12 North Carolina Deli Shops Worth The Drive, With One Charlotte Favorite At No. 1

A proper deli sandwich should require two hands and at least one strategic napkin.

North Carolina has plenty of shops that understand the assignment.

These are the kinds of places where lunch gets stacked high, bread matters just as much as what goes inside it, and a quick stop can turn into a very deliberate road trip.

The best part is how different each counter feels once you walk in.

Every shop has its regulars, its favorite order, and usually somebody who swears nothing else comes close.

The list saves a longtime Charlotte classic for the end.

By then, you may be reconsidering what counts as a reasonable distance to drive for lunch.

12. Pastrami Tom’s

A pastrami sandwich this tall requires both hands and a plan.

That is the whole idea behind the newest spot on this list. It brings a true East Coast deli feeling to a small North Carolina town.

Pastrami Tom’s opened in downtown Cary in early 2026, led by owner Tom Scheidler and business partner Tridib Paul.

His twins, Sydney and Merrick, help out too, so it feels like a family project. Ordering is easy.

Step up to the counter, pick your meal, and food usually reaches your table in about five or six minutes.

Inside there are roughly 40 seats, plus a patio for 15 to 20 more people.

The menu covers pastrami, Reubens, Cubans, roast beef, Philly cheesesteaks, and chicken cutlet sandwiches. Burgers and patty melts are there as well, while a vegetarian Rachel and vegan turkey option add meat-free choices.

Seasonal treats like lobster rolls and crab cake sandwiches come and go.

Early birds should try breakfast, served daily from 9 to 11 AM. The Everything Pastrami Bagel is a fun start.

Add rosemary-parmesan chips on the side and you are set.

You can find it at 312 W Chatham St #103, Cary, NC 27511.

11. New York Bagel & Deli Raleigh

Bagels and shawarma on the same menu?

It sounds unusual, but regulars in North Raleigh would not have it any other way.

The mix is part of what keeps people coming back. New York Bagel & Deli Raleigh is a longtime North Raleigh breakfast-and-lunch stop focused on New York-style bagels and deli fare.

Its current official site does not describe the Falls of Neuse Road menu as halal-based.

Mornings here are all about fresh-baked bagels with plenty of cream cheese spreads to choose from.

Egg sandwiches, breakfast platters, and omelets round out the early menu. It is a solid stop before school or work.

Later in the day, bagels give way to deli sandwiches and other lunch choices.

The shawarma-and-wings menu appears to belong to a different Raleigh business rather than this Falls of Neuse Road deli. Check the current counter menu for drinks, sides, and other additions rather than relying on listings from similarly named Raleigh shops.

Hours are long, which helps busy people.

The official site currently lists Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 4 PM, Saturday from 7 AM to 3 PM, and Sunday from 7 AM to 2 PM.

It works best as an early breakfast or daytime deli stop rather than a late-evening destination.

Look for it at 7909 Falls of Neuse Rd, Ste. 121, Raleigh, NC 27615.

10. Dioli’s Italian Market

Back in 1999, Karen and Roger Dioli left San Francisco for a new dream in the Piedmont.

They wanted to share real Italian food with their new neighbors. More than 25 years later, that dream still smells like fresh bread.

Dioli’s Italian Market sits near the Wake Forest University campus and works as a deli, market, and bakery all in one.

Shelves and cases hold a full line of Italian salamis and prosciutto.

Sandwiches are a big draw, but do not skip the prepared foods. House-made meat and vegetable lasagna, meatballs, and mozzarella and tomato salad make easy take-home dinners.

Basil parmesan chicken salad is another favorite.

Then there is the bakery.

Tiramisu, cannoli, sfogliatelle, cream puffs, and zeppole tempt you from behind the glass.

Many cakes and pies are sold by the slice, so you can try a few without buying a whole one.

Plan ahead, since hours are short. Dioli’s opens Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 2:30 PM.

A morning cinnamon roll with coffee is a sweet way to begin.

The address is 2898 Reynolda Rd, Ste 300, Winston-Salem, NC 27106.

9. Roman’s Deli & Catering

Lunch with a view of a historic basilica is not something most delis can promise.

In downtown Asheville, one family-run shop pulls it off every weekday. The scenery is almost as good as the burgers. Roman’s Deli & Catering has been a downtown favorite since 2008.

It lives in the historic Vanderbilt Apartments building, looking out toward the Basilica of St. Lawrence.

Local ingredients are a point of pride here.

Burgers use grass-fed beef from Hickory Nut Gap Farm, a well-known farm in the area. Try the Pimento Burger, the Bacon and Blue, or the Mushroom and Swiss.

Sandwich fans have plenty of picks, like the Four Cheese Grilled Cheese and Chicken Salad.

Vegetarians get their own menu with veggie burgers and paninis. Gluten-free bread is available, which makes group lunches easier.

Soups and crisp salads round out the menu and make easy additions to a sandwich or burger.

Timing matters, though. Roman’s is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM and closed on weekends.

Make it a weekday stop while exploring downtown.

You will find it at 75 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801.

8. Wildwood Community Market & Deli

Some delis feed you lunch.

This one could also stock your fridge, hand you a local gift, and send you off with a whoopie pie.

It is a one-stop shop with a real small-town heart. Wildwood Community Market & Deli opened in downtown Boone in 2022.

It works as a health food market, counter deli, and cafe all at once. Sandwiches are made to order, hot or cold.

Plant-based eaters will love the BBQ tofu and country-fried tofu sandwiches. Homemade soups and daily deli salads give you even more choices.

The market side is filled with local and organic produce, meats, cheeses, eggs, bread, and coffee. You can also find kombucha, snacks, and handmade gifts from area makers.

Many vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options make shopping simple for every diet. Save room for dessert.

Baker Kim Nguyen makes everything in-house daily under the name Oh Dang Desserts, from cheesecake to banana pudding.

Hours are generous: Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Indoor and outdoor seats let you enjoy that crisp mountain air.

You will find the shop at 182 Howard St, Boone, NC 28607.

7. Lil Papi’s International Deli

Every sandwich here wears a jersey number. The owner played football at Liberty University, and each menu item honors a former teammate.

That fun detail tells you this place has personality. Lil Papi’s International Deli opened in 2021, started by Lil Papi with help from his parents.

The menu travels the globe, pulling ideas from Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Greece.

Arepas are a must for first-timers.

Options include Reina Pepiada, Pabellon, Mechada, and a veggie version. Each one is a warm, filling pocket of flavor.

Hot subs carry names that hint at their roots, like the Buenos Aires, Lil Havana, Dominican Chimi, and San Juan Tripleta. A classic Philly cheesesteak is there too.

Bread comes fresh every day from a nearby Mexican bakery.

Not in a sub mood? Try a Banh Mi Burger, a quesadilla, or a rice bowl such as the Caribbean or Santo Domingo.

Hall of Fame specials like the Super Chimi add extra fun.

Lil Papi’s is currently open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 9 PM and closed Sundays.

Bring friends and share a few dishes.

Find it at 1096 Concord Pkwy N #7, Concord, NC 28027.

6. Neal’s Deli

House-brined, house-smoked pastrami is a labor of love, and this Carrboro shop has been doing it for years. One bite explains why locals line up at the window.

Patience pays off here. Neal’s Deli opened in 2008, founded by Sheila Dalton and Matt Neal.

Today Dalton owns it, and Heather Swanson manages the day-to-day work.

Know before you go: this is not a sit-down restaurant right now.

Orders are handled through a pickup window and curbside service, and online ordering makes it smooth.

A few picnic tables outside give you a spot to eat, and parking is behind the building.

The pastrami comes three main ways. Get it as a Reuben with sauerkraut, a Manhattan with coleslaw, or a classic pastrami sandwich.

Each one shows off that slow, smoky work. Biscuit lovers should come on Saturday, when breakfast runs from 9 AM to 2:30 PM.

On Wednesdays, buttermilk and sweet potato biscuits are sold by the bag.

Lunch is served Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. The deli is closed Sundays and Mondays.

The deli sits at 100 E Main St, Carrboro, NC.

5. Mountain Deli

When David and Carolyn Rutecki moved from Florida to Hendersonville, they brought big plans for a small deli.

Dave even works as a restaurant consultant, so he knows what makes a kitchen tick. That know-how shows in every order.

Mountain Deli opened in 2009 in Historic Downtown Hendersonville.

Fresh, natural, and local ingredients guide the menu, with a focus on non-GMO and heritage products.

Most things are made from scratch each day, including meats, soups, salads, and sauces.

Sandwiches are built to order, so you can tweak them however you like. That kind of care is getting harder to find.

Crowd favorites include the Reuben, Cuban, Italian, and Turkey BLT.

Breakfast sandwiches and bagels are on hand too.

Vegan guests can try the veggie #2 sandwich, a hummus plate, or tomato basil soup.

On a nice day, grab a patio seat and watch Main Street stroll by.

Take-out and delivery work well if you are on the go. Hours run Monday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 3 PM.

Their catering trays are handy for picnics and parties. You can stop by at 343 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792.

4. A Taste Of Italy

Two brothers from New York, a set of family recipes, and a move to the coast.

That is how this Wilmington staple got its start in 1994. Three decades later, it still feels like a trip to an old-school Italian grocery.

A Taste of Italy was founded by Tommy and Chris Guarino, and it remains family-owned.

It works as both a genuine Italian deli and a market. The deli case is stocked with Italian cold cuts and cheeses.

Italian combos and cheesesteaks are popular picks. Hot meatball and chicken Parmesan sandwiches add classic Italian-American comfort to the deli menu.

Hot prepared dishes make dinner easy on busy nights. You can grab homemade Italian meals and take them home ready to heat.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served, and there is a dining area if you want to stay.

Wander the grocery aisles before you leave. Specialty flours, pasta, sauces, olive oils, and baked goods fill the shelves.

Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 7 PM and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 6 PM.

It is closed Sundays, so plan beach-day lunches accordingly.

Head to 1101 S College Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403.

3. High Test Deli & Sweet Shop

Fill’er Up, No Lead, The Diesel. No, this is not a gas station menu, even if it looks like one.

It is one of the most playful sandwich shops in the mountains, and Yelp once named it the top sandwich spot in North Carolina.

High Test Deli & Sweet Shop, also known as The Filling Station, sits in the heart of downtown Bryson City.

Owner Barry Tetrault built a cozy space with exposed brick and car-themed decor.

The star is the High Test Cuban, with Cuban pork, ham, Genoa salami, Swiss, pickles, and spicy mustard pressed on Cuban bread.

The Ethyl brings turkey, provolone, and honey mustard mayo. The Big Chief stacks scratch-made meatballs with mozzarella and Parmesan.

Vegetarians can build their own No Lead sandwich. Tuna fans should try the Sorry Charlie.

Do not leave without visiting the sweet shop side.

The Hard Top is a frozen ice cream sandwich made with scratch cookies and your pick of soft-serve flavors. Breakfast and lunch run Tuesday through Saturday from 8 AM to 3 PM.

It is a perfect fuel stop before a Smoky Mountains adventure.

The address is 145 Everett St, Bryson City, NC.

2. First Carolina Delicatessen

On July 5, 1986, a little New York-style deli opened its doors in Greensboro.

Forty years later, the deli is still serving many of the sandwiches that built its longtime following.

First Carolina Delicatessen keeps the classic deli spirit alive with Boar’s Head meats and a long menu. Booths, tables, and a few covered outdoor seats give it a warm throwback feel.

The sandwich names are a fun nod to New Jersey and New York. The Hackensack piles ham, turkey, Swiss, coleslaw, and Russian dressing.

The Hoboken brings hot roast beef, cherry peppers, and mozzarella.

Regulars rave about the Italian Sailor, with pastrami, pepperoni, and Swiss served hot on rye.

The Sky Dog and the Italian Sub, ordered hot, also win lots of praise. Those spicy cherry peppers are worth a try.

For a side, go with the warm hot German potato salad.

Then grab a Magic Bar or a chocolate chip cookie.

The deli is open Monday through Saturday and closed Sundays. Parking is tight, so ordering ahead can save time.

You will find it at 1635 Spring Garden St, Greensboro, NC 27403.

1. Laurel Market

Ask a Charlotte local where to grab a great sandwich, and Laurel Market comes up fast.

Since 1991, this family-owned spot has fed early commuters, lunch crowds, and weekend walkers. It earns the top slot for its staying power and neighborhood charm.

Laurel Market is part corner store, part deli, and fully loved. Big changes are ahead.

The site is planned for redevelopment, and the market will move to a larger 3,500-square-foot space at 1900 East Seventh St with expanded offerings.

For now, it is mainly take-out with no dedicated seating, and it can get crowded. The Traveler is a fan favorite, loaded with prosciutto, capicola, salami, manchego, and arugula.

Special #9 keeps it simple with salami, fresh mozzarella, and basil. Breakfast fans order The Laurel Market, made with bacon, two eggs, and cheese.

Veggie lovers can pick The Lulu with hummus and tabouleh.

Salads, soups, and fresh-baked cookies fill out the menu. The deli runs daily from 7 AM to 3 PM, while the store stays open much longer.

It aims to open 365 days a year.

The current shop sits at 114 Cherokee Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207.