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 a newer location on Capitol Hill.

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.

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 many 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 with another en route to National Landing.

NYC’s cult ice cream company Van Leeuwen debuted in D.C. this spring in Union Market with over 30 dairy (and vegan) flavors like Earl Grey tea, Sicilian pistachio, and Marionberry Cheesecake made with vine-ripened berries from Oregon’s Stahlbush Island Farms. Van Leeuwen curbs daily sugar fixes until 10 p.m. and as late as 11 p.m. on weekends. Van Leeuwen’s second D.C. store lands in Georgetown on May 11 (with $1 scoops from noon to 2 p.m.), and a summer Adams Morgan opening will make three.

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 new locale in Vienna. Toby’s also sends out bags of house coffee beans made by Swing’s. Its newest location debuts at National Landing at Amazon’s HQ2 in June.

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.

Homegrown gelato chain Dolcezza was one of the first shops in the area to specialize in unique flavors and artisanal ingredients. Flavors range from the traditional straciatella to black sesame to Swiss tarragon. Order ahead to pick up pints at Fairfax, City Center DC, Dupont, Bethesda, and Hirshhorn locations. Local delivery via third-party apps is also available.