District Doughnut - Washington

Following the lead of Astro and the now-closed GBD, District Doughnut aims to bring handcrafted artisan doughnuts to the Nation’s Capital. Competing against longtime powerhouse Dunkin’ presents a challenge similar to that faced by any newcomers in a city dominated by Tim Hortons, but District Doughnut differentiates itself with a commitment to high-quality ingredients and making everything from scratch daily. Their menu changes seasonally and recently transitioned to fall flavors, with additional monthly specials that keep regulars intrigued. For those seeking a simple glazed doughnut for under a dollar, District Doughnut may not be the right choice. However, anyone who appreciates creativity and quality will find nearly a dozen enticing options priced between $2.50 and $3.75. After a quick glance at the menu, I decided to try six doughnuts, including the Pumpkin Crème Brulee, which was torched to order and packed into a box for enjoyment later. District Doughnut is particularly famous for their Brown Butter and Salted Dulce de Leche varieties, both crafted by Executive Pastry Chef Christine Schaefer. These two flavors consistently top sales each month, with the former offering a delightful balance of yeasted dough, sugar, and smooth frosting, while the latter features a creamy caramel filling in a fluffy dough pocket. Sampling these two started my tasting experience, and the Sweet Potato Pie, which debuted in October, mirrored the Dulce de Leche in construction but arguably surpassed it with its flavorful spiced filling and mashed potatoes in the dough. With an impressive variety of raised and cake doughnuts, I enjoyed the lingering taste of candied pecans as I bit into the Maple Butter Pecan followed by the Caramel Apple Strudel. While the bases of both were good, they were slightly drier than ideal, despite the delightful toppings. The Pumpkin Pie, now cooled to room temperature, offered a flavor profile similar to the Sweet Potato Pie, with a pleasant textural contrast thanks to the burnt sugar.

The donuts were fantastic! This is a wonderful spot. They are a bit pricey, but I mention that only because I've had similar flavored donuts for a lower cost. Nonetheless, I would definitely recommend this place!

I had a fantastic experience at District Donut! The atmosphere is calm and inviting, and their donuts are simply delicious, especially paired with their amazing Compass cold brew. It's one of the few places open on Mondays around Eastern Market for coffee, and it’s definitely worth a visit. I’m hoping to become a regular while I’m in the area, as the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. Be sure to give them a try!

Visited during the pandemic.. District donuts never disappoint! I have been to their stores at the wharf and union market.. quality is always there! I was told their brown butter is one of the most popular one. Can't believe I haven't tried it before.. So Naturally, I had to try it. It was good! I also got Their strawberry glazed donut which is also delicious. Good covid precaution at this store- they only allow one customer in the store at a time Only down side is the parking but I guess that's a universal issue for dc!

I'm not a doughnut person, but I know a good product when I see it. I went in to get doughnuts for my coworkers and the staff was super friendly and helpful. Also the doughnuts were a huge hit in the office. If you like doughnuts, stop here. Do it! Do it now!