Here’s The Scoop!

This Black-owned ice cream shop in northwest DC serves hand-dipped ice cream in a variety of fun flavors such as cinnamon churro, salted caramel pretzel, and birthday cake. There are also freshly baked goods by up-and-coming local bakers, as well as cookie sandwiches, milkshakes, sundaes, and even vegan ice cream flavors.

Larry’s Homemade Ice Cream

Since 1985, this Dupont Circle shop has been serving up ice cream, baklava, and cookies that are all homemade on-site. The ice cream is made using pure sweet cream and all natural ingredients, with no corn syrups, eggs, or sugar added. Among the more than 30 flavors are some truly unique signature ones like Key West chocolate fever (orange chocolate) and Fred & Ginger (peach, brandy, and ginger). Larry’s also offers ice cream cakes and ice cream sandwiches.

Mt. Desert Island Ice Cream

Mt. Desert Island began with three shops in Maine before opening this location in DC’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood, which has been visited by White House residents. There’s also a fifth location in Japan. Mt. Desert Island serves up nearly 20 creative flavors of small-batch ice cream, including cinnamon cardamom, lemon curd coriander streusel, and something called Girl Scouts Gone Wild. There are also two non-dairy flavors—kulfi and vegan maple pecan—and a couple of sorbets.

Thomas Sweet

This popular Georgetown spot is the only Thomas Sweet location in DC (the other four are in New Jersey). In addition to Thomas Sweet’s variety of delicious handcrafted ice cream flavors and “blend-ins,” you can also get all kinds of decadent chocolates and gourmet coffee.

Ice Cream Shops in Maryland

The Baked Bear

Build your dream ice cream sandwich at this Bethesda shop. First, choose your top and bottom (you can mix and match) from nearly a dozen cookie and brownie options including Funfetti, snickerdoodle, and the classic chocolate chip cookie. Next choose your center from over a dozen ice cream flavors, from simple vanilla to unique options like blackberry crumble and toasted s’mores. Last, pick from 12 toppings including brownie bits, Fruity Pebbles, sprinkles, and more. You can even get your sanwich warmed up. Gluten-free ice cream flavors are available, and you can also order ice cream by the scoop.

Moorenko’s offers roughly 30 flavors of small-batch ice cream. Photo courtesy of alexandriava.com

Moorenko’s Ice Cream

Moorenko’s makes its ice cream by hand in small batches, using milk from grass-fed cows raised on small, family-owned farms. The ice cream’s blend of all-natural ingredients forms a base of 17 percent milk fat, which is considered “ultra-premium”. There are about 30 flavors, from classic vanilla and Swiss chocolate to more imaginative choices like cotton candy gummy bear and cherry stracciatella. Moorenko’s also offers about a dozen flavors of sorbet. There are three Maryland locations—in Bethesda, Old Ellicott City, and Silver Spring—as well as one in DC.

Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream

Sarah’s, which has two locations in Bethesda, was created by Bethesda mother-daughter team Sarah and Annie Park. Sarah uses her original small-batch, all-natural recipes using local ingredients whenever possible. Over 30 ice cream flavors range from the classics to more creative choices like maple peach ricotta, Cuban Mojito, and sweet cornbread. There are also vegan flavors, loads of topping choices, and additional treats like ice cream sandwiches, sundaes, and floats.