Best Desserts and Ice Cream in Alexandria (Local Approved)

Had a good meal and now its time for something sweet to wash it down with? I’ve got you covered. The best part of living in Old Town Alexandria is all of the great dessert and ice cream spots to choose from. I’ve ridden my bike in the rain for some of these desserts so you can trust my taste in pastries, cookies, and ice cream.

Best Dessert in Alexandria – Cupcakes and Pastries

Lady Camelia : Best Afternoon Tea in Alexandria

Lady Camelia is by far, the best place in Alexandria for Afternoon Tea. Prices start at about $50/ person and the food is delicious! Their scones are the perfect texture and I loved their vegetarian tea sandwiches. Service was great but it does book up early so make sure to get reserve your spot early. Some sports even have a view of the Alexandria waterfront. The only drawback is how crowded the cafe can get on weekends.

Turkish Tea Lady

I don’t know if I should be ashamed of how many different photos I have at Turkish Coffee Lady House or proud. I’ll go with proud.

After a short layover in Turkey, I became addicted to Turkish coffee and baklava so I was excited to find Turkish Coffee Lady. Beyond their cute decor and informative reads, there are so many Turkish treats to choose from that I’ve had to go a few times for “research”.

My favorite savory item is the Acma Pastry, similar to a soft bagel with this addictive black love paste. I also recommend their Turkish breakfast; it’s full of fresh vegetables, and I want to recreate it at home. If you can’t make it to Turkey, Turkish Coffee Lady is the next best thing.

Lavender Moon Cupcakery

Lavender Moon Cupcakery is a must-visit for cupcake lovers. They have over a dozen flavors to choose from; my favorites are the vanilla bean and Biscoff, but my besties adore their chocolate eclair cupcake. The service is great, and the decor is dramatic and moody.

cupcakes with white frosting, caramel sauce, and nuts

Ben’YaYs : New Orleans Beignets and Coffee

As someone with Louisiana roots, I was beyond excited when I learned that beignets were coming to Alexandria. It’s not easy to find good beignets in the DMV, but these were fluffy, moist, and had the perfect amount of powdered sugar. Combined with fresh roasted coffee, this might be my new favorite spot. They even have space in the back for those who like to work in cafes.

I was lucky enough to meet the owner on the day I went. He was super nice and told me a bit about what brought Ben’YaYs to Alexandria. 10/10 solid dessert spaces!

Zen Press : Healthy Desserts & Fresh Juices in Alexandria

Zen Press is another small business in Alexandria that I love! They offer lots of healthy options like raw desserts, pitaya and acai bowls, and low-carb meals. The owner’s dog is shown in the photo above and he’s so cute! I love the boho vibe of the cafe and they also have outdoor seating in the back that’s perfect for a spring day. Their customer service is top notch. I’m happy that we have so many local options in Old Town.

Alexandria Cupcake

Alexandria Cupcake is a solid pick for cupcakes, plus they deliver through Grubhub ($25 dollar minimum). Their strawberry cupcake is my favorite. They also have at least one vegan option per day. Their cupcakes are always moist and fresh!

Firehouse Bakery

Firehouse Bakery has lots of affordable baked goods. Their cakes are legendary, and the quiches look good. I loved enjoying my breakfast at their outdoor patio. Parking is limited and very close to the patio, but it’s Old Town Alexandria so it’s kind of expected. Get there early as they close at 3 pm.

I tried the za’atar croissants and I wasn’t the biggest fan.

Buzz Bakeshop

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Buzz Bakeshop has a cozy and inviting atmosphere. They also have some of the best gluten free cakes in Alexandria. You can get cupcakes, cheesecake, and pie at Buzz Bakeshop.

MidnighTreats Cookie Shop

MidnighTreats Cookie Shop is a paradise for cookie enthusiasts. They bake fresh, gourmet cookies that are packed with flavor and perfect for any time of day. Whether you’re craving a classic chocolate chip or something more adventurous, their wide variety of cookies has something to satisfy everyone.

Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream

Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream in Alexandria is a delightful throwback to classic ice cream parlors. They serve a wide variety of rich, double churned ice creams made with traditional recipes that evoke a sense of nostalgia.

Lily’s Chocolate and Coffee

I love Lily’s Chocolate and Coffee. The lokma are pretty good, not as good as the ones I had in Athens but tasty. They’ve made some improvements as compared to last year. I like their pistachio latte. Service wasn’t the best but I’ll give it another try. I wasn’t a big fan of their sandwiches.

Best Desserts in Alexandria: Bakeries

Fresh Baguette

Fresh Baguette has lots of french pastries, desserts, and sandwiches. They became famous due to their croissant bagels. they’re absolutely delicious. Most of their desserts are not vegan but the service is one of the best on King Street. The people behind the counter are so kind and patient.

A few of their popular pastries are the napoleon, normande, and fruit tart. I like to buy my fresh bread and baguettes here and sometimes they sell out early.

Madeleine

I worked at Madeline during college, so it remains a soft spot in my heart. I recommend trying the coconut cake or the palmiers. Their lunch options are great and there’s lots of cozy seating. It’s a bit underrated and the customer service is always good.

Best Desserts in Alexandria: Ice Cream Shops

Goodies Frozen Custard and Treats: Vintage Dessert Spots in Alexandria

How can you say no to Goodies Frozen Custard and Treats? Do you see how cute it is? I love the 1950s decor, and there’s no other place in the DMV selling Wisconin-style frozen custard. Where else can you get a peach cobbler donut with ice cream in the middle? They also offer sorbet and gluten-free treats.

Goodies Frozen Custard and Treats has been featured on the Food Network and in multiple local newspapers for how good their ice cream is. It’s the perfect place to take the whole family.

Old Town Dolci Gelati

Old Town Dolci Gelati is a popular spot. It can get crowded during the weekend, but the line moves fast. They have great gelato, pastries, and coffee. Everything is extremely fresh, and you can tell that they use premium ingredients. They offer a few different vegan sorbet options. My top recommendation is the affogato.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream

Jeni’s is a geat date spot. They have vegan and dairy options and everything is delicious. I love their waffle cones as well. There’s a lot of space and seats which is great because there’s often a long line that goes outside the store and up the block.

One of the only places that serve a unique vegan option. The flavors vary each day but I love their vegan coffee and caramel ice cream.

Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato

Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato is an Argentinian dessert shop that offers some of the best gelato flavors in the DMV. Customers love their Dulce de leche, pistachio, and chocotorta. They even offer alfajores, a cookie with dulce de leche and shredded coconut. Vegan and gluten-free options are on the menu! Their rotating seasonal flavors always ensure something new and exciting to try.

Custard Shack

Custard Shack isn’t open all year round, so you need to try it while you can. It’s located in the Belle Haven neighborhood of Alexandria. They serve banana splits, root beer floats, and more. They don’t offer vegan ice cream, but they do have sorbet. I would much prefer vegan ice cream, though.

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The Crazy Mason Milkshake

I remember when the signs of The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar started popping up. I was so excited to try one of their ilksahes, which are known for being over-the-top with lots of unique toppings. It’s a great dessert spot for unique and Instagram-friendly desserts.

Ben and Jerrys

Ben and Jerry’s a tried and true ice shop in Alexandria, not too far from King Street and the Alexandria waterfront. Like most Ben and Jerry’s, they have vegan and non-vegan options. It’s usually not very busy.

The Dairy Godmother

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The Diary Godmother has popsicles, ice cream sandwiches, and pastries. And they’re dog-friendly; you can purchase pup treats for your pet babies to enjoy this summer.

Kilwins Chocolates & Ice Cream

Kilwins Chocolates & Ice Cream in Alexandria is a sweet lover’s dream. They have an amazing range of handmade chocolates, creamy fudge, and delicious ice cream that’s hard to resist.

The Creamery

The Creamery reminds me of an old-school ice cream shop. Its vintage decor fits in perfectly with Old Town. They don’t offer vegan ice cream, but they do have a few sorbet options. It gets crowded during the summer, but the wait isn’t very long. Plus, there’s outdoor seating.