50 Best Bakeries in Washington

“Excellent food and the best chai!“

“I love this place! The food is phenomenal! I can’t get over the tempeh burger!!!“

“This is hands down the best bakery I have ever been to. I don’t think you can go wrong with anything they have. My personal favs from my recent visit were the scallion, egg & cheese croissant, crab rangoon croissant, and strawberry milk donut. If you are in the area while Rose Ave is open, you would be doing yourself a disservice by not stopping by. The only negative thing i can say about going here is that, for people who do not live in or frequent the DC area, you will forever long to return. There was almost 5 years between my first and second visit here, and i dreamed of that return every single day.“

“No other bakery like Seylou. We travel in to the city every weekend to eat here. The staff is so kind and feels like an extension of our family. They’ve taken my child behind the scenes and shown him how grains are killed and bread is baked. I could not ask for a better community and diet staple.“

“I finally gave in to the hype and went to try this $6 cookie.

The chocolate walnut cookie is a big boi, the form factor is half the point. The exterior has a satisfying crispy, buttery crunch that gives way to a doughy (but fully cooked) interior. Big, textured walnut pieces add a nice bite.

That said, it is quite sweet. The chocolate is overwhelming, even by cookie standards (though I understand it looks great on Instagram).

If I do try another cookie, I’ll be eating it in two sittings instead of one 🫡“

“We had a great lunch! Highly recommended! 😋😋😋“

“Besides delicious pastries, the best part of Boulangerie Christophe is the staff! Super friendly and kind to everyone who walks through the door. The gourmet sandwiches are a huge hit for my 15-year-old son too.“

“A chill little bakery with fantastic pastries, cookies and croissants, as well as quality coffee. Also ordered a cake for my husband's birthday and it was a major hit!“

“This place was an absolute gem during our week-long stay in DC. We visited it a whopping five times! We had such a great time, especially when we made a funny joke about breakfast for the next morning. 😂 Because we had already eaten it .“

“The food here was incredible and the ambiance is very nice! There is a nice variety of beverages, especially cold ones for the summer time. The staff were super friendly, especially Enrique, who came to chat with us. Although they weren’t doing seating service, the food arrived at our table very fast.“

“We’ve always loved Baked & Wired’s goods, and we knew they would make the perfect cake for our wedding day. Of course, they delivered. Baked & Wired was very easy to work with and the cake was just right! Our guests loved it, and we can’t wait to eat the last slice on our one year anniversary!“

“Highly recommended! Very delicious food, excellent service, and absolutely great place.“

“Love the idea of a bread speakeasy! It’s a little hard to find though, they usually sell out of bread by noon, and the prices are pretty steep so I’ll dock a star for that. Recommend the Kouign Amann (5.80) and their cranberry walnut sourdough (13.50).“

“Very beautiful area. The quiche was the best I’ve ever had! Very cozy place.“

“The cookies are so fresh and full of flavor. Also am a big fan of the coffee.“

“Had a fantastic experience at Maman in DC. Dakota, Paul, and Kevin provided exceptional service from start to finish, they took the time to walk me through the menu, offered thoughtful recommendations, and even crafted a special drink just for me that was outstanding. The baked goods were absolutely delicious as well. Truly great hospitality all around, and I really appreciated the extra care they put into making the experience memorable. Highly recommend!“

“I am thrilled to share my experience with Tango Pastry, a true gem in the world of pastries and delicious treats! From the moment you step into their café, the ambiance is warm and inviting, creating the perfect setting to savor their delectable pastries. Tango Pastry's dedication to delivering top-notch quality and excellent service is evident. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and always ready to guide you through their mouthwatering selections. I can't wait to join them for their Grand Opening! I highly recommend Tango Pastry to anyone seeking a delightful pastry experience. Trust me; your taste buds will thank you, and you'll be eager to return for more of their scrumptious delights.“

“Really love their pastry and croissant. Cappuccinos are wonderfully made each morning. Frassier white chocolate cake is my favorite. Also tried the new grilled cheese for brunch - excellent.“

“Awesome pastries, bread and other baked goods. Very creative seasonal menu that uses fruit and veggies at the peak of their flavor. Love love love it!“

“The cinnamon rolls are so amazing. Tasted like the real (gluten) thing. I’m very picky with cinnamon rolls and I read other reviews so the expectation was high, but it exceeded my expectations. I was so happy to see the large menu and so many options“

“the breakfast sliders are yummy and the sticky pretzel with chocolate inside is good not real sweet but just right❤️“

“Delicious food and coffee! Bakery items amazing! Cute area inside and outside!“

“Wonderful selection of bread and pastries! Absolutely worth a visit.“

“Rarely opens on time at 7:30 . Try stop on way work. Still waiting. After ordering they had no bills and gave me 7.90 in change! The cashier had attitude because I made her give me my change and then she had the nerve to give me a Canadian quarter which I gave her right back. Unacceptable.“

“Such good macarons. The texture was just right and the flavor are so tasty. The strawberry reminded me if fresh strawberry ice cream. My wife loved the gingerbread and pumpkin spice. Will be ordering again!“

“Timmy is just the best! I have ordered from him for years. Just recently I needed the best key lime pie and I got the best key lime pie!“

“Grateful for the experience! Special thanks to Father Curry for having the forethought to create a program to help Veterans like myself build sustainable businesses with dignity.“

“Great atmosphere this Sunday! Cute layout of shared larger tables and smaller personal tables. So many pastries to choose! Also got the coconut cold foam from their spring specials menu — also very good. Really liked the quiche interior, the crust was a little burnt but overall great experience!“

“This has definitely become my new local coffee shop. It’s the kind of place you can go to every day before work starts—it has already become that for me.

The atmosphere is great; it’s a very easy place to get some work done or settle in with a book, and the outdoor seating is a huge plus. I love coming here in the morning for an iced mocha and their sausage, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel. The seasoning is excellent and the food is always fresh.

The staff is super nice and they are incredibly quick with orders. I’m already planning on heading back this Saturday with my new read.

Highly recommend!“

“I love it!!! Great prices compared to similar bakeries in the area, they have a great assortment of pastries (I only tried the dulce de leche medialuna and it was really good) and they have normal priced, good coffee. The decor and ambiance is also lovely. And service is great!“

“We had a group of 9 for brunch and it was a complete feast! The shareable plates just kept coming and everything was delicious. Such a great variety of pastries, vegetarian dishes, dips, egg dishes, and more. Would highly recommend it for a casual friendly sharable brunch with friends or family who are eaters of all kinds. The offering has something for everyone- and it is a great way to introduce those who may be unfamiliar with Turkish fare.“

“delicious-quick-friendly!“

“This is open and airy place with cool, white subway tile decor and lots of windows. You order your food and it’s delivered to your table.
I had the tuna and hard boiled egg on a croissant. It was delicious but a bit too heavy with the mayo and sour cream. Less mayonnaise and more red onion would have made it a better sandwich but it was so tasty.
My husband had the cooked eggs, bacon and cheese on sourdough toast. It was hot and delicious.
The coffee was also excellent and I had mine in a big, black glass coffee cup. There are no free refills but the person bringing out the food got me a free refill which was much appreciated.
This place is located by all the hotels and right around the corner from ours so it was very convenient.“

“Just like true Guatemalan tamales, paches, the bread (pan francés and champurradas) is spectacular!

Saturday afternoon was perfect to eat in their front yard that has 5-6 tables!!

Tamales para llevar! Yummy!“

“Love the food here. The blackened chicken salad is amazing, the chicken and waffles were delicious, the lemonade flavorful and everyone who works here has so much personality. Never a dull moment when you interact with the staff. AND THE COOKIES ARE TO DIE FOR“

“Chez Lily has some of the best coffee I've ever had. I stop by every morning, and it's always consistently great. The atmosphere is awesome—super welcoming and a great way to start the day.

The customer service is what really keeps me coming back. Everyone is so friendly, and you can tell they genuinely care. Big shoutout to Iyanna, Kai, and Diego! They're always kind, upbeat, and make every visit a great experience.

Highly recommend this spot if you're looking for amazing coffee and an even better vibe!“

“A must try! The crogels are incredible. I've also tried several of their pastries which have been just as good. I'm always looking for a good lavender latte as well, which Fresh Baguette nails. Reasonable prices for the area s well!“

“This bakery had done a magic for our party at the Woman's National Democratic Club on March 6, 2024 whereas their wonderful baker transform the cover page of our art album as an image onto the top of the cake that we ordered. This is not done by AI but by human with humanistic feelings and taste. Applause!“

“This. Was. The. BEST. Cupcake. I. Have. Ever. Had.

The cupcakes are unbelievably light and fluffy! The frosting perfectly pairs! AND they are each made to order!

I ordered 6 and I’m going to have to lock myself away just so I don’t eat it all in one sitting. I can’t wait to come back and try more flavors!

Wayyyyyy better than Georgetown cupcakes!“

“Last Saturday morning, my husband and I jumped in the car at 6:35 AM and drove to the Catania Bakery at 1404 North Capitol Street, NW in DC. We'd just found out his grandfather had worked there when he registered for the WWII draft in 1942 (he was a 60 year old Sicilian baker at the time). We are both half Sicilian American and know what real Sicilian American baked goods taste like, .

Anyway, I looked them up on the internet when we found the draft regis. card and fully expected to find zip. To my amazement the bakery is still there and still family owned, and still using the same recipe to make the bread. They switched to selling wholesale to restaurants and stores several decades ago, but are still open to the general public from 7:30 AM to noon on Saturdays. So, we hightailed it down there.

The owner personally sells the baked goods at a counter from the turn of the 1900's at the front of the old bakery. We bought a big sample of goodies to try them out -
- 4 big loaves of Italian bread (which my mom said was the same taste and texture as the bread made by her Sicilian grandfather in his bakery in Corona, NY from the 1920's to the 1950's)
- 1 loaf of Sicilian Easter bread (seasonal)
- 9 five-inch long, par-baked sfogliatelle (you finish baking them at home for 30 minutes in a 350F oven)
- and 6 bags of cookies (each bag contained about 20-24 good sized cookies). 1 bag each of anise almond biscotti, pignola cookies, pistachio cookies, coconut macaroons, anise cookies with anise icing, lemon cookies with lemon icing

I'm thrilled to report that everything was incredibly delicious. The Real Deal. Unbelievable. My 91 year old 1st generation Sicilian American mom, who is the ultimate judge on whether Sicilian baked goods are legit, gave them her stamp of approval, which is so rare it's ridiculous. We're definitely going back, a lot. At that hour of the morning on a Sat. the trip to the bakery took just 25 minutes or less. We parked right on the side street, tho we could have aslo parked right in front on N. Capitol St. Parking was no problem. At 7:30 there wasn't a line, so we got in right away. The storefront and the inside of the bakery are old and careworn, but the baked goods are perfection. You can't even find the real thing on Long Island anymore. The Sicilian bakeries up there have closed, sold to new owners, or cheaped out - they all use cheap ingredients, but NOT THIS PLACE. It's still family owned, flavors are pure, the bread crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, and the pastries don't leave an oil slick on the roof of your mouth.

If you want to experience real Sicilian baked goods the way they used to be made by the first 2 generations who to came to America, then take a trip down there and get ready to be amazed.“

“Staff and baker were both so kind and welcoming to all who walked in. Some regulars they clearly acknowledged. It didn’t matter what one purchased. And calmly efficient to get everyone in/out. Patrons were also so wonderful, clearly a neighborhood gem. DC is still a city of people trying to hurry along, so I am not expecting lingering and community chit chats. Also around it are few hotels. Now the baked goods, one of the best chocolate croissant, orange scone and the banana chocolate loaf (I slathered it with some peanut butter for protein and that made it even more elevated). The egg sandwich with fresh focaccia a mist try on the spot. I would totally nominate them for an award. No fancy baked goods but that is why it is such a gem.“

“The Pound Cakes are known for their rich, buttery flavor, moist texture, and perfectly balanced sweetness—delivering that classic, comforting taste with every bite. Whether you’re indulging in a signature favorite like the beloved 7-Up pound cake or exploring new flavor creations, every cake is baked with premium ingredients and a commitment to quality you can taste. What sets Joella’s pound cakes apart is the love poured into each one. From mixing to baking to presentation, every detail matters. These cakes aren’t just made—they’re thoughtfully created to bring people together, spark joy, and turn everyday moments into something special.“

“Very good breakfast and Delicious pastries“

“Their Little Devils are beloved by my family. We've been going here for years just to have them. I also have their Rasberry Chocolate Cake for my birthday almost every year“

“Urzula went above and beyond to create the PERFECT "piano cake" for my visually-impaired pianist son! Working from just a picture I sent her, Urzula recreated the Kit-Kat piano "keys" that gave the cake a 3-dimensional texture my son could "feel" as well as taste! She helped me make my son's special 30th birthday in his new 'hometown' of DC so wonderful--even working long-distance with his mom in another state to surprise him! Kudo's galore! Thank you, Urzula!!!“

“Eshet Injera sells for $4.99 "Best Mango Juice" 50% juice from Egypt, 32fl oz/1qt/946mL. It has been difficult to find so I am glad they sell it. They accept EBT. Only place with cheaper price is devil walmart in Virginia for $3.72. 7-11 sells it for 5.99 but not every location. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS!“

“Best coffee I ever had. I recommend the Fall Oat boy hot coffee and the DMV breafast sandwich. My brother Mark hooked me up with this place. He's a regular and the know him by name. I can work remotely here with great Wi-Fi. Five stars to the staff at conneticut ave. Cindy, Ashley, JC and Ethan are all great.“

“I love this brand of coffee and was so excited to see a brick and motor location getting off the metro. The store is so clean and comfortable, I feel so safe here. The manager Freddy creates an upscale & family feel- she’s so knowledgeable about the brand and genuinely cares about her customers experience. I feel so REFRESHED with the elite level of customer service. Every coffee shop should take notes from how they run things!!!!“

“Stepping inside, you're greeted by the smell of fresh-baked bread and pastries that instantly lifts your mood. Their coffee pairs perfectly with any treat, and the staff always makes you feel right at home. This spot is a true neighborhood treasure.“