Ice cream isn’t the only frozen treat in town: there’s a whole world of gourmet desserts out there that look as good as they taste. Our critics reveal 12 favorites, and where to find them, below.
By Olga Boikess, Dawn Klavon, Alyssa Langer, and Alice Levitt
Croffle
Who Seek
There are few things better than a waffle sundae. Or, for that matter, a chocolate croissant. But what about a dessert that combines the powers of the two? Meet the croffle, a waffle made with the flaky laminated dough of a croissant. This buttery beast is available in many forms at this twee café, but we like it with chocolate ice cream melting into every crevice and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. 13910 Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy., Chantilly — Levitt
Mangonada
MangoLina
You guessed it: This Mexican/Salvadoran dessert is reserved for mango lovers. Cubes of the fresh fruit are layered with mango sorbet, and everything is doused in chamoy, which is a chile-spiked pickled fruit sauce. For good measure, eat the spicy tamarind candy that surrounds the straw sunken into the color-filled cup. Multiple locations — Levitt
Chè
Bambū
This international chain specializes in Vietnamese dessert drinks. Chè can also refer to sweet soups and puddings, but the frozen finds here are closer to shaved ice. In fact, there’s even a version of Filipino halo-halo among the 15 varieties of chè served here. First timer? Try the Bambū Special, which combines coconut, pandan jelly, longan, basil seeds, and coconut water for a tropical refresher with bounce. 4220 Annandale Rd., Ste. B, Annandale — Levitt
Paletas
La Neveria Michoacana
We all grew up knowing the slow, icy drip of a frozen pop on a scorching day. But unless you grew up in Latin America, you missed out on perhaps the world’s best version thereof: the paleta. Here, they’re available icy or milky, in flavors that include fruits like nance, mamey, and guava. You’ll be wowed by the tamarind with chile flavor. 7250 Centreville Rd., Manassas; 14420 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Woodbridge — Levitt
Falooda
Dessert Lounge
Noodles in dessert? When it’s slippery vermicelli that’s loaded, parfait-style, into a cup of sweet goodies, you’ll be sold. Indian falooda desserts like the ones crafted to order here descend from Iran but have been in South Asia for centuries. At this Indian ice cream shop, choose your favorite flavors — including rose petal, paan, and aromatic thandai — to go with chia seeds, nuts, jelly, and yes, lots of skinny noodles. 348 Elden St., Herndon —Levitt
Ice Cream Rolls
Koi Tea
This Stafford shop serves luscious, delicate rolled ice cream, with dynamic flavors and intriguing names. They resemble rolled-up pieces of paper. Try the Old Fashioned (a lively banana and strawberry combo spread with Hershey’s chocolate) or the Garrisonville Road (mashed with graham crackers, marshmallow fluff, and brownie mix). There are nine yummy flavors, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. 418 Garrisonville Rd., Ste. 114, Stafford — Klavon
Cookie Dough
Sophie’s Dough
Get your sugar rush on: If cookie dough is your thing, you’ve come to the right place. Sophie’s egg-free doughs are made on site and come in a cup, cookie sandwich, pop, or cannoli. Or try the made-to-order bubble waffles — a fun crêpe-like creation adorned with freshly sliced fruit, chocolate, ice cream, and whipped cream. Our vote goes to the peanut butter–banana version, decked out with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s nirvana on a plate. 6500 Springfield Mall, Springfield — Klavon
Gelato Bars
Fantasticks
Fantasticks is the perfect name for this delightful gelato-on-a-stick spot. Once you choose from the distinct flavors — coconut with chia seeds, tiramisu, caramel brownie brittle, or piña colada, to name a few — pick appetizing add-ons like chocolate or white chocolate, sprinkles, nuts, and coconut. Our favorite was the raspberry gelato bar dipped in chocolate and smothered in edible rose petals for a burst of fragrance and flavor. 44715 Thorndike St., Ashburn; 1961 Chain Bridge Rd., Tysons — Klavon
Taiwanese Shaved Ice
Snocream Company
Located within The Block Foodhall & Bar, this Taiwanese shaved ice is fusion at its finest. First, you pick the ice cream flavor (black sesame, green tea, taro, honeydew, and more), then the toppings (sprinkles, boba, gummy bears — you name it), then the drizzles (like caramel, Nutella, and condensed milk). The icy texture is refreshing, and portions are large enough to be shared. Snocream also offers a variety of bubble teas and soft serve. 4221 John Marr Dr., Annandale — Langer
The Infamous Eskimo Dog
Haute Dogs
Ice cream in a hot dog bun? The Infamous Eskimo Dog is the mash-up we didn’t know we needed. Featuring a brown sugar cinnamon toasted bun, this indulgent dessert is stuffed with three generous scoops of vanilla ice cream. Healthy drizzles of chocolate and caramel top it off. We suggest bringing a friend (or two) to help you polish it off. 610 Montgomery St., Alexandria; 2910 N. Sycamore St., Arlington — Langer
Sno-Ball
Bayou Bakery
“Growing up in New Orleans, slurping a sno-ball was a daily treat,” David Guas, Bayou Bakery’s chef-owner, recalls. He re-creates that brain-freeze experience at his Arlington café each summer. Powdery shaved ice, made with a Louisiana-built ice shaver, is layered with sweet syrups in a Chinese-food-style to-go carton. A drizzle of condensed milk adds a creamy finish. Guas crafts syrups from local berries and offers Big Easy imports like almond-flavored Wedding Cake. 1515 N. Courthouse Rd., Arlington — Boikess
Feature image courtesy Fantasticks
This story originally ran in our July issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine’s Food newsletter.
