Few sugary treats are more refreshing than ice cream. Glacially cold. Unbelievably creamy. Just the right amount of sweetness. This dessert staple has melted the hearts of people everywhere. Much to the delight of your taste buds, you have a mountain of ice cream shops to choose from in Washington, DC. Where do you head first? We’ve got the scoop! From handcrafted gelato at Pitango to homemade ice cream in crispy waffle cones at The Creamery, satisfy your sweet tooth with some of DC’s top shops!
Here’s the Scoop DC
The first of the top four ice cream shops in DC? Here’s the Scoop DC, a Black and woman-owned ice cream shop that serves up some of the best ice cream you can find in DC! Depending on who you ask, you’d also be hard-pressed to find a better shop in the country.
They have a starting line-up of classic flavors like old-fashioned vanilla and chocolate. But the real stand-outs? Their specialty ice creams. Wow-worthy campfire s’mores. Birthday cake. Cinnamon churro. And those are all ice cream flavors! More than just an ice cream paradise, Here’s the Scoop DC’s menu also includes sweet and savory treats to light up your day, like hand-spun milkshakes, smoothies, baked goods, and authentic Jamaican patties made fresh daily.
Vegans, rejoice! You’ve got options here, too. Sip on vegan milkshakes, plus enjoy non-dairy ice cream options from Taharka Brothers and Cajou Creamery at Here’s the Scoop!
Craving something a little different? One of the top four ice cream shops in DC for a reason, this family-friendly small business has teamed up with other POC-owned businesses to offer baked goods like cookies, cakes, pies, and brownies!
Here’s the Scoop DC
2824 Georgia Ave. NW LL
Washington, DC 20001
Dolcezza Gelato & Coffee
The next stop on our top four ice cream shops in DC guide is the Winner of Best Gelato in DC four years in a row by the Washington City Paper, Winner of Best Ice Cream by the Washingtonian, and on Zagat’s list of the Ten Hottest Ice Cream and Gelato Shops in DC: Dolcezza Gelato.
As one of the top four ice cream shops in DC, you’ll love fan favorites like Stracciatella (vanilla with fine strands of chocolate drizzle), Mascarpone & Berries, Swiss Chocolate, and other exquisite flavors. You’ll have trouble choosing just one because their gelato is primarily crafted using fruits, milk, cream, and other ingredients sourced from local farmers for drool-worthy flavors in every bite. The husband-wife team at Dolcezza also brews up an impressive coffee menu to complement your gelato that includes espresso, lattes, and other traditional and specialty coffees!
Dolcezza Gelato & Coffee
904 Palmer Alley NW
Washington, DC 20001
Need more Dolcezza Gelato? Check out their other locations in Dupont Circle, in the lobby of the Hirshhorn Museum, the Mosaic District in Fairfax, VA, and the Bethesda Row neighborhood in Bethesda, MD!
Pitango Gelato & Cafe
Still, have room after eating your way through Here’s the Scoop DC and Dolcezza Gelato? Then, we recommend that you head over to Pitango! One of the top four ice cream shops in DC, this family-owned shop makes handcrafted gelato using natural ingredients that are free from preservatives and artificial colors.
Pitango takes the same fine care a master artist would on a canvas when it comes to their gelato. They source milk from a nearby Maryland family farm, use locally sourced and in-season fruits, and import quality chocolate, pistachios, and nocciola (aka hazelnut). Pitango Gelato’s ingredients may be simple, but their flavors are anything but. Dip your gelato spoon into Crema, Nocciola, Stracciatella, and other ethereal flavors, or fall in love with their (vegan-friendly!) sorbets made from local, seasonal fruits.
They may be one of the top four ice cream shops in DC, but you don’t want to miss their menu of sandwiches, breads, pastries, and locally roasted coffee!
Pitango Gelato & Cafe
1841 Columbia Road NW
Washington, DC 20009
Pitango is also located in DC’s Penn Quarter, The Wharf in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Bon appétit!
The Creamery at Union Market
Last – but certainly not least – on our list of the top four ice cream shops in DC is The Creamery, a family-owned and operated shop at Union Market and the go-to spot for all the classics like chocolate, vanilla bean, and cookies & cream.
Quality is practically synonymous with The Creamery in DC. Their deliciously simple ice creams are made in-house using locally sourced milk from a small family farm. They’re also free from food coloring! Their fresh ingredients make such a difference with their hard- and soft-serve ice creams and homemade waffle cones you won’t be able to turn back to those store-bought ice creams.
After you’ve had your fill of ice cream, take a gander at their selection of milk, butter, cheese, and other dairy products curated from local farms.
The Creamery at Union Market
1309 5th St. NE
Washington, DC 20002
Taste the Top Four Ice Cream Shops in DC
No need to scream for ice cream – DC has your sweet cravings covered! Whether you’re looking for an authentic Italian gelato with a rich espresso or one-of-a-kind ice creams and milkshakes, you’re spoiled for choice in the nation’s capital. Head into Here’s the Scoop DC, Dolcezza Gelato & Coffee, and more spots on our list of the top four ice cream shops in DC.
Learn more about all DC has to offer on our blog today, and don’t forget to stop by the best dispensary in Washington, D.C., after your ice cream tour!
