Delicious Ice Cream Spots in Washington, DC 🍦
There’s nothing quite like a scoop of ice cream as you’re roaming the streets of DC. Whether it’s a decadent treat in the middle of summer or the perfect way to end a good meal, there are some sweet, ice cold treasures around the capital for you to find. Next time you’re craving a flavorful scoop, check out our list of ice cream spots around Washington, DC.
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Mount Desert Island Ice Cream
3110 Mt Pleasant St NW 1st floor, Washington, DC 20010
(240) 804-7038
Mount Desert isn’t just in DC–they’re also in Matsumoto, Japan! The artisanal flavors are why people keep coming back for more. You’ll also find some of the classics, including a rich vanilla, a hearty chocolate, and an extremely berry blueberry. Flavors are always changing, and there are non-dairy options as well. There’s limited seating, so it’s best to visit the counter and head out with your decadent dessert.
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Larry’s Homemade Ice Cream
1633 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 234-2690
Larry’s is actually a chain of ice cream shops, but the one on Connecticut Ave is their flagship location. You’ll find a wide array of flavors along with cupcakes and other decadent items. The chain has been around since 1985, so you’ll hear lots of people talking about it. Not only can you get items to enjoy in the shop but also to take home with you. Some of their ice cream cakes are the perfect way to celebrate any occasion.
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Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
1925 14th St NW B, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 621-8625
This beloved national chain gets creative when it comes to both ice cream and frozen yogurt. Everything is made from fresh ingredients, and the waffle cones are some of the freshest in town. There’s not a lot of seating at the 14th St location, but there’s enough for you to relax while you enjoy your scoop before facing the heat on the street. The flavors are always changing but the Texas Sheet Cake and the Cognac and Gingerbread are some customer favorites to be on the lookout for.
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Capital City Creamery
3023 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, DC 20032
(202) 352-5608
Capital City capitalizes on the fact that they are a small business and encourages everyone to shop small. They offer an array of ice cream flavors from the Hershey brand–classic! What sets them apart is the wide array of toppings that they offer, making sure that every sundae is unique. A quick trip to their Instagram page will show that they have a menu of simple lunch items, too, ranging from chicken fingers to fish sandwiches. It allows you to spend a bit of time in their cozy café.
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Pitango Gelato
413 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 885-9607
As the name implies, we’re talking about the Italian variety of ice cream known as gelato here at Pitango Gelato. There are dine-in and takeout options, plus you can enjoy your cold dessert alongside a cup of hot chocolate or espresso. For those not interested in gelato, there’s an ever-changing menu of sorbet, too. The location is in the heart of the Penn Quarter, so you can bet that it gets busy, especially on Fridays and Saturdays after people are done touring the museums.
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Ice Cream Jubilee
301 Water St SE # 105, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 863-0727
Located in the Yards Park, you’ll find this parlor serving up some all-natural flavors that will leave you wanting more. There’s also a patio so that you can drip without feeling guilty when the weather is nice. The flavors are really extraordinary, with such options as guava passion fruit and honey lavender. There are no ready-packaged options, though, so be prepared to eat whatever you get on-site. The flavors have gotten so popular, though, that they offer nationwide shipping through Goldbelly, just in case you get addicted after your visit.
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Dolci Gelati
1420 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 518-1287
Anything in the realm of dessert is found at Dolci Gelati. The artisanal shop offers gelati pops, gelato, and other desserts. Special sundaes, known as “Coppe Gelato” are on the board, such as Bananas Royale. You can also find paninis, coffee, and more. It’s more like a coffee shop when you step inside, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and leather sofas for you to relax upon. Oh, and if you happen to have your dog with you, they have dog gelato so that your canine companion can enjoy something cold on a hot day, too.
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Moorenko’s Ice Cream Cafe
8030 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 565-7804
Moorenko’s is a popular creamery that’s actually located on the Maryland side of the metropolitan area. The location is defined by the blue storefront. With hours that go from morning until night, you can find an array of flavors that are sourced locally all the time. Everything is made in small batches, so once a flavor is gone, you might not see it for a little while. You can get your scoop served in a cup, a cone, and even beside a freshly brewed cup of coffee.
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