It’s National Ice Cream Day!
I’m celebrating with some of my RVA ice cream (or ice cream like) favorites.
I’ve always loved ice cream. I mean, what says celebration, and summer, as much as ice cream? Just like so many things, I have a hard time picking a favorite, because sometimes that favorite just depends on my mood. So, here are a few (well, more than a few, really) of my faves. I’d love to hear yours!
When it comes to gelato, our overall, hands down favorite is Deluca Gelato at Gayton
We have some seriously fantastic “newer” additions to the Richmond ice cream scene, and yes, I have favorites there too!
Charm School Social Club on Broad Street (in the heart of the Arts District) has a great, slightly edgy/artsy vibe and fantastic ice cream and flavors. Anything is great, but whatever you choose, you must get the house made, toasted fluff on top. So damn good.
If you find yourself on Southside, Charm School’s Study Hall is the place to stop by for some delicious soft serve. This walk up window has a more limited menu than their flagship, and soft serve only, with a rotating variety of flavors (and a killer Dole Whip!)
If you’re looking for vegan ice cream, both locations of Charm School have good options for you, too!
Scoop is located in the Fan, tucked into a little spot on Strawberry Street (next to Idle Hands Bread Company, another favorite). They are a small batch creamery as well, offering unique flavors, brownie sundaes, ice cream flights (hello!) featuring three flavors, shakes, and custom ice cream sandwiches. My favorite flavor here was always Croissants & Jam, but that’s no longer a signature flavor. (The nerve!) Now, it’s a toss up between Banana Pudding (going away soon), Roasted Strawberry, and Brown Sugar Cookie Dough.
You may recognize the name Ruby Scoops from the Food Network show featuring Ben & Jerry’s. Yes, she won the Grand Prize (justifiably so!)
Located on Brookland Park Boulevard in Richmond’s North Side, here you’ll find a rotating menu of unique flavors, from ice creams like Dulce de Leche and Black Sesame (my two favorites) to vegan flavors and sorbets.
Westray’s Finest on Lombardy St. went from truck to cafe this year, and they’ve got
Bruster’s has always been a favorite, since there is a location near my parents’ house and we’d go there on hot summer evenings when my son was little. A great place to walk up, get a delicious sundae or waffle cone, and have lots of variety in flavors. ( A few locations have a drive through, too!)
If you’re in the mood for something a little different than “just” ice cream (though none of the above are “just” ice cream!), here are a few of my other frozen favorites:
There are a few new(er) places on my list to check out too-
Sweet Wynns is an ice cream workshop, giving you the opportunity to create your own handmade, custom flavor. How fun and delicious does that sound??
Graham’s Ice Cream reopened in Mechanicsville a few months ago, with lots of fun flavors, sundaes, and shakes.
The only other “must have” on my list (as of today- that’s always subject to change!) is
My go to is a Chocolate Strawberry Malt (not on the menu, but they’ll make it.)
It’s a must stop any time I’m going up I95, and I’ll confess that on more than one occasion I’ve taken a cooler to buy a spare to have later.