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. Its scoops can also be found at Broad Branch Market in Chevy Chase and Henry’s Sweet Retreat in Bethesda.

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 summery fan-favorites like blueberry sour cream crumble and watermelon sorbet. 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 its six area scoop shops (14th Street NW, Arlington, Old Town, Bethesda, Barracks Row, and Tysons) 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 digs in Old Town, inside the Smithsonian Zoo, and a new stall at National Landing’s all-outdoor Water Park food hall.

NYC’s cult ice cream company Van Leeuwen debuted in D.C. in Union Market last spring 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 as late as midnight on weekends. Van Leeuwen has since expanded to Georgetown, Adams Morgan, and National Landing, with Union Station and 14th Street NW coming soon.

Local chain Pitango, which just added fresh locations at the Wharf and in Old Town, 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. Other outposts sit in 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 Vienna. Toby’s also sends out bags of house coffee beans made by Swing’s. Its newest Northern Virginia location sits at National Landing at Amazon’s HQ2.

The fast-growing D.C. chain, with locations at the Yards, Ballston Quarter food hall, and now in Georgetown, 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. Four more stores are en route to Tenleytown, Reston, West Falls Church, and College Park. Founder Victoria Lai personally served a mango scoop to Vice President Kamala Harris in her backyard this spring.

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 out in Clifton, 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.

Celebrating its 20-year anniversary this month, 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.