North Carolina holds a special place in the heart of Southern cooking, where soul food traditions run deep and flavor runs even deeper. From Charlotte to Durham, hidden gems and beloved institutions serve up the kind of comfort food that keeps locals coming back week after week. Whether you crave crispy fried chicken, creamy mac and cheese, or perfectly seasoned collard greens, these restaurants offer meals that feel like a warm hug from grandma’s kitchen.
Nana Morrison’s Soul Food (Charlotte / Cary)
Family recipes from the 1940s still guide the kitchen at this beloved spot, where each dish carries decades of tradition. Golden fried chicken emerges from the fryer with a perfectly crispy coating that shatters at first bite. The mac and cheese flows with creaminess, while collard greens simmer slowly until they reach that perfect tender texture.
Walking through the door feels like stepping into your grandmother’s kitchen on a Sunday afternoon. The ambiance wraps you in warmth and familiarity, making every visit feel like a homecoming. Generous portions ensure nobody leaves hungry, and the flavors justify the trip whether you’re coming from Charlotte or making the drive from Cary.
Locals have turned this into their regular spot, quietly returning week after week for food that never disappoints.
Mert’s Heart & Soul (Charlotte)
Downtown Charlotte houses this soul food landmark where tradition meets creative flair in every dish. Cast-iron skillets deliver cornbread with crispy edges and fluffy centers that locals dream about between visits. The signature soul rolls—spring rolls stuffed with collard greens, black-eyed peas, and fried chicken—prove innovation belongs in soul food too…