DCGuide
7 Great Bakeries in DC
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
While you might not want your boss to believe it (don’t worry, we can keep a secret), there is something special about seeing a box of pastries flowing with all the kouign amann and buttered croissants your heart desires. Here are the places with freshly baked coffee cake and rose macarons so sweet and delicious, it’s totally worth spending the rest of your day shaking crumbs off your shirt.
THE SPOTS
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
There are some bakeries where you must get one particular thing, because it’s the very best thing. But at Rose Ave Bakery, order the entire menu. This spot in Woodley Park sets the standard for sugary confections like tangy passion fruit donuts dusted in raspberry sugar and sticky caramel ube kouign amanns. The moment you step into the always-packed shop, you're hit with excitement and pure joy—until you reach the register and find out they're all out of everything. Take note, dear reader: if you can, swing by early.
photo credit: Michelle Goldchain
After battling the crowds at Union Market, refill your tank with some sugary treats from Pluma. There’s a wooden communal table in the center of the room where you can crash with friends to split your baked goods haul. You can expect the basics like muffins, croissants, and scones. But It's their their juices like the coconut lemonade and hibiscus tea that really round out the refreshing end of the day.
This French patisserie in Dupont Circle has been a staple for years, and we never tire of pursuing the display case full of homemade brioche, flaky almond croissants, and apple tarts. The best part is that everything here tastes as good as it looks. There are limited seats inside so your best bet is almost always to take your stuff to go. But on warmer days, we like to take advantage of the tables that line the sidewalk to enjoy a pastry, coffee, and primo people-watching.
photo credit: Ellē
The desserts at Ellē are so good, they’ll have you ready to trade in your day job to become a master pastry chef capable of whipping up their guava turnovers and mudslide walnut cookies. For now, though, you can enjoy them while sipping $6 lattes alongside the freelancers and remote workers hustling away in the cozy Mt. Pleasant cafe.
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
Hit this Palestinian bakery early in the morning to enjoy their one-of-a-kind baked goods like the flaky orange blossom croissants. From the team behind Albi, this Georgetown cafe is full of bright yellow accents (because, obviously) and is great for people watching along M St. while you enjoy the date and labne coffee cake.
This take-out only shop in Capitol Hill is the perfect pitstop to add a little magic to your morning coffee and pastry routine. Inside, you'll find the prettiest raspberry rose macarons, almond croissants that leave you dusted in powdered sugar after the first bite, and savory cardamom buns that'll make your dentist proud, knowing you've opted for something a little less sugary.
photo credit: Nina Palazzolo
This gluten-free bakery has a big display case stacked with treats like banana bread, cupcakes, and lemon bars. It's impossible to leave the colorful Hill East rowhouse without a bag of treats—but get it to go because this bakery is so serious that the kitchen takes up three-quarters of the room and there are only a handful of seats. Make sure to grab their chai-spiced donut, coated in a sweet, spicy glaze that crumbles gently in your hand.
