Happy Ice Cream — Scoop Cart

Happy Ice Cream is life-changing. You think you know what good ice cream is until you try theirs, and then they blow your mind with crazy different flavor combos. We’ve been enjoying their ice cream for a long time so we actually hired them to come and serve ice cream at our wedding! From the get-go Anne was super excited about the event. She sent us a link of flavors one month out from the event and we picked a list of flavors we thought sounded good. Then we got to go and try all the flavors out and narrow it down to four flavors. We even got to customize the A-frame signage! They were communicative throughout the process and were the easiest part of our wedding to plan. The day of the event, none of our guests knew that an ice cream cart was coming but everyone was truly delighted when Happy Ice Cream showed up. The ice cream was, needless to say, an absolute hit and our friends and family are still talking about how delicious the ice cream was. Thank you Anne, Ben and the Happy Ice Cream team for bringing so much joy and flavor to our special day. It was a pleasure working with you all. We 1000% recommend hiring Happy Ice Cream for your event!

They have amazing flavors! The olive oil cookie crumble and passion fruit basque cheese were heavenly! The waffle cone was also very yummy

Some of the most unique and fresh flavors of ice cream that deserve 5 stars, but probably the slowest service in town. The line is very long every time but it's not only because the ice cream is that good. It is, but the line is also just super slow. They let people taste flavors slowwwwwly, and it's about 3 minutes per customer, from what I've observed. Really unfortunate, because my friends and I gave up on standing in this line probably 9 times out of 10 we tried...

The texture is great, but the flavors are honestly a bit boring. Genuine care for customers is nonexistent, I’m sad to say. It doesn’t matter what ice cream you have, when your entire business model is predicated on intentionally scooping ice cream as slowly as possible to create a line unnecessarily, it’s insulting to your customers. I’m sure they have no plan to change because people continue to line up, but let’s expect more from our local businesses. Though you do have to appreciate the art of taking 30 seconds to put a napkin around a cone. I wish I could say the line inside is better, but it’s chaos at best.

I think this is the best ice cream/sorbet in DC. Their chocolate and coconut sorbets were out-of-this-world! Creamy texture, not too much sugar. Worth waiting in a 30 min line… Their restaurant/cafe upstarts has amazing pastas!

Wonderful little ice cream cart presented by the team at Gemini. Located in the heart of Dupont Circle, this mini ice cream shop may not be able to bring you long-term happiness, but it's sure to at least give you a temporary serotonin boost. They usually offer only three or four flavors, which include their classic labne and olive oil ice creams and then one or two seasonal options. It's, admittedly, quite pricey; one scoop is $6, but the ice cream is phenomenal. Plus, you can get a second scoop for just $2 more, which feels like quite a steal in comparison. I stopped by Happy Ice Cream with a friend on a blazing hot July day. We were barely surviving DC's swamp weather, so we paused by this lovely dessert cart to split a double scoop of their labne ice cream and seasonal nectarine sorbet. There was a pretty long line, which is mostly because the staff was super friendly and let everyone sample the flavors before settling in their final choice, so both the sample and the final product were entirely worth the wait. The labne ice cream was rich and slightly tangy, and I loved that it wasn't overly sweet. The rich, creamy flavor also paired beautifully with the nectarine sorbet, which was tangy, slightly sour, and packed with flavors of this summer fruit. There wasn't any space to sit, so my friend and I enjoyed our ice cream as we walked around Dupont.

It was pretty good ice cream. This is an outside ice cream cart primarily. The line wasn't too bad, about a 30min wait, but I found the ice cream mixed with the experience of chatting with people around me worth it on a summer day. I didn't go into the store, but it's possible to buy a pint with much less of a wait. I purchased fig leaf and the vanilla & oat two scoop in a cup combination. The ice cream was made fresh and with great quality ingredients; it was delicious. They sold out of the waffle cones which was what I really wanted, so a pro tip is to look at the menu before standing in line to ensure they have what you want as not to waste time. They'll put a sign on the board that says sold out. Due to the long line, parking (street parking was a hassle), nowhere to sit, and the unavailability of items, I would not make a plan to come back, however if I'm ever just walking in the area with time on my hands wanting ice cream I would patron again. I do want to try the waffle cone one day, and if that moves the needle I'll update this review.

Some of the best ice cream I have ever had. It’s been a favorite of mine for years. Haven’t had a flavor I didn’t like, but the olive oil and the dark chocolate flavors (with orange/lemon shortbread/chocolate sorbet) are just spectacular. The staff is also incredibly friendly. Could not recommend this place more!

This place was located next to Gemini under a little tent for ice cream. The line moves by really quickly so don't be alarmed by the little line! The music was great, the worker was so kind, and it was a great experience. They have rotating flavors but we chose Ricotta with Blueberry, as well as the Olive Oil with mocha crumble. AMAZING!! The olive oil is topped with a little salt and olive oil. It's the right amount of richness without being overpoweringly sweet. It's a little expensive ($7 for single, $9 double) but so worth it! The portion sizes may be small for some people but for me it's perfect. I'll be back!

My favorite ice cream spot in dc. They have different flavors every day the cart is out. The cart is usually only out when it's warm outside, and until 8:30 pm so make sure to arrive before then. The line to get ice cream can get long but it is worth the wait. The Basque Cheesecake flavor is my favorite flavor-- so so good. Other flavors I like are the Chocobanana with Chococookie, Coffee Stracciatella (I prefer their coffee with the dark chocolate shavings instead of the fudge swirl), and Figleaf and Black Raspberry Streusel (reminds me of my favorite Jeni's flavor Brambleberry Crisp but fresher). The Olive Oil with Cocoa Crumble is also popular and good here.

Quick moving line! Daily unique rotating flavors! The cones are SO delicious (not sure what they're made of but had a cinnamon flavor)! Both my flavors I also thoroughly enjoyed! I loved the Buttermilk & Fig Leaf! Scoops aren't super large but worth the price due to unique flavors!

Love that they have unique flavors that change daily!The brown butter flavor was the perfect mix of brown sugary vibes & the tartness of passionfruit! Also loved the tangelo flavor (tangerine x pomelo) which was so nostalgic and tasted like a dreamsicle‍really want to come back and taste some more chocolate-based flavors

Happy Ice Cream in Washington DC offers a delightful experience with its dark chocolate sorbet and buttermilk lemon shortbread ice cream. The dark chocolate sorbet is rich and intensely flavorful, perfectly balancing sweetness and cocoa bitterness. Meanwhile, the buttermilk lemon shortbread ice cream impresses with its tangy, creamy base complemented by buttery shortbread chunks. Both flavors showcase exceptional quality and creativity, making Happy Ice Cream a must-visit for dessert lovers.

Long line but so worth it! Good for a balmy summer evening. It was an impromptu decision to join the line after exiting CVS adjacent to Gemini. We got sheep ricotta and buttery toast and I'm a fan of the former. I also got to try the dark chocolate which tastes absolutely delicious. I heard that they serve different flavors in pints in the shop vs outside in the nice cream cart. Would love to try other flavors in the future!

Happy Ice Cream is a cart outside of the restaurant Gemini. This evening, the line was quite long, so my friend and I waited for about 20-25 minutes before we were served our ice cream. The cart is super minimal and cute. The flavors here are on the more unique side and they rotate/change on the daily (there's only 4 per day, I think). The scooper told me to look out for the dark chocolate & orange flavor because it's one of her favorites. I don't know about you, but chocolate x orange combo slaps. SINGLE SCOOP - 6 Today, our options were mint chip, fig leaf (blackberry & streusel), basque cheesecake (passion fruit swirl), and olive oil (cocoa crumble). You can choose a cup or cone (and no up charge for it). The scooper did such a nice job scooping the most perfect spheres of ice cream and it was neatly tucked inside the opening of the cone. Like it was so aesthetically pleasing. I was able to try the fig leaf and olive oil flavors. While I enjoyed the olive oil more (with its deep cocoa flavors), I found it too sweet for my liking. The fig leaf was nice and tart with some crunchy streusel crumbles. With the cone, I found it to be too sweet after I was halfway done and couldn't finish all of it. Sample a couple flavors that sound interesting to you and get a scoop (or two)! My friend got the basque cheesecake and she really enjoyed it. We were silently walking while we focused on eating our ice cream.

my favorite ice cream place in dc :) way better than Jeni's or Jubilee! The flavors rotate daily and are special/seasonal - some of my favs throughout the year are olive oil cocoa crumble (this one is a staple), grape & labneh, popcorn & polenta!

Whenever I walk along 17th street I'm always so so excited to come across Happy Cart! They are so wholesome and their vibes make me feel like a giddy kid again. They're expensive, yes, and their scoops are smaller than a typical ice cream shop, but I find their serving size is perfect. They also always have unique creative flavors that rotate every few weeks and allow samples. Tried out their grapefruit pie- incredible. The olive oil- how did they think of such a thing and make it delicious. The poppy seed lemon- unlike any other ice cream I've had before. The oatmeal cookie- one of the best in the game. Anyway, if you ever find yourself on 17th street, give them a try!

This was definitely one of the best ice cream places I've been to. We ended up getting three pints of ice cream (mint chip, strawberry buttermilk, olive oil cocoa crumble) and finishing it within a couple days. The mint chip is probably the best I've ever tried. The mint was present, but the flavor was also really complex with a bit of saltiness and the depth of the chocolate. The strawberry buttermilk actually had the buttermilk flavour, and the polenta crumble provided a nice textural contrast. The olive oil pint was also on point. The ice cream was really rich and creamy, and the crumble wasn't too sweet. I really liked the cacao nibs and the crunch they gave. The person who gave us ice cream was also super chill! The pints were pricey, but I think it's definitely worth a try.

Best ice cream in DC. The nearby Jeni's, Milk Bar, and Van Leeuwen don't even compare. When fresh olive oil and sea salt are drizzled on top of your scoop, how can you?

Literally the best ice cream I've ever had. Super cool flavors & amazing and kind staff!

Finally got here at a time where the line wasn't absolutely insane. The ice cream was delicious (got olive oil with cocoa crumble). It was thick and creamy, and the olive oil paired so well with the ice cream. They also added on flaky sea salt which gave an extra layer of flavor dimension, and the cocoa crumble was perfectly crunchy without being soggy/losing texture. It was somewhere in between cookie pieces and sprinkles. All that being said, the size was pretty small for the price, and the line is slow because only one person is there to handle the scooping, payment, presentation, etc. I would stop by again if I was in the area during an off hour, but I don't think I would wait in the massive line for the ice cream now that I've had it once.

Maybe it's cause it was a really hot day but this might be some if best ice cream I've had in D.C. Small cart on 17th st. Small selection of pretty unique flavors (only 4) which might not be what you want if you're looking for a plain vanilla or chocolate. I tied the "Fig Leaf" which was blackberry and strudel and it was amazing, highly recommend. The two girls running the cart were super friendly and sparked up a good convo with us while they prepped our order.

glad we stumbled upon this because it was a much-needed dessert after some killer spicy food. super friendly & personable (albeit slow) service. just 4 flavors, rotating menu. very unique. we got to try all the flavors and then decided on what we wanted. pricy ($6 per scoop) -- so if you want an actual bang for your buck, go with the cone. the scoops are really just a single scoop, no more. whereas the cone is more like 2 scoops. yet it's the same price. pretty good ice cream, just taking down a star for the price & slower service

This is maybe the best ice cream I've had. We walked past the cart on our way up to dinner and the Basque cheesecake flavor caught my eye. People looked really happy with their choices, so I actually skipped dessert at the restaurant we went to (!) so that I could come back to sample Happy Ice Cream's choices. When I took my first bite, I said "wow" out loud. The Basque cheesecake flavor was as incredible as promised: wonderfully creamy, with a rich burnt, caramelized flavor, tempered by pops of crunchy, tangy passionfruit bits. It was $6 + tax and tip for a single scoop of ice cream, but it was totally worth it. I do like that there are more conventional flavor options as well, like vanilla & fudge, which the kid in front of me ordered and seemed to love.

One of Washington, D.C.'s best ice cream shops is a cart in Dupont Circle along popular 17th Street N.W. Check Happy Ice Cream's Instagram Story Tuesday-Saturday for their daily flavors and get there a few minutes before they open to snag a scoop. My five-year-old daughter and I went on a Tuesday right at 4:30 p.m. Here's our experience: 1) Ice Cream: They usually have four different flavors each day they are open. When we went, they had Popcorn, Olive Oil, Buttermilk and Lemon, and Uber Banana. My daughter got a scoop of the Popcorn with coffee caramel and corn cake mixed in. My Olive Oil ice cream came with cocoa crumble. Wow. Both were really good and we both devoured our scoops, complete with fresh waffle cones. They sell pints of certain flavors inside Happy Gyro, the restaurant the cart is in front of and connected to. 2) Price: It's very pricey, even for D.C. A small (and it's small compared to Ice Cream Jubilee and Jeni's) scoop is $6 and a large is $8. Over a dollar extra for a small waffle cone. 3) Service: It's friendly. The man behind the cart was very kind and asked us about our days/summers while he scooped our order. 4) Neighborhood: It's along Dupont Circle's 17th Street NW with street parking, Stead Park, murals, bars, and restaurants nearby. Rainbows decorate the crosswalks.

Favorite ice cream in DC - flavors change regularly, have high quality ingredients and unique combinations you won't find elsewhere. On nice days they're out with the cart, offering 4 flavors for scoops (you can sample them as well). Otherwise you can place orders or walk in and grab pints in stock. Favorites have been the poppy seed/lemon/polenta, oatmeal cookie/shaved chocolate, basque cheesecake/passionfruit, olive oil/cocoa crumble. the only flavor I wouldn't order again is the guanciale/black pepper/pistachio - interesting, but just couldn't do more than a few bites at a time, glad that one only came in a half-size. Anyway, excited to continue trying more flavors. Keep it up team!

Small ice cream cart that rotates 4 flavors regularly. Super friendly staff and they allow samples!! They have very interesting and unique flavors. The day I went I was debating between the oatmeal cookie and vanilla fudge flavors. The employee was very friendly and offered samples of each. I went with the vanilla fudge. It sounds basic but they managed to really elevate it! So delicious and came very ice cold which I love, I'm not a fan of partially melted ice cream. It is on the pricier side but definitely worth trying since the flavors aren't common and change often.

CUTE ICE CREAM STALL THAT SERVES DELICIOUS ICE CREAM! We were walking around Dupont Circle, when we found this hidden gem! The flavor selection is small, but mighty, and quite different from traditional flavors. We tried the chocolate sorbet, which I had never heard of chocolate being a sorbet before. It was just as creamy as a chocolate ice cream, and even more delicious with the salt and dark chocolate classic mixture. Also tried their Olive Oil flavor, and it was sort of savory? I like savory flavors, so I thought it was really enticing. Cute ice cream stand, and I'm a stan for their aesthetic. Check it out if you are in the area!

I was in DC for a work trip and I was in my hotel room a little bit bored and I wanted to have some ice cream. The streets in DC are a little bit confusing to me still so I wanted to find something that was close. I looked on Yelp and Google and I found this place. I went there got a little turned around again but it's my nature. And the line was deep from the beginning. I waited about 20-25 minutes maybe 30 minutes and it was my turn I got mint chip and it was really really good. Nice and light and not meant typically meant but meant like mint julep mint you can tell it was handmade you can tell it was homemade and it was delicious. When I got up to the cart and it was my turn there were two staffers there. One was scooping and one was taking payments. The one taking payments firstly said thank you so much for waiting. And I thought that was really nice. It was cool that she acknowledged that the wait was deep and that we didn't have to wait that long we could have gone somewhere else. the service was great. The vibe in the area is really nice too it's by Dupont circle I think. That Georgetown area I think. It's not my town so I don't really know. But I'd go there again it'll be fun. I recommend everybody go out and check it out. Take a walk around the town

Very unique flavors! They switch it up literally every day lol so I would recommend checking what flavors they're serving on the Instagram. Or surprise yourself LMAO it's usually 4 different flavors. I LOVED the Beesmax and Buttermilk & Lemon that I had that day. Also really enjoyed Fig Leaf. I can't wait to keep coming back to try a different flavor each time!!!

Delicious ice creams, rotating flavors, friendly staff- what more could I ask for! I sampled all 4 flavors and went with their mint chip. The mint tasted fresh, as if it was from a garden, nothing like your typical grocery store mint ice cream! I was also a big fan of their chocolate sorbet, which was so rich that I'd never have pegged it as a sorbet. The other 2 flavors were creative, interesting, and tasty too. There were no wrong choices here and I'd come back for sure to try whatever's new as well as their waffle cones.

I come from a long line of ice cream fanatics. With that being said, I'm a purist whom rarely stumbles into the average "elevated ice cream parlor". I tend to stick to the classics. But happy ice cream changed my cravings. I don't just crave creamy sugar, now Jy taste buds crave the experience! My favorite hands down is the olive oil... followed by the cheesecake ice cream with pie crumble and tangy passion fruit folded in. I love their ice cream. Its crazy good. Lol

Ice cream is great, get the pint size - definitely worth it. A little pricey, but the quality is great.

great！ the service is good！you can have a try before purchase！ice cream made my niceee day！