Happy Summertime, y’all!
Richmond summers are full of lazy days, trips to the pool and beach, and cooling off with ice cream from some of our favorite RVA ice cream shops.
And because we’re determined to hit up each and every one of these this summer, we created a printable list of some of Richmond’s best. Use it to track your progress in sampling them all!
Bev’s Homemade Ice Cream
In 1989, Beverly Mazursky opened the first Bev’s Ice Cream in Massachusetts. She moved the business to Richmond in the late 90’s after realizing that RVA needed a great homemade ice cream shop. The Carytown location is the only standalone Bev’s in the world, but you can find her RVA ice cream at several other restaurants around the city.
http://www.bevsicecream.com
Boyer’s
Since June 2008, the Boyers have taken great pride in being a small, family-owned business that can serve the community great, local offerings including Gelati Celesti and King of Pops. Located on Grove Avenue, swing by Boyer’s to grab a bit to eat, a coffee, and some ice cream.
http://www.boyersrva.com
Charm School Social Club
Offering floats, cones, and sundaes, this shop on Broad near Jackson Ward is adorable! And BONUS: they offer vegan ice cream, too!
http://www.charmschoolrva.com
The Dairy Bar
The Dairy Bar has been a Richmond tradition since 1946. Although they serve an amazing breakfast, lunch, and many dessert options, we’d recommend not leaving without one of their famous milkshakes. You know….like a Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter or Dreamsicle shake. Yeah. Go get one…NOW.
http://dairybarrestaurant.com
Deluca Gelato
Deluca Gelato has been serving Richmond its gelato, sorbetto, and Italian desserts since 2007 at its Gaskins Road location. Go in for your gelato, but be sure to grab some of their fresh-baked tortes, cannolis, and rainbow cookies on your way out.
http://delucagelato.com
Gelati Celesti
For sure, Gelati Celesti is an RVA staple! Their ice cream is super thick and creamy, and their flavors are TO DIE FOR. Think Chocolate Decadence, Lemon Custard, Oreo, or their famous ‘Just Ask.’ With shops in Richmond, Chesterfield, and Henrico AND a mobile food truck, you’ll never be too far away from some of the city’s best ice cream.
https://www.gelatiicecream.com
Jimer’s Frozen Custard
Yes. Jimer’s is WAY out in Moseley…like…past the zoo way out. But, it’s soooo worth the drive. Their frozen custard is wonderful, their prices are great (PSA: they only accept cash!), and the atmosphere will take you back in time. The music pumping from the custard truck is distinctly 1950’s and the picnic tables set among the trees create a fun, family feel.
https://www.facebook.com/Jimersfrozencustard
King of Pops
A popsicle push-cart, a patio pick-up shop in Scott’s Addition, and a defined business purpose of “creating unexpected happiness” makes King of Pops sound pretty awesome, huh? Just wait until you try their Cookies + Cream or Chocolate Sea Salt popsicle.
http://kingofpops.com/contact/richmond-va
Nightengale Ice Cream Sandwiches
These little babies have been popping up all over the place. They are at Sergio’s in Midlothian, Tom Leonard’s in the West End, Hardywood in Scott’s Addition, and tons of places in between. Check out their Wholesale page to find all of their locations in Richmond, Petersburg, Virginia Beach, and Charlottesville!
http://www.nightingaleicecream.com
Ray’s Italian Water Ice and Frozen Custard
You can’t talk about summer in RVA without mentioning Ray’s out in Glen Allen. The mix of Italian Ice and custard is a perfect way to cap off a long summer day.
http://raysitalianwaterice.com
SweetFrog
This now nationwide franchise first grew its legs here in Richmond when the owner Derek Cha and his family realized our community was lacking a family-friendly yogurt shop like he’d seen on the West Coast. Pop into your local SweetFrog for a dessert that’s sure to please the kiddos and adults in your family.
http://www.sweetfrog.com
the 21hundred
What do you do to turn a former Brewster’s Ice Cream Store into a success? You renovate the inside and make it a coffee and gelato shop! That’s exactly what the owners of the 21hundred did at their shop at 2100 John Rolfe Parkway.
http://www.the21hundred.com
Have fun eating RVA’s best ice cream. If you’d like to share your experiences with the RVA Moms Blog community, post your pics on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #RMBicecream. Enjoy!!