9 North Carolina Soul Food Spots That Locals Refuse To Give Up

When I’m feeling homesick for North Carolina, nothing pulls me back faster than the thought of true soul food. These beloved kitchens have been feeding generations, passing down secret recipes like precious heirlooms.

Each dish tells a story—slow-cooked collards that melt into rich, savory perfection, golden fried chicken with a crunch that sings, and cornbread so warm it feels like a hug.

The aroma alone is enough to transport you straight to a family table surrounded by love and laughter. This isn’t just food—it’s heritage on a plate, crafted by hands that know good eating feeds both the body and the soul.

1. Nana Morrison’s Soul Food: Where Time Stands Deliciously Still

My grandmother swore nothing compared to Nana Morrison’s collard greens, and after my first bite, I became a believer too. With locations in both Charlotte and Cary, this family-run treasure operates from yellowed recipe cards dating back to the 1940s.

The mac and cheese achieves that mythical balance – crispy golden top with creamy, cheesy goodness underneath that makes you close your eyes when you taste it. Their hand-breaded chicken maintains that perfect crunch-to-juicy ratio that’s becoming rare in our fast-food world.

What keeps me coming back? The staff remembers your name and exactly how you like your sweet tea – something no chain restaurant could ever replicate.

2. Mert’s Heart & Soul: Charlotte’s Comfort Food Cornerstone

First time I walked into Mert’s, the server called me ‘sugar’ and I knew I’d found my Charlotte home-away-from-home. Since 1998, this downtown institution has been serving up what locals whisper might be the best cornbread in the state – soft, sweet, and crumbly in all the right ways.

Their salmon cakes arrive crispy-edged yet tender inside, paired perfectly with that legendary pot likker (the flavorful liquid from cooking greens) that I’ve seen people practically drink from the bowl. No visit is complete without their peach cobbler – served bubbling hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into those caramelized edges.

The walls covered in local art tell stories almost as rich as the food.

3. Soul Central: Where Tradition Meets Culinary Adventure

“Lord have mercy!” That’s what escaped my lips when I first tasted Soul Central’s shrimp and grits. This Charlotte gem calls itself a “flavor laboratory,” and the name couldn’t be more perfect.

While respecting soul food traditions (Grandma’s fried chicken recipe remains untouched), they’re not afraid to experiment. Their shrimp and grits elevates the classic with andouille sausage and a creamy sauce that I’ve dreamed about on more than one occasion.

The restaurant itself feels like Sunday dinner at a favorite aunt’s house – warm, welcoming, and full of laughter. When the owner stops by your table to ask how everything tastes, you know you’re part of the family now.

4. JJ’s Mama’s Soulfood & More: Lexington’s Hidden Treasure

Finding JJ’s feels like stumbling upon a delicious secret. Tucked away in Lexington, this unassuming spot made me slam my fist on the table in pure joy when I tasted their smothered pork chops.

Tender doesn’t begin to describe meat that literally slides off the bone and melts in your mouth. The gravy alone should be bottled and sold as liquid happiness. But the real showstopper? Their banana pudding arrives warm with those perfectly soft vanilla wafers and a light dusting of cinnamon that’s simply magical.

I’ve met folks who drive two hours just for this pudding, and after one spoonful, I understood completely why they make the pilgrimage.

5. Let’s Eat Soul Food: Durham’s Double Blessing

My cousin swore I hadn’t lived until I tried the Yam Soufflé at Let’s Eat. With two convenient Durham locations, this local favorite had me at first bite.

Sweet potatoes whipped to cloud-like perfection with just the right balance of cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar – not too sweet, not too savory. Their collard greens deserve their “unmatched” reputation, cooked low and slow with smoked turkey instead of traditional ham hocks, creating a lighter but equally flavorful result.

What surprised me most was watching families gather here after church, generations sitting together sharing stories over plates piled high. The staff treats everyone like relatives they haven’t seen in too long.

6. Tru Soul Food Kitchen: Raleigh’s Authentic Flavor Haven

Sometimes you can taste love in food. That’s the only way to describe what happens at Tru Soul in Raleigh, where each dish comes with a side of genuine warmth.

Their oxtails fall apart under your fork, swimming in a rich gravy that demands to be sopped up with a piece of cornbread. I watched an elderly gentleman close his eyes in pure bliss while eating here, then heard him tell the server it tasted just like his mother’s cooking – perhaps the highest compliment possible.

The walls display black and white photos of family recipes being made through generations. When you eat at Tru Soul, you’re not just having dinner; you’re participating in a delicious history lesson.

7. Jack’s Seafood & Soul Food Restaurant: Raleigh’s Perfect Pairing

The first time I walked past Jack’s, the aroma literally stopped me in my tracks. This charming curbside spot in Raleigh brilliantly marries seafood with soul food classics in a combination that shouldn’t be possible but somehow works perfectly.

Their catfish arrives golden-crusted with a tender, flaky interior that melts on your tongue. Paired with mac and cheese that’s rich enough to be a meal on its own, it creates a perfect harmony of flavors. The candied yams strike that ideal balance between savory and sweet – something I’ve tried and failed to replicate at home countless times.

Family photos line the walls, and regulars chat across tables like old friends at a reunion.

8. Casey’s Buffet and BBQ: Wilmington’s Soul Food Sanctuary

“You’re gonna need stretchy pants,” warned the lady behind me in line at Casey’s in Wilmington. Truer words were never spoken!

This legendary buffet stretches seemingly forever with steam tables full of authentic soul food treasures. The fried chicken stays impossibly crispy even under heat lamps – a culinary miracle. Their Brunswick stew, packed with tender pulled pork and vegetables in a tomato base, tastes like it’s been simmering since sunrise.

Casey’s banana pudding deserves its own fan club, with perfectly softened vanilla wafers and real banana slices throughout. The staff treats first-timers and regulars with equal warmth, making everyone feel like they’ve been coming here their whole lives.

9. Shaw’s BBQ & Southern Soul: Eastern NC’s Rising Stars

My road trip through Eastern North Carolina led me to two gems that locals guard jealously. Shaw’s BBQ in Williamston serves pulled pork so tender and smoke-kissed, I briefly considered moving to town just to have regular access.

Southern Soul in Wilson, though newer to the scene, has quickly earned devoted fans with their perfectly seasoned collards and cornbread that strikes that magical balance between sweet and savory. Their banana pudding arrives warm with a slightly caramelized top that adds a surprising depth of flavor.

Both spots share that essential quality of true soul food – the feeling that you’re being fed by someone who genuinely cares about your happiness and well-being with every single bite.