Yala Greek Ice Cream

Also reviewed on Instagram @ryrythefoodie ✨️ I was very fortunate to have visited during their soft and grand opening and to have met the co-founders there in person. Yala Greek Ice Cream is a fantastic little ice cream shop with clear passion behind their vision. It's also in a really perfect spot (Wisconsin Ave x N St NW) of Georgetown, right on the corner where many people meander past shops and restaurants. Just as well, of course, since they have excellent quality ice cream. They use high quality ingredients and dairy, and many of their flavorings are imported from Greece and the Mediterranean. We ended up trying several flavors, including their versions of vanilla, cookies & cream, pistachio, strawberry sorbet, Greek yogurt with orange zest, and a walnut baklava ice cream. All were truly amazing. I had about 8 scoops of their ice cream over the course of 2 days and I absolutely don't regret it. The textures were divine and each item was noticeably light and not at all dense with excessive sugar, as is common with more commercial ice cream. My personal faves: "Papou's Promise" (vanilla from Tonga), "Americanaki Cookie" (cookies and cream), "Pistachio Odyssey" (pistachio), and "Mornings with Thea" (Greek yogurt ice cream w/ orange preserves). That's SO FAR. Looking forward to coming back to try more. I highly recommend stopping by Yala. It is well, well worth the visit into Georgetown alone. One other bonus is that it's an LGBTQIA+ friendly business and a queer safe space. 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🍦

If you love ice cream, head to Georgetown for Yala Greek Ice Cream. Using the recipe of his grandfather, Chrys, the owner, creates unique Greek ice cream. Like many shops, they let you taste them all and staff are well trained to guide you through each option. Compared to other ice cream, I found Yala's to be more light. Each scoop has Greek-inspired ingredients like Greek yogurt, cherries, or pistachio. After tasting a few, I went with one of their premium flavors- Kataifi. The filo strips made it stand out!

Such a gem in Georgetown! The owners greeted us so warmly at the door and even offered samples while we waited. Inside, the staff so patient, helpful, and happy to let us try as many flavors as we wanted. Every flavor was delicious, but Mornings with Thea was hands-down our favorite. A great addition to the neighborhood, and the prices are 100% reasonable for the area. We will definitely be back!! 🍨🇬🇷

Delectable, creamy, and just the right amount of sweetness! I tried their two most popular flavors — Pistachio and Mornings with Thea — and found that they hit the spot. Such a lovely treat on a hot summer day and I loved how they let me try many flavors. Would come back!

Really good! I don’t know how authentic it is because I’m not Greek, but the ice cream was light yet creamy, pretty unique. The owner was full of life and passion. All of their ice cream is made in house, none of it is machine made. Prices are good and portions are great too (at least if you’re getting two flavours or more).

Amazing ice cream! It tastes so light and fluffy and fresh. The flavors are all super unique and tasty. The owner went above and beyond as well to make us feel welcome. Such a cute shop as well with the Greek themed decor and thoughtful touches. Will certainly be a regular here and hope they open up more locations!

Delicious new ice cream shop in Georgetown. The staff were all super friendly and helpful as we tried various flavors. I opted for two of the yogurt Greek ice creams, Yia Mas (tart cherry) and Mornings with Thea (orange preserves). Both were so tasty and very unique compared to any other ice cream I've had in the US. Definitely give this place a try!

The best addition to the dc ice cream scene. Amazing customer service, unique flavors, and incredible taste. Yala is the first authentic Greek ice cream shop in the US and we are all the better for it. The staff are so friendly, transparent about ingredients, and the ice cream was outstanding!! Chris, the owner and friendly man chatting with you at the front of the shop, grew up with these recipes and has kindly decided to share them with us. My favorite was the Black Cherry Opa! And my friend tried the choco-cherry bliss and loved it! We also heard amazing things about the Yia Mad and Mornings with Thea. But this seems like the kind of place where you can’t go wrong. Some of the best ice cream in DC. Definitely stop by whenever you’re in the area.

We waited 15 minutes on a Friday night to try Yala's. The guy that was manning the line had the best customer service and friendly demeanor. The outside is super cute with blue and white signage and decor everywhere - an upbeat icecream shop. I tried the black cherry opa and the Dubai featured one - I missed the cherry taste in the black cherry opa, but the Dubai flavor was fantastic! It was chocolatey and sweet but almost more whipped than standard ice-cream and with a slight crunch. Delicious! I'd 100% recommend - BUT do note that it costs extra since it's a featured flavor. The price is my only negative. It is EXPENSIVE for ice cream. Like we paid over $23 for 2 small bowls and a water (and tip). The owners were in the shop scooping and were so inviting and eager to talk about the ingredients and origins. Super cool and I hope they do well!

Stopped by Yala Greek Ice Cream on their second day after opening. Luckily, we went during the day and avoided any crowds. First impressions? The interior is beautifully decorated. Colorful and themed with classic Greek colors. The menu is posted and easy to read. I was a bit surprised to see that they only offer one gluten-free option, which also happens to be dairy-free. I'm celiac, and the owner, Chris, informed me that he imports all his ingredients from Europe. While their ice cream does contain wheat, he mentioned that it's imported from Germany. From my experience, when I've consumed gluten in Europe, I typically don't get sick, so I decided to take the risk and try the pistachio ice cream. My husband ordered the strawberry sorbet. Thoughts? Both were very sweet. The pistachio was creamy and smooth, but honestly, it wasn't anything out of the ordinary. Did not get sick, so that's a plus! Would I go again? The staff was super friendly, and I appreciate that they offer outdoor seating. So yes, I'd definitely meet a friend here in the near future.

Came on a late Monday night and there was a 5 min line outside. This place is really overrated. Well certainly is some flavors are really good. It's kind of wild to be paying nine dollars for a tiny scoop of ice cream that should be worth seven dollars at best. The service is great. It has the ambience of a normal ice cream shop. Anyway, if you're in the area, you want ice cream certainly come here, but there's no need to travel across town for this ice cream. The flavors are delicious, but the texture feels cheap.

If you love ice cream, head to Georgetown for Yala Greek Ice Cream. Using the recipe of his grandfather, Chrys, the owner, creates unique Greek ice cream. Like many shops, they let you taste them all and staff are well trained to guide you through each option. Compared to other ice cream, I found Yala's to be more light. Each scoop has Greek-inspired ingredients like Greek yogurt, cherries, or pistachio. After tasting a few, I went with one of their premium flavors- Kataifi. The filo strips made it stand out!

I recently went to Yala Greek Ice Cream get ice cream on a weekend afternoon after reading about its opening. I was able to get my ice cream quickly. I got the Dubai chocolate, which tasted like chocolate-I couldn't taste any pistachio or kaitafi. The ice cream itself was fine, nothing notable, and the waffle cone was solid. The ice cream was also expensive even by DC standards-$11.50 for one scoop in a waffle cone with tax and tip. Given the cost and taste, I would recommend other places.

We visited Yala on opening day. Yala is in the heart of Georgetown at Wisconsin Ave NW & 31st Street. Parking is challenging but not impossible. There are steep steps out front. The shop is cute and stocked with yummy flavors you can take home in pints or purchase at the counter. It is hard choosing a flavor. Thank goodness you can sample several. I adored the mint chip mou & pistachio odyssey. Hubby enjoyed the kataifi & mornings with Thea. Two scoops were $8.75. The other cup was $10.75. T-shirts are $25.00. Check social media for hours. The shop was open 11a-11p when we visited. We'll be back!

I had heard that this is the only authentic greek ice cream place in America so obviously it was a must try. I went on a Sunday afternoon and there were plenty of people eating outside and the line was not too long. I was able to try some of the flavors and I got the small size but it does come with 2 scoops you can mix. I ordered the american dream and karamela but they gave me the americanaki cookie instead. It is all good ice cream, smooth and made fresh daily and lighter than a typical ice cream. It was good and I would definitely go back.

Wow wow wow- this is THE new ice cream spot in Georgetown. My husband and I were blown away with the customer service, the vibes and of course the flavors of the ice cream. They asked if I had any allergies before we tasted a few flavors and I couldn't decide on just one. The strawberry sorbet was FRESH and great if you want something lighter. I'm normally never one to get "vanilla" but Papous Promise, their version of a "vanilla" was truly mind blowing and so creamy. We will absolutely be back for the delicious ice cream in such a cute and convenient location. +100 brownie points for also offering a sweet treat for our black Lab, Loudoun on this 100 degree summer day.

Welcome to Georgetown, Yala! 'Yala' means 'Let's go', and that's what we just did - we went to try out their Pistachio Odyssey ice cream! Other flavor offerings include: Papou's Promise, Choco-Yala, Yiyia's Karamela, Yia Mas, Mornings with Thea, Black Cherry Opa!, and Choco-Cherry Bliss. They also have featured flavors, such as Yasou Dubai and Kataifi. If not feeling the unique flavors, they also have the classics, such as the Mint Chip Mou, the Americanaki Cookie, Ego Thelo Strawberry, the American Dream, and the Greek Blue Summer. The names of the flavors were super fun and creative! Staff were friendly and welcoming, and were more than happy to make recommendations or sample any of the flavors you were curious about - they also had the line moving along, which we all appreciated! Look for the super cute different-colored handled ice cream scoopers as decor! You can also have their ice cream delivered or procure their catering services! Metered and restricted street parking can be found in the area. +pistachio ice cream +friendly service

I was eager to try Yala and see what all the hype was about. We came on a Tuesday afternoon and the line was only about 10 minutes so that was good! The employees were nice and made sure that we were able to try any flavor we wanted. We got a large which came with three scoops, we did the original ones which are cherry and baklava and then our third scoop was a cookies and crème. All were delicious but the cherry Greek yogurt one was our favorite. It felt healthier and had that underlying Greek yogurt taste which I find delicious.

Quite tasty! I loved trying this new place out. The staff were so friendly and welcoming. I definitely want to come back and try more flavors. I do wish this flavor, the Dubai chocolate, had a pistachio drizzle on top.

We went there on their grand opening day. Their ice cream is so worthwhile for waiting in the line! The best ice cream we ever had. We tried four flavors and all of them are good!!! Can't wait to try more soon!!!

The first traditional Greek scoop shop in all of the US! The owners are so kind and absolutely love their customers. It's in the cutest spot in Georgetown and it has outdoor seating. I love the Greek Blue Summer and Americanaki Cookie flavors

the ice is delicious and the space is inviting. So slide in, grab a waffle cone, ask for that hard‑shell chocolate drizzle, and let Yala take your palate on a Mediterranean joyride. It's creamy without guilt, heritage with freshness, soulful sweetness done the Greek way. Yala means "milk" in Greek and "let's go" in Arabic--so let's go, fam.

Great ice cream flavors, but expensive for the size. Passive aggressive staff behind the counter on our first visit...not a great initial impression. Very small inside, so if people are sampling every flavor taking up space at the counter, it makes sense that the lines are long. Not sure if I would go back.

Yala Greek ice cream is the best! The flavors are unique and the texture is just right. Everyone who works in the shop obviously believes in the product and the hospitality mission. The whole experience makes waiting in line worth it!

Very accommodating and nice employees! I had practically every flavor shoved into my face as a sample. The Papou Promise was such a light vanilla, and the flavor with the orange curd tasted like yogurt with a fresh fruit rind. Really refreshing. They have a beautiful storefront too.

It's hard to call Yala just ice cream--because it's so much more. Every bite is a rich, indulgent experience. The flavors are wildly creative and unlike anything you've seen (or tasted) before--think out-of-this-world delicious. I'm not usually someone who goes out of my way for ice cream, but Yala completely changed that. It's not just a treat, it's a destination. An absolute must-try!

They were encouraging me to try different samples. I ended up going with Yasou Duabi flavor. Really good. Staff was really nice and professional. I went on a Tuesday early afternoon. Only 3 tables outside. I don't recall seeing any inside. So that might pose a disappointment if you go during peak hours, and want to have a seat with friends or family. We had no problems getting a table when we went. Otherwise, strolling in Georgetown with some of their delicious ice cream is a nice alternative. I predict they will stay in business for a long time.

Great ice cream, great people! Chris was the best at keeping the line moving and I'm super excited to come back!

Deliciously unique with something for everyone. Caramel and Kataifi for sweet tooths, Blue Summer and Mornings with Thea for those who like a bit of tart, and great spins on the classics for everyone else. Great service and a warm and welcoming vibe. Highly reccomend!!!