13 North Carolina Restaurants Proving Southern Cuisine Can Still Surprise You
North Carolina is full of restaurants that take Southern cuisine to exciting new heights.
While classics like fried chicken and biscuits remain beloved, these spots add surprising twists, bold flavors, and creative presentations that keep diners coming back.
From inventive takes on comfort food to fresh spins on traditional dishes, each meal offers a taste adventure.
These restaurants prove that Southern cooking can honor tradition while still keeping every bite fresh, memorable, and delightfully unexpected.
1. Poole’s Diner (Raleigh)
James Beard Award-winning chef Ashley Christensen transformed this former pie shop into a culinary landmark.
The red leather banquettes and double-horseshoe bar transport you to another era, but the food is thoroughly modern.
Their legendary macaroni au gratin has achieved cult status among locals. Seasonal ingredients shine in dishes that honor Southern traditions while incorporating global influences.
The ever-changing chalkboard menu ensures no two visits are quite the same.
2. Beasley’s Chicken + Honey (Raleigh)
Fried chicken gets the royal treatment at this casual hotspot from chef Ashley Christensen.
The signature dish pairs crispy, perfectly seasoned bird with a drizzle of honey that’ll make you question why you ever ate chicken any other way.
Weekend brunch brings crowds hungry for chicken biscuits and boozy slushies.
The industrial-chic space buzzes with energy while the kitchen churns out Southern classics reimagined with chef-driven precision. Don’t skip the pimento mac and cheese custard!
3. D*ath & Taxes (Raleigh)
Wood-fired cooking takes center stage at this sophisticated spot housed in a former bank. The open kitchen showcases chefs working the massive hearth, coaxing complex flavors from local ingredients.
Smoke permeates everything from seasonal vegetables to perfectly charred steaks. The dramatic two-story space features the original bank vault door and soaring ceilings.
Cocktails incorporate house-made infusions and syrups that complement the bold, fire-kissed cuisine.
4. Crawford & Son (Raleigh)
Chef Scott Crawford’s neighborhood restaurant serves up refined comfort food that feels both familiar and surprising.
The intimate space on Person Street has become a destination for food lovers seeking soulful cooking with technical precision.
Cornbread arrives with whipped butter spiked with sorghum. Crispy flounder might come with field pea chow chow and hot sauce butter.
The desserts, like their brown butter pound cake, showcase Southern ingredients in elegant new contexts.
5. Stanbury (Raleigh)
Hidden in a residential neighborhood, this unassuming spot serves some of Raleigh’s most adventurous food.
The chalkboard menu changes nightly, featuring unexpected ingredients like beef heart and bone marrow alongside seasonal vegetables.
A favorite among chefs after their shifts end. The convivial bar area fills quickly with locals sipping natural wines and craft cocktails.
Their crispy pig head with chili lime sauce has converted many diners to the pleasures of nose-to-tail eating.
6. Kindred (Davidson)
Family-owned magic happens in this restored 1920s pharmacy building. The moment those famous milk bread rolls hit your table, still warm and glistening with salt flakes, you know you’re in for something special.
Chef Joe Kindred blends Italian techniques with Southern ingredients to create dishes that feel both worldly and deeply rooted.
The crispy oysters with dill yogurt might change your life. Their handmade pastas showcase seasonal North Carolina produce in ways that would make an Italian grandmother proud.
7. Hello, Sailor (Cornelius)
Lakeside dining gets a retro-cool makeover at this mid-century modern spot on Lake Norman.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame water views while the kitchen turns out elevated fish camp classics with global influences.
The hush puppies come with yuzu kosho honey butter that’ll ruin you for plain versions forever. Tiki drinks arrive in kitschy glassware that perfectly matches the vibe.
Their fried bologna sandwich – topped with American cheese, yellow mustard, and Duke’s mayo – might be the fanciest lowbrow food you’ll ever eat.
8. Haberdish (Charlotte)
Mill town history meets modern Southern cuisine in NoDa’s favorite fried chicken joint. The restaurant pays homage to North Carolina’s textile mill heritage through both design and menu.
Chicken brined in sweet tea before frying? Genius. Their cocktail program features hand-carved ice and house-made tinctures.
The sides steal the show too – charred okra with bacon jam and livermush toast with pepper jelly might convert even the most skeptical diners.
9. The Goodyear House (Charlotte)
Housed in a 1900s mill house that’s been lovingly restored and expanded, this NoDa gem balances preservation with innovation.
The sprawling patio features fire pits and cozy seating areas perfect for enjoying their creative cocktails.
Chef Chris Coleman elevates humble ingredients to new heights. The chicken liver mousse with muscadine jelly and the grilled cabbage Caesar have developed cult followings.
Their “Grandma’s Biscuits” come topped with seasonal jams that showcase North Carolina’s agricultural bounty.
10. Seabird (Wilmington)
Coastal Carolina cuisine gets the spotlight at this downtown Wilmington oyster bar. The bright, airy space showcases an impressive raw bar where you can watch shuckers prepare the day’s harvest from local waters.
Beyond stellar oysters, Chef Dean Neff works magic with seafood caught just miles away. The smoked fish dip with house-made saltines has locals lined up at the door.
Their seafood chowder – loaded with clams, fish, and aromatic vegetables in a light broth – redefines what Carolina chowder can be.
11. PinPoint Restaurant (Wilmington)
Southern coastal cuisine shines through a farm-to-table lens at this historic downtown spot. Chef Dean Neff’s menu reads like a love letter to North Carolina’s farmers and fishermen.
The cornmeal-crusted catfish with hoppin’ john transforms humble ingredients into something extraordinary.
Cocktails incorporate house-made shrubs and local spirits. Their buttermilk pie with seasonal fruit might be the perfect ending to any meal – simultaneously nostalgic and fresh.
12. The Admiral (Asheville)
From the outside, you’d never guess this cinder block building houses one of Asheville’s most beloved restaurants. The unassuming exterior gives way to a dimly lit interior where culinary magic happens nightly.
The menu defies categorization – Southern ingredients meet global techniques in unexpected ways. Pork belly with kimchi and grits? Absolutely.
Late night, the dining room transforms into a dance floor with DJs spinning vinyl. Their burger – only available after 10pm – has achieved legendary status among Asheville’s food industry crowd.
13. The Gamekeeper (Blowing Rock)
Tucked away on a winding mountain road, this rustic-elegant restaurant specializes in wild game prepared with refined technique.
The stone fireplace and exposed wooden beams create a cozy atmosphere perfect for enjoying their adventurous menu.
Bison, boar, and elk share menu space with vegetarian options that are equally creative. The chef forages many ingredients from the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.
Their signature mushroom and grits – featuring locally foraged fungi and stone-ground corn – exemplifies their commitment to showcasing Appalachian ingredients.