12 North Carolina Spots Serving Sweet Potato Dishes That Make Fall Worth The Wait
Fall in North Carolina means one thing: sweet potato season is here, and I couldn’t be more excited!
Last October, I stumbled into a cozy restaurant that served sweet potato pancakes so good I nearly cried into my syrup.
Our state grows more sweet potatoes than anywhere else in America, so it only makes sense that local chefs have turned this humble root vegetable into pure culinary magic.
From pancakes to cornbread to desserts that’ll make your taste buds dance, these twelve spots prove that sweet potatoes deserve way more love than they get at Thanksgiving dinner.
1. Sweet Potatoes, Winston-Salem
Walking into this Winston-Salem gem feels like stepping into your grandmother’s kitchen—if your grandmother happened to be an award-winning chef. Sweet Potatoes restaurant has built its entire reputation around North Carolina’s favorite orange vegetable, and boy, do they deliver!
Their sweet potato pancakes are legendary, fluffy enough to make clouds jealous and topped with a bourbon pecan syrup that’ll haunt your dreams. But don’t sleep on the sweet potato cornbread either—it’s slightly sweet, perfectly crumbly, and pairs beautifully with their Southern-style entrees. I once ate here three days in a row just to try everything on the menu.
The restaurant embraces local ingredients and celebrates North Carolina’s agricultural heritage with every dish. Whether you’re craving breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this place transforms sweet potatoes into comfort food masterpieces that’ll keep you coming back for more.
2. Project 543, Winston-Salem
Project 543 takes sweet potatoes from farm-fresh to fancy-pants without losing that down-home soul. Located in Winston-Salem’s Innovation Quarter, this restaurant proves that sweet potatoes belong in fine dining just as much as they belong at family cookouts.
Chef Josh Everett works magic with seasonal ingredients, and when fall rolls around, sweet potatoes steal the spotlight on his creative menu. Expect unexpected flavor combinations that somehow make perfect sense—think roasted sweet potatoes with chili-lime butter or sweet potato gnocchi that melts on your tongue. The atmosphere is hip and modern, but the food stays rooted in North Carolina tradition.
I love how they balance innovation with respect for local farming. Every bite reminds you that sweet potatoes are versatile superstars, not just Thanksgiving side dish fillers.
3. Longleaf Swine, Raleigh
Barbecue and sweet potatoes might sound like an odd couple, but Longleaf Swine in Raleigh proves they’re actually soulmates. This whole-hog barbecue spot knows that great sides make or break a BBQ meal, and their roasted sweet potatoes have earned serious fan devotion.
These aren’t your mushy, overly-sweetened sweet potatoes drowning in marshmallows. Instead, Longleaf Swine roasts them to caramelized perfection, letting the natural sweetness shine through while adding just enough seasoning to complement their smoky meats. The contrast between tangy barbecue and earthy sweet potatoes creates flavor harmony that makes your taste buds sing gospel hymns.
My first visit here changed how I think about barbecue sides forever. The sweet potatoes hold their own against the star-quality pulled pork, proving vegetables can be just as crave-worthy as meat.
4. Asali Desserts & Cafe, Cary
Asali Desserts & Cafe in Cary understands something crucial: sweet potatoes were basically invented for dessert. This charming spot showcases sweet potato dishes that blur the line between healthy eating and pure indulgence, and honestly, who’s complaining?
Their sweet potato cheesecake deserves its own fan club—creamy, spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, and sitting on a graham cracker crust that provides the perfect crunch. They also experiment with sweet potato in various pastries and seasonal specials that change throughout fall. The cafe atmosphere is bright and welcoming, making it the perfect spot for afternoon treats with friends.
I appreciate how Asali celebrates sweet potatoes’ natural sweetness without drowning them in sugar. Each dessert feels thoughtfully crafted, proving that sweet potatoes can shine in any course, especially the grand finale.
5. Cast Iron Kitchen, Wilmington
Cast Iron Kitchen in Wilmington serves up coastal Carolina comfort food with serious sweet potato game. As part of the “Make It NC Sweet” partner restaurant program, they’ve committed to celebrating North Carolina’s sweet potato heritage through creative menu offerings.
Their approach to sweet potatoes leans heavily into Southern tradition while adding coastal flair. Expect dishes like sweet potato hash topped with local shrimp or sweet potato biscuits that crumble beautifully under your fork. The restaurant’s commitment to local sourcing means these sweet potatoes come straight from North Carolina farms, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor.
What I love most is how they treat sweet potatoes as versatile ingredients rather than one-trick ponies. Whether you’re ordering breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there’s probably a sweet potato dish calling your name from their menu.
6. Coquina Fish Bar, Wilmington
Coquina Fish Bar brings together two of North Carolina’s greatest treasures: fresh seafood and sweet potatoes. Located in Wilmington, this restaurant participates in the NC sweet potato partner program, showcasing creative ways to pair our state’s signature vegetable with coastal catches.
Imagine perfectly seared scallops resting on a bed of sweet potato puree, or fish tacos with sweet potato slaw adding crunch and color. The chefs here understand that sweet potatoes’ earthy sweetness complements seafood’s delicate flavors without overwhelming them. Their menu changes seasonally, but fall always brings exciting sweet potato innovations that make landlocked vegetables feel right at home by the coast.
I’m always impressed by restaurants that successfully bridge North Carolina’s mountain-to-coast culinary traditions. Coquina Fish Bar nails this balance, proving sweet potatoes belong anywhere good food happens.
7. San Juan Café, Wrightsville Beach
San Juan Café in Wrightsville Beach proves sweet potatoes speak multiple languages fluently. This Latin-inspired restaurant participated in the “Fiesta de Camotes” celebration, creating special sweet potato dishes that honor both North Carolina agriculture and Latin American culinary traditions.
Their creative approach includes sweet potato empanadas, boniato-style preparations, and fusion dishes that make you wonder why nobody thought of these combinations before. The beachy, laid-back atmosphere makes everything taste better, especially when you’re enjoying sweet potato innovation with sand between your toes. During sweet potato season, they go all-out with special menus that showcase just how internationally versatile this humble vegetable can be.
I appreciate restaurants that take risks with traditional ingredients. San Juan Café’s cross-cultural sweet potato experiments succeed because they respect both the ingredient and the culinary traditions they’re celebrating.
8. Savorez, Wilmington
Savorez in Wilmington joined the sweet potato party during the “Fiesta de Camotes” celebration, and honestly, they never left. This restaurant understands that sweet potatoes deserve sophisticated treatment and creative presentation that makes diners pause before diving in.
Their sweet potato preparations change with the seasons, but expect upscale twists like sweet potato ravioli, roasted sweet potato salads with unexpected ingredients, or sweet potato soups that taste like autumn captured in a bowl. The restaurant’s commitment to local ingredients means supporting North Carolina farmers while serving incredibly fresh dishes. The elegant atmosphere makes any meal feel special, and sweet potatoes somehow fit perfectly into this refined setting.
Watching chefs elevate humble ingredients into fine dining experiences never gets old. Savorez proves that sweet potatoes can hold their own on fancy restaurant menus alongside any other ingredient.
9. Poole’s Diner, Raleigh
Poole’s Diner in downtown Raleigh has built a cult following around chef Ashley Christensen’s Southern-inspired menu, and sweet potatoes frequently make star appearances. This isn’t your grandmother’s diner—unless your grandmother happened to win James Beard Awards for her cooking.
Their sweet potato preparations change regularly, but they always showcase the ingredient’s natural beauty without overcomplicating things. You might find roasted sweet potatoes with brown butter and sage, or sweet potato gratin that makes you reconsider every Thanksgiving you’ve ever attended. The retro diner atmosphere combined with elevated cooking creates a unique dining experience that feels both nostalgic and cutting-edge.
I love how Poole’s respects traditional Southern ingredients while refusing to get stuck in the past. Their sweet potato dishes honor North Carolina’s agricultural heritage while pushing culinary boundaries in exciting directions.
10. The Pit, Raleigh
The Pit in Raleigh serves authentic North Carolina barbecue with sides that deserve equal billing with the main attractions. Their sweet potato casserole has achieved legendary status among regulars who know that great barbecue needs great accompaniments to shine properly.
Unlike some restaurants that load sweet potatoes with unnecessary sugar and marshmallows, The Pit strikes the perfect balance between sweet and savory. Their version complements smoky pulled pork and tangy coleslaw without overwhelming your palate. The rustic, warehouse-style space feels appropriately down-home, making you forget you’re in downtown Raleigh rather than some country crossroads barbecue shack.
My barbecue-loving heart swells every time I visit because they understand that sides aren’t afterthoughts—they’re essential components of the complete barbecue experience. Sweet potatoes hold their rightful place alongside hush puppies and mac-and-cheese.
11. Beasley’s Chicken + Honey, Raleigh
Beasley’s Chicken + Honey proves that sweet potatoes and fried chicken are a match made in comfort food heaven. Another Ashley Christensen restaurant in downtown Raleigh, this spot focuses on elevated Southern classics where sweet potatoes play supporting roles that steal scenes.
Their sweet potato waffle fries deserve poetry written about them—crispy outside, creamy inside, with just enough natural sweetness to contrast beautifully with savory fried chicken. They also rotate sweet potato specials that might include sweet potato biscuits or seasonal preparations showcasing local farms’ harvests. The casual, energetic atmosphere makes it perfect for family dinners or catching up with friends over seriously good food.
I appreciate restaurants that nail the basics while adding creative touches. Beasley’s respects traditional Southern cooking while proving that familiar ingredients can surprise you when treated with skill and imagination.
12. Tupelo Honey, Multiple Locations
Tupelo Honey started in Asheville but has spread across North Carolina, bringing their Southern comfort food philosophy everywhere they go. Sweet potatoes feature prominently on their menu year-round, but fall brings special preparations that celebrate peak sweet potato season.
Their sweet potato pancakes with pecans have earned devoted fans who plan weekend brunches around them. But don’t overlook their sweet potato casserole or seasonal sweet potato specials that change throughout the year. The restaurants maintain a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes everyone feel like family, which somehow makes the food taste even better.
What sets Tupelo Honey apart is their commitment to scratch cooking using local ingredients whenever possible. When you order sweet potato dishes here, you’re supporting North Carolina farmers while treating yourself to comfort food that actually comforts your soul.