was in town across town for maki-madness and after savoring the savory I thought it fitting to get…read moresweets for the sweet despite the rain coming down in torrents. please be aware that Villani's is spendy; not necessarily over priced but still spendy. so what's a guy to do? get fewer i suppose... and since I only wanted to pick up a couple items it works ;-) choco chip cookery are medium-large, well chipped, light for their weight airy but not fluffy, pairing well with coldy cold 2% milk (genuine simulated bañaña flavor if you can score some...) lemon bars are dense, moist, sticky, sweet, and lemon. what else would you expect? these are convenient portions for halving when served with your favorite mule. the apres-deluvian covenant cake were refreshing in their simplicity and execution: chocolatey goodness over layers of otherwise indistinguishable pink, white, and green cakery. so light, so basic, so good with strong black tea. no indoor seating but this is a bakery review (also: most of the rest of the planet is available for a modest fee so maybe try there?)

This bakery has the best Napoleons I have ever had anywhere! I have had my pick of New York…read morebakeries after living my entire life on Long Island and Villani's is the best I have ever had. They are open on Sundays which is hard to find in NC. They are friendly and accommodating. My son asked for napoleons as his birthday cake, so the lovely lady wrote on it for me which I appreciated very much. I always say I wish they were closer, but I probably would be in weekly if they were. Nice spot in Plaza Midwood so I don't mind coming here. Great Italian bakery.

We wanted to love this place - first for the location (what a great people watching spot and with…read moreplenty of parking)! Next, we wanted to love the actual goods of offer - beautiful presentation and a huge variety of do-it-yourself pick and choose tray style self service! Lastly we wanted to love the checkout service - it seemed ready to get people moving along! Most of these things held the weight we wanted and anticipated, short of the location and parking. The goods - we sampled a Yuzu tart (tasted like soap?!) and mango croissant (a bit of soapiness in this one too, oddly) a chocolate explosion croissant (best of what we tried and chocolate was evenly distributed) and one each of the pretzel shaped pastries (ok but nothing exciting and tasted bland). Again- skilled presentation and mastery of baked goods form...these all looked great and tasted...just ok. There were three staff members at the counter and two seemingly were distracted while one gent running the register was taking care of the 5-6 people deep line. Only as the line approached the cafe area and door did the other two staff start taking customers at the other register. There are probably several options here to delight palates if you take the time to sample all the items and perhaps we simply picked poorly during our visit.

Quick SouthPark sugar stop at Tous les Jours after a long afternoon of errands and shopping…read more Sometimes you do not need a full meal. You just need caffeine, carbs, and five minutes to reset your mood. I already knew exactly what I wanted, so this turned into a tactical pastry mission. Pulled into the little Piedmont Town Center circle with the fountain, double parked for a hot second, ran inside, grabbed an iced coffee and a mango croissant, and got right back out into Charlotte traffic. The mango croissant was flaky, buttery, lightly sweet, and filled with enough cream to make the entire stop worth it. Perfect little energy boost when your social battery and shopping patience are both running low. The location itself is great for a quick pop-in. Cute little area with hotels, restaurants, and walkable spots nearby. Easy place to grab a sweet treat before continuing your day. Life is too short to not eat well, Charlotte. Get out there and eat.

discovered Renaissance Patisserie through the Charlotte in Bloom event a few weeks ago and finally…read moremade my way in to experience it for myself. They had offered samples of their lemon tart at the event, which stayed on my mind--so I came back and ordered the Lorraine-style quiche. It was rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced by a fresh side salad. I paired it with a café au lait, which was equally well done. The ambiance is effortlessly chic--very much reminiscent of a European café--and it was lively during lunch. It's the kind of place where you can sit, linger, and people-watch... and SouthPark definitely showed up in style. At one point, several guests seated near us were speaking French, which added to the authenticity and overall experience. Service was warm and efficient, even with the crowd. The bakery itself is on the smaller side--you order inside and then head outside to sit and eat. I went on a Sunday, so it was very busy with a long line, but it moved quickly. When seating fills up, the neighboring restaurant allows use of their patio, which is a thoughtful touch. My friend enjoyed her quiche as well, and we both agreed it's a spot worth returning to--whether for a casual lunch, coffee, or a pastry break. I also order a few macarons to go and my family enjoyed them.

Review for Renaissance Patisserie…read more After relocating to Charlotte from San Francisco, one of the first things I searched for was a proper kouign-amann (pronounced queen-ah-mahn). It's a staple where I'm from, and when I discovered that Renaissance Patisserie carried it, I made the drive immediately. I'm happy to say--this place is the real deal. The kouign-amann here reminded me of the ones back in San Francisco. It wasn't quite as buttery or rich as some of the West Coast versions, but it was absolutely enjoyable--and most importantly, I finished every bite. That alone says a lot. Location & setting: Renaissance is tucked into the upscale specialty shops of SouthPark, in a lovely, polished shopping center surrounded by quality retailers like Williams Sonoma and several restaurants. Parking is plentiful and convenient, and once you step out of your car, you're welcomed into a charming outdoor courtyard that feels relaxed and refined. You'll immediately notice the bright yellow awning--it's cheerful and inviting--and inside, the bakery is just as charming. The black-and-white tile floors, small bistro tables, and beautifully arranged pastry case create a classic European feel. It's not a huge space--maybe six or seven tables--but it feels cozy, elegant, and thoughtfully designed. What makes it special: * A stunning pastry case filled with beautifully crafted desserts and laminated pastries * Skilled bakers and decorators--you can tell there's real craftsmanship behind the products * Friendly, efficient service * Apple Pay accepted (always appreciated) * Self-service water and condiments station * Clean, comfortable environment * A lovely outdoor patio that's perfect when the weather cooperates I do wish they occasionally experimented with more creative variations of the kouign-amann--perhaps seasonal fruit or specialty flavors--but even in its classic form, it's consistently a hit. I've brought these pastries to friends and gatherings, and they're always well received. What I appreciate most is that Renaissance delivers on quality and consistency. It may be a newer trend here in Charlotte, but these pastries have been a long-standing favorite in cities like San Francisco, and it's wonderful to see that level of craftsmanship available locally. Bottom line: Beautiful pastries, fair prices, great service, and a polished, welcoming atmosphere. This has become my go-to bakery in Charlotte, and if you appreciate well-made French pastries, you will not be disappointed.

Amélie's Uptown is my go-to when I want coffee and something sweet late in the evening without…read morehaving to sit in a noisy bar. The French cafe vibe with the chandeliers and checkerboard floor gives it a lot of charm. The macaron counter is great. I usually buy a box of twelve as a gift, but honestly, half the time I end up eating them myself. The pistachio and strawberry matcha are solid, and they even had Dubai chocolate recently. Most everything in the pastry case tastes fresh, not like it's been sitting out all day. Shoutout to Nolan and the counter staff, too. They're super patient and friendly, which helps because people (definitely including me) take forever staring into the case trying to pick what they want. A couple of quick tips: if it's a weekend night, have someone in your group go hunt down a table while you wait in line. The patio out front is a good backup if inside gets packed. Just make sure your phone is charged before you head over, because outlets are practically nonexistent. Really glad to have a chill spot in Uptown that stays open until 10 PM!

When I asked folks where I should stop before I leave, so many people recommended this spot. Before…read moremy meetings & flight, I stopped to grab some pastries to take home. The space is open & inviting. The case was filled with so many options. Even though there was a line, it didn't take long. I don't know how parking is because I walked over. Love: cinnamon roll (cream cheese frosting was the best!), service (kind & helpful) Like: lemon poppyseed loaf, mini brownie

Amazing bakery in South End! Everything is made fresh and in house. Service was really great,…read moreeveryone was super friendly! They have a good variety of unique pastries. They all looked amazing! Get there early because they sell out quick. I went at 11:30 am on a Sunday and they still had some chocolate pistachio croissants. I also ordered a beef empanada, which they serve after 11am. The chocolate pistachio croissant was so flaky and buttery, but not overly sweet or heavy. It reminded me of pastries in Europe. You could really taste the quality. The beef empanada was huge! It was also loaded with beef and veggies. The flavor was amazing as well. The pastry was super flaky and fresh. Overall, everything was amazing and I can't wait to try other items!

Vincente is chef's kiss - I really love this place and think its the best pastry shop in clt. I…read moreusually am in for breakfast and early enough to snag an almond croissant or chocolate almond but stopped in later today to finally try an empanada. Went with the beef and it was awesome! Its a huge empanada, so different from the other empanada spots in the area and also so cheap. Would 100% recommend and am excited to try the chicken one and curry one in the future Staff is super friendly and takes the time to discuss the pastries with you if you have questions. Saw them making some of the items for the next day and was in awe

I brought my daughter to Littl Madeleine's for breakfast, and we had a really nice experience. I…read morehad the most beautiful lavender blue matcha, and my daughter enjoyed the honey passion fruit ade. She got their garlic bagel--the only type of bagel they offer - and it was generously stuffed with delicious, aromatic garlic. She enjoyed it! The café is decorated charmingly, with little Madeleine cookie designs stamped throughout the space. They have a small section with some gift items for sale. They also sell Madeleine cookies, of course, though we didn't get any. The service was given with genuine smiles. The prices were normal - not a deal but not over-the-top. We enjoyed our breakfast and will happily come back!

Really great, local café that I will absolutely be adding to my regular coffee shop + bakery…read morerotation. Plentiful parking out front. Good amount of seating inside (mostly 2-seaters; one larger table reserved for bigger groups). Helpful and friendly staff who were amazing with my little one. You have to try a slice of the basque cheesecake. The plain slice (with no whipped cream or fruit topping) is not overly sweet and the perfect amount of "burnt" & creamy. We also tried the madeleines, which - as the café's name suggests - were on point. And the garlic bagel is a garlic + cream cheese lover's dream. The iced dalgona latte was such a treat. Sweet with a creamy foam and topped with crunchy cookies - very well balanced and delightful to drink. The prices reflect the care and high quality of the products. Come support this amazing local spot and enjoy their unique, thoughtful offerings!

High-quality variety and a local staple. I'm a huge fan of the quality here--everything is…read moreperfectly flaky and not too sweet. I got a mix today: the Cream Bread and Strawberry Cream Bread are both light and airy with the perfect amount of filling. The Almond Pastries were buttery, and the Mini Croissant Apple Fritter box is a must-buy if you're sharing (or just really hungry). Elite Hack: If you want a massive deal, check out the Goodie Bag app. You can snag a surprise bag of their unsold daily pastries for a fraction of the price while helping reduce food waste.

WOW! I wish we had one closer to where we live! Stumbled onto this place while doing Community…read moreService Work recently! Needed a spot with good coffee ! It's a small quaint but welcoming place with a vast array of breads , pastries , danishes and sandwiches amongst other things. It's self self serve as far as the food items go - upon entering you pick up a tray n tongs and make your selections! They offer both savory and sweet or somewhere in the middle of that to delight anyone's taste buds. I had a spinach pastry - savory, cheesy and the dough was laced with just a hint of sweetness! It was delicious! Hubby hubby Portuguese egg tart that he equally enjoyed! They also gave us samples of their macaroons and apple danish. . The staff was extremely helpful and patient with our questions and checked on us even after our purchase! They have semi custom cakes perfect for special events as well. I guarantee you'll like it!

Authentic French Patisserie. Superb coffee. Small comfortable dining area awash with natural light…read more Desserts delicious and artistically beautiful but limited. I had the lemon tart ($10) and a Coffee Americana ($4). Nice place for a dessert splurge. Very friendly service.

We had a wonderful experience at Chez Marie Pâtisserie! My wife and I stopped in for lattes and…read morepicked out two pastries, and everything was absolutely delicious. There are so many pastry options to choose from that it was honestly hard to decide -- everything looked fresh and beautifully prepared. The staff was very friendly and helpful, which made the experience even better. The pâtisserie has a comfortable, quiet, and very clean atmosphere, making it a great place to sit and enjoy a coffee and pastry without feeling rushed. Its central location in Charlotte also makes it a convenient spot to stop by while exploring the area. We really enjoyed our visit and the relaxed atmosphere. The combination of great coffee, delicious pastries, welcoming staff, and a comfortable setting makes Chez Marie Pâtisserie a place we'll definitely return to!

What a unique experience. Love the french theme, Napolean paintings, Eiffel Tower selfie-bait. All…read moreamazing. Had the cinnamon roll, and the cream dripped all over fabulously. The almond croissant was perfect. Mini pecan bites super tasty. Iced latte was perfect. I can see why this comes up on places to visit in Charlotte, it was the highlight of our trip!

Amelie's is quickly becoming my new favorite bakery in the area! From their adorable decor & lovely…read moresweets selection, to their yummy sandwiches & cute coffees, they've got a little bit of everything. We tried the strawberry & cheese danish and bread pudding along with our macarons - everything was fresh & tasty. I also had a chicken & goat cheese sandwich with wonderful flavor. I only wish the chicken was cut a bit to fit the sandwich. We will definitely be back to try more of the menu!

A friendly and inviting encounter with the owner/Chef. He…read morecould tell it was my first time and helped me by making some recommendations off of what I like. I decided on the French Carmella, which he said was his best seller and a slice of Citron cake, which he said was his favorite. They both were amazing... the Citron cake practically melts in your mouth while sending you to heaven. Packed with subtle lemon flavors bursting on your palette. It was amazing!! I will definitely be back to try more of these authentic French pastries.

Exceptional service! As I arrived to Mado bakery I was tickled to see they had a drive thru - that…read moremeant I could keep my sleeping baby cozy in his car seat and still order a sweet treat for myself! They don't have a menu, but the kind young man who served me didn't hesitate to describe all the baked goods they had. He even took a photo on his phone to show me. As a new Mom who is constantly tied and thinking of herself last this morning was a sweet reminder that there are good people in this world, like this young man at Mado. He was patient, kind, and had noticeable attention to detail which made for a really nice experience getting coffee this morning! Thank you!!!