I Scream, You Scream: #District Guide to Ice Cream Spots
Happy Summer, #DCFray Friends! If you love pairing sunshine with a chilly dessert, then this is the post for you! We did some VERY extensive and important research and picked out our top choice DMV area ice-cream joints for you to try this summer! Beat the heat with any of these delicious creameries and you won’t be disappointed!
The Homegrown Chain
Ice Cream Jubilee
Two DC Locations &Two Northern Va. Locations
Ice cream jubilee has multiple locations, two in DC and two in Virginia, making delicious DC-created ice cream accessible city-wide. Creator Victoria starting making ice cream in her kitchen in 2009, and after working hard to get her ice creams distributed by local grocery shops, ICJ was born! (and we are so, so thankful!) Check out one of their locations or grab a pint at a variety of local grocery chains. Our Current favorite flavor? A strict tie between Blackberry Chamomile Cheesecake or Gin and Tonic Sorbet.
The National Star
Jeni’s Ice Cream
1925 14th St NW, Washington, DC
I’ll admit, when I first moved to the area, I assumed Jeni’s was a local ice cream shop. I stand corrected, but I don’t care; the line from Jeni’s all the way down 14th St. on weekend nights says enough. This Ohio-based chain serves up some of the best ice cream, plain and simple. We’re all DMV transplants, anyways, right? Known for rich, bold, and simple flavors, Jeni’s also recently launched a full line of dairy-free options that go way beyond your basic sorbet. We love mixing a scoop of Darkest Chocolate with Lemon and Blueberries Parfait. When they ask if you want your free waffle cone crisp, you say yes.
The Classic
Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Co.
109 King Street • Old Town, Alexandria
Pop’s Old Fashioned has been a local staple for generations. Originally founded by a white house caterer that served up Eleanor Roosevelt’s first ever scoop of ice cream, this Alexandria resident shop serves ice cream scoops, sundaes, and shakes the right way: simple ingredients blended in-house. Some stand out flavors includes Mint Oreo, Carrot Cake, and Choco-Banana.
#FrayLifeTip: They also have dairy-free soft serve for our lactose intolerant friends!
The Bougie
Milk Bar Logan Circle Flagship
1525 15th St NW Washington, DC
Milk Bar isn’t your every-day ice cream joint. It is a Bon-Appetit reviewed, an award-winning sweet shop that really likes to push the envelope. It’s an experience, to say the least. They have a variety of offerings and locations, and the star of their menu is the cereal milk soft serve. You know, the best part of breakfast when your sweet cereal turns the milk extra-tasty? Picture that, in the form of ice cream. Yup.
The Romantic
Pitango
Multiple Locations
Local gelato chain Pitango is casual and suave at the same time, with a founder who originates from Italy. They source their milk from the highest quality dairy cows in Pennsylvania, this gelato is blended on site for some pure European-inspired awesomeness. We flip out over their Milk and Honey or Cafe Espresso Flavors.
What’s your favorite spot to get ice cream in the district? Let us know in the comments and tag us on social using #FrayLife and #DcFray!
You have your ice cream guide, what about beer? Check out these tasty beers you need to try this summer.