Savor the Sweet Side of Charlotte
Our decadent Insider Guide to dazzling desserts points you in the direction of the most crave-able cakes, indulgent ice creams, and classically comforting cookies. Get ready to experience the best dessert in Charlotte.
Crave Dessert Bar
Old Charlotte meets modern adventure in this trendy dessert bar that’s heavy on both atmosphere and flavor. Sink into cognac leather sofas while you indulge in decadent creations like a homemade brioche bread pudding finished with Crème Anglaise and peanut butter bombs swimming in velvety ganache.
The gorgeous exposed brick and incandescent-lit interior leads to a patio area where patrons can sit and socialize in the evening breeze. Located in the historic Cotton Mills District, this 21-and-over establishment is enthralling Charlotteans well into the night — it’s open till at least midnight and later on the weekends, so you can get your sugar fix whenever the craving calls.
Manolo’s Latin Bakery
From the fan-fave churros to the exquisite custom cakes, a trip to Manolo’s is a feast for the senses. This long-standing East Charlotte icon has been crafting Central and South American staples with their signature fusion flair for over 25 years, blending the best of historic recipes with modern-minded tastes.
Try the Thousand Layer Cake — a traditional Chilean dessert where sugar-soaked caramelized crackers are the star. This flaky, crispy masterpiece introduces an authentic taste of Chile to many while reminding others of their grandmother’s treasured desert.
Manolo’s is also known for its allergy-friendly vegan gelato, which is made with creamy coconut milk and available in fun flavors like peach cobbler and coffee mocha chip.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni’s has been hailed “the best ice cream in the world” by national publications, and after sampling a few flavors, many locals agree. Luckily for Charlotteans, Jeni’s has amassed enough of a cult following that it’s now available in three locations — NoDa, Park Road, and South End.
Locals are head-over-heels for their premium-made ice cream in explosive flavors like Rocket Pop, Miso Brownie Butterscotch, and Pumpkin Seed & Rye Cookie, as well as beloved standbys like Darkest Chocolate and Gooey Butter Cake.
Batch House
You’ve got your pick of baked goods at this Seversville sweet shop — from Snickerdoodle Cakes to mini Alfajores cookies to gluten-free s’mores brownies. Batch House has been whipping up phenomenal baked goods that delight its adoring crowds for nearly ten years.
Batch House was voted Best Bakery in Charlotte, and along with its delicious treats, it is also well-known for its pink-toned interior. It’s decorated in pink floral wallpaper, velvet-covered couches, and a “Golden Girls” bathroom decked out in television memorabilia. Batch House is definitely a taste you will remember for a long time.
Open Rice
This incredible sweet spot doubles as a dim sum restaurant and brings an authentic taste of Hong Kong to the Queen City. Open Rice is known for its street-style Bubble Waffle — a zealous, overstuffed rollable waffle filled with custom ice creams and colorful confetti-style toppings.
Start with a giant sweet-batter waffle and choose your favorite flavor of ice cream to lay the groundwork for your edible work of art. Next, choose from toppings such as authentic Pocky cookie sticks or familiar favorites like Fruity Pebbles, Nerds, and Teddy Grahams.
These tasty treats are as equally eye-catching as they are delicious, and you may be tempted to snap a photo to share with your social network.
Villani’s Bakery
Welcome to Charlotte’s most famous New York Italian-style bakery. With lines out the door, locals return to experience their authentic Mediterranean amaretti and mild anise biscotti. Their tiramisu also has gained devotees, who love its homemade espresso-soaked ladyfingers smothered in mascarpone cheese.
Villani’s is proud to make everything in-house daily, including its enormous menu of macarons, cheesecakes, cookies, and pies. They are the home of self-proclaimed North Carolina’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookie, a monster-sized cookie big enough to share — if you can find it in yourself to do so.
Whether you’re seeking a post-meal pick me up, a late-night campfire s’more, or a cool creamy treat on a hot day, Charlotte’s innovative creameries, bakeries, and dessert bars have the sort of sweets that often steal the show.
