately took us back. It was rich, creamy, perfectly sweet, and delicious just like I remembered. We will definitely be back!“

“This place is unique and a delight to have in pentagon row! They have flavors I’ve never had anywhere before. The staff is friendly and the ice cream is made in house and it’s absolutely wonderful! Good excuse to take a walk to try every flavor! Yummy!!!“

“This is a cute little place with unique gelato flavors. We waited on a short line about 5 minutes. The staff is big and extremely agile. I was able to sample some flavors before deciding on hazelnut crackle and bananas foster. You can have two flavors in one cup. This is some of the best gelato I've had to be honest. It's just very expensive. My tiny maybe 6 ounce cup was almost $9. It's not something I would eat often at that price but a nice occasional treat.“

“I like this environment very much, it allows me to work quietly. A cafe that pays attention to the environment and the quality of the coffee is good, I believe they will get better and better in the future. Reviews from Arlington residents.“

“My son and I ate at Bacio today and let me say we had a wonderful experience. We sat on the cute patio and it was so peaceful and quiet, you wouldn’t know you were in the middle of DC. The server was friendly and attentive. I liked the alcohol selection, and had wine. We enjoyed mozzarella sticks which we could tell were made in house and not just reheated from frozen like in most other places. The pizza my son got was fresh and delicious. I enjoyed my arugula salad with shrimp. I wish they were a little more cooked but that is a personal preference. The desserts very very good too, we really liked the limoncello raspberry cake. We really highly recommend this place and we can’t wait to go back!“

“The menu had too many good options and I wish I could come here all the time to get through the entire menu. During this trip, we tried the ube milk and the mango yuzu black tea. Both with boba of course. The ube milk was made with real ube so it was starchy like a potato, thick like a watered down milk shake, and really delicious. It wasn't sweet to me, it felt like a dessert vs a drink. The real winner was the mango yuzu black tea. It was also made with real mango fruit puree and tasted like a mango fruit leather. Bursting with flavor from the mango and had a zing from the yuzu, it was the perfect drink for the warmer weather outside. The boba was also so soft and chewy. This was a true boba place. And it was literally ran by one guy. If I lived in DC, this would be my go to boba drink place for sure.“

“Cookies are amazzzzzing. I love getting a box of 6 and trying them out. I cut pieces and my whole family tries them. I honestly don't think there is a cookie I didn't like. I may not have preferred the flavor but never down right nasty lol. I only gave 3 stars because it's not really a sit down place and I can't speak for all locations but the one I normally got to in VA is always clean. I'll get photos next time. I eat them so fast I don't get the chance lol. ,?“

“The ice cream here is absolutely delicious. It is a bit richer than some of the ice creams as they use 16% butterfat, so unfortunately it was melting quickly, but the green tea and chocolate flavors were really good. Unfortunately, on the day I went, they were out of ube, so I didn't get to try it, but I hope to sometime. I also wish they had more space inside as it is really difficult to eat ice cream in your car.“

“Super great ice cream place! The worker who helped us was super nice and recommend our ice cream combos. Flavor was super great too. We went before it got busy so it was quick and easy. Our total for what was pictured was $20 so be mindful of price but a super solid ice cream place to enjoy“

“Delicious and unique. The ice cream flavors here have no comparison. This is some of the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted. Between the three of us, we tried six flavors and could not agree on which was best. If you’re looking for great ice cream, Jeni’s is your place. Don’t worry if the line is long, it moves very quickly.“

“Check out the Arlington location for this coffee shop on first street. Buried in the middle of a pleasant and very green suburban neighborhood, La Coop is a great place to work inside or outside on wrought iron chairs in a quaint plaza. Worthy of note are the real comfortable chairs with padding either at the coffee bar or at your own individual table. You aren't bruising your fanny on hardwood like at a library. Hello upholstery! For those that want to bury themselves by the sugar and the (eco-friendly straws), there's a second little wooden coffee bar overlooking the window that looks out into the parking lot. I also like that you also don't have to beg for wifi. The password is provided on a nice little sign by the door with a happy face sign. Staff are super nice too.“

“I love Pasha Castle! All of the treats are delightful. The staff was very helpful, and we were able to taste test some things to help make our decision- which wasn’t easy with some many delicious options. The Pasha Special is to die for, and the Turkish Delight options make me feel at home. The only downside to this place is that there are limited seating options, and the atmosphere and design are very minimalistic for those who might want to eat there treats while here instead of taking them to-go.“

“Old Town Alexandria can be a tourist trap if you don't know where to go or access to the local-"in crowd" on where to go. I myself would confess to being a zombie tourist if it were not for all the crowd-sourced reviews and convenient map search features. This long-winded review intro is meant to steer you off-the-beaten-path, away from touristy stuff, and see what little shops lurk in the edges off *streets of royalty* ( ahem, I meant look at what's out there beyond King Street, Prince Street, or Duke Street ).And in the case of Casa Rosada Gelato, you would literally walk pass it given recent construction that forces the relocated front entrance to be hidden deep off some loading bay alley (the pictures says it all). The alleyway is almost 25 paces off the main street and there are no signs except for some Casa Rosada icon on paper taped to a plywood board where the front entrance would be. Had to band up with a visiting family of 5 to go gelato hunting for the front entrance. It's especially scary at night and yet so fun too given how dark the entire surrounding intersection block is with no cars or people in sight. But the gelato is good - way better than the throw-back-themed ice cream chain shops that promise to top sweetened air-filled cream (ie. normal ice cream) with rainbow covered sugar that's meant to distract you from all the air you are buying in your ice cream. With most gelato classic flavors available, we opted to go 'off-the-beaten-path' theme and go for walnut and madeira wine gelato. Tasting both flavors mixed was a symphony of flavors I doubt you can find anywhere else in this Old Town.“

“Got the stratiacella and passion fruit sorbet. Like that they do two flavors in one cup. Wish that the stratiechella had those more classic chocolate ribbons but the passion fruit was killer. Relatively fast service even though we were stuck behind a big group of kids. Perfect post dinner snack vibes.“

“What a cute little cafe in the heart of downtown Vienna. It's such a warm and cozy vibe and their owners are so welcoming. Such great service!I got their affogatos which was amazing because you get to pick your ice cream flavor since their store is also an ice cream parlor. I got some pastries which were so good. I want to come during breakfast so I can try their food! I hope to return!“

“Came here on a Sunday night for ice cream and had a great experience! Good range of flavors and a nice atmosphere. It was fairly busy, with a short wait before ordering and all the tables full. The small cup comes with two flavors and is ~$8. Pricey for the size, but it is expected for Dupont. I haven’t tried the coffee yet, but it seems like it would be a great spot, and I would love to come back.“

“We loved having SCOOPS2U for our wedding dessert. Theo was an awesome person to have as our ice cream guy. Zach was very responsive and easy to communicate with. The entire process was easy and exciting for our guests at the event. Would highly recommend them.“

“I felt like eating something sweet while sightseeing, so I went to this restaurant that has a high Google Map rating and many reviews. Visited around 11:30.We ordered chocolate, almond, lemon, raspberry and vanilla.What was especially delicious was the raspberry.It tasted amazing and delicious, just like eating fresh raspberries.Next time I go, I think I'll order the raspberry and chocolate + new flavor.There are 8 seats in total, including 2 counter tables that can seat 4 people, so you can eat in.We were the only people eating and drinking inside, but people kept coming in to buy coffee and baked goods.Unfortunately, the eat-in space is not clean.There were remnants of eaten bread and baked goods, gelato and coffee left on all eight tables.I thought this was really cruel.That said, the gelato taste was outstanding. I hope many people try the raspberry flavored gelato!“

“I had to come check out the vegan menu that everybody was raving about. What an unexpected surprise! Troy's has an awesome selection of vegan pizzas, subs, wings, knots, and desserts. I love that they feature Follow Your Heart cheese. The pizza was so fluffy and so were the garlic knots--they take pride in their freshly made dough and it shows. But the wings are really were it's at! Get wings with all of their sauces. Check it out, even if you're not vegan you'll love their noms.“

“We went to the Mono (Georgetown) location and our burgers were excellent. The staff was friendly and the space was clean. There was outdoor seating enjoyed by many, but we chose to sit indoors and people-watch in the charming, bustling area on a Sunday afternoon. Great experience as out-of-towners!“

“Gourmet Chocolate...yes please! Outstanding and wonderful service. I got a decorative box for my Mom's birthday truffles and she loved it! The Carmel Apple, Chocolate covered oreos, and fudge is AMAZING! I highly recommend and will be back.“

“Delicious dairy and ice cream! They accidentally left a pint of gelato out of our order and then drove it by the same day with an extra included! So nice, and such incredible service during crazy times! I'm excited to go back there in person when things are opened up again.“

“These folks make the best (the absolute best) chocolates I have ever had… and I am a chocolate connoisseur. Not only is the flavor unmatched, but some of their designs are perfection. The macarons are also top tier by a landslide. Friendly staff, adorable little shop, great small business. I absolutely need to stop back more often.“

“There just isn't anything better than stopping in and enjoying a cup of Jeni's truly splendid ice cream. Jen I worked on perfecting her ice cream for years before discovering a secret ingredient that makes her ice cream the creamiest, smoothest ice cream you'll ever try! She has a variety of creative flavors and even dairy free! This location seems small but there is seating upstairs so you can annoy your treat with a splendid view of the U Street corridor.“

“I'm a home ice cream chef that makes a LOT of ice cream, usually a few batches per week. And so whenever I travel for work, I like to hit up a bunch of ice cream shops both for new ideas and to also see how well that my secret ice cream making companions are doing.Typically I'll grab a mint chip ice cream, since it's a simple flavor that does a good job of highlighting whether the ingredients are high quality or not. But I saw the Grapefruit Brulee pint on the menu and knew I had to grab it.WOW am I glad I did because it was one of the best flavors of ice cream I have ever had. Really wish I had this recipe for this one because it was so danged good. Whoever at Happy Ice Cream reads this, major kudos to the chef who came up with this flavor. So very very good.The only real downside is that they only sell pints in the winter, which is way more than I should probably buy for myself. That said, the staff was super nice and fun to chat with, and they loaded me up with extra spoons to bring back to my hotel room.“

“Delicious (vegan) donuts sold alongside awesome frozen custard. We had the special, a banana pudding custard, which was one of the best ice cream/custards I’ve ever had. I can’t wait to go back.Parking: Parking in the lot across the street is free!“

“The All-american pairing! Flutternutter pie(peanut butter pieces), texas sheet cake dairy free(chocolate cake), pb and j ice cream. One of the reasons i love jeni's is because nothing there is overwhelmingly sweet. It's like the perfect amount of sweetness. This is my second time at this location, during the spring and summer the lines are out the door looped around the corner. Just came in at 430 and luckily was the only customer. The gal at the counter was nice, but so soft spoken I couldn't hear her well, but overall the people here are nice and to the point. They offer standard at two flavors, signature which is 3 flavors, and flights. They also do things by the pint, which I have found in stores as well. However these are made here, and packaged fresh. I'm glad I came across a jeni's here in arlington, first time I tried it was for a modeling gig and I was so stuffed having to shoot a million times I couldn't experience the flavors too well. Nice add to Shrlington!“

“Excellent ice cream made in house with a great mix of traditional and creative flavors. Helpful, friendly staff who keep the line moving. We like to eat outside and have also ordered a custom ice cream cake.Dietary restrictions: They keep non dairy options in a separate case and also clearly label other allergens and restrictions“

“Gelat’oh came to my school for teacher appreciation week! It was by far the BEST part of the week! They had so many great flavors it was hard to choose! I got 1/2 salted caramel and 1/2 Cinnamon Toast Crunch and they both taste DELISH! The woman in the truck was so friendly and accommodating. I would definitely recommend!!“

“When they say lil, they mean it! This place is super small, so there is no place to sit inside. They have over 10 flavors to choose from, all very fun and funky. They also have root beer floats and coffee. We enjoyed our chocolate raspberry ice cream. Very reasonable pricing! You can park in the lot behind very easily.“

“I have been a fan of Rita's for a few years and was excited to see one opening in Alexandria much closer to where I currently live than going to DC, Maryland, or other NOVA locations. It was even better to learn that they are a year-round open location. I have mainly ordered large gelatis and have had them both in-person and by Grubhub delivery. When I have been there in-person, the location is clean with some bench seating outside and the employees are friendly (one time I ordered for delivery and they promptly called me when the flavor I requested was out and I needed a substitute flavor). I have also ordered pup cups for my dog and they are a good size and reasonably priced. I recommend this spot for people who like Rita's or frozen treats, as they have a varied menu between the water ice, custard, and combinations of the two, along with milkshakes and more.“

“Above average ice cream stand (no inside seating) with limited outdid table. We had pineapple sorbet, which was quite good. There are tiny pineapple piece I can taste, I think it's chopped dried pineapple they added. Someone had good looking banana split. Next door is a good pizza place with lots of seating..so you can hit both.. it was like $5 for a cup of pineapple sorbet, they make it there. Always long line on nice days, so come with friends to chit chat while u wait..“

“Ohhhh these cookies were GOOOOD! cant go wrong with Crumbl. I wish their pink iced sugar cookie was always on the menu though. Miss it. my favorite so far is the Bischoff and the Kentucky Butter one. store very clean and the staff pleasant.“

“This is a must visit if you are in Old Town Alexandria. Even in winter, the ice-cream hits the spot. They have great flavors to choose from and all of it is freshly made. I've tried ice cream from the other places in Old Town and they definitely don't come close to Pop's.It is a charming little store and perfect for first dates. Grab a little ice cream and take your lovely date for a stroll along the river. It's cheap, delicious, and romantic. You can't beat that!“

“It was my first time trying Korean style shaved ice dessert. It comes in flavors and a variety of toppings + the condensed milk drizzle at the end. I ordered half taro half milk tea with custard pudding, honey boba, and mochi. It was very refreshing and delicious with the right level of sweetness. Will definitely go again.“

“I've been to this location twice, and both times I had a great experience! Service is fast and great. Ambiance is very casual-- best to go to just pick up a scoop of ice cream, as there are not many seats available! I definitely recommend trying the clementine sorbet-- it was amazing! Super refreshing, juicy, and tangy so great if you're not feeling something too heavy. The sesame ice cream was really unique-- definitely worth trying if you want something new!“

“This is by far the best ice cream I’ve ever had. I even follow them on instagram because I can’t get enough. The Nutella is my favorite, but I’ve LOVED every single flavor they’ve made. I’m so happy that Uber delivers to Kingstown! I get it twice a month now.. hahaha. I really think they beat a lot of other places in the DMV, I’m so surprised they don’t sell out every night hahaha.“

“My experience at the ben&jerrys in the national harbor was exceptional. The person serving me was very professional, polite and friendly. Due to a large number of my friends ordering all together, the man serving us was willing to give us a larger discount on our ice cream. Definitely the place to go for a sweat treat spring, summer, winter or fall!“

“These are some of the best cookies I have ever tasted. The staff are very friendly and their customer service is amazing. The fact that every week there is a new selection is an amazing treat for true cookie lovers. I employ everyone that reads this review to go and try the cookies at a crumbl location near you. You will not be disappointed!!!“

“My photo says it all. This ice cream is so phenomenal that I forgot to take a photo before I devoured it! We got the cookies n cream, salted caramel and the praline, which stole the show!!! 15/10 creaminess. 15/10 flavors. Maybe the best ice cream in DC.....“

“Loved the ice cream. It was extremely good. The dessert is well worth its price. The people are super friendly, the place is clean and organized. I enjoyed the friendly and welcoming atmosphere this place gave me and my friends. I encourage you to come buy some of this Gelato and ice cream.“

“This is absolutely my go-to for breakfast and lunch. The Standard is my favorite breakfast sandwich around. Customer service is unbeatable- they’re always so friendly. One time I accidentally ordered to the wrong location and they were so nice about it and even gave me a complimentary dessert. Would give them 10 stars if I could!“

“We absolutely loved this place! The best tasting waffle cones I’ve ever had with yummy homemade ice creams. Chocolates galore and creamy fudges. Plenty of chocolates for Easter treats! Customer service was top notch. Friendly employees that really care.Dietary restrictions: They had a few options for tree nut allergies including chocolate and peanut butter fudge“

“An amazing place to get Italian ice! This specific stores stays open throughout the entire year, unlike many other Rita's. I would definitely try the mango ice and vanilla custard Gelati! This place has a bench outside in front of the store to sit on while you eat.“

“Amazing homemade ice cream! My friends recommended this place and I tried it for the first-time a few months ago. The location was a bit difficult to find as it's tucked in behind some warehouse looking location. The car-side service was different from what I'm used to... Someone came out to take your order from my car and brings out your order shortly afterward. This place has amazing homemade ice cream! I purchased a pint of banana pudding and a pint of strawberry ice cream. Both flavors were creamy, not too sweet and delicious!! It's no wonder why the banana pudding flavor is the fan favorite. You now have a new fan! Highly recommend!“

“You have to go! DEFINITELY WORTH IT. THE RATING SHOULD BE 5 STARRS! I've been in DC for 12 years, and I wish that I had discovered this place sooner.The texture of the ice cream is impeccable. Creamy and luxurious without being dense, heavy, or tacky. No frost or big ice crystals in the body of the ice cream, making it super smooth.There's enough varieties without everything tasting like chocolate, cake, or berry forward like your mainstream ice cream shops.I got the halvah, cardamom almond, and Fred & ginger (peach, brandy, & ginger). The cardamom almond is my favorite from the scoops I've tried out. I also bought mud pie pint to take home.“