The summers in Richmond bring abundant outdoorsy activities, family fun, and festivals. While Virginia’s capital has long been a destination for great food, the best ice cream in Richmond, Virginia is some of the best in the state as well!
Best Ice Cream Spots in Richmond
Whether you’re looking for traditional flavors with your favorite toppings or hunting for unique flavors, here’s where to find incredible ice cream in Richmond.
Scoop
Hands down, one of the most popular spots in Richmond to relish frozen sweet treats is Scoop! This locally-owned, small-batch ice cream shop might’ve opened only in June 2018, but it’s already a smash hit with visitors and locals alike. From ice cream cakes and mini, single, or double scoops in a cup or waffle cone to ice cream sandwiches, shakes, and sundaes, you’ll find it all here.
What I ADORE about this dessert shop is their ice cream flights (when you can’t decide). You can have your choice of three mini scoops with three cookie wedges.
Some of their signature flavors that’ll arouse are Lavender Honeycomb, Sweet Corn and Blackberry, Cannoli, Cherry Cheesecake, and Brown Sugar Cookie Dough.
Apart from their selection of toppings, you also have a choice of hot fudge, caramel, and peanut butter sauces. Another highlight is their Pint Club, where members receive new flavors each month.
- Scoop RVA, 403 Strawberry Street, Richmond, VA 23220
Coco + Hazel
It’s all about their specialty shakes at Coco + Hazel! Piled high above the usual milkshake is added bonus of a piece of cake! Their decadent specialty shakes include Candy Land (strawberry/vanilla, rock candy, cotton candy ball, two lollipops, whipped cream, and sprinkles with a cherry) and Cake Shake (Birthday cake, whipped cream, sprinkles, and cherry, with a slice of confetti cake).
They use Tillamook ice cream base to make their own ice cream in a variety of flavors – Coffee Almond Fudge, Dark Cherry, Caramel Butter Pecan, and Birthday Cake! You can also make your own ice cream sandwich with cookies, Churro, or cookie dough and your choice of ice cream flavor.
Don’t miss their coffee and espresso from Cafe Brújula (Oaxaca, Mexico).
- Coco + Hazel, 411 N Ridge Rd, Richmond, VA 23229, and 2733 McRae Road, Richmond, VA 23235
Ruby Scoops Ice Cream & Sweets
For some premium, small-batch ice creams, sorbets, sherbets, and desserts, drop by Ruby Scoops. They also have a menu of flights if you can’t make up your mind.
When Rabia Kamara opened the doors to Ruby Scoops in Northside Richmond in late November 2020, she introduced some mindblowing frozen desserts, making the locals fall in love with the place. The Grasshopper Pie on their menu (on of my favs!) made an appearance in the Food Network Magazine
Some of their delicious flavors include Strawberry Sweet Red Bean, Black Sesame, and Big Spoon Co.(coconut). They have refreshing sorbets in curious flavors like Grapefruit Tarragon, Red Berry Champagne, and Blackberry Mandarin Mojito.
- Ruby Scoops, 120 W Brookland Park Blvd, Richmond, VA 23222
Bev’s Homemade Ice Cream & Cafe
Bev’s is has been making ice cream since 1998. After attending the Culinary Institute of America, Beverly Mazursky used those skills to make ice cream. Lucky for us!
Select from their traditional flavors available year-round (Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Black Raspberry, Cookies & Cream, Espresso Oreo, and more), or go with their seasonal flavors that rotate weekly/biweekly. Don’t miss out on topping your pick with Bev’s homemade hot fudge.
Ice cream isn’t all have; they also offer sherbet, dairy-free sorbet, gelato, and oat-based vegan ice cream.
- Bev’s Homemade Ice Cream & Cafe, 2911 W Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23221
Gelati Celesti
From establishing its first gelato shop in 1984 to operating nine neighborhood stores (two Virginia Beach and seven Richmond locations), Gelati Celesti is a local favorite.
With 85 rotational flavors and 24 House favorites, you know you’re in for a tasty treat when you drop by any of their outlets. Their handmade ice cream is made with high-quality ingredients and churned in small batches with special Italian equipment. Some sumptuous flavors include Almond Amaretto, Coconut Cream, Rainbow Cookie, and Mint Chip.
Have your favorite flavor in their waffle cones that are baked in-house for the ultimate indulgence. They also have ice cream pies, cakes, and sandwiches.
- Gelati Celesti Ice Cream, multiple locations
Other Places in Richmond With Great Ice Cream
The list doesn’t stop there. Here are other places in Richmond with excellent ice cream.
- La Michoacana, 7808 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235
- King of Pops, 3001 W Clay St, Richmond, VA
- DeLuca Gelato, 1362 Gaskins Rd, Richmond, VA 23238
- Blue Cow Ice Cream, 7017 Three Chopt Rd, Richmond, VA 23226
- NarWhals Rolled Ice Cream, 3313 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
- Baskin Robbins, multiple locations
- Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches, available at multiple locations
The cherry on top!
You don’t need to search far and wide in Richmond for a frozen treat to satisfy your dessert cravings; just take your pick from this list. I assure you, you’ll go for a second or even third helping at these places.
