North Carolina’s food scene is full of surprises, sometimes so good you’ll wonder why your GPS hasn’t led you here sooner.
Beyond the bright lights of big cities, the state is dotted with hidden jewels where small restaurants quietly serve jaw-dropping meals night after night.
Think cozy mountain cottages, plating wild game so tender it practically winks at you, or tiny coastal shacks where seafood is so fresh it could have been swimming that morning…