Local Favorites In North Carolina Worth Discovering

North Carolina has some of the best food spots you’ve probably never heard of. From mountain towns to coastal cities, local restaurants serve up dishes that keep people coming back for generations.

I’m excited to share these hidden gems where the locals actually eat.

1. Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen

Imagine biting into a fluffy biscuit that melts in your mouth before you even chew. This tiny Chapel Hill breakfast spot has been making them from scratch every morning since the 1990s.

The fried chicken biscuit is what locals swear by. Each order comes hot and simple, no fancy toppings needed.

You’ll want to get there before 9 AM because they often sell out. Cash only, so leave your cards at home.

2. Snappy Lunch

Walking into this Mount Airy diner feels like stepping back to the 1950s. The famous pork chop sandwich has been their signature since 1923, and nothing about the recipe has changed.

A breaded pork chop gets topped with homemade chili, mustard, onions, and slaw. It sounds messy because it is, but that’s part of the charm.

Grab extra napkins and enjoy the retro atmosphere while you eat.

3. Wilber’s Barbecue

Eastern North Carolina barbecue tastes different from what you’ll find out west, and this Goldsboro restaurant proves why. They cook whole hogs over wood coals for hours until the meat falls apart.

The vinegar-based sauce has just enough kick without overpowering the smoky flavor. Collard greens and cornbread complete the plate perfectly.

If you’re traveling on Highway 70, this place is worth the detour every single time.

4. Price’s Chicken Coop

This Charlotte institution has been frying chicken the same way since 1962. You order at a tiny window, wait a few minutes, then receive some of the crispiest chicken you’ll ever taste.

The secret is in the simple seasoning and the fresh oil they use daily. Each piece comes with white bread and honey, which is all you really need.

Be prepared to wait because good things take time here.

5. Clyde Cooper’s Barbecue

Downtown Raleigh has changed a lot since 1938, but this barbecue joint hasn’t budged an inch. The pulled pork comes with a choice of sauces, though most regulars stick with the traditional vinegar blend.

Brunswick stew here is thick and hearty, loaded with vegetables and meat. The atmosphere feels authentic without trying too hard to be retro.

I always order extra cornbread because one piece is never enough.

6. Lexington Barbecue

People drive hours just to taste the smoky pork shoulder at this legendary spot in Lexington. You’ll find tender meat chopped by hand and drenched in a tangy vinegar sauce that’s been perfected since 1962.

The red slaw adds a sweet crunch that balances every bite. Don’t skip the hush puppies because they’re crispy outside and fluffy inside.

I recommend arriving early on weekends since lines form quickly around lunchtime.

7. Wagon Wheel Restaurant

High up in the mountains of Banner Elk, this breakfast spot serves country ham that locals have loved since 1947. The salty, smoky slices pair beautifully with sweet red-eye gravy.

Grits here are creamy and buttery, not watery like some places serve them. The mountain views through the windows make every meal feel special.

Get there early on ski season weekends because tourists have discovered this treasure too.

8. Allen & Son Bar-B-Que

Only hickory wood touches the meat at this Chapel Hill barbecue shack. The result is pork that tastes like pure smoke and tradition, nothing artificial or rushed.

Hush puppies arrive hot and slightly sweet, perfect for soaking up extra sauce. Sweet tea here is strong enough to make your teeth tingle.

They’re only open Thursday through Saturday, so plan your visit carefully and don’t show up hungry on Monday.

9. Stamey’s Barbecue

Since 1930, families in Greensboro have gathered here for slow-cooked pork and that special Lexington dip. The wood smoke smell hits you the moment you walk through the door.

Their sliced barbecue is my personal favorite because it soaks up the sauce better than chopped. The crinkle-cut fries are surprisingly addictive too.

Try the banana pudding for dessert if you have any room left.

10. Skylight Inn

A giant dome marks this Ayden landmark where they’ve cooked whole hogs since 1947. The Jones family chops everything by hand, mixing crispy skin with tender meat.

No forks needed here because cornbread serves as your utensil. The vinegar sauce is thin and peppery, letting the pork flavor shine through.

This place earned a James Beard Award, proving that simple done right beats fancy every time.

11. Biscuitville

While technically a chain, this North Carolina original makes biscuits from scratch at every location all day long. You can watch them mixing dough through the kitchen window.

The country ham biscuit with egg is a morning staple for commuters across the state. Everything tastes homemade because it actually is.

They stop serving breakfast at 2 PM, so don’t sleep in too late on weekends or you’ll miss out completely.

12. The Barbecue Center

Another Lexington legend, this family-run spot has perfected their craft since 1955. The pork shoulder gets sliced thick, not chopped, which keeps more juice in every piece.

Their red slaw has a hint of sweetness that cuts through the richness of the meat. Locals argue this place makes the best hush puppies in town.

Save room for their homemade peach cobbler if it’s available that day.