8 of the Coolest Spots in RVA for Some Ice Cream
What’s cooler than being cool? TBH, nothing when it’s hot AF in the River City. Get to these ice cream shops ASAP.
— by the RVAx team
Spotty Dog Ice Cream Co.
We’ve been fans of this spot since the days of its pint-to-porch delivery service, and we’re psyched to have an actual parlor to visit now, too. Spotty Dog doles out deliciously unique flavors (hello, Cafe du Valkyrie, with your notes of orange, ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon nestled in coffee ice cream). And their merch? Too cute.
Location: 2416 Jefferson Ave C4 (Union Hill)
Menu: Found here
Hours: Found here
Gelati Celesti
If it’s ~heavenly handmade ice cream~ you’re craving, Gelati is a must. They’ve got the cult classics, like Just Ask (white chocolate ice cream mixed with a magical combination of frozen peanut butter and chunks of Oreos), but we’re also major fans of their seasonal offerings, like summertime scoop Jawsome (red velvet ice cream, brownie chunks, shark gummy on top).
Locations: Found here
Menu: Found here
Hours: Found here
Ruby Scoops
This ice cream shop specializes in premium small-batch ice cream, sorbet, sherbets, and other desserts. With a rotating menu of flavors (and plenty of vegan and gluten-free options), you’re in for the perfect sweet treat when you visit Ruby Scoops.
Location: 120 W Brookland Park Blvd (Brookland Park)
Menu: Found here
Hours: Found here
Bev’s Homemade
Ice cream is a classic dessert, and you don’t get much more classic than a shop that’s been scooping in RVA since the ‘90s. Bev’s Homemade has been a Richmond staple since 1998, and for good reason — the parlor serves its regular flavors and special flavors, and it offers ice cream socials and ice-cream-inspired coffee drinks.
Location: 2911 W Cary St (Carytown)
Menu: Found here
Hours: Found here
Blue Cow Ice Cream Co
Blue Cow Ice Cream Co is a small-batch ice creamery dedicated to offering a high-quality cold treat in delicious flavors. They’ve got your strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla, but even better, they have non-dairy alternatives. Blue Cow also has a full suite of specialty flavors, like Cereal Milk, Pumpkin, Goat Cheese and Blueberry Swirl (one of our faves!), and Campfire S’mores. You won’t find those flavors anywhere else.
Locations: Found here
Menu: Found here
Hours: Found here
Scoop
Scoop repeatedly gives us something to smile over with its cold confections and fresh baked goods. Pop by for small-batch ice cream with premium flavors (with gluten-free and vegan options available), like Roasted Strawberry, Cardamom and Honeyed Pistachios, and Creme Brûlée.
Location: 403 Strawberry St (The Fan)
Menu: Found here
Hours: Found here
Westray’s Finest
Nothing gets us more excited for spring and summer weather than some ice cream and beach-y vibes, and Westray’s Finest gives us both. Scooping flavors as sweet as Gold Rush (a mouth-watering mix of golden honeycomb candy, dark chocolate swirl, and the spot’s dense sweet-cream base), the colorful spot started serving from an ice cream truck and now serves from an extremely cute-and-sunny storefront. But don’t worry, you can still spot the truck out and about.
Location: 214 N Lombardy St (The Fan)
Menu: Found here
Hours: Found here
Charm School Study Hall
Head right up to this soft serve walk-up window and order tasty treats like PB Oreo Sundae and Banana Pudding ice cream. The spot’s specialty flavors rotate every other week, so if you like something, maybe go back for seconds and thirds before it’s replaced by your new favorite order the next time you visit.
Location: 4930 Forest Hill Ave Ste D (Forest Hill)
Menu: Found here
Hours: Found here
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