Oh this was a joy! The last thing we need is a place that combines ice cream and a bar. I heard about their newer ice cream martinis and some friends and I had to experience it. They have several different kinds, and I opted for The peanut butter cup martini. My friends got the cinnamon toast crunch and limoncello martinis... Both were scrumptious but mine was my fav. They have quite a variety of ice cream, and I only peeped one vegan flavor (vanilla). They do milkshakes, lights, and more. My mission this summer is to try every martini flavor. And yes. Yes they do have liquor. With the friendly staff, chill environment, and smell of ice cream in the air, I can't wait to come back. read more

This is indeed the best ice cream. I love this spot. I came by with the girlies after dinner for something sweet. I got biscoff in a small cup with a waffle cone for like $7-8. Service was efficient and quick. Once we finished ordering we found an empty table and omg someone who worked there immediately told us to wait while they cleaned off the table which I really appreciated. The place is so so cute. I love how it's decorated, the atmosphere and the layout with the booths and people vibing and enjoying their food. I want to come back and try other menu items. read more

Maxs Best Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Love the idea of a classic diner style shop! There is an impressive amount of flavors to choose from. For the first experience, I ordered two scoops of seasonal flavors - peppermint and biscoff cookie. Both were fine but I wish I had gotten peppermint and something chocolatey instead. I wouldn't say the quality of the flavors themselves was anything special. I think this store is better known for its unique ice cream floats and milkshakes. I look forward to coming back and trying some of those! The two employees were very knowledgable and patient when I asked lots of questions. I learned 20% of the proceeds go to the Best Buddies program! read more

Maxs Best Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

We stopped by Max's Best Ice Cream to try some of their unique sundae flavors. And we found more than we expected - a new Moore Old Bay Sundae named after governor Wes Moore who came to visit recently. So we had to try it. And it wasn't bad, especially if you like Old Bay. It had a combination of sweet and savory, kind of like Taijin spice. But not overpowering, a nice balance with the vanilla ice cream and caramel popcorn. The brownie and the whipped cream were also subtle, not overly sweet. The most fun part was the red chocolate crab on top. We also got a Biscoff Key Lime Sundae - a tart mini key lime cheesecake beneath a scoop of Biscoff ice cream, topped with cookie crumbles, pie crumbs, lime curd, whipped cream and a cherry on top. Max's is a unique sundae shop, definitely worth a try! read more

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Surprisingly overpriced even for Bethesda! The ice cream here is good but has remotely no unique or exceptional attributes to justify the outrageous pricing. I did not try one of their specialty (~$20) items, which could be a different experience and possibly worth it. I paid $5 for about 4 bites of ice cream. I can't say I recommend it - you can go virtually anywhere else and have the same experience for a better deal read more

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! read more

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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! read more

Maxs Best Ice Cream - Annie's Apple Pie - non-alcoholic drink $14 - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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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! read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

Maxs Best Ice Cream - Flight $12 - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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! read more

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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!! read more

Maxs Best Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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....? read more

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!! read more

Maxs Best Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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 read more

Workers are always super nice. Love getting sweet treat from here. I think it's vanderwende ice cream! read more

Maxs Best Ice Cream - Waffle cone - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

They have the best ice cream on the planet and the shop is so nice and clean! Service is great and the people are so nice. I do wish they had the orange pineapple flavor. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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Good vibe, unique menu and attentive staff. Ordered an ice cream sandwich. Ice cream was good, chocolate chip cookies were really hard. Couldn't break them with a metal spoon. Finally gave up. Will probably go back and try something else. read more

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. read more

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Love, love, love the ice cream at Maxs Best!! It's so nice that they have comfortable booths. Great place for an ice cream party.

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

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. read more

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! read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

The ice was really good and the customer service!! You should definitely come to try.

legit the best ice cream ever!!!! if in the dc area it a must go. service is amazing. such aura!!!! read more

Maxs Best Ice Cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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. read more

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. read more

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! read 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! read more