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The Sweetest Spots in the Queen City: A Guide to Charlotte’s Best Bakeries

| by Alyssa
Last updated on November 15, 2024
Alyssa sits at a bistro table with a pastry and holds a cup of coffee

A box of croissant pastries from a Charlotte bakery

Exterior of a Pâtisserie in Charlotte

A rack of sourdough loaves from a Charlotte bakery

As anyone who’s ever tried to bake a cake or a loaf of bread from scratch knows, baking is a labor of love. And as much as I do enjoy baking at home, sometimes it’s nice to outsource the task to a professional.

But not just any bakery – my love for small businesses extends all the way to my stomach. There’s a delightful inconsistency that appears in products from small bakeries, versus their cookie-cutter (literally) supermarket counterparts. I think there is just as much beauty in the rustic charm of a blob of a cookie with gobs of chocolate chips as there is in the labor of a laminated dough painstakingly folded and turned over and over again.

After taste-testing nearly all of the city’s baked goods since I moved here in 2019, today I’m so excited to share my nine favorite Charlotte bakeries. As you know, this category is vast, so this delicious list is home to bakeries excelling in their specialty of bread, cookies, cakes, pastries, and other types of treats.

This post is not sponsored by or affiliated with any of the businesses featured here - all opinions (and taste buds!) are solely my own.

I should mention that it’s important for me to include bakeries that can be easily enjoyed by not just locals, but visitors to our city as well. So as much as I love our city’s pop-up or preorder-only bakeries (Team Rose Bread, Wheatberry Bakeshop, and Pâtisserie LaRue, to name a few) and bakeries in the Charlotte suburbs (like Virtuoso Breadworks in Waxhaw), I’m choosing to focus on bakeries that have an accessible Charlotte storefront and observe regular operating hours in this particular post.

So – who’s up for a little treat?

CHARLOTTE’S BEST BAKERIES

Interior of The Batch House and a pastry case
The Batch House just might be Charlotte’s cutest bakery
The pastry case at The Batch House and a tray of oatmeal cream pies
All of your childhood faves, reimagined (including the fan favorite OCP)

The Batch House

Over on Charlotte’s west side, you’ll find Cris Rojas Agurcia – a.k.a. The Batchmaker – at the helm of the most adorable bakery on this list: The Batch House. Decked in full Grandmillennial decor from floor to ceiling (except the must-visit bathroom, which is full grandma), this sweet shop brings your childhood favorite treats to life.

The pastry case is a mouthwatering display of oozing chocolate chip cookies, freshly-filled Poptarts, and bulging oatmeal cream pies (OCP in Batch-speak). Even if you’ve never visited before, I’m certain you’ll find that the flavors are familiar. Except, unlike some doses of nostalgia, this experience is even better than the original.

→The Batch House // 901 Berryhill Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208

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A pastry case and bistro table with a paper bag from Chez Marie Pâtisserie
Chez Marie Pâtisserie feels like a chic French cafe
A Mont Blanc Entremet at Chez Marie Pâtisserie
The petit gâteau section of the case at Chez Marie Pâtisserie shines brightest

Chez Marie Pâtisserie

For desserts that will elicit a round of applause as they arrive at your table, look no further than Chez Marie Pâtisserie. Chic woven bistro seating will make you quickly forget the bakery’s SouthPark strip mall location and the jewel-like tarts, eclairs, and entremets will have you ready to order extras.

The star here is the Mont Blanc entremet, with an airy chestnut mousse that just happens to be gluten-free (though it’s so decadent you’d never know it!). It’s like an instant trip to Paris – minus the high fares and jetlag.

→Chez Marie Pâtisserie // 4732 Sharon Rd Suite M, Charlotte, NC 28210

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Exterior of Manolo's Bakery and a pastry case with conchas and treats
Manolo’s Bakery was Charlotte’s very first Latin bakery
A tray with pastries and tongs
Like many panaderías, the cases at Manolo’s are self-serve

Manolo’s Bakery

In 2024 Manolo’s Bakery celebrates twenty-seven years in business – and twenty-seven years of fresh bread and Latin pastries. The first Latin bakery in Charlotte transports visitors throughout the Americas, with self-serve cases filled with tortas, polvorones, conchas, and so much more.

You’ll soon be able to grab a tray and tongs to pick out your favorite treats at the bakery’s new location in Myer’s Park, all the while knowing your purchase makes a difference. Community is at the core of this bakery and owner Manolo Betancur runs his business with heart, from baking birthday cakes for Charlotte’s unhoused population to providing firsthand aid in Ukraine.

→Manolo's Bakery // 4405 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

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Exterior of Renaissance Pâtisserie and a pastry case
Amidst SouthPark’s chain shops and restaurants is Renaissance Pâtisserie
A kouign amann and coffee
One of my favorite kouign-amann in Charlotte

Renaissance Pâtisserie

Nestled in Specialty Shops SouthPark is Renaissance Pâtisserie, a chic yet down-to-earth French bistro and pâtisserie from classically trained chef Sylvain Rivet. The menu features classic bistrot fare like croque monsieurs, but the pastry case is where this spot really impresses.

Flaky viennoiserie and gem-like pâtisserie line the shelves, awaiting their moment to shine on your plate. Place your order for here, and step outside to linger and indulge on the patio’s classic checkered chairs.

→Renaissance Pâtisserie // 6401 Carnegie Blvd #4a, Charlotte, NC 28211

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The exterior of Suarez Bakery on Park Road and its pastry case
Suarez Bakery has been a Park Road Shopping Center staple since 1992
A dinosaur cookie and Oreo cupcake
There are always some playful goodies in the case

Suárez Bakery

In a city that’s always changing, Suárez Bakery has stood the test of time. This Park Road Shopping Center bakery with Cuban roots has been cranking out delicious treats since 1992.

Walking in, the bakery is so sweetly scented that you can almost taste the powdered sugar in the air – which makes sense, given you’re only several feet away from the cake team that’s hard at work behind the large glass pane. The bakery’s Doughnut Cake is a popular option for celebrations, but I always prefer to pick up a few smaller treats like fun cookies and cupcakes. Looking for heartier fare? You’ll find it over at its sister location in Optimist Hall, Suárez Bakery & Barra.

→Suárez Bakery // 4245 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209

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Verdant's menu of bread and a rack stacked with loaves
Verdant keeps a lean, mean menu of sourdough breads, executing each to perfection
Loaves of bread with sesame seeds
Verdant loaves are characterized by a dense, crackly crust and a tangy interior

Verdant Bread

If you visit my home on any given day and I offer you a piece of toast as a snack (toast is the best snack and I will not be convinced otherwise), chances are I’m offering you a slice from Verdant Bread.

Pull apart any loaf from this sourdough-focused bakery, and you’ll find gorgeous bubbles from their long-fermented, high-hydration process. The tangy Country Loaf and Whole Wheat Pullman Loaf are my go-to loaves, but there’s usually something fun in the mix if you’re up for a brand new flavor profile. Find their loaves on weekdays at the bakery off of Monroe or at the Saturday farmers market in Matthews.

→Verdant Bread // 4410 Monroe Rd # C, Charlotte, NC 28205

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The coffee station at Vicente and a case of sweet and savory croissants
The perfect way to start a day in Charlotte: coffee and a flaky pastry at Vicente
A box of three pastries at Vicente
Vicente’s top-sellers include the cruffin (top left), dulce de leche croissant (top right), and kouign-amann (not pictured)

Vicente

Like many small businesses, Vicente was the result of the owners taking matters into their own hands after being unable to find the pastries they craved in Charlotte. Since it opened in 2023, this bakery has taken South End by storm,  opening up the city’s palate for flaky, laminated pastries studded with globally-inspired fillings.

With free parking in the adjacent garage, it’s an easy stop for a quick pastry fix – or better yet, to pull up a chair, order a coffee, and linger over the lovingly-made sweet and savory options. I can’t tell you my favorite pastry yet because the team is always coming up with creative combinations, but I can tell you I have never been disappointed in anything I’ve ordered (and I have pretty high pastry standards!).

→Vicente // 2520 South Blvd Suite 108-B, Charlotte, NC 28203

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Two shelves of Italian-American cookies and pastries from Villani's
Find all of your favorite Italian-American treats at Villani’s Bakery
A chocolate chip cookie and a bag emblazoned with the Villani's Bakery logo
Villani’s chocolate chip cookie was ranked best in North Carolina

Villani’s Bakery

For New York-Italian style pastries and treats in Charlotte, look no further than Villani’s Bakery. Pop into this Plaza Midwood area bakery for all of your seven-layer cookies, cannoli, and tiramisu needs.

Villani’s makes the best chocolate chip cookie in North Carolina according to Yelp, but my favorite item on the menu is the pistachio cheesecake. With a sweet cookie crust and topped with large pieces of roasted pistachios, it’s a little bit savory and a little sweet – simply perfect.

→Villani's Bakery // 901 Pecan Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

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Exterior and interior of Wentworth & Fenn at Camp North End
Wentworth & Fenn’s cozy bakery is located at Camp North End
Two images of the pastry case at Wentworth & Fenn
Find elevated classics and delightfully surprising combinations in the pastry case at Wentworth & Fenn

Wentworth & Fenn

Note: Wentworth & Fenn announced their last day at Camp North End will be December 29, 2024

Hang a left outside of the Camp North Location of Grow and you’ll be deposited at the front door of Wentworth & Fenn. This petite building belies the bold flavors that await you inside the charmingly decorated space.

It’s honestly quite a wonder how the team keeps the glass barrier of the pastry display free from smudges because it’s so tempting to press your face against the glass to get a closer look. Once your eyes have had a chance to feast, choose from sweet and savory tarts, pastries, and frosted cookies, all lovingly boxed up and handed to you with a fork and napkin. We all know they’re not going to make it very far out of the building, don’t we?

→Wentworth & Fenn // 270 Camp Rd Suite 103, Charlotte, NC 28206

ON THE MAP: CHARLOTTE’S BEST BAKERIES

FINAL THOUGHTS ON CHARLOTTE BAKERIES

Alyssa sits at a bakery with a pastry and coffee

Charlotte may not quite have the same volume of high-quality bakeries as larger cities like New York or San Francisco, but you can still find a great bakery if you know where to look.

Whether you’re in the mood for a flaky pastry, a sweet dose of nostalgia, or a crusty loaf for your next dinner party, we are fortunate to have so many wonderful local businesses that are prioritizing quality ingredients and creating products that are worth every second of effort. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some crumbs to go sweep off my dining room floor…

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Questions for you

What is your go-to pastry?

Do you have another candidate for this list? Let me know in the comments!

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