6 Soul Food Restaurants in North Carolina That Serve Comfort on a Plate

North Carolina knows how to feed the soul with its rich tradition of comfort cooking. From smoky barbecue joints to homestyle kitchens serving collard greens and cornbread, these restaurants dish up meals that warm both body and spirit.

The following seven spots represent the best places to experience authentic soul food across the Tar Heel State, where recipes passed down through generations create unforgettable dining experiences.

1. Angie’s Restaurant: Garner’s Down-Home Treasure

Family-owned since 1973, Angie’s Restaurant serves up the kind of food that makes you feel like you’re sitting at grandma’s Sunday dinner table. The modest exterior on Garner Station Boulevard hides a bustling interior where locals line up for their famous fried chicken; crispy outside, juicy inside, and seasoned to perfection.

Their mac and cheese achieves that ideal balance of creamy and crusty, while the collard greens simmer with smoked turkey wings instead of traditional ham hocks. Sweet potato pie here isn’t just dessert; it’s practically a religious experience.

What keeps folks coming back isn’t just the food but the genuine hospitality. The waitstaff remembers regulars’ orders, and Angie’s granddaughter still oversees the kitchen, ensuring recipes remain authentic to their roots.

2. Stephenson’s Bar-B-Q: Willow Spring’s Smoke-Infused Legacy

Smoke billows from the chimney at Stephenson’s, a no-frills roadside joint that’s been perfecting Eastern North Carolina barbecue since 1958. Third-generation pitmasters tend to whole hogs cooking slowly over hickory and oak, creating that distinctive vinegar-based flavor that defines this region’s barbecue tradition.

Beyond the chopped pork that melts in your mouth, their Brunswick stew bubbles with chunks of meat and vegetables in a tomato-based broth that locals swear cures everything from heartbreak to the common cold.

The hushpuppies arrive golden and crisp, made from a recipe that hasn’t changed in six decades. Cash-only and closed Sundays, Stephenson’s embodies the unhurried pace of rural North Carolina. Walls decorated with faded photographs tell the story of a place where time stands still while flavor evolves.

3. K&W Cafeteria: Winston-Salem’s Comfort Food Institution

The trays slide smoothly along stainless steel rails at K&W, a cafeteria-style establishment that’s been feeding Winston-Salem since 1937. Unlike trendy farm-to-table spots, K&W proudly embraces its cafeteria identity, serving consistent, affordable comfort food that spans generations of North Carolina families.

Salisbury steak smothered in brown gravy sits alongside country-style steak that practically dissolves with each bite. Their macaroni and cheese; a deep golden yellow, holds its shape perfectly when served. The vegetable selection rivals any home garden: butter beans, stewed okra, candied yams, and turnip greens all make regular appearances.

Seniors gather for early dinners while young families introduce children to the delight of choosing their own sides. K&W’s survival through changing food trends speaks to the timeless appeal of honest, straightforward Southern cooking.

4. Zweli’s Kitchen: Durham’s Zimbabwean-Southern Fusion

Chef Zweli Williams creates magic by marrying traditional Southern soul food with her Zimbabwean heritage at this Durham gem. The restaurant’s warm ochre walls and African artwork create an atmosphere as inviting as the aromas wafting from the open kitchen.

Her oxtail stew falls apart at the touch of a fork, simmered for hours with butter beans in a rich gravy that begs to be sopped up with sadza, a cornmeal porridge similar to Southern grits. Collard greens get an international twist with African spices, while the fried chicken receives a dusting of peri-peri seasoning that elevates it beyond the ordinary.

Zweli’s represents the evolution of soul food in North Carolina; honoring tradition while embracing global influences. First-timers often become regulars after tasting how seamlessly these culinary traditions complement each other.

5. Clyde Cooper’s Barbecue: Raleigh’s Historic Smoke Joint

Since 1938, Clyde Cooper’s has been a cornerstone of Raleigh’s food scene, surviving downtown redevelopment by moving to its current location on Davie Street in 2014. The brick walls and wooden booths may be newer, but the recipes remain faithful to the original vision; Eastern North Carolina barbecue at its finest.

Their chopped pork showcases the vinegar-pepper sauce that defines this region, while the fried chicken livers have converted even the most skeptical diners. Unlike many modern barbecue spots, Cooper’s still serves their ‘cue with traditional sides: boiled potatoes, Brunswick stew, and collards cooked with just enough pork to impart smoky depth.

Black and white photos chronicle the restaurant’s history, including visits from celebrities and politicians who’ve made the pilgrimage to this temple of smoke. The sweet tea comes in mason jars; sweeter than a Southern compliment.

6. Dame’s Chicken & Waffles: Greensboro’s Sweet-Savory Symphony

The unexpected pairing of crispy fried chicken with fluffy Belgian waffles reaches its pinnacle at Dame’s, where owner Dame Moore has elevated this combination to an art form.

The Greensboro location buzzes with energy as servers deliver towering plates featuring golden-brown chicken perched atop waffles drizzled with flavored butters they call “schmears.” Their signature Orange-Spiked with Honey dish combines a crispy chicken cutlet with a classic waffle topped with orange-honey butter that melts into every crevice.

Vegetable sides aren’t afterthoughts; collards cooked with smoked turkey, mac and cheese with four cheeses, and candied yams all receive the same attention to detail as the main attraction. Weekend brunch brings lines out the door, a testament to Dame’s ability to transform a novelty dish into a soul food essential. The sweet-savory balance creates flavors that linger in memory long after the meal ends.