18 North Carolina Soul Kitchens Serving Comfort Every Day

North Carolina has a rich tradition of soul food that warms both heart and belly.

From crispy fried chicken to creamy mac and cheese, these kitchens serve up plates of comfort that tell stories of family, tradition, and Southern hospitality.

Let’s explore 18 amazing soul food spots across the Tar Heel State where you can find authentic flavors any day of the week.

1. Nana Morrison’s Soul Food (Charlotte)

Family recipes shine at this Charlotte gem where Nana’s legacy lives on in every bite. The fried chicken, seasoned with a secret blend passed down three generations, practically falls off the bone.

Weekend lines form early for their banana pudding – a creamy, vanilla-wafer masterpiece that locals claim cures any bad day.

2. Mert’s Heart & Soul (Charlotte)

Located in uptown Charlotte, Mert’s has been a cornerstone of the community since 1998. Their famous cornbread comes complimentary with every meal – golden, slightly sweet, and impossible to resist.

Celebrity photos line the walls from visits by Food Network stars and musicians who couldn’t resist the salmon cakes and shrimp and grits.

The casual, brick-walled interior buzzes with energy as servers deliver heaping plates to hungry patrons.

3. Soul Central Restaurant (Charlotte)

Morning magic happens at Soul Central, where breakfast soul food draws early risers seeking salmon croquettes and grits.

The chicken and waffles – a perfect sweet-savory marriage – comes drizzled with house-made syrup that customers beg to buy by the bottle.

Gospel music plays softly in the background while the open kitchen lets you watch cooks flip massive pancakes with practiced ease.

4. Londa’s Place (Charlotte)

Hidden in a strip mall, Londa’s unassuming exterior belies the flavor explosion waiting inside. The mac and cheese – crusty on top, gooey underneath – has a cult following among Charlotte foodies.

Londa herself often emerges from the kitchen to check on customers, remembering regulars by name and order.

5. Iyla’s Southern Kitchen (Raleigh)

Grandma Iyla’s recipes come alive in this modern space where tradition meets innovation. The fried green tomatoes arrive stacked like a savory napoleon, layered with pimento cheese and bacon jam.

College students crowd in for the affordable “meat-and-three” lunch special that won’t break their budget but fills them up right.

6. Let’s Eat Soul Food (Durham)

Tucked near Duke University, this counter-service spot packs massive flavor into styrofoam containers.

Students line up for the “Bull City Special” – fried catfish, collards, and hushpuppies that taste like someone’s grandmother is in the kitchen.

The walls feature local art for sale, supporting Durham’s creative community while you support your appetite.

7. Tru Soul Food Kitchen (Creedmoor)

Worth the drive outside Raleigh, this roadside spot has truckers changing their routes just for the country-fried steak.

The gravy – peppery, thick, and clearly made from scratch – gets sopped up with buttermilk biscuits bigger than your palm.

Handwritten recipes framed on the walls come from the owner’s great-grandmother, a former plantation cook.

8. Taste of the Triad (Winston-Salem)

Three sisters run this Winston-Salem hotspot, each contributing signature dishes from different parts of their family tree.

The collard greens – cooked with smoked turkey instead of traditional ham hocks – convert even leafy-green skeptics.

Old tobacco advertisements decorate the walls, nodding to the city’s history while the menu pushes forward with modern touches like sweet potato cheesecake.

9. Bread of Heaven Soul Food Restaurant (Winston-Salem)

Church groups flock here after Sunday service for food that lives up to the heavenly name. The yeast rolls – pillowy, buttery, slightly sweet – arrive warm in cloth-lined baskets and disappear within minutes.

Gospel music plays softly while families share massive platters family-style. Their fried chicken has a distinctive orange tint from a secret spice blend that creates an almost candy-like crust.

10. District 924 Soulfood & Cocktails (Winston-Salem)

Upscale soul meets craft cocktails in this stylish spot where traditional recipes get modern presentations.

Deviled eggs come topped with crispy chicken skin and hot honey drizzle – a one-bite flavor explosion that regulars order by the dozen.

The bar specializes in bourbon cocktails featuring local distilleries, perfect alongside their short rib mac and cheese.

11. Ben’s Boyz Premium Comfort Food (Greensboro)

Four brothers honor their father’s legacy at this Greensboro staple where photos of “Big Ben” watch over diners enjoying his recipes.

The smoked turkey legs – massive, tender, and lacquered with a sweet-spicy glaze – require both hands and plenty of napkins.

12. Kim’s Kafe (Greensboro)

Run by a former school cafeteria manager, Kim’s brings cafeteria-style service into a restaurant setting where you can point to what you want as you move down the line.

Tables feature bottles of Kim’s three homemade hot sauces – mild peach, medium green tomato, and “Crying Shame” habanero.

13. Luxe Soulfood & Cocktails (Greensboro)

Velvet booths and crystal chandeliers set the stage for soul food with swagger at this date-night destination.

The lobster and grits – featuring North Carolina stone-ground cheese grits topped with butter-poached lobster – justifies the higher price point.

Weekend brunch brings a DJ spinning neo-soul while servers deliver champagne bottles with sparklers for celebration tables.

14. The Prime Smokehouse (Rocky Mount)

Barbecue meets soul food at this Rocky Mount institution where the smokehouse out back works 24/7 perfuming the neighborhood with hickory goodness.

Their signature “Trainwreck” – layers of pulled pork, brisket, mac and cheese, and collards – requires a serious appetite and possibly a post-meal nap.

15. Casey’s Buffet & BBQ (Wilmington)

Seafood meets soul at this coastal buffet where Wilmington locals line up for all-you-can-eat catfish Fridays. The steam tables stretch impressively long, featuring over thirty items made fresh throughout service.

The hushpuppies – sweet, oniony, and impossibly light – keep their own dedicated station with honey butter for dipping.