Top 10 Ice Cream Spots in MoCo

Last summer (2016) we started doing research on some of the best ice cream spots in MoCo. We didn’t want to rush the list, so we sent the team out to every spot we could find to come up with the best 10 for you.

For this list, we are not including any of the fro-yo spots or any of the large chains (Coldstone, Baskin Robbins, Bruster’s, Rita’s, etc.), but we are including shaved/crushed ice and frozen treats of that nature. We know you may not agree with all of these, but we trust our teams judgement 🍦

Just Missed:

Miele Bakery (Rockville)
The snow bowls at Miele are definitely a treat. Made with shaved ice, condensed milk, sugar, sliced cheese cake and your choice of a wide variety of fruit, the premium bowls are pretty massive. I thought I’d have to save some of mine for later, but ended up overachieving 😊.

Dolcezza (Bethesda)
​Per their website- Most ingredients are grown locally by our farmer friends, who hand-pick their produce at peak ripeness before bringing it to the market the next day. We squeeze the citrus one by one, melt the chocolate, infuse the herbs, grind the nuts and roast the spices, all with our own hands, every step of the way.

Tropical Ice Cream Cafe (Silver Spring)
This spot on Georgia Avenue would have definitely made the list, but I was told it had closed. After doing some research, I found out they recently reopened. I’ve probably been 5 or 6 times, tried something different each time, and never had something I didn’t like.

10. Class 520 (Rockville)
Have you ever seen those videos of Ice cream being scraped off of a cold metal board into cylindrical rolls and placed side by side into the bowl? That’s Thai ice cream, and that’s what Class 520 is. The whole process is fun, as you get to watch behind a glass screen and take as many pictures/videos as you want. The Nutella and banana based Monkey Business is my favorite.

9. SPAGnVOLA (Kentlands/Gaithersburg)
​This a chocolate store, but the gelato here is really good. They have some very interesting flavors (popcorn, etc.) to go along with some of the more traditional flavors. I tried the banana split gelato and I can’t wait to go back to try more.

8. Yummy In My Tummy (Silver Spring) NOW CLOSED
Per their website- Yummy In My tummy is a local parlor with international flavor. The owners use fresh fruit from around the world to create a wide range of hard-to-find tropical flavors like Soursop, Durian, Guava, Lychee or Ginger. Their repertoire is not limited solely to exotic fruit though – you can find homemade flavors like Swiss Chocolate, Rum Raisin, French Almond, Grapenut (the cereal), rich Vanilla and Guinness Beer flavored ice cream at the parlor.


7. Dolci Gelati (Takoma Park)
Per their website- Dolci Gelati offers many great varieties of gelato with a consistent level of quality that can only be achieved with artisan precision. The process starts every morning with deliveries from local dairy farms and includes handpicked fruits, fine chocolate which Chef Gianluigi imports from a small sustainable farm in Ecuador and tempers himself, and other fresh, rare ingredients.
One of the coolest things about this place is that you can custom order a pint of a flavor you create and e-mail it to them. 2 days later, it’s ready for you to pick up.

6. Sprinkles (Potomac)
If you don’t live in Potomac, chances are you don’t have too many reasons to head out that way. Here’s a reason. I had the Fronana. It’s frozen bananas mixed with ice cream and your choice of toppings (I went with caramel, Heath, and whipped cream based on the suggestion of the person working). I’m usually a hot fudge guy and I don’t regret this decision at all. Must try!

5. Snowbots (Rockville)
I was able to get ice cream…wrapped in a waffle…with almost an entire brownie crumbled on top of it. If you’re counting your calories, this spot isn’t for you. If you want this ridiculously good Frankenstein ice cream creation, this is the place for you.

4. York Castle Tropical Ice Cream (Rockville)
Jamaican ice cream that’s bursting with tropical flavor. I work nearby, so I’m able to make it out every now and then for lunch (I highly recommend ice cream for lunch). Sometimes you’ll see a line out of the door and around the corner. After you try it, you’ll know exactly why.

3. Carmen’s Italian Ice (Rockville)
Per their website- It started with a simple idea. Introduce homemade gourmet Italian Ice to the Washington DC area. Jason Mandler – a native of Parsippany, New Jersey – opened Carmen’s Italian Ice & Cafe in Rockville, MD in 2001. Tracing its roots back to Philly and South Jersey where this dessert has been a mainstay for years, Carmen’s offers homemade, gourmet Italian Ice in over 60 flavors. It also now offers frozen custard, shakes, and a toppings bar.
There was a lot of talk about putting Carmen’s at #1, but a few people on the panel didn’t feel Italian ice could be rated that high.
​Pro Tip: Get the gelati!

2. Jimmie Cone (Damascus)
Per their website- Jimmie Cone offers Chocolate and Vanilla and twist every day! Strawberry, Black Raspberry and Orange flavors rotate weekly, and are also available twisted with vanilla. They offer frozen yogurt—one fat free and one fat and sugar free—changing weekly.
In the summer, people will drive to Jimmie Cone from all across the state. If you haven’t been, you need to.

1. Moorenko’s (Silver Spring)
Per their website- Since 2002, Moorenko’s has crafted the Washington, DC area’s finest small-batch, ultra-premium ice cream. We make our ice cream by hand, the old-fashioned way, with high quality, natural ingredients. Ultra-premium ice cream is just that — the best of the best, made with the highest percentage of milkfat, less sugar, and less air.
Every panel member had Moorenko’s in their top 3. They earned their #1 ranking.

Our Top 10 Ice Cream Spots in MoCo list has been brought to you by Trapezearia Greek Kuzina. Located in Rockville Town Square, make sure you check them out for lunch or dinner. Sunday brunch is amazing and you have to try their $5 gyros on Tuesdays!

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Get ready to experience the vibrant colors, tantalizing flavors, and infectious rhythms of the Caribbean at the FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival! Hosted by RHU LLC, this exciting festival is set to take place on May 18, 2024, at the picturesque 16700 Barnesville Rd in Boyds, MD.

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