The South is well known for country music, sweet tea, and NASCAR. But one of the biggest draws to the Southern states is food, and North Carolina is no exception. The Tarheel State is one of the best places to try real, authentic Southern food like barbecue, ribs, grits, and of course, soul food. Whether you’re hanging out on the coast, exploring the mountains of Western North Carolina, or hanging out somewhere in between, there are plenty of authentic Southern restaurants to check out.
The Pit Authentic Barbecue, Raleigh
Eastern North Carolina-style barbecue is often referred to as “everything but the squeal” because it comes from the entire pig, which is smoked and shredded and then seasoned with vinegar and a variety of spices. And The Pit, located in the warehouse district of Raleigh, is one of the best places to get authentic Eastern-style barbecue. They use all locally farmed pigs that were raised with free-range practices and fresh, local produce in their appetizers and side dishes. Besides pork BBQ, they also serve up baby back ribs, brisket, barbecue turkey, fried chicken, and even a barbecued tofu dish. Plus, they’ll suggest the perfect wine or beer to wash it all down with, or if spirits are more your style, you can choose from a wide selection of fine bourbon whiskey.
Nana Morrison's Soul Food, Charlotte
Nana Morrison’s Soul Food was started by the Morrison family after they moved to Charlotte and had difficulty finding authentic southern soul food. So they opened their own restaurant and have been serving up deliciousness ever since. Choose a small plate or a large plate and then start loading it up with meats like fried chicken, pork chops, meatloaf, ribs, or catfish and sides like black-eyed peas, collard greens, mac, and cheese, or yams. Make sure to leave room for one of their authentic southern desserts like banana pudding, peach cobbler, or sweet potato pie.
Sweet Potatoes, Winston Salem
Located in downtown Winston Salem, Sweet Potatoes is the brainchild of Vivian Joiner and Stephanie Tyson. This award-winning restaurant serves unique, Southern-inspired, down-home cooking from the start of the meal to the very end. For an appetizer, try a fried green tomato and okra basket, some freshly fried pork rinds, or collard green dip. Then, dive into a plate of pan-fried chicken, drunken pork chops, BBQ shrimp and grits, or some “Slap Yo’ Mama” ribs, paired with spicy greens, candied sweet potatoes, horseradish mashed potatoes, or fried okra. And of course, finish it off with a piece of homemade pie or cobbler.
Biscuit Head, Asheville (Multiple Locations)
Biscuit Head, Asheville motto is “Put Some South in Your Mouth,” and that’s exactly what you’ll do when you stop in there for a bite. Their menu includes unique dishes like the fried catfish biscuit, the mimosa fried chicken biscuit, and the quinoa scramble, as well as a couple of sweet treats like homemade granola and biscuit donuts that are tossed in sugar and served with lemon curd. But the uniqueness doesn’t stop with just the food – finish off your meal with a maple bacon latte or a sake bloody mary served with house-made pickles.
Circa 1800, Fayetteville
Circa 1800 Restaurant and Bar in downtown Fayetteville is committed to bringing customers dishes made with the very best of local ingredients including produce, beef, pork, honey, and baked goods, as well as local beverages like craft beer and distilled spirits. Their menu includes lots of uniquely Southern offerings like the Southern egg rolls filled with collards and pimento cheese, and the house soup which is made from tomato broth, collard greens, country ham and black-eyed peas. You’ll also find lots of favorite main dishes like catfish gumbo-laya, crab cakes, pork chops, and roasted Cornish hens, as well as a selection of salads that are served with unique house-made dressings including bloody mary ranch, buttermilk basil blue cheese, and heirloom tomato vinaigrette. The restaurant also serves brunch which has its own distinctly Southern offerings like the Southern omelet filled with house-made pimento cheese, bacon, onions, and collard greens, traditional chicken and waffles and of course, shrimp and grits.
