Best Bakeries in Washington

What this French bakery lacks in size, it makes up for in taste and great service. Almond croissants are one of their most popular selections so be sure to sample one if it hasn't already sold out. Quiche, mixed fruit tarts, French macarons, cakes and cookies are also worth a taste. Coffee lovers rejoice at their thorough drink options including cappuccinos, lattes and espressos. During the warmer months, enjoy your menu selection while outside on the back patio. They also have a store in Baltimore too so if you are visiting Charm City, check out that spot too.

Sure, we all love our sweets but there is just something special about a hot loaf of bread coming out of the oven that warms your body up in a way that hot chocolate can only wish. Founded in 2000 by three friends, the bakery sells their bread to a number of local businesses including D.C.'s Stachowski Meat and Deli, McLean, Va.-based Nourish Market and Sticky Fingers. Coming in different shapes and sizes like rolls, baguettes and loaves, the bakery has more than 20 different hand-crafted types to chose from including ciabatta, focaccia, sour dough and rosemary.

From the owners who brought D.C. the restaurant, Ethiopic, comes this delightful bakery which offers pastries and bread daily. Only baking selections in small quantities, you will know your pick will fresh. When not scarfing down on bread or chocolate croissants, check out their menu which features breakfast items like puffed pancake, Belgian waffle and sunny side eggs and open-faced sandwiches named after local streets. The Fourth-Street sandwich hosting smoked salmon, capers, cream cheese and chives is not to be missed. If these items leave you thirsty, the bakery has multiple coffee drinks to choose from including iced cappuccino, espresso and macchiato.

You may want to take your time when figuring what to eat here because there are just so many enticing choices. Croissants, pain au chocolat and puff pastries are made fresh every day. They offer a regular rotation of signature cakes including tiramisu, chocolate and mocha but also are available for custom orders. Check out their fruit tarts or sample one of their petit fours. One of their best sellers are the Caprice Macarons which are subtly flavored cream resting between two floured bases. These gluten-free treasures come in several flavors like chocolate, vanilla, raspberry and mango.

Combining old family recipes and new inspiration, this bakery is a neighborhood hang out where you can devourer delicious freshly-baked treats and get a cup of locally roasted, brewed on-site coffee. Sample breakfast treats like the blueberry crumb muffin or ginger orange scones. Try some of their cookies including shortbread, snickerdoodle or chocolate peppermint chip. In-store flavors do rotate so if you are looking for a specific kind, be sure to call ahead. If you want to buy a cake, full sized pie or a platter, you have to order them in advance by 48 hours.

Whatever type of cake you need, this venue has it. Choose to order a slice or buy the whole cake. (I'd choose the latter.) Check out tea time cake flavors like chocolate flourless torte, peach crumb and sticky toffee date. Their mouth watering layered cakes feature taste favorites such as red velvet, chocolate fudge, cherry Garcia and strawberry shortcake. Still not enough cakes for you? Didn't think so. They also have a selection of cupcakes, cheesecakes and cake balls. The pastries don't stop there because also on the menu are cookies, danishes, quiches and muffins.

You probably know this bakery from seeing the reality show DC Cupcakes on TLC. Opening their first store in 2008, sister owners Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontague helped to transform cupcakes from a kids' party snack into a culinary delight for everyone. With two local locations in Georgetown and Bethesda, the bakery offers more than 100 different cupcake flavors including classics like red velvet, chocolate, and vanilla and specials like peanut butter fudge, salted caramel, and coconut. Every month also brings new season flavors such as toasted marshmallow in January, cherry blossom for March and pumpkin spice in October. For those who are only here for a visit, don't fret that you don't live close. They ship cupcakes nationwide.

A desire to bring sinfully good sweets and treats to the masses using animal-free products spurred owner Doron Petersan to start her business in 1999. Located on Park Road in NW, the bakery is known to attract foodies and health conscious alike. While they are known for their cupcakes (cookies n' cake or rich red velvet anyone?) be sure to sample some of their other items including cookies, cheesecakes, pies and pastries. The sticky buns featuring sweet dough filled with walnuts and cinnamon covered in sugar frosting is not to be missed. For those who are a fan of the business, the company is opening a Sticky Fingers Bakery Bistro on H Street NE in 2015.

This destination is heaven for those who crave both sugary treats and crafty caffeinated concoctions. Any type of baked good you can think of — they offer: biscotti, breakfast breads and coffee cakes, brownies, muffins, pies and quiche to name a few. They even serve zillabonez — baked goods for dogs. You will want to try their savory 'cakecups.' Some even come with hilarious names like Unicorns & Rainbows featuring vanilla and confetti mix, Pretty Bitchin' showcasing chocolate flavor with crunchy peanut butter frosting and Elvis Impersonator offering banana flavor with peanut butter frosting and drizzled chocolate. Make sure to wash all these treats down with a selection off their coffee menu made by one of their professional baristas.