Dolcezza crowned D.C.'s best ice cream gelato shop
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Crowning cone. Photo courtesy of Dolcezza
Hot topic: who makes the best frozen treats in the D.C. area? We posed the question to readers this week and determined a clear winner.
Why it matters: It was the last week of August and all that matters is ice cream.
What's happening: A truly Sweet 16 tournament crowned Dolcezza as D.C.'s ice queen.
- The beloved gelateria beat out another local fan favorite: Ice Cream Jubilee.
Catch up on the tournament rounds:
The championship
Two local favorites go cone-to-cone in the final round. Only one gets the cherry on top.
Catch up quick: Local gelato dynamo Dolcezza beat national chain Jeni's in one fell scoop. Ice Cream Jubilee triumphed over The Creamery at Union Market.
What's happening: An existential dessert dilemma: gelato or ice cream?
- On any given sundae you're gonna win or you're gonna lose…
Final Four
The Final Four of our D.C. ice cream bracket is here!
Why it matters: We're two scoops away from crowning your favorite frozen treats in the city. Here's where the bracket stands:
Catch up quick: National darling Jeni's cinnamon-rolled Van Leeuwen out of the competition. Dolcezza creamed Thomas Sweet.
- Meanwhile Sarah's Handmade waves goodbye as The Creamery at Union Market takes the local stage against crowd favorite Ice Cream Jubilee.
What's happening: It's a rocky road to victory — who deserves the crown cherry on top?
Elite Eight
Did you hear the scoop? Day Two of our Sweet 16-style ice cream showdown to determine the best frozen treats in the DMV has come and gone.
Why it matters: More than 660 readers voted for their favorite shops — you're passionate about pints!
Catch up quick: Heavy scoopers Jeni's and Van Leeuwen froze out the local competition in Round 1 (but not by much — so close, Mount Desert Island).
- Longtime D.C. favorites Dolcezza and Thomas Sweet are going cone-to-cone after beating newer competitors.
- It's going to be a frigid battle between local shops with loyal fans — here's looking at you, Happy Ice Cream vs. Ice Cream Jubilee.
Sweet Sixteen
This scoop-off is meant to be fun!
Methodology: We know there are more than 16 worthy shops in town, but we had to narrow it down. Get to the pint and tell us what you're craving.
- Email [email protected] to pump up your favorite, or scream that a certain ice cream didn't make it (but please, don't actually scream). May the best scoop win!
Editor's note: This story has been updated to add details about the latest rounds.