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Best Donut Shops in Washington DC and Beyond

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Capital Properties DC AB15253

One of my favorite foods any time of the day is a good donut!  Even though my family is Southern, I am not a Krispy Kreme fan.  I have always favored Dunkin' Donuts, which has a good thing since I lived in Boston for two years and both my husband and my daughter went to Boston College.  You can't throw a pebble in the Boston area without hitting a Dunkin Donuts!  One thing I like about Dunkin Donuts is that they will personalize donuts to celebrate the local sports teams - like these purple frosted donuts celebrating the Baltimore Ravens football team and the red white and blue donuts celebrating the Washington Capitals hockey team..

              Caps     Caps

Happily, the world of donuts has grown beyond the competition between Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donuts.  In Washington we have a number of bakeries and donut shops selling incredibly unique donuts.  Here are some of my favorites! 

Astro Donuts and Fried Chicken

The only reason to reject Astro Donuts and Fried Chicken is because you are a cardiologist!  The large donuts that you find at Astro Donuts range from creme brulee to maple bacon to PB&J - with lots in between!  if you are in the mood for something savory, try a fried chicken sandwich which comes on a brioche bun or biscuit or on an Old Bay donut bun with fried chicken, bacon, pickles, lettuce, tomato and Siracha!

Rose Avenue 

Rose Avenue was started by a pediatric nurse and baker, Rose Nguyen.  Her doughnuts are an amazing combination of Southeast Asian flavors like pandan tossed in sugar and filled with coconut cream, strawberry lychee donuts, ube filled ones or passionfruit! 

                           Rose Avenue

Duck Donuts

Otto von Bismarck said that laws are like sausages. It's better not to see them being made.  On the other hand, it is fun to see donuts being made!  At Duck Donuts, all the donuts are made to order and you can watch your donut go through the process from being dropped in hot oil, floating to the surface, being scooped out and then decorated according to your exact specifications!  My favorite is maple bacon!  but there are lots of other choices like Bacon in the Sun, which is a maple bacon donut with salted caramel.  You might like Sunrise (with lemon icing and raspberry drizzle) or the Beach, with vanilla frosting and cinnamon sugar.  As you can guess, Duck Donuts was created at the Outer Banks and many of its donuts reflect its beach birthplace. 

                           

As you can tell, I truly love donuts (since all these photos are mine!) If you want to talk about real estate over a cup of coffee and a donut, I am clearly your person!  If you want more information about the DC metro real estate market, lets connect.  You can reach me at 240-401-5577 or email me at lise@lisehowe.com.  I look forward to hearing where you like to buy your donuts!  

Comments(25)

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Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Carol Williams - a woman after my own heart!  I don't get donuts very often but they are such a treat - and when I am meeting someone for coffee I try to pick a place that has interesting pastries rather than just another Starbucks.  

Mar 16, 2025 08:43 AM
Carol Williams

That would be my preference too, Lise Howe 

Mar 16, 2025 09:02 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Hannah Williams - I find the newer donut shops to be an interesting experience - like a fried chicken sandwich on an old bay donut - so much more fun than a Krispy Kreme - I don't have donuts frequently either - but there are some unique and tasty flavors out there to try on special occasions. 

Mar 16, 2025 08:44 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Dorie Dillard Austin TX - I remember being in Austin for MegaCamp and finding a donut shop with great flavors - a chocolate spicy one that was very special.  Donuts are a great expression of regional flavors that should be tried at least once in a while. 

Mar 16, 2025 08:46 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Michael Jacobs - I believe in everything in moderation - some days the emphasis is on everything and sometimes it is on the moderation - why bother being here if we don't get to enjoy life.  Occasional treats are good for the soul.  If a donut can put a smile on your face then it is worth it. 

Mar 16, 2025 08:47 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Hannah Williams - at least one of these pictures dates back to 2016 so I don't eat a lot of donuts (or at least I don't take a lot of photos of them!) but I think the different types of donut shops that we have around the area - from the beachy one to the Vietnamese influenced one are really interesting and worth celebrating - and occasionally enjoying! 

Mar 16, 2025 08:51 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Nina Hollander, Broker - I bet there are some special donut shops in Charlotte.  When I am meeting someone for coffee I prefer to find a special bakery or donut shop rather than the same old same old Starbucks.  It makes it more of a treat or an adventure to expand my local knowledge. 

Mar 16, 2025 08:52 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Lise Howe I do, as well, Lise. Fortunately I have a lovely little place with amazing pastries just minutes from my home.

Mar 16, 2025 10:30 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is good information to share with area residents and visitors.

Have a great day!

Mar 16, 2025 09:18 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hi  Lise, I was just thinking about you yesterday that I was missing blogs by you.  You ok?  Great information on a donut shop that you are happy with in the D.C. area.

 

Mar 16, 2025 09:35 AM
Patricia Feager
Flower Mound, TX

Lise Howe - I trip to the Dunkin Donut's Store always puts a smile on my face. 

This is a great testimonial about how a good business gives the best they can to the general public. 

Mar 16, 2025 11:19 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Lise, haven't had a donut for quite some time, but they do sound good.   Have a Dunkin' Donut within a few miles, that would be my choice.

Mar 16, 2025 11:33 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

Some years back there was a Krispy Kreme that opened just outside of Hartford. For the first couple of months the lines were ridiculous, but that didn't last long as people knew they could get good service at the DD shops, That KK is no longer open.

Mar 16, 2025 12:58 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Oh my gosh, Lise. I'm glad you're back and thank you for bringing donuts!!!  I too love donuts. We have Shipley's in Houston, which has been around since I was a kid. 

Mar 16, 2025 06:19 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Kathy Streib - I am so sorry that I was away with everything going on!  Glad that you like donuts too! hugs to you! 

Mar 16, 2025 08:06 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 -you have to admire the guy's courage - to open a Krispy Kreme in true Dunkin land! 

Mar 16, 2025 08:07 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Roy Kelley -how are you doing?  I am reading Around the World in 80 days right now and enjoying it so much! 

Mar 16, 2025 08:08 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Will Hamm - I am alive and well - and actually up in Vail right now if you want to take a drive up my way!  We are here until Friday.  I will call you this week. 

Mar 16, 2025 08:08 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Patricia Feager - I hope you are doing well - and yes, you should include a side trip some day to a Dunkin Donuts - their coffee and iced tea are both good! 

Mar 16, 2025 08:10 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Joan Cox -Thanks for the kind words as always - i will try to give you a call if I can catch you between listing appointments - - and enjoy the weather.  It was very snowy for the last 2 days here in Vail! 

Mar 16, 2025 08:10 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Hmm, I am not a big fan of donuts, but I had plenty of ice cream in your area when I was there, haha.  I hope that you will have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day, my dear friend!

Mar 17, 2025 06:34 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Brian England - and the same to you!  I hope you find a wonderful way to celebrate St patricks Day

Mar 17, 2025 06:48 AM