Shilla Bakery (Multiple locations in VA and MD)

Shilla Bakery – it’s our privilege to let you in on this fabulous, gourmet quality bakery, with several locations in VA and MD. Its café-style ambiance lures a mostly Asian crowd to try the daily samples. Choose from the Chestnut Castella (Korean Soft Baked Cake), Pumpkin and Chestnut Pastry, Cream Baguettes, Pizza Baguettes, Mocha Pie Castella, Banana Pound Cake and tons more. There’s also a long list of Asian teas and Starbucks-quality Coffee. There are cozy lounge chairs where you can indulge in your guilty pleasure. Next time you’re buying the birthday cake, skip the Giant bakery and grab a heavenly Vanilla Fruit Cake or a Mocha Cream Cake with Chocolate Sprinkles.

Maria’s Bakery (Multiple locations in VA and MD)

Barbecue Pork, Curry Beef and Roasted Pork Buns may not be the usual bakery fare, but that’s just the start of what make this Hong Kong-based chain so popular – there are four locations in the Washington metro area. Of course, they have excellent renditions of popular baked goods such as Swiss Roll Cake, Pineapple Coconut Bread and Crème-Filled Buns. Even so, if you ask most folks why they visit Maria’s, they’ll tell you "for bubble tea." Bubble teas are a sweet concoction of jelly-filled milk/tea that comes in flavors such as Plum, Strawberry, Coconut and Mango. They are a must-try.