A pie crust in North Carolina won a State Fair blue ribbon, and its bakers compare it to a flaky biscuit. I can’t stop thinking about that.
A pie that tastes a little like breakfast? Count me in.
That ribbon is just one stop on this list. One shop lets you order pie in flights, like a tasting menu for dessert lovers.
Pie flights should be everywhere, honestly. Another stays open until 11 PM on weekends, which feels like a public service.
Then there are the orchards. Several sit along one mountain road, where apples go from tree to bakery without much of a commute.
You can pick a pumpkin and grab a fried apple pie in one trip. One stop even sits right on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Fall is short, and apple pie season deserves your full attention, so pick a slice you will chase first.
1. Grandad’s Apples
A corn maze, a pumpkin patch, and apple pie all share one address, which feels like fall showing off. Grandad’s Apples is a family-run farm where the orchard and the bakery case work as a team.
The country store is where your sweet tooth takes over. You’ll find apple pie, apple dumplings, and apple turnovers waiting for a good home.
Fried apple pies are another big draw here. Pair one with apple cider donuts and hot apple cider, and your afternoon is basically planned.
Got a dog who loves road trips? Pups are welcome, even inside, so nobody has to wait in the car feeling left out.
The farm sits on Chimney Rock Road, a stretch locals know as serious apple country in North Carolina. Several orchards line this road, so you could easily turn one stop into a full pie crawl.
Hours run from 9 AM to 6 PM seven days a week. That gives you room to wander the maze first and earn that dessert fair and square.
Address: 2951 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
2. McFarlan Bake Shop
Downtown Hendersonville has an old-school bakery that skips trends and sticks with what works. McFarlan Bake Shop is known as a traditional, time-tested spot for pastries, decorated cookies, and custom cakes.
Apple fans have plenty to choose from in the case. Apple pies, apple turnovers, and apple fritters all show up on the lineup.
Keep an eye out for the apple hand pie, which appears when available. A Dutch apple pie is another treat worth grabbing if you spot one fresh.
Plan to take your goodies with you, since this is a takeout shop without dine-in seating. Coffee is on hand, so you can sip while you stroll Main Street.
Morning people get a perk here. The doors open at 7 AM Tuesday through Saturday, and the shop stays closed Sundays and Mondays.
Saturday mornings tend to bring the biggest rush. If you want a calmer visit, a weekday stop might suit you better and leave more pie for you.
Address: 309 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
3. Coston Farm & Apple House
Picking apples is fun until you realize somebody else already baked them into pie. At Coston Farm & Apple House, you get both options without choosing sides.
The pick-your-own orchard lets you fill a bag straight from the trees. Prefer less work?
Apples are sold in the store too.
The bakery is where things get dangerous for your willpower. Fried apple pies and apple caramel cookies are standouts, along with whole apple pies and fritters.
Shelves also hold cider, jam, and jelly for stocking your kitchen back home. Unique gifts and souvenirs round out the shopping, so holiday lists might get a head start.
Wagon rides through the orchard add a slow, scenic break between snacks. Pumpkins show up in season, giving your porch a reason to look festive.
Like a few neighbors on this list, the farm sits on Chimney Rock Road. Hours run Monday through Saturday from 8:30 AM, with Sunday hours starting at 10 AM.
Address: 3748 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
4. Baked Pie Company
Why settle for one slice when you can order a flight? Baked Pie Company serves its homemade pies by the slice and in pie flights, which is a very smart idea.
A flight lets you line up apple next to something wild. Coconut cream and honey pecan have both shared the board with apple before.
The menu rotates, so the lineup changes over time. That keeps things fresh and gives you a great excuse to come back.
Vegan apple pie is part of the shop’s reputation, which is great news for plant-based eaters. Sugar crack pie is another name that tends to catch attention, for obvious reasons.
You can sit down and stay awhile, since dine-in seating, restrooms, and free Wi-Fi are all here. Takeout works too if your pie needs to travel.
Arden sits just south of Asheville, making this an easy add-on to a mountain day. The shop opens at 11 AM Tuesday through Saturday and closes on Sundays and Mondays.
Address: 4 Long Shoals Rd Ste A, Arden, NC 28704
5. Slice Pie Company
Blue ribbons aren’t handed out for nothing. The apple pie at Slice Pie Company took home a Blue Ribbon at the North Carolina State Fair in 2014.
A father and daughter founded this family business together. Their shared love of baking pies turned into a Raleigh shop with roots in family tradition.
The crust is the bragging point. They call it their State Fair Blue Ribbon crust and compare it to a flaky biscuit.
Inside that crust, the apple pie is packed with real, chunky apple slices. No mystery goo here, just fruit you can actually see.
Apple isn’t the only star, though. Chess pie, coconut cream, chocolate cream, and lemon with raspberry give you plenty of reasons to buy more than one.
Timing matters, so check before you go. The shop is open Wednesday through Saturday, with later hours until 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Address: 606 N. Person St., Raleigh, NC 27604
6. The Cherry Pit Cafe and Pie Shop
Dinner and dessert under one roof, with pie right there in the name. The Cherry Pit Cafe and Pie Shop is a casual Greensboro cafe built around comfort food and homemade pies.
Apple pie comes in more than one style here. You can go double crust or pick the crumble topping, depending on your crust loyalty.
Either way, ask for a scoop of ice cream on top. A hot slice served this way is one of the cafe’s signature moves.
Hungry for a real meal first? Chicken pot pie, a pot roast sandwich, and stuffed French toast keep the comfort theme going strong.
Breakfast starts at 8 AM, and the cafe is open seven days a week. That means pie for brunch is totally on the table.
Ordering happens at the counter, so service moves quickly. Families will appreciate the kids’ menu and high chairs, and parking is usually easy to find.
Address: 411 Pisgah Church Rd, Greensboro, NC 27455
7. Stick Boy Bread Company
Bread is the headliner in the name, but the pie case deserves its own billing. Stick Boy Bread Company in Boone bakes artisan breads alongside a strong lineup of pastries and pies.
Apple pie sits next to cherry and pecan in the rotation. Apple cheesecake also shows up, which feels like two desserts holding hands.
Gluten-free options are part of the mix too. That makes this a helpful stop if your group has different needs.
Before you leave, look past the sweets. Old world sourdough and pumpkin walnut bread are great picks for your weekend breakfast.
Scones, cinnamon rolls, and fruit smoothies fill out the morning menu, and coffee is available. The bakery opens at 7 AM on weekdays and Saturdays, then rests on Sundays.
Boone sits high in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, and fall here is gorgeous. Grab a pie, take the scenic route, and let the leaves handle the entertainment.
Address: 345 Hardin St, Boone, NC 28607
8. The Orchard at Altapass
Few pie stops come with a mile marker. The Orchard at Altapass sits right on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 328.3, so your scenic drive and your dessert line up perfectly.
The gift shop is where the treats live. Fresh apple pie is baked in house, and sliced apples come with hot caramel.
A small spot to eat sits over by the orchard. That gives you a place to slow down and soak in the mountain setting.
One thing to know before you go: there’s no U-Pick this year. Apple supply is also limited, so checking ahead is a smart move.
Hours run Wednesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. The orchard closes Mondays and Tuesdays, so plan your Parkway day around that.
Dogs are welcome, even inside, which makes road trips easier for pet owners. Parking is free and on-site, so pulling off the Parkway is simple.
Address: 1025 Orchard Road, Blue Ridge Pkwy mm 328.3, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
9. Louie and Honey’s Kitchen
Real apples, stacked deep, with no syrupy filling hiding the fruit. That’s the kind of apple pie Louie and Honey’s Kitchen turns out in Winston-Salem’s historic West End.
This bakery cafe is famous for its cinnamon rolls too. Amish cinnamon rolls are on the menu, so choosing one treat might be impossible.
Seasonal fruit pies rotate through the case. Key lime pie also has a loyal following, in case you need a citrus break.
The drink menu is fun. Spicy honey and lavender honey lattes sit beside Counter Culture coffee drinks and hot chocolate.
Craving something savory between sweets? A rosemary cheddar scone makes a nice balance before you face that deep slice of pie.
Saturday mornings bring the biggest crowds, and lines are common. The doors open at 7 AM Monday through Saturday, and dine-in seating plus free Wi-Fi make lingering easy.
Address: 401 W End Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
10. Pie Slayer
Most bakeries are turning off the ovens when this one gets going. Pie Slayer in downtown Wilmington is a late-night dessert shop that opens at 3 PM.
On Fridays and Saturdays, the doors stay open until 11 PM. Wednesdays and Thursdays wrap up at 10 PM, so evening cravings finally have a home.
The menu leans inventive, with pies and handheld pastries. The apple hand pie is a fun pick for walking around town.
Inside that flaky crust, you’ll find big chunks of apple. A healthy dose of nutmeg gives it a spiced, fall-ready kick.
Coffee is available too, which helps if your night is just starting. Dine-in and takeout both work, depending on whether you want to sit or stroll.
Princess Street puts you close to the riverfront and downtown fun in coastal North Carolina. Mountains get plenty of fall love, but this beach city proves apple pie travels well.
Address: 129 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401
