Cute coffee shop with breakfast and pastries. I had the almond croissant and a small coffee. Both pretty tasty. I definitely will be frequenting this place considering its so close to me. Dog park is right around the corner so we went there afterwards.
(5)
Alison M.
$7.50 for a breakfast panini containing an overcooked fried egg and American cheese on soggy bread. Ummmm no I will not be back. Worst breakfast sandwich I've ever had. I don't know how they get away with charging that much for $2 worth of bad food.
(1)
Esther C.
***3.5 stars*** I judge you by your carrot cake...def not the best I ever had. Looks pretty, though. I think I may have tried the wrong thing? Everything looks pretty, the carrot cake just tasted odd--buttercream frosting base I think instead of the standard cream cheese--what a no no. But ambience was good and the staff friendly. I had to knock down a star for lack of wifi, however. I will come back to try something else at some point.
(3)
Natasha G.
The pastries are tasty here! I like how when you first walk in, your eyes are met with lovely sweets in the glass case. The left side had more desserts while the right side had more savory delicacies. The fruit-based pastries definitely showcase the fruits - I particularly like the mango guava and the lemon raspberry. They are light, sweet, flavorful, and well-sized for the price. I've also had the dulce de leche option; it was dense, had just enough sweetness without being overly sugary, and paired well with the coffee. Unfortunately, I think it had too much coconut in it for me. I almost tasted more coconut than the caramel. What I've also noticed is you will find more sweets that are fruit-based instead of chocolate or nut-based here. I am a fan of how this place can manage to have a huge pastry selection but also offer traditional deli/catering-type sandwiches. I've seen people in here simply getting a sandwich for a true meal but also a quick pastry pick me up. It's nice to see so many locals in here! There are numerous tables for you to hang out. Plus, I think the pricing here makes sense for what you get. Some of the pastries can be pretty filling. The people working here are nice and patient as you spend several minutes trying to decide what you want to get. They are friendly and helpful. On my most recent visit, while I found it annoying to have to ask about what each dessert was (nothing was labeled with names, so you can't figure out the flavors), the woman behind the counter knew each one and gladly told me what was what. Secondly, I've seen that even when the cafe is about to close, customers are not bothered with announcements like "hey, we are about to close so please finish up." This was nice to see, and I can't wait to come back again! Bottom line: if you're in need of an individual dessert, check this place out! Especially if you're in the mood for something with fruit in it.
I really love the pastries at this bakery - honestly, the muffins are the best I have had. Ever. And while I can't imagine going here for lunch (as opposed to breakfast, as the breakfast pastries are insanely good), I've tried a few of their sandwiches and they were delicious too. A little pricey in general, but if you love a good muffin it's worth it. The only thing I don't like about this place is the coffee. It's dark and always tastes burnt. There is, however, a Starbucks right next door, so it's not a huge inconvenience unless you're eating in (and the cafe is more of a grab-and-go type of place).
(4)
Lhynette C. A.
one of the best chocolate mousse cake i have had. The place is very organized, very well staffed and everyone was friendly. I was here for a cake tasting :) So i got to try the creamy cakes and fruity ones too. I lean more towards the cream based cakes more than the ones that contained fruit. The cream based cakes are delicious. Just right! simple and straight to the point. The mousse cakes were chocolatey, rich flavors but it was REALLY light. It wasn't heavy which i love. I can definitely eat a whole cake...without feeling full. The cake part was fluffy and very moist...the mousse part was airy and fluffy, almost marshmallow-y type of texture. Regardless...perfection....delicious...MORE PLEASE. Another favorite of mine is the white chocolate cake. They also serve salads and sandwiches...as well as other donuts, breads and donuts. I think this place is reasonably priced, but i will come back for the mousse cakes...FOR SURE! :)
(3)
Monica A.
Haven't found anything like it! These mouse cakes are so goo that I had them cater my wedding cake some years back... If you try nothing else you must try the Black and White cake... Chocolate cake topped with chocolate mouse and white cake topped with white chocolate mouse topped with shaved milk and white chocolate... So freaking good! Love the mango cheesecake as well... Too many choices I recommend you make a sampler!
(5)
Juliette L.
The views from the cases and the line was a little over whelming at first, but the friendly and extremely helpful and patient staff made the experience a truly amazing one... I got the 3 cheese quiche and an amazing blueberry struesel bar with a very nice priced cup of hot tea of my choice... I bought a pound of specialty cookies and the prices were just as great as the staff. My food was amazing and I will be back as often as possible during my visit to the area. They offer deli goods, lunch sandwhiches, soups and many pre-made ( in house) delicacies to enjoy at home. A must try for anyone in the area.
(5)
Amy F.
This is a great place to have lunch or get a fun treat for yourself. The owner is so nice and I have celiac disease so I love their gluten free muffins that they make. The lunch prices are a bit high but the food tastes great. Thanks for the wonderful service
(5)
Joel P.
Esa expecting a lot more from this place, with all the good reviews and pictures. I order a cake for a birthday 3 days in advance. I even sent pictures with the drawing I wanted it. The prices was fair at least for what I order. The day I picked it up it was simple small very small drawing, with no creativity put on it. I even asked to be creative. I end up with a regular cake with some drawings on it. Not happy at all
(2)
Hannah H.
The Alexandria Pastry Shop & Cafe has been around since '88, and offers cold sandwiches, hot sandwiches, salads, baked goods, and made-to-order cakes. My husband and I came here for brunch; I had the BLT, which you can choose your own bread (croissant, kaiser roll, rye, French, wheat, etc.) - I chose rye; this sandwich came with a generous amount of crispy bacon, fresh lettuce and tomato, with a nice spread of Russian dressing - yum, it was delicious, with the rye bread slightly 'grilled.' My husband had a breakfast plate with potatoes, scrambled eggs, and a few strips of crispy bacon - the home fries were delicious, as they were not overly salted and came out nice and hot. You order up at the cashier, then you situate yourself in the dining area; they call your order up, you pick it up, and then you chow down. A nice little cafe to pick up some good sandwiches. I also was pleasant surprised with the cherry pie 'crusts,' where if you're a huge of pie crusts, this is a great little 'dessert' that you can pick up. :D +BLT sandwich
(5)
LaKeetha M.
I love love love the breakfast selection. There is a wide variety of pastries with plenty of staff to handle the crown. I'm not a big fan of the cappuccino's & lattes since have my cup is filled with foam vs liquid so that's the reason for not awarding 5 stars. Ideally I would love to get my pastry & caffeine from one play but after several tries I stop buying hot beverages there as I'm serious out the hot stuff. No worries the big hot beverage place is right next door so I make 2 stops
(4)
Erica B.
Everything is always delicious! I really like the almond croissants. I have had meals their and pastries- they are always good. They made my husband a delicious and reasonably priced birthday cake which stayed fresh for a long time!
(5)
Elle Z.
One side with pastures and coffee. Other side for food and seating. It ain't europe, but it's okay. Staff is nice.
(3)
Jenny D.
Certainly a nice neighborhood feel, both a coffee shop and a lunch/breakfast spot you can call your own. That said, I went for coffee and a pastry. I got a cappuccino that taste more like a latte and was mediocre at best and a pastry that I would call, just ok. Both were more than I would have paid at a Starbucks, where at least I know what I'm getting. That said I really liked the vibe of the place and hence why I'm giving it 3 stars. I'm holding out hope that perhaps the lunch is better and I have heard that they make really good cakes so there HAS to be a reason they have been in business as long as they have.
(3)
Nina P.
There are 2 things that I order from here over and over. The orzo salad and the london broil salad. They are delicious but very expensive. But in accordance with my philosophy on purchases, 'you get what you pay for'. Good alternative to Starbucks when there's a huge line. Other than that, not much else to say. I'm sure their wedding cakes are great. Their pastries are good.
(3)
D. Whitney R.
Had been a fan of this place until my wife recently bought me a tuna sandwich on wheat bread. The bread was incredibly hard and stale. Very disappointed that a so called "bakery" would make and sell a sandwich with bread so tasteless that I swapped out theirs for some of my own. I do not mind paying a premium for a quality product, but that does not work.
(1)
Local F.
There "first come, first served" line culture doesn't really work. For a sleepy little suburban DMV pastry this place certainly has a bustling clientele. Unfortunately, it has a "locals only" kind of feel. I stopped counting how many customers walked past me on their way to the counter to order. When I tried to move forward the people who ignored me then were the workers. I do not blame the staff. The place was just a clusterf*ck. I had the sticky bun and it was really dry and underwhelming. The pastries looked great though and left me wanting to try something else (if I ever return). Also, the place doesn't have wi-fi. I get it.....free internet would result in even more crowds, but it has a perfect cafe feel. The coffee was delicious!
(2)
Vivian R.
The coffee smells good. The pastries are totally yum. But I got a bagel and cream cheese there yesterday morning, and it was like a brick in my stomach. I took 1 bite, and couldn't stomach more. I'm still searching for some good bagels ever since the neighborhood bagel shop had gone, and taken their great pizza bagels with them. The quest continues...
(4)
Emma C.
I stopped in to grab a cake for my mom's birthday and walked away with a delicious Triple Chocolate Mousse cake. The girl at the counter offered to write 'Happy Birthday Mom!' on it, which made me laugh because I didn't see how she could write on top of the mountain of chocolate shavings that covered the cake, but I went for it. She ended up using icing to write the message on a cookie and put it on top of the cake. It was so cute, I can't believe I didn't take a picture. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Kelley G.
We ordered a round 3 layer cake for 120 people. The top and bottom layer was white chocolate mousse cake with rose details. The middle layer was gold painted chocolate truffle cake. I could not have asked for a better cake, beautiful and yummy. The lady who took our order at APS&CC was super nice & easy to work with. Everyone at the wedding loved the cake. My groom and I are not big cake eaters but every time we visit the shop we get a slice of the white chocolate mousse cake, because its absolutely AMAZING!
(5)
Scott V.
German chocolate cake has been a birthday tradition in my family for decades. The German chocolate cake from this pastry shop is among the best I've ever had. Moist cake. Real chocolate. Deftly-balanced coconut. Five stars compared to maybe the past thirty German chocolate cakes I've had. :)
(5)
Zazie D.
The Alexandria Pastry Shop looks like a cute place to go in. It is always cold inside, summer or winter, so that makes the atmosphere a little less compelling. I went to this pastry shop a few times before, and then I bought 2 Amazon Local coupons. First time I used one, it worked like a charm, I picked the sandwiches and salads of my choice, and went on my merry way. The second time around, my experience was quite the opposite. I had to drive 25 miles round trip for my little expedition, and all I wanted was a few good sandwiches. The manager notices my coupon and tells me I cannot use it on anything from the sandwich side of the store. There are two sides in the store, one with pastries and cakes, and one with sandwiches, salads, quiches, soups. I always went and got goods from the sandwich side, I previously tried the pastry/cake side, and it was not the best. The manager invites me to go to the second class citizen side, where my coupon would belong. The coupon says baked goods, and that is what I can buy with it. I try to make a case about my other coupon, which worked on this side, but he assures me it was a mistake. I understand. I ask for a few slices of quiche, which can surely qualify as baked goods. He says he cannot serve me from this side of the store, which is more expensive, and would make him lose money. I tell him quiche is baked. He refers again to my baked goods side, but he finally agrees that quiche is baked. Nonetheless, he sends me on my way to the other side. By now I was quite unhappy that I drove all the way here and I would not get what I wanted. I went to the baked goods side, though, picked 4 ham and cheese croissants, 2 chocolate croissants, and asked for a slice of tiramisu. Unfortunately they were out of tiramisu. I told them very firmly that tiramisu is the only cake slice I want to get, and got back to the manager's discretion. He tells me to choose anything else from the case, I tell him I do not want anything else. He tries to negotiate again, and finally offers me a frozen $27.99 tiramisu cake, I tell him I only want a slice. He finally agrees to go cut the cake, and give me a slice. He also offers a cup of free coffee, while I wait. I refuse politely. His "kind" way of mending things does not go a long way, I am not interested in free coffee. I am not sure he understood that he just lost a customer (possibly a lot more if people are concerned about customer service), he made 31 cents on this purchase, ended up with a tiramisu cake he needs to sell by the piece, and a bad review. Was sticking to the letter of the coupon worth it? Having made an exception would have rendered me grateful, brought money to the business, and ensured a satisfied customer, who would surely have come back. If I go to a place and find mediocre food, I think twice about writing a review, but if the mediocre food is coupled with poor customer service, I let other people know about my opinion. Kindness and tolerance goes a long way, in life, and especially in the hotel/restaurant business. Even if I read carefully the fine print, I would not have understood the baked goods part, so an exception about sandwich side/baked goods side of the store would have gone a long way. I read other reviews here and each time a coupon is mentioned, the baked goods part is mentioned, also. Frustration, too, especially with the manager. If I want to have good pastries, cakes, baked goods, I go to Whole Foods, Dean and Deluca, Balducci's, Le Pain Quotidien, and of course, Patisserie Poupon. When you have such fierce competition in a cosmopolitan area, when your shop is called a pastry shop, and you want to bring people in for baked goods, it is best to be kind to your customers, and they might just overlook the fact that your pastry shop is simply mediocre, with cake prices rivaling these above mentioned excellent pastry shops. The really expensive cake prices are the only thing rivaling the good pastry shops in the Washington Area, the quality is definitely missing here, at Alexandria Pastry Shop and Cafe, both in the baked goods side of the store, and in the manager customer skills.
(1)
Ross W.
I bought six chocolate chip cookies there the other day and they were nothing special at all. They were on the small side, not much taste to them and six of them cost around $6.50!! That price is fine if the cookies are larger and actually have some taste to them. These were very bland and I threw them away. Very disappointed. I will say there cakes looked very good that were displayed. Maybe they should just stick with the cakes and not even bother selling cookies.....not good at all and very pricey!
(1)
Pamela S.
This place is awesome. It was recommended by a friend and now I am recommending this place to everyone. They have awesome deli sandwiches and for dessert lovers this place is for you. My boyfriend and had a BLT sandwich. It was awesome.
(5)
Olivia T.
Great pastry selection, and the most delicious ham and cheese croissants! The people working there are always very nice, and they have a great selection of all different types of desserts. Their cakes are very beautiful and artistic, and although I've never tasted them, I'm sure that they're worth their price tag. The breakfast pastries include different types of apple/pear/coffee cake bars, all of which are sweet and delicious. Overall, a cute place to have a little breakfast or get takeout pastries.
(5)
Nicole M.
I had Alexandria Pastry Shop do my wedding cake and it was delicious! My husband and I went in to do the taste test and ending up picking the Red Velvet cake. At my wedding I was told it was one of the prettiest cakes they had seen at a wedding. We did mulitple taste testing in the Arlington/Alexandria area and this place was by far the best! I would highly recommend their cakes for any event.
(5)
Longgirl H.
I was looking for a little something before heading to a home inspection and I passed this shopping center. Coffee sounded good, but I am NOT a fan of McDonald's or Starbucks - hold on...a sign says PASTRY AND CAFE. I go in to check it out and see glass cases with some very yummy looking items. On the right there are tables and cases that appear to hold lunch salads, sandwiches and such. You can see that this place would fill up with locals on the weekends. It has a very cozy feel. To the left are glass displays of beautiful cakes, amazing looking muffins, a variety of cookies, pastries and scones. There is also a long counter for making up your coffee and tea drinks. I take a few minutes looking while another customer is talking to the young boy behind the counter. When I look up, he is ready for my order. I select a strawberry almond scone and a cup of coffee. That is how I order my coffee - a cup of coffee. No special descriptions required. Now I admit I can eat anything, but this was by far the best scone I have had in my life. I was moist and delicious. And the coffee was good too. Strong, but without the burnt taste. I would definitely go there again. I just don't know what I would order next time.
(5)
Michael S.
I've never had any of their deli type foods, they serve breakfast and lunch type foods on one half of the store and other half is the bakery. My wife and I bought our wedding cake here and I thought they did a very sufficient job. One small note: Call ahead if you want to talk about ordering specialty cakes. The young students manning the registers will stammer and stare at you if you ask them questions. Talk to a manager. We had a cake tasting and decided to have three different flavors on each layer of the cake. They had tons of photos to choose from of past cakes they have done. It was very smooth and easy going, they delivered our cake the day of the wedding and it went off without a hitch. They were a little finicky about the time table in which they would deliver their cake, but they are just trying to look out for the overall presentation of the cake. The price was fair. A separate, smaller carrot cake was made to eat on the one year anniversary, which we actually cracked into last night. Carrot cake is one of my favorites and though this one was a bit freezer burnt from sitting a year in my fridge, I've had fresher pieces from here and its delicious. There is raisins and bits of pecans in the mix and the frosting is creamy and not too sweet.
(4)
K S.
***3.5 stars*** I've ordered a few beautiful cakes here for special events (only if Victoria's Cakery in Fairfax was unavailable or inconvenient for the event, however!) and have never been disappointed. The cakes are moist and fresh, if a bit less dense than I might prefer - though this could just be the types of cakes I've ordered, as they have lots of choices. The individual pastries are great, too - but go for the fancy stuff (tortes, bombes, mini-cheesecakes) - the everyday cookies and brownies aren't as worth the calorie count! The cafe side is nice - I love avocado as a sandwich toping - but the service is slow and the cleanliness of the seating area leaves something to be desired. Worth a stop if you're in the immediate area or need a big fancy 'event' cake. Update: Had the best chocolate croissant of my ENTIRE LIFE here on Saturday. Huge, buttery, and flaky, full of high-quality chocolate. For $2. Get your accompanying coffee down the street at Starbucks, though - options here are limited and if there's a line it takes forever. This shopping center needs outdoor seating.
(4)
Robyn M.
These cakes are AMAZING! My husbands favorite is the Chocolate Truffle. I am not a very big chocolate fan (but this cake is good), I prefer the rest. We stop by when we are in the area just for a treat! We have used them for years for holiday's and special occasions and I would recommend them to anyone.
(5)
John C.
Wow, we ordered a chocolate cake with cappuccino frosting for my father in-laws 80th b-day, and it was fabulous. The cake was light and moist, and the frosting was fluffy and light. Next big celebration we are coming back.
(4)
Kaden H.
Try the Strawberry Cake, I have served it at many functions and it is a huge hit.
(3)
Mikkela T.
Pretty pennies for pretty pastries. Lots of pennies. The small cakes are $20+ but yummy (the cheesecake was good and the lemon -- even to those of us who dislike lemon cake -- was excellent. Light and airy with only the gele topping done as a translucent jewel yellow.) The beef kabob was chewy (work that jaw!) but flavorful as it was marinated in rosemary. When we went on a crowded crazy Saturday lunchtime (crazy parking!), the airy bakery was busy, each table taken with a Fairfax County/Arlandria/Alexandria/Falls Church-e-ites grabbing a bite while shopping. I did notice some finely packaged (brown satin with creme polka dotted dress) pretty folk waiting to pick up their cake on their way to a soiree or post-races tea? This bakery is located in a mall off of Route 7 where it's called King Street, and that is what the clientele are like as well. This place is nowhere near old town. It's right off of 395. In conclusion, not a lot of soul but good cake to go. Go for the lemon cake and coffee. And bring your pennies in plastic. Postscript: I guess I'm so battered by Fourbucks that I don't notice harsh coffee anymore because Alexandria Pastry Shop's latte was surprising. I was startled to drink a latte with good warm coffee flavor and no harshness.
(4)
Cameron T.
Stopped by on a busy Sunday morning. Purchased plain and chocolate croissants, and a Bavarian Cream cake with fruit. The croissants were good, but not flaky enough. The cake was nice and light and not too sweet. Excellent coffee, not too weak, and not bitter. Customer service was great, and the line moved quickly. I thought the prices were pretty reasonable considering the quality. Hard to find really great bakeries and pastry shops in this area.
(4)
Pamela T.
They have the best cakes, here, period! I make the long excursion to Alexandria a few times a year, just to get one as a special birthday treat for someone I love. Lemon Raspberry? Tiramisu? Triple Chocolate Bavarian? Pear Caramel? Raspberry Marquis? The choosing is the only hard part, the tasting is just so easy. It all just melts away into tastebud heaven, one delicious bite after the next. I got tired of expensive cakes that look great, but don't taste as good as they look. Alexandria Pastry Shop cakes are never guilty of that!
(5)
Judith T.
OMG, I absolutely love this place! During the school year this is my go-to place for my lunch, or just a sweet treat. I definitely recommend the fruit tarts, the marquis, cheesecake (with mango jam on top), the sticky bun, and the danishes (especially the cheese danish with raspberry jam swirled in) if u want something sweet to go with a cup of joe. For lunch i always try something different, there is always some new soup of the day that is delicious, and usually depending on the soup I'll get a sandwich that pairs with it. But there are salads and even take home dishes that vary each day that look very yummy if you just wanna eat something when you get home. :) So when the school year starts back up I'll be here prob almost everyday since its a little far from home (1 hour on bus) and i don't always have the time to stop by. But, support Alexandria's small businesses and stop by, you'll be glad u did.
(5)
Iz A.
I wish I had a better review for this place as I love to support small business and it's very close to my house but the service I've received makes it impossible for me to be more generous. I have been there for lunch twice. Both times, my sandwich order was somehow forgotten. I sat waiting and waiting only to realize that the order never made it from the cashier to the line cook. Both incidents were over a year apart, one time I was alone and the other I had ordered lunch with a friend who got his food within an acceptable wait time. Nobody wants to wait more than 10 min for a simple BLT. Additionally, I found the sandwich prices to be high in relation to the quality of the food. BUT, I am giving the place three stars because I have had a few of their pastries and they were very good while just slightly on the expensive side. My recommendation is to pick up sweet snacks and pre-made food items from this place but go somewhere else for a sandwich if you are in a time crunch or hungry.
(3)
Michele M.
I have been going to the pastry shop for 10 plus years for various occasions. Their pastries, cookies, and cakes are amazing; the sandwiches, soups, and sides are all delicious! It is an excellent go to spot for breakfast, lunch, and for catering needs for special occasions. Earlier this summer they made the MOST amazing cake for my baby shower and cookies to match as favors for the guests. Not only were they decorated to match the theme of the baby shower, they were also absolutely delicious! All the guests at the shower commented on how artistic and tasty they were! They also prepared several side dishes for a bridal shower brunch I hosted in July and again, those were hits of the party. I could not say enough good things about this place!
(5)
Lor B.
---3.5 stars--- I'd give it a 4 if it weren't for the fact that the seating/eat-in area is kinda bleh. I'm thrilled that I've got bakery options other than Korean bakery shops in Annandale, so I roll into Alexandria Pastry Shop & Cafe pretty often to pick
(3)
Peter E.
Not too impressed. Poor customer service behind the counter, if it's crowded, better speak up to get noticed--numbers like Heidelberg might help. Altho, I'd probably work the same as a lethargic high schooler just trying to make some spare change. Went to price cookies with a computer generated picture on top. Expensive. Just go on the Internet and look. Asked to sample the cookie and that was 4bucks plus--just short bread cookie w/orange zest. Superficially, their goods do look tasty, I'll admit.
(1)
Kelly P.
This place is not good at all! We ordered a cake that was totally over priced and it was dry and gross. I wanted a small smash cake for my daughter, they made me wait and told me to come back then said it would cost at least $40.00. I went somewhere else and they made a beautiful cake for $7.00. Try going for breakfast and they will give you a stale pre-made egg sandwitch. Save your money and go somewhere else.
(1)
Parthena K.
This bakery never fails to produce amazing pastries. Their struesel is incredible (my favorite is the peach, although the apple is good too), and their chocolate croissants are very satisfying. They have a fantastic variety of pastries and desserts to choose from, in addition to other lunch sandwiches and decent brunches on weekends. The staff has always been helpful and friendly to me, and while I think their lunch foods are slightly overpriced, the pastries are what they are known for and their desserts should be rated 5 stars in my book. ;)
(5)
Jenny S.
Gave this place a second chance - mistake. Ordered 2 chicken sandwiches to go and they gave me 2 cheese sandwiches instead.
(1)
Aparna B.
my old office used to have a breakfast group (~10 people) that rotated responsibilities every friday. i'd often stop here to pick up muffins (the cherry ones are really awesome) and then run to the nearby safeway to get orange juice and fruit. the staff was extremely accommodating and never seemed annoyed that i wiped out most of their muffin selection in one go. they also serve sandwiches and full breakfasts but i never stopped for long enough to get anything. they face stiff competition with a starbucks right next door, but still seem to always be very busy and full in the mornings.
(4)
Dan H.
Definitely stop in for some tasty pastry treats! They also have coffee, breakfast sandwiches/meals as well as lunch items such as salads, sandwiches, pastas. It's too bad I just found out about this place when it's so close to where I live + I love pastries. I've gone the last two days and have consumed: - Scones: great! Good crust and moist on the inside and not too sweet. - Croissants: Not ultra-flakey so they're slightly more chewy, which is nice. - Cinnamon Sticky-buns: Awesome! With a nut topping they are tasty and don't last long. - Canadian bacon, egg and cheese croissant sandwich - this was premade and it was just heated it up so that was kind of a downer. Good but not great. I'll be back to try some of the other fruit pastries and crumbles plus some more of the cinnamon sticky-buns!
(4)
Jee D.
Such an uncreative name but describes exactly what it is - a pastry shop on one side and cafe on the other, although they have much more than just coffee. This cute little shop feels more small-town than strip-mall which I love. The lunch rush can be quite busy, but I must have lucked out last time since I came in about 12:45 and no one was in line. They have soups of the day, sandwich options, and lots of prepared meals to go, including a variety of salads. The Cobb is my go-to carry out lunch (although at times i wonder if I'm overpaying at $8.99) and their grilled veggies are divine. Curious about their pastries, I bought a Bavarian cream fruit cake to a dinner party recently. The cake was super light with lots of fluffy cream in it, but I did wish the cake had more...um....cake in it. It did receive rave reviews though, and everyone kept asking me where I got it.
(4)
Liliana T.
Oh my God!!!! ......... Bad does not begin to describe the horror which is this "pastry" I can't be 100% sure , but I think the drawing I asked for my Cake was made by a Kindergarden Child .... Sadly, so, so sadly
(1)
Meredith M.
Delicious cakes, pastries, cookies and more! This is my go-to place for a dessert, and always pleases the crowd when I bring something from here to a party or dinner. Great for lunch, or grabbing food to-go. The wedding cakes look divine and they cater also. My favorite thing, hard to choose just one- is the pecan bar, or lemon bar, and the #7 sandwich, Grilled chicken with avocado on a croissant.
(5)
Mariah S.
Thumbs up to their delicious flaky and chewy and so good you croissants will not want to share, despite how gi-normous in size they are. My favorite is the almond-filled; its creamy and gooey texture combines well with the buttery layers of pastry. And don't forget to order their piping hot coffee to accompany it. Please check this place out. Don't drive around town like I did trying to find bakeries with decent pastries. After one bite, you are hooked. It's even better if you warm it in a toaster oven or, if you must, in a microwave but less than 10 seconds. Coming here is worth having to deal with that dreadful Duke/Braddock/Quacker Lane intersections. But come early if you can because they sell out folks!
(5)
Shira S.
Stopped in here quickly to kill some time between clients. The service was prompt and friendly. But, the pecan bar needed something to make it stand out as it was a bit bland with no real discernible flavor. Maybe I just picked the wrong item?
(2)
Amber L.
Sub-par. Purveyors of the saltiest soups and sandwiches in the greater DC/NVA area - possibly correlative with the shop's regular crowd of seniors. The food and drink is overpriced to boot: $14 for a small soup with a tuna sandwich - both too salty, of course. Baked goods are large, expensive and unremarkable-tasting. Deli items are small, expensive and unremarkable-tasting. Bottom line: Save yourself some time in finding your new favorite local lunch place and head to Zoe's Mediterranean Kitchen across the parking lot. Much fresher tasting and better quality (and, I would hazard a guess, probably healthier too.)
(2)
Angel W.
I have frequented the stores in this shopping plaza many times over the years and have overlooked the Alexandria Pastry Shop mainly because I assumed they only sold sweets. When I was getting my hair done a few doors down, I noticed that some of the stylists ordered sandwiches from nearby and I had assumed it was from the wine store a few doors down. The "pastry shop" name does not accurately reflect the business because they sell many other items such as hot and cold sandwiches, omelets, pastas, side dishes, quiches, fruit, soup, etc. Thus far, I have only tried the veggie sandwich, that normally comes on wheat bread but I order it on a baguette. The baguette was super fresh. All of the ingredients were also cold and fresh. You can order the veggie with a hummus or cream cheese topping. I ordered the cream cheese topping which seems to have a hint of garlic. The other toppings are tomato, spinach, cucumber and avocado. The tomatoes were very ripe. The cucumbers were sliced into ridges and the avocado is thickly sliced. The sandwich was quite refreshing and not overly potent. It's a nice sandwich to eat on a day where you might not feel that well or don't want anything overwhelming. The sandwich was so good that I returned the next day for another. Also the price cannot be beat - $5.49 for a large sandwich. Other sandwiches cost $6.99 - $7.99 Their pastas look well seasoned and the prices are very fair $5.99 - $11.99 per lb (the asparagus dish was on the more expensive side). Basically, the prices are similar or less than Whole Foods. Apparently they change out the sides often. I overheard a customer mentioning that they recently had some delicious grilled carrots and butternut squash. I have not tried the pastries. I asked about gluten free items because the store is heavily based in gluten (bread, pasta etc). The only offer two gluten free dessert items (flourless chocolate cake and a chocolate mousse). The staff has been friendly and the lines have been short thus far. I definitely recommend trying this place if you are in the area.
(4)
Danielle C.
Fantastic! A wide array of delicious delicacies and wonderful customer service. Come here for a snack or when you are in need of sweets for an event. They provide for parties, birthdays and even wedding cakes. I recommend.
(5)
EandD S.
When we are craving a luxurious piece of cake, this is our go to shop. We have sampled many of the mousse and specialty cakes. We loved the flavorful Passion Fruit Bavarian with Apricots so much, we selected it for our summer wedding. Ana was very pleasant to work with, the cake was delivered on time and looked beautiful. As far as pricing, we did a lot of research in the DC area and found the per person pricing to be comparable to other wedding cake shops. No complaints from us or our delighted wedding guests!
(5)
Jessie B.
YUM. I live next door and ordered my wedding cake from Alexandria Pastry Shop & Cafe. The managers were wonderful to work with and they had a vast array of designs. I picked a cute, simple design that not only looked WONDERFUL with my decor on my wedding day this past weekend, it tasted delicious! Many of my guests complimented the cake (I chose the triple chocolate mousse cake layered with a cream cake). I highly recommend them not only for wedding cake, but for their pastries and breakfasts.
(5)
Katherine L.
This place is sweet... the ham, cheese and scallion scone I got was a piece of heaven. The coffee was perfect and from local vendor I was told. Also, the Apple raisin strudel I got is excellent. Not too sweet which is perfect. It's a perfectly balanced bite. Seems most places these days make everything waaaay to sweet and it nice to taste the ingredients and not just sugar. Finally, the staff was very friendly. Disregard negative reviews for this place. It's excellent!!!!!
(5)
Kate S.
I was so excited this place was so close to our house! But the people behind the counter are not super helpful and there is no signs in the display case telling you what is what. I have ordered several items including breakfast sandwiches, coffee, pastries and dessert items like brownies and cookies. The price is good but the only thing I would order again is the pastries. The desserts were flavorless and dry and the breakfast sandwich was mediocre.
(3)
Keeley M.
Their pastries are good, but not outstanding, especially considering the price. The presentation is great though and the staff is extremely friendly. I think I could easily find better tasting cupcakes elsewhere. Their German Chocolate cake--absolutely delicious. The store is split into two. On the right side is the cafe (salads, sandwiches, etc.) and as you enter, on the left side are the pastries. The cafe stuff is OK.
(3)
Tawheed H.
The cake was delicious, soft and moist. They need to improve their pick up system as they identify your order by what you ordered and not the name it is under... kinda difficult when you are picking up for someone else and you have no idea what type of cake they ordered... Standing there waiting on them to find the cake had me exercising a ridiculous amount of self control, everything looked amazing, and judging by the line and the smile on everyone's faces as they walked away from the register everything probably tasted amazing as well.
(4)
Nadia A.
I wasn't impressed with the food. I got a chocolate croissant that was dry and flaked everywhere. I also got some kind of latte that was ok.
(2)
Radney P.
The last couple of times I have went there their deserts have been delicious and prepared well. But the last time that I ate some cookies there they were a little bit stale and I think they made my stomach a little bit upset the next day, so now I am a bit cautious about what I eat if I go here.
(3)
Martine C.
I'm in town for a few days and came here for lunch. Had a chicken salad sandwich on French bread. The French bread is really a roll. The food was good. The five stars is for the cake. If your looking for a wedding cake I highly recommend this place. i've never tasted cake this satisfying. The taste was great, but no different than most tasty cakes. What was unique about it is that it melted in my mouth. Now that deserves five stars. I tried two different cakes... both melted in my mouth, rich in taste...amazing.
(5)
Jeffrey C.
This shop is like two shops in one. The cafe side has many pre-prepared pasta salads, simple entrees, and does sandwiches too...for eat in or to go. The bakery side has many nice looking pastries, cookies and more. The cafe seems moderately priced, the bakery is a little higher. Bradlee shopping center has a really solid selection of neighborhood restaurants - this is one of many.
(4)
Ryan K.
Pricey but good, I've gotten both cupcakes and cakes here and both were very good. I like to stop in to pick up treats for clients - they are always well received and I like supporting a local business.
(3)
Charles H.
Situated next to the almighty Starbucks the "Alexandria Pastry Shop & Cafe" provides a local flair to the coffee / pastry scene. In addition to a cup of java they offer soups, salads, pastas, and sandwiches to satisfy your cravings. I was fortunate to dine-in and try their chai spiced latte and strawberry scone. The chai was okay as I prefer the flavor from Starbucks. On the other hand the strawberry scone was off the charts as it delivered freshness from the dough, sweetness from the cream, nutness from the chopped walnuts, and fruitness from the strawberries! If you're in the area stop by and support your local small businesses such as the Alexandria Pastry Shop and Cafe.
(4)
Jim W.
OMG -- best cakes in the Alexandria area. Yummy and delicious. Sometimes there are long lines so be prepared to wait a little. It's worth it.
(5)
Katie F.
I went here for breakfast this weekend with a friend. The ham and cheese croissant was pretty good. That's the only thing that keeps this from being a one-star review. I brought home some stuff for the family. The chocolate chip muffin--something you'd think would be really fresh on a Saturday morning--was really dry and seemed to have weird little bits of stuff that wasn't chocolate. It looked sort of like butterscotch? Maybe? But it didn't taste like anything and felt sort of plastic-y. Bleh. I almost wonder if the girl who helped me misidentified the pastries I ordered, because nothing tasted like what it was supposed to be. The key lime cake had no lime flavor, the lemon tart tasted like coconut, and the highly recommended raspberry-mango cake tasted like nothing in particular. Did I mention that the bottom layer on the two cakes managed to be both soggy and stale? It's a cute place, but I won't be back. There are plenty of other great bakeries in the area--even Wegman's has a much better lemon tart.
(2)
Bethany B.
Things are hit and miss here. I keep going back but it does seem inconsistent. I had a great cake here for a party and then a bad one that was stale for another party. The pastries are generally decent and the cookies and macarons are better than average. I like the coffee and enjoyed the veggie salads and roasted vegetables but found the soups lacking. So give it a try you may be pleasantly surprised or not.
(3)
Leila D.
I had a HORRIBLE experience here. The owner, Tom, is so disrespectful to his employees and customers. I walked in to him cussing out a customer in front of other customers. Very professional, right? I feel bad for all his employees working for him. Everything in the shop is cheap looking. The containers for the forks, spoons, and knives are the same containers for the salads. I don't suggest anyone to go there, unless you want to be disrespected. That place is not going to last once that new Safeway is built. The help wanted sign is up all year round. I don't even know how he has employees when he's so disrespectful. The cookies are expensive just for one cookie. I got one cookie for $2.07 when I can go to Fresh Market for a big donut for $1.00. The owner must be losing a ton of money if he has a $5 minimum. Cheapskate.
(1)
Jewels V.
Excellent service, truly local. Breakfast quesadilla & quiche were perfect. Can't believe I am only now discovering this place. Wide assortment of cakes, cheesecakes, desserts as well as sandwiches, soup, deli pastas, prepared lunches. Good meet-up place for mornings or afternoons, pleasant cafe atmosphere. Great for grab & go meals too. Real food with fresh ingredients, prepared by actual people. Highly recommend!
(5)
TJ M.
For our 1980s formal wedding, my partner and I wanted to find a local pastry shop that could create the ultimate cake for our event - a Rubick's Cube fondant masterpiece complete with He-Man and Skeletor cake toppers (yes!). After visiting the Alexandria Pastry Shop on more than one occasion (their cakes are delicious!) we decided to hire them to create two different cakes for our wedding (a traditional grooms' cake and a larger sheet cake to be stored in the venue's kitchen). When our Rubick's Cube grooms' cake arrived the day of our wedding, we nearly lost our minds! It was absolutely perfect, and all of our guests raved about the Rubick's Cube design - totally tubular! To boot, the cakes were absolutely delicious (pear caramel and bavarian fruit) and perfect for a late summer wedding held outdoors - light and creamy. If you're in the market for a beautiful wedding cake, we highly recommend you stop by Alexandria Pastry Shop - ask for Ana!
(4)
Kate O.
I somehow managed to bookmark this place without realizing when/how I did it. In a way it is a good thing because I was looking for a place for a nice dessert and coffee after a meal. I stopped by this place with my husband on a Sunday afternoon after our dunch/linner. I had a slice of mango mousse cake and my husband had a piece of blueberry crumble bar along with a cup of latte for each of us. Both the pastries were really good. The service was friendly. I think it would be nice if they post a sign with the name of each bakery item so I don't have to bother the staff with naming each one. I will definitely keep this place bookmarked.
(4)
Minna S.
I stopped by this place for the first time and got a cherry bar which tasted pretty good. They have a nice selection of desserts and pastries, and the staff was very friendly.
(4)
Anita T.
I've bought numerous birthday cakes from here for friends and colleagues. All have raved on how light and tasty these cakes are. Not too sweet either. It is a little pricey for a cake but you get what you pay for - excellent quality cakes. Also, the staff is always friendly and helpful and the service has always been impeccable. I highly recommend to anyone seeking a high quality cake/pastry.
(5)
Ro C.
Although, their bakery products are great, their sevice is quite interesting. My co-worker and I went there to eat lunch, where he wanted a meatball sandwich. After a long rigid discussion, they didnt want to make it. Reasoning was that they didnt make the bread. Note that the bread and the meatballs were in sight. We asked that we purchase the items separately and they still denied. So we went somewhere else for lunch. At this place, customer is not always right; customer satisfaction is just not that important.
(2)
Fenny L.
My favorite part of my wedding planning process - had to be the free cake tasting (yes, you get FREE CAKE when you get engaged! If I knew this - I would have gotten engaged far sooner! HAHA!)! I ordered my wedding cake from Alexandria Pastry, and while they were great, there were several missteps. First, when I called to set up an appointment for the cake tasting, they asked me to pick out 3 cakes that we would like to try. Made sense, so we picked 3 random ones, and was set to come in the following Saturday afternoon. When we got there - they had us down for the appointment...but they couldn't find our cakes! No matter, the guy that helped us was hilarious and snagged HUGE slices from their display case! Needless to say, I was in heaven. The cakes were delicious! We had the hardest time picking a flavor. Again, the guy that was helping us (I think his name was "Tony" - but I can't be 100% sure) was very funny and very nice about helping us narrow down our choice. My fiancee (now husband) hates fondant, and the guy was super sweet and walked us through several different options (we went with buttercreme), and as we had no idea about the design of the cake - we were able to flip through their book - and pick out the elements from 3 different cakes, to make the design of ours. The day of the wedding - they delivered on time, although, because the boat was late (see my review of the Odyssey for the full story and review), the driver did give me a few minutes of worry when he called my cellphone in the middle of my pre-wedding photos, to tell me that he was on a strict schedule and he needs to deliver the cake in the next few minutes or he may have to leave and come back! Fortunately, my husband was incredibly nice and persuasive and was able to convince the driver to stay (I'm sure the offer of a bribe was somewhere in this discussion...hahaha!). When I finally saw the cake - it wasn't *exactly* what we ordered. We wanted the layers to be off-set, instead of perfectly centered. But it's a small thing. The cake was DELICIOUS, and the service was great - but they seem to be a wee bit forgetful (our appointment, and the design of the cake), but all in all, I was really satisfied with them.
(3)
Jen S.
*3.5 stars* After checking out the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town, Anna L. went on a hunt to find a bakery to satisfy our sweet tooth. Anna L. immediately got on Yelp to see if any of the bakeries we passed by were worth stopping in. None seemed like it and instead we headed further out to check out Alexandria Pastry Shop and Cafe. She and I both agreed that our caffe latte and cafe mocha were both meh, however, the passionfruit cake and streudel we got were divine. Around the corner they have a selection of real food. Free Wi-Fi, a plus!
(3)
Stacy H.
I had the best wedding cake tasting experience at the APS today. I'm planning a wedding from out of town and had already made up my mind that I would like this place just based on online reviews. Going there in person just confirmed all the glowing reviews about their cakes. The owner Tom and all his staff were VERY nice to me. The raspberry marquis and passion fruit cake were my favorites. Since I came alone, after taking a few bites of each, they packed up the remaining cake slices (and even added an extra slice!) so that I could have my fiancee taste it as well. My future M-I-L liked the mango and guava cake the best, and my mom & her bf liked the raspberry marquis cake the best. Thank you for the amazing cakes!
(5)
Joy H.
I would really like to rate this place higher, as I have enjoyed their pastries, sandwiches, and coffee, but one experience left a bad taste in my mouth (forgive the pun). My boyfriend and I stopped in for breakfast on a Saturday morning. After ordering and finding a seat, we settled in -me with my book and he on his laptop- to enjoy breakfast and tea. We were surrounded by other small groups and single people similarly reading, doing paperwork, or doing crossword puzzles. There was also a large group which seemed to consist of regulars, who took up 2-3 tables. We were there for about an hour, and as it was later in the morning, the place got less and less busy, with several free tables. As I was coming back from ordering a lunch sandwich to-go, I noticed a man speaking with my boyfriend. Lo and behold, it was the manager...asking us to leave soon...as it was Saturday, and they were too busy for us to be taking up a table (?????). Again, there were at least 3 empty tables (I checked). We had eaten, still had our drinks, and I had ordered MORE food, so I wouldn't consider that loitering. Looking around us, we counted several people including the large group that had been there since before we arrived (a couple of them with just a coffee cup on their table). Unless he did it after we left, no one else was spoken to about taking up a table. I have been in the service industry (between retail and private medical practice) for over 20 years. I understand how frustrating it must be for single people to take up a table for a long time on a busy day. I also know that before assuming this is the case, do not offend someone who previously enjoyed your business, spent money, and sang your praises. Because now, I'll never set foot in this cafe again. Sadly, but certainly.
(1)
Michico F.
They catered my friend's brunch party in DC. The Croissants, Fruit Muffins and Bagels were fresh, The Fruit platters were fresh as well. The Frittata and Potato Strata were delish. Overall it was a great brunch party. By the way, the guy who delivered the food to the party was super cute :)
(5)
Dana P.
The pastries, coffee, and baked goods are SO yummy here! But, what I was most impressed with was the staff. Each and every one of them knew each pastry so well, and was able to help the customer find exactly what they were craving. They also had a deli-like station on the opposite side (I didn't get to taste any, but I stared at it for a long time), with many options to choose from! Please go here, it's well worth your time!
(4)
Ellen K.
I've loved this place since I was a little kid, and no other cake places in the area have been able to top it! My family likes mousse cakes, so I'm not sure what their buttercream cakes are like, but their mousse cakes are soooo yummy. My favorites are the triple chocolate mousse cake and the lemon mousse with raspberries. It's too bad most of my loved ones have birthdays concentrated in the fall and winter because I've never been able to try the peach mousse cake, but that's definitely on my to-devour list!
(5)
Anne L.
They have great coffee and a nice selection of pastries! When the line at Starbucks is crazy long, give them a try! You won't be disappointed! Just FYI bring cash, cause they have a $5 min for credit card payments
(4)
Jon K.
A nightmare to say the least....... Can I give zero stars????? OK, so I remember liking this place several years ago. Must have been 7 or 8 years ago when I last went. Things have changed drastically since I last went. Things went terribly here to say the least. I take my wife here for breakfast today because she had to work early. I had a living social coupon for $20 I tried to use, they didn't take it saying it was only good for "baked goods." No big deal, but the manager and cashier were very rude about it and copped the better than you attitude. No big deal, I was actually hungry and looking forward towards eating. I ordered a mocha and my wife ordered a water and a regular coffee for drinks. My wife and I both ordered the scrambled eggs, bacon, and potatoes for breakfast. The scrambled eggs were runny as hell and not tasty at all. The bacon was fine, best thing on the plate. The potatoes were hard to cut through and greasy and over seasoned. My mocha tasted odd, like someone went crazy with the chocolate or hershey's syrup...yuck. Another thing that bugged me is the flimsy plastic plates and plastic silverware. I mean come on, if your charging these prices for breakfast you can man up and do it right with the eating utensils and get regular plates. A bunch of full blown idiots must be running this place I guess. Next time I want a quick breakfast I'll just go to ihop or the barnside diner down the street. Avoid this place like the plague.......
(1)
Jennifer C.
I purchased a black and white cake from them last week for my friend's birthday. It wasn't one that I had ordered special, I just went and got one from their case. I was afraid it might be dry but it was a huge hit! The mousse filling layers were really delicious and it was so pretty. It wasn't cheap, but certainly was good!
(4)
Rebecca A.
This place is hit or miss. Most of the breakfast pastries are good. Almond croassant is very delicious( that what keeps us coming to this place). Lunch items are OK, IF served on a clean plates and not a large chunk of melted cheese from previously made dish. Overall is good, but I give the service 1 star over many visits.
(3)
Anne E.
One of the best cakes I've ever tasted. Gave them a kind of short notice and they took my order! Gave them a photo of how I wanted it to look like and they did surprise me because they exceeded my expectations. Cake is moist too and not too sweet. Everyone at the party loved it! Will definitely be back in the future. Yey!
(5)
Cortney P.
I eat lunch here at least once a week. Sandwiches and salads are super fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. They did my wedding cupcakes Oct 2010 and my sister's wedding cake Sept. 2011 and they were both on point. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
(5)
Rachel S.
I have been there numerous times, because they are close to my home. However I am done. Outside of the fact that it always looks like the people behind the counter are doing you a favor by helping you, it is hit or miss whether or not your items will be stale. Very disapointing.
(1)
Chris S.
Not too bad, I picked up a few cookies for the wifey. M&M cookies as well as the chocolate chip. I wasn't exactly impressed. Good enough for a cookies but nothing to discriminate these from home made, or others.
(3)
Shay F.
I went here on the recommendation of my mother and it was ok coming from out of town. We ordered about $25.00 worth of baked goods and for that type of money I was expecting better. I had the brownie and it tasted more like fudge than a brownie. The carrot cake slice had to much clove or something and that was not good at all. We also purchased 4 different types of slices of cake. I had the tiramisu cake and some of the cake was moist and some of the cake was dry. Overall the cake was good I will get that again, but I will eat the cake the same day. My personal opinion you need to eat their baked goods the same day and not the next day.
(3)
Meredith W.
The cake was pretty but incredibly dry. I was really disappointed given the price. And a bit embarrassed to serve it to my guests.
(2)
Mac O.
This is the kind of place you could eat at for years and years (like me), but it always evades your radar until someone suggests you meet there for lunch (like me). I never think about it as a breakfast or lunch option when I'm considering my breakfast or lunch options, which is odd given how much I like it and how good the food is. The "meal" food is fresh, delicious, straight-forward fare aimed to please. Omelets, waffles, fruit, and pastries at breakfast. Soups, sandwiches, quiche, and salads at lunch. Always changing, always different whenever you stop in. There's a large glass display case showcasing all of APS' inventive salads -- couscous and currants, grilled vegetables, cherry tomatoes and fresh mozz, corn and black bean, fusilli with asparagus and provolone....as well as their several daily quiche options. Some sammies are available hot, others come cold. Soup changes by the day, usually old standards such as broccoli cheddar or chicken noodle. Everything's available dine-in or to-go; salads come in several sizes for take-home. Save room for the pastries, tho, because they're great here. I'm particular to the fruit tarts, but any beautiful baked good your brain can conjure is available here, too. Get a box of assorted goodies or a full cake for your next office function or family get-together and be a hero. The decor is pretty spartan, but I like the little touches like the fried eggs painted onto the plain wood tabletops. Prices are right-on and affordable. And the service is always with a smile, and typically provided by some fresh-faced high-schooler. Ah, to be that young (and to have that metabolism) again...
(4)
Cindy C.
I wish fewer than one star was available. I live in the neighborhood and the service and mix-ups on simple orders are so bad that at times I think I am being punk'd or on the old candid camera show. And it is getting worse. 1,) At least 50% of the time my food order (items off the menu) is not even close. One time, ordered a sandwich off their menu, the manager insisted I had said two (I had not) and tried to charge me for 2 which I had not ordered. No apology of course. 2.)The sandwiches are numbered on the menu but each time they seem to act like they have never had a request for a sandwich. I have been given the wrong sandwich or ordered a sandwich only to be told the bread or a key ingredient was out (happened today so after 20 minutes of comical mix-ups I asked for my money back and left...of course they first tried to give me one I had not ordered). 3.) Another time, with no others in line and watching the employees kill time, I asked after 10 minutes if someone could make the sandwich I ordered and paid for. They acted like "we will do it when we are good and ready." 4.) Another time I observed a customer in front of me use a groupon deal and she spent part of her deal $. Only after her purchase did the owner tell her that she had to spend it all at once and he would not let her amend her order to get the full value of the groupon that she had paid for (and she had not even stepped out of line). Amazingly deceptive and unprofessional. 5.) Another time ordered a hot vegetarian sandwich and got some strange cold concoction of a sandwich that was not even on the menu. I took it back in and spent some time pointing out the items on their menu to them. And the woman who usually make the sandwiches is very passive aggressive and clearly resents when she has to come out of the backroom to make a sandwich. 6.) If you order pastries you have to watch what they put in the box. I have ordered 3-4 pastries (all one kind) and ended up with items I did not order as part of my items (and counting towards my items..one time is was two old lemon bars). It would seem to me with this economy that they would have to try better. They really seem to have little concern for their customers. I'd rather stand in line and buy soup from the soup Nazi in NYC. I will not be returning again. Update: Not too long after I posted this review, I received an email from this place offering to buy me lunch so I could tell them how to improve their business! Seriously. I did not respond and perhaps they need to simply read my review and others. I felt if they needed a consultant, my time (which they have wasted a lot of in the past) was worth more than one of their lunches.
(1)
Marianne L.
I've wandered in here from time to time and have had several things from their pastries to their salads and sandwiches. Everything I've ever had has been exceptionally good and well prepared. And the staff is always wonderful to deal with, even when they are extremely busy. Based on positive experiences I've had over the years - stopped in (on no notice) to get a cake for a celebration at work for our dept. admin's wedding send off. Got the cutest little cake with strawberries. The lady behind the counter even gave me a little bride and groom teddy bear set that we could put on top. As others have mentioned, prices aren't cheap (but they do have a range - not everything is exorbitant), but you certainly get what you pay for in service and quality of product.
(4)
Tavon B.
This place is pretty good. It was my first wedding anniversary and someone told me that we were supposed to eat the cake topper from the wedding to celebrate. Well, the wedding cake was completely consumed that day including the topper. The original baker was in Philadelphia so I thought we were at a loss (until a coworker told me how amazing these people at Alexandria Pastry Shop were). I took a picture of the cake to them and asked them to duplicate it. It was a pretty fancy cake - pearls, sugar flowers, iridescent fondant and crap like that. APS made an exact replica. It was rather remarkable. My wife didn't even recognize that it wasn't our cake. They did a fantastic job, and the cake itself (Black & White Chocolate Mousse) tasted pretty good. The only thing I would say was unfavorable was the price. It was rather high for a small cake topper ($40-something dollars). I think if you say the word, "wedding," to anyone the price almost doubles. Anyway, I would go there again - maybe for the cookies next time.
(4)
Rob R.
You might have a hard time narrowing down your choice(s) when you visit this bakery! Acting on a tip from a co-worker, my wife and I checked out this place. We were satisfied with the quality of the pastries and also the price & service. It definitely seems to be a favorite among locals, as we had to watch over the tables until someone finished with their meal. I wish there was more seating. Overall, this was a good find and I'll be here again sometime soon. Highly recommend.
(4)
Dawn B.
Brought their Fruit tart and Pumpkin Pie to Thanksgiving 2010. Although both were eaten, the fruit tart lasted a total of 15min when the entire family got wind of its existence. The tart itself was the perfectly cooked and the fruit was so fresh tasting. Definitely would by the tart again; real hit of the Thanksgiving dessert table. As for the Pumpkin, the crust was hard and difficult to cut with a knife. I hope they work on the crust for next year. All said and done... great bakery enough said.
(4)
Sara S.
DEEELICIOUS! The desserts are almost too pretty to eat, but definitely eat them b/c they are so scrumptuous. Black and white cake and strawberry shortcake are my favorite. I even had my wedding cake made from here and it was beautiful and delivered on time. They also have the best blueberry muffins I've ever had, and I've had a lot of blueberry muffins. It's perfectly fluffy with clusters of moist blueberries. I don't go on the otherside for the regular food, but I've had some sandwiches which are okay and the asparagus/hearts of palm salad is fantastic, but can be very expensive.
(5)
Kristy H.
For the cake: 3.5 stars I got my friend's baby shower cake here in September. They did a really fabulous job decorating it. I gave them one of the invitations and asked them to duplicate a graphic on it, which they did, and for a pretty reasonable price. I was disappointed with the cake itself -- I thought it was dry. It was a chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting. I had it in the refrigerator for 24 hours before serving it at the baby shower, which probably contributed to its dryness. They get major bonus points for being able to do a cake at the last minute, though. I had initially ordered it elsewhere, and the plans there fell through. I went to Alexandria Pastry on Friday afternoon and they had the cake ready for me on Saturday morning. For the sandwiches: 4.5 stars I've had the tarragon chicken salad sandwich, the italian, and the buffalo chicken sandwich. The chicken salad was really good, but it is definitely overshadowed by the buffalo chicken, which is probably my new favorite sandwich in all of Alexandria. It comes on ciabatta, with the buffalo chicken, which has Crystal Hot sauce to thank for its spiciness (I ask for extra). It also comes with russian dressing, bacon, provolone cheese, and lettuce. However, the last time I ordered it I had them hold the cheese, and you know what? It did not subtract from the deliciousness of the sandwich whatsoever. I think next time I will ask them to hold the cheese AND the bacon, to make it slightly less unhealthy. This sandwich is all about the sauces and the bread, which is very fresh and moist. As for the italian sandwich, I've only tried it once, and while it was good I was a little disappointed. It was somewhat dry -- next time I will ask for more oil and vinegar. My boyfriend tried the grilled cheese, which looked unimpressive. Now I just need to try their other baked goods, which look delicious! In addition to the sandwiches, they have a case of prepared salads and other dishes, which I also have yet to try. When you walk in, those items are on the right side -- kind of hidden if you walk in via the left door, and go straight to where you order your sandwich. Oh, they also serve MTO omelets on the weekends, breakfast sandwiches, and I think I've seen quiches as well. Definitely worth checking out!
(4)
Karman L.
Got a carrot cake for co-workers birthday! It's a cute pastry place, I think they serve breakfast here too. Will come back and chill. alexandriapastry.com FYI - the store is in the Bradley Shopping center
(4)
Sach Bob C.
I love this place for the blueberry scones and their cool holiday theme cookies. That's it!!!
(4)
BBoo'sMama B.
I ate a slice of their beautiful Passionfruit Bavarian cake and it was a revelation. Have not been to the shop, but a friend brought this lovely cake to a holiday party. I look forward to visiting and tasting more things.
(4)
A B.
I've been coming here for years and don't see that changing anytime soon as long as I live in the area and they're still open. BUT this review is strictly for the bakery side of the place, as I never make it past that and onto the non-sugary foods on the other side. Yeah, it's a little expensive, but you get what you pay for and the quality here is unparalleled. I LOVE their seasonal cheesecakes (mango in summer, cranberry in winter...although I prefer the mango to the cranberry) - the crusts are perfect and it's not overwhelmingly rich. Every single cake item looks perfect. PERFECT. not one flaw. I picked up a fruit tart during the winter holiday season and it even had gold leaf all over it. Unnecessary and over the top, and although tasteless, it was a good point of conversation at dinner. Other standouts - crumb cakes (in various flavors - blueberry, apple raisin, raspberry...), the chocolate raspberry marquis cake, there is some kinda passion fruit/apricot sorta thing too.....aw why bother listing, there really isn't anything you could order here that they'd mess up. The quality is just that good. They will never let you down when it comes to a sugar craving.
(5)
Jennifer L.
I haven't had anything bad at this place. Their cakes are expensive, but worth every single penny- light, not too sweet, no "icing" in sight and lots of flavor! Their pastries are more European style- great with a cup of coffee/tea. The food is OK- nothing special, but at least it tastes like it's fresh!
(5)
Lauran M.
I picked up a roast beef sandwich, chocolate ganache cake and a mango mousse cheesecake. I'm so glad I chose the cheesecake at the last minute because I would have been completely underwhelmed by the food otherwise. The roast beef was on a plain white roll and the horseradish sauce had absolutely no zing. It was a little mushy and boring. The chocolate cake was pretty to look at but the cake was fairly dry and the ganache thick and sticky. Not fun, and I wanted it to be. I've been to this shop once before and I doubt that I'll go back. Panera has better bread and more interesting food.
(2)
Faylinda K.
The chocolate torte and the fruit tart are on my top 10 foods list. The chocolate torte is dark and darker still with very little flour and lots of chocolate flavor. The cake which is ridiculously expensive is decorated with dark chocolate dipped whole strawberries. My birthday cake every year. The fruit tart is my son's birthday cake every year - he who is not a chocolate fan. The shortbread crust is perfect, the filling is rich and creamy and the fruit is a tossed salad of perfect gems of brilliant whole berries heaped high.
(5)
M K.
I used to live near here over 10 years ago and recently moved back to the area. I was thrilled to find this shop still in the same local strip mall! I remembered loving their cakes, they make really good mouse cakes (mango, rasberry, passion fruit, chocolate, and more.) This time around I am enjoying their reasonably priced ($2 I think) bars with fruits, nuts and more. My new favorites are cherry, peacan, almond, pear, etc. The bar size is generous for the price and makes a great desert to bring to friends/family. I wish they are open later so I can walk over when I get the craving for not-so-sweet sweet at night. Their prepared food is also great.
(5)
Cameron T.
Stopped by on a busy Sunday morning. Purchased plain and chocolate croissants, and a Bavarian Cream cake with fruit. The croissants were good, but not flaky enough. The cake was nice and light and not too sweet. Excellent coffee, not too weak, and not bitter. Customer service was great, and the line moved quickly. I thought the prices were pretty reasonable considering the quality. Hard to find really great bakeries and pastry shops in this area.
(4)
Pamela T.
They have the best cakes, here, period! I make the long excursion to Alexandria a few times a year, just to get one as a special birthday treat for someone I love. Lemon Raspberry? Tiramisu? Triple Chocolate Bavarian? Pear Caramel? Raspberry Marquis? The choosing is the only hard part, the tasting is just so easy. It all just melts away into tastebud heaven, one delicious bite after the next. I got tired of expensive cakes that look great, but don't taste as good as they look. Alexandria Pastry Shop cakes are never guilty of that!
(5)
Judith T.
OMG, I absolutely love this place! During the school year this is my go-to place for my lunch, or just a sweet treat. I definitely recommend the fruit tarts, the marquis, cheesecake (with mango jam on top), the sticky bun, and the danishes (especially the cheese danish with raspberry jam swirled in) if u want something sweet to go with a cup of joe. For lunch i always try something different, there is always some new soup of the day that is delicious, and usually depending on the soup I'll get a sandwich that pairs with it. But there are salads and even take home dishes that vary each day that look very yummy if you just wanna eat something when you get home. :) So when the school year starts back up I'll be here prob almost everyday since its a little far from home (1 hour on bus) and i don't always have the time to stop by. But, support Alexandria's small businesses and stop by, you'll be glad u did.
(5)
Iz A.
I wish I had a better review for this place as I love to support small business and it's very close to my house but the service I've received makes it impossible for me to be more generous. I have been there for lunch twice. Both times, my sandwich order was somehow forgotten. I sat waiting and waiting only to realize that the order never made it from the cashier to the line cook. Both incidents were over a year apart, one time I was alone and the other I had ordered lunch with a friend who got his food within an acceptable wait time. Nobody wants to wait more than 10 min for a simple BLT. Additionally, I found the sandwich prices to be high in relation to the quality of the food. BUT, I am giving the place three stars because I have had a few of their pastries and they were very good while just slightly on the expensive side. My recommendation is to pick up sweet snacks and pre-made food items from this place but go somewhere else for a sandwich if you are in a time crunch or hungry.
(3)
Michele M.
I have been going to the pastry shop for 10 plus years for various occasions. Their pastries, cookies, and cakes are amazing; the sandwiches, soups, and sides are all delicious! It is an excellent go to spot for breakfast, lunch, and for catering needs for special occasions. Earlier this summer they made the MOST amazing cake for my baby shower and cookies to match as favors for the guests. Not only were they decorated to match the theme of the baby shower, they were also absolutely delicious! All the guests at the shower commented on how artistic and tasty they were! They also prepared several side dishes for a bridal shower brunch I hosted in July and again, those were hits of the party. I could not say enough good things about this place!
(5)
Lor B.
---3.5 stars--- I'd give it a 4 if it weren't for the fact that the seating/eat-in area is kinda bleh. I'm thrilled that I've got bakery options other than Korean bakery shops in Annandale, so I roll into Alexandria Pastry Shop & Cafe pretty often to pick
(3)
Peter E.
Not too impressed. Poor customer service behind the counter, if it's crowded, better speak up to get noticed--numbers like Heidelberg might help. Altho, I'd probably work the same as a lethargic high schooler just trying to make some spare change. Went to price cookies with a computer generated picture on top. Expensive. Just go on the Internet and look. Asked to sample the cookie and that was 4bucks plus--just short bread cookie w/orange zest. Superficially, their goods do look tasty, I'll admit.
(1)
Kelly P.
This place is not good at all! We ordered a cake that was totally over priced and it was dry and gross. I wanted a small smash cake for my daughter, they made me wait and told me to come back then said it would cost at least $40.00. I went somewhere else and they made a beautiful cake for $7.00. Try going for breakfast and they will give you a stale pre-made egg sandwitch. Save your money and go somewhere else.
(1)
Parthena K.
This bakery never fails to produce amazing pastries. Their struesel is incredible (my favorite is the peach, although the apple is good too), and their chocolate croissants are very satisfying. They have a fantastic variety of pastries and desserts to choose from, in addition to other lunch sandwiches and decent brunches on weekends. The staff has always been helpful and friendly to me, and while I think their lunch foods are slightly overpriced, the pastries are what they are known for and their desserts should be rated 5 stars in my book. ;)
(5)
Jenny S.
Gave this place a second chance - mistake. Ordered 2 chicken sandwiches to go and they gave me 2 cheese sandwiches instead.
(1)
Kristy H.
For the cake: 3.5 stars I got my friend's baby shower cake here in September. They did a really fabulous job decorating it. I gave them one of the invitations and asked them to duplicate a graphic on it, which they did, and for a pretty reasonable price. I was disappointed with the cake itself -- I thought it was dry. It was a chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting. I had it in the refrigerator for 24 hours before serving it at the baby shower, which probably contributed to its dryness. They get major bonus points for being able to do a cake at the last minute, though. I had initially ordered it elsewhere, and the plans there fell through. I went to Alexandria Pastry on Friday afternoon and they had the cake ready for me on Saturday morning. For the sandwiches: 4.5 stars I've had the tarragon chicken salad sandwich, the italian, and the buffalo chicken sandwich. The chicken salad was really good, but it is definitely overshadowed by the buffalo chicken, which is probably my new favorite sandwich in all of Alexandria. It comes on ciabatta, with the buffalo chicken, which has Crystal Hot sauce to thank for its spiciness (I ask for extra). It also comes with russian dressing, bacon, provolone cheese, and lettuce. However, the last time I ordered it I had them hold the cheese, and you know what? It did not subtract from the deliciousness of the sandwich whatsoever. I think next time I will ask them to hold the cheese AND the bacon, to make it slightly less unhealthy. This sandwich is all about the sauces and the bread, which is very fresh and moist. As for the italian sandwich, I've only tried it once, and while it was good I was a little disappointed. It was somewhat dry -- next time I will ask for more oil and vinegar. My boyfriend tried the grilled cheese, which looked unimpressive. Now I just need to try their other baked goods, which look delicious! In addition to the sandwiches, they have a case of prepared salads and other dishes, which I also have yet to try. When you walk in, those items are on the right side -- kind of hidden if you walk in via the left door, and go straight to where you order your sandwich. Oh, they also serve MTO omelets on the weekends, breakfast sandwiches, and I think I've seen quiches as well. Definitely worth checking out!
(4)
Karman L.
Got a carrot cake for co-workers birthday! It's a cute pastry place, I think they serve breakfast here too. Will come back and chill. alexandriapastry.com FYI - the store is in the Bradley Shopping center
(4)
Sach Bob C.
I love this place for the blueberry scones and their cool holiday theme cookies. That's it!!!
(4)
BBoo'sMama B.
I ate a slice of their beautiful Passionfruit Bavarian cake and it was a revelation. Have not been to the shop, but a friend brought this lovely cake to a holiday party. I look forward to visiting and tasting more things.
(4)
A B.
I've been coming here for years and don't see that changing anytime soon as long as I live in the area and they're still open. BUT this review is strictly for the bakery side of the place, as I never make it past that and onto the non-sugary foods on the other side. Yeah, it's a little expensive, but you get what you pay for and the quality here is unparalleled. I LOVE their seasonal cheesecakes (mango in summer, cranberry in winter...although I prefer the mango to the cranberry) - the crusts are perfect and it's not overwhelmingly rich. Every single cake item looks perfect. PERFECT. not one flaw. I picked up a fruit tart during the winter holiday season and it even had gold leaf all over it. Unnecessary and over the top, and although tasteless, it was a good point of conversation at dinner. Other standouts - crumb cakes (in various flavors - blueberry, apple raisin, raspberry...), the chocolate raspberry marquis cake, there is some kinda passion fruit/apricot sorta thing too.....aw why bother listing, there really isn't anything you could order here that they'd mess up. The quality is just that good. They will never let you down when it comes to a sugar craving.
(5)
Jennifer L.
I haven't had anything bad at this place. Their cakes are expensive, but worth every single penny- light, not too sweet, no "icing" in sight and lots of flavor! Their pastries are more European style- great with a cup of coffee/tea. The food is OK- nothing special, but at least it tastes like it's fresh!
(5)
Lauran M.
I picked up a roast beef sandwich, chocolate ganache cake and a mango mousse cheesecake. I'm so glad I chose the cheesecake at the last minute because I would have been completely underwhelmed by the food otherwise. The roast beef was on a plain white roll and the horseradish sauce had absolutely no zing. It was a little mushy and boring. The chocolate cake was pretty to look at but the cake was fairly dry and the ganache thick and sticky. Not fun, and I wanted it to be. I've been to this shop once before and I doubt that I'll go back. Panera has better bread and more interesting food.
(2)
Faylinda K.
The chocolate torte and the fruit tart are on my top 10 foods list. The chocolate torte is dark and darker still with very little flour and lots of chocolate flavor. The cake which is ridiculously expensive is decorated with dark chocolate dipped whole strawberries. My birthday cake every year. The fruit tart is my son's birthday cake every year - he who is not a chocolate fan. The shortbread crust is perfect, the filling is rich and creamy and the fruit is a tossed salad of perfect gems of brilliant whole berries heaped high.
(5)
M K.
I used to live near here over 10 years ago and recently moved back to the area. I was thrilled to find this shop still in the same local strip mall! I remembered loving their cakes, they make really good mouse cakes (mango, rasberry, passion fruit, chocolate, and more.) This time around I am enjoying their reasonably priced ($2 I think) bars with fruits, nuts and more. My new favorites are cherry, peacan, almond, pear, etc. The bar size is generous for the price and makes a great desert to bring to friends/family. I wish they are open later so I can walk over when I get the craving for not-so-sweet sweet at night. Their prepared food is also great.
(5)
Aparna B.
my old office used to have a breakfast group (~10 people) that rotated responsibilities every friday. i'd often stop here to pick up muffins (the cherry ones are really awesome) and then run to the nearby safeway to get orange juice and fruit. the staff was extremely accommodating and never seemed annoyed that i wiped out most of their muffin selection in one go. they also serve sandwiches and full breakfasts but i never stopped for long enough to get anything. they face stiff competition with a starbucks right next door, but still seem to always be very busy and full in the mornings.
(4)
Ryan K.
Pricey but good, I've gotten both cupcakes and cakes here and both were very good. I like to stop in to pick up treats for clients - they are always well received and I like supporting a local business.
(3)
Charles H.
Situated next to the almighty Starbucks the "Alexandria Pastry Shop & Cafe" provides a local flair to the coffee / pastry scene. In addition to a cup of java they offer soups, salads, pastas, and sandwiches to satisfy your cravings. I was fortunate to dine-in and try their chai spiced latte and strawberry scone. The chai was okay as I prefer the flavor from Starbucks. On the other hand the strawberry scone was off the charts as it delivered freshness from the dough, sweetness from the cream, nutness from the chopped walnuts, and fruitness from the strawberries! If you're in the area stop by and support your local small businesses such as the Alexandria Pastry Shop and Cafe.
(4)
Jim W.
OMG -- best cakes in the Alexandria area. Yummy and delicious. Sometimes there are long lines so be prepared to wait a little. It's worth it.
(5)
Katie F.
I went here for breakfast this weekend with a friend. The ham and cheese croissant was pretty good. That's the only thing that keeps this from being a one-star review. I brought home some stuff for the family. The chocolate chip muffin--something you'd think would be really fresh on a Saturday morning--was really dry and seemed to have weird little bits of stuff that wasn't chocolate. It looked sort of like butterscotch? Maybe? But it didn't taste like anything and felt sort of plastic-y. Bleh. I almost wonder if the girl who helped me misidentified the pastries I ordered, because nothing tasted like what it was supposed to be. The key lime cake had no lime flavor, the lemon tart tasted like coconut, and the highly recommended raspberry-mango cake tasted like nothing in particular. Did I mention that the bottom layer on the two cakes managed to be both soggy and stale? It's a cute place, but I won't be back. There are plenty of other great bakeries in the area--even Wegman's has a much better lemon tart.
(2)
Bethany B.
Things are hit and miss here. I keep going back but it does seem inconsistent. I had a great cake here for a party and then a bad one that was stale for another party. The pastries are generally decent and the cookies and macarons are better than average. I like the coffee and enjoyed the veggie salads and roasted vegetables but found the soups lacking. So give it a try you may be pleasantly surprised or not.
(3)
Leila D.
I had a HORRIBLE experience here. The owner, Tom, is so disrespectful to his employees and customers. I walked in to him cussing out a customer in front of other customers. Very professional, right? I feel bad for all his employees working for him. Everything in the shop is cheap looking. The containers for the forks, spoons, and knives are the same containers for the salads. I don't suggest anyone to go there, unless you want to be disrespected. That place is not going to last once that new Safeway is built. The help wanted sign is up all year round. I don't even know how he has employees when he's so disrespectful. The cookies are expensive just for one cookie. I got one cookie for $2.07 when I can go to Fresh Market for a big donut for $1.00. The owner must be losing a ton of money if he has a $5 minimum. Cheapskate.
(1)
Jewels V.
Excellent service, truly local. Breakfast quesadilla & quiche were perfect. Can't believe I am only now discovering this place. Wide assortment of cakes, cheesecakes, desserts as well as sandwiches, soup, deli pastas, prepared lunches. Good meet-up place for mornings or afternoons, pleasant cafe atmosphere. Great for grab & go meals too. Real food with fresh ingredients, prepared by actual people. Highly recommend!
(5)
TJ M.
For our 1980s formal wedding, my partner and I wanted to find a local pastry shop that could create the ultimate cake for our event - a Rubick's Cube fondant masterpiece complete with He-Man and Skeletor cake toppers (yes!). After visiting the Alexandria Pastry Shop on more than one occasion (their cakes are delicious!) we decided to hire them to create two different cakes for our wedding (a traditional grooms' cake and a larger sheet cake to be stored in the venue's kitchen). When our Rubick's Cube grooms' cake arrived the day of our wedding, we nearly lost our minds! It was absolutely perfect, and all of our guests raved about the Rubick's Cube design - totally tubular! To boot, the cakes were absolutely delicious (pear caramel and bavarian fruit) and perfect for a late summer wedding held outdoors - light and creamy. If you're in the market for a beautiful wedding cake, we highly recommend you stop by Alexandria Pastry Shop - ask for Ana!
(4)
Kate O.
I somehow managed to bookmark this place without realizing when/how I did it. In a way it is a good thing because I was looking for a place for a nice dessert and coffee after a meal. I stopped by this place with my husband on a Sunday afternoon after our dunch/linner. I had a slice of mango mousse cake and my husband had a piece of blueberry crumble bar along with a cup of latte for each of us. Both the pastries were really good. The service was friendly. I think it would be nice if they post a sign with the name of each bakery item so I don't have to bother the staff with naming each one. I will definitely keep this place bookmarked.
(4)
Minna S.
I stopped by this place for the first time and got a cherry bar which tasted pretty good. They have a nice selection of desserts and pastries, and the staff was very friendly.
(4)
Anita T.
I've bought numerous birthday cakes from here for friends and colleagues. All have raved on how light and tasty these cakes are. Not too sweet either. It is a little pricey for a cake but you get what you pay for - excellent quality cakes. Also, the staff is always friendly and helpful and the service has always been impeccable. I highly recommend to anyone seeking a high quality cake/pastry.
(5)
Fenny L.
My favorite part of my wedding planning process - had to be the free cake tasting (yes, you get FREE CAKE when you get engaged! If I knew this - I would have gotten engaged far sooner! HAHA!)! I ordered my wedding cake from Alexandria Pastry, and while they were great, there were several missteps. First, when I called to set up an appointment for the cake tasting, they asked me to pick out 3 cakes that we would like to try. Made sense, so we picked 3 random ones, and was set to come in the following Saturday afternoon. When we got there - they had us down for the appointment...but they couldn't find our cakes! No matter, the guy that helped us was hilarious and snagged HUGE slices from their display case! Needless to say, I was in heaven. The cakes were delicious! We had the hardest time picking a flavor. Again, the guy that was helping us (I think his name was "Tony" - but I can't be 100% sure) was very funny and very nice about helping us narrow down our choice. My fiancee (now husband) hates fondant, and the guy was super sweet and walked us through several different options (we went with buttercreme), and as we had no idea about the design of the cake - we were able to flip through their book - and pick out the elements from 3 different cakes, to make the design of ours. The day of the wedding - they delivered on time, although, because the boat was late (see my review of the Odyssey for the full story and review), the driver did give me a few minutes of worry when he called my cellphone in the middle of my pre-wedding photos, to tell me that he was on a strict schedule and he needs to deliver the cake in the next few minutes or he may have to leave and come back! Fortunately, my husband was incredibly nice and persuasive and was able to convince the driver to stay (I'm sure the offer of a bribe was somewhere in this discussion...hahaha!). When I finally saw the cake - it wasn't *exactly* what we ordered. We wanted the layers to be off-set, instead of perfectly centered. But it's a small thing. The cake was DELICIOUS, and the service was great - but they seem to be a wee bit forgetful (our appointment, and the design of the cake), but all in all, I was really satisfied with them.
(3)
Jen S.
*3.5 stars* After checking out the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town, Anna L. went on a hunt to find a bakery to satisfy our sweet tooth. Anna L. immediately got on Yelp to see if any of the bakeries we passed by were worth stopping in. None seemed like it and instead we headed further out to check out Alexandria Pastry Shop and Cafe. She and I both agreed that our caffe latte and cafe mocha were both meh, however, the passionfruit cake and streudel we got were divine. Around the corner they have a selection of real food. Free Wi-Fi, a plus!
(3)
Stacy H.
I had the best wedding cake tasting experience at the APS today. I'm planning a wedding from out of town and had already made up my mind that I would like this place just based on online reviews. Going there in person just confirmed all the glowing reviews about their cakes. The owner Tom and all his staff were VERY nice to me. The raspberry marquis and passion fruit cake were my favorites. Since I came alone, after taking a few bites of each, they packed up the remaining cake slices (and even added an extra slice!) so that I could have my fiancee taste it as well. My future M-I-L liked the mango and guava cake the best, and my mom & her bf liked the raspberry marquis cake the best. Thank you for the amazing cakes!
(5)
Joy H.
I would really like to rate this place higher, as I have enjoyed their pastries, sandwiches, and coffee, but one experience left a bad taste in my mouth (forgive the pun). My boyfriend and I stopped in for breakfast on a Saturday morning. After ordering and finding a seat, we settled in -me with my book and he on his laptop- to enjoy breakfast and tea. We were surrounded by other small groups and single people similarly reading, doing paperwork, or doing crossword puzzles. There was also a large group which seemed to consist of regulars, who took up 2-3 tables. We were there for about an hour, and as it was later in the morning, the place got less and less busy, with several free tables. As I was coming back from ordering a lunch sandwich to-go, I noticed a man speaking with my boyfriend. Lo and behold, it was the manager...asking us to leave soon...as it was Saturday, and they were too busy for us to be taking up a table (?????). Again, there were at least 3 empty tables (I checked). We had eaten, still had our drinks, and I had ordered MORE food, so I wouldn't consider that loitering. Looking around us, we counted several people including the large group that had been there since before we arrived (a couple of them with just a coffee cup on their table). Unless he did it after we left, no one else was spoken to about taking up a table. I have been in the service industry (between retail and private medical practice) for over 20 years. I understand how frustrating it must be for single people to take up a table for a long time on a busy day. I also know that before assuming this is the case, do not offend someone who previously enjoyed your business, spent money, and sang your praises. Because now, I'll never set foot in this cafe again. Sadly, but certainly.
(1)
Michico F.
They catered my friend's brunch party in DC. The Croissants, Fruit Muffins and Bagels were fresh, The Fruit platters were fresh as well. The Frittata and Potato Strata were delish. Overall it was a great brunch party. By the way, the guy who delivered the food to the party was super cute :)
(5)
Dana P.
The pastries, coffee, and baked goods are SO yummy here! But, what I was most impressed with was the staff. Each and every one of them knew each pastry so well, and was able to help the customer find exactly what they were craving. They also had a deli-like station on the opposite side (I didn't get to taste any, but I stared at it for a long time), with many options to choose from! Please go here, it's well worth your time!
(4)
Ellen K.
I've loved this place since I was a little kid, and no other cake places in the area have been able to top it! My family likes mousse cakes, so I'm not sure what their buttercream cakes are like, but their mousse cakes are soooo yummy. My favorites are the triple chocolate mousse cake and the lemon mousse with raspberries. It's too bad most of my loved ones have birthdays concentrated in the fall and winter because I've never been able to try the peach mousse cake, but that's definitely on my to-devour list!
(5)
Anne L.
They have great coffee and a nice selection of pastries! When the line at Starbucks is crazy long, give them a try! You won't be disappointed! Just FYI bring cash, cause they have a $5 min for credit card payments
(4)
Ro C.
Although, their bakery products are great, their sevice is quite interesting. My co-worker and I went there to eat lunch, where he wanted a meatball sandwich. After a long rigid discussion, they didnt want to make it. Reasoning was that they didnt make the bread. Note that the bread and the meatballs were in sight. We asked that we purchase the items separately and they still denied. So we went somewhere else for lunch. At this place, customer is not always right; customer satisfaction is just not that important.
(2)
Jon K.
A nightmare to say the least....... Can I give zero stars????? OK, so I remember liking this place several years ago. Must have been 7 or 8 years ago when I last went. Things have changed drastically since I last went. Things went terribly here to say the least. I take my wife here for breakfast today because she had to work early. I had a living social coupon for $20 I tried to use, they didn't take it saying it was only good for "baked goods." No big deal, but the manager and cashier were very rude about it and copped the better than you attitude. No big deal, I was actually hungry and looking forward towards eating. I ordered a mocha and my wife ordered a water and a regular coffee for drinks. My wife and I both ordered the scrambled eggs, bacon, and potatoes for breakfast. The scrambled eggs were runny as hell and not tasty at all. The bacon was fine, best thing on the plate. The potatoes were hard to cut through and greasy and over seasoned. My mocha tasted odd, like someone went crazy with the chocolate or hershey's syrup...yuck. Another thing that bugged me is the flimsy plastic plates and plastic silverware. I mean come on, if your charging these prices for breakfast you can man up and do it right with the eating utensils and get regular plates. A bunch of full blown idiots must be running this place I guess. Next time I want a quick breakfast I'll just go to ihop or the barnside diner down the street. Avoid this place like the plague.......
(1)
Jennifer C.
I purchased a black and white cake from them last week for my friend's birthday. It wasn't one that I had ordered special, I just went and got one from their case. I was afraid it might be dry but it was a huge hit! The mousse filling layers were really delicious and it was so pretty. It wasn't cheap, but certainly was good!
(4)
Rebecca A.
This place is hit or miss. Most of the breakfast pastries are good. Almond croassant is very delicious( that what keeps us coming to this place). Lunch items are OK, IF served on a clean plates and not a large chunk of melted cheese from previously made dish. Overall is good, but I give the service 1 star over many visits.
(3)
Anne E.
One of the best cakes I've ever tasted. Gave them a kind of short notice and they took my order! Gave them a photo of how I wanted it to look like and they did surprise me because they exceeded my expectations. Cake is moist too and not too sweet. Everyone at the party loved it! Will definitely be back in the future. Yey!
(5)
Cortney P.
I eat lunch here at least once a week. Sandwiches and salads are super fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. They did my wedding cupcakes Oct 2010 and my sister's wedding cake Sept. 2011 and they were both on point. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
(5)
Rachel S.
I have been there numerous times, because they are close to my home. However I am done. Outside of the fact that it always looks like the people behind the counter are doing you a favor by helping you, it is hit or miss whether or not your items will be stale. Very disapointing.
(1)
Chris S.
Not too bad, I picked up a few cookies for the wifey. M&M cookies as well as the chocolate chip. I wasn't exactly impressed. Good enough for a cookies but nothing to discriminate these from home made, or others.
(3)
Shay F.
I went here on the recommendation of my mother and it was ok coming from out of town. We ordered about $25.00 worth of baked goods and for that type of money I was expecting better. I had the brownie and it tasted more like fudge than a brownie. The carrot cake slice had to much clove or something and that was not good at all. We also purchased 4 different types of slices of cake. I had the tiramisu cake and some of the cake was moist and some of the cake was dry. Overall the cake was good I will get that again, but I will eat the cake the same day. My personal opinion you need to eat their baked goods the same day and not the next day.
(3)
Meredith W.
The cake was pretty but incredibly dry. I was really disappointed given the price. And a bit embarrassed to serve it to my guests.
(2)
Dawn B.
Brought their Fruit tart and Pumpkin Pie to Thanksgiving 2010. Although both were eaten, the fruit tart lasted a total of 15min when the entire family got wind of its existence. The tart itself was the perfectly cooked and the fruit was so fresh tasting. Definitely would by the tart again; real hit of the Thanksgiving dessert table. As for the Pumpkin, the crust was hard and difficult to cut with a knife. I hope they work on the crust for next year. All said and done... great bakery enough said.
(4)
Cindy C.
I wish fewer than one star was available. I live in the neighborhood and the service and mix-ups on simple orders are so bad that at times I think I am being punk'd or on the old candid camera show. And it is getting worse. 1,) At least 50% of the time my food order (items off the menu) is not even close. One time, ordered a sandwich off their menu, the manager insisted I had said two (I had not) and tried to charge me for 2 which I had not ordered. No apology of course. 2.)The sandwiches are numbered on the menu but each time they seem to act like they have never had a request for a sandwich. I have been given the wrong sandwich or ordered a sandwich only to be told the bread or a key ingredient was out (happened today so after 20 minutes of comical mix-ups I asked for my money back and left...of course they first tried to give me one I had not ordered). 3.) Another time, with no others in line and watching the employees kill time, I asked after 10 minutes if someone could make the sandwich I ordered and paid for. They acted like "we will do it when we are good and ready." 4.) Another time I observed a customer in front of me use a groupon deal and she spent part of her deal $. Only after her purchase did the owner tell her that she had to spend it all at once and he would not let her amend her order to get the full value of the groupon that she had paid for (and she had not even stepped out of line). Amazingly deceptive and unprofessional. 5.) Another time ordered a hot vegetarian sandwich and got some strange cold concoction of a sandwich that was not even on the menu. I took it back in and spent some time pointing out the items on their menu to them. And the woman who usually make the sandwiches is very passive aggressive and clearly resents when she has to come out of the backroom to make a sandwich. 6.) If you order pastries you have to watch what they put in the box. I have ordered 3-4 pastries (all one kind) and ended up with items I did not order as part of my items (and counting towards my items..one time is was two old lemon bars). It would seem to me with this economy that they would have to try better. They really seem to have little concern for their customers. I'd rather stand in line and buy soup from the soup Nazi in NYC. I will not be returning again. Update: Not too long after I posted this review, I received an email from this place offering to buy me lunch so I could tell them how to improve their business! Seriously. I did not respond and perhaps they need to simply read my review and others. I felt if they needed a consultant, my time (which they have wasted a lot of in the past) was worth more than one of their lunches.
(1)
Marianne L.
I've wandered in here from time to time and have had several things from their pastries to their salads and sandwiches. Everything I've ever had has been exceptionally good and well prepared. And the staff is always wonderful to deal with, even when they are extremely busy. Based on positive experiences I've had over the years - stopped in (on no notice) to get a cake for a celebration at work for our dept. admin's wedding send off. Got the cutest little cake with strawberries. The lady behind the counter even gave me a little bride and groom teddy bear set that we could put on top. As others have mentioned, prices aren't cheap (but they do have a range - not everything is exorbitant), but you certainly get what you pay for in service and quality of product.
(4)
Mac O.
This is the kind of place you could eat at for years and years (like me), but it always evades your radar until someone suggests you meet there for lunch (like me). I never think about it as a breakfast or lunch option when I'm considering my breakfast or lunch options, which is odd given how much I like it and how good the food is. The "meal" food is fresh, delicious, straight-forward fare aimed to please. Omelets, waffles, fruit, and pastries at breakfast. Soups, sandwiches, quiche, and salads at lunch. Always changing, always different whenever you stop in. There's a large glass display case showcasing all of APS' inventive salads -- couscous and currants, grilled vegetables, cherry tomatoes and fresh mozz, corn and black bean, fusilli with asparagus and provolone....as well as their several daily quiche options. Some sammies are available hot, others come cold. Soup changes by the day, usually old standards such as broccoli cheddar or chicken noodle. Everything's available dine-in or to-go; salads come in several sizes for take-home. Save room for the pastries, tho, because they're great here. I'm particular to the fruit tarts, but any beautiful baked good your brain can conjure is available here, too. Get a box of assorted goodies or a full cake for your next office function or family get-together and be a hero. The decor is pretty spartan, but I like the little touches like the fried eggs painted onto the plain wood tabletops. Prices are right-on and affordable. And the service is always with a smile, and typically provided by some fresh-faced high-schooler. Ah, to be that young (and to have that metabolism) again...
(4)
Tavon B.
This place is pretty good. It was my first wedding anniversary and someone told me that we were supposed to eat the cake topper from the wedding to celebrate. Well, the wedding cake was completely consumed that day including the topper. The original baker was in Philadelphia so I thought we were at a loss (until a coworker told me how amazing these people at Alexandria Pastry Shop were). I took a picture of the cake to them and asked them to duplicate it. It was a pretty fancy cake - pearls, sugar flowers, iridescent fondant and crap like that. APS made an exact replica. It was rather remarkable. My wife didn't even recognize that it wasn't our cake. They did a fantastic job, and the cake itself (Black & White Chocolate Mousse) tasted pretty good. The only thing I would say was unfavorable was the price. It was rather high for a small cake topper ($40-something dollars). I think if you say the word, "wedding," to anyone the price almost doubles. Anyway, I would go there again - maybe for the cookies next time.
(4)
Rob R.
You might have a hard time narrowing down your choice(s) when you visit this bakery! Acting on a tip from a co-worker, my wife and I checked out this place. We were satisfied with the quality of the pastries and also the price & service. It definitely seems to be a favorite among locals, as we had to watch over the tables until someone finished with their meal. I wish there was more seating. Overall, this was a good find and I'll be here again sometime soon. Highly recommend.
(4)
Sara S.
DEEELICIOUS! The desserts are almost too pretty to eat, but definitely eat them b/c they are so scrumptuous. Black and white cake and strawberry shortcake are my favorite. I even had my wedding cake made from here and it was beautiful and delivered on time. They also have the best blueberry muffins I've ever had, and I've had a lot of blueberry muffins. It's perfectly fluffy with clusters of moist blueberries. I don't go on the otherside for the regular food, but I've had some sandwiches which are okay and the asparagus/hearts of palm salad is fantastic, but can be very expensive.
(5)
Zazie D.
The Alexandria Pastry Shop looks like a cute place to go in. It is always cold inside, summer or winter, so that makes the atmosphere a little less compelling. I went to this pastry shop a few times before, and then I bought 2 Amazon Local coupons. First time I used one, it worked like a charm, I picked the sandwiches and salads of my choice, and went on my merry way. The second time around, my experience was quite the opposite. I had to drive 25 miles round trip for my little expedition, and all I wanted was a few good sandwiches. The manager notices my coupon and tells me I cannot use it on anything from the sandwich side of the store. There are two sides in the store, one with pastries and cakes, and one with sandwiches, salads, quiches, soups. I always went and got goods from the sandwich side, I previously tried the pastry/cake side, and it was not the best. The manager invites me to go to the second class citizen side, where my coupon would belong. The coupon says baked goods, and that is what I can buy with it. I try to make a case about my other coupon, which worked on this side, but he assures me it was a mistake. I understand. I ask for a few slices of quiche, which can surely qualify as baked goods. He says he cannot serve me from this side of the store, which is more expensive, and would make him lose money. I tell him quiche is baked. He refers again to my baked goods side, but he finally agrees that quiche is baked. Nonetheless, he sends me on my way to the other side. By now I was quite unhappy that I drove all the way here and I would not get what I wanted. I went to the baked goods side, though, picked 4 ham and cheese croissants, 2 chocolate croissants, and asked for a slice of tiramisu. Unfortunately they were out of tiramisu. I told them very firmly that tiramisu is the only cake slice I want to get, and got back to the manager's discretion. He tells me to choose anything else from the case, I tell him I do not want anything else. He tries to negotiate again, and finally offers me a frozen $27.99 tiramisu cake, I tell him I only want a slice. He finally agrees to go cut the cake, and give me a slice. He also offers a cup of free coffee, while I wait. I refuse politely. His "kind" way of mending things does not go a long way, I am not interested in free coffee. I am not sure he understood that he just lost a customer (possibly a lot more if people are concerned about customer service), he made 31 cents on this purchase, ended up with a tiramisu cake he needs to sell by the piece, and a bad review. Was sticking to the letter of the coupon worth it? Having made an exception would have rendered me grateful, brought money to the business, and ensured a satisfied customer, who would surely have come back. If I go to a place and find mediocre food, I think twice about writing a review, but if the mediocre food is coupled with poor customer service, I let other people know about my opinion. Kindness and tolerance goes a long way, in life, and especially in the hotel/restaurant business. Even if I read carefully the fine print, I would not have understood the baked goods part, so an exception about sandwich side/baked goods side of the store would have gone a long way. I read other reviews here and each time a coupon is mentioned, the baked goods part is mentioned, also. Frustration, too, especially with the manager. If I want to have good pastries, cakes, baked goods, I go to Whole Foods, Dean and Deluca, Balducci's, Le Pain Quotidien, and of course, Patisserie Poupon. When you have such fierce competition in a cosmopolitan area, when your shop is called a pastry shop, and you want to bring people in for baked goods, it is best to be kind to your customers, and they might just overlook the fact that your pastry shop is simply mediocre, with cake prices rivaling these above mentioned excellent pastry shops. The really expensive cake prices are the only thing rivaling the good pastry shops in the Washington Area, the quality is definitely missing here, at Alexandria Pastry Shop and Cafe, both in the baked goods side of the store, and in the manager customer skills.
(1)
Ross W.
I bought six chocolate chip cookies there the other day and they were nothing special at all. They were on the small side, not much taste to them and six of them cost around $6.50!! That price is fine if the cookies are larger and actually have some taste to them. These were very bland and I threw them away. Very disappointed. I will say there cakes looked very good that were displayed. Maybe they should just stick with the cakes and not even bother selling cookies.....not good at all and very pricey!
(1)
Pamela S.
This place is awesome. It was recommended by a friend and now I am recommending this place to everyone. They have awesome deli sandwiches and for dessert lovers this place is for you. My boyfriend and had a BLT sandwich. It was awesome.
(5)
Olivia T.
Great pastry selection, and the most delicious ham and cheese croissants! The people working there are always very nice, and they have a great selection of all different types of desserts. Their cakes are very beautiful and artistic, and although I've never tasted them, I'm sure that they're worth their price tag. The breakfast pastries include different types of apple/pear/coffee cake bars, all of which are sweet and delicious. Overall, a cute place to have a little breakfast or get takeout pastries.
(5)
Nicole M.
I had Alexandria Pastry Shop do my wedding cake and it was delicious! My husband and I went in to do the taste test and ending up picking the Red Velvet cake. At my wedding I was told it was one of the prettiest cakes they had seen at a wedding. We did mulitple taste testing in the Arlington/Alexandria area and this place was by far the best! I would highly recommend their cakes for any event.
(5)
Longgirl H.
I was looking for a little something before heading to a home inspection and I passed this shopping center. Coffee sounded good, but I am NOT a fan of McDonald's or Starbucks - hold on...a sign says PASTRY AND CAFE. I go in to check it out and see glass cases with some very yummy looking items. On the right there are tables and cases that appear to hold lunch salads, sandwiches and such. You can see that this place would fill up with locals on the weekends. It has a very cozy feel. To the left are glass displays of beautiful cakes, amazing looking muffins, a variety of cookies, pastries and scones. There is also a long counter for making up your coffee and tea drinks. I take a few minutes looking while another customer is talking to the young boy behind the counter. When I look up, he is ready for my order. I select a strawberry almond scone and a cup of coffee. That is how I order my coffee - a cup of coffee. No special descriptions required. Now I admit I can eat anything, but this was by far the best scone I have had in my life. I was moist and delicious. And the coffee was good too. Strong, but without the burnt taste. I would definitely go there again. I just don't know what I would order next time.
(5)
Michael S.
I've never had any of their deli type foods, they serve breakfast and lunch type foods on one half of the store and other half is the bakery. My wife and I bought our wedding cake here and I thought they did a very sufficient job. One small note: Call ahead if you want to talk about ordering specialty cakes. The young students manning the registers will stammer and stare at you if you ask them questions. Talk to a manager. We had a cake tasting and decided to have three different flavors on each layer of the cake. They had tons of photos to choose from of past cakes they have done. It was very smooth and easy going, they delivered our cake the day of the wedding and it went off without a hitch. They were a little finicky about the time table in which they would deliver their cake, but they are just trying to look out for the overall presentation of the cake. The price was fair. A separate, smaller carrot cake was made to eat on the one year anniversary, which we actually cracked into last night. Carrot cake is one of my favorites and though this one was a bit freezer burnt from sitting a year in my fridge, I've had fresher pieces from here and its delicious. There is raisins and bits of pecans in the mix and the frosting is creamy and not too sweet.
(4)
K S.
***3.5 stars*** I've ordered a few beautiful cakes here for special events (only if Victoria's Cakery in Fairfax was unavailable or inconvenient for the event, however!) and have never been disappointed. The cakes are moist and fresh, if a bit less dense than I might prefer - though this could just be the types of cakes I've ordered, as they have lots of choices. The individual pastries are great, too - but go for the fancy stuff (tortes, bombes, mini-cheesecakes) - the everyday cookies and brownies aren't as worth the calorie count! The cafe side is nice - I love avocado as a sandwich toping - but the service is slow and the cleanliness of the seating area leaves something to be desired. Worth a stop if you're in the immediate area or need a big fancy 'event' cake. Update: Had the best chocolate croissant of my ENTIRE LIFE here on Saturday. Huge, buttery, and flaky, full of high-quality chocolate. For $2. Get your accompanying coffee down the street at Starbucks, though - options here are limited and if there's a line it takes forever. This shopping center needs outdoor seating.
(4)
Robyn M.
These cakes are AMAZING! My husbands favorite is the Chocolate Truffle. I am not a very big chocolate fan (but this cake is good), I prefer the rest. We stop by when we are in the area just for a treat! We have used them for years for holiday's and special occasions and I would recommend them to anyone.
(5)
John C.
Wow, we ordered a chocolate cake with cappuccino frosting for my father in-laws 80th b-day, and it was fabulous. The cake was light and moist, and the frosting was fluffy and light. Next big celebration we are coming back.
(4)
Kaden H.
Try the Strawberry Cake, I have served it at many functions and it is a huge hit.
(3)
Mikkela T.
Pretty pennies for pretty pastries. Lots of pennies. The small cakes are $20+ but yummy (the cheesecake was good and the lemon -- even to those of us who dislike lemon cake -- was excellent. Light and airy with only the gele topping done as a translucent jewel yellow.) The beef kabob was chewy (work that jaw!) but flavorful as it was marinated in rosemary. When we went on a crowded crazy Saturday lunchtime (crazy parking!), the airy bakery was busy, each table taken with a Fairfax County/Arlandria/Alexandria/Falls Church-e-ites grabbing a bite while shopping. I did notice some finely packaged (brown satin with creme polka dotted dress) pretty folk waiting to pick up their cake on their way to a soiree or post-races tea? This bakery is located in a mall off of Route 7 where it's called King Street, and that is what the clientele are like as well. This place is nowhere near old town. It's right off of 395. In conclusion, not a lot of soul but good cake to go. Go for the lemon cake and coffee. And bring your pennies in plastic. Postscript: I guess I'm so battered by Fourbucks that I don't notice harsh coffee anymore because Alexandria Pastry Shop's latte was surprising. I was startled to drink a latte with good warm coffee flavor and no harshness.
(4)
Natasha G.
The pastries are tasty here! I like how when you first walk in, your eyes are met with lovely sweets in the glass case. The left side had more desserts while the right side had more savory delicacies. The fruit-based pastries definitely showcase the fruits - I particularly like the mango guava and the lemon raspberry. They are light, sweet, flavorful, and well-sized for the price. I've also had the dulce de leche option; it was dense, had just enough sweetness without being overly sugary, and paired well with the coffee. Unfortunately, I think it had too much coconut in it for me. I almost tasted more coconut than the caramel. What I've also noticed is you will find more sweets that are fruit-based instead of chocolate or nut-based here. I am a fan of how this place can manage to have a huge pastry selection but also offer traditional deli/catering-type sandwiches. I've seen people in here simply getting a sandwich for a true meal but also a quick pastry pick me up. It's nice to see so many locals in here! There are numerous tables for you to hang out. Plus, I think the pricing here makes sense for what you get. Some of the pastries can be pretty filling. The people working here are nice and patient as you spend several minutes trying to decide what you want to get. They are friendly and helpful. On my most recent visit, while I found it annoying to have to ask about what each dessert was (nothing was labeled with names, so you can't figure out the flavors), the woman behind the counter knew each one and gladly told me what was what. Secondly, I've seen that even when the cafe is about to close, customers are not bothered with announcements like "hey, we are about to close so please finish up." This was nice to see, and I can't wait to come back again! Bottom line: if you're in need of an individual dessert, check this place out! Especially if you're in the mood for something with fruit in it.
I really love the pastries at this bakery - honestly, the muffins are the best I have had. Ever. And while I can't imagine going here for lunch (as opposed to breakfast, as the breakfast pastries are insanely good), I've tried a few of their sandwiches and they were delicious too. A little pricey in general, but if you love a good muffin it's worth it. The only thing I don't like about this place is the coffee. It's dark and always tastes burnt. There is, however, a Starbucks right next door, so it's not a huge inconvenience unless you're eating in (and the cafe is more of a grab-and-go type of place).
(4)
Jemima C.
Cute coffee shop with breakfast and pastries. I had the almond croissant and a small coffee. Both pretty tasty. I definitely will be frequenting this place considering its so close to me. Dog park is right around the corner so we went there afterwards.
(5)
Alison M.
$7.50 for a breakfast panini containing an overcooked fried egg and American cheese on soggy bread. Ummmm no I will not be back. Worst breakfast sandwich I've ever had. I don't know how they get away with charging that much for $2 worth of bad food.
(1)
Esther C.
***3.5 stars*** I judge you by your carrot cake...def not the best I ever had. Looks pretty, though. I think I may have tried the wrong thing? Everything looks pretty, the carrot cake just tasted odd--buttercream frosting base I think instead of the standard cream cheese--what a no no. But ambience was good and the staff friendly. I had to knock down a star for lack of wifi, however. I will come back to try something else at some point.
(3)
Lhynette C. A.
one of the best chocolate mousse cake i have had. The place is very organized, very well staffed and everyone was friendly. I was here for a cake tasting :) So i got to try the creamy cakes and fruity ones too. I lean more towards the cream based cakes more than the ones that contained fruit. The cream based cakes are delicious. Just right! simple and straight to the point. The mousse cakes were chocolatey, rich flavors but it was REALLY light. It wasn't heavy which i love. I can definitely eat a whole cake...without feeling full. The cake part was fluffy and very moist...the mousse part was airy and fluffy, almost marshmallow-y type of texture. Regardless...perfection....delicious...MORE PLEASE. Another favorite of mine is the white chocolate cake. They also serve salads and sandwiches...as well as other donuts, breads and donuts. I think this place is reasonably priced, but i will come back for the mousse cakes...FOR SURE! :)
(3)
Monica A.
Haven't found anything like it! These mouse cakes are so goo that I had them cater my wedding cake some years back... If you try nothing else you must try the Black and White cake... Chocolate cake topped with chocolate mouse and white cake topped with white chocolate mouse topped with shaved milk and white chocolate... So freaking good! Love the mango cheesecake as well... Too many choices I recommend you make a sampler!
(5)
Juliette L.
The views from the cases and the line was a little over whelming at first, but the friendly and extremely helpful and patient staff made the experience a truly amazing one... I got the 3 cheese quiche and an amazing blueberry struesel bar with a very nice priced cup of hot tea of my choice... I bought a pound of specialty cookies and the prices were just as great as the staff. My food was amazing and I will be back as often as possible during my visit to the area. They offer deli goods, lunch sandwhiches, soups and many pre-made ( in house) delicacies to enjoy at home. A must try for anyone in the area.
(5)
Amy F.
This is a great place to have lunch or get a fun treat for yourself. The owner is so nice and I have celiac disease so I love their gluten free muffins that they make. The lunch prices are a bit high but the food tastes great. Thanks for the wonderful service
(5)
Joel P.
Esa expecting a lot more from this place, with all the good reviews and pictures. I order a cake for a birthday 3 days in advance. I even sent pictures with the drawing I wanted it. The prices was fair at least for what I order. The day I picked it up it was simple small very small drawing, with no creativity put on it. I even asked to be creative. I end up with a regular cake with some drawings on it. Not happy at all
(2)
Hannah H.
The Alexandria Pastry Shop & Cafe has been around since '88, and offers cold sandwiches, hot sandwiches, salads, baked goods, and made-to-order cakes. My husband and I came here for brunch; I had the BLT, which you can choose your own bread (croissant, kaiser roll, rye, French, wheat, etc.) - I chose rye; this sandwich came with a generous amount of crispy bacon, fresh lettuce and tomato, with a nice spread of Russian dressing - yum, it was delicious, with the rye bread slightly 'grilled.' My husband had a breakfast plate with potatoes, scrambled eggs, and a few strips of crispy bacon - the home fries were delicious, as they were not overly salted and came out nice and hot. You order up at the cashier, then you situate yourself in the dining area; they call your order up, you pick it up, and then you chow down. A nice little cafe to pick up some good sandwiches. I also was pleasant surprised with the cherry pie 'crusts,' where if you're a huge of pie crusts, this is a great little 'dessert' that you can pick up. :D +BLT sandwich
(5)
LaKeetha M.
I love love love the breakfast selection. There is a wide variety of pastries with plenty of staff to handle the crown. I'm not a big fan of the cappuccino's & lattes since have my cup is filled with foam vs liquid so that's the reason for not awarding 5 stars. Ideally I would love to get my pastry & caffeine from one play but after several tries I stop buying hot beverages there as I'm serious out the hot stuff. No worries the big hot beverage place is right next door so I make 2 stops
(4)
Erica B.
Everything is always delicious! I really like the almond croissants. I have had meals their and pastries- they are always good. They made my husband a delicious and reasonably priced birthday cake which stayed fresh for a long time!
(5)
Elle Z.
One side with pastures and coffee. Other side for food and seating. It ain't europe, but it's okay. Staff is nice.
(3)
Jenny D.
Certainly a nice neighborhood feel, both a coffee shop and a lunch/breakfast spot you can call your own. That said, I went for coffee and a pastry. I got a cappuccino that taste more like a latte and was mediocre at best and a pastry that I would call, just ok. Both were more than I would have paid at a Starbucks, where at least I know what I'm getting. That said I really liked the vibe of the place and hence why I'm giving it 3 stars. I'm holding out hope that perhaps the lunch is better and I have heard that they make really good cakes so there HAS to be a reason they have been in business as long as they have.
(3)
Nina P.
There are 2 things that I order from here over and over. The orzo salad and the london broil salad. They are delicious but very expensive. But in accordance with my philosophy on purchases, 'you get what you pay for'. Good alternative to Starbucks when there's a huge line. Other than that, not much else to say. I'm sure their wedding cakes are great. Their pastries are good.
(3)
D. Whitney R.
Had been a fan of this place until my wife recently bought me a tuna sandwich on wheat bread. The bread was incredibly hard and stale. Very disappointed that a so called "bakery" would make and sell a sandwich with bread so tasteless that I swapped out theirs for some of my own. I do not mind paying a premium for a quality product, but that does not work.
(1)
Local F.
There "first come, first served" line culture doesn't really work. For a sleepy little suburban DMV pastry this place certainly has a bustling clientele. Unfortunately, it has a "locals only" kind of feel. I stopped counting how many customers walked past me on their way to the counter to order. When I tried to move forward the people who ignored me then were the workers. I do not blame the staff. The place was just a clusterf*ck. I had the sticky bun and it was really dry and underwhelming. The pastries looked great though and left me wanting to try something else (if I ever return). Also, the place doesn't have wi-fi. I get it.....free internet would result in even more crowds, but it has a perfect cafe feel. The coffee was delicious!
(2)
Vivian R.
The coffee smells good. The pastries are totally yum. But I got a bagel and cream cheese there yesterday morning, and it was like a brick in my stomach. I took 1 bite, and couldn't stomach more. I'm still searching for some good bagels ever since the neighborhood bagel shop had gone, and taken their great pizza bagels with them. The quest continues...
(4)
Emma C.
I stopped in to grab a cake for my mom's birthday and walked away with a delicious Triple Chocolate Mousse cake. The girl at the counter offered to write 'Happy Birthday Mom!' on it, which made me laugh because I didn't see how she could write on top of the mountain of chocolate shavings that covered the cake, but I went for it. She ended up using icing to write the message on a cookie and put it on top of the cake. It was so cute, I can't believe I didn't take a picture. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Kelley G.
We ordered a round 3 layer cake for 120 people. The top and bottom layer was white chocolate mousse cake with rose details. The middle layer was gold painted chocolate truffle cake. I could not have asked for a better cake, beautiful and yummy. The lady who took our order at APS&CC was super nice & easy to work with. Everyone at the wedding loved the cake. My groom and I are not big cake eaters but every time we visit the shop we get a slice of the white chocolate mousse cake, because its absolutely AMAZING!
(5)
Scott V.
German chocolate cake has been a birthday tradition in my family for decades. The German chocolate cake from this pastry shop is among the best I've ever had. Moist cake. Real chocolate. Deftly-balanced coconut. Five stars compared to maybe the past thirty German chocolate cakes I've had. :)
(5)
Shira S.
Stopped in here quickly to kill some time between clients. The service was prompt and friendly. But, the pecan bar needed something to make it stand out as it was a bit bland with no real discernible flavor. Maybe I just picked the wrong item?
(2)
Dan H.
Definitely stop in for some tasty pastry treats! They also have coffee, breakfast sandwiches/meals as well as lunch items such as salads, sandwiches, pastas. It's too bad I just found out about this place when it's so close to where I live + I love pastries. I've gone the last two days and have consumed: - Scones: great! Good crust and moist on the inside and not too sweet. - Croissants: Not ultra-flakey so they're slightly more chewy, which is nice. - Cinnamon Sticky-buns: Awesome! With a nut topping they are tasty and don't last long. - Canadian bacon, egg and cheese croissant sandwich - this was premade and it was just heated it up so that was kind of a downer. Good but not great. I'll be back to try some of the other fruit pastries and crumbles plus some more of the cinnamon sticky-buns!
(4)
Jee D.
Such an uncreative name but describes exactly what it is - a pastry shop on one side and cafe on the other, although they have much more than just coffee. This cute little shop feels more small-town than strip-mall which I love. The lunch rush can be quite busy, but I must have lucked out last time since I came in about 12:45 and no one was in line. They have soups of the day, sandwich options, and lots of prepared meals to go, including a variety of salads. The Cobb is my go-to carry out lunch (although at times i wonder if I'm overpaying at $8.99) and their grilled veggies are divine. Curious about their pastries, I bought a Bavarian cream fruit cake to a dinner party recently. The cake was super light with lots of fluffy cream in it, but I did wish the cake had more...um....cake in it. It did receive rave reviews though, and everyone kept asking me where I got it.
(4)
Liliana T.
Oh my God!!!! ......... Bad does not begin to describe the horror which is this "pastry" I can't be 100% sure , but I think the drawing I asked for my Cake was made by a Kindergarden Child .... Sadly, so, so sadly
(1)
Meredith M.
Delicious cakes, pastries, cookies and more! This is my go-to place for a dessert, and always pleases the crowd when I bring something from here to a party or dinner. Great for lunch, or grabbing food to-go. The wedding cakes look divine and they cater also. My favorite thing, hard to choose just one- is the pecan bar, or lemon bar, and the #7 sandwich, Grilled chicken with avocado on a croissant.
(5)
Mariah S.
Thumbs up to their delicious flaky and chewy and so good you croissants will not want to share, despite how gi-normous in size they are. My favorite is the almond-filled; its creamy and gooey texture combines well with the buttery layers of pastry. And don't forget to order their piping hot coffee to accompany it. Please check this place out. Don't drive around town like I did trying to find bakeries with decent pastries. After one bite, you are hooked. It's even better if you warm it in a toaster oven or, if you must, in a microwave but less than 10 seconds. Coming here is worth having to deal with that dreadful Duke/Braddock/Quacker Lane intersections. But come early if you can because they sell out folks!
(5)
Amber L.
Sub-par. Purveyors of the saltiest soups and sandwiches in the greater DC/NVA area - possibly correlative with the shop's regular crowd of seniors. The food and drink is overpriced to boot: $14 for a small soup with a tuna sandwich - both too salty, of course. Baked goods are large, expensive and unremarkable-tasting. Deli items are small, expensive and unremarkable-tasting. Bottom line: Save yourself some time in finding your new favorite local lunch place and head to Zoe's Mediterranean Kitchen across the parking lot. Much fresher tasting and better quality (and, I would hazard a guess, probably healthier too.)
(2)
Angel W.
I have frequented the stores in this shopping plaza many times over the years and have overlooked the Alexandria Pastry Shop mainly because I assumed they only sold sweets. When I was getting my hair done a few doors down, I noticed that some of the stylists ordered sandwiches from nearby and I had assumed it was from the wine store a few doors down. The "pastry shop" name does not accurately reflect the business because they sell many other items such as hot and cold sandwiches, omelets, pastas, side dishes, quiches, fruit, soup, etc. Thus far, I have only tried the veggie sandwich, that normally comes on wheat bread but I order it on a baguette. The baguette was super fresh. All of the ingredients were also cold and fresh. You can order the veggie with a hummus or cream cheese topping. I ordered the cream cheese topping which seems to have a hint of garlic. The other toppings are tomato, spinach, cucumber and avocado. The tomatoes were very ripe. The cucumbers were sliced into ridges and the avocado is thickly sliced. The sandwich was quite refreshing and not overly potent. It's a nice sandwich to eat on a day where you might not feel that well or don't want anything overwhelming. The sandwich was so good that I returned the next day for another. Also the price cannot be beat - $5.49 for a large sandwich. Other sandwiches cost $6.99 - $7.99 Their pastas look well seasoned and the prices are very fair $5.99 - $11.99 per lb (the asparagus dish was on the more expensive side). Basically, the prices are similar or less than Whole Foods. Apparently they change out the sides often. I overheard a customer mentioning that they recently had some delicious grilled carrots and butternut squash. I have not tried the pastries. I asked about gluten free items because the store is heavily based in gluten (bread, pasta etc). The only offer two gluten free dessert items (flourless chocolate cake and a chocolate mousse). The staff has been friendly and the lines have been short thus far. I definitely recommend trying this place if you are in the area.
(4)
Danielle C.
Fantastic! A wide array of delicious delicacies and wonderful customer service. Come here for a snack or when you are in need of sweets for an event. They provide for parties, birthdays and even wedding cakes. I recommend.
(5)
EandD S.
When we are craving a luxurious piece of cake, this is our go to shop. We have sampled many of the mousse and specialty cakes. We loved the flavorful Passion Fruit Bavarian with Apricots so much, we selected it for our summer wedding. Ana was very pleasant to work with, the cake was delivered on time and looked beautiful. As far as pricing, we did a lot of research in the DC area and found the per person pricing to be comparable to other wedding cake shops. No complaints from us or our delighted wedding guests!
(5)
Jessie B.
YUM. I live next door and ordered my wedding cake from Alexandria Pastry Shop & Cafe. The managers were wonderful to work with and they had a vast array of designs. I picked a cute, simple design that not only looked WONDERFUL with my decor on my wedding day this past weekend, it tasted delicious! Many of my guests complimented the cake (I chose the triple chocolate mousse cake layered with a cream cake). I highly recommend them not only for wedding cake, but for their pastries and breakfasts.
(5)
Katherine L.
This place is sweet... the ham, cheese and scallion scone I got was a piece of heaven. The coffee was perfect and from local vendor I was told. Also, the Apple raisin strudel I got is excellent. Not too sweet which is perfect. It's a perfectly balanced bite. Seems most places these days make everything waaaay to sweet and it nice to taste the ingredients and not just sugar. Finally, the staff was very friendly. Disregard negative reviews for this place. It's excellent!!!!!
(5)
Kate S.
I was so excited this place was so close to our house! But the people behind the counter are not super helpful and there is no signs in the display case telling you what is what. I have ordered several items including breakfast sandwiches, coffee, pastries and dessert items like brownies and cookies. The price is good but the only thing I would order again is the pastries. The desserts were flavorless and dry and the breakfast sandwich was mediocre.
(3)
Keeley M.
Their pastries are good, but not outstanding, especially considering the price. The presentation is great though and the staff is extremely friendly. I think I could easily find better tasting cupcakes elsewhere. Their German Chocolate cake--absolutely delicious. The store is split into two. On the right side is the cafe (salads, sandwiches, etc.) and as you enter, on the left side are the pastries. The cafe stuff is OK.
(3)
Tawheed H.
The cake was delicious, soft and moist. They need to improve their pick up system as they identify your order by what you ordered and not the name it is under... kinda difficult when you are picking up for someone else and you have no idea what type of cake they ordered... Standing there waiting on them to find the cake had me exercising a ridiculous amount of self control, everything looked amazing, and judging by the line and the smile on everyone's faces as they walked away from the register everything probably tasted amazing as well.
(4)
Nadia A.
I wasn't impressed with the food. I got a chocolate croissant that was dry and flaked everywhere. I also got some kind of latte that was ok.
(2)
Radney P.
The last couple of times I have went there their deserts have been delicious and prepared well. But the last time that I ate some cookies there they were a little bit stale and I think they made my stomach a little bit upset the next day, so now I am a bit cautious about what I eat if I go here.
(3)
Martine C.
I'm in town for a few days and came here for lunch. Had a chicken salad sandwich on French bread. The French bread is really a roll. The food was good. The five stars is for the cake. If your looking for a wedding cake I highly recommend this place. i've never tasted cake this satisfying. The taste was great, but no different than most tasty cakes. What was unique about it is that it melted in my mouth. Now that deserves five stars. I tried two different cakes... both melted in my mouth, rich in taste...amazing.
(5)
Jeffrey C.
This shop is like two shops in one. The cafe side has many pre-prepared pasta salads, simple entrees, and does sandwiches too...for eat in or to go. The bakery side has many nice looking pastries, cookies and more. The cafe seems moderately priced, the bakery is a little higher. Bradlee shopping center has a really solid selection of neighborhood restaurants - this is one of many.
Jemima C.
Cute coffee shop with breakfast and pastries. I had the almond croissant and a small coffee. Both pretty tasty. I definitely will be frequenting this place considering its so close to me. Dog park is right around the corner so we went there afterwards.
(5)Alison M.
$7.50 for a breakfast panini containing an overcooked fried egg and American cheese on soggy bread. Ummmm no I will not be back. Worst breakfast sandwich I've ever had. I don't know how they get away with charging that much for $2 worth of bad food.
(1)Esther C.
***3.5 stars*** I judge you by your carrot cake...def not the best I ever had. Looks pretty, though. I think I may have tried the wrong thing? Everything looks pretty, the carrot cake just tasted odd--buttercream frosting base I think instead of the standard cream cheese--what a no no. But ambience was good and the staff friendly. I had to knock down a star for lack of wifi, however. I will come back to try something else at some point.
(3)Natasha G.
The pastries are tasty here! I like how when you first walk in, your eyes are met with lovely sweets in the glass case. The left side had more desserts while the right side had more savory delicacies. The fruit-based pastries definitely showcase the fruits - I particularly like the mango guava and the lemon raspberry. They are light, sweet, flavorful, and well-sized for the price. I've also had the dulce de leche option; it was dense, had just enough sweetness without being overly sugary, and paired well with the coffee. Unfortunately, I think it had too much coconut in it for me. I almost tasted more coconut than the caramel. What I've also noticed is you will find more sweets that are fruit-based instead of chocolate or nut-based here. I am a fan of how this place can manage to have a huge pastry selection but also offer traditional deli/catering-type sandwiches. I've seen people in here simply getting a sandwich for a true meal but also a quick pastry pick me up. It's nice to see so many locals in here! There are numerous tables for you to hang out. Plus, I think the pricing here makes sense for what you get. Some of the pastries can be pretty filling. The people working here are nice and patient as you spend several minutes trying to decide what you want to get. They are friendly and helpful. On my most recent visit, while I found it annoying to have to ask about what each dessert was (nothing was labeled with names, so you can't figure out the flavors), the woman behind the counter knew each one and gladly told me what was what. Secondly, I've seen that even when the cafe is about to close, customers are not bothered with announcements like "hey, we are about to close so please finish up." This was nice to see, and I can't wait to come back again! Bottom line: if you're in need of an individual dessert, check this place out! Especially if you're in the mood for something with fruit in it.
(4)Josh O.
Good neighborhood place, but could stand some improvement. I had a hot pastrami sandwich and an éclair plus a bottled drink ($15.14). The pastry had a decent texture but the chocolate on top was hard, brittle, and tasteless. The cream had a perfect texture but was not well contained in the pastry, and was generally bland. I would recommend using mascarpone in the cream, and upping both the sugar content and the vanilla. The hot pastrami was decidedly middle-of-the-road. (I'm spoiled because my hometown has a sandwich shop specializing in pastrami and vouched-for by Mario Batali.) The pastrami was on the milder side, and was easily overpowered by the rye and deli mustard flavors. Next time I'll ask if I can substitute Dijon and horseradish for a more complex flavor that will let the pastrami's inherent flavor come through a little better. Overall not a bad place if you're in the neighborhood, but not worth traveling to from even the District.
(3)Sarah S.
I really love the pastries at this bakery - honestly, the muffins are the best I have had. Ever. And while I can't imagine going here for lunch (as opposed to breakfast, as the breakfast pastries are insanely good), I've tried a few of their sandwiches and they were delicious too. A little pricey in general, but if you love a good muffin it's worth it. The only thing I don't like about this place is the coffee. It's dark and always tastes burnt. There is, however, a Starbucks right next door, so it's not a huge inconvenience unless you're eating in (and the cafe is more of a grab-and-go type of place).
(4)Lhynette C. A.
one of the best chocolate mousse cake i have had. The place is very organized, very well staffed and everyone was friendly. I was here for a cake tasting :) So i got to try the creamy cakes and fruity ones too. I lean more towards the cream based cakes more than the ones that contained fruit. The cream based cakes are delicious. Just right! simple and straight to the point. The mousse cakes were chocolatey, rich flavors but it was REALLY light. It wasn't heavy which i love. I can definitely eat a whole cake...without feeling full. The cake part was fluffy and very moist...the mousse part was airy and fluffy, almost marshmallow-y type of texture. Regardless...perfection....delicious...MORE PLEASE. Another favorite of mine is the white chocolate cake. They also serve salads and sandwiches...as well as other donuts, breads and donuts. I think this place is reasonably priced, but i will come back for the mousse cakes...FOR SURE! :)
(3)Monica A.
Haven't found anything like it! These mouse cakes are so goo that I had them cater my wedding cake some years back... If you try nothing else you must try the Black and White cake... Chocolate cake topped with chocolate mouse and white cake topped with white chocolate mouse topped with shaved milk and white chocolate... So freaking good! Love the mango cheesecake as well... Too many choices I recommend you make a sampler!
(5)Juliette L.
The views from the cases and the line was a little over whelming at first, but the friendly and extremely helpful and patient staff made the experience a truly amazing one... I got the 3 cheese quiche and an amazing blueberry struesel bar with a very nice priced cup of hot tea of my choice... I bought a pound of specialty cookies and the prices were just as great as the staff. My food was amazing and I will be back as often as possible during my visit to the area. They offer deli goods, lunch sandwhiches, soups and many pre-made ( in house) delicacies to enjoy at home. A must try for anyone in the area.
(5)Amy F.
This is a great place to have lunch or get a fun treat for yourself. The owner is so nice and I have celiac disease so I love their gluten free muffins that they make. The lunch prices are a bit high but the food tastes great. Thanks for the wonderful service
(5)Joel P.
Esa expecting a lot more from this place, with all the good reviews and pictures. I order a cake for a birthday 3 days in advance. I even sent pictures with the drawing I wanted it. The prices was fair at least for what I order. The day I picked it up it was simple small very small drawing, with no creativity put on it. I even asked to be creative. I end up with a regular cake with some drawings on it. Not happy at all
(2)Hannah H.
The Alexandria Pastry Shop & Cafe has been around since '88, and offers cold sandwiches, hot sandwiches, salads, baked goods, and made-to-order cakes. My husband and I came here for brunch; I had the BLT, which you can choose your own bread (croissant, kaiser roll, rye, French, wheat, etc.) - I chose rye; this sandwich came with a generous amount of crispy bacon, fresh lettuce and tomato, with a nice spread of Russian dressing - yum, it was delicious, with the rye bread slightly 'grilled.' My husband had a breakfast plate with potatoes, scrambled eggs, and a few strips of crispy bacon - the home fries were delicious, as they were not overly salted and came out nice and hot. You order up at the cashier, then you situate yourself in the dining area; they call your order up, you pick it up, and then you chow down. A nice little cafe to pick up some good sandwiches. I also was pleasant surprised with the cherry pie 'crusts,' where if you're a huge of pie crusts, this is a great little 'dessert' that you can pick up. :D +BLT sandwich
(5)LaKeetha M.
I love love love the breakfast selection. There is a wide variety of pastries with plenty of staff to handle the crown. I'm not a big fan of the cappuccino's & lattes since have my cup is filled with foam vs liquid so that's the reason for not awarding 5 stars. Ideally I would love to get my pastry & caffeine from one play but after several tries I stop buying hot beverages there as I'm serious out the hot stuff. No worries the big hot beverage place is right next door so I make 2 stops
(4)Erica B.
Everything is always delicious! I really like the almond croissants. I have had meals their and pastries- they are always good. They made my husband a delicious and reasonably priced birthday cake which stayed fresh for a long time!
(5)Elle Z.
One side with pastures and coffee. Other side for food and seating. It ain't europe, but it's okay. Staff is nice.
(3)Jenny D.
Certainly a nice neighborhood feel, both a coffee shop and a lunch/breakfast spot you can call your own. That said, I went for coffee and a pastry. I got a cappuccino that taste more like a latte and was mediocre at best and a pastry that I would call, just ok. Both were more than I would have paid at a Starbucks, where at least I know what I'm getting. That said I really liked the vibe of the place and hence why I'm giving it 3 stars. I'm holding out hope that perhaps the lunch is better and I have heard that they make really good cakes so there HAS to be a reason they have been in business as long as they have.
(3)Nina P.
There are 2 things that I order from here over and over. The orzo salad and the london broil salad. They are delicious but very expensive. But in accordance with my philosophy on purchases, 'you get what you pay for'. Good alternative to Starbucks when there's a huge line. Other than that, not much else to say. I'm sure their wedding cakes are great. Their pastries are good.
(3)D. Whitney R.
Had been a fan of this place until my wife recently bought me a tuna sandwich on wheat bread. The bread was incredibly hard and stale. Very disappointed that a so called "bakery" would make and sell a sandwich with bread so tasteless that I swapped out theirs for some of my own. I do not mind paying a premium for a quality product, but that does not work.
(1)Local F.
There "first come, first served" line culture doesn't really work. For a sleepy little suburban DMV pastry this place certainly has a bustling clientele. Unfortunately, it has a "locals only" kind of feel. I stopped counting how many customers walked past me on their way to the counter to order. When I tried to move forward the people who ignored me then were the workers. I do not blame the staff. The place was just a clusterf*ck. I had the sticky bun and it was really dry and underwhelming. The pastries looked great though and left me wanting to try something else (if I ever return). Also, the place doesn't have wi-fi. I get it.....free internet would result in even more crowds, but it has a perfect cafe feel. The coffee was delicious!
(2)Vivian R.
The coffee smells good. The pastries are totally yum. But I got a bagel and cream cheese there yesterday morning, and it was like a brick in my stomach. I took 1 bite, and couldn't stomach more. I'm still searching for some good bagels ever since the neighborhood bagel shop had gone, and taken their great pizza bagels with them. The quest continues...
(4)Emma C.
I stopped in to grab a cake for my mom's birthday and walked away with a delicious Triple Chocolate Mousse cake. The girl at the counter offered to write 'Happy Birthday Mom!' on it, which made me laugh because I didn't see how she could write on top of the mountain of chocolate shavings that covered the cake, but I went for it. She ended up using icing to write the message on a cookie and put it on top of the cake. It was so cute, I can't believe I didn't take a picture. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Kelley G.
We ordered a round 3 layer cake for 120 people. The top and bottom layer was white chocolate mousse cake with rose details. The middle layer was gold painted chocolate truffle cake. I could not have asked for a better cake, beautiful and yummy. The lady who took our order at APS&CC was super nice & easy to work with. Everyone at the wedding loved the cake. My groom and I are not big cake eaters but every time we visit the shop we get a slice of the white chocolate mousse cake, because its absolutely AMAZING!
(5)Scott V.
German chocolate cake has been a birthday tradition in my family for decades. The German chocolate cake from this pastry shop is among the best I've ever had. Moist cake. Real chocolate. Deftly-balanced coconut. Five stars compared to maybe the past thirty German chocolate cakes I've had. :)
(5)Zazie D.
The Alexandria Pastry Shop looks like a cute place to go in. It is always cold inside, summer or winter, so that makes the atmosphere a little less compelling. I went to this pastry shop a few times before, and then I bought 2 Amazon Local coupons. First time I used one, it worked like a charm, I picked the sandwiches and salads of my choice, and went on my merry way. The second time around, my experience was quite the opposite. I had to drive 25 miles round trip for my little expedition, and all I wanted was a few good sandwiches. The manager notices my coupon and tells me I cannot use it on anything from the sandwich side of the store. There are two sides in the store, one with pastries and cakes, and one with sandwiches, salads, quiches, soups. I always went and got goods from the sandwich side, I previously tried the pastry/cake side, and it was not the best. The manager invites me to go to the second class citizen side, where my coupon would belong. The coupon says baked goods, and that is what I can buy with it. I try to make a case about my other coupon, which worked on this side, but he assures me it was a mistake. I understand. I ask for a few slices of quiche, which can surely qualify as baked goods. He says he cannot serve me from this side of the store, which is more expensive, and would make him lose money. I tell him quiche is baked. He refers again to my baked goods side, but he finally agrees that quiche is baked. Nonetheless, he sends me on my way to the other side. By now I was quite unhappy that I drove all the way here and I would not get what I wanted. I went to the baked goods side, though, picked 4 ham and cheese croissants, 2 chocolate croissants, and asked for a slice of tiramisu. Unfortunately they were out of tiramisu. I told them very firmly that tiramisu is the only cake slice I want to get, and got back to the manager's discretion. He tells me to choose anything else from the case, I tell him I do not want anything else. He tries to negotiate again, and finally offers me a frozen $27.99 tiramisu cake, I tell him I only want a slice. He finally agrees to go cut the cake, and give me a slice. He also offers a cup of free coffee, while I wait. I refuse politely. His "kind" way of mending things does not go a long way, I am not interested in free coffee. I am not sure he understood that he just lost a customer (possibly a lot more if people are concerned about customer service), he made 31 cents on this purchase, ended up with a tiramisu cake he needs to sell by the piece, and a bad review. Was sticking to the letter of the coupon worth it? Having made an exception would have rendered me grateful, brought money to the business, and ensured a satisfied customer, who would surely have come back. If I go to a place and find mediocre food, I think twice about writing a review, but if the mediocre food is coupled with poor customer service, I let other people know about my opinion. Kindness and tolerance goes a long way, in life, and especially in the hotel/restaurant business. Even if I read carefully the fine print, I would not have understood the baked goods part, so an exception about sandwich side/baked goods side of the store would have gone a long way. I read other reviews here and each time a coupon is mentioned, the baked goods part is mentioned, also. Frustration, too, especially with the manager. If I want to have good pastries, cakes, baked goods, I go to Whole Foods, Dean and Deluca, Balducci's, Le Pain Quotidien, and of course, Patisserie Poupon. When you have such fierce competition in a cosmopolitan area, when your shop is called a pastry shop, and you want to bring people in for baked goods, it is best to be kind to your customers, and they might just overlook the fact that your pastry shop is simply mediocre, with cake prices rivaling these above mentioned excellent pastry shops. The really expensive cake prices are the only thing rivaling the good pastry shops in the Washington Area, the quality is definitely missing here, at Alexandria Pastry Shop and Cafe, both in the baked goods side of the store, and in the manager customer skills.
(1)Ross W.
I bought six chocolate chip cookies there the other day and they were nothing special at all. They were on the small side, not much taste to them and six of them cost around $6.50!! That price is fine if the cookies are larger and actually have some taste to them. These were very bland and I threw them away. Very disappointed. I will say there cakes looked very good that were displayed. Maybe they should just stick with the cakes and not even bother selling cookies.....not good at all and very pricey!
(1)Pamela S.
This place is awesome. It was recommended by a friend and now I am recommending this place to everyone. They have awesome deli sandwiches and for dessert lovers this place is for you. My boyfriend and had a BLT sandwich. It was awesome.
(5)Olivia T.
Great pastry selection, and the most delicious ham and cheese croissants! The people working there are always very nice, and they have a great selection of all different types of desserts. Their cakes are very beautiful and artistic, and although I've never tasted them, I'm sure that they're worth their price tag. The breakfast pastries include different types of apple/pear/coffee cake bars, all of which are sweet and delicious. Overall, a cute place to have a little breakfast or get takeout pastries.
(5)Nicole M.
I had Alexandria Pastry Shop do my wedding cake and it was delicious! My husband and I went in to do the taste test and ending up picking the Red Velvet cake. At my wedding I was told it was one of the prettiest cakes they had seen at a wedding. We did mulitple taste testing in the Arlington/Alexandria area and this place was by far the best! I would highly recommend their cakes for any event.
(5)Longgirl H.
I was looking for a little something before heading to a home inspection and I passed this shopping center. Coffee sounded good, but I am NOT a fan of McDonald's or Starbucks - hold on...a sign says PASTRY AND CAFE. I go in to check it out and see glass cases with some very yummy looking items. On the right there are tables and cases that appear to hold lunch salads, sandwiches and such. You can see that this place would fill up with locals on the weekends. It has a very cozy feel. To the left are glass displays of beautiful cakes, amazing looking muffins, a variety of cookies, pastries and scones. There is also a long counter for making up your coffee and tea drinks. I take a few minutes looking while another customer is talking to the young boy behind the counter. When I look up, he is ready for my order. I select a strawberry almond scone and a cup of coffee. That is how I order my coffee - a cup of coffee. No special descriptions required. Now I admit I can eat anything, but this was by far the best scone I have had in my life. I was moist and delicious. And the coffee was good too. Strong, but without the burnt taste. I would definitely go there again. I just don't know what I would order next time.
(5)Michael S.
I've never had any of their deli type foods, they serve breakfast and lunch type foods on one half of the store and other half is the bakery. My wife and I bought our wedding cake here and I thought they did a very sufficient job. One small note: Call ahead if you want to talk about ordering specialty cakes. The young students manning the registers will stammer and stare at you if you ask them questions. Talk to a manager. We had a cake tasting and decided to have three different flavors on each layer of the cake. They had tons of photos to choose from of past cakes they have done. It was very smooth and easy going, they delivered our cake the day of the wedding and it went off without a hitch. They were a little finicky about the time table in which they would deliver their cake, but they are just trying to look out for the overall presentation of the cake. The price was fair. A separate, smaller carrot cake was made to eat on the one year anniversary, which we actually cracked into last night. Carrot cake is one of my favorites and though this one was a bit freezer burnt from sitting a year in my fridge, I've had fresher pieces from here and its delicious. There is raisins and bits of pecans in the mix and the frosting is creamy and not too sweet.
(4)K S.
***3.5 stars*** I've ordered a few beautiful cakes here for special events (only if Victoria's Cakery in Fairfax was unavailable or inconvenient for the event, however!) and have never been disappointed. The cakes are moist and fresh, if a bit less dense than I might prefer - though this could just be the types of cakes I've ordered, as they have lots of choices. The individual pastries are great, too - but go for the fancy stuff (tortes, bombes, mini-cheesecakes) - the everyday cookies and brownies aren't as worth the calorie count! The cafe side is nice - I love avocado as a sandwich toping - but the service is slow and the cleanliness of the seating area leaves something to be desired. Worth a stop if you're in the immediate area or need a big fancy 'event' cake. Update: Had the best chocolate croissant of my ENTIRE LIFE here on Saturday. Huge, buttery, and flaky, full of high-quality chocolate. For $2. Get your accompanying coffee down the street at Starbucks, though - options here are limited and if there's a line it takes forever. This shopping center needs outdoor seating.
(4)Robyn M.
These cakes are AMAZING! My husbands favorite is the Chocolate Truffle. I am not a very big chocolate fan (but this cake is good), I prefer the rest. We stop by when we are in the area just for a treat! We have used them for years for holiday's and special occasions and I would recommend them to anyone.
(5)John C.
Wow, we ordered a chocolate cake with cappuccino frosting for my father in-laws 80th b-day, and it was fabulous. The cake was light and moist, and the frosting was fluffy and light. Next big celebration we are coming back.
(4)Kaden H.
Try the Strawberry Cake, I have served it at many functions and it is a huge hit.
(3)Mikkela T.
Pretty pennies for pretty pastries. Lots of pennies. The small cakes are $20+ but yummy (the cheesecake was good and the lemon -- even to those of us who dislike lemon cake -- was excellent. Light and airy with only the gele topping done as a translucent jewel yellow.) The beef kabob was chewy (work that jaw!) but flavorful as it was marinated in rosemary. When we went on a crowded crazy Saturday lunchtime (crazy parking!), the airy bakery was busy, each table taken with a Fairfax County/Arlandria/Alexandria/Falls Church-e-ites grabbing a bite while shopping. I did notice some finely packaged (brown satin with creme polka dotted dress) pretty folk waiting to pick up their cake on their way to a soiree or post-races tea? This bakery is located in a mall off of Route 7 where it's called King Street, and that is what the clientele are like as well. This place is nowhere near old town. It's right off of 395. In conclusion, not a lot of soul but good cake to go. Go for the lemon cake and coffee. And bring your pennies in plastic. Postscript: I guess I'm so battered by Fourbucks that I don't notice harsh coffee anymore because Alexandria Pastry Shop's latte was surprising. I was startled to drink a latte with good warm coffee flavor and no harshness.
(4)Cameron T.
Stopped by on a busy Sunday morning. Purchased plain and chocolate croissants, and a Bavarian Cream cake with fruit. The croissants were good, but not flaky enough. The cake was nice and light and not too sweet. Excellent coffee, not too weak, and not bitter. Customer service was great, and the line moved quickly. I thought the prices were pretty reasonable considering the quality. Hard to find really great bakeries and pastry shops in this area.
(4)Pamela T.
They have the best cakes, here, period! I make the long excursion to Alexandria a few times a year, just to get one as a special birthday treat for someone I love. Lemon Raspberry? Tiramisu? Triple Chocolate Bavarian? Pear Caramel? Raspberry Marquis? The choosing is the only hard part, the tasting is just so easy. It all just melts away into tastebud heaven, one delicious bite after the next. I got tired of expensive cakes that look great, but don't taste as good as they look. Alexandria Pastry Shop cakes are never guilty of that!
(5)Judith T.
OMG, I absolutely love this place! During the school year this is my go-to place for my lunch, or just a sweet treat. I definitely recommend the fruit tarts, the marquis, cheesecake (with mango jam on top), the sticky bun, and the danishes (especially the cheese danish with raspberry jam swirled in) if u want something sweet to go with a cup of joe. For lunch i always try something different, there is always some new soup of the day that is delicious, and usually depending on the soup I'll get a sandwich that pairs with it. But there are salads and even take home dishes that vary each day that look very yummy if you just wanna eat something when you get home. :) So when the school year starts back up I'll be here prob almost everyday since its a little far from home (1 hour on bus) and i don't always have the time to stop by. But, support Alexandria's small businesses and stop by, you'll be glad u did.
(5)Iz A.
I wish I had a better review for this place as I love to support small business and it's very close to my house but the service I've received makes it impossible for me to be more generous. I have been there for lunch twice. Both times, my sandwich order was somehow forgotten. I sat waiting and waiting only to realize that the order never made it from the cashier to the line cook. Both incidents were over a year apart, one time I was alone and the other I had ordered lunch with a friend who got his food within an acceptable wait time. Nobody wants to wait more than 10 min for a simple BLT. Additionally, I found the sandwich prices to be high in relation to the quality of the food. BUT, I am giving the place three stars because I have had a few of their pastries and they were very good while just slightly on the expensive side. My recommendation is to pick up sweet snacks and pre-made food items from this place but go somewhere else for a sandwich if you are in a time crunch or hungry.
(3)Michele M.
I have been going to the pastry shop for 10 plus years for various occasions. Their pastries, cookies, and cakes are amazing; the sandwiches, soups, and sides are all delicious! It is an excellent go to spot for breakfast, lunch, and for catering needs for special occasions. Earlier this summer they made the MOST amazing cake for my baby shower and cookies to match as favors for the guests. Not only were they decorated to match the theme of the baby shower, they were also absolutely delicious! All the guests at the shower commented on how artistic and tasty they were! They also prepared several side dishes for a bridal shower brunch I hosted in July and again, those were hits of the party. I could not say enough good things about this place!
(5)Lor B.
---3.5 stars--- I'd give it a 4 if it weren't for the fact that the seating/eat-in area is kinda bleh. I'm thrilled that I've got bakery options other than Korean bakery shops in Annandale, so I roll into Alexandria Pastry Shop & Cafe pretty often to pick
(3)Peter E.
Not too impressed. Poor customer service behind the counter, if it's crowded, better speak up to get noticed--numbers like Heidelberg might help. Altho, I'd probably work the same as a lethargic high schooler just trying to make some spare change. Went to price cookies with a computer generated picture on top. Expensive. Just go on the Internet and look. Asked to sample the cookie and that was 4bucks plus--just short bread cookie w/orange zest. Superficially, their goods do look tasty, I'll admit.
(1)Kelly P.
This place is not good at all! We ordered a cake that was totally over priced and it was dry and gross. I wanted a small smash cake for my daughter, they made me wait and told me to come back then said it would cost at least $40.00. I went somewhere else and they made a beautiful cake for $7.00. Try going for breakfast and they will give you a stale pre-made egg sandwitch. Save your money and go somewhere else.
(1)Parthena K.
This bakery never fails to produce amazing pastries. Their struesel is incredible (my favorite is the peach, although the apple is good too), and their chocolate croissants are very satisfying. They have a fantastic variety of pastries and desserts to choose from, in addition to other lunch sandwiches and decent brunches on weekends. The staff has always been helpful and friendly to me, and while I think their lunch foods are slightly overpriced, the pastries are what they are known for and their desserts should be rated 5 stars in my book. ;)
(5)Jenny S.
Gave this place a second chance - mistake. Ordered 2 chicken sandwiches to go and they gave me 2 cheese sandwiches instead.
(1)Aparna B.
my old office used to have a breakfast group (~10 people) that rotated responsibilities every friday. i'd often stop here to pick up muffins (the cherry ones are really awesome) and then run to the nearby safeway to get orange juice and fruit. the staff was extremely accommodating and never seemed annoyed that i wiped out most of their muffin selection in one go. they also serve sandwiches and full breakfasts but i never stopped for long enough to get anything. they face stiff competition with a starbucks right next door, but still seem to always be very busy and full in the mornings.
(4)Dan H.
Definitely stop in for some tasty pastry treats! They also have coffee, breakfast sandwiches/meals as well as lunch items such as salads, sandwiches, pastas. It's too bad I just found out about this place when it's so close to where I live + I love pastries. I've gone the last two days and have consumed: - Scones: great! Good crust and moist on the inside and not too sweet. - Croissants: Not ultra-flakey so they're slightly more chewy, which is nice. - Cinnamon Sticky-buns: Awesome! With a nut topping they are tasty and don't last long. - Canadian bacon, egg and cheese croissant sandwich - this was premade and it was just heated it up so that was kind of a downer. Good but not great. I'll be back to try some of the other fruit pastries and crumbles plus some more of the cinnamon sticky-buns!
(4)Jee D.
Such an uncreative name but describes exactly what it is - a pastry shop on one side and cafe on the other, although they have much more than just coffee. This cute little shop feels more small-town than strip-mall which I love. The lunch rush can be quite busy, but I must have lucked out last time since I came in about 12:45 and no one was in line. They have soups of the day, sandwich options, and lots of prepared meals to go, including a variety of salads. The Cobb is my go-to carry out lunch (although at times i wonder if I'm overpaying at $8.99) and their grilled veggies are divine. Curious about their pastries, I bought a Bavarian cream fruit cake to a dinner party recently. The cake was super light with lots of fluffy cream in it, but I did wish the cake had more...um....cake in it. It did receive rave reviews though, and everyone kept asking me where I got it.
(4)Liliana T.
Oh my God!!!! ......... Bad does not begin to describe the horror which is this "pastry" I can't be 100% sure , but I think the drawing I asked for my Cake was made by a Kindergarden Child .... Sadly, so, so sadly
(1)Meredith M.
Delicious cakes, pastries, cookies and more! This is my go-to place for a dessert, and always pleases the crowd when I bring something from here to a party or dinner. Great for lunch, or grabbing food to-go. The wedding cakes look divine and they cater also. My favorite thing, hard to choose just one- is the pecan bar, or lemon bar, and the #7 sandwich, Grilled chicken with avocado on a croissant.
(5)Mariah S.
Thumbs up to their delicious flaky and chewy and so good you croissants will not want to share, despite how gi-normous in size they are. My favorite is the almond-filled; its creamy and gooey texture combines well with the buttery layers of pastry. And don't forget to order their piping hot coffee to accompany it. Please check this place out. Don't drive around town like I did trying to find bakeries with decent pastries. After one bite, you are hooked. It's even better if you warm it in a toaster oven or, if you must, in a microwave but less than 10 seconds. Coming here is worth having to deal with that dreadful Duke/Braddock/Quacker Lane intersections. But come early if you can because they sell out folks!
(5)Shira S.
Stopped in here quickly to kill some time between clients. The service was prompt and friendly. But, the pecan bar needed something to make it stand out as it was a bit bland with no real discernible flavor. Maybe I just picked the wrong item?
(2)Amber L.
Sub-par. Purveyors of the saltiest soups and sandwiches in the greater DC/NVA area - possibly correlative with the shop's regular crowd of seniors. The food and drink is overpriced to boot: $14 for a small soup with a tuna sandwich - both too salty, of course. Baked goods are large, expensive and unremarkable-tasting. Deli items are small, expensive and unremarkable-tasting. Bottom line: Save yourself some time in finding your new favorite local lunch place and head to Zoe's Mediterranean Kitchen across the parking lot. Much fresher tasting and better quality (and, I would hazard a guess, probably healthier too.)
(2)Angel W.
I have frequented the stores in this shopping plaza many times over the years and have overlooked the Alexandria Pastry Shop mainly because I assumed they only sold sweets. When I was getting my hair done a few doors down, I noticed that some of the stylists ordered sandwiches from nearby and I had assumed it was from the wine store a few doors down. The "pastry shop" name does not accurately reflect the business because they sell many other items such as hot and cold sandwiches, omelets, pastas, side dishes, quiches, fruit, soup, etc. Thus far, I have only tried the veggie sandwich, that normally comes on wheat bread but I order it on a baguette. The baguette was super fresh. All of the ingredients were also cold and fresh. You can order the veggie with a hummus or cream cheese topping. I ordered the cream cheese topping which seems to have a hint of garlic. The other toppings are tomato, spinach, cucumber and avocado. The tomatoes were very ripe. The cucumbers were sliced into ridges and the avocado is thickly sliced. The sandwich was quite refreshing and not overly potent. It's a nice sandwich to eat on a day where you might not feel that well or don't want anything overwhelming. The sandwich was so good that I returned the next day for another. Also the price cannot be beat - $5.49 for a large sandwich. Other sandwiches cost $6.99 - $7.99 Their pastas look well seasoned and the prices are very fair $5.99 - $11.99 per lb (the asparagus dish was on the more expensive side). Basically, the prices are similar or less than Whole Foods. Apparently they change out the sides often. I overheard a customer mentioning that they recently had some delicious grilled carrots and butternut squash. I have not tried the pastries. I asked about gluten free items because the store is heavily based in gluten (bread, pasta etc). The only offer two gluten free dessert items (flourless chocolate cake and a chocolate mousse). The staff has been friendly and the lines have been short thus far. I definitely recommend trying this place if you are in the area.
(4)Danielle C.
Fantastic! A wide array of delicious delicacies and wonderful customer service. Come here for a snack or when you are in need of sweets for an event. They provide for parties, birthdays and even wedding cakes. I recommend.
(5)EandD S.
When we are craving a luxurious piece of cake, this is our go to shop. We have sampled many of the mousse and specialty cakes. We loved the flavorful Passion Fruit Bavarian with Apricots so much, we selected it for our summer wedding. Ana was very pleasant to work with, the cake was delivered on time and looked beautiful. As far as pricing, we did a lot of research in the DC area and found the per person pricing to be comparable to other wedding cake shops. No complaints from us or our delighted wedding guests!
(5)Jessie B.
YUM. I live next door and ordered my wedding cake from Alexandria Pastry Shop & Cafe. The managers were wonderful to work with and they had a vast array of designs. I picked a cute, simple design that not only looked WONDERFUL with my decor on my wedding day this past weekend, it tasted delicious! Many of my guests complimented the cake (I chose the triple chocolate mousse cake layered with a cream cake). I highly recommend them not only for wedding cake, but for their pastries and breakfasts.
(5)Katherine L.
This place is sweet... the ham, cheese and scallion scone I got was a piece of heaven. The coffee was perfect and from local vendor I was told. Also, the Apple raisin strudel I got is excellent. Not too sweet which is perfect. It's a perfectly balanced bite. Seems most places these days make everything waaaay to sweet and it nice to taste the ingredients and not just sugar. Finally, the staff was very friendly. Disregard negative reviews for this place. It's excellent!!!!!
(5)Kate S.
I was so excited this place was so close to our house! But the people behind the counter are not super helpful and there is no signs in the display case telling you what is what. I have ordered several items including breakfast sandwiches, coffee, pastries and dessert items like brownies and cookies. The price is good but the only thing I would order again is the pastries. The desserts were flavorless and dry and the breakfast sandwich was mediocre.
(3)Keeley M.
Their pastries are good, but not outstanding, especially considering the price. The presentation is great though and the staff is extremely friendly. I think I could easily find better tasting cupcakes elsewhere. Their German Chocolate cake--absolutely delicious. The store is split into two. On the right side is the cafe (salads, sandwiches, etc.) and as you enter, on the left side are the pastries. The cafe stuff is OK.
(3)Tawheed H.
The cake was delicious, soft and moist. They need to improve their pick up system as they identify your order by what you ordered and not the name it is under... kinda difficult when you are picking up for someone else and you have no idea what type of cake they ordered... Standing there waiting on them to find the cake had me exercising a ridiculous amount of self control, everything looked amazing, and judging by the line and the smile on everyone's faces as they walked away from the register everything probably tasted amazing as well.
(4)Nadia A.
I wasn't impressed with the food. I got a chocolate croissant that was dry and flaked everywhere. I also got some kind of latte that was ok.
(2)Radney P.
The last couple of times I have went there their deserts have been delicious and prepared well. But the last time that I ate some cookies there they were a little bit stale and I think they made my stomach a little bit upset the next day, so now I am a bit cautious about what I eat if I go here.
(3)Martine C.
I'm in town for a few days and came here for lunch. Had a chicken salad sandwich on French bread. The French bread is really a roll. The food was good. The five stars is for the cake. If your looking for a wedding cake I highly recommend this place. i've never tasted cake this satisfying. The taste was great, but no different than most tasty cakes. What was unique about it is that it melted in my mouth. Now that deserves five stars. I tried two different cakes... both melted in my mouth, rich in taste...amazing.
(5)Jeffrey C.
This shop is like two shops in one. The cafe side has many pre-prepared pasta salads, simple entrees, and does sandwiches too...for eat in or to go. The bakery side has many nice looking pastries, cookies and more. The cafe seems moderately priced, the bakery is a little higher. Bradlee shopping center has a really solid selection of neighborhood restaurants - this is one of many.
(4)Ryan K.
Pricey but good, I've gotten both cupcakes and cakes here and both were very good. I like to stop in to pick up treats for clients - they are always well received and I like supporting a local business.
(3)Charles H.
Situated next to the almighty Starbucks the "Alexandria Pastry Shop & Cafe" provides a local flair to the coffee / pastry scene. In addition to a cup of java they offer soups, salads, pastas, and sandwiches to satisfy your cravings. I was fortunate to dine-in and try their chai spiced latte and strawberry scone. The chai was okay as I prefer the flavor from Starbucks. On the other hand the strawberry scone was off the charts as it delivered freshness from the dough, sweetness from the cream, nutness from the chopped walnuts, and fruitness from the strawberries! If you're in the area stop by and support your local small businesses such as the Alexandria Pastry Shop and Cafe.
(4)Jim W.
OMG -- best cakes in the Alexandria area. Yummy and delicious. Sometimes there are long lines so be prepared to wait a little. It's worth it.
(5)Katie F.
I went here for breakfast this weekend with a friend. The ham and cheese croissant was pretty good. That's the only thing that keeps this from being a one-star review. I brought home some stuff for the family. The chocolate chip muffin--something you'd think would be really fresh on a Saturday morning--was really dry and seemed to have weird little bits of stuff that wasn't chocolate. It looked sort of like butterscotch? Maybe? But it didn't taste like anything and felt sort of plastic-y. Bleh. I almost wonder if the girl who helped me misidentified the pastries I ordered, because nothing tasted like what it was supposed to be. The key lime cake had no lime flavor, the lemon tart tasted like coconut, and the highly recommended raspberry-mango cake tasted like nothing in particular. Did I mention that the bottom layer on the two cakes managed to be both soggy and stale? It's a cute place, but I won't be back. There are plenty of other great bakeries in the area--even Wegman's has a much better lemon tart.
(2)Bethany B.
Things are hit and miss here. I keep going back but it does seem inconsistent. I had a great cake here for a party and then a bad one that was stale for another party. The pastries are generally decent and the cookies and macarons are better than average. I like the coffee and enjoyed the veggie salads and roasted vegetables but found the soups lacking. So give it a try you may be pleasantly surprised or not.
(3)Leila D.
I had a HORRIBLE experience here. The owner, Tom, is so disrespectful to his employees and customers. I walked in to him cussing out a customer in front of other customers. Very professional, right? I feel bad for all his employees working for him. Everything in the shop is cheap looking. The containers for the forks, spoons, and knives are the same containers for the salads. I don't suggest anyone to go there, unless you want to be disrespected. That place is not going to last once that new Safeway is built. The help wanted sign is up all year round. I don't even know how he has employees when he's so disrespectful. The cookies are expensive just for one cookie. I got one cookie for $2.07 when I can go to Fresh Market for a big donut for $1.00. The owner must be losing a ton of money if he has a $5 minimum. Cheapskate.
(1)Jewels V.
Excellent service, truly local. Breakfast quesadilla & quiche were perfect. Can't believe I am only now discovering this place. Wide assortment of cakes, cheesecakes, desserts as well as sandwiches, soup, deli pastas, prepared lunches. Good meet-up place for mornings or afternoons, pleasant cafe atmosphere. Great for grab & go meals too. Real food with fresh ingredients, prepared by actual people. Highly recommend!
(5)TJ M.
For our 1980s formal wedding, my partner and I wanted to find a local pastry shop that could create the ultimate cake for our event - a Rubick's Cube fondant masterpiece complete with He-Man and Skeletor cake toppers (yes!). After visiting the Alexandria Pastry Shop on more than one occasion (their cakes are delicious!) we decided to hire them to create two different cakes for our wedding (a traditional grooms' cake and a larger sheet cake to be stored in the venue's kitchen). When our Rubick's Cube grooms' cake arrived the day of our wedding, we nearly lost our minds! It was absolutely perfect, and all of our guests raved about the Rubick's Cube design - totally tubular! To boot, the cakes were absolutely delicious (pear caramel and bavarian fruit) and perfect for a late summer wedding held outdoors - light and creamy. If you're in the market for a beautiful wedding cake, we highly recommend you stop by Alexandria Pastry Shop - ask for Ana!
(4)Kate O.
I somehow managed to bookmark this place without realizing when/how I did it. In a way it is a good thing because I was looking for a place for a nice dessert and coffee after a meal. I stopped by this place with my husband on a Sunday afternoon after our dunch/linner. I had a slice of mango mousse cake and my husband had a piece of blueberry crumble bar along with a cup of latte for each of us. Both the pastries were really good. The service was friendly. I think it would be nice if they post a sign with the name of each bakery item so I don't have to bother the staff with naming each one. I will definitely keep this place bookmarked.
(4)Minna S.
I stopped by this place for the first time and got a cherry bar which tasted pretty good. They have a nice selection of desserts and pastries, and the staff was very friendly.
(4)Anita T.
I've bought numerous birthday cakes from here for friends and colleagues. All have raved on how light and tasty these cakes are. Not too sweet either. It is a little pricey for a cake but you get what you pay for - excellent quality cakes. Also, the staff is always friendly and helpful and the service has always been impeccable. I highly recommend to anyone seeking a high quality cake/pastry.
(5)Ro C.
Although, their bakery products are great, their sevice is quite interesting. My co-worker and I went there to eat lunch, where he wanted a meatball sandwich. After a long rigid discussion, they didnt want to make it. Reasoning was that they didnt make the bread. Note that the bread and the meatballs were in sight. We asked that we purchase the items separately and they still denied. So we went somewhere else for lunch. At this place, customer is not always right; customer satisfaction is just not that important.
(2)Fenny L.
My favorite part of my wedding planning process - had to be the free cake tasting (yes, you get FREE CAKE when you get engaged! If I knew this - I would have gotten engaged far sooner! HAHA!)! I ordered my wedding cake from Alexandria Pastry, and while they were great, there were several missteps. First, when I called to set up an appointment for the cake tasting, they asked me to pick out 3 cakes that we would like to try. Made sense, so we picked 3 random ones, and was set to come in the following Saturday afternoon. When we got there - they had us down for the appointment...but they couldn't find our cakes! No matter, the guy that helped us was hilarious and snagged HUGE slices from their display case! Needless to say, I was in heaven. The cakes were delicious! We had the hardest time picking a flavor. Again, the guy that was helping us (I think his name was "Tony" - but I can't be 100% sure) was very funny and very nice about helping us narrow down our choice. My fiancee (now husband) hates fondant, and the guy was super sweet and walked us through several different options (we went with buttercreme), and as we had no idea about the design of the cake - we were able to flip through their book - and pick out the elements from 3 different cakes, to make the design of ours. The day of the wedding - they delivered on time, although, because the boat was late (see my review of the Odyssey for the full story and review), the driver did give me a few minutes of worry when he called my cellphone in the middle of my pre-wedding photos, to tell me that he was on a strict schedule and he needs to deliver the cake in the next few minutes or he may have to leave and come back! Fortunately, my husband was incredibly nice and persuasive and was able to convince the driver to stay (I'm sure the offer of a bribe was somewhere in this discussion...hahaha!). When I finally saw the cake - it wasn't *exactly* what we ordered. We wanted the layers to be off-set, instead of perfectly centered. But it's a small thing. The cake was DELICIOUS, and the service was great - but they seem to be a wee bit forgetful (our appointment, and the design of the cake), but all in all, I was really satisfied with them.
(3)Jen S.
*3.5 stars* After checking out the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town, Anna L. went on a hunt to find a bakery to satisfy our sweet tooth. Anna L. immediately got on Yelp to see if any of the bakeries we passed by were worth stopping in. None seemed like it and instead we headed further out to check out Alexandria Pastry Shop and Cafe. She and I both agreed that our caffe latte and cafe mocha were both meh, however, the passionfruit cake and streudel we got were divine. Around the corner they have a selection of real food. Free Wi-Fi, a plus!
(3)Stacy H.
I had the best wedding cake tasting experience at the APS today. I'm planning a wedding from out of town and had already made up my mind that I would like this place just based on online reviews. Going there in person just confirmed all the glowing reviews about their cakes. The owner Tom and all his staff were VERY nice to me. The raspberry marquis and passion fruit cake were my favorites. Since I came alone, after taking a few bites of each, they packed up the remaining cake slices (and even added an extra slice!) so that I could have my fiancee taste it as well. My future M-I-L liked the mango and guava cake the best, and my mom & her bf liked the raspberry marquis cake the best. Thank you for the amazing cakes!
(5)Joy H.
I would really like to rate this place higher, as I have enjoyed their pastries, sandwiches, and coffee, but one experience left a bad taste in my mouth (forgive the pun). My boyfriend and I stopped in for breakfast on a Saturday morning. After ordering and finding a seat, we settled in -me with my book and he on his laptop- to enjoy breakfast and tea. We were surrounded by other small groups and single people similarly reading, doing paperwork, or doing crossword puzzles. There was also a large group which seemed to consist of regulars, who took up 2-3 tables. We were there for about an hour, and as it was later in the morning, the place got less and less busy, with several free tables. As I was coming back from ordering a lunch sandwich to-go, I noticed a man speaking with my boyfriend. Lo and behold, it was the manager...asking us to leave soon...as it was Saturday, and they were too busy for us to be taking up a table (?????). Again, there were at least 3 empty tables (I checked). We had eaten, still had our drinks, and I had ordered MORE food, so I wouldn't consider that loitering. Looking around us, we counted several people including the large group that had been there since before we arrived (a couple of them with just a coffee cup on their table). Unless he did it after we left, no one else was spoken to about taking up a table. I have been in the service industry (between retail and private medical practice) for over 20 years. I understand how frustrating it must be for single people to take up a table for a long time on a busy day. I also know that before assuming this is the case, do not offend someone who previously enjoyed your business, spent money, and sang your praises. Because now, I'll never set foot in this cafe again. Sadly, but certainly.
(1)Michico F.
They catered my friend's brunch party in DC. The Croissants, Fruit Muffins and Bagels were fresh, The Fruit platters were fresh as well. The Frittata and Potato Strata were delish. Overall it was a great brunch party. By the way, the guy who delivered the food to the party was super cute :)
(5)Dana P.
The pastries, coffee, and baked goods are SO yummy here! But, what I was most impressed with was the staff. Each and every one of them knew each pastry so well, and was able to help the customer find exactly what they were craving. They also had a deli-like station on the opposite side (I didn't get to taste any, but I stared at it for a long time), with many options to choose from! Please go here, it's well worth your time!
(4)Ellen K.
I've loved this place since I was a little kid, and no other cake places in the area have been able to top it! My family likes mousse cakes, so I'm not sure what their buttercream cakes are like, but their mousse cakes are soooo yummy. My favorites are the triple chocolate mousse cake and the lemon mousse with raspberries. It's too bad most of my loved ones have birthdays concentrated in the fall and winter because I've never been able to try the peach mousse cake, but that's definitely on my to-devour list!
(5)Anne L.
They have great coffee and a nice selection of pastries! When the line at Starbucks is crazy long, give them a try! You won't be disappointed! Just FYI bring cash, cause they have a $5 min for credit card payments
(4)Jon K.
A nightmare to say the least....... Can I give zero stars????? OK, so I remember liking this place several years ago. Must have been 7 or 8 years ago when I last went. Things have changed drastically since I last went. Things went terribly here to say the least. I take my wife here for breakfast today because she had to work early. I had a living social coupon for $20 I tried to use, they didn't take it saying it was only good for "baked goods." No big deal, but the manager and cashier were very rude about it and copped the better than you attitude. No big deal, I was actually hungry and looking forward towards eating. I ordered a mocha and my wife ordered a water and a regular coffee for drinks. My wife and I both ordered the scrambled eggs, bacon, and potatoes for breakfast. The scrambled eggs were runny as hell and not tasty at all. The bacon was fine, best thing on the plate. The potatoes were hard to cut through and greasy and over seasoned. My mocha tasted odd, like someone went crazy with the chocolate or hershey's syrup...yuck. Another thing that bugged me is the flimsy plastic plates and plastic silverware. I mean come on, if your charging these prices for breakfast you can man up and do it right with the eating utensils and get regular plates. A bunch of full blown idiots must be running this place I guess. Next time I want a quick breakfast I'll just go to ihop or the barnside diner down the street. Avoid this place like the plague.......
(1)Jennifer C.
I purchased a black and white cake from them last week for my friend's birthday. It wasn't one that I had ordered special, I just went and got one from their case. I was afraid it might be dry but it was a huge hit! The mousse filling layers were really delicious and it was so pretty. It wasn't cheap, but certainly was good!
(4)Rebecca A.
This place is hit or miss. Most of the breakfast pastries are good. Almond croassant is very delicious( that what keeps us coming to this place). Lunch items are OK, IF served on a clean plates and not a large chunk of melted cheese from previously made dish. Overall is good, but I give the service 1 star over many visits.
(3)Anne E.
One of the best cakes I've ever tasted. Gave them a kind of short notice and they took my order! Gave them a photo of how I wanted it to look like and they did surprise me because they exceeded my expectations. Cake is moist too and not too sweet. Everyone at the party loved it! Will definitely be back in the future. Yey!
(5)Cortney P.
I eat lunch here at least once a week. Sandwiches and salads are super fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. They did my wedding cupcakes Oct 2010 and my sister's wedding cake Sept. 2011 and they were both on point. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
(5)Rachel S.
I have been there numerous times, because they are close to my home. However I am done. Outside of the fact that it always looks like the people behind the counter are doing you a favor by helping you, it is hit or miss whether or not your items will be stale. Very disapointing.
(1)Chris S.
Not too bad, I picked up a few cookies for the wifey. M&M cookies as well as the chocolate chip. I wasn't exactly impressed. Good enough for a cookies but nothing to discriminate these from home made, or others.
(3)Shay F.
I went here on the recommendation of my mother and it was ok coming from out of town. We ordered about $25.00 worth of baked goods and for that type of money I was expecting better. I had the brownie and it tasted more like fudge than a brownie. The carrot cake slice had to much clove or something and that was not good at all. We also purchased 4 different types of slices of cake. I had the tiramisu cake and some of the cake was moist and some of the cake was dry. Overall the cake was good I will get that again, but I will eat the cake the same day. My personal opinion you need to eat their baked goods the same day and not the next day.
(3)Meredith W.
The cake was pretty but incredibly dry. I was really disappointed given the price. And a bit embarrassed to serve it to my guests.
(2)Mac O.
This is the kind of place you could eat at for years and years (like me), but it always evades your radar until someone suggests you meet there for lunch (like me). I never think about it as a breakfast or lunch option when I'm considering my breakfast or lunch options, which is odd given how much I like it and how good the food is. The "meal" food is fresh, delicious, straight-forward fare aimed to please. Omelets, waffles, fruit, and pastries at breakfast. Soups, sandwiches, quiche, and salads at lunch. Always changing, always different whenever you stop in. There's a large glass display case showcasing all of APS' inventive salads -- couscous and currants, grilled vegetables, cherry tomatoes and fresh mozz, corn and black bean, fusilli with asparagus and provolone....as well as their several daily quiche options. Some sammies are available hot, others come cold. Soup changes by the day, usually old standards such as broccoli cheddar or chicken noodle. Everything's available dine-in or to-go; salads come in several sizes for take-home. Save room for the pastries, tho, because they're great here. I'm particular to the fruit tarts, but any beautiful baked good your brain can conjure is available here, too. Get a box of assorted goodies or a full cake for your next office function or family get-together and be a hero. The decor is pretty spartan, but I like the little touches like the fried eggs painted onto the plain wood tabletops. Prices are right-on and affordable. And the service is always with a smile, and typically provided by some fresh-faced high-schooler. Ah, to be that young (and to have that metabolism) again...
(4)Cindy C.
I wish fewer than one star was available. I live in the neighborhood and the service and mix-ups on simple orders are so bad that at times I think I am being punk'd or on the old candid camera show. And it is getting worse. 1,) At least 50% of the time my food order (items off the menu) is not even close. One time, ordered a sandwich off their menu, the manager insisted I had said two (I had not) and tried to charge me for 2 which I had not ordered. No apology of course. 2.)The sandwiches are numbered on the menu but each time they seem to act like they have never had a request for a sandwich. I have been given the wrong sandwich or ordered a sandwich only to be told the bread or a key ingredient was out (happened today so after 20 minutes of comical mix-ups I asked for my money back and left...of course they first tried to give me one I had not ordered). 3.) Another time, with no others in line and watching the employees kill time, I asked after 10 minutes if someone could make the sandwich I ordered and paid for. They acted like "we will do it when we are good and ready." 4.) Another time I observed a customer in front of me use a groupon deal and she spent part of her deal $. Only after her purchase did the owner tell her that she had to spend it all at once and he would not let her amend her order to get the full value of the groupon that she had paid for (and she had not even stepped out of line). Amazingly deceptive and unprofessional. 5.) Another time ordered a hot vegetarian sandwich and got some strange cold concoction of a sandwich that was not even on the menu. I took it back in and spent some time pointing out the items on their menu to them. And the woman who usually make the sandwiches is very passive aggressive and clearly resents when she has to come out of the backroom to make a sandwich. 6.) If you order pastries you have to watch what they put in the box. I have ordered 3-4 pastries (all one kind) and ended up with items I did not order as part of my items (and counting towards my items..one time is was two old lemon bars). It would seem to me with this economy that they would have to try better. They really seem to have little concern for their customers. I'd rather stand in line and buy soup from the soup Nazi in NYC. I will not be returning again. Update: Not too long after I posted this review, I received an email from this place offering to buy me lunch so I could tell them how to improve their business! Seriously. I did not respond and perhaps they need to simply read my review and others. I felt if they needed a consultant, my time (which they have wasted a lot of in the past) was worth more than one of their lunches.
(1)Marianne L.
I've wandered in here from time to time and have had several things from their pastries to their salads and sandwiches. Everything I've ever had has been exceptionally good and well prepared. And the staff is always wonderful to deal with, even when they are extremely busy. Based on positive experiences I've had over the years - stopped in (on no notice) to get a cake for a celebration at work for our dept. admin's wedding send off. Got the cutest little cake with strawberries. The lady behind the counter even gave me a little bride and groom teddy bear set that we could put on top. As others have mentioned, prices aren't cheap (but they do have a range - not everything is exorbitant), but you certainly get what you pay for in service and quality of product.
(4)Tavon B.
This place is pretty good. It was my first wedding anniversary and someone told me that we were supposed to eat the cake topper from the wedding to celebrate. Well, the wedding cake was completely consumed that day including the topper. The original baker was in Philadelphia so I thought we were at a loss (until a coworker told me how amazing these people at Alexandria Pastry Shop were). I took a picture of the cake to them and asked them to duplicate it. It was a pretty fancy cake - pearls, sugar flowers, iridescent fondant and crap like that. APS made an exact replica. It was rather remarkable. My wife didn't even recognize that it wasn't our cake. They did a fantastic job, and the cake itself (Black & White Chocolate Mousse) tasted pretty good. The only thing I would say was unfavorable was the price. It was rather high for a small cake topper ($40-something dollars). I think if you say the word, "wedding," to anyone the price almost doubles. Anyway, I would go there again - maybe for the cookies next time.
(4)Rob R.
You might have a hard time narrowing down your choice(s) when you visit this bakery! Acting on a tip from a co-worker, my wife and I checked out this place. We were satisfied with the quality of the pastries and also the price & service. It definitely seems to be a favorite among locals, as we had to watch over the tables until someone finished with their meal. I wish there was more seating. Overall, this was a good find and I'll be here again sometime soon. Highly recommend.
(4)Dawn B.
Brought their Fruit tart and Pumpkin Pie to Thanksgiving 2010. Although both were eaten, the fruit tart lasted a total of 15min when the entire family got wind of its existence. The tart itself was the perfectly cooked and the fruit was so fresh tasting. Definitely would by the tart again; real hit of the Thanksgiving dessert table. As for the Pumpkin, the crust was hard and difficult to cut with a knife. I hope they work on the crust for next year. All said and done... great bakery enough said.
(4)Sara S.
DEEELICIOUS! The desserts are almost too pretty to eat, but definitely eat them b/c they are so scrumptuous. Black and white cake and strawberry shortcake are my favorite. I even had my wedding cake made from here and it was beautiful and delivered on time. They also have the best blueberry muffins I've ever had, and I've had a lot of blueberry muffins. It's perfectly fluffy with clusters of moist blueberries. I don't go on the otherside for the regular food, but I've had some sandwiches which are okay and the asparagus/hearts of palm salad is fantastic, but can be very expensive.
(5)Kristy H.
For the cake: 3.5 stars I got my friend's baby shower cake here in September. They did a really fabulous job decorating it. I gave them one of the invitations and asked them to duplicate a graphic on it, which they did, and for a pretty reasonable price. I was disappointed with the cake itself -- I thought it was dry. It was a chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting. I had it in the refrigerator for 24 hours before serving it at the baby shower, which probably contributed to its dryness. They get major bonus points for being able to do a cake at the last minute, though. I had initially ordered it elsewhere, and the plans there fell through. I went to Alexandria Pastry on Friday afternoon and they had the cake ready for me on Saturday morning. For the sandwiches: 4.5 stars I've had the tarragon chicken salad sandwich, the italian, and the buffalo chicken sandwich. The chicken salad was really good, but it is definitely overshadowed by the buffalo chicken, which is probably my new favorite sandwich in all of Alexandria. It comes on ciabatta, with the buffalo chicken, which has Crystal Hot sauce to thank for its spiciness (I ask for extra). It also comes with russian dressing, bacon, provolone cheese, and lettuce. However, the last time I ordered it I had them hold the cheese, and you know what? It did not subtract from the deliciousness of the sandwich whatsoever. I think next time I will ask them to hold the cheese AND the bacon, to make it slightly less unhealthy. This sandwich is all about the sauces and the bread, which is very fresh and moist. As for the italian sandwich, I've only tried it once, and while it was good I was a little disappointed. It was somewhat dry -- next time I will ask for more oil and vinegar. My boyfriend tried the grilled cheese, which looked unimpressive. Now I just need to try their other baked goods, which look delicious! In addition to the sandwiches, they have a case of prepared salads and other dishes, which I also have yet to try. When you walk in, those items are on the right side -- kind of hidden if you walk in via the left door, and go straight to where you order your sandwich. Oh, they also serve MTO omelets on the weekends, breakfast sandwiches, and I think I've seen quiches as well. Definitely worth checking out!
(4)Karman L.
Got a carrot cake for co-workers birthday! It's a cute pastry place, I think they serve breakfast here too. Will come back and chill. alexandriapastry.com FYI - the store is in the Bradley Shopping center
(4)Sach Bob C.
I love this place for the blueberry scones and their cool holiday theme cookies. That's it!!!
(4)BBoo'sMama B.
I ate a slice of their beautiful Passionfruit Bavarian cake and it was a revelation. Have not been to the shop, but a friend brought this lovely cake to a holiday party. I look forward to visiting and tasting more things.
(4)A B.
I've been coming here for years and don't see that changing anytime soon as long as I live in the area and they're still open. BUT this review is strictly for the bakery side of the place, as I never make it past that and onto the non-sugary foods on the other side. Yeah, it's a little expensive, but you get what you pay for and the quality here is unparalleled. I LOVE their seasonal cheesecakes (mango in summer, cranberry in winter...although I prefer the mango to the cranberry) - the crusts are perfect and it's not overwhelmingly rich. Every single cake item looks perfect. PERFECT. not one flaw. I picked up a fruit tart during the winter holiday season and it even had gold leaf all over it. Unnecessary and over the top, and although tasteless, it was a good point of conversation at dinner. Other standouts - crumb cakes (in various flavors - blueberry, apple raisin, raspberry...), the chocolate raspberry marquis cake, there is some kinda passion fruit/apricot sorta thing too.....aw why bother listing, there really isn't anything you could order here that they'd mess up. The quality is just that good. They will never let you down when it comes to a sugar craving.
(5)Jennifer L.
I haven't had anything bad at this place. Their cakes are expensive, but worth every single penny- light, not too sweet, no "icing" in sight and lots of flavor! Their pastries are more European style- great with a cup of coffee/tea. The food is OK- nothing special, but at least it tastes like it's fresh!
(5)Lauran M.
I picked up a roast beef sandwich, chocolate ganache cake and a mango mousse cheesecake. I'm so glad I chose the cheesecake at the last minute because I would have been completely underwhelmed by the food otherwise. The roast beef was on a plain white roll and the horseradish sauce had absolutely no zing. It was a little mushy and boring. The chocolate cake was pretty to look at but the cake was fairly dry and the ganache thick and sticky. Not fun, and I wanted it to be. I've been to this shop once before and I doubt that I'll go back. Panera has better bread and more interesting food.
(2)Faylinda K.
The chocolate torte and the fruit tart are on my top 10 foods list. The chocolate torte is dark and darker still with very little flour and lots of chocolate flavor. The cake which is ridiculously expensive is decorated with dark chocolate dipped whole strawberries. My birthday cake every year. The fruit tart is my son's birthday cake every year - he who is not a chocolate fan. The shortbread crust is perfect, the filling is rich and creamy and the fruit is a tossed salad of perfect gems of brilliant whole berries heaped high.
(5)M K.
I used to live near here over 10 years ago and recently moved back to the area. I was thrilled to find this shop still in the same local strip mall! I remembered loving their cakes, they make really good mouse cakes (mango, rasberry, passion fruit, chocolate, and more.) This time around I am enjoying their reasonably priced ($2 I think) bars with fruits, nuts and more. My new favorites are cherry, peacan, almond, pear, etc. The bar size is generous for the price and makes a great desert to bring to friends/family. I wish they are open later so I can walk over when I get the craving for not-so-sweet sweet at night. Their prepared food is also great.
(5)Cameron T.
Stopped by on a busy Sunday morning. Purchased plain and chocolate croissants, and a Bavarian Cream cake with fruit. The croissants were good, but not flaky enough. The cake was nice and light and not too sweet. Excellent coffee, not too weak, and not bitter. Customer service was great, and the line moved quickly. I thought the prices were pretty reasonable considering the quality. Hard to find really great bakeries and pastry shops in this area.
(4)Pamela T.
They have the best cakes, here, period! I make the long excursion to Alexandria a few times a year, just to get one as a special birthday treat for someone I love. Lemon Raspberry? Tiramisu? Triple Chocolate Bavarian? Pear Caramel? Raspberry Marquis? The choosing is the only hard part, the tasting is just so easy. It all just melts away into tastebud heaven, one delicious bite after the next. I got tired of expensive cakes that look great, but don't taste as good as they look. Alexandria Pastry Shop cakes are never guilty of that!
(5)Judith T.
OMG, I absolutely love this place! During the school year this is my go-to place for my lunch, or just a sweet treat. I definitely recommend the fruit tarts, the marquis, cheesecake (with mango jam on top), the sticky bun, and the danishes (especially the cheese danish with raspberry jam swirled in) if u want something sweet to go with a cup of joe. For lunch i always try something different, there is always some new soup of the day that is delicious, and usually depending on the soup I'll get a sandwich that pairs with it. But there are salads and even take home dishes that vary each day that look very yummy if you just wanna eat something when you get home. :) So when the school year starts back up I'll be here prob almost everyday since its a little far from home (1 hour on bus) and i don't always have the time to stop by. But, support Alexandria's small businesses and stop by, you'll be glad u did.
(5)Iz A.
I wish I had a better review for this place as I love to support small business and it's very close to my house but the service I've received makes it impossible for me to be more generous. I have been there for lunch twice. Both times, my sandwich order was somehow forgotten. I sat waiting and waiting only to realize that the order never made it from the cashier to the line cook. Both incidents were over a year apart, one time I was alone and the other I had ordered lunch with a friend who got his food within an acceptable wait time. Nobody wants to wait more than 10 min for a simple BLT. Additionally, I found the sandwich prices to be high in relation to the quality of the food. BUT, I am giving the place three stars because I have had a few of their pastries and they were very good while just slightly on the expensive side. My recommendation is to pick up sweet snacks and pre-made food items from this place but go somewhere else for a sandwich if you are in a time crunch or hungry.
(3)Michele M.
I have been going to the pastry shop for 10 plus years for various occasions. Their pastries, cookies, and cakes are amazing; the sandwiches, soups, and sides are all delicious! It is an excellent go to spot for breakfast, lunch, and for catering needs for special occasions. Earlier this summer they made the MOST amazing cake for my baby shower and cookies to match as favors for the guests. Not only were they decorated to match the theme of the baby shower, they were also absolutely delicious! All the guests at the shower commented on how artistic and tasty they were! They also prepared several side dishes for a bridal shower brunch I hosted in July and again, those were hits of the party. I could not say enough good things about this place!
(5)Lor B.
---3.5 stars--- I'd give it a 4 if it weren't for the fact that the seating/eat-in area is kinda bleh. I'm thrilled that I've got bakery options other than Korean bakery shops in Annandale, so I roll into Alexandria Pastry Shop & Cafe pretty often to pick
(3)Peter E.
Not too impressed. Poor customer service behind the counter, if it's crowded, better speak up to get noticed--numbers like Heidelberg might help. Altho, I'd probably work the same as a lethargic high schooler just trying to make some spare change. Went to price cookies with a computer generated picture on top. Expensive. Just go on the Internet and look. Asked to sample the cookie and that was 4bucks plus--just short bread cookie w/orange zest. Superficially, their goods do look tasty, I'll admit.
(1)Kelly P.
This place is not good at all! We ordered a cake that was totally over priced and it was dry and gross. I wanted a small smash cake for my daughter, they made me wait and told me to come back then said it would cost at least $40.00. I went somewhere else and they made a beautiful cake for $7.00. Try going for breakfast and they will give you a stale pre-made egg sandwitch. Save your money and go somewhere else.
(1)Parthena K.
This bakery never fails to produce amazing pastries. Their struesel is incredible (my favorite is the peach, although the apple is good too), and their chocolate croissants are very satisfying. They have a fantastic variety of pastries and desserts to choose from, in addition to other lunch sandwiches and decent brunches on weekends. The staff has always been helpful and friendly to me, and while I think their lunch foods are slightly overpriced, the pastries are what they are known for and their desserts should be rated 5 stars in my book. ;)
(5)Jenny S.
Gave this place a second chance - mistake. Ordered 2 chicken sandwiches to go and they gave me 2 cheese sandwiches instead.
(1)Kristy H.
For the cake: 3.5 stars I got my friend's baby shower cake here in September. They did a really fabulous job decorating it. I gave them one of the invitations and asked them to duplicate a graphic on it, which they did, and for a pretty reasonable price. I was disappointed with the cake itself -- I thought it was dry. It was a chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting. I had it in the refrigerator for 24 hours before serving it at the baby shower, which probably contributed to its dryness. They get major bonus points for being able to do a cake at the last minute, though. I had initially ordered it elsewhere, and the plans there fell through. I went to Alexandria Pastry on Friday afternoon and they had the cake ready for me on Saturday morning. For the sandwiches: 4.5 stars I've had the tarragon chicken salad sandwich, the italian, and the buffalo chicken sandwich. The chicken salad was really good, but it is definitely overshadowed by the buffalo chicken, which is probably my new favorite sandwich in all of Alexandria. It comes on ciabatta, with the buffalo chicken, which has Crystal Hot sauce to thank for its spiciness (I ask for extra). It also comes with russian dressing, bacon, provolone cheese, and lettuce. However, the last time I ordered it I had them hold the cheese, and you know what? It did not subtract from the deliciousness of the sandwich whatsoever. I think next time I will ask them to hold the cheese AND the bacon, to make it slightly less unhealthy. This sandwich is all about the sauces and the bread, which is very fresh and moist. As for the italian sandwich, I've only tried it once, and while it was good I was a little disappointed. It was somewhat dry -- next time I will ask for more oil and vinegar. My boyfriend tried the grilled cheese, which looked unimpressive. Now I just need to try their other baked goods, which look delicious! In addition to the sandwiches, they have a case of prepared salads and other dishes, which I also have yet to try. When you walk in, those items are on the right side -- kind of hidden if you walk in via the left door, and go straight to where you order your sandwich. Oh, they also serve MTO omelets on the weekends, breakfast sandwiches, and I think I've seen quiches as well. Definitely worth checking out!
(4)Karman L.
Got a carrot cake for co-workers birthday! It's a cute pastry place, I think they serve breakfast here too. Will come back and chill. alexandriapastry.com FYI - the store is in the Bradley Shopping center
(4)Sach Bob C.
I love this place for the blueberry scones and their cool holiday theme cookies. That's it!!!
(4)BBoo'sMama B.
I ate a slice of their beautiful Passionfruit Bavarian cake and it was a revelation. Have not been to the shop, but a friend brought this lovely cake to a holiday party. I look forward to visiting and tasting more things.
(4)A B.
I've been coming here for years and don't see that changing anytime soon as long as I live in the area and they're still open. BUT this review is strictly for the bakery side of the place, as I never make it past that and onto the non-sugary foods on the other side. Yeah, it's a little expensive, but you get what you pay for and the quality here is unparalleled. I LOVE their seasonal cheesecakes (mango in summer, cranberry in winter...although I prefer the mango to the cranberry) - the crusts are perfect and it's not overwhelmingly rich. Every single cake item looks perfect. PERFECT. not one flaw. I picked up a fruit tart during the winter holiday season and it even had gold leaf all over it. Unnecessary and over the top, and although tasteless, it was a good point of conversation at dinner. Other standouts - crumb cakes (in various flavors - blueberry, apple raisin, raspberry...), the chocolate raspberry marquis cake, there is some kinda passion fruit/apricot sorta thing too.....aw why bother listing, there really isn't anything you could order here that they'd mess up. The quality is just that good. They will never let you down when it comes to a sugar craving.
(5)Jennifer L.
I haven't had anything bad at this place. Their cakes are expensive, but worth every single penny- light, not too sweet, no "icing" in sight and lots of flavor! Their pastries are more European style- great with a cup of coffee/tea. The food is OK- nothing special, but at least it tastes like it's fresh!
(5)Lauran M.
I picked up a roast beef sandwich, chocolate ganache cake and a mango mousse cheesecake. I'm so glad I chose the cheesecake at the last minute because I would have been completely underwhelmed by the food otherwise. The roast beef was on a plain white roll and the horseradish sauce had absolutely no zing. It was a little mushy and boring. The chocolate cake was pretty to look at but the cake was fairly dry and the ganache thick and sticky. Not fun, and I wanted it to be. I've been to this shop once before and I doubt that I'll go back. Panera has better bread and more interesting food.
(2)Faylinda K.
The chocolate torte and the fruit tart are on my top 10 foods list. The chocolate torte is dark and darker still with very little flour and lots of chocolate flavor. The cake which is ridiculously expensive is decorated with dark chocolate dipped whole strawberries. My birthday cake every year. The fruit tart is my son's birthday cake every year - he who is not a chocolate fan. The shortbread crust is perfect, the filling is rich and creamy and the fruit is a tossed salad of perfect gems of brilliant whole berries heaped high.
(5)M K.
I used to live near here over 10 years ago and recently moved back to the area. I was thrilled to find this shop still in the same local strip mall! I remembered loving their cakes, they make really good mouse cakes (mango, rasberry, passion fruit, chocolate, and more.) This time around I am enjoying their reasonably priced ($2 I think) bars with fruits, nuts and more. My new favorites are cherry, peacan, almond, pear, etc. The bar size is generous for the price and makes a great desert to bring to friends/family. I wish they are open later so I can walk over when I get the craving for not-so-sweet sweet at night. Their prepared food is also great.
(5)Aparna B.
my old office used to have a breakfast group (~10 people) that rotated responsibilities every friday. i'd often stop here to pick up muffins (the cherry ones are really awesome) and then run to the nearby safeway to get orange juice and fruit. the staff was extremely accommodating and never seemed annoyed that i wiped out most of their muffin selection in one go. they also serve sandwiches and full breakfasts but i never stopped for long enough to get anything. they face stiff competition with a starbucks right next door, but still seem to always be very busy and full in the mornings.
(4)Ryan K.
Pricey but good, I've gotten both cupcakes and cakes here and both were very good. I like to stop in to pick up treats for clients - they are always well received and I like supporting a local business.
(3)Charles H.
Situated next to the almighty Starbucks the "Alexandria Pastry Shop & Cafe" provides a local flair to the coffee / pastry scene. In addition to a cup of java they offer soups, salads, pastas, and sandwiches to satisfy your cravings. I was fortunate to dine-in and try their chai spiced latte and strawberry scone. The chai was okay as I prefer the flavor from Starbucks. On the other hand the strawberry scone was off the charts as it delivered freshness from the dough, sweetness from the cream, nutness from the chopped walnuts, and fruitness from the strawberries! If you're in the area stop by and support your local small businesses such as the Alexandria Pastry Shop and Cafe.
(4)Jim W.
OMG -- best cakes in the Alexandria area. Yummy and delicious. Sometimes there are long lines so be prepared to wait a little. It's worth it.
(5)Katie F.
I went here for breakfast this weekend with a friend. The ham and cheese croissant was pretty good. That's the only thing that keeps this from being a one-star review. I brought home some stuff for the family. The chocolate chip muffin--something you'd think would be really fresh on a Saturday morning--was really dry and seemed to have weird little bits of stuff that wasn't chocolate. It looked sort of like butterscotch? Maybe? But it didn't taste like anything and felt sort of plastic-y. Bleh. I almost wonder if the girl who helped me misidentified the pastries I ordered, because nothing tasted like what it was supposed to be. The key lime cake had no lime flavor, the lemon tart tasted like coconut, and the highly recommended raspberry-mango cake tasted like nothing in particular. Did I mention that the bottom layer on the two cakes managed to be both soggy and stale? It's a cute place, but I won't be back. There are plenty of other great bakeries in the area--even Wegman's has a much better lemon tart.
(2)Bethany B.
Things are hit and miss here. I keep going back but it does seem inconsistent. I had a great cake here for a party and then a bad one that was stale for another party. The pastries are generally decent and the cookies and macarons are better than average. I like the coffee and enjoyed the veggie salads and roasted vegetables but found the soups lacking. So give it a try you may be pleasantly surprised or not.
(3)Leila D.
I had a HORRIBLE experience here. The owner, Tom, is so disrespectful to his employees and customers. I walked in to him cussing out a customer in front of other customers. Very professional, right? I feel bad for all his employees working for him. Everything in the shop is cheap looking. The containers for the forks, spoons, and knives are the same containers for the salads. I don't suggest anyone to go there, unless you want to be disrespected. That place is not going to last once that new Safeway is built. The help wanted sign is up all year round. I don't even know how he has employees when he's so disrespectful. The cookies are expensive just for one cookie. I got one cookie for $2.07 when I can go to Fresh Market for a big donut for $1.00. The owner must be losing a ton of money if he has a $5 minimum. Cheapskate.
(1)Jewels V.
Excellent service, truly local. Breakfast quesadilla & quiche were perfect. Can't believe I am only now discovering this place. Wide assortment of cakes, cheesecakes, desserts as well as sandwiches, soup, deli pastas, prepared lunches. Good meet-up place for mornings or afternoons, pleasant cafe atmosphere. Great for grab & go meals too. Real food with fresh ingredients, prepared by actual people. Highly recommend!
(5)TJ M.
For our 1980s formal wedding, my partner and I wanted to find a local pastry shop that could create the ultimate cake for our event - a Rubick's Cube fondant masterpiece complete with He-Man and Skeletor cake toppers (yes!). After visiting the Alexandria Pastry Shop on more than one occasion (their cakes are delicious!) we decided to hire them to create two different cakes for our wedding (a traditional grooms' cake and a larger sheet cake to be stored in the venue's kitchen). When our Rubick's Cube grooms' cake arrived the day of our wedding, we nearly lost our minds! It was absolutely perfect, and all of our guests raved about the Rubick's Cube design - totally tubular! To boot, the cakes were absolutely delicious (pear caramel and bavarian fruit) and perfect for a late summer wedding held outdoors - light and creamy. If you're in the market for a beautiful wedding cake, we highly recommend you stop by Alexandria Pastry Shop - ask for Ana!
(4)Kate O.
I somehow managed to bookmark this place without realizing when/how I did it. In a way it is a good thing because I was looking for a place for a nice dessert and coffee after a meal. I stopped by this place with my husband on a Sunday afternoon after our dunch/linner. I had a slice of mango mousse cake and my husband had a piece of blueberry crumble bar along with a cup of latte for each of us. Both the pastries were really good. The service was friendly. I think it would be nice if they post a sign with the name of each bakery item so I don't have to bother the staff with naming each one. I will definitely keep this place bookmarked.
(4)Minna S.
I stopped by this place for the first time and got a cherry bar which tasted pretty good. They have a nice selection of desserts and pastries, and the staff was very friendly.
(4)Anita T.
I've bought numerous birthday cakes from here for friends and colleagues. All have raved on how light and tasty these cakes are. Not too sweet either. It is a little pricey for a cake but you get what you pay for - excellent quality cakes. Also, the staff is always friendly and helpful and the service has always been impeccable. I highly recommend to anyone seeking a high quality cake/pastry.
(5)Fenny L.
My favorite part of my wedding planning process - had to be the free cake tasting (yes, you get FREE CAKE when you get engaged! If I knew this - I would have gotten engaged far sooner! HAHA!)! I ordered my wedding cake from Alexandria Pastry, and while they were great, there were several missteps. First, when I called to set up an appointment for the cake tasting, they asked me to pick out 3 cakes that we would like to try. Made sense, so we picked 3 random ones, and was set to come in the following Saturday afternoon. When we got there - they had us down for the appointment...but they couldn't find our cakes! No matter, the guy that helped us was hilarious and snagged HUGE slices from their display case! Needless to say, I was in heaven. The cakes were delicious! We had the hardest time picking a flavor. Again, the guy that was helping us (I think his name was "Tony" - but I can't be 100% sure) was very funny and very nice about helping us narrow down our choice. My fiancee (now husband) hates fondant, and the guy was super sweet and walked us through several different options (we went with buttercreme), and as we had no idea about the design of the cake - we were able to flip through their book - and pick out the elements from 3 different cakes, to make the design of ours. The day of the wedding - they delivered on time, although, because the boat was late (see my review of the Odyssey for the full story and review), the driver did give me a few minutes of worry when he called my cellphone in the middle of my pre-wedding photos, to tell me that he was on a strict schedule and he needs to deliver the cake in the next few minutes or he may have to leave and come back! Fortunately, my husband was incredibly nice and persuasive and was able to convince the driver to stay (I'm sure the offer of a bribe was somewhere in this discussion...hahaha!). When I finally saw the cake - it wasn't *exactly* what we ordered. We wanted the layers to be off-set, instead of perfectly centered. But it's a small thing. The cake was DELICIOUS, and the service was great - but they seem to be a wee bit forgetful (our appointment, and the design of the cake), but all in all, I was really satisfied with them.
(3)Jen S.
*3.5 stars* After checking out the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town, Anna L. went on a hunt to find a bakery to satisfy our sweet tooth. Anna L. immediately got on Yelp to see if any of the bakeries we passed by were worth stopping in. None seemed like it and instead we headed further out to check out Alexandria Pastry Shop and Cafe. She and I both agreed that our caffe latte and cafe mocha were both meh, however, the passionfruit cake and streudel we got were divine. Around the corner they have a selection of real food. Free Wi-Fi, a plus!
(3)Stacy H.
I had the best wedding cake tasting experience at the APS today. I'm planning a wedding from out of town and had already made up my mind that I would like this place just based on online reviews. Going there in person just confirmed all the glowing reviews about their cakes. The owner Tom and all his staff were VERY nice to me. The raspberry marquis and passion fruit cake were my favorites. Since I came alone, after taking a few bites of each, they packed up the remaining cake slices (and even added an extra slice!) so that I could have my fiancee taste it as well. My future M-I-L liked the mango and guava cake the best, and my mom & her bf liked the raspberry marquis cake the best. Thank you for the amazing cakes!
(5)Joy H.
I would really like to rate this place higher, as I have enjoyed their pastries, sandwiches, and coffee, but one experience left a bad taste in my mouth (forgive the pun). My boyfriend and I stopped in for breakfast on a Saturday morning. After ordering and finding a seat, we settled in -me with my book and he on his laptop- to enjoy breakfast and tea. We were surrounded by other small groups and single people similarly reading, doing paperwork, or doing crossword puzzles. There was also a large group which seemed to consist of regulars, who took up 2-3 tables. We were there for about an hour, and as it was later in the morning, the place got less and less busy, with several free tables. As I was coming back from ordering a lunch sandwich to-go, I noticed a man speaking with my boyfriend. Lo and behold, it was the manager...asking us to leave soon...as it was Saturday, and they were too busy for us to be taking up a table (?????). Again, there were at least 3 empty tables (I checked). We had eaten, still had our drinks, and I had ordered MORE food, so I wouldn't consider that loitering. Looking around us, we counted several people including the large group that had been there since before we arrived (a couple of them with just a coffee cup on their table). Unless he did it after we left, no one else was spoken to about taking up a table. I have been in the service industry (between retail and private medical practice) for over 20 years. I understand how frustrating it must be for single people to take up a table for a long time on a busy day. I also know that before assuming this is the case, do not offend someone who previously enjoyed your business, spent money, and sang your praises. Because now, I'll never set foot in this cafe again. Sadly, but certainly.
(1)Michico F.
They catered my friend's brunch party in DC. The Croissants, Fruit Muffins and Bagels were fresh, The Fruit platters were fresh as well. The Frittata and Potato Strata were delish. Overall it was a great brunch party. By the way, the guy who delivered the food to the party was super cute :)
(5)Dana P.
The pastries, coffee, and baked goods are SO yummy here! But, what I was most impressed with was the staff. Each and every one of them knew each pastry so well, and was able to help the customer find exactly what they were craving. They also had a deli-like station on the opposite side (I didn't get to taste any, but I stared at it for a long time), with many options to choose from! Please go here, it's well worth your time!
(4)Ellen K.
I've loved this place since I was a little kid, and no other cake places in the area have been able to top it! My family likes mousse cakes, so I'm not sure what their buttercream cakes are like, but their mousse cakes are soooo yummy. My favorites are the triple chocolate mousse cake and the lemon mousse with raspberries. It's too bad most of my loved ones have birthdays concentrated in the fall and winter because I've never been able to try the peach mousse cake, but that's definitely on my to-devour list!
(5)Anne L.
They have great coffee and a nice selection of pastries! When the line at Starbucks is crazy long, give them a try! You won't be disappointed! Just FYI bring cash, cause they have a $5 min for credit card payments
(4)Ro C.
Although, their bakery products are great, their sevice is quite interesting. My co-worker and I went there to eat lunch, where he wanted a meatball sandwich. After a long rigid discussion, they didnt want to make it. Reasoning was that they didnt make the bread. Note that the bread and the meatballs were in sight. We asked that we purchase the items separately and they still denied. So we went somewhere else for lunch. At this place, customer is not always right; customer satisfaction is just not that important.
(2)Jon K.
A nightmare to say the least....... Can I give zero stars????? OK, so I remember liking this place several years ago. Must have been 7 or 8 years ago when I last went. Things have changed drastically since I last went. Things went terribly here to say the least. I take my wife here for breakfast today because she had to work early. I had a living social coupon for $20 I tried to use, they didn't take it saying it was only good for "baked goods." No big deal, but the manager and cashier were very rude about it and copped the better than you attitude. No big deal, I was actually hungry and looking forward towards eating. I ordered a mocha and my wife ordered a water and a regular coffee for drinks. My wife and I both ordered the scrambled eggs, bacon, and potatoes for breakfast. The scrambled eggs were runny as hell and not tasty at all. The bacon was fine, best thing on the plate. The potatoes were hard to cut through and greasy and over seasoned. My mocha tasted odd, like someone went crazy with the chocolate or hershey's syrup...yuck. Another thing that bugged me is the flimsy plastic plates and plastic silverware. I mean come on, if your charging these prices for breakfast you can man up and do it right with the eating utensils and get regular plates. A bunch of full blown idiots must be running this place I guess. Next time I want a quick breakfast I'll just go to ihop or the barnside diner down the street. Avoid this place like the plague.......
(1)Jennifer C.
I purchased a black and white cake from them last week for my friend's birthday. It wasn't one that I had ordered special, I just went and got one from their case. I was afraid it might be dry but it was a huge hit! The mousse filling layers were really delicious and it was so pretty. It wasn't cheap, but certainly was good!
(4)Rebecca A.
This place is hit or miss. Most of the breakfast pastries are good. Almond croassant is very delicious( that what keeps us coming to this place). Lunch items are OK, IF served on a clean plates and not a large chunk of melted cheese from previously made dish. Overall is good, but I give the service 1 star over many visits.
(3)Anne E.
One of the best cakes I've ever tasted. Gave them a kind of short notice and they took my order! Gave them a photo of how I wanted it to look like and they did surprise me because they exceeded my expectations. Cake is moist too and not too sweet. Everyone at the party loved it! Will definitely be back in the future. Yey!
(5)Cortney P.
I eat lunch here at least once a week. Sandwiches and salads are super fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. They did my wedding cupcakes Oct 2010 and my sister's wedding cake Sept. 2011 and they were both on point. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
(5)Rachel S.
I have been there numerous times, because they are close to my home. However I am done. Outside of the fact that it always looks like the people behind the counter are doing you a favor by helping you, it is hit or miss whether or not your items will be stale. Very disapointing.
(1)Chris S.
Not too bad, I picked up a few cookies for the wifey. M&M cookies as well as the chocolate chip. I wasn't exactly impressed. Good enough for a cookies but nothing to discriminate these from home made, or others.
(3)Shay F.
I went here on the recommendation of my mother and it was ok coming from out of town. We ordered about $25.00 worth of baked goods and for that type of money I was expecting better. I had the brownie and it tasted more like fudge than a brownie. The carrot cake slice had to much clove or something and that was not good at all. We also purchased 4 different types of slices of cake. I had the tiramisu cake and some of the cake was moist and some of the cake was dry. Overall the cake was good I will get that again, but I will eat the cake the same day. My personal opinion you need to eat their baked goods the same day and not the next day.
(3)Meredith W.
The cake was pretty but incredibly dry. I was really disappointed given the price. And a bit embarrassed to serve it to my guests.
(2)Dawn B.
Brought their Fruit tart and Pumpkin Pie to Thanksgiving 2010. Although both were eaten, the fruit tart lasted a total of 15min when the entire family got wind of its existence. The tart itself was the perfectly cooked and the fruit was so fresh tasting. Definitely would by the tart again; real hit of the Thanksgiving dessert table. As for the Pumpkin, the crust was hard and difficult to cut with a knife. I hope they work on the crust for next year. All said and done... great bakery enough said.
(4)Cindy C.
I wish fewer than one star was available. I live in the neighborhood and the service and mix-ups on simple orders are so bad that at times I think I am being punk'd or on the old candid camera show. And it is getting worse. 1,) At least 50% of the time my food order (items off the menu) is not even close. One time, ordered a sandwich off their menu, the manager insisted I had said two (I had not) and tried to charge me for 2 which I had not ordered. No apology of course. 2.)The sandwiches are numbered on the menu but each time they seem to act like they have never had a request for a sandwich. I have been given the wrong sandwich or ordered a sandwich only to be told the bread or a key ingredient was out (happened today so after 20 minutes of comical mix-ups I asked for my money back and left...of course they first tried to give me one I had not ordered). 3.) Another time, with no others in line and watching the employees kill time, I asked after 10 minutes if someone could make the sandwich I ordered and paid for. They acted like "we will do it when we are good and ready." 4.) Another time I observed a customer in front of me use a groupon deal and she spent part of her deal $. Only after her purchase did the owner tell her that she had to spend it all at once and he would not let her amend her order to get the full value of the groupon that she had paid for (and she had not even stepped out of line). Amazingly deceptive and unprofessional. 5.) Another time ordered a hot vegetarian sandwich and got some strange cold concoction of a sandwich that was not even on the menu. I took it back in and spent some time pointing out the items on their menu to them. And the woman who usually make the sandwiches is very passive aggressive and clearly resents when she has to come out of the backroom to make a sandwich. 6.) If you order pastries you have to watch what they put in the box. I have ordered 3-4 pastries (all one kind) and ended up with items I did not order as part of my items (and counting towards my items..one time is was two old lemon bars). It would seem to me with this economy that they would have to try better. They really seem to have little concern for their customers. I'd rather stand in line and buy soup from the soup Nazi in NYC. I will not be returning again. Update: Not too long after I posted this review, I received an email from this place offering to buy me lunch so I could tell them how to improve their business! Seriously. I did not respond and perhaps they need to simply read my review and others. I felt if they needed a consultant, my time (which they have wasted a lot of in the past) was worth more than one of their lunches.
(1)Marianne L.
I've wandered in here from time to time and have had several things from their pastries to their salads and sandwiches. Everything I've ever had has been exceptionally good and well prepared. And the staff is always wonderful to deal with, even when they are extremely busy. Based on positive experiences I've had over the years - stopped in (on no notice) to get a cake for a celebration at work for our dept. admin's wedding send off. Got the cutest little cake with strawberries. The lady behind the counter even gave me a little bride and groom teddy bear set that we could put on top. As others have mentioned, prices aren't cheap (but they do have a range - not everything is exorbitant), but you certainly get what you pay for in service and quality of product.
(4)Mac O.
This is the kind of place you could eat at for years and years (like me), but it always evades your radar until someone suggests you meet there for lunch (like me). I never think about it as a breakfast or lunch option when I'm considering my breakfast or lunch options, which is odd given how much I like it and how good the food is. The "meal" food is fresh, delicious, straight-forward fare aimed to please. Omelets, waffles, fruit, and pastries at breakfast. Soups, sandwiches, quiche, and salads at lunch. Always changing, always different whenever you stop in. There's a large glass display case showcasing all of APS' inventive salads -- couscous and currants, grilled vegetables, cherry tomatoes and fresh mozz, corn and black bean, fusilli with asparagus and provolone....as well as their several daily quiche options. Some sammies are available hot, others come cold. Soup changes by the day, usually old standards such as broccoli cheddar or chicken noodle. Everything's available dine-in or to-go; salads come in several sizes for take-home. Save room for the pastries, tho, because they're great here. I'm particular to the fruit tarts, but any beautiful baked good your brain can conjure is available here, too. Get a box of assorted goodies or a full cake for your next office function or family get-together and be a hero. The decor is pretty spartan, but I like the little touches like the fried eggs painted onto the plain wood tabletops. Prices are right-on and affordable. And the service is always with a smile, and typically provided by some fresh-faced high-schooler. Ah, to be that young (and to have that metabolism) again...
(4)Tavon B.
This place is pretty good. It was my first wedding anniversary and someone told me that we were supposed to eat the cake topper from the wedding to celebrate. Well, the wedding cake was completely consumed that day including the topper. The original baker was in Philadelphia so I thought we were at a loss (until a coworker told me how amazing these people at Alexandria Pastry Shop were). I took a picture of the cake to them and asked them to duplicate it. It was a pretty fancy cake - pearls, sugar flowers, iridescent fondant and crap like that. APS made an exact replica. It was rather remarkable. My wife didn't even recognize that it wasn't our cake. They did a fantastic job, and the cake itself (Black & White Chocolate Mousse) tasted pretty good. The only thing I would say was unfavorable was the price. It was rather high for a small cake topper ($40-something dollars). I think if you say the word, "wedding," to anyone the price almost doubles. Anyway, I would go there again - maybe for the cookies next time.
(4)Rob R.
You might have a hard time narrowing down your choice(s) when you visit this bakery! Acting on a tip from a co-worker, my wife and I checked out this place. We were satisfied with the quality of the pastries and also the price & service. It definitely seems to be a favorite among locals, as we had to watch over the tables until someone finished with their meal. I wish there was more seating. Overall, this was a good find and I'll be here again sometime soon. Highly recommend.
(4)Sara S.
DEEELICIOUS! The desserts are almost too pretty to eat, but definitely eat them b/c they are so scrumptuous. Black and white cake and strawberry shortcake are my favorite. I even had my wedding cake made from here and it was beautiful and delivered on time. They also have the best blueberry muffins I've ever had, and I've had a lot of blueberry muffins. It's perfectly fluffy with clusters of moist blueberries. I don't go on the otherside for the regular food, but I've had some sandwiches which are okay and the asparagus/hearts of palm salad is fantastic, but can be very expensive.
(5)Zazie D.
The Alexandria Pastry Shop looks like a cute place to go in. It is always cold inside, summer or winter, so that makes the atmosphere a little less compelling. I went to this pastry shop a few times before, and then I bought 2 Amazon Local coupons. First time I used one, it worked like a charm, I picked the sandwiches and salads of my choice, and went on my merry way. The second time around, my experience was quite the opposite. I had to drive 25 miles round trip for my little expedition, and all I wanted was a few good sandwiches. The manager notices my coupon and tells me I cannot use it on anything from the sandwich side of the store. There are two sides in the store, one with pastries and cakes, and one with sandwiches, salads, quiches, soups. I always went and got goods from the sandwich side, I previously tried the pastry/cake side, and it was not the best. The manager invites me to go to the second class citizen side, where my coupon would belong. The coupon says baked goods, and that is what I can buy with it. I try to make a case about my other coupon, which worked on this side, but he assures me it was a mistake. I understand. I ask for a few slices of quiche, which can surely qualify as baked goods. He says he cannot serve me from this side of the store, which is more expensive, and would make him lose money. I tell him quiche is baked. He refers again to my baked goods side, but he finally agrees that quiche is baked. Nonetheless, he sends me on my way to the other side. By now I was quite unhappy that I drove all the way here and I would not get what I wanted. I went to the baked goods side, though, picked 4 ham and cheese croissants, 2 chocolate croissants, and asked for a slice of tiramisu. Unfortunately they were out of tiramisu. I told them very firmly that tiramisu is the only cake slice I want to get, and got back to the manager's discretion. He tells me to choose anything else from the case, I tell him I do not want anything else. He tries to negotiate again, and finally offers me a frozen $27.99 tiramisu cake, I tell him I only want a slice. He finally agrees to go cut the cake, and give me a slice. He also offers a cup of free coffee, while I wait. I refuse politely. His "kind" way of mending things does not go a long way, I am not interested in free coffee. I am not sure he understood that he just lost a customer (possibly a lot more if people are concerned about customer service), he made 31 cents on this purchase, ended up with a tiramisu cake he needs to sell by the piece, and a bad review. Was sticking to the letter of the coupon worth it? Having made an exception would have rendered me grateful, brought money to the business, and ensured a satisfied customer, who would surely have come back. If I go to a place and find mediocre food, I think twice about writing a review, but if the mediocre food is coupled with poor customer service, I let other people know about my opinion. Kindness and tolerance goes a long way, in life, and especially in the hotel/restaurant business. Even if I read carefully the fine print, I would not have understood the baked goods part, so an exception about sandwich side/baked goods side of the store would have gone a long way. I read other reviews here and each time a coupon is mentioned, the baked goods part is mentioned, also. Frustration, too, especially with the manager. If I want to have good pastries, cakes, baked goods, I go to Whole Foods, Dean and Deluca, Balducci's, Le Pain Quotidien, and of course, Patisserie Poupon. When you have such fierce competition in a cosmopolitan area, when your shop is called a pastry shop, and you want to bring people in for baked goods, it is best to be kind to your customers, and they might just overlook the fact that your pastry shop is simply mediocre, with cake prices rivaling these above mentioned excellent pastry shops. The really expensive cake prices are the only thing rivaling the good pastry shops in the Washington Area, the quality is definitely missing here, at Alexandria Pastry Shop and Cafe, both in the baked goods side of the store, and in the manager customer skills.
(1)Ross W.
I bought six chocolate chip cookies there the other day and they were nothing special at all. They were on the small side, not much taste to them and six of them cost around $6.50!! That price is fine if the cookies are larger and actually have some taste to them. These were very bland and I threw them away. Very disappointed. I will say there cakes looked very good that were displayed. Maybe they should just stick with the cakes and not even bother selling cookies.....not good at all and very pricey!
(1)Pamela S.
This place is awesome. It was recommended by a friend and now I am recommending this place to everyone. They have awesome deli sandwiches and for dessert lovers this place is for you. My boyfriend and had a BLT sandwich. It was awesome.
(5)Olivia T.
Great pastry selection, and the most delicious ham and cheese croissants! The people working there are always very nice, and they have a great selection of all different types of desserts. Their cakes are very beautiful and artistic, and although I've never tasted them, I'm sure that they're worth their price tag. The breakfast pastries include different types of apple/pear/coffee cake bars, all of which are sweet and delicious. Overall, a cute place to have a little breakfast or get takeout pastries.
(5)Nicole M.
I had Alexandria Pastry Shop do my wedding cake and it was delicious! My husband and I went in to do the taste test and ending up picking the Red Velvet cake. At my wedding I was told it was one of the prettiest cakes they had seen at a wedding. We did mulitple taste testing in the Arlington/Alexandria area and this place was by far the best! I would highly recommend their cakes for any event.
(5)Longgirl H.
I was looking for a little something before heading to a home inspection and I passed this shopping center. Coffee sounded good, but I am NOT a fan of McDonald's or Starbucks - hold on...a sign says PASTRY AND CAFE. I go in to check it out and see glass cases with some very yummy looking items. On the right there are tables and cases that appear to hold lunch salads, sandwiches and such. You can see that this place would fill up with locals on the weekends. It has a very cozy feel. To the left are glass displays of beautiful cakes, amazing looking muffins, a variety of cookies, pastries and scones. There is also a long counter for making up your coffee and tea drinks. I take a few minutes looking while another customer is talking to the young boy behind the counter. When I look up, he is ready for my order. I select a strawberry almond scone and a cup of coffee. That is how I order my coffee - a cup of coffee. No special descriptions required. Now I admit I can eat anything, but this was by far the best scone I have had in my life. I was moist and delicious. And the coffee was good too. Strong, but without the burnt taste. I would definitely go there again. I just don't know what I would order next time.
(5)Michael S.
I've never had any of their deli type foods, they serve breakfast and lunch type foods on one half of the store and other half is the bakery. My wife and I bought our wedding cake here and I thought they did a very sufficient job. One small note: Call ahead if you want to talk about ordering specialty cakes. The young students manning the registers will stammer and stare at you if you ask them questions. Talk to a manager. We had a cake tasting and decided to have three different flavors on each layer of the cake. They had tons of photos to choose from of past cakes they have done. It was very smooth and easy going, they delivered our cake the day of the wedding and it went off without a hitch. They were a little finicky about the time table in which they would deliver their cake, but they are just trying to look out for the overall presentation of the cake. The price was fair. A separate, smaller carrot cake was made to eat on the one year anniversary, which we actually cracked into last night. Carrot cake is one of my favorites and though this one was a bit freezer burnt from sitting a year in my fridge, I've had fresher pieces from here and its delicious. There is raisins and bits of pecans in the mix and the frosting is creamy and not too sweet.
(4)K S.
***3.5 stars*** I've ordered a few beautiful cakes here for special events (only if Victoria's Cakery in Fairfax was unavailable or inconvenient for the event, however!) and have never been disappointed. The cakes are moist and fresh, if a bit less dense than I might prefer - though this could just be the types of cakes I've ordered, as they have lots of choices. The individual pastries are great, too - but go for the fancy stuff (tortes, bombes, mini-cheesecakes) - the everyday cookies and brownies aren't as worth the calorie count! The cafe side is nice - I love avocado as a sandwich toping - but the service is slow and the cleanliness of the seating area leaves something to be desired. Worth a stop if you're in the immediate area or need a big fancy 'event' cake. Update: Had the best chocolate croissant of my ENTIRE LIFE here on Saturday. Huge, buttery, and flaky, full of high-quality chocolate. For $2. Get your accompanying coffee down the street at Starbucks, though - options here are limited and if there's a line it takes forever. This shopping center needs outdoor seating.
(4)Robyn M.
These cakes are AMAZING! My husbands favorite is the Chocolate Truffle. I am not a very big chocolate fan (but this cake is good), I prefer the rest. We stop by when we are in the area just for a treat! We have used them for years for holiday's and special occasions and I would recommend them to anyone.
(5)John C.
Wow, we ordered a chocolate cake with cappuccino frosting for my father in-laws 80th b-day, and it was fabulous. The cake was light and moist, and the frosting was fluffy and light. Next big celebration we are coming back.
(4)Kaden H.
Try the Strawberry Cake, I have served it at many functions and it is a huge hit.
(3)Mikkela T.
Pretty pennies for pretty pastries. Lots of pennies. The small cakes are $20+ but yummy (the cheesecake was good and the lemon -- even to those of us who dislike lemon cake -- was excellent. Light and airy with only the gele topping done as a translucent jewel yellow.) The beef kabob was chewy (work that jaw!) but flavorful as it was marinated in rosemary. When we went on a crowded crazy Saturday lunchtime (crazy parking!), the airy bakery was busy, each table taken with a Fairfax County/Arlandria/Alexandria/Falls Church-e-ites grabbing a bite while shopping. I did notice some finely packaged (brown satin with creme polka dotted dress) pretty folk waiting to pick up their cake on their way to a soiree or post-races tea? This bakery is located in a mall off of Route 7 where it's called King Street, and that is what the clientele are like as well. This place is nowhere near old town. It's right off of 395. In conclusion, not a lot of soul but good cake to go. Go for the lemon cake and coffee. And bring your pennies in plastic. Postscript: I guess I'm so battered by Fourbucks that I don't notice harsh coffee anymore because Alexandria Pastry Shop's latte was surprising. I was startled to drink a latte with good warm coffee flavor and no harshness.
(4)Natasha G.
The pastries are tasty here! I like how when you first walk in, your eyes are met with lovely sweets in the glass case. The left side had more desserts while the right side had more savory delicacies. The fruit-based pastries definitely showcase the fruits - I particularly like the mango guava and the lemon raspberry. They are light, sweet, flavorful, and well-sized for the price. I've also had the dulce de leche option; it was dense, had just enough sweetness without being overly sugary, and paired well with the coffee. Unfortunately, I think it had too much coconut in it for me. I almost tasted more coconut than the caramel. What I've also noticed is you will find more sweets that are fruit-based instead of chocolate or nut-based here. I am a fan of how this place can manage to have a huge pastry selection but also offer traditional deli/catering-type sandwiches. I've seen people in here simply getting a sandwich for a true meal but also a quick pastry pick me up. It's nice to see so many locals in here! There are numerous tables for you to hang out. Plus, I think the pricing here makes sense for what you get. Some of the pastries can be pretty filling. The people working here are nice and patient as you spend several minutes trying to decide what you want to get. They are friendly and helpful. On my most recent visit, while I found it annoying to have to ask about what each dessert was (nothing was labeled with names, so you can't figure out the flavors), the woman behind the counter knew each one and gladly told me what was what. Secondly, I've seen that even when the cafe is about to close, customers are not bothered with announcements like "hey, we are about to close so please finish up." This was nice to see, and I can't wait to come back again! Bottom line: if you're in need of an individual dessert, check this place out! Especially if you're in the mood for something with fruit in it.
(4)Josh O.
Good neighborhood place, but could stand some improvement. I had a hot pastrami sandwich and an éclair plus a bottled drink ($15.14). The pastry had a decent texture but the chocolate on top was hard, brittle, and tasteless. The cream had a perfect texture but was not well contained in the pastry, and was generally bland. I would recommend using mascarpone in the cream, and upping both the sugar content and the vanilla. The hot pastrami was decidedly middle-of-the-road. (I'm spoiled because my hometown has a sandwich shop specializing in pastrami and vouched-for by Mario Batali.) The pastrami was on the milder side, and was easily overpowered by the rye and deli mustard flavors. Next time I'll ask if I can substitute Dijon and horseradish for a more complex flavor that will let the pastrami's inherent flavor come through a little better. Overall not a bad place if you're in the neighborhood, but not worth traveling to from even the District.
(3)Sarah S.
I really love the pastries at this bakery - honestly, the muffins are the best I have had. Ever. And while I can't imagine going here for lunch (as opposed to breakfast, as the breakfast pastries are insanely good), I've tried a few of their sandwiches and they were delicious too. A little pricey in general, but if you love a good muffin it's worth it. The only thing I don't like about this place is the coffee. It's dark and always tastes burnt. There is, however, a Starbucks right next door, so it's not a huge inconvenience unless you're eating in (and the cafe is more of a grab-and-go type of place).
(4)Jemima C.
Cute coffee shop with breakfast and pastries. I had the almond croissant and a small coffee. Both pretty tasty. I definitely will be frequenting this place considering its so close to me. Dog park is right around the corner so we went there afterwards.
(5)Alison M.
$7.50 for a breakfast panini containing an overcooked fried egg and American cheese on soggy bread. Ummmm no I will not be back. Worst breakfast sandwich I've ever had. I don't know how they get away with charging that much for $2 worth of bad food.
(1)Esther C.
***3.5 stars*** I judge you by your carrot cake...def not the best I ever had. Looks pretty, though. I think I may have tried the wrong thing? Everything looks pretty, the carrot cake just tasted odd--buttercream frosting base I think instead of the standard cream cheese--what a no no. But ambience was good and the staff friendly. I had to knock down a star for lack of wifi, however. I will come back to try something else at some point.
(3)Lhynette C. A.
one of the best chocolate mousse cake i have had. The place is very organized, very well staffed and everyone was friendly. I was here for a cake tasting :) So i got to try the creamy cakes and fruity ones too. I lean more towards the cream based cakes more than the ones that contained fruit. The cream based cakes are delicious. Just right! simple and straight to the point. The mousse cakes were chocolatey, rich flavors but it was REALLY light. It wasn't heavy which i love. I can definitely eat a whole cake...without feeling full. The cake part was fluffy and very moist...the mousse part was airy and fluffy, almost marshmallow-y type of texture. Regardless...perfection....delicious...MORE PLEASE. Another favorite of mine is the white chocolate cake. They also serve salads and sandwiches...as well as other donuts, breads and donuts. I think this place is reasonably priced, but i will come back for the mousse cakes...FOR SURE! :)
(3)Monica A.
Haven't found anything like it! These mouse cakes are so goo that I had them cater my wedding cake some years back... If you try nothing else you must try the Black and White cake... Chocolate cake topped with chocolate mouse and white cake topped with white chocolate mouse topped with shaved milk and white chocolate... So freaking good! Love the mango cheesecake as well... Too many choices I recommend you make a sampler!
(5)Juliette L.
The views from the cases and the line was a little over whelming at first, but the friendly and extremely helpful and patient staff made the experience a truly amazing one... I got the 3 cheese quiche and an amazing blueberry struesel bar with a very nice priced cup of hot tea of my choice... I bought a pound of specialty cookies and the prices were just as great as the staff. My food was amazing and I will be back as often as possible during my visit to the area. They offer deli goods, lunch sandwhiches, soups and many pre-made ( in house) delicacies to enjoy at home. A must try for anyone in the area.
(5)Amy F.
This is a great place to have lunch or get a fun treat for yourself. The owner is so nice and I have celiac disease so I love their gluten free muffins that they make. The lunch prices are a bit high but the food tastes great. Thanks for the wonderful service
(5)Joel P.
Esa expecting a lot more from this place, with all the good reviews and pictures. I order a cake for a birthday 3 days in advance. I even sent pictures with the drawing I wanted it. The prices was fair at least for what I order. The day I picked it up it was simple small very small drawing, with no creativity put on it. I even asked to be creative. I end up with a regular cake with some drawings on it. Not happy at all
(2)Hannah H.
The Alexandria Pastry Shop & Cafe has been around since '88, and offers cold sandwiches, hot sandwiches, salads, baked goods, and made-to-order cakes. My husband and I came here for brunch; I had the BLT, which you can choose your own bread (croissant, kaiser roll, rye, French, wheat, etc.) - I chose rye; this sandwich came with a generous amount of crispy bacon, fresh lettuce and tomato, with a nice spread of Russian dressing - yum, it was delicious, with the rye bread slightly 'grilled.' My husband had a breakfast plate with potatoes, scrambled eggs, and a few strips of crispy bacon - the home fries were delicious, as they were not overly salted and came out nice and hot. You order up at the cashier, then you situate yourself in the dining area; they call your order up, you pick it up, and then you chow down. A nice little cafe to pick up some good sandwiches. I also was pleasant surprised with the cherry pie 'crusts,' where if you're a huge of pie crusts, this is a great little 'dessert' that you can pick up. :D +BLT sandwich
(5)LaKeetha M.
I love love love the breakfast selection. There is a wide variety of pastries with plenty of staff to handle the crown. I'm not a big fan of the cappuccino's & lattes since have my cup is filled with foam vs liquid so that's the reason for not awarding 5 stars. Ideally I would love to get my pastry & caffeine from one play but after several tries I stop buying hot beverages there as I'm serious out the hot stuff. No worries the big hot beverage place is right next door so I make 2 stops
(4)Erica B.
Everything is always delicious! I really like the almond croissants. I have had meals their and pastries- they are always good. They made my husband a delicious and reasonably priced birthday cake which stayed fresh for a long time!
(5)Elle Z.
One side with pastures and coffee. Other side for food and seating. It ain't europe, but it's okay. Staff is nice.
(3)Jenny D.
Certainly a nice neighborhood feel, both a coffee shop and a lunch/breakfast spot you can call your own. That said, I went for coffee and a pastry. I got a cappuccino that taste more like a latte and was mediocre at best and a pastry that I would call, just ok. Both were more than I would have paid at a Starbucks, where at least I know what I'm getting. That said I really liked the vibe of the place and hence why I'm giving it 3 stars. I'm holding out hope that perhaps the lunch is better and I have heard that they make really good cakes so there HAS to be a reason they have been in business as long as they have.
(3)Nina P.
There are 2 things that I order from here over and over. The orzo salad and the london broil salad. They are delicious but very expensive. But in accordance with my philosophy on purchases, 'you get what you pay for'. Good alternative to Starbucks when there's a huge line. Other than that, not much else to say. I'm sure their wedding cakes are great. Their pastries are good.
(3)D. Whitney R.
Had been a fan of this place until my wife recently bought me a tuna sandwich on wheat bread. The bread was incredibly hard and stale. Very disappointed that a so called "bakery" would make and sell a sandwich with bread so tasteless that I swapped out theirs for some of my own. I do not mind paying a premium for a quality product, but that does not work.
(1)Local F.
There "first come, first served" line culture doesn't really work. For a sleepy little suburban DMV pastry this place certainly has a bustling clientele. Unfortunately, it has a "locals only" kind of feel. I stopped counting how many customers walked past me on their way to the counter to order. When I tried to move forward the people who ignored me then were the workers. I do not blame the staff. The place was just a clusterf*ck. I had the sticky bun and it was really dry and underwhelming. The pastries looked great though and left me wanting to try something else (if I ever return). Also, the place doesn't have wi-fi. I get it.....free internet would result in even more crowds, but it has a perfect cafe feel. The coffee was delicious!
(2)Vivian R.
The coffee smells good. The pastries are totally yum. But I got a bagel and cream cheese there yesterday morning, and it was like a brick in my stomach. I took 1 bite, and couldn't stomach more. I'm still searching for some good bagels ever since the neighborhood bagel shop had gone, and taken their great pizza bagels with them. The quest continues...
(4)Emma C.
I stopped in to grab a cake for my mom's birthday and walked away with a delicious Triple Chocolate Mousse cake. The girl at the counter offered to write 'Happy Birthday Mom!' on it, which made me laugh because I didn't see how she could write on top of the mountain of chocolate shavings that covered the cake, but I went for it. She ended up using icing to write the message on a cookie and put it on top of the cake. It was so cute, I can't believe I didn't take a picture. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Kelley G.
We ordered a round 3 layer cake for 120 people. The top and bottom layer was white chocolate mousse cake with rose details. The middle layer was gold painted chocolate truffle cake. I could not have asked for a better cake, beautiful and yummy. The lady who took our order at APS&CC was super nice & easy to work with. Everyone at the wedding loved the cake. My groom and I are not big cake eaters but every time we visit the shop we get a slice of the white chocolate mousse cake, because its absolutely AMAZING!
(5)Scott V.
German chocolate cake has been a birthday tradition in my family for decades. The German chocolate cake from this pastry shop is among the best I've ever had. Moist cake. Real chocolate. Deftly-balanced coconut. Five stars compared to maybe the past thirty German chocolate cakes I've had. :)
(5)Shira S.
Stopped in here quickly to kill some time between clients. The service was prompt and friendly. But, the pecan bar needed something to make it stand out as it was a bit bland with no real discernible flavor. Maybe I just picked the wrong item?
(2)Dan H.
Definitely stop in for some tasty pastry treats! They also have coffee, breakfast sandwiches/meals as well as lunch items such as salads, sandwiches, pastas. It's too bad I just found out about this place when it's so close to where I live + I love pastries. I've gone the last two days and have consumed: - Scones: great! Good crust and moist on the inside and not too sweet. - Croissants: Not ultra-flakey so they're slightly more chewy, which is nice. - Cinnamon Sticky-buns: Awesome! With a nut topping they are tasty and don't last long. - Canadian bacon, egg and cheese croissant sandwich - this was premade and it was just heated it up so that was kind of a downer. Good but not great. I'll be back to try some of the other fruit pastries and crumbles plus some more of the cinnamon sticky-buns!
(4)Jee D.
Such an uncreative name but describes exactly what it is - a pastry shop on one side and cafe on the other, although they have much more than just coffee. This cute little shop feels more small-town than strip-mall which I love. The lunch rush can be quite busy, but I must have lucked out last time since I came in about 12:45 and no one was in line. They have soups of the day, sandwich options, and lots of prepared meals to go, including a variety of salads. The Cobb is my go-to carry out lunch (although at times i wonder if I'm overpaying at $8.99) and their grilled veggies are divine. Curious about their pastries, I bought a Bavarian cream fruit cake to a dinner party recently. The cake was super light with lots of fluffy cream in it, but I did wish the cake had more...um....cake in it. It did receive rave reviews though, and everyone kept asking me where I got it.
(4)Liliana T.
Oh my God!!!! ......... Bad does not begin to describe the horror which is this "pastry" I can't be 100% sure , but I think the drawing I asked for my Cake was made by a Kindergarden Child .... Sadly, so, so sadly
(1)Meredith M.
Delicious cakes, pastries, cookies and more! This is my go-to place for a dessert, and always pleases the crowd when I bring something from here to a party or dinner. Great for lunch, or grabbing food to-go. The wedding cakes look divine and they cater also. My favorite thing, hard to choose just one- is the pecan bar, or lemon bar, and the #7 sandwich, Grilled chicken with avocado on a croissant.
(5)Mariah S.
Thumbs up to their delicious flaky and chewy and so good you croissants will not want to share, despite how gi-normous in size they are. My favorite is the almond-filled; its creamy and gooey texture combines well with the buttery layers of pastry. And don't forget to order their piping hot coffee to accompany it. Please check this place out. Don't drive around town like I did trying to find bakeries with decent pastries. After one bite, you are hooked. It's even better if you warm it in a toaster oven or, if you must, in a microwave but less than 10 seconds. Coming here is worth having to deal with that dreadful Duke/Braddock/Quacker Lane intersections. But come early if you can because they sell out folks!
(5)Amber L.
Sub-par. Purveyors of the saltiest soups and sandwiches in the greater DC/NVA area - possibly correlative with the shop's regular crowd of seniors. The food and drink is overpriced to boot: $14 for a small soup with a tuna sandwich - both too salty, of course. Baked goods are large, expensive and unremarkable-tasting. Deli items are small, expensive and unremarkable-tasting. Bottom line: Save yourself some time in finding your new favorite local lunch place and head to Zoe's Mediterranean Kitchen across the parking lot. Much fresher tasting and better quality (and, I would hazard a guess, probably healthier too.)
(2)Angel W.
I have frequented the stores in this shopping plaza many times over the years and have overlooked the Alexandria Pastry Shop mainly because I assumed they only sold sweets. When I was getting my hair done a few doors down, I noticed that some of the stylists ordered sandwiches from nearby and I had assumed it was from the wine store a few doors down. The "pastry shop" name does not accurately reflect the business because they sell many other items such as hot and cold sandwiches, omelets, pastas, side dishes, quiches, fruit, soup, etc. Thus far, I have only tried the veggie sandwich, that normally comes on wheat bread but I order it on a baguette. The baguette was super fresh. All of the ingredients were also cold and fresh. You can order the veggie with a hummus or cream cheese topping. I ordered the cream cheese topping which seems to have a hint of garlic. The other toppings are tomato, spinach, cucumber and avocado. The tomatoes were very ripe. The cucumbers were sliced into ridges and the avocado is thickly sliced. The sandwich was quite refreshing and not overly potent. It's a nice sandwich to eat on a day where you might not feel that well or don't want anything overwhelming. The sandwich was so good that I returned the next day for another. Also the price cannot be beat - $5.49 for a large sandwich. Other sandwiches cost $6.99 - $7.99 Their pastas look well seasoned and the prices are very fair $5.99 - $11.99 per lb (the asparagus dish was on the more expensive side). Basically, the prices are similar or less than Whole Foods. Apparently they change out the sides often. I overheard a customer mentioning that they recently had some delicious grilled carrots and butternut squash. I have not tried the pastries. I asked about gluten free items because the store is heavily based in gluten (bread, pasta etc). The only offer two gluten free dessert items (flourless chocolate cake and a chocolate mousse). The staff has been friendly and the lines have been short thus far. I definitely recommend trying this place if you are in the area.
(4)Danielle C.
Fantastic! A wide array of delicious delicacies and wonderful customer service. Come here for a snack or when you are in need of sweets for an event. They provide for parties, birthdays and even wedding cakes. I recommend.
(5)EandD S.
When we are craving a luxurious piece of cake, this is our go to shop. We have sampled many of the mousse and specialty cakes. We loved the flavorful Passion Fruit Bavarian with Apricots so much, we selected it for our summer wedding. Ana was very pleasant to work with, the cake was delivered on time and looked beautiful. As far as pricing, we did a lot of research in the DC area and found the per person pricing to be comparable to other wedding cake shops. No complaints from us or our delighted wedding guests!
(5)Jessie B.
YUM. I live next door and ordered my wedding cake from Alexandria Pastry Shop & Cafe. The managers were wonderful to work with and they had a vast array of designs. I picked a cute, simple design that not only looked WONDERFUL with my decor on my wedding day this past weekend, it tasted delicious! Many of my guests complimented the cake (I chose the triple chocolate mousse cake layered with a cream cake). I highly recommend them not only for wedding cake, but for their pastries and breakfasts.
(5)Katherine L.
This place is sweet... the ham, cheese and scallion scone I got was a piece of heaven. The coffee was perfect and from local vendor I was told. Also, the Apple raisin strudel I got is excellent. Not too sweet which is perfect. It's a perfectly balanced bite. Seems most places these days make everything waaaay to sweet and it nice to taste the ingredients and not just sugar. Finally, the staff was very friendly. Disregard negative reviews for this place. It's excellent!!!!!
(5)Kate S.
I was so excited this place was so close to our house! But the people behind the counter are not super helpful and there is no signs in the display case telling you what is what. I have ordered several items including breakfast sandwiches, coffee, pastries and dessert items like brownies and cookies. The price is good but the only thing I would order again is the pastries. The desserts were flavorless and dry and the breakfast sandwich was mediocre.
(3)Keeley M.
Their pastries are good, but not outstanding, especially considering the price. The presentation is great though and the staff is extremely friendly. I think I could easily find better tasting cupcakes elsewhere. Their German Chocolate cake--absolutely delicious. The store is split into two. On the right side is the cafe (salads, sandwiches, etc.) and as you enter, on the left side are the pastries. The cafe stuff is OK.
(3)Tawheed H.
The cake was delicious, soft and moist. They need to improve their pick up system as they identify your order by what you ordered and not the name it is under... kinda difficult when you are picking up for someone else and you have no idea what type of cake they ordered... Standing there waiting on them to find the cake had me exercising a ridiculous amount of self control, everything looked amazing, and judging by the line and the smile on everyone's faces as they walked away from the register everything probably tasted amazing as well.
(4)Nadia A.
I wasn't impressed with the food. I got a chocolate croissant that was dry and flaked everywhere. I also got some kind of latte that was ok.
(2)Radney P.
The last couple of times I have went there their deserts have been delicious and prepared well. But the last time that I ate some cookies there they were a little bit stale and I think they made my stomach a little bit upset the next day, so now I am a bit cautious about what I eat if I go here.
(3)Martine C.
I'm in town for a few days and came here for lunch. Had a chicken salad sandwich on French bread. The French bread is really a roll. The food was good. The five stars is for the cake. If your looking for a wedding cake I highly recommend this place. i've never tasted cake this satisfying. The taste was great, but no different than most tasty cakes. What was unique about it is that it melted in my mouth. Now that deserves five stars. I tried two different cakes... both melted in my mouth, rich in taste...amazing.
(5)Jeffrey C.
This shop is like two shops in one. The cafe side has many pre-prepared pasta salads, simple entrees, and does sandwiches too...for eat in or to go. The bakery side has many nice looking pastries, cookies and more. The cafe seems moderately priced, the bakery is a little higher. Bradlee shopping center has a really solid selection of neighborhood restaurants - this is one of many.
(4)