Highest-rated dessert shops in the Washington, D.C. area by diners

There's no denying that Americans have a sweet tooth—nearly 41% say they enjoy a sweet treat at least once a day, according to a November 2024 YouGov survey.

One of the most popular desserts to dig into is ice cream. An International Dairy Foods Association survey from May 2024 found that just about all Americans (97%) love or like ice cream. The frozen confection has held a special place in the U.S. since the turn of the 19th century with the invention of insulated ice houses. By the mid-1800s, ice cream was manufactured and sold to the masses. Soon, old-fashioned soda fountains started selling sundaes, milkshakes, and ice cream sodas, becoming a gathering place for young people. Today, more than 150 years later, those dessert options not only remain perennial top choices but also evoke a sense of nostalgia and community.

Over the years, Americans' dessert tastes have led to some other tasty trends, from the cupcake craze of the early 2000s thanks to bakeries like Magnolia, Sprinkles, and Crumbs, to the self-serve frozen yogurt frenzy that followed in the early 2010s via Pinkberry, 16 Handles, and Red Mango. Most recently, the 2020s have seen cookies sweep the nation, with chains like Insomnia and Crumbl stoking childhood memories, launching TikTok trends, and growing exponentially.

Today's desserts also go far beyond ice cream, cupcakes, and cookies. Many modern dessert shops are redefining the experience by fusing timeless recipes with multicultural flavors, offering creative twists such as matcha-infused cupcakes, horchata ice cream, and Basque cheesecakes that celebrate both tradition and innovation.

To keep up with the ever-evolving dessert trends, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated dessert shops in the Washington, D.C. area based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants tagged as "desserts" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Washington, D.C. were included. As a result, some restaurants featured may primarily serve other food items.

Whether indulging in a time-honored pie or exploring a fusion delight, the world of desserts remains as vibrant and diverse as the communities that enjoy them. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list or to find your next sweet treat!

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#30. The Red Bandana Bakery

- Rating: 4.2/5 (203 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 8218 Wisconsin Ave. Ste 101 Bethesda, Maryland
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

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#29. Fresh Baguette

- Rating: 4.2/5 (158 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1737 Wisconsin Ave. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#28. Open Road - Rosslyn

- Rating: 4.2/5 (157 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1201 Wilson Blvd. Ste 213 Arlington, Virginia
- Categories: American, Breakfast & Brunch, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#27. Modena

- Rating: 4.2/5 (198 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1199 H St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Pizza, Italian, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#26. La Colombe Coffee

- Rating: 4.3/5 (107 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1710 I St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Coffee Roasteries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#25. Kilwins Ice Cream - Chocolate - Fudge

- Rating: 4.3/5 (197 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 212 King St. Alexandria, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Chocolatiers & Shops, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp

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#24. Pennyroyal Station

- Rating: 4.3/5 (250 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3310 Rhode Island Ave. Mount Rainier, Maryland
- Categories: Comfort Food, Desserts, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

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#23. The Dabney

- Rating: 4.3/5 (865 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 122 Blagden Aly Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: New American, Desserts, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp

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#22. Sarah's Handmade Ice Cream River Road

- Rating: 4.6/5 (148 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5241 River Road Bethesda, Maryland
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Bubble Tea, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#21. Dolce & Bean

- Rating: 4.6/5 (156 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2003A Mount Vernon Ave. Alexandria, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Cafes, Chocolatiers & Shops
- Read more on Yelp

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#20. Nothing Bundt Cakes

- Rating: 4.7/5 (148 reviews)
- Address: 9462 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, Maryland
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp

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#19. The Red Hen

- Rating: 4.2/5 (1098 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1822 1st St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Italian, Desserts, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp

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#18. Kinship

- Rating: 4.2/5 (547 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 1015 7th St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: New American, Desserts, Diners
- Read more on Yelp

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#17. Captain Cookie and the Milk Man Food Truck

- Rating: 4.2/5 (370 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Desserts, Food Trucks, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp

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#16. Jenin Pastry

- Rating: 4.3/5 (187 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5820 Seminary Road Unit M Falls Church, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Bakeries, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp

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#15. Fresh Baguette

- Rating: 4.3/5 (222 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4919 Bethesda Ave. Bethesda, Maryland
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

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#14. Henry's Sweet Retreat

- Rating: 4.3/5 (123 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4823 St. Elmo Ave. Bethesda, Maryland
- Categories: Candy Stores, Desserts, Venues & Event Spaces
- Read more on Yelp

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#13. Dolci Gelati

- Rating: 4.4/5 (261 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1420 8th St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Gelato, Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp

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#12. Eclairons

- Rating: 4.4/5 (172 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1737 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp

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#11. Bakeshop

- Rating: 4.4/5 (1130 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1025 North Fillmore St. Ste G Arlington, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Bakeries, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp

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#10. Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats

- Rating: 4.4/5 (275 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 200 Commerce St. Alexandria, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

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#9. Livin The Pie Life

- Rating: 4.5/5 (261 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2166 North Glebe Road Arlington, Virginia
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#8. Ooh La La Bakery

- Rating: 4.5/5 (115 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2600 University Blvd. West Silver Spring, Maryland
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp

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#7. Three Fifty Bakery and Coffee Bar

- Rating: 4.5/5 (350 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1641 R St. Northwest Ste B Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Desserts, Bakeries, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp

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#6. Un Je Ne Sais Quoi

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1047 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1361 Connecticut Ave. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Desserts, Cafes, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp

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#5. Mount Desert Island Ice Cream

- Rating: 4.6/5 (185 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3110 Mt Pleasant St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#4. Sharbat Bakery And Cafe

- Rating: 4.6/5 (115 reviews)
- Address: 2473 18th St. Nw Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

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#3. Rose Ave Bakery

- Rating: 4.7/5 (475 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2633 Connecticut Ave. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

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#2. Mimi's Handmade Ice Cream

- Rating: 4.7/5 (162 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1201 South Joyce St. Arlington, Virginia
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Bubble Tea
- Read more on Yelp

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#1. Sweeteria

- Rating: 4.9/5 (107 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 8646 Colesville Road Silver Spring, Maryland
- Categories: Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Cynthia Rebolledo, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 241 metros.

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