9 Dreamy Virginia Gelaterias You’ll Fall In Love With

Virginia has a serious gelato problem, and honestly, nobody is complaining. Tucked into historic downtowns, beachside strips, and buzzing urban neighborhoods, the state’s gelaterias are serving up scoops so good they’ll make you question every dessert decision you’ve ever made.

From the rolling hills of the Shenandoah Valley to the sun-soaked shores of Virginia Beach, creamy, handcrafted gelato has found a permanent home in the hearts (and stomachs) of locals and visitors alike. Grab a spoon, pick your flavor, and get ready to fall hard for Virginia’s most irresistible frozen treats.

1. Venchi, Tysons, Virginia

Walking into Venchi at Tysons feels less like stepping into a dessert shop and more like landing in Milan on a particularly glamorous Tuesday. This famed Italian brand brings centuries of chocolatier tradition straight to Northern Virginia, wrapping it all in a sleek, luxurious setting that practically begs you to slow down and savor every moment.

The interior is all warm tones, polished surfaces, and display cases that glow like edible treasure chests. Venchi’s gelato lineup reads like a love letter to Italy, spotlighting bold, premium flavors crafted from top-tier ingredients sourced with serious care.

The Sicilian Pistachio is legendary for a reason, delivering a deep, nutty richness that lingers long after the last bite.

Chocolate lovers, rejoice. The Venezuelan Chocolate gelato is the kind of thing that ruins all future chocolate desserts by setting an impossibly high standard.

Venchi doesn’t just sell gelato; it sells an experience rooted in Italian artisanal heritage that feels genuinely special every single visit.

Located inside the Tysons Galleria, this gelateria draws shoppers, date-nighters, and devoted regulars who know that no mall trip is complete without a stop here. The staff is warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic about helping guests find their perfect flavor match.

Virginia residents lucky enough to live near Tysons have arguably one of the most elevated gelato experiences in the entire state right at their doorstep. Address: 2001 International Drive, McLean, VA 22102.

2. Dolci Gelati, Alexandria, Virginia

Some gelato shops are good. Dolci Gelati in Alexandria is the kind of place that makes people genuinely emotional about frozen dessert, and that is a completely reasonable reaction once you understand what is happening here.

Founded by an Italian-born pastry chef with deep roots in traditional techniques, this shop approaches gelato as a craft, not a convenience.

Every batch is made with local dairy and ingredients carefully imported from sustainable farms in Italy and Ecuador. That commitment to sourcing shows up immediately in the texture, which is impossibly smooth, and the flavor, which tastes clean, vivid, and deeply satisfying in a way that mass-produced ice cream simply cannot replicate.

The Tiramisu gelato has earned near-mythical status among regulars, threading the needle between coffee boldness and mascarpone creaminess with remarkable precision. Seasonal offerings rotate in and keep even the most loyal customers curious about what might appear in the case next.

Old Town Alexandria provides the perfect backdrop for this gem, with its cobblestone streets and historic charm setting a mood that pairs beautifully with a slow, indulgent gelato stroll. The shop’s intimate size gives it a neighborhood-favorite feel that no chain could ever manufacture.

Virginia’s food scene has no shortage of talented makers, but Dolci Gelati occupies a category of its own, driven by genuine passion and a refusal to cut corners. Address: 908 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.

3. Amorino Gelato, Tysons, Virginia

Amorino Gelato is the gelateria that turned a simple cone into a work of art, and the Tysons location brings that signature Italian flair straight into the heart of Northern Virginia. Famous worldwide for their flower-shaped gelato cones, Amorino has built a devoted following on the simple premise that beautiful food tastes even better.

Every scoop is shaped by hand into delicate petals that fan out from the cone like a blooming rose, making it arguably the most photographed dessert in any shopping center it occupies. Beyond the visual drama, the gelato itself is crafted without artificial flavorings or preservatives, leaning entirely on natural ingredients for its remarkable depth of flavor.

Blueberry Cheesecake stands out as a crowd favorite, balancing tart berry brightness against a creamy, tangy base in a way that feels genuinely inspired. The fruit sorbets are equally impressive, delivering intense, sun-ripened flavor that tastes like summer in a cone regardless of what season it actually is outside.

The Tysons Galleria setting gives Amorino a polished, cosmopolitan backdrop that suits its Italian heritage perfectly. Shoppers regularly detour specifically for an Amorino stop, treating it as the non-negotiable reward for surviving a full afternoon of retail therapy.

Virginia has no shortage of great dessert destinations, but Amorino brings a level of visual artistry and ingredient integrity that makes it genuinely stand apart from the crowd. Address: 1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA 22102.

4. Davvero Gelato, Richmond, Virginia

Davvero Gelato in Richmond’s Lakeside neighborhood might just be the most unexpectedly delightful gelateria in all of Virginia, and that is saying quite a lot. Housed in a converted former barbershop, the space carries a wonderfully eccentric energy that immediately signals you are somewhere genuinely original, not another cookie-cutter dessert chain.

The concept here is equally distinctive. Davvero specializes in small-batch gelato made entirely from oat milk and cashew bases, catering beautifully to dairy-free dessert lovers without sacrificing even a hint of the creaminess that makes gelato so irresistible.

Plant-based gelato skeptics routinely leave converted.

The Pistachio is consistently praised as one of Richmond’s finest, packing a nutty intensity that rivals any traditional dairy version. Creative seasonal flavors like Apple Cider Caramel demonstrate a kitchen that takes real creative risks and lands them with impressive consistency.

The atmosphere inside Davvero feels warm, neighborhood-rooted, and refreshingly unpretentious. Regulars know the staff by name, and first-timers tend to linger longer than planned, partly because the gelato is that good and partly because the space just feels so genuinely inviting.

Richmond’s food culture thrives on independent operators who bring bold ideas to the table, and Davvero fits that identity perfectly. It is a shop with a clear point of view, a loyal community behind it, and gelato that absolutely earns its stellar reputation.

Address: 6101 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, VA 23228.

5. Gelati Celesti, Richmond, Virginia

Richmond has its fair share of beloved food institutions, but Gelati Celesti holds a special place in the city’s collective dessert memory that few shops anywhere can claim. Operating across multiple locations throughout the area, this local powerhouse has been winning hearts one small batch at a time, using authentic Italian-made equipment to produce gelato of exceptional smoothness and depth.

The process matters enormously here. Small-batch churning means every tub of gelato gets the attention it deserves, resulting in a texture that is noticeably silkier and more intensely flavored than anything produced at industrial scale.

Virginia gelato lovers who have tried Gelati Celesti once rarely stray far from it afterward.

The fan-favorite flavor called “Just Ask” has taken on almost legendary status in Richmond. White chocolate gelato folded with crushed Oreos and peanut butter creates a combination that sounds almost too indulgent to be real but somehow manages to be even better than it sounds on paper.

Beyond the classics, Gelati Celesti rotates seasonal and specialty flavors that keep the menu feeling fresh and exciting throughout the year. The staff across all locations carries the same friendly, community-minded energy that has made this brand a genuine Richmond institution rather than just another dessert stop.

Multiple locations mean more of Virginia gets access to this extraordinary gelato, which feels like exactly the right outcome for a shop this talented. Find them throughout the Richmond metro area at various neighborhood locations.

6. DeLuca Gelato, Richmond, Virginia

DeLuca Gelato in Richmond’s West End is the kind of family-owned spot that restores your faith in the idea that the best things are made with love, patience, and absolutely zero corn syrup. This gelateria has built a devoted local following by doing things the right way, prioritizing fresh ingredients and authentic technique over shortcuts or mass production.

The flavor selection at DeLuca is impressively broad, covering traditional Italian classics alongside more playful contemporary options that keep the menu interesting for repeat visitors. Dairy-free sorbetto options are plentiful and genuinely excellent, ensuring that nobody walks away without something spectacular to enjoy.

One particularly charming touch is the availability of affordable kiddie portions, making DeLuca a genuinely family-friendly destination rather than a boutique shop that caters exclusively to adults with disposable income. Parents and kids alike gravitate toward this place with equal enthusiasm.

The West End neighborhood gives DeLuca a comfortable, residential feel that suits its warm, unpretentious character perfectly. There is nothing flashy or performative about this shop; it simply focuses on making outstanding gelato and treating every customer like a neighbor worth welcoming back.

Virginia’s gelato landscape benefits enormously from operators like DeLuca who prove that authenticity and accessibility can absolutely coexist in the same scoop. The no-corn-syrup commitment alone sets a quality standard that speaks volumes about the values driving this kitchen.

Address: 9012 Quioccasin Road, Richmond, VA 23229.

7. Sweet and Spice Gelato, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach is already one of the most fun destinations in the entire state, and Sweet and Spice Gelato makes a strong case that no beach day there is truly complete without a stop inside this wildly creative shop. Tucked into the coastal community, this gelateria has carved out a reputation for flavor combinations that are genuinely bold, unexpected, and absolutely worth the adventure.

The Blueberry Goat Cheese gelato is the flavor that put Sweet and Spice on the radar of serious dessert enthusiasts, pairing the jammy sweetness of ripe blueberries against the tangy, earthy complexity of goat cheese in a way that sounds strange until the first taste makes everything click into perfect sense.

Beyond the signature offerings, the shop rotates creative seasonal flavors that reflect the surrounding coastal environment and local agricultural bounty. Every visit carries the genuine possibility of discovering something new, which keeps regulars coming back with the same excitement as first-time visitors.

The atmosphere inside is cheerful and relaxed, carrying the easy energy of a beach town that knows how to enjoy itself. Staff members are enthusiastic about their product and genuinely enjoy walking curious customers through the more adventurous flavor options on the menu.

Virginia’s coastal food culture is rich and varied, and Sweet and Spice Gelato represents its most deliciously daring edge. Pair a scoop with an ocean breeze and the day instantly becomes extraordinary.

Address: 2608 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451.

8. The Split Banana, Staunton, Virginia

Staunton is one of Virginia’s most enchanting small cities, and The Split Banana fits right into its historic downtown like it was always meant to be there. Locals call it a treasure of the Shenandoah Valley, and after spending even five minutes inside this wonderfully warm gelateria, the label makes complete sense.

The shop draws on classic Italian gelato traditions with genuine respect for the craft, offering beloved staples like Bacio and Stracciatella that would satisfy even the most demanding Italian grandmother. Bacio, that irresistible marriage of chocolate and hazelnut, hits every note it is supposed to hit with satisfying reliability.

What makes The Split Banana especially endearing is how perfectly it captures the spirit of Staunton itself. The city is known for its beautifully preserved architecture, thriving arts scene, and fierce local pride, and this gelateria channels all of that warmth and character into every scoop it serves.

The setting along historic downtown Staunton means visitors can combine a gelato stop with an afternoon of exploring the city’s remarkable theater district, independent boutiques, and stunning Victorian streetscapes. Few dessert experiences come with a backdrop this cinematically beautiful.

Shenandoah Valley road trips through Virginia have an unofficial new required stop, and it lives right here on a charming downtown street in Staunton. Do not even think about passing through without pulling over.

Address: 3 West Beverley Street, Staunton, VA 24401.

9. Splendora’s Gelato Cafe, Charlottesville, Virginia

Charlottesville has a reputation for doing things with a certain creative, unhurried grace, and Splendora’s Gelato Cafe fits that identity so naturally it feels like the city dreamed it into existence. This beloved local favorite has been satisfying Charlottesville’s considerable sweet tooth with imaginative, beautifully crafted gelato that reflects the city’s artistic, free-spirited character.

The vibe inside Splendora’s is exactly what you want from a college-town gelateria, relaxed, unpretentious, and buzzing with the kind of easy social energy that makes an afternoon stretch pleasantly into evening. The space draws students, professors, visitors, and longtime residents with equal enthusiasm, creating a genuinely mixed and lively crowd.

Flavor-wise, Splendora’s earns serious respect for its willingness to push into unexpected territory. Passionfruit delivers a tropical brightness that feels genuinely refreshing, while Lavender Lemon threads a delicate floral note through citrus sharpness in a combination that sounds complex but tastes effortlessly elegant.

Classic flavors are executed with equal care, ensuring that traditionalists never feel like the menu has been designed exclusively for adventurous palates. The balance between creative and classic is one of Splendora’s real strengths, giving every customer a reason to feel at home in the flavor lineup.

Virginia’s university town culture produces some of the state’s most interesting food destinations, and Splendora’s stands as one of Charlottesville’s most consistently celebrated. Address: 103 West Main Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902.

10. Pitango Gelato, Arlington, Virginia

Arlington’s food scene punches well above its weight for a city its size, and Pitango Gelato is a huge part of the reason why. This artisan gelateria brings a philosophy of radical ingredient integrity to Northern Virginia, building every flavor from the ground up using organic, locally sourced, and carefully selected components that genuinely change how gelato tastes.

The difference is immediately apparent in the texture, which achieves that elusive quality of being simultaneously dense and light, rich without feeling heavy. Pitango’s production process respects traditional Italian methods while incorporating a farm-to-cone ethos that feels distinctly American in the best possible way.

Seasonal menus keep the experience dynamic and tied to the rhythms of the local agricultural calendar. Spring might bring bright strawberry and herb combinations, while autumn leans into roasted nut and warm spice territory that feels deeply comforting and perfectly timed.

The shop’s clean, minimalist interior reflects the same clarity of purpose that drives its gelato-making philosophy. Nothing about Pitango feels cluttered or confused; every detail points toward the same goal of delivering the purest, most honest gelato experience possible.

Virginia residents in the Arlington and greater Northern Virginia area have developed a genuine loyalty to Pitango that speaks to how meaningfully it has woven itself into the local food culture. Finding a parking spot on a warm weekend afternoon requires patience, which is perhaps the highest possible endorsement.

Address: 4747 Langston Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22207.