Sunflour Baking Company has been my Charlotte constant through more life phases than I care to count. When I first moved here in my early twenties and lived in Plaza Midwood, I'd stumble in hungover from Southend bars at 1 p.m., desperately craving their famous croissants, only to find them sold out. I'd call my mom to complain, and she'd patiently explain: "Emily, it's a bakery. It's one p.m. Of course they're out. You need to get up earlier."
She was right. Twenty-something me just didn't want to hear it.
These days, I visit the Dilworth location with Jamie, and I've gotten much better about my timing.
A Charlotte Institution Since 2009
Sunflour is a family-owned bakery that started in Elizabeth in 2009 and has since expanded to five locations across Charlotte: Elizabeth, Dilworth, NoDa, Harrisburg, and Ballantyne. They're Charlotte's original "Exhibition Bakery," which means you can watch them make everything through the glass. Everything is made from scratch in small batches daily. No artificial flavorings, no preservatives, no bleached or bromated flour. Just ingredients you can actually pronounce.
The Dilworth Visit
The Dilworth location sits at 220 East Boulevard and is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (until 7 p.m. on weekdays). We drove over and parked across the street. Full transparency: I couldn't find a handicapped entrance, so I had to leave the stroller outside. It was still visible through the windows, but I wasn't thrilled about it. If anyone knows if there's a handicapped entrance I'm missing, please let me know!
Inside, it was packed. As always. People were having meetings, working on laptops, catching up over coffee. It was right after the holidays, so everyone was bundled up and cozy. The vibe is equal parts coffee shop and community hub, which is exactly what makes Sunflour special. The line was actually pretty short for once (a miracle). I grabbed an oat milk latte and blueberry muffin for me, and a croissant for Jamie.
Full disclosure: I was slightly disappointed in the amount (or lack thereof) of blueberries in my muffin this time. But this is definitely an anomaly. I've had their pastries countless times over the years and they're consistently excellent.
What to Order
Here's the thing about Sunflour's croissants: they're made with a three-day fermentation and lamination process. The result is flaky, buttery layers that are legitimately some of the best in Charlotte. My two ride-or-dies are the egg and cheese on a croissant and the egg and cheese on a cheddar biscuit (the #4 sandwich, locals know). The cheddar biscuits are what put Sunflour on the map, and for good reason.
Their turkey sandwich is delicious if you're there for lunch, and they have soups and a ton of pastries you can take home. The English muffins are also great as a little treat. If you have a sweet tooth, try one of their cupcakes or cake slices. The cake is incredibly moist with smooth, creamy icing. They even sell a baking mix for the cheddar biscuits if you want to bring a piece of Sunflour home.
Family-Friendly Features
The bathrooms have changing tables, which is clutch, and they have high chairs. The space itself is pretty small. There wouldn't be much room for a stroller anyway, but we didn't need to sit this time.
One note for families with dietary restrictions: Sunflour does have some gluten-free options (cupcakes, scones, muffins), but based on reviews, there are concerns about cross-contamination. If you have celiac disease, definitely call ahead and ask about their practices.
The Ballantyne Location: A Maternity Leave Favorite
During my maternity leave, the Ballantyne location became one of my regular spots. Jamie and I would meet David for lunch there while he was working, and it was the perfect midday break. The Ballantyne location has a different vibe than the smaller Dilworth spot. There's more space, which was great when I was navigating life with a newborn.
What I loved most? Watching all the local mom groups meet up there with their newborns. It was so cute seeing clusters of strollers and exhausted new moms catching up over lattes and pastries. There's something really comforting about being in a space where everyone just gets it. The messy hair, the spit-up on your shoulder, the fact that leaving the house at all feels like a major accomplishment. Sunflour has that kind of welcoming, judgment-free energy that makes it a natural gathering spot for parents.
Why I Keep Coming Back
Sunflour has followed me through so many chapters of my Charlotte life. Plaza Midwood in my early twenties. NoDa when David and I lived there and would walk down for breakfast. Ballantyne during those hazy maternity leave days. Now Dilworth with toddler Jamie. It's the kind of place that becomes part of your routine, part of your story.
And honestly? The fact that they ship nationwide now means I could theoretically send these croissants to my mom. You know, the one who was right about getting to the bakery earlier.
Just remember: get there early if you want those croissants. Trust me on this one.
Sunflour Baking Company - Dilworth
220 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203
Open daily 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. (weekdays until 7 p.m.)
Sunflour Baking Company - Ballantyne
14021 Conlan Circle, Charlotte, NC 28277
