Nestled in Woodley Park, this charming Asian-American bakery dazzles with a playful lineup of fresh, inventive pastries and friendly vibes.
"There are some bakeries where you must get one particular thing, because it’s the very best thing. But at Rose Ave Bakery, order the entire menu. This spot in Woodley Park sets the standard for sugary confections like tangy passion fruit donuts dusted in raspberry sugar and sticky caramel ube kouign amanns. The moment you step into the always-packed shop, you're hit with excitement and pure joy—until you reach the register and find out they're all out of everything. Take note, dear reader: if you can, swing by early." - omnia saed
"The VP admired the doughnut display but did not indulge immediately." - Tierney Plumb
"Rose Ave Bakery is our go-to spot for, well, anything you get at a bakery or coffee shop. The Asian-owned cafe opens at 8am most days, if you want to swing by for a breakfast of crab rangoon tarts and ube iced coffee. Or come before 4pm for an after-zoo snack of black sesame donuts and matcha chocolate chip cookies. There’s plenty of space to sit and eat, though it does tend to get busy with the remote-work crowd during the week, so walk over to Rock Creek Park around the corner if you need a secondary option. " - tristiana hinton
"Rose Ave Bakery is the cafe where you’ll realize you’ve been spending your coffee budget wrong. The Woodley Park spot’s ube iced coffee will immediately replace whatever nine-extra-pumps-of-hazelnut venti latte you thought was your go-to. With plenty of seating in the pristine white and pink cafe and soft rock gently pulsing in the background, it’s a place where you’re just as likely to take a nap as submit that spreadsheet your boss has been hounding you about all week. Grab a black sesame donut and pound your keyboard until 2pm, when they’ll turn on "Closing Time" and show you the door. " - tristiana hinton
"WASHINGTON, DC There are some bakeries where you must get one particular thing, because it’s the very best thing. But at Rose Ave Bakery in DC, order the entire menu. This spot sets the standard for sugary confections like tangy passion fruit donuts dusted in raspberry sugar and sticky caramel ube kouign amanns. The cafe is always packed, and they often sell out, but it’s worth the effort to show up early and grab a flaky curry butternut squash tart. " - anne cruz