The best bakeries & sweet shops in Washington

29 bakeries & sweet shops we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Bakeries & Sweets · 29 places · showing the latest additions first

lil sweet treat

Bakeries & Sweets

From curated Signature Mixes and build-your-own bags to gelatin-free, gluten-free, and naturally dyed gummies, Lil Sweet Treat is the D.C.…

3285 M St NW

C. candy plug scouring the globe for the good stuff. Personalize a birthday box or book their playful candy cart for your next party, then thank yourself later.

From the Washington newsletter, August 4, 2026

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Sidekick Bakery

Bakeries & Sweets

Whether your week calls for a Ted’s Tart, a fancy croissant, or those made-to-order Slidekicks breakfast sliders, Sidekick Bakery delivers…

4238 Wilson Blvd Suite 1130 SK (Arlington)

Whether your week calls for a Ted’s Tart, a fancy croissant, or those made-to-order Slidekicks breakfast sliders, Sidekick Bakery delivers sweet, savory, and everything in-between. Pair it with a Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte or go coffee Sidekick Style, then pretend you only stopped in for one cookie.

From the Arlington newsletter, August 4, 2026

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Capital Candy Jar

Bakeries & Sweets

Capital Candy Jar packs the fun-size and the fancy. Think DC Landmark chocolate-covered Oreos, decadent truffles, peanut butter cups,…

201 15th St NE · ✓ checked Jul 28

Capital Candy Jar packs the fun-size and the fancy. Think DC Landmark chocolate-covered Oreos, decadent truffles, peanut butter cups, candied popcorn, gummies and cotton candy, plus easy gift boxes for birthdays and thank-yous. Grab a mix this week and let your sweet tooth write you a thank-you note.

From the Bowie newsletter, August 7, 2026

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Traditional store selling chocolates, confections & fudge, as well as original recipe ice cream.

663 Water St SW

Traditional store selling chocolates, confections & fudge, as well as original recipe ice cream.

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Eclairons

Bakeries & Sweets

Bright, friendly pastry shop specializing in eclairs and cheesecakes, plus sandwiches.

1737 Wilson Blvd (Arlington)

Bright, friendly pastry shop specializing in eclairs and cheesecakes, plus sandwiches.

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Chain bakery and cafe serving a wide array of cakes and a menu of French-Asian style pastries.

1100 S Hayes St Ste h40 (Arlington)

Chain bakery and cafe serving a wide array of cakes and a menu of French-Asian style pastries.

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The Chocolate House

Bakeries & Sweets

Simple shop offering top-shelf artisanal chocolates & confections from all over the world.

1904 18th St NW

Simple shop offering top-shelf artisanal chocolates & confections from all over the world.

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DC Sweet Potato Cake

Bakeries & Sweets

Bakery known for cupcakes and cakes in a variety of flavors including red velvet, carrot, and sweet potato.

925 17th St NW

Bakery known for cupcakes and cakes in a variety of flavors including red velvet, carrot, and sweet potato.

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The CakeRoom

Bakeries & Sweets

Quaint bake shop, 1 of a local chain, with a full range of sweets plus made-to-order cake designs.

2006 18th St NW

Quaint bake shop, 1 of a local chain, with a full range of sweets plus made-to-order cake designs.

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French methods meet Korean flavors at this cafe offering a variety of cakes, croissants and drinks.

4238 Wilson Blvd Ste 127 (Arlington)

French methods meet Korean flavors at this cafe offering a variety of cakes, croissants and drinks.

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Levain Bakery

Bakeries & Sweets

Cookies, bread & sweet treats are served with coffee & tea at this airy whitewashed-brick bakery.

3131 M St NW

Cookies, bread & sweet treats are served with coffee & tea at this airy whitewashed-brick bakery.

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Läderach

Bakeries & Sweets

Store offering artisanal Swiss chocolates, including pralines, dark chocolate bark, and mixed-fruit white chocolate.

Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave NE

Store offering artisanal Swiss chocolates, including pralines, dark chocolate bark, and mixed-fruit white chocolate.

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Bakeshop

Bakeries & Sweets

Bakery crafting pies, cookies, cupcakes & other goodies, plus vegan choices in snug surrounds.

1025 N Fillmore St G (Arlington)

Bakery crafting pies, cookies, cupcakes & other goodies, plus vegan choices in snug surrounds.

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Georgetown Cupcake

Bakeries & Sweets

This light-filled corner space specializes in gourmet cupcakes made on-site daily.

3301 M St NW

This light-filled corner space specializes in gourmet cupcakes made on-site daily.

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Chocolate Chocolate

Bakeries & Sweets

Sleek boutique offering an international selection of chocolate, plus candy by the pound.

1130 Connecticut Ave NW

Sleek boutique offering an international selection of chocolate, plus candy by the pound.

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Red Velvet Cupcakery

Bakeries & Sweets

Charming bakery showcasing a variety of creative cupcakes, including vegan & gluten-free options.

5600 Connecticut Ave NW

Charming bakery showcasing a variety of creative cupcakes, including vegan & gluten-free options.

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Baked & Wired

Bakeries & Sweets

Artsy neighborhood bakery & coffeehouse supplying espresso drinks, big cupcakes & signature granola.

1052 Thomas Jefferson St NW

Artsy neighborhood bakery & coffeehouse supplying espresso drinks, big cupcakes & signature granola.

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Buzz Bakeshop

Bakeries & Sweets

Bakery options from more substantial food like quiche & sandwiches to creative desserts & coffee.

901 Slaters Ln (Alexandria)

Bakery options from more substantial food like quiche & sandwiches to creative desserts & coffee.

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This bustling bakery & cafe doles out handmade loaves of bread, breakfast sandwiches & cupcakes.

4010 Campbell Ave (Arlington)

This bustling bakery & cafe doles out handmade loaves of bread, breakfast sandwiches & cupcakes.

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Pastries By Randolph

Bakeries & Sweets

Light-filled bakery creating elaborate cakes for weddings & birthdays, plus European-style pastries.

4500 Cherry Hill Rd (Arlington)

Light-filled bakery creating elaborate cakes for weddings & birthdays, plus European-style pastries.

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Boulangerie Christophe

Bakeries & Sweets

Cozy spot for baguettes, pastries, espresso & French bistro classics with courtyard seating.

1422 Wisconsin Ave NW

Cozy spot for baguettes, pastries, espresso & French bistro classics with courtyard seating.

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Relaxed French-Korean cafe for freshly baked cakes, breads, and pastries, plus coffee and bubble tea.

625 H St NW Unit 101

Relaxed French-Korean cafe for freshly baked cakes, breads, and pastries, plus coffee and bubble tea.

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Rocket Fizz Alexandria

Bakeries & Sweets

Retailer offering a huge selection of candy & bottled sodas in innovative flavors.

1721 Centre Plaza (Alexandria)

Retailer offering a huge selection of candy & bottled sodas in innovative flavors.

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Arcay Chocolates

Bakeries & Sweets

Family-run chocolate shop offering handmade bonbons and other confectionaries, plus gelato.

3211 O St NW

Family-run chocolate shop offering handmade bonbons and other confectionaries, plus gelato.

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Warm, baked-to-order cookies including gluten-free and vegan options in a range of flavors.

6017 Wilson Blvd (Arlington)

Warm, baked-to-order cookies including gluten-free and vegan options in a range of flavors.

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Traditional store selling chocolates, confections & fudge, as well as original recipe ice cream.

1250 Half St SE

Traditional store selling chocolates, confections & fudge, as well as original recipe ice cream.

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Lil’ Cakes & Creamery

Bakeries & Sweets

Homemade ice cream, cookies, and other treats are the offerings at this shop with a quick-visit format.

1014 Madison St (Alexandria)

Homemade ice cream, cookies, and other treats are the offerings at this shop with a quick-visit format.

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Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe

Bakeries & Sweets

Warm, traditional German bakery & cafe preparing cookies, cakes, pastries & sandwiches since 1975.

2150 N Culpeper St (Arlington)

Warm, traditional German bakery & cafe preparing cookies, cakes, pastries & sandwiches since 1975.

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Traditional store selling chocolates, confections & fudge, as well as original recipe ice cream.

3101 Wilson Blvd (Arlington)

Traditional store selling chocolates, confections & fudge, as well as original recipe ice cream.

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