Best Desserts in Charlotte for Your Sweetheart
When you’re sweet on someone, you often want to show it with candy or chocolates. If you’re trying to find a tasty treat for this Valentine’s Day in the Queen City, we’ve here to help. This roundup of best desserts in Charlotte, gives you ideas of where to go if your sweetheart has a sweet tooth.
Typically dessert completes your meal. It might be a fruit, pudding, cake, pie, or ice cream but the expectation is that it’s a sweet final course. Those of us who really enjoy sweets can easily be convinced to start the meal—even the day—with a dessert.
Whether you decide to brave a Charlotte romantic restaurant for Valentine’s Day or simply want to have a taste of a delectable dessert this month, this selection of shops has to offer something to suit your taste buds.
SWIRL Dessert Bar can help you communicate your passion with their customizable cupcakes and (new this year) cookie cakes. Try the South End or Oakhurst locations (or Door Dash) your cookies, cupcakes, cookie and ice cream sandwiches, or custom milkshakes.
Sunflour Baking Co is another top choice for desserts Charlotte having started its flagship location in Elizabeth in 2009. The cupcakes and scones are big enough to feed both you and your mate (but, why would you want to share?). You can also try vegan and gluten-free cakes and other baked goods from this family-owned shop.
It may not be heart-shaped, but the Salted Caramel Brownie at Amelie’s is sure to satisfy a sweet-toothed someone. The French Bakery Bakery and Cafe, which opened in NoDa neighborhood in 2008, has five Charlotte locations and one in Rock Hill, SC. Bring home a selection of this season’s macarons such as red velvet, smores, or strawberry cheesecake to add red, white, and pink to your table.
For a French-Asian experience try Tous les Jours, which has several locations in Charlotte. Our three outposts are only a few of the 20-year-old franchise’s over 75 stores nationwide. Menus vary, but along with French favorites such as Pain au Chocolat or Fruit Pastry you might try a Guava Danish or Kimchi Croquette. Don’t miss the bread case while you’re there. The Purple Sweet Potato Loaf is a fluffy delight.
Charlotte’s desserts capture the city’s diversity too. For example, try a taste of Greek desserts at Mocco Bistro. You’ve probably heard of Baklava, which of course they offer, but other treats include the Bougatsa, a phyllo cream pie, or a Koulourakia cookie.
Manolo’s Latin Bakery is a purpose-driven bakery with its chef, Manolo Betancour, working to support people in Ukraine by sharing “bread and hope.” Customize your own Tres Leches cake from his 11 fresh filling flavors.
You can visit Suarez Bakery at either Optimist Hall or Park Road Shopping Center. The Park Road location is the place to pick a scrumptious cake. Favorite options include Chocolate Mousse, Carrot, Strawberry Chiffon, or Coconut Cream. You can even get a Doughnut Cake or a Message Doughnut.
Speaking of doughnuts, Charlotte has plenty of original options there too. Check out:
You might also try a sweet stop while exploring Camp North End. Enjoy a scratch-make baked good (some of them with a boozy hint) from Wentworth + Fenn where Pastry Chef Sam Allen prepares tarts, cakes, pastries and artisan breads.
If you want a frozen treat (despite the symbolism…maybe you give it saying how your loved one melted your cold heart?), Charlotte has many stellar ice cream and gelato shops. You can line up at a Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream for a creative take on flavor profiles from James Beard-winning Jeni Britton. Or you might try:
In the South End area, you can also try a take on a Mexican ice pop. Paletas Morelia lets you choose from a range of ice cream or sorbet popsicles. Then, they’ll dip it in your toppings of choice for a full flavor explosion.
Is your mouth watering yet? Of course, we should also mention Crave Dessert Bar where you can combine cocktails with your selection from a sweets (the Skillet Cookie or Drunken Tiramisu are favorites). This lounge space in Uptown also offers savories too.
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