Alexandria Living Magazine
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams opened in Alexandria, Va. this week.
There's a particular kind of summer contentment that only a scoop of something cold can deliver — and Alexandria, happily, is a city that takes its frozen treats seriously. From decades-old scoop shops to artisan gelato counters and Wisconsin-style frozen custard, the choices run deep. Before the season slips away, we rounded up the spots worth seeking out, sorted by where you'll find them.
Old Town
The historic heart of the city is also its densest stretch of sweetness, with parlors and gelaterias tucked among the cobblestones from the waterfront up to King Street.
Pop's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Co.
109 King Street
A neighborhood institution just steps from the river, Pop's leans into old-fashioned charm with a rotating list of more than 60 flavors served in cones, sundaes, and pints to go. Grab a scoop and wander down to the water — it's practically a rite of passage.
110 King Street
Homemade ice cream and frozen custard headline here, with dairy-free sorbets and sugar-free options making it an easy stop for a mixed group. Flavors like butter pecan, cinnamon, and pistachio nod to the classics.
400 King Street
The newest arrival on the block, this cult-favorite brand brings its French, custard-style base — richer and eggier than most — to roughly 30 flavors that swing from Vanilla Bean and Pistachio to Earl Grey Tea and Honeycomb. A generous lineup of vegan scoops means no one's left out.
102 South Patrick Street
Known for an ultra-creamy texture and inventive, ever-rotating flavors, Jeni's is the spot for the adventurous eater who wants something they can't get anywhere else.
107 North Fairfax Street
Authentic Italian gelato meets locally roasted espresso at this cheerful café. Pair a scoop with an affogato, or settle in with a housemade pastry — it's as much a coffee stop as a gelateria.
115 South Union Street
A few steps from the waterfront, Pitango serves organic gelato and sorbet alongside coffee and baked goods, with a clean, ingredient-forward approach that lets the flavors speak for themselves.
111 South Payne Street
This family-run counter turns out authentic Argentinian-style gelato and sorbet in small batches — and doesn't forget the four-legged regulars, with dog-friendly treats on hand.
Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats
200 Commerce Street
Handcrafted frozen custard is the draw here, spun into sundaes, floats, and thick milkshakes, with baked treats rounding out the case.
212 King Street
Part ice cream parlor, part old-time candy shop, Kilwins pairs premium scoops in fresh-pressed waffle cones with fudge, caramel apples, and the intoxicating smell of both wafting onto King Street.
Del Ray
Mount Vernon Avenue's walkable main drag has its own beloved destination — the kind of place that draws a line down the sidewalk on a warm evening.
2310 Mount Vernon Avenue
Del Ray's frozen-custard darling specializes in Wisconsin-style custard, with a daily-changing flavor of the day, house-made sorbets, and even puppy treats for the dog on the other end of the leash. It's the neighborhood's unofficial summer living room.
Belle Haven
Just south of Old Town, this quieter corner keeps a classic custard stand of its own — worth the short drive.
1401 Belle Haven Road
A friendly walk-up window serving frozen custard with rotating seasonal flavors, it's the sort of low-key neighborhood spot that turns an ordinary evening into an occasion.
Wherever you land, the formula holds: a scoop, a stroll, and a little more summer squeezed out of the calendar. See you at the window.
