Washington, D.C.'s French influence extends beyond the city's design. Our nation's capital is home to dozens of cafés and bakeries selling authentic pastries.
The city is so spoiled with great options that it can be difficult to navigate them all, so we're offering seven of our top picks for the flakiest, butteriest croissants around town.
See also: 9 Best Cocktail Bars in DC
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1422 Wisconsin Ave NW / Website
This authentic Georgetown café will make you feel like you’re in a local French bakery. The croissants are flaky, just the right amount of buttery and come in regular and mini sizes. You’ll probably want to try everything once you see the selection; treat yourself with the cannelés and pistachio éclairs. Interior seating is limited, but there is abundant seating both street-side and in the back patio.
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1645 Wisconsin Ave NW / Website
While this bakery features a smaller selection than others on this list, the quality of its croissants is no lesser. Grab one of the strong lattes to compliment your pastry, and walk past the coffee bar to the quaint outdoor seating area.
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1737 Wisconsin Ave NW / Website
This unassuming bakery offers a large selection of pastries. If you’re looking for something more innovative than a classic butter croissant, check out their cro’gels! Made of croissant dough and shaped like a bagel, it's the perfect, flaky base for a sandwich fillings. The tomato, mozzarella and pesto cro’gel is a customer favorite.
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1361 Connecticut Ave. NW / Website
Conveniently located in Dupont, Un je ne sais Quoi is a hidden gem. Owned by a French couple, the croissants are freshly made just behind the double doors separating the display case from the kitchen. Enjoy a warm croissant and take a house-specialty merveilleux home for later, made from layers of meringue and ganache.
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3460 14th St NW / Website
This family-owned Columbia Heights business claims it has the best croissants in D.C., and they just might be right. This neighborhood café always has a fresh selection and bakes everything sans bagels in-house.
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430 K St NW / Website
This open and airy Mt. Vernon coffee shop serves a wide variety of pastries, breads and sandwiches, but the croissants are still a highlight. If you’re looking for something savory, try the spinach and feta croissant.
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Multiple locations / Website
This Boston-based café chain is known for its large selection of delicious pastries. The pistachio croissant is a showstopper. Dusted with fresh crushed pistachios and filled with pistachio paste, it’s a delicious twist on the traditional almond croissant. If you like your coffee sweet, we recommend pairing your pastry with the halva latte.
Photography by: Conor Brown / Unsplash
