Melanie Jensen There’s nothing quite as decadent and delicious as espresso-soaked ladyfingers layered with sweet, creamy mascarpone cheese and topped with a generous dusting of cocoa powder. Tiramisu, a beloved Italian dessert, is a staple on the menu of restaurants and bakeries around Northern Virginia, and some places have found a way to put a modern twist on the standard recipe. From desserts to cocktails and lattes, Northern Virginia offers a variety of traditional and unique takes on tiramisu. Read on for a list of spots to find tiramisu in Northern Virginia.
Bakery Museum & Co | 11923B Lee Highwy, Fairfax
For those craving the Italian classic while also looking for a midday pick-me-up, Bakery Museum & Co. has a latte for you. Among the Fairfax café’s classic coffee options, like Americanos and caramel macchiatos, it also serves tiramisu lattes. The base of the drink is a vanilla latte, topped with a rich tiramisu cream, giving drinkers the familiar taste of the dessert with a caffeinated kick.
Ben Gong’s Tea | 10760 Fairfax Boulevard, Fairfax + 4235 John Marr Drive, Annandale+ 14260 F Centreville Square, Centreville,
This tea shop’s menu includes two drinkable versions of the classic Italian dessert. The tiramisu boba milk tea blends creamy milk tea with the flavor of tiramisu and is topped with chewy boba pearls. The tiramisu latte features roasted coffee with lactose-free milk, finished with a layer of creamy foam and a dusting of cocoa powder. Both drinks are a fun, on-the-go take on the traditional dessert.
See more: How to Order Boba Like a Pro + The Best Boba Shops in Northern Virginia
Bisnonna Bakeshop | 10782-D Fairfax Boulevard, Fairfax
For those looking for a larger dessert option for a special occasion, Bisnonna Bakeshop in Fairfax offers five-inch and eight-inch layered, traditional tiramisu cakes. The pre-order and takeout-only bakery also features specialty tiramisu flavors like limone amaretto, pistachio raspberry, and holiday offerings like a Father’s Day strawberry rhubarb. The family-owned bakery’s name means “great-grandmother’s bakeshop,” and its recipes have been passed down for generations. The shop occasionally opens its doors for walk-in hours for holidays and special events, serving single-sized tiramisu cups and other desserts.
Café de Vienna | 131 Church Street NW, Suite 1, Vienna
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Along with serving a classic tiramisu made with soaked lady fingers, mascarpone cheese, and a dusting of cocoa powder, this charming café also serves a unique saffron version of the Italian signature dessert. Walk-in customers can grab a slice, while family-sized portions serving six to eight people can be pre-ordered. After exploring downtown Vienna, visitors looking for a place to relax with a coffee and dessert can sit on the Church Street café’s cozy patio.
Il Porto Italian Ristorante | 121 King Street, Alexandria
This Alexandria restaurant, located in a historic building in Old Town since 1973, blends traditional and contemporary Italian cuisine while focusing on freshness. Everything is made from scratch, from the daily house-made pasta to their take on tiramisu. The dessert presents a subtle twist on the classic, featuring sponge cake soaked in espresso and Kahlúa in place of the traditional ladyfingers.
Mia’s Italian Kitchen | 100 King Street, Alexandria
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After enjoying Italian-American classics like rigatoni alla bolognese or creating your own four course meal at this Alexandria staple, visitors can opt to eat or drink their tiramisu dessert. Along with the traditional layered ladyfingers, mascarpone, espresso, and cocoa powder, Mia’s Italian Kitchen also features a tiramisu martini. The drink is built with chocolate rum, Bailey’s Irish cream, Kahlúa, and cream for a rich, drinkable dessert.
Paris Baguette | 11200 Fairfax Blvd, Fairfax
Tucked inside the Fairfax H-Mart is one of the many Virginia locations of Paris Baguette. This regional bakery chain offers two takes on tiramisu. The first is a layered slice of espresso-soaked sponge cake and mascarpone, finished with a dusting of powdered sugar and chocolate curls. It’s shaped like a traditional birthday cake slice rather than the classic square cut. The second option is a tiramisu tart, featuring a chocolate tart shell filled with coffee-flavored cream cheese and topped with a light dusting of cocoa powder.
Pastry Xpo Café | 8190 Strawberry Ln #6, Falls Church
While this café and bakery is known for its French and Lebanese-inspired pastries, they also pay homage to Italian classics with their traditional take on tiramisu. For those looking for a more on-the-go version of the dessert, Pastry Xpo also features a tiramisu milkshake. The decadent drink consists of blended ladyfingers, espresso, and ice cream. It’s a convenient option for those looking for a rich, refreshing drink to sip on while walking through the Mosaic District.
The Happy Tart | 410 S Maple Avenue, #110, Falls Church
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For celiacs and gluten intolerants alike, The Happy Tart in Falls Church is the place to find a traditional tiramisu without gluten ingredients. The dedicated gluten-free bakery and restaurant not only serves sweet treats like tiramisu but also savory breakfast options like quiche Lorraine and a four-cheese crepe. Their gluten-free tiramisu includes sponge cake soaked in coffee syrup instead of the traditional ladyfingers, and it’s topped with whipped cream and cacao powder.
Read more: For Nearly a Century, This Great Falls Building has Been a Community Hub
Travinia Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar | 1605 Village Market Blvd SE #104, Leesburg
This contemporary Italian restaurant serves a nearly classic take on tiramisu with espresso-soaked ladyfingers and rum-infused mascarpone cheese. Along with the traditional dusting of cocoa powder, this Leesburg restaurant finishes the dessert with a drizzle of espresso sauce around the plate. Visit on a Tuesday to enjoy 25% off all bottles of wine, and pair a bottle of Moscato D’Asti with the rich coffee and cacao notes of tiramisu.
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