4. Castro’s Bakery
For rich tres leches cake: If you’re not familiar with this Central American manna of the gods, all it takes is one bite to become a lifelong fan. And if you’re in the Arlington or Falls Church area, that bite should be from Castro’s. Family-owned and operated since 1983, Castro’s knows a thing or two about traditional baked goods from El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico, as well as points farther south. For its tres leches cake, light and airy sponge cake is soaked to the core in evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and heavy cream—then topped with mounds of fresh whipped cream. Good luck stopping after that first bite.
6276 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church (across from Eden Center in Seven Corners)