January 28, 2022
Our Valentine’s Day sweets guide
Here’s where to pick up pastries and chocolates from local shops
Valentine’s Day is a time for treats, whether you’re treating yourself, a best friend, or a partner. This year, skip the grocery store box of chocolates and stop by one of these bakeries or chocolate shops to find the perfect sweet for your sweet.
BagelGram NC
They may not be sweets, but some of the city’s best bagels are only available via delivery from BagelGram NC. All customers ordering bagels for drop-off during Valentine’s week will have the option of ordering pink, red, and white tie-dye bagels, as well as the bakery’s usual offerings.
The Batch House
Preorder a Valentine’s Day-themed Batch Box or one of three heart-shaped cakes (red velvet, chocolate, or chocolate tres leches) for pickup on Valentine’s Day once pre-sales launch later this week. The west side bakery will also have Nutella pop tarts, chocolate covered strawberry rolls, Valentine’s Day cookies, and more leading up to the holiday between Feb. 1 and Feb. 12.
JF Chocolat
Available starting on Saturday, Jan. 29 until sold out, JF Chocolat will have four-piece and eight-piece gift boxes, orange almond crunchy praline-filled hearts, and a smashable heart filled with candy. Three lucky smashers will also find a pair of custom earrings by Elise Design Company. JF Chocolat will also be at the Matthews Farmers market, and at Wentworth & Fenn for a pop-up on Feb. 12 at noon.
Renaissance Pâtisserie
The city’s classic French bakery will serve a selection of sweets, from cake pops and cookies to chocolate covered strawberries, decorated in Valentine’s Day designs. There will also be a three-course to-go meal option, with choices such as lobster bisque and scallops in lemon-garlic butter and pastries or chocolate covered strawberries for dessert.
Secret Chocolatier
Favorites from this Providence Road chocolate shop include delicate chocolate roses and chocolate covered cherries, as well as boxes of chocolates.
Purchase Valentines from Sweet Spot Studio with punny phrases and decorated cookies. Kristen Wile/UP
Sweet Spot Studio
Purchase a box of cookies iced to look like a box of chocolates, either decorated by the pros at Sweet Spot Studio or ready to decorate before or after gifting. Also available are cookies packaged with notecards featuring friendly, punny phrases. “You’re the coolest” ice cream cone cookies and “I like how you roll” cinnamon roll cookies are among the options.
Twenty Degrees Chocolates
Upgrade your usual big box chocolates by purchasing one from artisan chocolatier Casey Hickey and crew. Special Valentine’s Day arrangements include options from nine to 35 chocolates, and include flavors like bananas foster, raspberry rose, raspberry pistachio, bourbon caramel, and more in multi-colored heart-shaped bonbons.
The Underground Truffle
Plaza Midwood chocolatier The Underground Truffle will have truffle gift boxes, chocolate bars, and “liquid truffle” drinking chocolate among its offerings, with more Valentine’s Day additions coming next week. Pickup will take place on Feb. 4, Feb. 5, Feb. 11, or Feb. 12, with other dates by appointment.
Wentworth & Fenn will serve Valentine’s Day cupcakes starting in February up until Valentine’s Day. Photo by Ryan Allen
Wentworth & Fenn
Camp North End bakery Wentworth & Fenn’s Valentine’s Day offerings will be available from Feb. 1 through Feb. 13. On the menu are treats like stone fruit hand pies, conversation heart macarons, brownie hearts, chocolate and red velvet cupcakes, and carrot or red velvet cake for two.
Honeybear has a good Valentine’s Day line up too!
Thanks for the heads up!