The best bakeries & sweet shops in Gaston County

11 places we’ve checked and would send a neighbor to. Open any one to read what we wrote about it.

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Panera Bread (opens in a new tab)

2625 E Franklin Blvd Suite 100 · Gastonia

Counter-serve bakery/cafe chain serving sandwiches, salads & more, known for its bread & free WiFi.

Counter-serve bakery/cafe chain serving sandwiches, salads & more, known for its bread & free WiFi.

Cinnabon (opens in a new tab)

3735 E Franklin Blvd · Gastonia

Counter-serve chain serving cinnamon rolls plus other baked goods & specialty frozen beverages.

Counter-serve chain serving cinnamon rolls plus other baked goods & specialty frozen beverages.

sweetFrog (opens in a new tab)

401 Cox Rd Ste 184 · Gastonia

National chain with dozens of flavor combinations of soft-serve frozen yogurt, plus sorbet.

National chain with dozens of flavor combinations of soft-serve frozen yogurt, plus sorbet.

Antojitos Yulieth (opens in a new tab)

2495 E Ozark Ave · Gastonia

Antojitos Yulieth is a no-frills ice cream spot that’s perfect for quick cool-downs between Gastonia errands or after a Little League win.…

Antojitos Yulieth is a no-frills ice cream spot that’s perfect for quick cool-downs between Gastonia errands or after a Little League win. Expect simple, satisfying frozen treats and friendly vibes, the kind of stop that turns a random Tuesday into a mini victory lap.

From the Gastonia newsletter, October 17, 2026

Cotton Candy Factory (opens in a new tab)

21 N Main St · Belmont

Skip the generic sweets and let Cotton Candy Factory spin you something magical, from organic and classic cotton candy in a rainbow of…

Skip the generic sweets and let Cotton Candy Factory spin you something magical, from organic and classic cotton candy in a rainbow of flavors to nostalgic candies that hit the memory bank. Every purchase supports Holy Angels residents working on site, so your sugar rush does real good.

From the Gastonia newsletter, August 18, 2026

Cake Me Away Bakery (opens in a new tab)

120 W Trade St · Dallas

Brittany, a Johnson & Wales-trained pastry pro at Cake Me Away Bakery, builds custom wedding and birthday cakes for Gaston County that…

Brittany, a Johnson & Wales-trained pastry pro at Cake Me Away Bakery, builds custom wedding and birthday cakes for Gaston County that actually taste as good as they look, with allergy-friendly options and hand-decorated details, plus wild 3D sculptures if you’re feeling extra.

From the Gastonia newsletter, August 20, 2026

Life is Sweet - McAdenville (Tracy Gunn) (opens in a new tab)

109 Main St · McAdenville

Life is Sweet - McAdenville (Tracy Gunn) is the candy store that turns a quick errand into pure joy, with gummies, sours, chocolates, retro…

Life is Sweet - McAdenville (Tracy Gunn) is the candy store that turns a quick errand into pure joy, with gummies, sours, chocolates, retro candies and a custom box. Bonus points for community vibes, they partner with Gaston County libraries to celebrate summer readers, so make it your sweet stop this week.

From the Gastonia newsletter, August 26, 2026

Handel's Ice Cream (opens in a new tab)

2272 E Franklin Blvd Ste 110 · Gastonia

Long-standing ice cream parlor offering many flavors of ice cream & sorbet, plus sundaes & shakes.

Long-standing ice cream parlor offering many flavors of ice cream & sorbet, plus sundaes & shakes.

The Peach Cobbler Factory (opens in a new tab)

2524 E Franklin Blvd · Gastonia

Chain, serving cobblers, pudding and ice cream in a casual setting.

Chain, serving cobblers, pudding and ice cream in a casual setting.

Nothing Bundt Cakes (opens in a new tab)

3125 E Franklin Blvd Ste 115 · Gastonia

Franchise bakery specializing in handcrafted bundt cakes, plus curated gifts & party supplies.

Franchise bakery specializing in handcrafted bundt cakes, plus curated gifts & party supplies.

Downstairs Ice Cream (opens in a new tab)

111 E Main Ave · Gastonia

Downstairs Ice Cream is that no-frills, made-here-right-now kind of shop Gastonia can brag about. When your sweet tooth starts negotiating,…

Downstairs Ice Cream is that no-frills, made-here-right-now kind of shop Gastonia can brag about. When your sweet tooth starts negotiating, log off and grab a scoop that tastes like it skipped the freezer aisle entirely.

From the Gastonia newsletter, October 9, 2026