An authentic Greek ice cream shop, Yala Greek Ice Cream, opened in the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C. 

Yala, which means “milk” in Greek, brings 70 years of traditional Greek ice cream-making from the island of Rhodes to the U.S. That includes the recipe, ingredients, timing and technique to make it. The hand-crafted ice cream is made with farm-fresh milk and cream, and premium ingredients sourced from the Mediterranean, and both local and world-renowned producers. This gives it a uniquely creamy texture and bright, bold flavors that really pop.

Founded by Chrys Kefalas, a D.C. branding executive and Washingtonian who has spent his life traveling back to Greece to visit family, Yala Greek Ice Cream is a love letter to Greece. It’s a heartfelt tribute to his grandfather, or “Papou,” who immigrated from Greece in the 1960s, ran a Baltimore restaurant for years and taught Chrys about hospitality and hard work. It is also a celebration of the Greek Island Chrys loves and the unique and special frozen treat that, until now, you’ve only been able to get there.  

Yala offers American favorites like vanilla, cookies and cream, and mint chip, plus flavors that celebrate Chrys’ Greek legacy including: 

• Pistachio Odyssey
• Yia Mas (Greek yogurt with wild cherries)
• Kataifi (Baklava ice cream)
• Yia Yia’s Karamela (burnt caramel with Greek sea salt)
• Greek Blue, Summer - (Blueberries and tart lemon curd swirled together with silky Papou’s Promise/vanilla.)
• American Dream - Papou’s Promise vanilla and Choco-Yala with chocolate cookie crunch, milk and dark chocolate chips, and white chocolate ribbon

Ice cream is served in hand-piped scoops, waffle cones and pints. Available toppings include cherry preserves, orange preserves, apricot preserves, Mediterranean chocolate, Greek chocolate cookie crumbs and Greek honey. 

“Just like Greek yogurt changed everything, Greek Ice Cream is going to set the new standard for ice cream. A chef of 35 years described it to me by saying that American ice cream is very sweet, gelato is very heavy and Greek ice cream is just right. It’s both creamy and light, so you get indulgence, but you don’t have to feel terrible about eating it,” said Chrys Kefalas, Yala Greek founder and owner.