5 Small-Town Pie Shops in Virginia Worth Pulling Over For

Every season is pie season, but there’s no denying that fall goes hand in hand with a flavorful slice. After all, apple and pumpkin season, not to mention Thanksgiving and the holidays, call for a flaky crust filled to the brim with cozy, spice-forward flavors. As much as we love classic apple and pumpkin pies shared around a festive dinner table this time of year, though, a few pie shops in Virginia will make you want to snag a slice well before the last Thursday of November.

Whether you’re looking for a convenient day trip from D.C., a dessert-driven weekend getaway in the DMV, or simply passing through Virginia from point A to point B and craving a slice of delicious homemade pie, here are five quaint bakeries worth pinning on the map and adding to your itinerary. For convenience, we’ve ordered them from closest to farthest from D.C., with Mom’s just under an hour from the District.

Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe in Arlington: Linzer Tort

Located less than 10 miles from D.C., Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe is a great option for folks looking to dip out of the District for the day or even just for dessert. While Arlington isn’t exactly a small town, this German pie shop makes the neighborhood feel like a little slice of Europe right here in the DMV.

Since opening in 1975, Heidelberg Pastry Shop has remained a beloved destination for fresh fruit, cream, and savory pies, decadent cakes, cookies, and Oktoberfest-style bratwurst and pretzels. As popular as the lattice-work cherry pie and scrumptious chocolate mousse pie are, the Linzer Tort is the top choice at this corner-store pie shop. Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ground nuts, and raspberry jam come together to create a flavor profile fit for a celebration. While it’s typically associated with Christmas, one bite and you’ll want to enjoy it well before and beyond December.

The shop is open Tuesday to Sunday, with hours varying from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, so be sure to order ahead if you hope to incorporate a Linzer Tort into your menu.

Pie Gourmet in Vienna: French Silk

Pie Gourmet is a cornerstone of the Northern Virginia dessert scene. Located at the intersection of Maple Avenue West and Nutley Street North West in Vienna, it’s a prime pick to pull off the ever-crowded 66 and kill a little time at rush hour.

Since 1988, Pie Gourmet has wowed customers with homemade pies made with only the best local ingredients and seasonal flavors. Of its nearly three dozen pie flavors, the French Silk is a standout. Fluffy chocolate filling is blended with finely ground walnuts, stacked high in a deep, buttery crust, and topped with airy whipped cream to create a flavor profile that will make you want to reach for seconds.

In addition to sweet pies, Pie Gourmet specializes in fruit pies (the Strawberry Rhubarb is a cult-favorite summer offering), savory pies, quiches, and cheesecakes. So, whether you’re planning a special dessert or a flaky-good brunch moment, this Vienna gem has you covered.

The shop is open every day, with hours varying from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It’s worth mentioning that most of the shop’s recipes can be made gluten-free, and if you don’t have time to make a detour yourself, local delivery is available.

The Golden Plum in Occoquan: Banana Cream Pie

If you’re traveling along the Capital Beltway or I-95 and can’t deal with another person cutting you off, reroute your GPS to the precious town of Occoquan, one of the cutest small towns in Virginia, to slip into The Golden Plum Bakery for a slice you won’t soon forget.

Located steps from the Occoquan River, this Victorian pie shop is charming before you even set foot through the door. Of course, once you do step inside, the decadent wafts of baked goods that fill the air will make you never want to leave. Of all the desserts and savory goods that fill the pastry cases at this small-town pie shop worth a road trip, if you spot the Banana Cream Pie, be sure to grab a slice, if not the whole pie. Arguably the most popular baked good at the shop, the Banana Cream Pie, with its buttery, flaky crust, smooth banana cream filling, and fluffy whipped topping, is a dream in every bite, and sells out regularly as a result.

The shop is open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. If banana cream pie isn’t your thing, consider another Golden Plum cult-fave: the apple, either with the butter crust or the butter pecan topping. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a distinctly autumnal flavor profile, the cranberry apple is a unique option.

Little Apple Pastry Shop in Aldie: Sugar-Topped Apple Pie

Aldie is one of the small towns in Virginia worth a stop, thanks to its craft dining scene, local artisan shops, and all-around charm. Of course, any trip to Aldie should be planned around the Gilberts Corner Farmer’s Market, the only place you can peruse Little Apple Pastry Shop homemade pies since the adored bakery shut its teeny brick-and-mortar back in December 2023.

Over the course of 30 years, mother-daughter duo Margaret and Kay grew accustomed to stocking their pie shop to the brim and selling out on a near-daily basis. After Margaret retired in 2021 and Kay had to uproot the business in 2023 because of a change in property ownership, she now whips up her wow-worthy pies at a ChefScape communal kitchen in Leesburg.

As for what to order, you truly can’t go wrong. That said, the apple pie stands out with its flaky, golden crust dusted with granulated sugar. Let me put it this way: My mom and grandma have been raving about this pie my entire life.

Little Apple Pastry Shop is available year-round on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Gilberts Corner Farmer’s Market. If you can’t wait until the weekend, you can place an order and schedule a private pick-up appointment for Thursday or Friday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Mom’s Apple Pie in Leesburg: Apple of Unique Varieties

Speaking of mother-daughter duos, we’d be remiss not to mention Mom’s Apple Pie. Avis Renshaw and Steve Cox opened the Leesburg location (and NoVA staple) in 1981 before, after much success, opening locations in Occoquan and Round Hill. In 2023, Renshaw and Cox handed over the Occoquan location, which originally opened in 2003, to their daughter, Ansa Cox, who rebranded the shop as The Golden Plum. While she still offers some of Mom’s iconic recipes, for a nostalgic dessert tour, it’s worth heading to the OG location. Plus, Leesburg is adorable, especially at fall, so it’s a win-win.

As the name suggests, Mom’s Apple Pie is known for its apple pie-traditional, butter pecan crumb, and cran-apple crumb among them. But Mom’s offers many flavors beyond the fall classic. During autumn, the pumpkin pie (made with Loudon-grown pumpkin and squash) takes the lead; though, this year, the shop is introducing a new sweet-and-tart seasonal flavor: Berry Berry Cherry, made with sour Montmorency cherries, blueberries, and black raspberries. Other must-try seasonal pies include the chocolate pecan pie, bourbon walnut pie, and almond amaretto chess. Of course, no matter the time of year, a cream pie is always a deliciously fluffy treat.

Mom’s Apple Pie is open every day, with hours varying from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tips for a Virginia Pie Shop Road Trip

Like Krispy Kreme donuts, homemade pies taste best when they’re fresh. With that in mind, as you plan a detour, outing, or full weekend getaway around some of America’s iconic pie shops, go early for the widest variety and freshest flavor. If you can’t make it around opening, check the shop’s online ordering system. Some let you reserve pies for pick-up.

The next time you hop in your car or sit down to map out a road trip, remember: There are many delectable small-town pie shops in Virginia. If you regularly crave a sweet treat, add this list to your phone and check them off one by one.

Q: Where can I find the best pie in Virginia?

A: Some of the best pie in Virginia comes from small-town shops like Mom’s Apple Pie in Leesburg, known for its apple varieties, and The Golden Plum in Occoquan. Both bake from scratch daily and sit minutes off major thoroughfares like Route 7 and I-95, making them easy detours on a drive.

Q: What kind of pie is Virginia known for?

A: Virginia is best known for apple pie, which traces back to early European apple tree cuttings in the colonial days. You’ll find classic versions at Little Apple Pastry Shop in Aldie and Pie Gourmet in Vienna.

Q: When is the best time to visit a small-town pie shop?

A: Go early in the day, especially on weekends. Small shops like Little Apple Pastry Shop often sell out of their sugar-sprinkled apple pie by midday and will close up shop when supply runs out. Calling ahead or checking social media the morning of is the safest bet.