A Sweet Slice of NC: Five Must-Visit North Carolina Bakeries

Whether it’s enjoying a flaky pastry with a cup of locally roasted coffee, savoring a perfect sourdough sandwich, or indulging in a post-dinner cookie, I make it a point to visit a bakery on nearly every trip. While most bakeries cater to locals rather than travelers, they’re often hidden gems that offer not only delicious treats but also a true taste of the community.

This post is created independently from the bakeries listed here

With that in mind, I’m excited to share five of my favorite North Carolina bakeries for your next road trip, organized from east to west. When choosing a bakery, I have a few criteria: I look for places that use natural leaveners or minimal yeast in their breads, mill or source their flours locally, use high-quality butter in their pastries, and dedicate the time and care needed to craft exceptional baked goods.

Here are five bakeries that meet my (admittedly high) standards and offer a wide variety of tempting creations.

FIVE MUST-VISIT NORTH CAROLINA BAKERIES

1. Boulted Bread

My love affair with Boulted Bread began way back in 2019. Michael and I were visiting the Triangle to decide if it was a place we’d consider moving to, and our Airbnb was just a few blocks away from this charming Raleigh bakery. This proximity turned out to be the saving grace of our trip. After multiple flight cancellations, we chose to return our rental car rather than pay the exorbitant prices to extend it. Instead of stressing over the extended stay, we started looking forward to our mornings at Boulted with coffee and a pastry in hand.

This small Raleigh bakery ticks every box on my list. Unlike many bakeries that specialize in either bread or pastries, Boulted excels at both. Their menu changes frequently, but a few standout items for me include their tomato tartine, prepared in true Carolinian fashion with Duke’s mayo, their chocolate croissant, featuring beautifully dark chocolate batons, and their chocolate chip cookie, so generously packed with chocolate it feels almost illegal. Michael’s favorite is the ham and cheese croissant, though somehow, a few bites always seem to make their way to me.

As for the bread, the classic Levain stands out for both value and flavor, while a half-loaf of their Nordic Rye, with its dense, chewy structure, lasts a long time.

How have I managed to sample so much of their menu despite living two and a half hours away? Well, we’ve made the five-hour roundtrip from Charlotte more than once, solely to pick up an (admittedly obscene) amount of bread to stock our freezer. Since you’re already making the trek, won’t you consider adding a loaf to your order for me?

→Boulted Bread // 328 Dupont Cir, Raleigh, NC 27603

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2. Brandwein’s Bagels

At first, a bagel bakery may seem like an odd candidate for a round-up of bakeries, but good bagels are few and far between here in the Carolinas, so I feel I must include Brandwein’s Bagels in this guide. This Chapel Hill spot boils and bakes their New York-style bagels daily, and sources local ingredients whenever possible.

All the classic bagel flavors are here, and they operate as a full-fledged bagel deli rather than just a bagel bakery. If you decide you’re in the mood for more of a meal, be warned that Brandwein’s stuffs their bagels generously. I highly recommend sharing one with a friend if you’re not so hungry. But no matter your preferred bagel toppings, be sure to bring home a dozen (slice and freeze right away so they are as fresh as possible!).

→Brandwein's Bagels // 505 W Rosemary St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

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3. Bobby Boy Bakeshop

I first learned of Bobby Boy Bakeshop from Chef Digby Stridiron as I was planning our St. Croix trip last year (isn’t it funny how many circles there are in this life?), and I immediately added it to my list of places to visit in North Carolina.

I finally had the chance to visit during a day trip to Winston-Salem, although I instantly regretted arriving having already eaten, as their lunch menu sounded (and smelled!) fantastic. But while I haven’t personally had the chance to eat their array of sandwiches and other entrees, I have managed to indulge in their sweet and savory pastries and loaves of bread and they are perfection (edit: I finally did manage to pop in for lunch one day, and it was every bit as wonderful as I’d hoped).

Once you lay eyes on the case of goodies, you’ll want to order one of everything, so plan your pastry budget accordingly.

→Bobby Boy Bakeshop // 1100 Reynolda Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27104

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4. Verdant Bread

I couldn’t possibly round up a list of favorite bakeries without mentioning one in my own city. Verdant has been my go-to source for sourdough since my very first week in Charlotte.

Once upon a time, their bread was only available to purchase at Charlotte markets and at designated pickup spots – but now you can walk up to the bread shop on Monroe on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (which is so much more convenient!).

But for the best selection, I suggest pre-ordering from the website. My usuals are the Country Loaf (the dough is a high hydration formula – you’ll know it when you feel it) and the Whole Wheat Pullman (the perfect sandwich bread!), but they almost always have something unique on the menu, too. Follow their Instagram for the latest loaves and stay for the antics.

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

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5. mother | bread + wine

Note: Please follow mother on Instagram for updates following the devastation of Hurricane Helene

The new kid on the block is mother, located in the River Arts District in the heart of Asheville. Though it may be young on the scene, their fermentation methods are old – using wild yeasts in the sourdough (i.e. the “mother”) to leaven their breads.

This tiny shop produces excellent products, like pretzels, bagels, and seasonal loaves. During our visit, they also carried one of my favorite simple sandwiches: the jambon-beurre. With only bread, ham, and butter, all of the ingredients have to be top-notch or else the sandwich isn’t worth eating.

Thankfully mother takes care in making this and all of their offerings. Next time I’ll return a little later in the day, to enjoy a glass from their curated selection of superb wines or head to their new South Slope cafe. Perhaps I’ll see you there, and we can make a toast!

→mother | bread + wine // 20 Artful Wy #102, Asheville, NC 28801

FINAL THOUGHTS ON VISITING NORTH CAROLINA’S BAKERIES

The ingredients and processes that go into a well-made loaf of bread are deceptively simple, but the truth is, many commercial bakeries in this day and age just aren’t creating bread worth eating. The ones who are doing it according to the old traditions are taking the long route to get there, bypassing fillers and dough conditioners and arriving at something worth cherishing.

Whether you’re a local or just passing through, each of these five North Carolina bakeries offers something unique that reflects the rich culinary heritage of the state and the greater region. So, whether you’re craving a buttery croissant, a hearty loaf, or a sweet treat, make sure to carve out time to visit these bakeries on your next adventure through North Carolina. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!

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Five North Carolina Bakeries to Add to Your Travel Itinerary