Georgia Vs. North Carolina: 6 Peach Pies Worth A Bite & 6 You Can’t Leave Without Trying
Peach pie in the South is more than dessert—it’s a tradition passed down through generations, baked into buttery crusts and brimming with sun-ripened sweetness.
From Atlanta’s legendary tea rooms to mountain bakeries in Boone, each pie tells its own story: bourbon-kissed fillings, cardamom-spiced layers, lemon-zest brightness, or hand-rolled crusts crafted at dawn.
This guide takes you on a delicious journey across Georgia and the Carolinas, spotlighting the places where local fruit, time-honored recipes, and a dash of Southern hospitality transform simple ingredients into unforgettable slices of comfort and joy. Bring your appetite—these pies are worth the trip.
1. Mary Mac’s Tea Room – Atlanta
Grandmother’s kitchen never smelled this good! The first time I stepped into Mary Mac’s, the aroma of butter-rich crust and caramelized peaches nearly brought tears to my eyes.
Their peach pie recipe hasn’t changed since 1945, and bless them for that stubborn dedication. The crust shatters perfectly with each forkful, revealing plump Georgia peaches swimming in a cinnamon-kissed filling that’s neither too sweet nor too tart.
What makes this pie extraordinary is the hint of lemon zest that brightens each bite. Local farmers provide the fruit, ensuring peak-season flavor that’s worth the inevitable line out the door.
2. The Colonnade – Atlanta
Talk about a time machine! Walking into The Colonnade feels like stepping back to 1927 when they first opened their doors. I stumbled upon this Atlanta institution during a rainstorm and found shelter in more ways than one.
Their peach pie arrives warm, crowned with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that creates rivers of creamy goodness through the generous filling. The secret? They macerate the peaches overnight in brown sugar and bourbon (though they’ll never admit to the latter).
Locals whisper that fourth-generation bakers still roll the dough by hand before sunrise. Each slice carries decades of Southern hospitality in every mouthwatering bite.
3. Southern Baked Pie Company – Gainesville
Goodness gracious! I nearly drove past this charming Gainesville bakery until a friend practically yanked my steering wheel. Thank heavens she did, because their peach pie changed my understanding of what fruit desserts could be.
Owner Amanda Wilbanks has perfected an all-butter crust that somehow remains flaky yet substantial enough to hold a generous mountain of fresh peaches. The filling balances sweet and tart notes masterfully, with whispers of nutmeg that dance across your palate.
Fun fact: Their pies won the National Pie Championship, and after one bite, I understood why judges probably fought over the leftovers. Worth every single calorie!
4. The Pie Hole – Roswell
Unexpected brilliance hides in Roswell’s historic district! I discovered The Pie Hole during a wrong turn that turned so right. This tiny shop might look unassuming, but their peach pie packs a flavor punch that left me speechless.
The family recipe features thinly sliced peaches arranged in a stunning spiral pattern beneath a lattice top that’s bronzed to perfection. What makes this pie extraordinary is the cardamom-infused filling that adds complexity without overwhelming the fruit’s natural sweetness.
The owner, Ms. Patty, told me they pick peaches at a specific farm just hours before baking. That devotion to freshness explains why locals line up before they even open their doors.
5. Back in the Day Bakery – Savannah
Savannah sunshine captured in dessert form! My first visit to Back in the Day Bakery happened on a sweltering summer afternoon when the only thing that could save me was something sweet and peachy.
Their individual-sized peach hand pies feature a cornmeal crust that adds delightful texture and a subtle nutty flavor. The filling combines both yellow and white peaches for a complex sweetness that keeps you guessing with each bite.
Owners Cheryl and Griffith Day infuse Southern heritage into every recipe. The cinnamon-sugar dusting on top creates a delicate crunch that perfectly complements the tender fruit within. These portable treasures make ideal picnic companions for Forsyth Park adventures.
6. Blue Ridge Bakery – Blue Ridge
Mountain magic meets peachy perfection! During a fall foliage trip through North Georgia, I stumbled upon Blue Ridge Bakery and discovered what might be the most photogenic pie in the South.
Their deep-dish peach pie features a braided crust edge that frames local mountain-grown fruit like a work of art. The filling incorporates a splash of local apple cider that brightens the peaches without stealing their spotlight.
Owner Martha creates each pie with techniques passed down through five generations of mountain bakers. The generous height of this pie means more filling-to-crust ratio, and trust me, you’ll appreciate that perfect balance when your fork breaks through the golden top into peachy paradise below.
7. Scratch – Durham
Chef Phoebe’s hands tell stories! I watched her roll dough at Scratch in Durham and knew before tasting that this pie would be extraordinary. Her fingers moved with such confidence and care that I almost felt intrusive observing this intimate culinary ritual.
The result? A peach pie that balances rustic charm with refined technique. North Carolina peaches arrive still warm from the sun, then get tossed with just enough sugar to coax out their natural juices. The crust incorporates local leaf lard for an unmatched flakiness.
What separates this pie from others is the sprinkle of flaky sea salt that crowns each slice, creating an addictive sweet-savory dance that had me contemplating ordering a second piece before finishing my first.
8. Mary’s Gourmet Diner – Winston-Salem
Breakfast pie changed my life! Mary’s Gourmet Diner in Winston-Salem serves peach pie morning, noon, and night – but the breakfast version with warm spices and a coffee-infused crust deserves its own fan club.
My server, Joanne, insisted I try it with a side of their house-made crème fraîche instead of ice cream. That brilliant pairing cut through the sweetness and elevated the fruit flavors to new heights. The generous chunks of North Carolina peaches retain their shape while becoming perfectly tender.
Mary herself still supervises weekend baking, ensuring each pie meets her exacting standards. The dining room buzzes with locals who know to arrive early before the day’s pies vanish by mid-morning.
9. Loaf – Durham
Bread bakeries rarely master pie, but Loaf in Durham gloriously breaks that rule! I initially went for their famous sourdough but left carrying a peach galette that haunts my dessert dreams to this day.
Their free-form approach creates a crust with exceptional texture—crisp edges that gradually yield to tender layers beneath. The peaches receive minimal interference, just a whisper of honey and fresh thyme that somehow magnifies their natural brilliance.
The husband-and-wife team sources fruit exclusively from century-old orchards in North Carolina’s Sandhills region. This commitment to heritage varieties results in a depth of flavor that commercially grown peaches simply cannot match. Each bite tells the story of Carolina soil and sunshine.
10. Queen City Pastry – Winston-Salem
Royal treatment for humble peaches! Queen City Pastry brings French technique to North Carolina fruit, creating what might be the most elegant peach pie I’ve encountered in my dessert-hunting adventures.
The translucent glaze atop perfectly arranged peach slices creates a stained-glass effect too beautiful to eat—almost. Beneath this artistic presentation lies a vanilla bean pastry cream that transforms each bite into a peaches-and-cream dream. The buttery shortbread crust provides the perfect textural counterpoint.
Master pastry chef Frederic studied in Paris before bringing his talents to Winston-Salem. His European training shines through in the precise knife work and balanced sweetness. This pie proves that sometimes the most delicious things happen when Old World technique meets New World ingredients.
11. Bake For Good – Charlotte
Social mission meets sweet satisfaction! Bake For Good in Charlotte creates peach pies with purpose—each purchase funds baking classes for underserved communities. Their commitment to doing good tastes even better than it sounds.
The signature peach crumble pie features North Carolina peaches beneath a topping of brown butter streusel that adds irresistible caramel notes. What makes this pie memorable is the hint of ginger that weaves through the filling, creating unexpected warmth and complexity.
Founder Melissa employs formerly incarcerated individuals, providing culinary training and second chances. Watching her team work with such pride and precision in the open kitchen adds an emotional dimension to enjoying their spectacular creations. This pie nourishes both body and soul.
12. Stick Boy Bread Company – Boone
Mountain elevation elevates flavor! Stick Boy Bread Company in Boone taught me that high-altitude baking creates pie crust with exceptional flakiness. Their location at 3,333 feet above sea level means dough develops differently here than down in the flatlands.
Their signature peach pie incorporates local honey and a splash of apple brandy from a nearby distillery. The filling achieves that perfect sweet spot between jammy and chunky, with peaches maintaining their integrity while melding into a harmonious whole.
Students from Appalachian State University line up alongside longtime locals, proving great pie transcends generational divides. During peach season, they offer a “pie subscription” that sells out within hours of being announced. After tasting their creation, I understand the frenzy completely.