Food and Drink

6 local spots for sweet treats to try in the Charlotte area

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

Charlotte’s dessert scene has been bursting with new energy over the past year. Seemingly Overzealous has expanded with a Dilworth location of its ice cream shop. This one is filled with retro arcade games and playful custom art. La Bonbonnière Bakery now brings fusion-inspired cookies like the Biscoffmaniac and Churrito Dulce de Leche to uptown.

The Salty Donut, recently named among the South’s best, joins Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in delivering fresh spins on classic sweets. In Cornelius, Sabores Bakery delights with small-batch blueberry cinnamon rolls and Venezuelan pastries, rounding out an exciting roster of treats to explore across the area.

The Salty Donut, located at 1515 S. Tryon St. in South End.

NO. 1: NC IS HOME TO TWO OF THE SOUTH’S BEST DOUGHNUT SHOPS, SOUTHERN LIVING SAYS

These North Carolina doughnut shops are among the top spots to grab the sweet treat, the national magazine reports. Here’s what makes them so special. | Published May 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

Sabores Bakery was founded by mom-and-daughter team Zulenka Bueno and Daniele Amaral.

NO. 2: BAKERY IN A VINTAGE TRAILER BRINGS BAGUETTES, BLUEBERRY CINNAMON ROLLS TO LAKE NORMAN

You can stop by and get fast, on-the-go breakfast and lunch items, freshly baked in Cornelius. | Published June 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mari Pressley

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is opening a new scoop shop in Charlotte’s Plaza Midwood neighborhood in 2025. By Chyna Blackmon

NO. 3: NYC’S VAN LEEUWEN ICE CREAM SCOOPS UP NEW LOCATION OPENING SOON IN CHARLOTTE

This will be the New York-based ice cream chain’s first scoop shop in North Carolina. | Published January 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

Seemingly Overzealous’ third Charlotte ice cream shop is set to open in Dilworth in late May. By Sarah Wood

NO. 4: OVERZEALOUS ALERT: CHARLOTTE’S NEWEST ICE CREAM SHOP WILL HAVE ARCADE, RETRO GAMES

Before summer, the local brand that specializes in allergy-friendly ingredients will be scooping out inventive flavors and offering a bonus built for family fun. | Published April 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

An assorted brownie box from La Bonbonnière Bakery. By Courtesy of La Bonbonnière Bakery

NO. 5: LOCAL ‘COOKIE DEALERS’ OPEN BAKERY WITH FUSION-INSPIRED TREATS IN CHARLOTTE

Here’s a look at the flavor-packed menu that has a lineup of sweet treats that are “everything but a classic cookie.” | Published April 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

Morelia Gourmet Paletas can be dipped, drizzled and covered in your preferred topping. An added bonus is that it can rest in a fresh waffle bowl.

NO. 6: SCOOP AND SIP: JUICE BAR AND ICE CREAM SHOP WILL OPEN IN NODA CHARLOTTE

Scoop: These are the new shops spicing up Charlotte’s Centro NoDa with diverse culinary delights and creative retail. | Published April 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Melissa Oyler

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.