NC Soul Food Spots Loved By Locals
North Carolina is home to some of the most comforting soul food you’ll ever taste. From crispy fried chicken to creamy mac and cheese, these local restaurants serve up dishes that feel like a warm hug from grandma.
I’ve rounded up the best spots where locals go when they’re craving authentic Southern soul food that hits the spot every single time.
1. Mert’s Heart & Soul Restaurant
Since 1998, this Charlotte favorite has been serving up comfort on every plate. Their cornbread comes straight from a sizzling cast-iron skillet, and trust me, it’s worth the trip alone.
The soul rolls are a game-changer – imagine collard greens, black-eyed peas, rice, and fried chicken all wrapped together. Their shrimp and grits will make you wonder why you ever ate anywhere else.
2. Nana Morrison’s Soul Food
The Morrison family knows exactly how to season fried chicken until it’s absolutely perfect. Every bite reminds you of Sunday dinners at your favorite aunt’s house.
Their smothered meatballs and chicken Alfredo draw crowds daily. Don’t skip the sweet yams or that buttery cornbread – they’re the kind of sides that make you close your eyes and smile with every forkful.
3. Pure Soul
Yelp crowned this Durham gem as the top restaurant in the Carolinas, and honestly, they earned it. Who knew vegan soul food could taste this incredible?
Their Big Kale Caesar Salad brings freshness to the table while the Soul Bowl packs flavor with black-eyed peas and locally grown veggies. You’ll leave feeling satisfied and surprisingly energized instead of needing a nap.
4. Soul Central
They call themselves a flavor laboratory, and that’s exactly what you get – soul food with exciting twists. Grandma’s fried chicken recipe meets modern creativity here.
Their shrimp and grits feature andouille sausage swimming in a sauce that’ll have you scraping your plate clean. Each dish balances tradition with innovation, making every visit feel like discovering something new while honoring the classics you already love.
5. Let’s Eat Soul Food
Durham locals know that seafood and soul food make an unbeatable team. With two locations around town, Let’s Eat makes it easy to get your fix whenever the craving hits.
Their menu blends crispy catfish with creamy mac and cheese in ways that just work. The portions are generous, the flavors are bold, and you’ll walk out planning your next visit before you even reach your car.
6. Good Hot Fish
Asheville welcomed this newcomer in January 2024, and it’s already winning hearts. Black Appalachian cuisine meets traditional fish camp vibes in the most delicious way possible.
Their shrimp burgers are unlike anything you’ve tried before, and the Sea Island red peas add authentic coastal flavor. Hush puppies come out hot and crispy while the crab dip disappears faster than you can order another round.
7. Mama Dip’s Kitchen
Chapel Hill wouldn’t be the same without this legendary spot that’s been feeding hungry students and families for decades. Mama Dip’s recipes have stood the test of time for good reason.
Their country-style cooking features flaky biscuits smothered in sausage gravy that’ll make your taste buds sing. Everything tastes like someone’s grandmother made it with love, because that’s exactly the tradition they’ve kept alive through the years.
8. Price’s Chicken Coop
Charlotte folks have been lining up at this no-frills spot since 1962 for one simple reason – the chicken is absolutely perfect. No fancy decorations needed when your food speaks this loudly.
They fry up chicken the old-fashioned way, and you can taste the difference in every crispy, juicy piece. Cash-only and worth every penny, this place proves that sometimes the simplest approach creates the most memorable meals you’ll ever enjoy.
9. Beasley’s Chicken + Honey
Raleigh’s downtown scene got sweeter when this spot opened, literally drizzling honey over perfectly fried chicken. Chef Ashley Christensen brought soul food into the modern era without losing its heart.
The chicken stays crispy even under that golden honey, and the sides rotate seasonally with local ingredients. It’s fancy enough for date night but comfortable enough that you won’t feel weird licking your fingers when nobody’s looking.
10. Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen
Early birds flock to this Chapel Hill institution where biscuits are made from scratch every single morning. The line out the door tells you everything you need to know about quality.
Their biscuits come stuffed with your choice of country ham, sausage, or bacon, all nestled in buttery, flaky perfection. Get there early because once they sell out, that’s it for the day – these biscuits wait for nobody, friend.
11. Lexington Barbecue
Western North Carolina barbecue reaches its peak at this Lexington landmark that’s been smoking pork since 1962. The Piedmont-style sauce – tangy and vinegar-based – sets this place apart from the rest.
Locals call it “Honey Monk’s” after the founder, and the nickname stuck for good reason. Their chopped pork comes with red slaw and hush puppies that complete the experience, making this a required stop for anyone serious about NC soul food.
