12 North Carolina Chicken-And-Waffle Spots Worth Setting Your Alarm For
Morning cravings hit differently when chicken and waffles are calling your name!
North Carolina has mastered this sweet-and-savory combo that transforms ordinary breakfast into something extraordinary.
From Charlotte to the coast, these spots serve up crispy chicken paired with fluffy waffles that’ll have you jumping out of bed before your alarm even rings.
1. Dame’s Chicken & Waffles – Durham
Chicken and waffle royalty reigns in downtown Durham! Their signature crispy chicken sits atop pillowy waffles, but the real magic happens with their schmears – flavored butter blends that melt deliciously between each layer.
Weekend lines wrap around the block for good reason. Pro tip: order takeout online the night before to skip the wait entirely!
2. Beasley’s Chicken & Honey – Raleigh
Chef Ashley Christensen’s downtown hotspot elevates the humble chicken-waffle pairing with honey drizzled over pressure-fried poultry. The result? A sticky-sweet masterpiece that balances savory and sweet perfectly.
Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so plan accordingly! Their recent gluten-free options don’t sacrifice an ounce of flavor – scout’s honor.
3. Easy Like Sunday – Charlotte
Weekend warriors, assemble! This Charlotte gem swaps traditional waffles for cream cornmeal pancakes that’ll make your taste buds do backflips. The crispy fried chicken perched on top creates the ultimate texture contrast.
Yelp reviewers can’t stop raving – one called it “the breakfast that ruined all other breakfasts forever.” Harsh but fair!
4. The Wafflery – Charlotte
Holy waffle iron, Batman! This Charlotte hotspot crafts waffles so light and airy they practically float off your plate. Their chicken brings the crunch factor with a secret spice blend that keeps Reddit threads buzzing with speculation.
Want the insider move? Order the “Sweet Heat” combo – it’s not on the menu, but locals know to ask!
5. Metro Diner – Raleigh & Charlotte
Breakfast champions know Metro Diner doesn’t mess around with portion sizes! Their chicken and waffles arrive on a platter that could double as a small coffee table, topped with their strawberry butter that melts into every crevice.
Featured on Guy Fieri’s show, this spot balances chain reliability with local-joint personality. Come hungry or don’t come at all!
6. Scratch Kitchen & Taproom – Cary
Scratch doesn’t just describe their cooking method – it’s what you’ll do to your plate trying to get every last morsel! Locally-sourced chicken gets a 24-hour brine bath before meeting their impossibly fluffy waffles.
The maple-bourbon sauce? Liquid gold that should be bottled and sold separately. Guilford area residents drive 30+ minutes just for this breakfast masterpiece!
7. Carolina Coffee Shop – Chapel Hill
Since 1922, this historic Chapel Hill landmark has been feeding hungry Tar Heels. Their Sunday-only chicken and waffles became so legendary that Southern Living featured them in their “Worth The Drive” series.
College students and professors alike bond over these plates. The secret? Buttermilk-brined chicken that stays juicy under that crackling crust!
8. Carolina Chicken & Waffles – Greenville
When a restaurant puts chicken and waffles right in the name, they’d better deliver – and boy, do they ever! This eastern NC chain (born in 2019) serves consistent perfection that travels well for takeout emergencies.
Their chicken somehow maintains its crunch even after a 20-minute drive home. Magic? Science? Who cares when it tastes this good!
9. Haberdish – Charlotte
Grandma’s secret recipe meets hipster chic at this NoDa neighborhood gem! Their chicken gets brined for 24 hours before meeting cast-iron skillets for the perfect golden crust.
The waffles? Made with sweet potato batter that’ll make you question every plain waffle you’ve ever eaten. Throw in their house-made seasonal jams and pickles for a breakfast that defies categorization!
10. 300 East – Charlotte
Weekend warriors, listen up! This Dilworth neighborhood institution serves buttermilk fried chicken so tender you’ll wonder if they whispered sweet nothings to it before cooking.
Their Belgian waffles come studded with bacon bits – plot twist you didn’t know you needed! Local celebs spotted here regularly, but we won’t name names (okay fine, it was that Panthers player).
11. Church And Union – Charlotte
Chef Jamie Lynch (yes, from Top Chef fame!) elevates brunch to art form status here. The chicken gets a sous-vide treatment before frying – science-based deliciousness that ensures juicy meat under that crackling crust.
Their waffles incorporate brown butter into the batter. Mind blown yet? Add the bourbon-infused maple syrup and prepare for a religious experience worthy of the restaurant’s name!
12. Little Mama’s Italian – Charlotte
Plot twist: an Italian spot makes breakfast magic! Weekend brunch brings out their secret weapon – chicken Parmesan meets Belgian waffles in a culture-crossing mashup that shouldn’t work but absolutely does.
Think crispy chicken parm with marinara and mozzarella atop a light waffle. Weird? Maybe. Life-changing? Absolutely. Their nonna would probably disapprove, but your taste buds will send thank-you notes!