In these unprecedented times, we could all use a little sweet treat. Here are 11 must-try Charlotte bakeries, and what to order at each.
Note: Listed in no particular order.
(1) Villani’s Bakery
This New York-Italian style bakery serves everything from cannolis to sfingi (Italian doughnuts). All orders are served to-go.
Order this: Tiramisu. Homemade ladyfingers soaked in espresso, covered in mascarpone cream, and topped with cocoa powder.
Prices: Pastries range from $2.50-$6, cookies are $1-$4, and bread is $1.50-$3. Bars, like brownies, cost about $4.
Location/hours: 901 Pecan Avenue. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
(2) Manolo’s Bakery
Manolo’s Bakery, formerly known as Las Delicias, was one of the first Hispanic bakeries to open in Charlotte. Here you’ll find favorites like empanadas and tres leches cakes.
Order this: Concha. It’s a traditional Mexican sweet bread roll with a crunchy topping.
Prices: Bread costs $1-$2 and desserts are $1.50-$5.
Location/hours: 4405 Central Avenue, Suite C. Open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
(3) The Batch House
A recent wave of flooding forced the storefront to close, however, The Batch House is still cranking out delicious batch boxes. The limited release pre-order batch boxes (filled with a variety of treats) go quick so follow their Instagram to reserve your box when the next order form goes live.
Order this: A batch box. Comes with assorted cookies, s’mores brownie, and an oatmeal cream, among other treats. Once they go live, you’ll be able to order through here.
Prices: $45 for a box.
Location/hours: 1429 Bryant Street. Pickup times and new boxes are announced here.
(4) Sunflour Baking Company
A local favorite for sweet and savory baked goods in multiple neighborhoods in Charlotte. Sunflour has an assortment of breakfast, lunch, and dessert items. You’ll find classic baked goods like cupcakes and cookies, along with scones, paninis, and breakfast sandwiches.
Order this: Any of the famous breakfast sandwiches, with your choice of bread, including house-made cheddar biscuits, and butter rolls.
Prices: Desserts range from $2.25 to $7.75, breakfast sandwiches $5.50 to $6.95, and bread loaves $6.95 to $7.95.
Location/hours: Sunflour Baking Company has locations in Elizabeth, Dilworth, Harrisburg, and Ballantyne. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(5) Suárez Bakery
This bakery with Cuban roots has been around since the early ’90s. Known for its specialty cakes and pastries, tea cookies, and gourmet cupcakes.
Order this: Any of the sugar cookies, hand-iced works of art that feature holiday themes, too.
Prices: Cookies from $1.50-$4.50, pastries $2.75-$3.95, doughnuts $1.50-$4.50, and cupcakes (all flavors) $3.25.
Location/hours: Suárez Bakery has locations at Park Road Shopping Center and Optimist Hall. Open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
[Related Agenda guide: Top donut spots in Charlotte, and what to order at each]
Suárez’s food stall inside Optimist Hall. Full story: Suárez Bakery’s second location is now open in Optimist Hall
(6) BW Sweets Bakery
Named for the owner’s late son, BW Sweets has something for every sweet tooth — ice cream, cupcakes, cake slices, hot desserts, macarons, pastries, bread, doughnuts. There are 16 cake flavors and 18 cheesecake flavors offered every day.
Order this: A slice of pound cake. It comes in ten different flavors.
Prices: Cake slices are $4.75, mini cheesecakes are $6.50, cupcakes $3.50, pound cake $4.50, cobbler $5.
Location/hours: BW Sweets Bakery has two locations: 5820 E WT Harris Blvd. and 1425 Winnifred St. It’s open Monday-Thursday from noon to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 9 p.m., and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
(7) Amélie’s French Bakery & Café
Known for its eclectic decor, Amélies French Bakery & Café was Charlotte’s first 24-hour bakery. The menu features classic French pastries like macarons and croissants, along with soup and sandwich specials, and quiche du Jour (of the day).
Order this: Salted caramel brownie.
Prices: Desserts cost $1.69-$5.79, pastries $1.29-$3.99, and sandwiches $3.85-$7.98.
Location/hours: Amélie’s has various locations throughout the Charlotte area. Hours vary by location.
Famous salted caramel brownie at Amelie’s.
(8) Copain
Fairly new to the bakery scene, Copain is a European-style market and bakery created to help people gather with ease. It offers chef-prepared meals and provisions, hand-crafted pastries, a selection of beer and wines, and even fresh produce.
Order this: The chocolate croissant. It’s a work of art.
Prices: House-made bread is $4-$7.50, croissants (plain and chocolate) $3.25-$3.75, hand pies $3, and tarts $5-$6.
Location/hours: 6601 Morrison Boulevard. Located in the atrium behind Rooster’s SouthPark. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
(9) Renaissance Patisserie
Originally a farmer’s market stand, Renaissance Patisserie is known for its French pastries, including macarons, madeleines, and meringues.
Order this: The chocolate brownie bombe. (FYI, these usually sell out by lunchtime.)
Prices: Pastries and desserts cost $1.50- $6.50 and specialty bread is $2.50-$7.50.
Location/hours: 6401 Morrison Boulevard #4A, in the specialty shops at SouthPark. Open daily for the holiday season 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Chocolate Brownie Bombe
French Cheesecake with fresh berries
(10) Local Loaf
Local Loaf is a restaurant, pâtisserie, and bakery all in one, in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood. It’s known for fresh-baked artisan bread and gourmet sandwiches.
Order this: The Chicken and Egg breakfast sandwich. Hand-breaded chicken tenders, a poached egg, and homemade chipotle Cheerwine sauce served on a buttermilk biscuit. Oh yes, they did.
Prices: Breakfast sandwiches cost $6-$13, artisan bread $4-$5, and pastries $2-$3.
Location/hours: 800 E 35th Street. Wednesday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
(11) Wentworth & Fenn
This gourmet bakery and custom cake shop on wheels serves decadent desserts and coffees from a 1961 Shasta camper named Selma.
Order this: The orange olive oil bundt cake (chef’s favorite).
Prices: Pastries $4-7, bread $6 per loaf, coffee $3.50, and custom cakes cost $50-$200.
Location/hours: 270 Camp Road, Suite 103. Thursday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday 6:30-9 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Orange bundt cake
Craving more sweets? Same. Here are some related stories:
- I tried to make Kindred’s famous milk bread. Here’s how it went
- Best ice cream in Charlotte
- 10 places to get dessert after 10 p.m. that aren’t Cook Out
