Discover Gwenie's Pastries: Your Destination for Filipino Desserts in Arlington, VA

Gwenie's Pastries Introduce

Are you searching for a unique sweet treat in Northern Virginia? Look no further than Gwenie’s Pastries, a true gem nestled in Arlington that has quickly become a local favorite. This family-owned bakery brings the authentic, vibrant flavors of Filipino desserts right to the heart of the Commonwealth, specializing in both traditional recipes and innovative fusion specialties. From the striking purple hue of Ube to the aromatic green of Pandan, Gwenie’s Pastries offers a dazzling array of baked goods that are as beautiful to look at as they are delicious to eat.

Gwenie's Pastries has built a reputation on its dedication to quality and flavor, offering a taste of home for the Filipino community and an exciting culinary discovery for everyone else in the Virginia area. The bakery’s journey started with Gwendolyn Fernandez, and is now proudly run by her daughter, Stella Fernandez, continuing a cherished family tradition of baking and cooking. The passion and expertise passed down through generations are evident in every bite, which is why locals are wholeheartedly welcoming this fantastic addition to the Arlington food scene.

The bakery is celebrated for its masterful use of classic Filipino ingredients, primarily Ube (purple yam) and Pandan (a fragrant leaf often described as having a sweet vanilla-like flavor). These are the foundation for their most popular items, which have people lining up. As one delighted customer put it, "anything ube and pandan, sign me up! the desserts were so good!" The enthusiasm from the community highlights the fact that this is not just another bakery; it's a destination for an authentic and delicious cultural experience. Whether you are craving a light, airy chiffon cake or a dense, creamy cheesecake, Gwenie's Pastries has perfected the art of Filipino baking.

The menu extends beyond just desserts, offering a variety of baked breads and unique beverages, ensuring there is something to satisfy any craving at any time of the day. The blend of classic Filipino flavors with modern dessert presentation creates a truly memorable experience. It’s this commitment to both heritage and innovation that makes Gwenie's Pastries an essential stop for anyone in the Virginia area looking for something truly special.

Location and Accessibility for Virginia Locals

Gwenie’s Pastries is conveniently situated in Arlington, Virginia, making it easily accessible for residents across Northern Virginia and the broader D.C. area. The location is an excellent hub for local customers looking to pick up a treat for a special occasion or just satisfy a sweet tooth on a normal day.

The Arlington location is:

1417 S Fern St, Arlington, VA 22202, USA

Being located in a prominent area like National Landing means the bakery is near major transportation routes, serving the local community of Arlington and those traveling through the Pentagon City area. For local patrons in Virginia, the ability to find and access these unique Filipino desserts without traveling far is a significant benefit.

Online ordering is an important service, with the Arlington location allowing customers to place orders for pickup during their operating hours, which have been observed to be around 8:00 AM to 5:40 PM or 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, though it is always recommended to check the most current hours before planning a visit, especially on weekends. This flexibility makes it easy for busy Virginia professionals and families to secure their favorite treats.

Services Offered at Gwenie's Pastries

Gwenie's Pastries is first and foremost a bakery, but they offer a diverse selection of products and services centered around the authentic flavors of Filipino cuisine. Their offerings cater to individual cravings, family gatherings, and special events.

Filipino Specialty Cakes and Cheesecakes: They offer whole cakes and slices of their signature chiffon cakes (Ube, Mango, Pandan, Mocha) and the highly popular Ube Cheesecake, which features a Nilla and coconut crust.

Artisan Doughnuts and Breads: They feature soft brioche doughnuts with various fillings like Ube, Pandan, Mango, and Nutella. They also offer traditional Filipino breads such as Pan De Sal, Ube Cheese Pan De Sal, Pan De Coco, and Spanish Bread. A delighted customer specifically mentioned that their "donuts were fluffy and the filling was wonderfully balanced."

Specialty Drinks: Their beverage menu includes innovative and popular items such as the Ube Latte and Ube Cream Matcha Latte. One reviewer noted, "I tried their Ube latte and there was Halaya in it for the perfect Ube taste," and another enjoyed the "Ube cream matcha latte as well and the Ube was frothy and tasty, I really enjoyed it with my Pandan donut." They also serve a variety of coffee drinks, matcha lattes, and Filipino-inspired shakes and juices.

Traditional Filipino Delicacies (Kakanin): The menu often includes classic items like Puto (steamed rice cake), Kutsinta (steamed tapioca cake), Cassava Cake, and Sapin Sapin (layered glutinous rice).

Frozen & Chilled Desserts: This category includes Filipino favorites such as Halo-Halo, Leche Flan (creme caramel), Buko Pandan Cups, and the unique Sylvanas (cashew meringue cookie sandwiches).

Savory Items: For those looking for something less sweet, they offer savory items like Baked Siopao (pork or chicken asado) and various breakfast-style sandwiches, including a Spam Egg Cheese Sandwich and a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich.

Custom and Large Orders: They accommodate orders for whole cakes, including their Sans Rival and Brazo De Mercedes rolls, perfect for celebrations and family events in the Virginia area.

Features and Highlights of Gwenie's Pastries

Gwenie’s Pastries has numerous characteristics that set it apart and contribute to its high praise from Virginia patrons. These highlights showcase their distinct position in the local bakery landscape.

Expertise in Ube and Pandan: The bakery's key feature is its mastery of Ube (purple yam) and Pandan flavors. These are not merely novelty items; they are the foundation of best-selling goods like the Ube Cheesecake, Ube Pie, Ube Doughnuts, and Pandan Cake. The depth of flavor in these specific ingredients is frequently noted by customers as being exceptional.

Unique Fusion Beverages: Gwenie's stands out by blending traditional Filipino flavors with modern café drinks. The Ube Latte, particularly the iced version, is a major draw, offering a creamy, nutty, and distinctly 'ube' twist on a classic coffee drink, a perfect pick-me-up for a Virginia afternoon.

Authentic Filipino Family Recipes: The business is a family-owned operation, rooted in traditional family recipes that have been honed over time. This heritage provides an authentic taste that is difficult to replicate, contributing to a high-quality product.

High-Quality Donut Selection: Customers consistently rave about their brioche doughnuts, which are described as soft, delicious, and filled with various signature creams in flavors like Ube, Mango, and Pandan. The mention of “malasadas” by a customer suggests the light, airy texture of some of their donuts.

Diverse Menu of Baked Goods and Desserts: Beyond cakes and donuts, the extensive menu includes hard-to-find Filipino sweets and savories, such as Hopia, Mamon, and the elaborate Halo-Halo, providing a comprehensive taste of the Philippines for the local Virginia community.

Contact Information

For residents and visitors in the Arlington, VA, area, here is the essential contact information for Gwenie’s Pastries:

Address: 1417 S Fern St, Arlington, VA 22202, USA

Phone: While a specific phone number for the Arlington location is not consistently advertised across all public directories, the best way to interact, especially for ordering and general inquiries, is to visit the location during typical operating hours or utilize their online ordering platforms.

Online Ordering Hours (Approximate): Typically from around 8:00 AM to 5:40 PM or 6:00 PM, though hours can vary by day and platform. It is always recommended to check the current online ordering schedule before planning a visit.

What is Worth Choosing at Gwenie's Pastries

For anyone in Virginia looking to experience Gwenie's Pastries for the first time, or for a seasoned fan looking for a recommendation, there are several stand-out items that embody the bakery's best qualities. The most compelling reason to choose Gwenie's is their unique and expertly crafted take on Filipino classics, utilizing specialty ingredients like Ube and Pandan that offer an exciting new dimension to your dessert repertoire.

The Ube Lineup: The most famous and highly recommended items revolve around Ube. The Ube Pie and Ube Cheesecake are top contenders, praised for their creamy texture and authentic Ube Halaya flavor. The purple yam provides a subtly sweet and nutty profile that is distinct and delicious. The Ube-flavored doughnuts are also a must-try, combining a soft brioche with a flavorful Ube cream filling.

Pandan Favorites: For a contrasting yet equally delightful flavor, the Pandan Cake and Pandan Doughnut are highly recommended. Pandan offers a light, tropical, and slightly floral flavor reminiscent of vanilla and coconut, which makes for a remarkably refreshing dessert. A customer’s satisfaction with the Pandan doughnut paired with an Ube drink speaks to the perfect balance of flavors offered by the bakery.

The Specialty Drinks: Do not overlook the specialty beverages. The Ube Latte and Ube Cream Matcha Latte are fantastic ways to integrate the iconic Filipino flavor into your daily coffee routine. These drinks are more than just lattes; they are an immersion into the Ube flavor profile, often containing Ube Halaya (purple yam jam) for an unparalleled taste experience. As one reviewer confirmed, the Ube Halaya in the latte creates "the perfect Ube taste."

Ultimately, what makes Gwenie's Pastries a choice spot in Arlington, VA, is its successful blend of authentic Filipino baking tradition with modern pastry techniques. The products are consistently described as fresh, fluffy, and perfectly balanced in sweetness—never too overwhelming. This dedication to quality and flavor has turned a family-owned bakery into a beloved local institution, earning an enthusiastic local following that highly recommends the experience to all Virginia residents. As another satisfied customer declared, "Highly recommend checking them out. I’ll be back to try everything!" That sentiment, shared by many, makes Gwenie's Pastries an unmissable culinary destination.

Gwenie's Pastries Photos

Gwenie's Pastries Location

Gwenie's Pastries

Virginia Arlington County Arlington Pentagon City South Fern Street

1417 S Fern St, Arlington, VA 22202, USA

Gwenie's Pastries Reviews

An average rating of ★5 from 16 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Ok. Everyone calm down. Gwenie’s is open and it’s the best thing ever. I tried their Ube latte and there was Halaya in it for the perfect Ube taste. The donuts were fluffy and the filling was wonderfully balanced.Highly recommend checking them out. I’ll be back to try everything!I had their Ube cream matcha latte as well and the Ube was frothy and tasty, I really enjoyed it with my Pandan donut. I am entirely obsessed with Gwenie’s baked goods. I usually spot their desserts in other Filipino markets but I’m super happy that they’re right here.
September 13 · Jenne Siaka
anything ube and pandan, sign me up! the desserts were so good! And their drinks too! got to have the ube pie and pandan cake if you go!oh how can I forget their donuts/malasadas!!!
September 07 · Meggie Chen
Gwenie’s breakfast sandwiches put other morning sandwiches to shame. The way the bread holds up like a biscuit but tastes like a light bread, the care they took to stack the ingredients(no hard or weirdly cooked eggs), and the flavor of the beef makes every bite awesome. They also have excellent quality coffee and a great variety of cakes and pastries, with some vegan and gf options.
September 04 · Robert Shannon Harpring
Great Filipino inspired pastry and lunch spot. Friendly staff, delicious food
September 05 · Yasaswi Raparla
I decided to do a quick stop today after my Costco run. At Gwenie’s I ordered, ube cake slice, ube cheese pandesal, sapin-sapin, a bag of pandesal and calamansi refresher.So far Ive eaten the sapin-sapin, ube cake and the ube cheese pandesal. I loved it. The ube cake was moist and perfect sweetness. The Sapin-sapin is also on point. Right amount of sweetness and chewy texture with of the rice cake is perfect. I just wish it had more toasted coconut on top. my mom and i split the ube cheese pandesal into half. And ate it that quick. The calamansi refresher is perfect to quench my thirst.I laso bought a corned beef sandwich at Lapu-Lapu’s. They literally share the same space. I was not disappointed. Though I must say $15 for a sandwich is a pretty pricey but its ok becoz the serving is quite big and plus nothing in DMV is cheap and you’re getting a yummy sandwich. Not your typical ones.All in all I loved this little quaint haven of Filipino goodness.I wish them success!!!!
September 13 · Eve EA