This respected scoops chain, a DMV fixture since 2002, gets its dairy from grass-fed cows raised on family-owned farms in Pennsylvania. There’s also newer locations on Capitol Hill and inside Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Partners Brian Lowit and Melissa Quinley brought the uber-creamy Maine favorite to Mount Pleasant in summer 2018. Find one of the best cookies and cream varieties in town, along with a Vietnamese coffee and vegan caramelized pear varieties. Open for walk-up and takeout (closed Mondays).

The Ohio-based ice cream chain with a cult following is known for flavors like brambleberry crisp, gooey butter cake, and a buttermilk rainbow sorbet. Stop by any of the six area scoop shops (14th Street NW, Old Town, Bethesda, Barracks Row, Tysons, and Navy Yard) for takeout, or go the delivery route for pints at your door.

Thomas Sweet is a regional chain with four locations in New Jersey, but its Georgetown shop is considered a local mainstay. Part of allure is the commitment to classic flavors — there’s no funky stuff here — as well as the option to fold in candy and additional sweeteners.

With a steady stream of seasonal flavors created by pastry chef and owner Gianluigi Dellaccio, Dolci Gelati always has something new to try. Its dedicated storefront in Shaw sends out vegan flavors and cakes from a takeout window. There’s also Dolci outposts in Old Town and Takoma Park.

Homegrown chain Pitango prides itself on serving traditional gelato flavors, such as hazelnut and pistachio, as well as more modern interpretations such as dark chocolate sorbet and green tea. The gelato is made out of organic milk and cream from grass-fed cows on an organic farm in Pennsylvania. Locations include Penn Quarter, Adams Morgan, Bethesda, Reston, and Fells Point, Maryland.

Get a taste of the Philippines with ube ice cream and other global-leaning flavors at Toby’s in Arlington and its brand new locale in Vienna. Toby’s also sends out bags of house coffee beans made by Swing’s.

The Wharf’s family-owned, pint-size ice cream parlor is known for its soft serve, shakes, and floats. Swing by daily from noon to 7 p.m.

The fast-growing D.C. chain, with locations at The Yards, Logan Circle, and Ballston Quarter food hall, sends out pints or scoops of whimsical flavors like banana bourbon caramel, Thai iced tea, and caramel popcorn available for pick-up or delivery. There’s brownie and chocolate sundaes, too.

Founder Ray “Pop” Giovanni catered events at the White House and served first lady Eleanor Roosevelt her favorite ice cream. His secret recipes live on in neighboring Alexandria at this classic neighborhood scoop shop. Alexandria is also home to frozen custard favorite The Dairy Godmother.

This quaint window in Northern Virginia is the go-to spot for locals to grab soft-serve and scooped ice cream with toppings. There’s a dozen homemade flavors on tap each day, like tiramisu and a bourbon-infused variety with crunchy chocolate clusters.