Close your eyes and picture your perfect slice of pie. Is it a southern-style favorite like bourbon pecan, a refreshing lemon chess, or a classic like apple?

Now that we’ve got your appetite’s attention, we’ll share a few top picks for bakeries around Virginia that know their way around a pie. Find a nearby shop, make a detour during a road trip, or even plan a special outing to sample some of the most mouthwatering pies in Virginia. Trust us, it’s worth it.  

Yummaries Bakery—Smithfield

For folks near Hampton Roads, you can’t get any better than Yummaries Bakery in Smithfield. Run by the dynamic mother/daughter duo of Kelly and Marie Payne, the bakery utilizes ingredients from their own garden and orchard to craft delicious pies, cobblers, cakes, and breads. Pie flavors include apple, sweet potato, and chocolate chess, as well as more unique offerings like the pineapple. Haven’t gotten your sugar fix after all that? Order some of the fudge and homemade candies to take home with you.  

Red Truck Bakery—Warrenton and Marshall

Red Truck Bakery exterior

Red Truck Bakery

Red Truck Bakery has been a longstanding favorite in Northern Virginia, with two locations serving Warrenton and Marshall. But it's not just locals that can’t get enough of this bakery’s creations. Former President Obama was a repeat customer, even sending a handwritten “Thank You” note to owner and head baker Brian Noyes for his sweet potato pecan and bourbon pie. Oprah Winfrey has also expressed her love of Red Truck in writing, saying, “I looove me some Red Truck sweet potato pie!” In addition to gaining the recognition of several celebrities, the bakery has been honored in publications like Southern Living, Bon Appetit, Garden & Gun, and Conde Nast Traveler. While the pies are a must, don’t miss out on sampling some of their cakes, donuts, and other goodies (like their homemade granola, praised as the best in the world). Red Truck also ships several of their desserts nationwide.  

Woodruff’s Café and Pie Shop—Monroe

Woodruff’s Café & Pie Shop has been in business for over 60 years, with a following so loyal they wouldn’t dream of purchasing pie anywhere else. The bakery serves Southern-style favorites like old fashioned pecan pie, buttermilk pie, and sweet potato pie, but their signature dessert, “Angie’s Famous Apple Pie,” stands out as a clear winner for the bakery. If you’re looking to skip the staples and try something new, ask about the daily special pie.  

Proper Pie Co.—Richmond

Proper Pie Co.

Proper Pie Co.

The owners of Proper Pie Co. in Richmond prove that you don’t need to hail from the southern United States to know how to make a truly perfect pie. The New Zealand-born bakers serve up a variety of sweet and savory pies that often lead to lines around the block before they even open. Acclaimed Chef Alton Brown stopped by while visiting the River City, and shared his glowing praise for the bakery: “Their pumpkin pie is the best pumpkin pie I’ve ever had in my life. That’s right, best ever. Not only is the consistency creamy and not too sweet, but they top it with a salted caramel. If you’re in the area, you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not trying a slice of this pie. I will also go on to say you should probably try the coconut cream pie too. Yes. Get both.” If you find yourself near this Richmond staple, take his advice.

Livin’ the Pie Life—Arlington

Some bakeries specialize in a certain type of pie, but Arlington’s Livin’ the Pie Life tackles every type — from cream pies and fruit pies to pies you may have never even heard of before. These include a Bailey’s Irish Cream Pie, Mississippi Mud Pie made with malt chocolate, and the rarely-seen Southern Grasshopper Pie made with crème de menthe. Owners Wendy MacCallum and Heather Sheire also bake an impressive assortment of savory and seasonal pies, creating a menu filled with so many star players it is hard to narrow it down to just one favorite.  

Blackbird Bakery—Bristol

Blackbird Bakery in Bristol, VA

Blackbird Bakery

Nestled in the Southwest corner of Virginia, Bristol’s Blackbird Bakery serves everything from pies and cakes to pastries, cookies, and their famous homemade donuts. The wide array of treats are laid out in old-fashioned glass display cases that, coupled with wood cabinet accents and simple hanging lamps, create a nostalgic small-town atmosphere that makes you want to cozy up in one of the overstuffed couches and stay a while. Top your pie with a heaping mound of locally made ice cream and a cup of piping hot cocoa or coffee to get the full Blackbird Bakery experience.  

Mom’s Apple Pie—Leesburg and Round Hill

Mom’s Apple Pie has locations in both Leesburg and Round Hill, and one taste of their exceptional pies will have you marking both spots on your map for future visits. Defining the farm-to-table movement for bakeries, Mom’s grows all their own fruits and vegetables at their family-run farm, located just 15 minutes away from the Leesburg shop. Sugar is used sparingly in the pies, allowing for fresh Virginia flavors to truly shine, like the crisp apples that the Shenandoah Valley is known for. Pies are baked fresh each morning, giving you an authentic taste of Virginia.  

More of the most beloved Virginia pie shops to try: