Some of the best afternoons start with a small storefront you almost drove past. You step inside for one quick slice, and suddenly you are planning your next visit before the fork hits the plate.
North Carolina is full of humble pie counters like that, from mountain towns to the breezy coast. Grab a napkin, because this list might just reshape your weekend plans.
1. Slice Pie Company
Grandma would approve. A father and daughter started Slice Pie Company in Raleigh because they both loved baking pies, and every recipe on the menu traces back to their own family tradition.
The real star is the crust. It earned a State Fair Blue Ribbon, and it bakes up flaky and tender, a lot like a good Southern biscuit.
Underneath it, you might find chocolate cream, coconut cream, sweet potato, or a silky key lime that has a loyal following of its own.
Fans of old-school flavors should look for the chess pie and the apple, which is packed with real, chunky apple slices instead of mush. Lemon with raspberry brings a bright, tangy twist.
The shop on East Millbrook Road is open Wednesday through Saturday, with later hours on Friday and Saturday. Free parking makes a quick stop easy, though you may end up lingering over that crust anyway.
2. Baked Pie Company
Can’t pick just one? Good news, you don’t have to.
Baked Pie Company in Arden serves its homemade pies by the slice and in flights, so you can line up three flavors and taste your way across the menu.
The lineup rotates, which keeps every visit a little surprising. Cherry is a standout, and a flight might pair cherry crunch with coconut cream and honey chocolate pecan.
Cookie dough and lemon blueberry slices also turn heads, with the lemon blueberry ranking high among dessert lovers anywhere.
Inside, the shop feels cute and quaint, with a cool, relaxed vibe and friendly staff. A patio adds room to sit outside on a mild mountain afternoon south of Asheville.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM, and weekday mornings tend to be calmer than busy Friday and Saturday afternoons. Free Wi-Fi and free parking round out the easygoing setup.
3. Pie Slayer
Night owls, this one is for you. Pie Slayer in downtown Wilmington doesn’t even open until 3 PM, and it stays open until 10 or 11 at night, making it a sweet finish after a stroll along the riverfront.
The menu goes beyond the usual slice. You’ll find classic pie slices, a rotating mix of hand pies, and cookies, including a playful oatmeal cream pie cookie sandwich that tastes like a grown-up lunchbox treat.
Prices are friendly too, often landing in the $1 to $10 range per person.
Coffee is available if you want something warm alongside your dessert. Service is upbeat and welcoming, and there is room to dine in or grab your treats to go.
The shop on Princess Street runs Wednesday through Saturday. Parking downtown is paid, so a garage or street spot nearby is your best bet.
A late-night slice has rarely felt this rewarding.
4. Carolina Pie Company
Walk in, and the smell hits first. Carolina Pie Company in Mooresville bakes everything from scratch with fresh fruit and homemade crusts, and the whole little shop smells like a holiday kitchen.
Classic flavors lead the way here. Apple has a well-balanced filling and excellent crust, while the Southern Peach Crumble shows off juicy fruit with a nice texture.
Chocolate chess, apple and berry crumble, bumbleberry, and coconut cream also make regular appearances.
The secret weapon for indecisive eaters is the cutie pie. These 4-inch minis are just right for a snack, a breakfast treat, or a taste test before you commit to a full pie for a family gathering.
Generous samples make choosing even more fun. The shop near Lake Norman is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM, with a free lot out front.
Bring a cooler bag if you plan to stock up.
5. Pies By Di
Gluten-free shoppers often settle for second best. At Pies By Di in Hendersonville, nobody has to.
The bakery specializes in premium gluten-free and dietary-friendly desserts that taste every bit as good as the classics.
The pie case is the reason to come. A gluten-free, dairy-free pecan pie slice is a popular pick, and the lemon cream and Mississippi mud pies are crowd favorites.
Fruit pies here are always vegan, so apple hand pies and peach slices work for nearly every diet at the table.
Morning visitors have even more to explore, with cinnamon rolls, donuts, coffee, banana pudding, and even biscuits and gravy. Cheesecakes and custom cakes are available for special occasions too.
The shop on Brevard Road opens Wednesday through Saturday from 8 AM to 4 PM. Free Wi-Fi and easy parking make it a relaxing stop during an apple-country drive.
6. The Cherry Pit Cafe and Pie Shop
Dessert first or dinner first? At The Cherry Pit Cafe and Pie Shop in Greensboro, you can happily do both.
This casual counter-service spot pairs hearty comfort food with a great selection of homemade pies.
Savory cravings get plenty of love. Chicken pot pie, meatloaf sliders, crab cake sliders, pot roast sandwiches, and fresh salads fill the menu.
Breakfast is a hit as well, especially the stuffed French toast served with eggs.
Save room, though, because the pie case deserves your attention. Cherry pie lives up to the name, pecan is a sweet Southern classic, and the plain cheesecake holds its own.
Kids are welcome with high chairs and a kids’ menu, and the cozy, quiet room makes solo meals easy. Best of all, it’s open seven days a week, from 8 AM until evening, with plenty of free parking on Pisgah Church Road.
7. Thoughtful Baking Co
Pie isn’t always about sugar. Thoughtful Baking Co on Monroe Road in Charlotte proves that savory pies can steal the show, using fresh, locally grown ingredients wrapped in light, buttery crusts.
The individual chicken pot pie is the headliner, and a veggie pot pie offers a meatless option that’s just as comforting. Quiches come in flavors like bacon cheddar and prosciutto and cheddar buttermilk.
A spinach and Asiago quiche with a hashbrown crust is a clever gluten-free pick.
Vegan and gluten-free choices sit alongside sweet baked goods and seasonal dessert pies. Many items reheat easily at home, so grabbing a few for busy weeknight dinners is a smart move.
You might also spot the bakery at the Charlotte Uptown Farmers Market. The shop is open Wednesday through Sunday, with shorter weekend hours, so plan an early weekend trip.
Free on-site parking keeps the stop simple.
8. Louie and Honey’s Kitchen
Expect a line, and expect it to be worth it. Louie and Honey’s Kitchen in Winston-Salem draws a steady crowd for Amish-inspired baking made with real ingredients.
Fruit pies change with the seasons, and the apple version is famously deep, piled with actual apples rather than syrupy filling. Salted honey pie offers a sweet-and-salty treat that’s hard to forget, while key lime keeps things classic.
Unusual cakes, scones, and a salty brown butter crispy rice treat round out the case.
Then there are the Amish cinnamon rolls, soft and generous, practically begging for a warm drink. Lattes come in fun flavors like spicy honey and lavender honey, and hot chocolate is on hand for younger visitors.
The bakery on West End Blvd opens Monday through Saturday at 7 AM. Saturday mornings get especially busy, so a weekday visit can mean a shorter wait and a better seat.
9. Tullio’s Bakery
Sandy flip-flops and powdered sugar go together beautifully on the Outer Banks. Tullio’s Bakery in Duck is the kind of down-to-earth stop beach families build mornings around.
Key lime pie is the slice to beat here, tart, creamy, and a perfect fit for a coastal getaway. Apple crumb pie brings homey comfort, and pecan pie is a go-to for anniversaries and special celebrations.
Plenty of visitors leave with a whole pie for the beach house.
The case doesn’t stop at pie. Glazed and filled donuts, cannolis, cream-filled lobster tail pastries, crumb cake, croissants, bagels, and breakfast sandwiches all compete for attention, along with good coffee.
It’s open seven days a week, starting at 7 AM. One handy tip: there’s no restroom on site, so plan accordingly.
Free parking makes popping in easy before a day of sun, sand, and soundside sunsets.
Share this story
