This North Carolina Bakery Makes Georgian Cheese Bread So Gooey, It Nearly Steals The Whole Show

One pastry case in Raleigh is hiding something far more dramatic than a croissant. At first glance, everything feels familiar enough.

Then you spot the Georgian cheese bread.

Suddenly, restraint becomes a very weak argument.

The golden crust surrounds a molten center that looks designed to ruin whatever sensible order you had planned. Even the first tear into the bread feels slightly theatrical.

That surprise is exactly what makes this North Carolina bakery so much fun.

You walk in expecting something sweet and leave wondering how cheese managed to steal the entire show.

Georgia, the country, has officially entered the chat.

And frankly, it brought a very convincing argument.

The hardest part may be pretending you only came in for coffee.

Pull Apart The Khachapuri And Watch The Melted Cheese Stretch

Picture a golden bread boat with a pool of bubbling cheese in the middle.

The first tear of crust sends strings of cheese stretching across the table, and suddenly everyone nearby wants a bite.

Khachapuri adds a distinctly savory option to a case better known for European-style pastries.

The Raleigh bakery continues to serve the Georgian cheese bread alongside its sweeter offerings.

Local coverage highlighted it soon after the Glenwood South shop opened. The trick is in how you eat it.

Traditional Adjarian khachapuri often comes with an egg and a pat of butter on top, and you stir them into the hot cheese right away. Then you rip off pieces of the crust and dunk them into the middle.

Start with the edges, since they are the crunchiest part.

Save the soft, cheese-soaked center for last, because that is where the best flavor hides. Grab extra napkins, too, as this is not a neat snack.

Sharing works well if you want to save room for pastries.

One order can easily feed two people who plan to keep exploring the case. You can find it at 911 N West St Ste 107, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Try The Georgian Bread That Brings Something Completely Different To The Pastry Case

Most American bakeries stick to muffins, scones, and maybe a bagel or two.

Khachapuri comes from the country of Georgia, hidden between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, where it is so loved that it is often called a national dish.

Seeing it sitting among French pastries feels like finding a surprise guest at a party. Paul and Jack was founded by master pastry chef Jacques Matar and his wife, Alina, who started the business in 2023 with their first bakery in Wake Forest.

The Raleigh shop opened in February 2025, taking over the space once used by Layered Croissanterie, and it brought this unusual bread along with it.

Georgia has many regional styles of khachapuri.

Some are round and stuffed, while the boat-shaped Adjarian version is the one with the famous open center of cheese.

Its shape is said to look like a little ship, which fits a region that sits right on the sea. If you usually only order sweets, give this a try at least once.

It is a fun way to taste a food tradition you might not find anywhere else nearby.

Pair Something Savory With One Of The Bakery’s Espresso Drinks

Salty cheese and bold coffee are an old friendship that never gets boring.

A sip of hot espresso cuts right through rich, melty bread and gets your taste buds ready for the next bite. Think of it like a reset button for your mouth.

The coffee bar at Paul and Jack serves a full lineup of espresso drinks, from Americanos and cappuccinos to lattes.

Guests also rave about the matcha, especially the iced vanilla matcha latte.

For khachapuri, a plain cappuccino is a smart match because the foam feels light next to the heavy cheese.

An Americano works if you like your coffee strong and simple.

Craving something cold?

The iced matcha brings a cool, grassy flavor that balances all that butter.

Savory croissants are another good option with your drink.

The bakery has made cheese and spinach and feta croissants, and reviewers have praised an egg croissant, too. Each one is less sugary than the dessert choices.

The Raleigh café also offers outdoor seating. That gives families another option when they want to linger over pastries and drinks.

Browse The Case Before Choosing Between Sweet And Savory

Walk up to the glass and your plan will probably fall apart in about three seconds.

The display brings croissants, filled pastries, cakes, and other desserts together in one place.

Take a breath and give yourself a full minute to scan every shelf.

Paul and Jack packs its case with croissants in flavors like pistachio raspberry, chocolate ganache, strawberry vanilla, and blueberry lemon.

Nearby you might spot Basque cheesecake, honey cake, mousse cakes, baklava, cannoli, brookies, and bomboloni, which are Italian filled doughnuts. A simple strategy helps. Pick one savory item and one sweet item, then stop there, at least for today.

Ask the staff what came out of the oven most recently, too. Some gluten-free items have been offered, although the selection can vary.

Anyone with dietary restrictions should ask staff about current ingredients and preparation practices before ordering.

Selections can shift over time, so what you saw last visit may be swapped for something new.

That keeps each stop exciting.

Come Early If You Want The Best Shot At The Full Selection

Here is a tip that regulars share over and over: the early bird gets the pistachio croissant.

By late afternoon, favorite items can sell out, and popular savory bakes like khachapuri may be gone.

Showing up soon after opening gives you the biggest choice. Doors at Paul and Jack open at 7 a.m. every day of the week.

Monday through Thursday it closes at 6 p.m., while Friday through Sunday it stays open until 8 p.m. Indoor and outdoor seating give early visitors several ways to settle in with breakfast.

Weekends are a different story, since the shop is known for being busy.

Plan for a short wait if you come on a Saturday morning.

Late visits are not a lost cause, though.

Later visits can still offer plenty of choices, but availability changes as items sell through. Rotating flavors also mean the exact case can look different from one visit to the next.

If your heart is set on one specific item, go early and go hungry.

You will thank yourself later.

Try A Cinnamon Roll Or Croissant After The Cheese Bread

Every good meal deserves a sweet ending, and a bakery breakfast is no exception.

After all that salty cheese, a soft, sugary pastry tastes even better.

Your taste buds will be ready for something new, kind of like saving the best song on the playlist for last.

Croissants are a major part of the bakery’s lineup, while local coverage has also highlighted its cinnamon rolls.

Almond and pistachio raspberry croissants have both appeared among the Raleigh shop’s recent selections. The cinnamon rolls have fans too.

One reviewer said they melt in your mouth, which is high praise for any bakery.

They are a cozy choice on a chilly morning. Want to try more than one?

Split a croissant with a friend so you each get half, then share a cinnamon roll the same way. You get double the flavor without feeling overly stuffed.

Taking treats home is also an option.

Croissants taste great the next day if you warm them in the oven for a few minutes, which brings back that crispy outside and soft middle.

Settle In For Breakfast Without Rushing Through The Bakery

Some mornings call for slowing down.

A warm drink, a pastry, and nowhere to be can feel like a mini vacation.

Paul and Jack operates as a European-style bakery and café rather than a grab-and-go counter alone. The Raleigh location has seating inside as well as outdoor seating.

Visitors can stay for breakfast or take their pastries to go. Seating is limited, so a table is not always guaranteed during busy hours.

Come on a weekday morning if you want an easier time finding a spot. Takeout is available if you would rather take your pastries and coffee elsewhere.

Glenwood South is a lively neighborhood just north of downtown Raleigh.

After breakfast, you can take a short walk and explore the shops and restaurants along the area’s busy streets. Bring a book, catch up with a friend, or simply enjoy watching the neighborhood wake up.

The pastries taste better when you are not gulping them down in the car.

Know What To Order Before Your First Visit

First visits can feel overwhelming when a bakery has this many choices.

A little planning goes a long way, and it means you spend less time staring and more time eating.

Think of this as your cheat sheet.

At Paul and Jack, start with the khachapuri if it is available, since it is the item that makes this bakery stand out from the rest in town.

Add a flaky croissant, maybe the almond or pistachio raspberry, and a cappuccino or iced vanilla matcha latte. The address to plug into your map is 911 N West St Ste 107, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Still have room?

The wider selection can include crème brûlée, Basque cheesecake, tiramisu, bomboloni, and other rotating desserts. The case covers individual pastries, filled croissants, cakes, and other desserts, so a first order can grow quickly.

Picking a few priorities before reaching the counter can keep the visit focused.

Also, remember this shop has sister locations in Wake Forest and Cary.

Make sure your map points to the Raleigh, North Carolina bakery on North West Street.