12 NC Soul Kitchens That Taste Like Home Every Day

North Carolina’s soul food scene is a treasure trove of comfort and flavor. These kitchens serve up dishes that warm your heart and feed your soul, with recipes passed down through generations.

From crispy fried chicken to creamy mac and cheese, these soul food spots across NC deliver authentic Southern comfort that’ll make you feel right at home.

1. Nana Morrison’s Soul Food: Charlotte’s Collard Green Heaven

Family recipes shine at this Charlotte gem where collard greens simmmer with smoky turkey necks until tender perfection. The cast-iron cornbread arrives with a golden crust that crackles under your fork.

Regulars swear Nana’s secret seasoning blend hasn’t changed since 1978. Weekend lines form early, but nobody minds waiting for food that tastes like Sunday dinner at grandma’s house.

2. Mert’s Heart & Soul: Charlotte’s Beloved Soul Food Landmark

Downtown Charlotte’s crown jewel serves Soul Rolls that combine collards, rice, and chicken in crispy wrappers. Their salmon cakes crackle with perfectly seasoned edges while remaining moist inside. Photos of celebrity visitors line walls painted in warm yellows and reds.

The cornbread comes wrapped in checkered paper, still warm from the oven and drizzled with honey, a simple touch that keeps locals coming back weekly.

3. Jive Turkey Hut: Greensboro’s Poultry Paradise

Turkey transforms at this Greensboro hotspot where ribs, wings, and whole birds smoke over applewood chips. No pork touches these premises, just soul-satisfying poultry with crisp skin and juicy meat.

The outdoor smoker perfumes the entire block with mouthwatering aromas. Owner Big Mike developed his signature rub during 20 years in the Navy, blending spices from ports around the world into something uniquely Southern.

4. Londa’s Place: Winston-Salem’s Biscuit Sanctuary

Morning light streams through windows as Londa shapes dough in wooden bowls her grandmother used. These featherlight biscuits practically float off your plate, begging for homemade preserves. The tiny Winston-Salem kitchen feels like stepping into 1950.

Black and white family photos watch over diners as they savor buttermilk biscuits that take three generations of know-how to perfect. “The bowl matters as much as the butter,” Londa always says.

5. Queen’s Soul Food: Charlotte’s Cafeteria-Style Comfort

The cafeteria line stretches with steam tables full of crispy fried chicken, fall-apart ribs, and classic BBQ. Servers know regulars by name and often add extra helpings before you can ask. This Charlotte institution hasn’t changed its recipes since opening in 1998.

The dining room buzzes with conversation as multi-generational families gather around large tables topped with sweet tea pitchers and hot sauce bottles.

6. Soul Central: Charlotte’s Caribbean-Southern Fusion

Caribbean spices meet Southern traditions at this Charlotte favorite, earning a spot in Yelp’s Top 50 restaurants. Jerk-spiced fried chicken delivers unexpected heat, while coconut-infused collards offer tropical sweetness. Owner Miss Patrice grew up in Jamaica before moving to North Carolina as a teen.

Her food represents this beautiful cultural marriage. Walls painted ocean blue transport diners to island shores while the menu keeps one foot firmly planted in Southern soil.

7. Mama Dip’s Kitchen: Chapel Hill’s Soul Food Legacy

Mildred Council’s legendary restaurant continues her soul food legacy in Chapel Hill. The fried chicken emerges with a perfectly seasoned crust protecting juicy meat beneath – a recipe unchanged since 1976. Stewed beef falls apart at the touch of your fork.

The peach cobbler arrives bubbling hot with vanilla ice cream melting into its crevices. Three generations of the Council family now work here, ensuring Mama’s traditions live on.

8. Big Mama’s Soul Food: Fayetteville’s Portion King

Plates bend under the weight of food at this Fayetteville institution. Fried pork chops hang over the edges, seasoned with a peppery crust that shatters satisfyingly with each bite. Military families from nearby Fort Bragg fill the dining room, many becoming regulars during their posting.

The banana pudding arrives in mason jars layered with vanilla wafers that somehow stay crisp – Big Mama’s closely guarded technique.

9. Hayti Kitchen: Durham’s Historic District Gem

Named for Durham’s historic Black district, Hayti Kitchen honors local heritage through food. Smothered chicken bathes in onion gravy so good customers request extra cups on the side. Sweet tea arrives in Ball jars with mint sprigs and lemon wheels.

The walls feature black-and-white photos documenting Hayti’s rich history. Weekend brunches bring lines around the block as locals gather for food that connects them to Durham’s soul.

10. Sweet Potatoes Restaurant: Winston-Salem’s Southern Fusion

Purple walls and funky art create the backdrop for Winston-Salem’s beloved fusion spot. Sweet potato cornbread arrives warm in cast iron skillets with cinnamon butter melting into every crevice. Fried green tomatoes stack with pimento cheese and pepper jelly.

Chef Stephanie Tyson blends traditional soul techniques with unexpected ingredients. Her cookbook sells from a small shelf near the register – often signed for regulars who want to recreate the magic at home.

11. Angie’s Soul Café: Charlotte’s Breakfast Champion

Morning aromas of country ham and coffee greet early risers at this Charlotte breakfast spot. Paper-thin country ham sizzles alongside creamy grits that refuse to run on your plate – a sign they’re made right. Biscuits emerge from the oven hourly, their tops glistening with butter.

Owner Angie learned to cook from her grandmother at age seven. The café’s walls feature rolling pins from three generations of family bakers, each with its own story.

12. The Original Q Shack: Durham’s BBQ With Soul Sides

While famous for BBQ, this Durham spot shines through soul food sides. Collards simmer with smoked turkey wings, absorbing rich flavors without becoming mushy. Candied yams glisten with a buttery brown sugar glaze that caramelizes at the edges.

Cornbread comes in squares with crisp corners everyone fights over. The restaurant’s rustic wood interior features long communal tables where strangers become friends over plates piled high with comfort food excellence.