Best Bakery and Cake Shops in Gastonia

"Tucked inside Charlotte’s Uptown district, this Charlotte coffee shop is a French-inspired bakery that will transport you to Paris. The gate outside of the entrance even showcases an imitation of the Love Lock Bridge in Paris, where couples can place a padlock with their names on it as a symbol of their love. This coffee shop in Charlotte offers a cozy atmosphere boasting decor paying homage to its French ambiance."

"Source: Photo by Flickr user Rachel Kramer Bussel used under CC BY 2.0. Amelie’s French Bakery and Café is another Charlotte institution. Whether you visit the original location in NoDa or the newly renovated Uptown location, you and your other are guaranteed to have an intimate experience over a locally roasted coffee and a fresh baked French pastry."

"Founded: 2007 This quaint French bakery, with eclectic furniture and quirky décor, has become more than a coffee-and-croissant shop. With its original location in NoDa, their 24/7 concept sparked a need for late-night sweets among many locals. Amelie’s now has six locations in Charlotte and Atlanta."

"I go to Sunflour often but have never tried this raspberry pop tart @urbangirlgranolaworld 😱 It looks like this flaky, fresh pastry would be the perfect afternoon snack or breakfast!. Thanks for the photo. – 📷 by @urbangirlgranolaworld 📝 by @queencitychic #myfab5 #clteats #cltnoms #clt #cltfood"

"Neighborhood: Ballantyne, Dilworth, Elizabeth and Harrisburg, NC. This scratch-made bakery is a go-to for locals craving breakfast or dessert. If you’re craving something sweet, Sunflour serves up favorites like breakfast sandwiches and pastries as well as cakes and cupcakes.."

"A local favorite for sweet and savory baked goods in multiple neighborhoods in Charlotte. Sunflour has an assortment of breakfast, lunch, and dessert items. You’ll find classic baked goods like cupcakes and cookies, along with scones, paninis, and breakfast sandwiches."

"From vegan raw food to the delicious, downhome coffee shop vibes you’ll find, EastSide Local Eatery is more than just one of the best vegan restaurants in Charlotte. Here, it feels more like a gathering place for like-minded individuals looking to indulge in some plant-based treats. Excellent vibes and even better food – check and check."

"This cozy cafe has a pet-friendly patio worth enjoying on a nice day. What to try: If you want in on the impossible burger craze, order the impossible sliders. They’re served on pineapple buns with caramelized onion and an aioli sauce."

"If you’re looking for a top-rated Charlotte wedding cake shop that appreciates the value and importance of making your wedding memorable, Suárez Bakery is a good pick. Since establishment in 1992, Suárez Bakery has been at the forefront of Charlotte’s cake industry offering specialized and professional cake and dessert services. The bakery offers custom and signature cakes as well as cookies, breads, brownies, cupcakes, bars, pastries and pies among others."

"Park Road Shopping Center’s Suárez Bakery is known for its doughnut-tiered wonder: the Texas Doughnut Cake. Three Texas Doughnuts measuring 7 inches across are held together with vanilla cream for a party pastry to remember. Photo courtesy of Rise Biscuits Donuts"

"A recent wave of flooding forced the storefront to close, however, The Batch House is still cranking out delicious batch boxes. The limited release pre-order batch boxes (filled with a variety of treats) go quick so follow their Instagram to reserve your box when the next order form goes live. Order this: A batch box."

"The James K. Polk Historic Site is located just a few miles from Charlotte where it commemorates the life and boyhood of America’s 11th president. It is an interesting site to visit with children who will come away from the site with a better understanding of what daily life was like in the 1800’s. You can join a guided tour of the site to see a reconstructed log house (and separate kitchen), a barn and a carefully tended kitchen garden which have been carefully furnished with common household items dating back to the time when the late president lived on the estate."

"Located just outside of Charlotte, the President Jame K. Polk Historic Site is located on land that was formerly owned by President Polk's parents. The site features a log cabin, plus an authentically furnished barn and kitchen. The site's visitor center shows a film on Polk's life and has exhibits on his family (and his rocky presidency)."

"Another historic site located in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina that you might want to explore is the President James K. Polk Historic Site. This historic site was once owned by the parents of the 11th president of the United States of America, President James K. Polk. Admission into the site is free."

"The coolest thing to do in Charlotte is definitely METALmorphosis, located at the Whitehall Corporate Center on the south side of Charlotte. This giant metal sculpture featuring a moving head at the center of the fountain is known as one of the Seven Wonders of Charlotte and is an impressive piece of art that is not to be missed. Czech sculptor David Cerney designed and built this impressive outdoor art piece, that includes choreographed movement influenced by the water at the base."

"This unique sculpture is worth a stop while you’re here in Charlotte. Created by Czech artist David Cerny, this 23 ft high structure consists of an amazing arrangement of horizontally moving stainless steel plates forming and reforming a giant metal head. There are plenty of benches to sit and wonder at this amazing contraption and watch as the water washes down the sides of the fountain."

"Established in 1998, Shain Gallery is located in the Myers Park neighborhood and owned by Sybil Godwin, the gallery was awarded Charlotte Magazine’s “Best Gallery” distinction. Shain Gallery serves a discriminating clientele of regional homeowners and corporations and represents over forty different nationally and regionally acclaimed artists. The gallery offers consultation and acquisition assistance, an annual schedule of exhibitions, and welcomes clients who are just beginning to collect art and those who have been collecting for years."

"Cost of admission: Free Address: 2823 Selwyn Ave suite k, Charlotte, NCOriginally established in 1998 in the Myers Park neighborhood, Shain Gallery now represents over 40 exceptional artists. In addition to showcasing a wide array of stunning paintings, Shain Gallery also works with individuals to find art that’s just right for their private collections. Whether you’ve been collecting art for years or just want to view some stunning work, you’ll love every moment spent at Shain Gallery.Shaingallery.com"

"2823 Selwyn Ave., Charlotte, NC 28209 • (704) 334-7744Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, by appointment only. Established in 1998, the Shain Gallery showcases a diverse range of artists who will appeal to all tastes, collectors and budgets."

"Tucked away in the retail spaces along the Green in Uptown is a small but elegant art gallery featuring nationally known artists like Takashi Murakami, Hunt Slonem and Jeff Koons; alongside local creators Zun Lee, Stephen Wilson and Regine Bechtler. The New Gallery of Modern Art occupies a small footprint, but the contemporary art, exhibition receptions, and the warmth of owner Irina Toshkova make the New Gallery much bigger. New Gallery offers consultation for both the novice and experienced art collector, in-home consultations and even a corporate art loan program."

"Located just across Tryon Street from the Mint and the Bechtler art museums, the New Gallery feels like a natural stop on an art outing in Uptown. The one-room gallery features high walls with windows overlooking The Green and often hosts artist conversations and discussion about art in its intimate space. What you’ll find: The art here ranges dramatically in price point, but the small gallery packs a powerful punch with its walls featuring some of the world’s top contemporary artists."

"Cost of admission: FreeAddress: 1414 S Tryon St Ste 130, Charlotte, NCFor forty years, Hodges Taylor has enjoyed a reputation as a successful and respected contemporary art gallery and consulting firm. Current owner and director Lauren Harkey continues that today, and Hodges Taylor remains a contemporary gallery, with a focus on promoting Southeastern artists in a range of mediums, as well as an art consulting firm providing services to both corporate and individual collectors."

"Tucked away in Dilworth Artisan Station, an unassuming brick building just off the East/West Light Rail Station in South End, is the oldest art gallery in the city. Hodges Taylor Art Consultancy opened to the public in 1980 and continues to be a leader in Charlotte’s art scene. “As a gallery, we curate and present artists who work in a variety of mediums and share in common the power to spark curiosity, conversation, and collaboration,” says Owner and Director Lauren Harkey."

"Hodges Taylor, Charlotte’s longest-running commercial art business, began as Hodges Taylor Gallery in 1980 as a partnership between Dot Hodges and Christie Taylor. For over thirty years, Hodges Taylor served as a successful and respected contemporary art gallery and consulting firm in its uptown Charlotte location. In 2016, Lauren Harkey joined Christie as a partner."

"Each Charlotte neighborhood has a personality worth getting to know, and for beer-lovers the hip South End area can’t be beaten. You’ll find a string of breweries and two cideries here, along with food trucks, cute shops, and live music. You can easily walk between the various stops, so it’s a great option for a beer crawl if no one’s keen to be designated driver."

"Lastly, one special way to end a dynamic trip to Charlotte is to visit the South End Brewery District. Spending the day figuring out what to do in Charlotte, NC requires a lot of energy. Because of that, sinking into the local culture is a way to refuel and to celebrate a successful journey."

"Grab a beer at The Chamber; the sister location of Uptown’s original Wooden Robot. Nestled in historic NoDa, this location houses their Wood Aging Program to age beer with wild yeast, taproom and rooftop patio. Check out their farmhouse saison beers, neighboring food trucks or Billy Jacks delivers beef and bacon fare for free.woodenrobotbrewery.com"

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"SURGAR. Handmade Gourmet Donuts began as the first donut food truck in Charlotte using premium ingredients such as French chocolates, fresh fruits, real cream, eggs, and butter to create gourmet pastries. The vanilla bean glazed donut and Southern banana pudding donut are life changing and have had all their calories removed. Never afraid to experiment with flavors, the new SUGAR."

"Known for its Belgian-inspired beer, Sugar Creek uses multiple types of hops and combines them with award-winning malt varieties to create modern takes on classic tastes. Location: LoSo, 215 Southside Drive. The vibe: It’s a smaller space with a casual feel."