Unearth The Voyage
Craving a slice that tastes like home, no matter where the road takes you? These small-town bakeries pour heart, history, and local harvests into every flaky bite. You will find fruit bubbling over, cream piled high, and crusts that shatter like sweet, buttery confetti. Bring an appetite and a little wanderlust, because these pies are worth the detour.
1. Nomadic Pies
Tucked into the charming small town of Kennett Square – famous for its mushrooms – Nomadic Pies is a local treasure for handmade sweet and savory pies. Owner Molly Johnston started baking in a retro camper before settling into a brick-and-mortar shop in 2013. Her pies burst with farm-fresh flavor, from spiced apple cranberry to peach blackberry and tomato goat cheese. Everything is made from scratch using local produce and butter-based crusts. Whether it’s a tangy berry pie in summer or a rich chicken pot pie in winter, each bite is a reminder of homegrown comfort. It’s the kind of spot where locals linger and visitors feel instantly welcomed.
2. Stockholm Pie & General Store
This cozy shop in tiny Stockholm (population: under 100) punches well above its weight when it comes to pie. Stockholm Pie & General Store is housed in a charming white building on the banks of the Mississippi River. They’re known for rich, flaky-crusted pies like triple berry, lemon cream, and classic apple, all made daily from scratch. Each slice is deep, decadent, and served with small-town hospitality. Inside, you’ll also find a thoughtfully curated general store and coffee corner, making it a great stop on a scenic Wisconsin road trip. Don’t miss their award-winning crust – it’s been called one of the best in the country.
3. Achatz Handmade Pie Co.
Based in the small town of Armada, Achatz Handmade Pie Co. makes Michigan’s fruit harvest shine. Their cherry, blueberry, and Michigan apple pies are bursting with flavor – thanks to locally sourced ingredients and real butter crusts. The bakery began in a family kitchen and grew into a regional favorite without losing its handmade touch. With a retro Americana feel and pies that often feature seasonal fruit blends or caramel drizzles, Achatz has become a pie pilgrimage site for anyone driving through southeast Michigan. It’s a slice of home wherever you are.
4. Pie Junkie
Located in the city’s Plaza District, Pie Junkie manages to blend big-city energy with small-town warmth. This woman-owned bakery is known for bold flavors and creative takes on traditional pies. You’ll find classics like Key lime and pecan alongside quirky favorites like Drunken Turtle (chocolate, caramel, and pecan) and peanut butter chocolate. Everything is made in small batches with real ingredients – no shortcuts. The pies are dense, flavorful, and served in generous slices. Locals order by the dozen for holidays, and visitors often find themselves shipping pies home. With funky decor and a homey vibe, it’s a pie lover’s paradise in the heart of Oklahoma.
5. Four & Twenty Blackbirds
Artisanal roots shine in pies that push flavor forward without losing comfort. Salted caramel apple layers tender fruit with dark, toffee depth, while matcha custard glows earthy and silky. Each slice feels composed, like a song with a perfect bridge.
The crust flakes audibly, then melts, supporting bold fillings that never overwhelm. Seasonal riffs keep regulars guessing, but the standards remain magnetic. Step up to the counter, watch the light catch the sugar sheen, and order bravely. You will not regret it.
6. Cherry Hut
Open seasonally in the lakeside town of Beulah, The Cherry Hut is a Northern Michigan institution. Since 1922, this family-run spot has served cherry pie made with locally grown Montmorency cherries – tangy, bright, and deeply red. The interior is delightfully retro, complete with red-checkered tablecloths and cherry-themed decor. While they offer full meals, the real star is the cherry pie, served with or without a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s the taste of summer for many Michiganders. The shop also sells cherry preserves, baked goods, and souvenirs, making it a perfect roadside stop during a summer Up North road trip.
7. Centerville Pie Company
Located on Cape Cod, Centerville Pie Company became famous when Oprah Winfrey named it one of her “favorite things.” But long before the spotlight, it was a beloved local bakery turning out deeply satisfying pies – both sweet and savory. Chicken pot pie is a bestseller, with flaky pastry and a rich filling. On the sweet side, try their wild blueberry, Southern-style pecan, or chocolate cream. What keeps people coming back is the scratch-made quality and small-town service. The pies are handmade daily, and you can grab one to go or enjoy it on the spot in their laid-back café setting.
8. Bolivar Bread Bakery
This hidden gem in the small town of Bolivar is more than a bakery – it’s a slice of Southern hospitality. Known for old-school scratch baking, Bolivar Bread Bakery serves up everything from sourdough loaves to deeply satisfying pies. Their pecan pie is a local legend, rich and nutty with a perfectly crisp crust. Seasonal specials like sweet potato pie and fruit cobblers also make appearances. The cozy shop feels like walking into someone’s home kitchen – friendly faces, fresh smells, and zero pretension. It’s one of those places you stumble upon once and never forget.
9. Lauretta Jean’s
Lauretta Jean’s started at a Portland farmers market and grew into one of the most beloved bakeries in the Pacific Northwest. With a focus on all-butter crusts and seasonal Pacific Northwest fruit, the pies here are rich, rustic, and totally unforgettable. Think marionberry crumble, coconut cream, and salted honey chess – served in a cozy, vintage-inspired space. Owner Kate McMillen named the bakery after her mother, and you can feel that maternal warmth in every detail. Even their breakfast offerings (quiche, biscuits) are worth a detour. While Portland’s known for pushing food boundaries, Lauretta Jean’s proves that nothing beats a slice of handmade pie done just right.
10. Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery
Located in the Hyde Park neighborhood, Quack’s has the soul of a small-town bakery in the middle of Austin. This quirky, welcoming shop has been baking pies (and cookies, cakes, and pastries) for decades. Their pies – from key lime and chocolate cream to classic cherry – are made in-house with rich fillings and tender, flaky crusts. The vibe is distinctly Austin: eclectic, cozy, and community-driven. People come here to write, chat, and treat themselves to dessert made the old-fashioned way. Whether you’re new in town or a lifelong Texan, Quack’s is the kind of place that makes you feel like a local.
11. Tate’s Bake Shop
Though Tate’s is best known nationwide for its crisp chocolate chip cookies, their Southampton bake shop still feels like a cozy village bakery. Kathleen King started baking here as a teenager, and her pies reflect that same homemade heart. Expect picture-perfect apple, blueberry, and pecan pies, plus seasonal fruit variations depending on what’s fresh. The crusts are buttery and golden, and the fillings never too sweet. If you’re lucky enough to visit in person, you’ll get a sense of the small-town roots that made Tate’s a household name. It’s Hamptons charm with down-to-earth flavor.
12. Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop
Founded by a former firefighter, Fireman Derek’s blends Southern baking with tropical flair in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood. Their pies are rich, colorful, and unapologetically indulgent. Key lime, banana cream, and guava cream cheese are bestsellers, often layered with whipped topping or vibrant fruit. While it may be located in a bustling city, Fireman Derek’s operates with small-bakery passion – everything is made fresh daily and loaded with flavor. Locals order pies for every occasion, and visitors leave raving. It’s a must-stop for dessert lovers who want a break from the beach and a slice of something extraordinary.
13. Elliston Place Soda Shop
This retro diner has been a Nashville staple since 1939. While it’s known for Southern comfort food, Elliston Place Soda Shop’s pies are legendary. Coconut cream, chess pie, and banana pudding pie are just a few highlights. The vibe is nostalgic Americana – red booths, counter service, and servers who remember your name. It’s not a trendy bakery; it’s the kind of place where recipes haven’t changed in 60 years, and that’s a good thing. Their pies are generous, handmade, and served with a smile. It’s a taste of Tennessee history in every slice.
14. The Apple Pan
A true throwback in West L.A., The Apple Pan has been slinging burgers and pies since 1947. Their apple pie is as classic as the name suggests, served hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The banana cream pie, with its mile-high whipped topping and flaky crust, is another local favorite. Everything is served at the U-shaped counter, where patrons sit elbow-to-elbow in a diner that hasn’t changed in decades. Despite its L.A. location, The Apple Pan captures that small-town diner magic – a place where time slows down and every bite tastes like home.
15. Nile’s Pie Company
This worker-owned bakery in Union City focuses on sustainable ingredients, local sourcing, and ridiculously good pies. They make both savory and sweet varieties – think blackberry ginger, bourbon pecan, and roasted veggie galettes. Everything is handmade from scratch with all-butter crusts and a focus on transparency and quality. As a community-focused business, Niles Pie Company also offers baking classes and seasonal events. It’s not just a place to buy pie – it’s a place to connect with your food and the people who make it. Whether you live nearby or are just passing through, it’s worth the stop.
16. Rock Springs Café
Established in 1918, this Arizona stop bakes pies with frontier spirit. The Jack Daniel’s pecan pie marries toasted nuts with whiskey warmth, finishing rich but focused. Fruit options lean hearty, baked to a glossy, desert-sunset sheen.
It is a true road-trip classic, where travelers share tables and stories. The crust stands up to long drives and short patience alike. Take a whole pie for the highway, and try not to slice it before the next exit.
