8 of the best cinnamon rolls to eat in Charlotte after a breakup — ask me how I know.

Jenny Matz
·6 min read

On an unforgettable Friday last fall, my romantic relationship crumbled in a manner typically reserved for the plot line of a Lifetime movie. In one shocking and traumatic swoop, I lost who I thought was my partner, greatest supporter and best friend.

My family and friends rallied and lifted me up, but I still felt a tremendous void. I was missing sweetness in my life, and I found it in an unexpected place: the cinnamon roll. As winter set in, the warming and comforting spices of these traditional pastries filled some of the emptiness. And, in my humble opinion, I became an expert on the city’s offerings. (Silver lining?)

As we turned the corner into spring and temperatures thawed, so, too, did my pain. I now understand that to taste the sweetness of life, you must release the bitterness of the past. I’ve come through stronger and learned to nurture and support myself — and that I can get through anything with good friends and cinnamon rolls.

Here are my top picks for Charlotte’s best cinnamon rolls (after a breakup):

Amelie’s French Bakery

Location: 325 South College Street, Charlotte, NC 28282 (reopening May 2023)

Location: 136 E 36th St, Charlotte, NC 28206

Location: 7715 Pineville Matthews Rd., Unit 34B, Charlotte, NC 28226

Location: 4321 Park Rd. Charlotte, NC 28209

Location: 157 E. Main St. Rock Hill, SC 29730

I don’t know a single person who doesn’t love Amelie’s, with its endearingly eccentric atmosphere and friendly staff. While its famous for salted caramel brownies, macarons and eclairs, the cinnamon roll and pecan pull apart are deserving of attention. The cakey classic roll is a house made brioche dough, liberally threaded with cinnamon sugar and topped with a rich cream cheese icing.

Amelie’s traditional brioche cinnamon roll goes fast — especially on weekends.
Amelie’s traditional brioche cinnamon roll goes fast — especially on weekends.

But for me, the pecan pull-apart is the star, with gooey cinnamon sugar dough bites, glazed with sticky toffee and heaped with toasted pecans.

Think ahead: Both pastries go fast, so arrive early and ask for them heated. See all the goodies on Instagram and keep watch for the new uptown location opening soon.

Amelie’s pecan pull apart is sticky goodness.
Amelie’s pecan pull apart is sticky goodness.

The Batch House

Location: 901 Berryhill Road, Charlotte, NC 28208

Cristina Agurcia is The Batchmaker and talent behind The Batch House, recently cinching the Voter’s Choice award for best bakery in Charlotte Magazine’s 2023 poll. All of her team’s homemade creations are mouth watering and decadent, but the cinnamon rolls are next level. They’re large, doughy and richly swirled with flavor. Offered only on weekends, the OG cinnamon roll (which is divine) is featured along with a specialty creation.

The Batch House OG classic cinnamon roll is velvety sweetness.
The Batch House OG classic cinnamon roll is velvety sweetness.

A recent crowd-pleaser, the birthday cake roll is filled with dulce de leche and cake truffle, then topped with buttercream frosting and rainbow sprinkles. Past favorites include s’mores, chocolate raspberry and cookie butter. Follow on Instagram for all the tantalizing treats.

The Batch House birthday cake roll keeps things festive.
The Batch House birthday cake roll keeps things festive.

READ MORE: Bun Appetit finds loyal following at local farmers markets

Burney’s Sweets & More

Location: 1200 N. Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC 28206

Burney’s delicate and billowy cinnamon roll will make your taste buds thank you.

Burney’s flies under the radar, but definitely should be on your list. Located on North Davidson Street, this Charlotte mainstay offers an assorted mix of pastries, donuts, cakes and, of course, an amazing cinnamon roll. Burney’s roll is delicate and airy; it literally melts in your mouth. It’s baked to soft perfection, then topped with a thin coating of vanilla doughnut glaze. Grab one and head up the street to Rosie’s to pair with warm coffee to savor in its charming gardens.

Burney’s delicate and billowy cinnamon roll will make your taste buds thank you.
Burney’s delicate and billowy cinnamon roll will make your taste buds thank you.

Don’t skip: Burney’s is known for its glazed croissant — what many (accurately) refer to as the enticing and elevated cousin of the Krispy Kreme donut. See more features on Instagram.

Burney’s famous glazed croissants are legendary.
Burney’s famous glazed croissants are legendary.

Crust Punk Baking

Location: Square Online, Uber Eats and pick-ups at 500 W. Summit Ave., Charlotte, NC 28203

This cinnamon roll is just damn good. Jeff McElwee, who first made a mark on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives with his wafflewiches, recently launched Crust Punk, the baking offshoot of FūD on the MūV. These fluffy and intense rolls are baked fresh using King Aurthur flour (high class), brown sugar and cinnamon, with Madagascar vanilla and coriander providing a distinctive flavor. They can be ordered traditional, topped with an oat milk vanilla glaze or, my personal favorite, a boozy bananas foster made with Myers’s Rum and topped with walnuts. Vegans, you’re safe here.

Crust Punk’s Bananas Foster roll gives tropical vibes.
Crust Punk’s Bananas Foster roll gives tropical vibes.

Special Mention: The Stuffed Cragel - a pillowy golden croissant bagel stuffed with whipped cream cheese and topped with cinnamon sugar. Follow on Instagram for the full menu and ordering info.

Crust Punk’s innovative cinnamon sugar stuffed cragel is a must.
Crust Punk’s innovative cinnamon sugar stuffed cragel is a must.

Haberdish

Location: 3106 N. Davidson St., Charlotte, NC 28205

The Haberdish cinnamon roll — a hedonistic marvel — is probably my all-around favorite. Made with a classic biscuit dough, it contains a surprisingly delectable ingredient: pork fat (sorry, vegetarians and vegans). It’s delivered hot and served with a warm dulce de leche sauce — caramelly, dense and decadent. Offered only for Saturday and Sunday brunch, it frequently sells out before 2 p.m., so plan ahead. Keep up on Instagram and be sure to check out the craft cocktails.

The delightfully sinful house-made cinnamon roll from Haberdish.
The delightfully sinful house-made cinnamon roll from Haberdish.

Kindred/Milkbread

Location: Kindred, 131 N Main St, Davidson, NC 28036

Location: Milkbread, Duke Energy Plaza, 525 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 (coming 2024)

Location: Milkbread, 1431 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205

Location: Milkbread, 624 Jetton St #110, Davidson, NC 28036

Joe and Katy Kindred’s cinnamon rolls have achieved a cult following for very good reason. They’re so extraordinary they’re the namesake of the popular Milkbread cafes in Davidson and Plaza Midwood. Made with a Japanese milkbread recipe, these caramelized, buttery creations offer a perfect bite all the way through. The dough is made with milk, heavy cream and honey, and the rolls are then generously filled with cinnamon sugar and drenched in a brown sugar butter glaze. If that weren’t enough, they’re also topped with a rich cream cheese frosting.

Milkbread’s tantalizing cinnamon roll is handcrafted with cream, honey and brown sugar.
Milkbread’s tantalizing cinnamon roll is handcrafted with cream, honey and brown sugar.

Pro Tip: Order the mini cinnies, “Stickier — for eating later,” and pop in the microwave for 10 seconds before adding the frosting. Your office mates will love you forever. Milkbread’s Instagram chronicles the latest seasonal offerings. (And this dynamic duo has two new projects in the works.)

Milkbread’s mini cinnies are bite-sized crowd pleasers.
Milkbread’s mini cinnies are bite-sized crowd pleasers.

MAKE SOME AT HOME: Here’s the recipe for Milkbread’s famous cinnamon rolls

Sunflour Baking Company

Location: 2001 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204

Location: 220 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203

Location: 14021 Conlan Circle, #B-9, Charlotte, NC 28277

Location: 5040 NC-49, Harrisburg, NC 28075

Sunflour is a scratch made, small batch bakery run by the Parrish family since 2014. Its cinnamon rolls are made fresh daily — and are so popular they’re usually sold out well before noon. They have the classically comforting flavor that hits the spot. Made with a brioche dough and delicately enhanced with Plugra European butter, they are generously ribboned with a silky cinnamon and brown sugar butter filling and smothered with a vanilla cream cheese frosting. A tried and true favorite that won’t disappoint.

In the mood for something a little more exotic? Try the hazelnut orange roll — and see more on Instagram.

Sunflour’s delicate hazelnut orange roll is made with a flaky croissant dough.
Sunflour’s delicate hazelnut orange roll is made with a flaky croissant dough.

Supperland

Location: 1212 The Plaza, Charlotte NC, 28205

Haberdish’s sexy sister restaurant (and Esquire favorite) Supperland offers a completely different take as part of its new brunch starting May 13 — just in time for Mother’s Day weekend. This roll is a buttery, lighter and flakier version of its Haberdish counterpart (vegetarians rejoice — no pork fat in this one!) topped with a not-too-sweet cream cheese frosting with a zing of lemon zest. Get brunch details on Instagram.

Supperland’s buttery cinnamon roll will be a part of its new brunch offering.
Supperland’s buttery cinnamon roll will be a part of its new brunch offering.