Food and Drink

Sourdough is on the rise in Charlotte's thriving bakery scene (5 stories)

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

Charlotte's bakery scene embraces sourdough with innovation and tradition.

Bakers explore unique concepts like poutine danishes and bagel bombs. Local venues like Gravity Pizza and Virtuoso Breadworks reflect this creative spirit.

Gravity Pizza, at Camp North End, specializes in wood-fired sourdough pies.

Virtuoso Breadworks crafts inventive treats like the cheese rangoon focaccia. Verdant Bread, a cherished bakery, promotes rustic loaves and creative flavors.

Sourdough's rise in Charlotte ties to community and ancestral connections.

NO. 1: 6 OF CHARLOTTE’S BEST SPOTS FOR GRILLED CHEESE, REVIEWED

There’s such beauty in the simplicity of a grilled cheese sandwich: | Published April 2, 2018 | Read Full Story by Jonathan Wells

NO. 2: WHEELZ PIZZA’S SOUTH END LOCATION OPENS, SERVING UP SOURDOUGH CRUSTS AND ORGANIC SAUCE

The Wilmington-based pizzeria has quickly become a fan favorite in Charlotte. | Published May 2, 2023 | Read Full Story by Melissa Oyler

Gravity Sourdough Pizza Co. is opening its first brick-and-mortar location at Camp North End.

NO. 3: THEIR FIRST DATE WAS PIZZA AT A DRIVE-IN MOVIE. NOW, THEY’RE OPENING A SOURDOUGH PIZZERIA.

Gravity Pizza opens soon in Charlotte, serving specialty wood-fired pizzas, sourdough sandwiches, salads, cocktails and more. | Published July 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

NO. 4: YOUR DINNER PARTY DESERVES FRESH BREAD. HERE’S WHERE TO FIND IT IN CHARLOTTE.

“Making a piece of bread is a connection with life.” Here are some of the best spots in the area where bread is made fresh.  | Published November 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kayleigh Ruller

Verdant Bread is a bakery that exclusively serves sourdough breads. By Unify Visual

NO. 5: LIKE MOST BREAD, SOURDOUGH IS ON THE RISE: WHERE TO GET IT AT CHARLOTTE RESTAURANTS

“We definitely didn’t come up with sourdough bread ... We are just jumping on a trend that’s 1000s of years old.” Sourdough shows up in Milkbread’s bagels, Gravity Pizza’s pies and Verdant Bread’s rustic loaves. | Published February 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Samantha Husted

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. 6: 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

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.