The Inside Scoop on Old Town's Best Ice Cream Shops
The Patterson Group's Old Town Alexandria Ice Cream Awards
There's no better way to cool off during a Virginia summer than with a scoop of ice cream, and fortunately, Old Town Alexandria has no shortage of exceptional spots to satisfy every craving. From nostalgic neighborhood institutions and artisan gelato shops to nationally acclaimed brands serving inventive flavors, there's something for everyone just steps from King Street.
To help you decide where to stop next, The Patterson Group visited and compared some of Old Town's most popular ice cream destinations, judging everything from classic scoops and creative flavors to vegan offerings, waffle cones, toppings, and gelato. Here are our winners.
Patterson Pick
Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream
If we could only recommend one stop in Old Town, it would be Pop's Old Fashioned Ice Cream. A King Street institution for generations, Pop's perfectly captures the nostalgic charm that makes Old Town so special. From its classic black-and-white checkered floors and vintage soda fountain atmosphere to its expansive selection of more than 60 flavors, every visit feels like stepping back in time. Whether you're grabbing a cone after dinner, strolling the waterfront, or introducing out-of-town guests to Alexandria, Pop's remains our favorite overall experience.
Best Classic Scoop Shop
1st Place: Pop's Old Fashioned Ice Cream
The quintessential King Street institution. With its classic checkered floors, nostalgic soda fountain vibe, and more than 60 flavors, it delivers the ultimate Old Town ice cream experience.
2nd Place: The Creamery
A beloved Old Town staple, The Creamery has been serving handcrafted ice cream for decades. Known for its rich, high-butterfat recipes and creamy frozen custard, favorites like Banana Pudding, Orange Chocolate Chip, and classic Butter Pecan keep locals coming back year after year.
Most Unique Flavors
1st Place: Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Known for chef-driven, adventurous profiles like Goat Cheese & Red Cherries, Brambleberry Crisp, and seasonal wildcard creations you won't find anywhere else.
2nd Place: Casa Rosado Artisan Gelato
Known for its rotating selection of Argentine-inspired gelato, Casa Rosado consistently surprises with inventive flavors like Sweet Corn, Malbec, Yerba Mate, Haroset, IPA, and Quinotos (kumquats). The ever-changing menu makes every visit a chance to discover something new.
3rd Place: Van Leeuwen
Van Leeuwen elevates classic ice cream with inventive creations like Earl Grey Tea, Sicilian Pistachio, Honeycomb, Marionberry Cheesecake, Peanut Butter Brownie Honeycomb, and seasonal specials like Blueberry Jelly Donut, Sweet Potato Marshmallow Pie, and Dulce de Leche Walnut Cookie Chip. Its rotating menu keeps guests coming back to discover what's next.
Best Vegan Options
1st Place: Van Leeuwen
Van Leeuwen has set the standard for dairy-free ice cream with an extensive lineup of vegan flavors crafted from creamy oat and cashew milk bases. Standouts like Banana Bread Pudding with Fudge Swirls, Cookies & Cream Caramel Swirl, Peanut Butter Brownie Honeycomb, Churros & Fudge, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough prove you never have to sacrifice flavor for a vegan dessert.
2nd Place: Casa Rosado
Casa Rosado goes beyond traditional fruit sorbet with a dedicated lineup of vegan gelato, including Chocolate, Vanilla, Mocha, Pistachio, and Lemon, alongside refreshing fruit sorbets. The variety makes it a standout destination for dairy-free desserts.
3rd Place: Pitango
Pitango offers a rotating selection of house-made vegan sorbettos crafted with fresh, seasonal fruit and simple ingredients. Bright, refreshing, and intensely flavorful, they're an excellent choice for anyone looking for a dairy-free frozen treat. (Patterson Pick: Vegan Coconut & Vegan Dark Chocolate).
Best Topping Options
1st Place : Ben & Jerry’s
Nobody does indulgent mix-ins quite like Ben & Jerry's. From warm fudge and caramel to signature cookie chunks, brownie pieces, candy toppings, and colorful sprinkles, every creation is loaded with flavor.
2nd Place: Pop's Old Fashioned Ice Cream
Whether you prefer rainbow sprinkles, hot fudge, crushed cookies, whipped cream, or a cherry on top, Pop's delivers all the nostalgic toppings that make a classic sundae complete.
3rd Place: Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats
From rich hot fudge and salted caramel to fresh fruit, candy, cookies, and pecans, Goodies offers plenty of ways to customize its signature frozen custard into an indulgent dessert.
Best Waffle Cone
1st: Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni's signature buttercrisp waffle cones are baked fresh throughout the day, filling the shop with an irresistible aroma. Crisp, buttery, and perfectly balanced, they're every bit as memorable as the ice cream itself.
2nd: Pop's Old Fashioned Ice Cream
Freshly made waffle cones with a rich vanilla aroma add the perfect finishing touch to any scoop. Warm, crisp, and unmistakably nostalgic, they're a favorite among regulars.
3rd: Casa Rosado
Casa Rosado's freshly made waffle cones pair beautifully with its handcrafted gelato, adding a crisp, buttery finish that complements both classic and adventurous flavors.
Best Gelato
1st: Pitango
Crafted in small batches using organic milk and premium imported ingredients, Pitango stays true to traditional Italian gelato. Signature flavors like Sicilian Pistachio, Gianduja, Stracciatella, Nocciola, Crema, and Fondente showcase exceptional craftsmanship and authentic flavor.
2nd: Casa Rosado
Bringing Argentine influences to Old Town, Casa Rosado serves handcrafted gelato with a rotating menu of both classic and adventurous flavors. Standouts like Dulce de Leche, Malbec, Yerba Mate, Sweet Corn, and Haroset make it one of Old Town's most distinctive frozen dessert destinations.
3rd: Dolci Gelati
Dolci Gelati brings authentic Italian tradition to Old Town with a thoughtfully curated selection of handcrafted gelato. While the daily offerings are more limited, the quality shines through in its rotating selection of classic Italian flavors.
Best Frozen Custard
Honorable Mention: The Dairy Godmother
Although it's located in Del Ray rather than Old Town, The Dairy Godmother deserves special recognition. This Alexandria institution has been serving authentic Wisconsin-style frozen custard for years and remains a beloved destination for its classic vanilla, chocolate, and rotating Flavor of the Day. It's well worth the short trip outside of Old Town.
1st: Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats
Goodies has quickly become Old Town's go-to destination for frozen custard. Rich, creamy, and made fresh daily, its menu features nostalgic sundaes, shakes, floats, and signature creations like the Boogie Woogie Turtle Sundae and Big Apple Custardwich.
2nd: The Creamery
Known for both handcrafted ice cream and creamy frozen custard, The Creamery continues to serve timeless favorites that have delighted Alexandria residents for generations.
Final Scoop
Whether you're craving a nostalgic scoop from a neighborhood institution, an adventurous chef-inspired flavor, authentic Italian gelato, or a dairy-free dessert that rivals the real thing, Old Town Alexandria has something for every sweet tooth.
Our recommendation? Spend an afternoon exploring King Street, stroll down to the waterfront, and make a stop at one or several of these outstanding local ice cream shops!
