Where to Find the Best Muffins in Northern Virginia

Whether you're a sucker for the classics or are craving an unusual flavor, like Oreo cheesecake, you can find sweet treats at these bakeries and cafés.

By Kate Oczypok • Posted February 17, 2023 at 8:20 a.m.

Photo courtesy Pastry Xpo

Did you know February 20 is National Muffin Day? If you’ve been craving the breakfast dessert, look no further than these six options in Northern Virginia. Don’t forget to pair it with your favorite cup of coffee.

Best Buns

Offering muffins, artisan breads, cupcakes, bagels, rolls, and croissants, Best Buns specializes in all baked goods. If you’re stuck on which muffin you should try, a standout is the banana chocolate chip. For those who want to take home a dozen and freeze them, follow the “Doughs and Don’t’s” section on the menu, which includes everything you need to know about storing and freezing the delicious treats. 4010 Campbell Ave., Arlington

Sweetbites Café

If you’re one of those people who gets to the front of the line and hesitates between a doughnut and a muffin, you’ll sigh with relief at Sweetbites’ Monut Muffin. The sweet treat includes local jam and a cinnamon sugar topping. Savor one with some coffee (try the dulce de leche shakerato) and sit inside or outside at Sweetbites. 6845 Elm St., McLean

Fairfax Bakery

When all you want is a gigantic mountain of sweet breakfast goodness, look no further than Fairfax Bakery’s jumbo muffins. Flavors do vary but the classic flavors are too good not to pass up (think blueberry, cranberry, lemon poppy, etc.). If you want to branch out a bit, try Oreo cheesecake or split a chocolate raspberry with your favorite person. 11211 Lee Hwy., Ste. J, Fairfax

Great Harvest Bread Co.

Great Harvest’s muffins rotate daily, so if you live close by, beware. Grabbing one of these on your way to work may become a habit. Some noteworthy flavors include a carrot raisin walnut — which is perfect for those who don’t like a lot of sweetness — a classic banana walnut, and even a gluten-free muffin that’s one of the better tasting ones I’ve tried. Multiple locations

Pastry Xpo

This local cozy café in the Mosaic District has some great options, including quality pastries and coffee from Europe to the Middle East. Owner and pastry chef Toni Srour has over 40 years of baking and management experience after immigrating from Lebanon at the age of 26. His classic blueberry muffin is magnificent and worth a trip to Falls Church. 8190 Strawberry Ln., Ste. 6, Falls Church

Feature image courtesy Pastry Xpo

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Kate Oczypok

Contributing Writer

Kate Oczypok has been a freelance writer since 2011, and is proud to be a regular contributor to Northern Virginia Magazine in digital and print since 2020. Her bylines have appeared in The New York Times, People.com, Better Homes and Gardens, and locally The Georgetowner and Washingtonian Magazine, among others. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Print Journalism from American University and a M.Ed. in Education from Penn State. She also teaches virtual piano lessons in the after school hours and does portrait photography on weekends.