Pecan pie is the slice that shows up at nearly every South Carolina holiday table, usually right next to a debate about who baked it best. Some families guard their recipes like treasure, while others quietly pick one up from a trusted local bakery and take the credit.
This list covers seven spots across the state, from a late-night dessert bar in Charleston to a gluten-free bakery on Hilton Head Island. Each one earns its place for a different reason, so keep reading to find the pie stop that fits your plans.
1. Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar, Charleston, SC
Most bakeries close up before dinner, but this Charleston favorite keeps the dessert case open until midnight every single day. Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar sits at 198 E Bay St Ste 100, Charleston, SC 29401, right in the historic heart of the city.
The pecan pie here comes with a grown-up twist in the form of a chocolate bourbon pecan pie. There is also a pecan pie shortbread creation, and the slices are famously huge.
Classic Italian desserts fill out the rest of the menu, including cannoli, cannoli cake, key lime pie, banana pudding and chai white chocolate cheesecake. Oversized stuffed cookies, gelato and coffee drinks round things out.
Seating includes tables and a bar counter in a cozy, casual room. Service is counter style, and there is outdoor seating too.
Reservations are not accepted, and a wait is common on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday evenings. Weekday mornings and early afternoons tend to be much calmer.
Paid garages, lots and street parking are all nearby, which is standard for downtown Charleston. Plan for about $10 to $20 per person and a slice big enough to share, if sharing is your style.
2. Strossner’s Bakery, Cafe & Deli, Greenville, SC
Since 1947, Greenville families have been counting on Strossner’s for their celebration sweets. That is a long time to keep a pie recipe honest.
The bakery sits at 21 Roper Mountain Rd, and its pecan pies have become a fixture of local holiday tables. Apple pie gets plenty of love too, along with a triple berry option.
Strossner’s is also a full bakery and deli. Shelves hold fresh breads, decorated birthday cakes, eclairs, German chocolate cake and a playful treat called the Purple People Eater.
Savory choices include chicken pot pie, meatloaf sandwiches, soup and take-and-bake meals. That makes it easy to grab dinner and dessert in one stop.
Hours run 7 AM to 6 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 6 PM on Saturday, with Sundays closed. Friday afternoons and Saturdays draw the biggest crowds, while evenings are quieter.
Curbside pickup, delivery and in-store pickup are available, and parking is free. For a holiday pie, ordering ahead is a smart move.
3. Kudzu Bakery & Market Columbia, Columbia, SC
Part bakery and part gourmet market, the Columbia location of Kudzu is the kind of place where a pie run can turn into a full gift-shopping trip. It sits at 4600 Forest Dr in Columbia.
The pecan pie here has a loyal following, the type that gets carried into offices and shared with coworkers. It ranks among the best in town for many locals.
Homemade loaves, breakfast pastries and desserts like coconut cake fill the cases. Chicken pot pie and breakfast bakes cover the savory side.
The market shelves stock gourmet products and gifts, including hand-forged cheese knives. The staff are known for being helpful when you are planning for parties and events.
Hours are 9 AM to 6 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 3 PM on Saturday, closed Sunday. Wednesday mornings, Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings are the busiest windows.
Expect around $20 to $30 per person, and note that delivery is not offered. Pickup and in-store shopping are the way to go here.
4. Kudzu Bakery Litchfield, Pawleys Island, SC
Beach trips call for a dessert plan, and the coast near Pawleys Island has a reliable one. Kudzu Bakery Litchfield is at 221 Willbrook Blvd in Pawleys Island.
Its pecan pie stands out on a dessert counter that also features chocolate mousse cake, apple pie, red velvet cake and key lime pie. Cookies, brownies and cinnamon rolls keep the cases full.
Lunch is part of the draw as well. Chicken salad sandwiches, quiche and lunch specials make it a handy midday stop.
The shop doubles as a gift store with gourmet foods and kitchenware. It is easy to leave with a pie and a hostess gift in the same bag.
Hours are shorter than at many bakeries, running 9 AM to 4 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 2 PM on Saturday. Sundays are closed, so a Saturday morning visit is the safest weekend bet.
Parking is free and on-site. Budget about $10 to $20 per person, and remember there is no delivery.
5. Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop Greenville, Greenville, SC
A shop devoted almost entirely to pie deserves a spot on any pecan pie list. Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop at 2222 Augusta St #9 in Greenville bakes everything from scratch daily.
The pecan pie is a top pick, and the crust gets just as much attention as the filling. Staff are happy to explain how the handmade crusts come together.
Pecan fans should also try the I-40, which puts a pecan pie twist on the lineup. Coconut cream is another standout.
Pies come full-sized or as minis by the dozen. Mini pies are a clever way to bring several flavors to one gathering without picking a single winner.
Shortbread cookies and Cloud 9 pie a la mode are on the menu too. Samples are often offered, which makes choosing a little easier.
Hours are 10 AM to 6 PM Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Delivery and pickup are available, and pricing ranges about $10 to $40 depending on what you take home.
6. The Bread Guy, Boiling Springs, SC
French pastry and Southern pie meet in an unexpected place. The Bread Guy is a traditional French bakery at 4019 Parris Bridge Rd in Boiling Springs.
The specialty here is classic French desserts, breads and pastries. Chocolate croissants and cinnamon rolls are regular favorites.
The mini pecan pie is the reason it lands on this list. It is a single-serving treat, ideal for anyone who wants pecan pie without committing to a whole one.
Eclairs with chocolate custard filling make a natural second choice. Pairing one of each is a popular move.
Hours take some planning. The bakery is closed Monday, open 8 AM to 4 PM Tuesday through Friday, and 9 AM to 1 PM on weekends.
It is a quick-visit kind of stop with free parking and free wi-fi. Takeout is the main option, and delivery is not offered, so swing by early before the cases thin out.
7. The G-Free Spot, Hilton Head Island, SC
Gluten-free diners often get left out of holiday dessert plans. The G-Free Spot fixes that problem on Hilton Head Island at 1511 Main St Ste 1511.
This cozy, family-owned bakery is fully gluten-free. Its lineup covers cupcakes, scones, brownies, muffins, cakes and pies, including a 9-inch pecan pie.
Whole pies sit on the pricier side, with the pecan pie running around $60. Smaller items like tarts, brookies and lemon bars are priced more like a typical boutique bakery.
Breakfast and lunch are served too. NY bagels, jumbo cinnamon rolls, a ham and turkey club and peach cobbler muffins are all on the menu, with dairy-free and vegan choices available.
Hours are 9 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 1:30 PM on Saturday, closed Sunday. Parking is free and usually plentiful.
Families will find it kid-friendly, and dogs are welcome at the outdoor seating. It is a fitting final stop, proving that pecan pie season really is for everyone.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.