As summer approaches, the season of eating ice cream every day is upon us.
If you’ve ever experienced the brutal heat and humidity of a D.C. summer, you’ve probably felt the magic a cold scoop of ice cream has as a remedy to cool off. So if you ever find yourself in search of ice cream this summer, reference this list of our favorite spots for a good scoop.
From the national favorite, Jeni’s Ice Creams, to our campus gems Bon Matcha and Captain Cookie and the Milkman, here are a few ice cream shops to check out this summer:
Moorenko’s Ice Cream Cafe
Moorenko’s doesn’t use the term “ultra-premium” in its slogan as a marketing gimmick – the cafe makes its ice cream using 17 percent milk fat, qualifying them as truly “ultra-premium.” Check out their smooth and rich ice cream flavors, like Wild Blueberry and Salted Caramel with Pralines. The spot also offers a blackberry and mango dairy-free sorbet, making it a great spot to take vegan friends. Moorenko’s also adds new and special flavors seasonally to serve in addition to the classic flavors.
720 C St. SE. Open Monday through Thursday 2 to 7 p.m., Friday 2 to 9 p.m. and weekends noon to 9 p.m. Find more information here.
Captain Cookie and the Milkman
Rain or shine, hot or cold, nothing keeps students from flocking to this iconic campus sweets shop. Known on campus as the perfect spot for a late-night study session pick-me-up, Captain Cookie and the Milkman serves not only ice cream, but also fresh baked cookies, ice cream sandwiches and hand-spun milkshakes. Their ice cream selection is short but delicious with the staples of chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and occasional specialty flavors like black cherry.
2000 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Open daily 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Find more information here.
Thomas Sweet
Next time you’re in Georgetown, stop by Thomas Sweet for a variety of delicious, hand-crafted ice cream and frozen yogurt. This shop is just a five-minute walk down Wisconsin Avenue, running just off of Georgetown’s main shopping stretch. If you’re interested in creating a personalized treat, ask to mix in a few toppings to your ice cream to make your own personalized flavor combination. As far as flavors go, you can find anything under the sun at this shop from the classic vanilla to specialty flavors like raspberry rum cordial and dulce de leche.
3214 P St. NW. Open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight. Find more information here.
Jeni’s Ice Creams
You can find this brand at most grocery stores and at locations around the country, but it’s still a D.C. favorite. With specialty flavors like Middle West Whiskey & Pecans and Lemon & Blueberries Parfait, Jeni’s Ice Creams is a solid spot for your next scoop. Its waffle cones made in store are also no joke – you’ll be greeted by their scent when you walk in the door. The chain also refrains from using synthetic flavorings and dyes, so customers can munch on only natural flavors.
1925 14th St. NW. Open Monday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight. Find more information here.
Southwest Soda Pop Shop
Located at the Wharf, Southwest Soda Pop Shop is the best place to find novelty ice cream creations. The shop has rich additions like brownie chunks and gummies, classic ice cream flavors and enticing ice cream specialties that combine ice cream, cookies and toppings for an extravagant and satisfying dessert. Customers can stick to the standard ice cream cone or create their own ice cream cookie sandwich, banana split or “cake explosion,” which is a piece of cake with the choice of two ice cream scoops and three toppings.
1142 Maine Ave. SW. Open daily from noon to 7 p.m. Find more information here.
Bon Matcha
The worlds of soft serve and matcha collide to make a delicious flavor at Bon Matcha, located in Foggy Bottom. This ice cream and matcha tea stand is located about a block from the Marvin Center, so it makes a great study break. If you’re looking to try a new flavor, try ordering a scoop of misugaru, a classic Korean flavor that is a traditional blend of fire-roasted nuts and whole grains, ground into a powder.
1928 I St. NW. Open Wednesday through Saturday from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. Find more information here.
Larry’s Homemade Ice Cream
Just north of Dupont Circle, this ice cream shop flaunts signature flavors of ice cream like Fred & Ginger, made with peach, brandy and ginger; Key West Chocolate Fever with orange and rich chocolate and Halva, flavored with tahini. The shop also offers baklava and other treats to satisfy your sweet tooth.
1633 Connecticut Ave. NW. Open Monday through Thursday from 3 to 9 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 2 to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 10 p.m. Find more information here.
