7 must-try bakeries and dessert spots in Charlotte area

This collection of stories highlights bakeries and dessert spots in the Charlotte area known for cookies, cakes, and pastries that locals enjoy.

Virtuoso Breadworks operates in an old cottage in Waxhaw, serving items like rum-soaked cinnamon raisin bread and cheese rangoon focaccia.

OMG Donuts Bakery draws crowds for its California-style yeast doughnuts topped with red velvet and Oreo crumble.

Paris Baguette offers croissants, layered cakes, and savory bites in its first Charlotte location, while Oh My Ganache opens a cheesecake bar specializing in customizable slices and creative toppings.

Dolce & Amaro presents Italian brioche, fruit tarts, and tiramisu, and SWIRL Dessert Bar lets customers create custom cookies with different frostings and toppings.

Read the stories below.

In addition to chocolate and almond croissants, and cinnamon rolls, seasonal danishes are available, including poutine, and fig and goat cheese. By Lauren Kallenbach

NO. 1: OLD WAXHAW COTTAGE HOLDS NEW FLAVORS WITH ARTISAN BAKERY VIRTUOSO BREADWORKS

Baking memories: Virtuoso Breadworks rises in Waxhaw. The small bakery serves artisan bread while building a place for community gathering. | Published March 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Olivia Lee

When OMG Donuts expanded from Concord to MoRA, a celebration was to be had. If you’ve never been, you’ve been warned: These California-style yeast doughnuts are bigger than what you’re used to (3.5” to 4” across).

NO. 2: CHARLOTTE-AREA BAKERY MAKES YELP’S LIST OF THE TOP 50 DOUGHNUT SHOPS IN THE US

Here’s which local bakery was ranked one of the best in the country and why. | Published May 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

Screengrab from HOLE - Hot Doughnuts and Fresh Coffee on Facebook

NO. 3: THREE DOUGHNUT SHOPS IN NORTH CAROLINA RANK AMONG BEST IN US. WHY FANS LOVE THEM

Here’s what to know about the beloved destinations. | Published June 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

Dolce & Amaro’s fruit tarts are filled with pastry cream and topped with seasonal fresh fruit that’s lightly glazed. By Dolce & Amaro Artisan Bakery

NO. 4: SWEET TREATS ARE BACK IN THE FORMER PEPPERBOX SPACE IN CHARLOTTE

Now you can stop in for cakes, cookies, pastries and tarts. | Published May 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Oh My Ganche, The Cheesecake Bar will be opening at Camp North End June 14. By Courtesy of Oh My Ganche, The Cheesecake Bar

NO. 5: ‘OH MY GANACHE, YES!’: NEW CHEESECAKE BAR COMING TO CHARLOTTE SOON

Here’s what to expect at the new dessert spot opening soon at Camp North End. | Published June 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

Paris Baguette’s Charlotte bakery is located at 9826 Sandy Rock Pl A. By Courtesy of Paris Baguette

NO. 6: WORLD FAMOUS BAKERY BRINGS SWEET AND SAVORY BITES TO NEW LOCATION IN CHARLOTTE

Here’s what to expect at the beloved bakery cafe with thousands of locations around the world. | Published June 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

SWIRL’s Classic is a chocolate chunk cookie with white frosting, chocolate chips and chocolate sauce, and SWIRL’s Grizzly is a brownie cookie with cookie frosting, brownie cake bites and chocolate sauce. By Alex Cason

NO. 7: THE ULTIMATE SWEET SPOT: THIS DESSERT BAR WAS NAMED CHARLOTTE’S BEST FOR COOKIES

Here’s where you can find the best cookies around Charlotte, according to our readers. | Published June 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon Alex Cason

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.