:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65621737/astro.0.jpg)
Get them as a sidekick for coffee or as a hands-on dessert
Doughnuts are a favorite pastry in D.C., and not just for breakfast. They’re available as a traditional morning pick-me-up at dedicated doughnut shops and bakeries and as playful dessert to end the meal at fancy restaurants throughout the area.
Here are some of the best options in the city and beyond.
Read MoreThis longtime family-owned bakery in Silver Spring offers doughnuts among its selection of daily pastries. It’s been around since 1954.
Several locations of the local chain serve farmers’ doughnuts in a range of flavors in glazed, baked, and filled varieties.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65621734/ffdoughnuts.0.jpg)
This doughnut-maker out of Richmond, Virginia, landed in Alexandria before spreading to Arlington and then D.C. with a store in Shaw. Flavors range from simple to unique, like the Girl Scout cookie-style "Tastes Like a Samoa." Chase a boozy doughnut with a fancy cocktail at its underground bar, Nocturne. Superfans can also sing a song and potentially earn a free doughnut. — Tierney Plumb
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62476158/sugarshack.0.0.0.jpg)
Find yeasted doughnuts with seasonal glazes at this hybrid market, cafe, and supper club.
For dessert, Iron Gate offers crispy Greek yeast doughnuts topped with orange blossom syrup.
Fresh, fried ricotta bomboloni from pastry chef Alex Levin are a favorite dessert at this Italian restaurant (they’re also at the Mosaic District location). They’re paired with strawberry and Nutella dipping sauces.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65621735/IMG_0396.0.jpg)
Centrolina chef-owner Amy Brandwein’s tiny new CityCenter cafe serves sugar-dusted bomboloni stuffed with a vanilla cream that’s not too sweet. —Gabe Hiatt
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65621736/bombo.0.jpg)
Astro, owned by partners Elliot Spaisman and Jeff Halpern, was one of the two original shops to capitalize on the doughnut and fried chicken trend locally. The chain’s creme brulee doughnut is an area favorite, and many of their offerings change seasonally.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62476151/astro.12.jpg)
This Outer Banks, N.C., favorite now has a major presence in Northern Virginia. It draws weekend lines in the suburbs for fried cake doughnuts that can be customized with toppings ranging from lemon drizzle to crumbled bacon.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62476153/duckdonuts.12.jpg)
This bright pink truck travels to markets in D.C. and Arlington and various on-street locations. Its year-round mini apple cider donuts are hot sellers.
Local food truck Mac's Donuts sells fried doughnuts on a stick at the Courthouse farmers market on Saturdays,
A stalwart presence on this Falls Church pizzeria’s dessert menu has been its citrus-glazed doughnuts. They’re served with a Nutella cream.
This Barracks Row doughnut shop is known for artfully designed sweets. The local producer has since expanded locations in Georgetown and at the Wharf.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62476152/district.12.jpg)
This homegrown eatery serves cake and yeast doughnuts featuring assorted toppings (crushed Oreos, rainbow sprinkles, crumbled bacon), glazes (vanilla, chocolate, maple) and fillings (Bavarian cream, lemon, or strawberry are injected into various selections upon request). There are also jumbo versions, pull-apart "croughnuts," and ice cream-topped doughnut "sundaes.”
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62476160/Texas.12.jpg)
The cider doughnuts at this Alexandria farmers market purveyor have a loyal following.
This longtime family-owned bakery in Silver Spring offers doughnuts among its selection of daily pastries. It’s been around since 1954.
Several locations of the local chain serve farmers’ doughnuts in a range of flavors in glazed, baked, and filled varieties.
This doughnut-maker out of Richmond, Virginia, landed in Alexandria before spreading to Arlington and then D.C. with a store in Shaw. Flavors range from simple to unique, like the Girl Scout cookie-style "Tastes Like a Samoa." Chase a boozy doughnut with a fancy cocktail at its underground bar, Nocturne. Superfans can also sing a song and potentially earn a free doughnut. — Tierney Plumb
Find yeasted doughnuts with seasonal glazes at this hybrid market, cafe, and supper club.
For dessert, Iron Gate offers crispy Greek yeast doughnuts topped with orange blossom syrup.
Fresh, fried ricotta bomboloni from pastry chef Alex Levin are a favorite dessert at this Italian restaurant (they’re also at the Mosaic District location). They’re paired with strawberry and Nutella dipping sauces.
Centrolina chef-owner Amy Brandwein’s tiny new CityCenter cafe serves sugar-dusted bomboloni stuffed with a vanilla cream that’s not too sweet. —Gabe Hiatt
Astro, owned by partners Elliot Spaisman and Jeff Halpern, was one of the two original shops to capitalize on the doughnut and fried chicken trend locally. The chain’s creme brulee doughnut is an area favorite, and many of their offerings change seasonally.
This Outer Banks, N.C., favorite now has a major presence in Northern Virginia. It draws weekend lines in the suburbs for fried cake doughnuts that can be customized with toppings ranging from lemon drizzle to crumbled bacon.
This bright pink truck travels to markets in D.C. and Arlington and various on-street locations. Its year-round mini apple cider donuts are hot sellers.
Local food truck Mac's Donuts sells fried doughnuts on a stick at the Courthouse farmers market on Saturdays,
A stalwart presence on this Falls Church pizzeria’s dessert menu has been its citrus-glazed doughnuts. They’re served with a Nutella cream.
This Barracks Row doughnut shop is known for artfully designed sweets. The local producer has since expanded locations in Georgetown and at the Wharf.
This homegrown eatery serves cake and yeast doughnuts featuring assorted toppings (crushed Oreos, rainbow sprinkles, crumbled bacon), glazes (vanilla, chocolate, maple) and fillings (Bavarian cream, lemon, or strawberry are injected into various selections upon request). There are also jumbo versions, pull-apart "croughnuts," and ice cream-topped doughnut "sundaes.”
The cider doughnuts at this Alexandria farmers market purveyor have a loyal following.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58867133/oysters.374.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61276667/stanselm.27.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69899964/1432991566.7.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57899333/90947487_1783254681805331_2419638008807424000_n.14.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69096927/untitled_3997_HDR.7.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66811413/I_m_eddie_cano.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66704979/20200415_181442.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58260213/1245667657.129.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71393436/Piccolina_Carota_Salad_Horizontal_Credit_Scott_Suchman.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71717277/latkes_Original.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71511903/1236154360.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56048657/padae.20.jpeg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59742091/Riverfront.26.jpg)
Loading comments...