Best Places to Get Desserts in Charlotte
Savor the Queen City’s sweet offerings.
by Bria Perez
Dive into Charlotte’s dessert scene, where a fusion of flavors and cultures creates unforgettable sweet experiences. From artisanal pastries to whimsical milkshakes, each spot offers a unique taste of indulgence, making the city a must-visit for dessert enthusiasts.
220C Banh Mi & Coffee
Area: East Charlotte
Indulge in a fusion of traditional Vietnamese pastries with a modern twist. Savor the beef bulgogi bun featuring sweet dough paired with flavorful beef or enjoy the jalapeño popper bun which is a sweet pastry filled with cream cheese, bacon and jalapeño for a spicy kick. Truly unforgettable treats.
The Batchmaker
Neighborhood: Wesley Heights
The Batchmaker delights with decadent cakes, cookies, bars and pies, all crafted by a self-taught Honduran baker. Enjoy gluten free and vegetarian options while relaxing on the cozy, lit patio. Relish in the bold donut cookies or the Hummingbird Cake – layered with cream cheese frosting and fruity pineapple, topped with banana and pecans.
Crave Dessert Bar
Neighborhood: Uptown
Creating a truly unique experience for dessert lovers, Crave Dessert Bar curates a menu, captivating dessert connoisseurs. Its atmosphere blends moody industrial vibes with a speakeasy feel that’s fit for a night out. The showstoppers are the craft dessert cocktails, like the Key Lime Pie martini and s’mores-inspired cocktail.
Manolo’s Latin Bakery
Area: East Charlotte
Manolo’s blends Colombian roots with an affinity for flair, reimagining traditional dishes through bold twists. Explore Latin-inspired delights, from the abundant flavors of Mexican tres leches and churro cake to Sri Lankan love cake and a rich, 12-layer Chilean cake with caramel and cracker.
Ninety’s Dessert Bar
Neighborhood: University City
Ninety’s elevates milkshakes, pushing the boundaries with whimsical flavors and fan favorites like the Oreo My Gosh milkshake. Its nostalgia-driven experience transports guests back to the colorful, vibrant spirit of the ‘90s, where each sip evokes cherished memories and a sense of playful fun.
Popbar
Neighborhood: NoDa
In the heart of NoDa, discover popsicles galore with Popbar’s all-natural, handcrafted gelato on a stick. Customize to your heart’s content by creating your own popbar with a variety of bases, dips and toppings. With vegan, gluten-free and nut-free options, there’s something for everyone, including minipops, popwiches, wafflepops and shakes.
Renaissance Patisserie
Neighborhood: SouthPark
Renaissance Patisserie is Charlotte’s award-winning destination for authentic French pastries and other baked goods. Its welcoming atmosphere and offerings pay homage to French roots while balancing contemporary tastes. Flaky traditional and vegan croissants, along with French flan, hazelnut toffee tortes and savory canelés offer the most delectable French cuisine.
The Secret Chocolatier
Neighborhood: SouthPark
The Secret Chocolatier elevates chocolate artistry with handcrafted butter toffee bars, rich chocolate bark and chocolate bourbon pecan pie bites. Each confection delivers a delightful blend of crunch and decadence with a smooth finish, all crafted with locally sourced ingredients for an unforgettable treat that tantalizes the senses.
Sprinkle
Neighborhood: NoDa
This reimagined dessert bar is meshing cocktails and milkshakes to spark new imagination in the dessert scene. Craft cocktails and milkshakes are topped with cheesecake, cupcakes, cotton candy or donuts, adding an extra layer of fun. Interactive desserts and cocktails elevate the experience for confection connoisseurs.
Suarez Bakery
Neighborhood: Montford, Optimist Park
Home to the doughnut cake, Suarez features rotating seasonal menus, blending warm, nutty and comforting desserts. Suarez offers made-to-order cakes, light doughnuts and savory pastries to cater to all dessert lovers with vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and allergy-friendly offerings.
Sunflour Baking Company
Neighborhood: Ballantyne, Dilworth, Elizabeth, NoDa
Sunflour is a beloved local bakery known for its from-scratch baking in small batches, upholding authenticity and quality in every treat. Don’t miss the cake jars – each is a delightful showcase of fluffy sponge cake topped with rich icing in a stunning array of flavors, just waiting for you to mix and match.
Two Scoops Creamery
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood, South End, Uptown, Mooresville, Rock Hill, S.C.
From fruity goodness to sweet-salty combinations, Two Scoops breaks ground by balancing classic staples with innovative concoctions. Each scoop is a creamy, vibrant explosion of goodness that melts seamlessly on the tongue, set against a backdrop of imaginative cartoons. Read more about ice cream shops in Charlotte.
Villani’s Bakery
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
This cherished New York-Italian bakery brings traditional desserts to life, including a blissful take on the cinnamon roll. Villani's massive yet light Monster Roll is draped in a sweet and slightly tangy cream cheese frosting. Each bite transports you back to childhood fun, making it a nostalgic treat that’s hard to resist.
Yummm Donuts
Area: South Charlotte, Gastonia
Calling all donut lovers! These donuts put the “yum” in its name, featuring a sugary maple glaze with a dusting of crispy, salty bacon. With Lucky Charms and Fruity Pebbles confections, this charming mom-and-pop shop offers the perfect dessert-for-breakfast combo that leaves you craving more.
