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!!!“

“The music is fine and it plays to a level that allows conversation, there are seats outside for those who like to be al fresco early in the morning. I like the lighting and there is a combination of live plants and an artificial garland inside. I had the ube cake, croissants, the savory bun and they were great. I'm not a fan of donuts but friends rave about them. The coffee is excellent. If you eat in place they serve the pastries on China plates. Do you have a sweet tooth ? Try the vietnamese coffee. Black coffee is your choice - drip, expresso iced and hot are fine and mellow. There is an interesting choice of teas too. When it comes to the banana cinnamon cookie, not so great, took a bite and the prevalent taste was baking soda. Nice touch to combine salt and sweet on the cookie but the baking soda ruins everything. Tried the cookie at the other end and it had no cinnamon flavor. Stick to pastries and you will be safe. Should have got the hojicha roll not the cinnamon cookie but this will be for next time.“

“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.“

“Huge cookie! And they are delicious. I couldn't eat one in a sitting but it was nice to get essentially two cookies for one. The cookies were really good nailing the texture, and sweetness. My oatmeal raisin cookie had the perfect reason to cookie ratio, I can tell they spent time in the lab on that one. If you're walking M street after a good meal this is a place that I'd recommend stopping into for a nice dessert.“

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

“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 .“

“Stopped by after seeing high reviews. The atmosphere of the place is really nice. There’s quiet spaces to study. There’s cute little gifts you can purchase. However, the pistachio chocolate croissant I tried wasn’t good. I don’t like the taste of pistachio paste. Also it wasn’t fresh.“

“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.“

“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).“

“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“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“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!“

“It was my first time visiting DC and I went for breakfast at Maman, the atmosphere was amazing and clean. My server Saron was so pleasant with a radiant smile she made recommendations on the menu which I was so happy, her customer service etiquette was very good and I enjoyed my meal. I look forward to visiting again. Thank you once again Saron wish you the best ❤“

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

“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!“

“Sylvan Cafe has a quiet and quaint atmosphere with lovely jazz playing in the background. The staff is very kind and lovely and the food comes out fast.

The food is amazing and I mean really good for the price. 17 dollars for a veggie platter, is an amazing deal and the quality is out of this world it tastes delicious. Would recommend for anyone passing by in the neighborhood to stop by and support this small business.“

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

“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.“

“What a beautiful cafe. The West End location sits on a corner with huge glass windows that flood the space with natural light, lovely decor, and an open glass kitchen that adds to the atmosphere. It is also a very comfortable place to sit with a laptop and get some work done.

The menu has a strong Middle Eastern influence, which immediately caught my attention. I started with the House Latte, flavored with honey halva and cardamom. I could pick up that sesame/tahini-like note and was initially worried it might be loaded with sweet syrup, but thankfully it was not.

The lamb shakshuka, though, was on another level. The tomato sauce reminded me of an exceptionally good Jordanian gallayat banadura: rich, deeply tomatoey and beautifully seasoned. The lamb, dollops of spicy labneh and whole parsley leaves each brought something different without fighting for attention.

Then you cut into one of those perfectly cooked eggs and the bright, runny yolk spills into the tomato sauce, making it even richer. Dip a piece of their soft, perfectly toasted bread into that mixture and it is difficult to stop. My only complaint: please give us more bread!

This is one of those dishes where every element seems to have been thought through. Creative, balanced cooking without trying too hard. Easily one of the best breakfasts I have had in DC.“

“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 stumbled upon Baked by Yael when we visited the Old Town Alexandria’s farmers market and David was wonderful and helped us discover their cake pops and that our little guy could eat them! We then had the pleasure of speaking with Yael when we visited the shop in DC. We had a cookie bar, black and white cookie (divine) and more cake pops that our kiddo could have! Finding a place that understands food allergies and has items that we can eat has been amazing! Highly recommend!“

“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.“

“Very good breakfast and Delicious pastries“

“delicious-quick-friendly!“

“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!“

“This is a great cafe! It is very affordable and the fare is really good-- simple ingredients, very thoughtfully combined. For example, you can get an avocado toast for $6.50 that tastes very homely, fresh and natural. Similarly, the chicken pesto bagel is great. The bread is always toasted to a perfect extent. The waitstaff is also very nice, Diego in particular. There is also a high bar with 8 seats facing the window which is wonderful to work at because you get a lot of natural light and a view of the street-- at least one of these seats is usually available for working.“

“Tried this place with my daughter for a sweet treat and everything was incredibly good. The ladies here were incredibly helpful and welcoming. We had a berry pastry , a biscuit (highly recommend) and chocolate chip cookies. I will definitely be returning.“

“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!“

“Amazing pastry place, I just entered from the currasionts for 2$ sign
And couldn't believe what 2 bucks can get you!

Awesome bite on the way and seems like a good place to come get some work done with tasty things, and a fresh European vibe!“

“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!“

“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.“

“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.“

“We stopped in for a quick, late lunch at 2pm. The selection of pre-made sandwiches didn't look totally appealing to me. My dining companion chose one of the large sandwiches and said it was delicious. I had lemon meringue tart and hearty vegetables quiche. The quiche was very hearty and flavorful. The lemon meringue tart was delicious. The long neck coke was a welcomed throwback.“

“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.“

“Mrs Brown was extremely accommodating. We communicated via email to place the order. Pick up was quick and easy. The rum cake she made was delicious and a hit at the party. Everyone enjoyed it. The cake was moist and light and not too sweet. I will be ordering more cakes in the future.“

“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!“

“Loved this cute spot attached to an adorable bookstore! Decor and lighting were so nice and calm. Lattes were really good but the star of the show was the granola !! Wow. Would fly back just to have that again. The monkey bread was a little old and wished it was fresh :/but overall, really good!“

“I came in for slice of Napoleon. I was really excited for it. I walked home and opened it and because it is three layers I only took off the first part unfortunately, I was disappointed the cream filling taste like marshmallows therefore too sweet to eat I couldn’t finish it. Staff was super nice clean café. I’m sure I’ll be back to try a different pastry at another time.“

“Excellent lunch. French onion soup to die for.“

“Baguette sandwiches are out of this world!“

“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!!!“