Max's Best Ice Cream

If your looking for a blast. This place is out of this world. From a delicious assortment of mouth watering sorbets to phenomenal flavors of icecream. Kid friendly to grown adult milkshakes that are also a heavily experience. Perfect for date cause they're open well into the evening. The service was top notch even when crowded they try to make everyone feel welcomed. Some items can be a bit pricey but your taste buds will thank you for hours.

I had my birthday celebration over the weekend at Max's Best Ice Cream, such a wonderful place to celebrate! I had contacted them beforehand to reserve space for family and friends and they were so gracious and accommodating with our group. The ice cream is terrific and I even got a birthday candle on my extreme milkshake while the staff sang Happy Birthday, it was such a treat! My kids cannot stop talking about the amazing milkshakes and now all their friends want to come too. Even better is the heart behind the business. Knowing it’s co-owned with Best Buddies and built around a genuine commitment to community, made the experience even sweeter.

The ice cream here is amazing! 🍦 I had the butter pecan with whole pecans and the caramel crunch. So creamy and delicious, I finished every bite. I enjoyed not only the best ice cream but also a welcoming, fresh, and clean space. Highly recommend

Perfect for date night or any day that ends in y! I've already been here 3 times, so I guess I'm a regular?! AMAZING rich ice cream and so many flavors to choose from! As soon as I saw it was Vanderwende's ice cream from the eastern shore I was in the door. I've now had 2 of the shakes - rainbow and coffee and donuts and, while I'm a coffee guy, they were both HUGE and a terrific value, not to mention delicious! My other half had a grasshopper boozy shake and, despite not being a drinker, it may have been my favorite so far! Even "just" a scoop (I've tried cherry vanilla and mocha almond fudge) hits the spot and well worth heading into the heat for. A note about the staff - these folks are working hard! They've only been open a couple of weeks, but everyone is calm and friendly even when the line is out the door. Also, watching them make my shakes, I noticed how clean they keep the place. What a great addition to the neighborhood!

Visited Max’s with my family and had a fantastic experience! The ice cream was delicious—creamy, flavorful, and clearly made with care. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it a perfect spot to relax and enjoy a treat. The staff went above and beyond, welcoming us with genuine kindness and excellent service. We shared a shake and a sundae between the four of us, and it was more than enough to satisfy everyone (the kids especially loved it!). If you’re looking for a unique, family-friendly spot with great treats and outstanding customer service, I can’t recommend Max’s enough. We’re already looking forward to our next visit!

Adorable spot that is both homey and modern at the same time. Tons of delicious flavors. I’ve been twice and haven’t had a chance to get one of those crazy milkshakes yet, but I will say that regular scoops as well as their ice cream sandwiches are divine. So excited that this shop finally opened up, it’s an incredible addition to the neighborhood!

Lots and lots of flavors. Max definitely has the best. Long line but it moved quickly. I enjoyed the apple pie ice cream. Would love to come back for some more next time im in the area.

Great ice cream and a great cause! I love it when neighborhood spots offer not only high quality and delicious fare, but support and uplift the local community too! Well worth a stop in.

Awesome crazy milkshakes! Made with great care. All the ice cream flavors looked great too. I kinda wished I lived closer to Bethesda :p It gets full and loud/vibrant inside. We probably lucked out we planned this on a cloudy day when less people were thinking about ice cream!

Overall 4 Stars - Located downtown in Bethesda and near the "metro" station and a dozen restaurants. The ice cream bar has been opened for about 4-5 months and it is nice place to enjoy your ice cream and have an "adult" refreshment. Ambiance 4 stars - modern but with a classy decor, there are plenty of chairs and half-moon bench tables to chill with your family or friends. Service 3.75 Stars - staff were helpful and professional however one employee wasn't too energetic and it showed on her face. Food 4 Stars - I believe there are over 30 ice cream flavors. They had your popular varieties but included seasonal flavors too. We ordered: 3.75 Stars - Flight of ice cream. You get 6 individual single scoops of your choosing. We had Coffee (2), Capuccino Crunch, Black Raspberry, Annie Apple Pie, and Cookies and Cream. Our favorites were Coffee, Black Raspberry and Annie's Apple Pie. The Cappuccino Crunch has good espresso flavor but lack the "crunch" of espresso. The Cookie and Cream was okay. The scoops were served on a long platter. The platter reminded me of a serving dish where you would have grilled salmon on it AND a Principle's Paddle back in day... both brought memories... 3.25 Stars - SPICED APPLE CIDER AFFOGATO - non-alcoholic drink. It is a hot apple cider poured over vanilla ice cream drizzled with natural apple molasses... topped with cinnamon apple pieces, whipped cream and a cherry. It was good but too sweet for our liking. It would go great with a Hotty Totty drink. We recommend the place. Good ice cream that is made from a local creamery, Vanderwende's Farm and the establishment is partnered with Best Buddies International to employ individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the Best Buddies Jobs program. Kudos! Enjoy!

My friend raved about this place, but the flavor I chose (mocha almond fudge) was really nothing to rave about. Then I tried what she was having- a seasonal flavor - and it was so much better. So my advice: taste before you commit. It's an indulgence so you want to make every spoonful count! The alcoholic shakes sound tempting, but at $20 a pop I could almost buy a bottle of booze! Wonder if they would let me taste that first....?

Definitely the place to go for speciality ice cream. The flavors and combos are incredible, but you need to be ready to indulge. They do offer single scoops, but I'm not sure this is the place for that. The ice cream is very creamy and tastes fresh/gomemade, but prices are high. You get what you pay for when it comes to the elaborate milkshakes and banana splits. There is ample seating inside and service is friendly and accommodating! Would love to come back and try one of the alcohol-infused treats!!

8.13.25 I came with fellow yelper, Joy. The line was slow even though there were only a few patrons. They sell ice cream, sundaes, floats, and milkshakes (regular or extreme and boozy available). I ordered the I Dream of Peanut Butter and she ordered the Cookie Monster. Joy asked if she could swap ice cream flavor, but was told she couldn't. It took a few minutes before our treats were brought to our table. They were masterpieces! We had to take photos. We were ecstatic to dive into devouring the extreme milkshake. My milkshake was decadent and indulgent. There was a lot of whip cream so I scooped it out, but in hindsight I likely should have mixed it in because after a few sips of my milkshake, it was too rich in peanut butter for my palate. I only managed to consume half of the milkshake and only had a bite of the Nutty Buddy, pretzel stick, and Reese's cup. I took the rest home. The milkshake is rich and filling, and is best shared since most people may find it difficult to finish on their own. I would return if I was in the area, but would get a sundae or just ice cream next time. There is metered street parking and a parking garage (7730 Woodmont Ave) nearby. Download the Parkmobile app or visit www.mcdotpark.com.

We got a flight for $12 and 2 mini scoops ($4 each). At first, we thought the prices were high for mere ice cream. Well, we were wrong. The taste justifies the price. The creaminess and the freshness from each bite overwhelmed my senses. I kid you not by saying, this is definitely one of the best ice cream places I've ever tried. Our toddlers loved the selections from the flight so much that we had to get two more mini scoops for them! Added bonuses are that the place is clean and the servers were nice. Tl;dr, bring your kids to this place and enjoy the ice cream!

The Cookie Monster conquered Joy B.! But, what a way to go. Max's Best Ice Cream Ice Cream shop just opened this past summer. Today, my friend, Carroll, and I decided to take the challenge and go for their huge, milkshake creations. I went for the Cookie Monster milkshake creation that includes cookie dough ice cream blended with malted milk... topped with a chocolate chip cookie, mini Oreos, cookie dough pieces, hot fudge sauce and whipped cream. It was Amazing! Carroll, loves peanut butter and she chose the I dream of peanut butter milkshake, that included peanut butter fudge crunch ice cream blended with peanut butter... topped with Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, a peanut butter pretzel stick, honey roasted peanuts and Nutty Buddies, peanut butter and hot fudge sauces and whipped cream. That was a lollapalooza! When people stop to stare at your milkshakes through the window, you know you ordered a show stopper. Service was great and we ordered our ice cream milkshakes and they were delivered to our table. Thank you, Carroll, for taking this milkshake challenge with me. She really liked her milkshake creation too, but it was a little rich for her. We had a lot of fun. Prices are not cheap, but it was definitely worth the splurge for a fun occasion. Max's has a lot of flavors and ice cream creations to suit every taste. The shop has tables, booths,counter seats, and a lovely decorative interior. You can be assured I will be back! Super duper delicious!

Great new ice cream spot located not too far from Bethesda Row! We went to check it out and loved it! The parking is a bit challenging, we ended parking on the street across from the shop. Inside the shop feels like a diner, a throwback to an older time. But at the same time has a modern flair to it. The menu is split into extreme milkshakes, sundaes, and scoops. We got the banana split and it was really good! With the split comes strawberry, chocolate, and banana flavored ice cream. The strawberry and banana flavored ice cream were the best! It also included freeze dried strawberries and banana flavored ice, fresh strawberries and bananas, marcona almonds, whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry on top! It was delicious!! Definitely need to share next time! Service was quick and great! When we got there the line was short, but within 15-20 mins the line went out the door! Gotta check this place out!

I had to try this new ice cream opened up in Bethesda. Ice cream didn't disappoint but best yet, they had frozen hot chocolate! I so missed when serendipity used to be in Georgetown and now there's another cheaper alternative without having to take a trip to NYC for one. You can even booze it up for couple extra dollars. Can't be beat! Not sure if my waistline will agree with me though. Would totally come back!!

New ice cream shop with a ton of different flavors, toppings, & boozy shakes that come in massive portions The line was very long when I came here, so hopefully it gets a little more manageable as time goes on I got a cone with 2 "1/2 scoops" but each was really the size of a full scoop. The ice cream was delicious The place has a bit of a retro/diner vibe to it, and there are some booths inside for seating

The ice cream was amazing and all of the options made it difficult to choose. However, PLEASE have your employees wear a hair net. All of the employees are leaning from the mid chest into the freezers with their hair hanging over the ice cream. Not sanitary at all! Please implement a more sanitary practice in accessing the ice cream.

Per scoop it is a little more expensive then DD, but then DD has bigger scoops. $16 got us a 2inch square brownie that was pretty good, 2 scoops of ice cream what were egg sized (chicken not quail), freeze dried marshmallows, and some other tidbits. It might have been worth half what we paid. It was underwhelming. The ice cream was pretty good, just not worth what we paid for. I get it- heart of Bethesda prices. $600k condos are in the slums there. There's that new HOC building with the methadone addicts in neighborhood. Gone is the revelry nightlife of my youth. Service was good. Prices for the portion is not worth it.

Maxs Best Ice Cream was very busy. Any time I walk past this place at night, the line is long. I just wish I enjoyed the ice cream more. The prices are comparable to nearby venues. We shared two scoops of different flavors. I will stick with other places to grab a scoop of ice cream.

If you're looking for a treat, try the grasshopper milkshake. I didn't think boozy milkshakes were my thing, but it was such a great value. Beautiful to look at, delicious to consume. Max's is not your typical scoop shop. There's seating at a counter, there are a number of tables and booths. It's more like a restaurant that exclusively serves dessert. It's pristine, offers fantastic people-watching through the big windows and benches outside, and the ice cream concoctions are works of art. Last thing, the people there are amazing. Max's Ice Cream works with Best Buddies, so by supporting this store you're contributing to a greater cause. The folks at the counter are friendly professionals, like baristas for ice cream. You might see a line when you get there, but my experience was that it moved quickly.

I mean, I just paid sixteen dollars for a root beer float. It was root beer and ice cream.

Ice cream is good but nothing out of this world. It's pretty pricey. DO NOT get the cookie dough unless you really, really like banana. I wish I had tasted it before I ordered. Shop is crowded but I appreciate that they offer ice water.

The name for this new ice cream shop is perfect: it is the best in Bethesda. It's bright, it has a large menu, the staff is friendly, the GM Eric was helpful in moving the line along (and it can be a long line) and it has both large booth seating, single seats and an outdoor bench to have you finish your dessert. Really fun.

After Mahdang, we stopped by Max's Best Ice Cream, just a short walk away. The shop has a classic, welcoming vibe, and the flavors are rich and creamy. I had Annie's Apple Pie, which was delicious and perfectly balanced with sweet and tart flavors. The staff was friendly and quick, and it's great to know they donate 20% of proceeds to Best Buddies, a nonprofit that creates friendships, job opportunities, and leadership programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It's the perfect spot to satisfy a sweet tooth and feel good about supporting a great cause.

I went to Maxs Best Ice Cream in Bethesda on Sept 5, 2025. This was my first time there. I was hopeful, but in the end, I was truly disappointed. Why you ask..... let me tell you. If you want to see "shrink-flation" in action, go to Maxs. When I was waiting in line, I saw someone walk out with a single scoop ice cream cone; I thought, oh, they must sell a mini size ice cream cone. It wasn't until I ordered my one scoop ice cream cone that I realized what just happened. I was in shock. Not as much shock as when Trump says something that makes no sense, but close. The single scoop ice cream cone I received was the smallest ice cream cone I have ever received in my life! Next....... the ice cream in my mini cone was so so. Besides ice cream in a mini cone or a cup, Maxs has these wild looking ice cream creations; the images in their menu look like they are props out of the Barbie movie. If you like paying high prices for a small amount of so so quality ice cream, then by all means go here. The best ice cream shop I have ever been to in MD is Island Creamery, in Berlin, MD. It's too far away for a quick trip, but if you are heading to the coast, this ice cream shop is absolutely worth it.

I am the Fan of Max Best Ice Cream in Downtown Bethesda Maryland. I will go there with Me.

A group of us gathered this weekend at this adorable new spot in Bethesda for creative ice cam creations . They even have 'boozy' milkshakes! We'll be going back.

WOW! what a wonderful ice-cream place in Bethesda! Large, clean, special, yummy & quite impressive! Last night we had 7 people at your icecream parlor and wow! was it busy, yummy, and a joy to have in bethesda! I feel that we have just scratched the surface of all thst is there and can't wait to go weekly to try each speciality on the menu over the next weeks and months to come! thank you for chosing that location for your most awesome establishment!

Walked by a few times and saw this place and immediately felt the need to try it when it was 92 degrees outside. The portions are generous and the price is reasonable. They have many options and include sorbets. Definitely recommend.

OMG delicious. Generous scoops. Cool atmosphere with cozy seating. College kid serving us could not have been more bored with his job, but he was quick and got the order right so, no biggie!

Just opened. Ice cream is creamy. Must say on the cheap side of the scoop On my come. I took home a shake for my spouse and asked for something to keep it cold on my walk. servicer said sorry nothing to give me.

I love this place! I got the towering chocolate chip brownie and it was AMAZING. The staff were so nice and friendly. The service was quick, the food was great, I'll definitely be coming back for more!

Fabulous ice cream, from a strong mint chocolate chip onward. Lovely new space - great addition to the Bethesda Triangle.

Max's best is a sugar lover's heaven! Everything looks amazing, the staff is very friendly and the ice cream can't be beat. It doesn't matter what you order, you're going to love it. The birthday cake ice cream tastes just like eating a birthday cake and was a big hit with my kids. The cookie dough is also one I could eat daily. If you haven't been to Max's best, you are missing out!