There’s a special kind of joy in wandering into a little shop in North Carolina and discovering that the pie inside is way better than anywhere fancy. You catch that buttery smell before you even reach the counter, and suddenly you’re picking between flavors you didn’t know you needed.
The best pies here have crusts that shatter into flaky layers and fillings still warm enough to fog up the box. Here are nine spots worth the drive, each one hiding something delicious.
1. Carolina Pie Company, Mooresville, NC
Three generations of pie-making stand behind the counter here, and you can taste that heritage in every bite. The apple pie hits that sweet spot where the fruit and filling balance perfectly, all wrapped in a crust that’s earned genuine praise.
What really wins people over is the range. Little four-inch cutie pies make a perfect breakfast or snack, and the flavor list runs long, from coconut cream to a lemony Atlantic Beach pie with a graham cracker crust that tends to disappear first.
Vegetarian and vegan fans get love too, with the Bumbleberry and the vegan Auntie Nae’s Apple. Gluten-free and sugar-free options round things out, so almost no one leaves empty-handed.
Both hot and cold pies are up for grabs.
Find it at 136 Stutts Rd, open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM. There’s a free parking lot and generous samples to help you decide.
2. Slice Pie Company, Raleigh, NC
Born from a father and daughter’s shared love of baking, this Raleigh gem builds every pie around a family tradition. One cherished recipe started it all, and each bite tastes like something straight out of a grandmother’s kitchen.
The crust is the star. Their State Fair Blue Ribbon crust gets compared to a flaky biscuit, tender yet sturdy, melting away with buttery Southern charm.
The chess pie earns extra points for a top that cracks just right.
Fruit lovers rave about the apple pie loaded with real chunky slices, plus a lemon-raspberry combo that’s hard to resist. Key Lime, Coconut Cream, and Dark Chocolate Truffle keep the regulars coming back for more.
You can buy whole pies, half pies, or single slices, and gluten-free versions are available. Located at 1326 E Millbrook Rd, open Wednesday and Thursday 10 AM to 6 PM, Friday and Saturday until 8 PM.
3. Baked Pie Company, Arden, NC
Can’t decide on one flavor? That’s exactly the problem this cozy Arden shop was built to solve.
Their famous pie flights let you sample three flavors, ideally topped with a scoop of ice cream.
The setting is half the charm, with a gorgeous quaint interior, eclectic decor, a patio, and free Wi-Fi if you want to linger. The rotating menu keeps things fresh, and the crusts here are so flaky they practically float off the plate.
Adventurous eaters find plenty to love, from shoofly and Amish apple to a Custard Blueberry and a Flourless Chocolate Torte. Pies come whole, by the slice, or in flights, and some arrive warm enough that the staff will remind you to let them cool and set.
You’ll find it at 4 Long Shoals Rd Ste A, open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 6 PM. Friday and Saturday afternoons get busy, so a weekday morning is your quiet window.
4. High Country Pie, Banner Elk, NC
Tucked into the mountains of Banner Elk, this spot serves a pie style you won’t find on every corner: fresh-baked New Zealand-style savory pies. Think hand-held, golden-crusted, and stuffed with hearty ingredients.
Grab a few and head up to Grandfather Mountain for a picnic. The lineup covers chicken pot pie, a mushroom-leek-parmesan version, a sausage gravy breakfast pie, and even a shepherd’s pie, all praised for being satisfying without a hint of greasiness.
Beyond the savory stars, there are sweet treats, muffins, soups, and coffee to round out a mountain-town meal. Vegetarian options like the signature High Country Pie keep things flexible.
Open every single day from 9 AM to 7 PM at 3277 Tynecastle Hwy, it’s one of the few on this list with daily hours and delivery. Monday mornings are your calmest bet.
5. Pie Safe Baking Company, Forest City, NC
Housed in a unique historic building with a cool open-kitchen design, this downtown bakery even has a real old-fashioned “pie safe” as its namesake. Watching the bakers work is half the fun.
Everything here is made from scratch: pies, pastries, and cheesecake, backed by a full-service espresso bar. The banana cream pie earns love for its delicate flavor and wonderful texture, while the apple crumble, pecan, and cherry pies keep the case bustling.
Don’t overlook the extras. New York cheesecake, oatmeal cream pies, giant cookies, blueberry muffins, and bacon-cheddar scones all show up, plus sugar-free lemon cookies that skip any aftertaste.
You’ll find quaint outdoor seating downtown at 102 W Main St. Open Thursday through Saturday, 9 AM to 8 PM, with Saturdays being the busiest stretch. Delivery is available too.
6. Pie Slayer, Wilmington, NC
Night owls, this one’s for you. While most pie shops close by evening, this Wilmington bakery keeps its doors open late, staying busy well past 9 PM on weekends.
The showstopper is a lemon-yuzu meringue pie that’s turned heads at rehearsal brunches and celebrations alike, gorgeous enough to photograph and delicious enough to silence a table of cranky teens and octogenarians at once. Hand pies, pie slices, and an oatmeal cream pie cookie sandwich round out a tempting menu.
Here’s a clever bonus: their buttermilk pie shells are sold on their own, perfect for baking your own chicken pot pie or pecan pie at home. Coffee is on offer if you want to make an evening of it.
Set at 129 Princess St, it’s open Wednesday and Thursday 3 to 10 PM, and Friday and Saturday 3 to 11 PM. Parking downtown is paid, so plan accordingly.
7. Pies By Di, Hendersonville, NC
Living gluten-free doesn’t mean giving up great pie, and this Hendersonville bakery proves it beautifully. Specializing in premium gluten-free and dietary-friendly desserts, they never compromise on taste.
The blackberry pie draws serious praise as one of the best around, fresh and packed with real fruit flavor. The pecan pie comes loaded throughout with toasty pecans instead of just sugary filling, and the Lemon Cream and Mississippi Mud pies keep dessert lovers happy without being sicky-sweet.
All the fruit pies are vegan, so apple hand pies and peach pie work for a wide crowd. There’s also quiche with an actual crust, a real treat for gluten-free folks, plus donuts, cinnamon buns, and cakes.
Find it at 3632 Brevard Rd, open Wednesday through Saturday, 8 AM to 4 PM. With dine-in, delivery, free Wi-Fi, and coffee, it’s an easy morning stop.
8. Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop, Huntersville, NC
The secret weapon here is a shortbread-style crust that gives every filling something special to sit on. Their key lime pie rests on a tender, moist shortbread base, while the pecan pie strikes just the right note of sweetness without turning cardboard-dry.
Mini and full-sized pies come in a rainbow of flavors, from peanut butter to key lime, plus cookies for good measure. The apple and pecan pies are crowd favorites, and the cherry mini pies earn their own devoted fans.
Presentation is cute, the selection is wide, and their signature I-40 pie packs pecans with chocolate and coconut. Seasonal touches include North Carolina peaches when they’re ripe.
Located at 16836 D Birkdale Commons Pkwy, it keeps some of the friendliest hours on this list: Tuesday through Thursday 10 AM to 8 PM, Friday and Saturday until 9 PM, and Sunday noon to 7 PM. Delivery is available.
9. Thoughtful Baking Co, Charlotte, NC
Savory pie devotees, mark this Charlotte spot on your map. Their chicken pot pie and veggie pot pie tie for first place among plenty of picky families, both built with fresh, locally grown ingredients and a light, tasty crust.
Everything is designed to warm up beautifully at home until the filling bubbles hot. The Spinach and Asiago hashbrown-crust quiche is naturally gluten-free, and the shepherd’s pie comes in a close third among the savory favorites.
Sweet options haven’t been forgotten, with pumpkin pie and a special Luna pie in the rotation. Gluten-free and vegan versions make the menu welcoming to nearly everyone, and you’ll often spot them at the Charlotte farmers markets too.
The shop sits at 4418 Monroe Rd Ste A, open Wednesday through Friday 10 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 10 AM to 2 PM. Grab a pot pie, warm it up, and you’ll understand why folks go back for seconds.