It's never a bad time for a scoop (or two!) of pure joy. We've rounded up some of the most crave-worthy spots in all of Northern Virginia where you can get your scoop on.
With an international flair ...
SnoCream Company
SnoCream Company, found at The Block in Annandale, offers a Taiwanese-inspired twist on traditional ice cream with soft, shaved ribbons of ice and cream in a number of unique flavors. You can also pick up Instagram-worthy cookies and donuts filled with exotic flavors like Ash Coconut, Blueberry Earl Gray, Ube and Vietnamese Coffee.
Twisted Sweets & Savory
This shop in Herndon is tucked away down a small side street, but your eyes will widen when you see the decadence it rolls out. The kürtőskalác - which is commonly called a chimney cake or a spit cake - is a street food treat from Hungary. While you can find savory sandwiches in this style here, the sweet version includes cinnamon sugar chimney cakes topped with creamy soft serve ice cream. Specialty versions rotate - which means more excuses to go back and back again.
Dolcezza Gelato & Coffee
Hit both cravings at once with a steaming cup of espresso matched with old-world gelato that is crafted with locally sourced seasonal ingredients. Find fanciful flavors on the board like Lemon Ricotta Cardamom, Thai Coconut Milk, and Mascarpone & Berries. Find this Fairfax County location at the Mosaic District.
Amorino
Amorino’s first location in Virginia and the D.C. area. is located right in Tysons Corner Center but it's not your typical storefront. Instead, the French gelato chain is housed in a kiosk stand right in front of Macy's. Despite its smaller size, it still offers their most popular flavors, including Bourbon Vanilla from Madagascar and Pistachio Mawardi gelatos. These treats not only taste heavenly but also look picture-perfect. For the cherry on top, add a gelato-filled macaron to top!
Rice Culture
Rice Culture is one of the only spot in Fairfax County offering Japanese fish ice cream. Don't be put off by the name—these treats get their name from the fish-shaped waffle cone stuffed with a sweet filling of your choice. While it might be tough to choose between Ube Horchata and Passionfruit Green Tea, never fear—both are delicious. Can't decide on just one flavor? No problem, you can order a swirl for the best of both worlds. Plus, it is the perfect prop for photos!
Craving the classics ...
Great Falls Creamery
After a great summer hike at nearby Great Falls Park, head to this family-owned staple for creamy hand-scooped ice cream and soft serve served with friendly down-home service in the quaint village of Great Falls. Personal recommendation? The Cafe Au Lait Chip cannot be beat! You can even stock up on some freshly baked goods and dairy products while you're there or enjoy your sugar cone on their cozy patio.
Peterson's Ice Cream Depot
This long-time Clifton landmark is beloved by many. Customers are greeted by the kid-friendly, handmade train as they approach this window-serve spot along Main Street. Peterson's specializes in soft-serve and hand-scooped treats, plus funky Clifton Creations, but also has a full Dog Pound Deli menu that features hot dogs, fries, and other deli favorites.
Custard Shack
This classic walk-up custard shack - aptly named, well, Custard Shack - has a nostalgic flair and creamy, rich, and tasty frozen treats that will transport you back to your youth. Offering an array of flavors, many of which rotate out monthly, plus fresh fruit sorbet, sundaes, shakes, and even a special menu for pups, Custard Shack is a worthy pull-over stop.
Milwaukee Frozen Custard
When you're craving that real-deal custard, head to Milwaukee Frozen Custard in Chantilly. Each day they rotate out a special new flavor, from Cinnamon Swirl to Birthday Cake to Peach. Check their website to see what Flavor of the Day you'll find before your visit.
Woody's Ice Cream
Go for that summer soft-serve classic at Fairfax City mainstay Woody's, which has been serving up deliciousness for more than 20 years. If you're feeling really ambitious, go for a double-header by hitting up Sugar Mama's Ice Cream, also located in the City of Fairfax.
Kiln & Custard
For the most decadent milkshake you may have EVER had, head to Kiln & Kustard, the ice cream offshoot nestled in a paint-your-own pottery studio on Historic Church Street in Vienna, and on Maple Ave. in Falls Church. Trust us, you have to SEE these Krazy Kustard Shakes to believe them! Kustard scoops, classic shakes, floats, and pints-to-go are also available. (Check their social feeds for latest opening hours per location.)
Jake's Ice Cream
A new shop with a special mission has landed in Falls Church this summer. Jake's Ice Cream, located in Barcroft Plaza, employs special needs adults who are having a hard time finding employment. Enjoy small batches of artisan ice cream, confections, cakes, and more. The assortment changes weekly, so get ready to indulge!
Moo Thru
The Moo Thru is an ice cream staple with locations in a handful of southern Virginia towns - and now has a brand new location in Herndon. While it served out of the Moo Thru truck last year, the brick-and-mortar shop has now opened and is ready for hungry ice cream fans! Moo Thru's ice cream is handcrafted and slow-churned from real milk from real dairy farmers and rotates through a tantalizing list of flavors.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream
Looking for homemade ice cream flavors inspired by art, history, and pop culture? Stop in Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream at Tysons to try the Ted Lasso Ice Cream and the Pop-Tarts Frosted Brown Sugar-cinnamon concoction. These unique recipes have been perfected for more than 20 years to create velvety treats for all ice cream lovers.
Mimi’s Homemade
Mimi’s Homemade Ice Cream has been delighting customers with secret family recipes passed down through generations. In addition to serving the iconic flavors we all adore, Mimi's has introduced new and unique flavors inspired by travels to Asia, offering a scrumptious twist.
Feeling Quirky?
Sweet Rolled Tacos
This is ice cream like you've never had before. Sweet Rolled Tacos is a unique shop in Centreville that's serving rolled-up ice cream on a waffle cone taco! Every ice cream taco is made with premium cream, handcrafted on a cold plate that is rolled into ice cream is fitted into a waffle taco cone. Pick between red, purple, blue, black, and original waffle colors (all tastes the same!). From the Strawberry Shortcake taco with cookie butter to Matcha Bliss with green tea - there's a wide assortment of funky flavors that'll make your head spin. Check out the menu here and (pretty please!) send us your photos so we can drool over them together!
Beloved mainstays ...
Fairfax County is also home to a slew of classic chain shops, including Baskin Robbins, Ben & Jerry's, Bruster's, Cold Stone Creamery, Dairy Queen, Rita's Water Ice, and Haagen-Dazs. And if you feel the urge to go a little lighter (we won't judge), there are a slew of delicious frozen yogurt and smoothie shops ready to take your order.
And if that still isn't enough, be sure to check out our full index of ice cream and smoothie spots in Fairfax County, which includes several delicious spots just outside county lines in our neighboring Fairfax and Falls Church cities. What are your favorite ice cream shops for cooling down during the summer? Tell us in the comments below or join the conversation on social media using #FXVA or @VisitFairfax.
