Gluten-free lifestyle trends put bread on the back burner for a while. But when the pandemic turned sourdough into national hobby, cravings for takeout-friendly carbs hit hard all over again.
The bread business is rising in a big way across D.C., with relative newcomers like Manifest Bread, SakuSaku Flakerie, Rose Ave Bakery, and Yellow joining tried-and-true favorites like Bread Furst and Baked & Wired. Wholesale bakeries like Hyattsville, Maryland’s Lyon and Alexandria, Virginia’s Bread & Water Co. continue to supply stellar breads to restaurants all over town.
D.C. also recently lost a few lauded bakeries, with closures from Columbia Heights pioneer Sticky Fingers (which is relocating to Takoma Park) and Shaw’s beloved Buttercream Bakeshop. Meanwhile, out-of-town chains with a growing taste for D.C. include NYC cookie companies Levain and Chip City and Boston’s Tatte Bakery & Cafe.
Here are 19 essential D.C. destinations for extra-crusty levain, flaky croissants, brioche doughnuts, baklava, cupcakes, French baguettes, and everything in between.
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