Photo courtesy of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
Praline Butter Cake ice cream cone, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
Old Town Alexandria is getting a new spot for a cold treat this summer: Van Leeuwen, a New York ice cream brand, opens its first Alexandria location at 400 King St. on Thursday, June 18, marking the day with $1 scoops from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and free tote bags for the first 100 customers, the company said in a statement.
When Van Leeuwen Ice Cream opens its doors, it should feel right at home. After all, Forbes magazine once called Alexandria the "Ice Cream Cone Capital of the United States.”
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream began in 2008 as a single food truck in New York City, started by brothers Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen along with Laura O'Neill, and has since grown into a national brand with more than 100 scoop shops across the country.
Its signature is a French, custard-style base: where most ice creams contain barely any egg yolk, Van Leeuwen's run far higher — roughly 5% to 8% — which is what earns the "French" label and gives the scoop its dense, rich texture. The company also earned an early following for dairy-free flavors, built on cashew, oat or coconut bases.
Also read: Ice Cream Shop Coming to Old Town Alexandria
Image courtesy of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
The Van Leeuwen Ice Cream shop at National Landing, which opened last summer.
The lineup mixes clean classics with more unexpected ideas across about 30 core flavors, including Vanilla Bean, Pistachio, Earl Grey Tea and Marionberry Cheesecake (named for the berry from Marion County, Ore., not the late mayor from DC) — plus its calling-card Honeycomb, a vanilla base-laced with crunchy honey toffee.
More recently, the brand has drawn as much buzz from its collaborations as its menu: a 2021 Kraft Macaroni & Cheese flavor sold out almost immediately and led to other stunts like Hidden Valley Ranch and Grey Poupon, along with celebrity tie-ins. As Ben Van Leeuwen tells it, those attention-grabbing flavors mostly work to pull new customers in, who then return for the simpler staples.
Be sure to add some of these other Alexandria ice cream (and gelato and fro-yo) shops to your summer bucket list!
Old Town
Ben & Jerry's — 103 South Union St. The famous Vermont brand keeps an outpost just off King Street, serving its signature flavors in waffle cones, sundaes and shakes, plus ice cream cakes. The truly hungry can rally a few friends for the over-the-top Vermonster. And be on the lookout for the bubbles floating outside the shop!
Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato — 111 South Payne St. This family-run shop specializes in Argentinian-style gelato built from quality, natural ingredients. The flavor board tends toward the adventurous — think dulce de leche, sweet corn and a Malbec-inspired scoop — alongside plenty of sorbet options, gelato cakes and even something for the dog.
The Creamery — 110 King St. A waterfront-adjacent mainstay that has been scooping in Old Town for years, The Creamery turns out homemade ice cream and frozen custard along with sorbet and lower-sugar choices for those who want them. Quick service and hearty portions keep the King Street foot traffic coming back.
ESP Tea & Coffee — 1012 King St. The name is shorthand for "Espresso, Sorbet, and Pie," and this laid-back King Street coffeehouse delivers on all three. Alongside espresso drinks and a deep loose-leaf tea selection, it's known for house-made gelato and sorbet that rotate through a wide range of flavors, plus sweet and savory pies and empanadas. The brick-walled, couch-filled space has a cozy, anti-corporate feel that invites lingering.
Fabled Ice Cream — 130 South Royal St. A literary-themed venture from Old Town Books founder Ally Kirkpatrick, Fabled releases small-batch pints in weekly "drops" with flavors inspired by books and characters — past examples include an Earl Grey-and-lavender "Jane Eyre Grey." For now, it operates as a pop-up sold through the bookstore and a vintage mini truck, with a permanent scoop shop as a long-term goal.
Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats — 200 Commerce St. Tucked into the historic Ice House, Goodies churns its custard fresh every day and pairs it with sundaes, shakes, floats and house-baked goodies. Regulars gravitate toward the Browniewich and the old-school root beer floats, with seasonal flavors rotating throughout the year.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams — 102 South Patrick St. A standout since arriving in Old Town, this branch of the well-known national brand is celebrated for its creative flavors and famously smooth, dense texture. Look for staples like Brambleberry Crisp and Brown Butter Almond Brittle, plus a rotating cast of seasonal options. (You can also stop by the Jeni's in Shirlington Village.)
Kilwins Alexandria — 212 King St. Equal parts ice cream parlor and candy shop, Kilwins scoops premium ice cream while also turning out fudge, caramel apples, chocolates and waffle cones made on-site. It is a one-stop destination for just about any sweet craving.
Old Town Dolci Gelati Café — 107 North Fairfax St. Dolci Gelati makes Italian-style gelato from family recipes, balancing familiar staples with more inventive seasonal creations. The cozy café also serves espresso and a selection of pastries and sweets.
Pitango Gelato & Bakery — 115 South Union St. A waterfront stop where the gelato and sorbet are made fresh with organic milk and no artificial shortcuts. Beyond frozen treats, Pitango doubles as a café, pouring coffee and offering pastries and baked goods for a mid-stroll break near
Pop's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Co. — 109 King St. One of Old Town's most beloved scoop shops, Pop's sits on King Street within easy reach of the waterfront. The space leans into a vintage soda-fountain feel, complete with checkered floors, and the case holds a deep, frequently changing lineup of house-made flavors. Seating is limited, so most people grab a cone and wander down toward the river.
Slater's Market — 1552 Potomac Greens Drive (Old Town North/Potomac Yard) This gourmet market and deli in the Potomac Greens area rounds out its wine, beer, cheese, and sandwich offerings with hand-scooped ice cream from South Mountain Creamery. Rotating flavors run to staples like cookies & cream, strawberry, mint chip, and salted caramel, served as kids' scoops, cups, cones, or take-home pints — a handy stop for a scoop alongside the picnic supplies.
(COMING) Van Leeuwen Ice Cream — 400 King Street The Brooklyn-born brand is set to open its first Alexandria location on June 18, 2026, bringing roughly 30 of its dairy and vegan flavors to King Street. The company built its reputation on a short, simple ingredient list and a strong vegan following. (Opening soon.)
Yagút St. — 411 Cameron Street A coffee, bubble tea, and gelato shop tucked just off the main Old Town stretch, Yagút St. leans into an Asian-inspired menu — Vietnamese coffee, a wide range of boba drinks, and gelato in flavors like Thai iced tea and ube, with vegan options built on a coconut-cream base. It's also known for its photo-friendly floral-and-neon decor and is dog-friendly, with water bowls out front.
Del Ray
The Dairy Godmother — 2310 Mount Vernon Avenue A Del Ray fixture known for Wisconsin-style frozen custard, churned with minimal air for an especially dense, creamy result. The menu rotates daily and includes sorbet plus treats for dogs; in peak season, expect a line down the sidewalk that locals swear is worth it.
Belle Haven
The Custard Shack — 1401 Belle Haven Road A seasonal custard window beside The Haven Pizzeria, serving rotating flavors and specialty combinations. It is a reliable warm-weather stop for families wrapping up dinner or an evening walk.
National Chains
Baskin-Robbins The classic "31 flavors" chain, serving hand-scooped cones, sundaes, shakes, and made-to-order ice cream cakes. Locations around Alexandria include:
- 1500 Belle View Blvd.
- 3325 Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1)
- 1701 Centre Plaza (kosher-certified)
- 6310 Backlick Road
- 6451 Edsall Road
Cold Stone Creamery Super-premium ice cream made to order, folded together with your choice of candy, fruit, and other mix-ins on a frozen granite stone; the menu also covers shakes, cakes, and dairy-free sorbet. Two Alexandria locations:
- 239 Swamp Fox Road — in Hoffman Town Center, right by the Eisenhower Avenue Metro station
- 7702B Richmond Hwy. — in the Hybla Valley area
Dairy Queen Soft-serve, Blizzards, dipped cones, and shakes from the long-running fast-food and treat chain. Alexandria-area locations include:
- 6446 Lansdowne Centre
- 1470-B North Beauregard St.
- 5810 Kingstowne Center
- 514-C South Van Dorn St.
sweetFrog — 5926 Kingstowne Center Frozen yogurt rather than ice cream, strictly speaking, but a popular sweet stop all the same. This self-serve spot lets you fill your cup from the soft-serve machines, load up at the toppings bar, and pay by weight. Expect a rotating set of yogurt flavors plus a wide spread of fruit, candy, and sauce toppings, all in a family-friendly setting.
