10 North Carolina Banana Pudding Spots So Good They Deserve Their Own Exit Sign
In North Carolina, banana pudding isn’t just dessert – it’s a rite of passage. Rich layers of vanilla wafers, silky pudding, and perfectly ripe bananas are enough to make even locals take a detour.
Some spots serve it chilled, others warm from the oven, but all deliver that sweet Southern comfort that tastes like home.
These ten spots have perfected the classic so well, they could cause traffic jams if they actually had their own exit signs.
1. Haberdish – The Fried Chicken Joint with Pudding Dreams
Nobody expects a fried chicken restaurant to deliver banana pudding that makes you forget the main course, but Haberdish pulls it off.
Their secret weapon? Candied pecans scattered throughout that add unexpected crunch.
The NoDa neighborhood hotspot serves their pudding in charming mason jars with a brûléed banana slice on top. Weekend visitors beware – they frequently sell out before Sunday dinner service even begins.
2. Midwood Smokehouse – BBQ’s Sweet Companion
After demolishing a rack of ribs at Midwood Smokehouse, salvation comes in pudding form. Their banana pudding recipe remains unchanged since opening day – a testament to perfection needing no improvement.
The contrast between smoky barbecue and sweet, creamy pudding creates flavor magic.
A sprinkle of crushed vanilla wafers tops each serving, adding textural contrast that keeps spoons diving back in until the bowl is mysteriously empty.
3. Lupie’s Café – Comfort Food’s Sweet Finale
Grandmothers across North Carolina have filed complaints against Lupie’s Café for banana pudding that rivals their own.
This Charlotte institution doesn’t mess around with fancy presentations or modern twists.
The pudding arrives warm – a contentious choice that has won over even the staunchest cold-pudding purists.
Owner Lupie herself still oversees pudding production several days a week. The café’s vintage atmosphere perfectly complements this nostalgic dessert.
4. Clyde Cooper’s Barbecue – Historic Pudding Prowess
Since 1938, Clyde Cooper’s has been serving banana pudding that makes barbecue enthusiasts question their life priorities.
The recipe survived three location changes and countless attempts by staff to extract its secrets. Banana slices somehow remain perfectly intact throughout – neither mushy nor firm.
The pudding achieves that elusive texture between dense and fluffy that scientists still can’t explain. Fourth-generation customers now bring their children to experience this historic dessert.
5. Geer Street Garden – Durham’s Farm-Fresh Surprise
Former tobacco warehouse turned restaurant, Geer Street Garden sources bananas from a local greenhouse that grows tropical fruit in Durham.
Their pudding changes subtly with the seasons as ingredients shift. Summer brings a lighter version with hints of lemon. Winter delivers a heartier rendition with cinnamon-infused custard.
The restaurant’s patio, filled with actual garden elements, provides the perfect backdrop for contemplating how something so simple can taste so complex.
6. Relish – Raleigh’s Southern Comfort Revolution
Revolutionary isn’t a word often applied to banana pudding, but Relish in Raleigh deserves the label. Their pudding incorporates cream cheese for tanginess that cuts through the sweetness.
The restaurant’s retro-modern vibe extends to this dessert, served in a glass that resembles a 1950s parfait.
Owner Sharon May famously refused to share the recipe with a food magazine, claiming some traditions belong to customers, not publications. Regulars time their visits around fresh pudding batches.
7. Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar – The Unexpected Pudding Champion
Finding exceptional banana pudding at a burger joint feels like discovering buried treasure. Bad Daddy’s version arrives with caramelized bananas on top – a technique borrowed from bananas foster.
The Raleigh location’s head chef previously worked pastry at a five-star hotel, explaining the dessert’s surprising sophistication.
Unlike most restaurants that prepare pudding in advance, Bad Daddy’s makes each serving to order. The warm-cold temperature contrast creates a multidimensional experience.
8. The Pit – Smoky Sweetness in Downtown Raleigh
The banana pudding at The Pit contains a controversial ingredient that sparks heated debates: a splash of bourbon.
This addition provides depth without overwhelming the classic flavor profile. Served in miniature mason jars, the portion appears modest until you taste its richness.
The restaurant’s historic building, once a meat processing facility, offers an industrial backdrop to this refined dessert. Regulars recommend saving half for breakfast – if willpower allows.
9. Sam Jones BBQ – Durham’s Pudding Pilgrimage Site
Legendary pitmaster Sam Jones approaches banana pudding with the same reverence as his whole-hog barbecue.
The recipe comes from his grandmother, who insisted on hand-whipped cream – never from a can. The Durham location elevates this family tradition with locally-milled flour in their homemade vanilla wafers.
Lines form not just for the acclaimed barbecue but specifically for this dessert. Staff members have been known to set aside portions for regular customers who call ahead.
10. Mert’s Heart and Soul – Charlotte, NC
Soul food royalty reigns in uptown Charlotte where Mert’s banana pudding has locals planning entire meals around dessert.
The recipe? A closely guarded secret passed down through generations, though regulars swear they detect hints of real vanilla bean and a splash of something special in the velvety custard.
What sets Mert’s pudding apart isn’t just flavor – it’s texture. The perfect ratio of soft-yet-intact vanilla wafers to creamy pudding creates an architectural masterpiece in each bowl. Bananas maintain their integrity rather than dissolving into mush.