I spent my birthday morning at Vicente Bistro in South End, and I wouldn't go there for my birthday if it wasn't basically my absolute favorite spot in Charlotte. If you haven't been yet, this needs to be on your list.
How We Found It
We discovered Vicente's through another toddler parent's recommendation, and we've been back multiple times since. It's become one of those places where I know exactly what I'm ordering before we even get in line.
I also work out nearby at Barry's, and sometimes after dragging myself to the gym on a Monday morning, I want a little treat to celebrate getting my butt there. Sadly, Vicente's is closed on Mondays, which is honestly my only complaint about this place.
The Location & Logistics
Vicente's is tucked inside an apartment building in the heart of South End, which actually works in your favor since there's guest parking available, plus street parking, and it's right on the light rail. Super accessible.
The space itself is small. Really small. We've shown up multiple times to find the line out the door, especially on weekends when we're not getting there right at 7:30 a.m. opening. But it's worth the wait, and the line moves quickly despite how long it looks.
What We Always Order
For Jamie, we get the blueberry coffee cake if they have it, or a croissant. For me, it's the egg and cheese sandwich on a croissant every single time.
Here's the thing about this sandwich: it comes with provolone, which I was very skeptical about at first because I'm not a huge provolone fan. But it's mild, very melty, and they put this Dijonnaise (Dijon mayonnaise sauce) on it, so the cheese doesn't compete with the sauce. It works.
The egg is massive!! Honestly probably three eggs, freshly scrambled, light and fluffy and perfect. The sandwich is so huge that Jamie and I basically split it, and I still can't always finish it.
Their coffee is also delicious. I got a latte this time, and there was actually a mix-up with our order (our fault), but I went up to the guy making the coffees, explained the situation, and he fixed it right away. No problem. The service is really good, even when they're slammed.
Bringing a Baby or Toddler
A few things to know if you're bringing little ones:
- No high chairs or changing tables in the bathroom. We park close enough that we can do a diaper change in the trunk if needed, and there are other businesses nearby you could use.
- Seating is tight. They've done their best to fit as much seating as they can inside, but it's a small space. None of the chairs inside have backs, which is worth noting, but we've been able to attach our portable high chair to the tables without issue.
- Outside seating is better for families. They have tables outside with some shade, and those chairs actually have backs on them.
- Not a ton of room for strollers. People are really friendly, so we've brought our stroller in before and it's been fine, especially when it's really hot out. But a lot of times we'll just skip the stroller or someone will wait outside with it.
What Makes Vicente's Special
Vicente is run by husband duo Sam Chappelle and Yerman Carrasquero, who opened the bakery in 2023. Sam is the pastry chef and does all the baking - everything is made from scratch using traditional techniques. The space has an open production kitchen, so you can watch the process while you wait.
Beyond the breakfast sandwiches, they have a ton of different pastries. The croissants are what they're known for, and they've earned the reputation. They sell between 1,000 and 1,400 croissants on weekends. People drive from all over Charlotte just to get them.
They also offer flavors like chocolate, almond, dulce de leche (a nod to Yerman's Venezuelan roots), and rotating weekend specials. Other popular items include kouign-amann (a caramelized French pastry), alfajores (Venezuelan sandwich cookies), and flatbreads during lunch hours.
The Bottom Line
Vicente's is one of those spots that does one thing exceptionally well and doesn't try to be more than that. The quality is consistently high, the owners clearly care about what they're making, and it's worth supporting a local business that's this good.
If you love a really solid breakfast sandwich or you're just looking for great pastries in South End, this is it.
Vicente Bistro
2520 South Blvd, Suite 108-B
Charlotte, NC 28203
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. (Closed Mondays)
vicentebistro.com
