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One of my favorite ice cream spots in DC! I love the South Asian inspired ice cream flavors... you can't go wrong with any of the flavors to be honest. Although prices may be steep compared to other ice cream places, I think it's worth it. The service is pretty well as they let you sample flavors and give you their two cents. There is seating outside.
This place genuinely makes me soooo happy. Malai is the kind of ice cream spot where every flavor sounds so good you immediately panic because you can't choose. I ended up doing a half scoop of rose (with cinnamon roasted almonds) and a half scoop of chili chocolate and it was sooo worth it. The rose is floral in a really cozy way & the cinnamon almonds add the perfect crunch. The chili chocolate had this super interesting texture and a little kick that made it feel extra special. If you need a quick serotonin boost, come here. Periodttttt!
it's finally actually warm in dc and i'm on spring break so obviously we had to get ice cream and sit in the park!! malai has so many delicious sounding flavors but i was enticed by their flagship rose with cinnamon roasted almonds. this was one of the most delicious scoops i've ever had and it was absolutely perfect on a warm day like this. my friends all got different flavors - the tamarind spice, mango & cream, saffron pistachio, and cardamom pistachio crumble. i tried all of them and each and every one was absolutely delicious. they also have ice cream sandwiches, cakes, and popsicles for sale plus soft serve!! and i would truly be happy to have anything on the menu. i can't wait to come back and try something new!!
Aesthetic: Hip ice cream shop with unique South Asian flavors and toppings. My Favorites: The Rose Soft Serve! Experience: This place was the cutest. They had so many delicious flavors, we had to try a scoop. The Rose Soft Serve was fantastic, I added sprinkles for an extra flair. My husband tried the Cardamon Pistachio Crumble and the Rose with Cinnamon Roasted Almonds which were also great, but mine was the best! I will definitely make this a staple when we're in DC.
Located near 14th Street NW, Malai is a delicious, egg-free ice cream shop. The shop has indoor and outdoor seating, as well as merchandise for sale. We shared a two-scoop cup, which was plenty! We tried the Rose with Cinnamon Roasted Almonds and the Coffee Cardamom, both paired really well. We especially liked the crunch from the almonds and the bold coffee flavor. One thing to note: they don't offer lids, so with the generous portions, it was a bit tricky to take leftovers home. Service was okay. We were the only ones there, but the staff member was mostly on her phone with loud music playing. It felt a bit off for an ice cream shop, though it didn't ruin the experience.
Surprising flavors that also feel nostalgic. I loved that they have so many Asian flavors, from their guava chili to their curry leaf creamsicle. I tried a few flavors and one of their ice cream sandwiches. The rose with cinnamon toasted almonds ice cream flavor is average, but their guava chili is divine. It's sweet and the unexpected heat is delicious. I also really loved their Chai Molasses Cookie with Masala Chai Ice Cream sandwich. You can order at the counter and it's overall a clean establishment. The tables could be bussed more often between groups though.
Honestly, Malai keeps getting better. When I went last year, I wasn't impressed, but the few times I've gone recently, I've been pleasantly surprised at the flavor innovation and the service -- always incredibly kind! The line moves slowly though since it's a popular area, flavors run out, and some flavors are a miss for me, lacking the texture I desire -- it's definitely not too sweet which is appreciated.
The Tulsi chocolate chip was BOMB! The line moved quickly. They have a rewards program. You can try up to four flavors. $6 single scoop $7.50 double Vibe here is casual and cute. Mix of girls who just came from brunch, families, and random people stopping through. The service was nice. Would return.
Loved trying this place! Their ice cream is so packed with spices and flavors and is very unique! The staff were all so friendly and happy to give samples and their opinions on the favorite flavors. There's both indoor and outdoor seating, so it's a great place to hang out with friends regardless of any weather. I got the Ghughra flavor, and I absolutely loved the cardamom flavor coming from the ice cream. Even in small quantities, the other flavors I sampled were delicious. Can't wait to be back!
I was so excited to try the Indian flavors of ice cream here! Malai ice cream is usually one of my favorite! I was a bit surprised that they didn't have a basic malai flavor at this store though. I got a split scoop with rose and cinnamon covered almonds and lychee. The rose was my favorite but both were delicious! I usually love eating tulsi raw but the tulsi ice cream was a bit too strong for me. They had some other very interesting flavors that I would love to try next time. They do have a small restroom at this location that requires a code. They also sell t shirts and cook books and pints of the ice cream flavors in case you would like to take some home to your family.
Well parking was very difficult to find on a Friday night. It took about 30 mins to find parking. The line out the door was look, but it moved fairly quickly. We were served very quickly and found a place to sit outside in the patio area. The shop is rather small and the seat indoors were limited. The ice cream flavors we tried were interesting and unique! We got the two flavor scoop in the cup. The ice cream was really sweet. I did struggle to finish my scoops.
Appreciate the cultural representation and bold creativity. First impression: the decor is bright and inviting. The rose flavor was surprisingly floral and light, while the roti and ghee was well-balanced. A gentler touch on the sweetness and a smoother texture could take it even further--but honestly, this treat is perfect for a nighttime stroll. Desi flavors in modern desserts are herculean to pull off, but it's still refreshing to see. I really can't wait to bring my parents here. Rooting for this place--and the location couldn't be better. Thank you!
So excited to finally try this place. The first few months they opened the line was always long and I was too impatient to wait. I went yesterday and there was no line at all! The summer crowds are gone and the Christmas crowds were as well. I read previous comments about the poor customer service but I had a pleasant experience. The workers answered all my questions and I was able to sample some flavors. I asked the workers what flavors they recommended and ultimately went with that. I got the baklava and the rose with roasted almonds. The flavors were amazing! I think the hype is worth it and I can't wait to try some of the other flavors.
16 days ago
I was thrilled when this NY ice cream shop announced it was opening in DC. I'd read about the amazing flavors online for years and was excited to taste them for myself. I was so excited, in fact, that I waited in line on opening day. While the flavors were indeed exciting, I found the flavor to be muted. I was picturing intense Indian spice that hits you in the face, only to be confronted with very mild flavor. I've been a few times since opening, and I think it's fine, but it doesn't live up to expectations. I've found the soft serve to be better than the hard ice cream, but it almost has too creamy of a texture. The yogurt soft serve flavor with cardamom was the best thing I've tasted there. The ambiance is fine, there is a small patio for warm days. The last time I was there the inside smelled like sewage, eeek! read more
1 month ago
One of my favorite ice cream spots in DC! I love the South Asian inspired ice cream flavors... you can't go wrong with any of the flavors to be honest. Although prices may be steep compared to other ice cream places, I think it's worth it. The service is pretty well as they let you sample flavors and give you their two cents. There is seating outside. read more
This place genuinely makes me soooo happy. Malai is the kind of ice cream spot where every flavor sounds so good you immediately panic because you can't choose. I ended up doing a half scoop of rose (with cinnamon roasted almonds) and a half scoop of chili chocolate and it was sooo worth it. The rose is floral in a really cozy way & the cinnamon almonds add the perfect crunch. The chili chocolate had this super interesting texture and a little kick that made it feel extra special. If you need a quick serotonin boost, come here. Periodttttt! read more
9 days ago
it's finally actually warm in dc and i'm on spring break so obviously we had to get ice cream and sit in the park!! malai has so many delicious sounding flavors but i was enticed by their flagship rose with cinnamon roasted almonds. this was one of the most delicious scoops i've ever had and it was absolutely perfect on a warm day like this. my friends all got different flavors - the tamarind spice, mango & cream, saffron pistachio, and cardamom pistachio crumble. i tried all of them and each and every one was absolutely delicious. they also have ice cream sandwiches, cakes, and popsicles for sale plus soft serve!! and i would truly be happy to have anything on the menu. i can't wait to come back and try something new!! read more
Aesthetic: Hip ice cream shop with unique South Asian flavors and toppings. My Favorites: The Rose Soft Serve! Experience: This place was the cutest. They had so many delicious flavors, we had to try a scoop. The Rose Soft Serve was fantastic, I added sprinkles for an extra flair. My husband tried the Cardamon Pistachio Crumble and the Rose with Cinnamon Roasted Almonds which were also great, but mine was the best! I will definitely make this a staple when we're in DC. read more
Located near 14th Street NW, Malai is a delicious, egg-free ice cream shop. The shop has indoor and outdoor seating, as well as merchandise for sale. We shared a two-scoop cup, which was plenty! We tried the Rose with Cinnamon Roasted Almonds and the Coffee Cardamom, both paired really well. We especially liked the crunch from the almonds and the bold coffee flavor. One thing to note: they don't offer lids, so with the generous portions, it was a bit tricky to take leftovers home. Service was okay. We were the only ones there, but the staff member was mostly on her phone with loud music playing. It felt a bit off for an ice cream shop, though it didn't ruin the experience. read more
9 months ago
Surprising flavors that also feel nostalgic. I loved that they have so many Asian flavors, from their guava chili to their curry leaf creamsicle. I tried a few flavors and one of their ice cream sandwiches. The rose with cinnamon toasted almonds ice cream flavor is average, but their guava chili is divine. It's sweet and the unexpected heat is delicious. I also really loved their Chai Molasses Cookie with Masala Chai Ice Cream sandwich. You can order at the counter and it's overall a clean establishment. The tables could be bussed more often between groups though. read more
Honestly, Malai keeps getting better. When I went last year, I wasn't impressed, but the few times I've gone recently, I've been pleasantly surprised at the flavor innovation and the service -- always incredibly kind! The line moves slowly though since it's a popular area, flavors run out, and some flavors are a miss for me, lacking the texture I desire -- it's definitely not too sweet which is appreciated. read more
10 days ago
11 months ago
The Tulsi chocolate chip was BOMB! The line moved quickly. They have a rewards program. You can try up to four flavors. $6 single scoop $7.50 double Vibe here is casual and cute. Mix of girls who just came from brunch, families, and random people stopping through. The service was nice. Would return. read more
5 months ago
Loved trying this place! Their ice cream is so packed with spices and flavors and is very unique! The staff were all so friendly and happy to give samples and their opinions on the favorite flavors. There's both indoor and outdoor seating, so it's a great place to hang out with friends regardless of any weather. I got the Ghughra flavor, and I absolutely loved the cardamom flavor coming from the ice cream. Even in small quantities, the other flavors I sampled were delicious. Can't wait to be back! read more
I was so excited to try the Indian flavors of ice cream here! Malai ice cream is usually one of my favorite! I was a bit surprised that they didn't have a basic malai flavor at this store though. I got a split scoop with rose and cinnamon covered almonds and lychee. The rose was my favorite but both were delicious! I usually love eating tulsi raw but the tulsi ice cream was a bit too strong for me. They had some other very interesting flavors that I would love to try next time. They do have a small restroom at this location that requires a code. They also sell t shirts and cook books and pints of the ice cream flavors in case you would like to take some home to your family. read more
Well parking was very difficult to find on a Friday night. It took about 30 mins to find parking. The line out the door was look, but it moved fairly quickly. We were served very quickly and found a place to sit outside in the patio area. The shop is rather small and the seat indoors were limited. The ice cream flavors we tried were interesting and unique! We got the two flavor scoop in the cup. The ice cream was really sweet. I did struggle to finish my scoops. read more
Appreciate the cultural representation and bold creativity. First impression: the decor is bright and inviting. The rose flavor was surprisingly floral and light, while the roti and ghee was well-balanced. A gentler touch on the sweetness and a smoother texture could take it even further--but honestly, this treat is perfect for a nighttime stroll. Desi flavors in modern desserts are herculean to pull off, but it's still refreshing to see. I really can't wait to bring my parents here. Rooting for this place--and the location couldn't be better. Thank you! read more
So excited to finally try this place. The first few months they opened the line was always long and I was too impatient to wait. I went yesterday and there was no line at all! The summer crowds are gone and the Christmas crowds were as well. I read previous comments about the poor customer service but I had a pleasant experience. The workers answered all my questions and I was able to sample some flavors. I asked the workers what flavors they recommended and ultimately went with that. I got the baklava and the rose with roasted almonds. The flavors were amazing! I think the hype is worth it and I can't wait to try some of the other flavors. read more
Living in suburban NJ I've never heard of Malai. Took a trip to DC and ran by Malai 3 days in a row did not think much of it. We walked pass Malai and saw a poster with mango lassi soft serve and we had to try it even we just had ice cream. We are so glad we went it. The service was great. The girl somehow knew what we wanted and asked if we wanted mango lassi haha. It was amazing. They mixed mango and cardamom yogurt ice cream to create the flavor of mango lassi. They know their flavor. It was so good and refreshing. Probably the best thing we've had the few days we spent in DC. There are tables both inside and outside. I'm so happy to learn that they have locations in Jersey inside some whole food. Cannot wait to try out other south asian inspired flavors read more
Good dessert spot after a date. They have a variety of ice cream sandwiches and Asian inspired flavors. I really liked the guava chili sorbet and their chai ice cream sandwich, which you can get right out of their freezer. They also have a rewards program but it does take quite a bit of time to rack up points unless you're going there every day/every week. Service was good and that you could try samples of the different flavors. read more
I stopped by Malai after always getting the same flavor at the Jeni's nearby. After walking in I realized that Malai makes Jeni's flavors look like plain vanilla. Climate mint is ho would've thought, curry leaf creamsicle never heard of her...until today. Malai is definitely boasting brand new flavor combinations however I believe that I stopped by on an off day for them. When I walked in I noticed someone working on the fridges and that should've been my hint. I opted for a safe flavor their sea salt vanilla. The flavor was solid, however the texture was a 3/10. I dare say that it tasted like it melted then was frozen later. To end on a good note the gentleman who apparently used to work at Jeni's was great. Malai is definitely the new cool kid in DC when it comes to ice cream but I think that I'll stick to Jeni's for my next sweet craving. read more
3 months ago
Was SO excited to try this place and it has been on my list since they opened. Came with my friend who rave about it only to kinda disappointed with my experience :( I got a 2 half scoops of raisin cashew and sweet milk but when I was handed my ice cream 1) my also single scoop order was half the size of my friend's 2) was both freezer burn and melted. I have to give kudos to the staff for trying to remedy that problem quickly when I told them my ice cream was freezer burned, but I still felt they were a little rude when I was initially ordering and asking questions about the ice cream :/ Overall as much as I wanted to love Malai I can't say I will be back or recommend it to anyone else read more
Business owner information
Kim M.
First, thank you for coming in and for having us on your list since…
Ok thankfully time was the ticket. My second visit to Malai a year after their opening madness, and now I think it's a great spot! They let you sample up to 4 flavors. I liked saffron pistachio, mango cream, and rose with cinnamon almond and chose the rose ice cream to get a scoop! Really creamy and tasted ice cream along with vegan sorbets. The servers were certainly friendly and patient this time, unlike my last visit. Limited indoor or outdoor seating so plan to take to go for a large group. read more
Been a fan of Malai ever since I discovered their pints at my local grocery store. Even more pleased to find out they had a store front in the city. My first visit was early in the summer when they were serving saffron soft serve. The day that we went their soft serve machine wasn't properly working so the soft serve was a soupy mess. They gave it to me at no charge and while it was mostly melted, the taste and flavor was great. Came back this weekend to try out the mango lassi soft serve - this time the machine had no issues and the soft serve was delicious. My husband got the saffron pistachio ice cream which was also SOO good! I'm not a fan of whole nuts in my ice cream and seems like they use pistachio paste instead. Excellent texture! I hope they make it into a pint. As soon as we checked out, the more bizarre thing happened- the two employees working behind the counter both went on break around the same time and there was no one else working in the entire store. I don't know how long they were gone for but they definitely did not return for the 15-20 mins we spent inside eating our ice creams. The whole store just open and unlocked and not a single employee to serve a customer, not even a manager on duty. Definitely really weird experience. read more
1 year ago
Yes it's somewhat pricey, but wow this place is amazing!!! If you're looking for delectable unique flavors, Malai is the place for you! I love that they have dairy-free offerings, and let you sample flavors before making a decision (granted this is why you'll be waiting so long - everyone ends up doing this) Each time I've gone I've ended up getting a split cup of two different flavors because everything is so good!! They change up their flavors seasonally/for holidays so there's always a reason to go back ;) read more
3 months ago
I don't usually gravitate towards overwhelming ice cream flavors BUT this spot off of 14th is worth the hype! Sometimes they have a line but we recently walked right in on a hot Saturday afternoon. Service is always elite, letting you try flavors before choosing yours. I always get the non-dairy option and by far, my favorite is the Lychee sorbet. read more
2 years ago
Malai promises a taste of India in every bite, and they did not disappoint! The flavors were some of the most unique I've ever seen. I went with a scoop of the baklava ice cream, and the flavors were so perfect! Service was friendly and straightforward. Thankfully it wasn't busy, so we were helped right away and allowed to sample up to 4 flavors. The space has a few tables and chairs inside and outside to sit and enjoy your treat. I also saw a few people coming in to pick up online orders, so that's also an option. read more
There was no line when I visited, a fact that others commented on with some surprise so I'm assuming it can get busy at peak times. This place offers Indian ice cream flavors, and it's really full-on South Asian, not like one or two flavors added on to the standard American lineup. They had some special Diwali flavors on when I stopped in, which I tried but which didn't convince me off of my desire to try their chai flavor and their vegan flavor. Strangely enough, the two actually tasted quite similar. Both heavily of cinnamon with other interesting spice notes. I suppose it's to their credit that the difference between dairy and non-dairy was not huge. If you asked me to say which was which in fact, I'm not 100% sure I'd get it right. They had some interesting options in the freezer including ice cream sandwiches, and some distinctive toppings as well. I credit them for going for it; it would have been easy to offer some more conventional American options than they do, but the Indian flavors certainly seem to be enough to sustain a business. read more
This place popped up on my Instagram and did not disappoint!! I stopped by here for an afternoon pick-me-up with a friend and it was pretty empty so we were able to be served quickly and snag a seat to enjoy our ice cream. I loved how intentional the design is inside the shop and how cute the murals were! We came around Diwali time, so they had some more unique flavors, including Puran Poli, which I was STOKED to see. It's one of my favorite Diwali sweets, and was super heartwarming and exciting for my inner child to see. All the flavors I sampled were incredible and it was really cool how Malai was able to really translate these flavors over into ice cream form. 10/10 I can't wait to go back!!! read more
I was excited to try this place and am a huge fan of Indian ice cream. I ordered the masala chai and chocolate coconut burfi. While I thought the concept was cool, I felt that there wasn't much flavor to the ice cream. It all tasted a little milky to me. I ordered the split scoop and the portions were pretty big. However I don't think I'll be back because I wasn't super impressed with the flavors. The staff was friendly and there were about 4 tables of seating. read more
2 years ago
Rooted in the founder's South Asian background, Malai is a refreshing take on unique ice cream flavors. Most of the flavors are those you can't get anywhere else -- not even the popular local shops like Jeni's. The staff was very nice and allowed us to sample various flavors. My favorite was the guava chili because it had a very nice spicy kick to each bite! My friend got the spiced peanut crunch, which (in my opinion) wasn't as strong in spiciness as my guava chili. I understand the hype now! The wait was long (20-30 min the day I went) but 100% worth it. I would definitely go again if I'm in the neighborhood. read more
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More info about Malai
1407 T St NW
Washington, DC 20009
U Street Corridor
Directions
(347) 889-5789
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https://www.malai.co
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Hi, what are the vegan options?
all their flavors are on their website, and some often rotate! the current vegan options are tamarind spice and spiced peanut crunch, and there's also a vegan coconut soft serve!
Is it expensive?
Yes. One tiny scoop for $7.50 plus that doesn't include the cone. The cone cost $2 more for a total of $9.50. Pints are $12.
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Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
3 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
1 year ago
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2 years ago
Malai - icecream - Updated May 2026
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