Outer Banks
A Kitty Hawk institution for perfectly fried boats (trays) of shrimp or crab cakes, to be eaten at outdoor picnic tables and washed down with one of many…
Must-see restaurants in North Carolina
Coastal North Carolina
Paying tribute to former local business Clawson’s Grocery & Bakery, this space was renovated in the 1970s, but you can still find hints of the past…
Asheville
An anchor of cool in the River Arts District, the largest container-constructed restaurant in the USA is more than the sum of its parts – 19 shipping…
Asheville
The chalkboard menu at this downtown taco shop will give you fits. Every single one of these hefty soft tacos sounds like a must-have flavor bomb: spicy…
North Carolina Mountains
Colorful, quirky downtown cafe, with an outdoor deck on King St, and an emphasis on local ingredients. There’s a definite Latin flavor to the menu, with…
North Carolina Mountains
Get over the weirdness of finding a Low Country seafood place in the High Country – let alone the giant shark hanging in the stairwell – and there’s much…
Outer Banks
Solid and reasonably priced place to stop on your way through the Outer Banks. The dining room is clean, with simple white walls, wooden tables and…
Coastal North Carolina
This seafood restaurant on the pier ticks all the boxes for ambience, with simple outdoor and indoor seating with panoramic views of the coastline and…
North Carolina Mountains
Brevard’s favorite fine-dining restaurant works wonders with fish – the owner moved here from the Virgin Islands, and is as happy serving oysters or crab…
Outer Banks
Cozy upmarket spot specializing in local seafood and farm-to-table produce. Grab one of the red booths for Currituck Sound views. The pan-fried jumbo crab…
Coastal North Carolina
The kitchen's not afraid of kicky and decadent flavors at the hip Fork 'N' Cork, a former food truck that has cleaned up real nice. Juicy burgers such as…
Coastal North Carolina
A top breakfast spot in central Wilmington. This retro setting, with lime-green booths and a bar area for solo diners, serves apple-sage sausage patties,…
Asheville
It’s the all-day breakfast menu that draws the crowds to this downtown farm-to-table cafe, where the sunny dining room overlooks a small central square…
The Triangle
With its laid-back off-street location and welcoming namesake owner, this courtyard curry house is a hugely popular hideaway for local students. With beef…
The Triangle
Start your day by digging into a delicious buttermilk breakfast biscuit at this tiny deli in downtown Carrboro. The egg, cheese and bacon is some kind of…
The Triangle
Families, couples, solos and the downtown lunch crowd – everybody loves this tiny Italian sandwich shop. Order your panini (hot and grilled), tramezzini …
North Carolina Mountains
Quantity is the name of the game at this restaurant, where the family-style meals are a Boone (sorry) for hungry hikers. Everyone pays the same price, and…
Outer Banks
Located in a strip mall, you could easily miss this top spot for local barbecue-ready fresh meat and seafood, plus enormous freshly made sandwiches and…
Outer Banks
Casual pub decorated with fishing memorabilia, and bright blue booths. Good place to stop for a bite when traveling north on the way to the ferry. Classic…
The Trading Post; Southern Food & Spirits
Coastal North Carolina
Drop into this casual restaurant for the warming fish stew – it's just like Southern grandmothers would make it. Other Southern treats include chicken and…
Coastal North Carolina
The food is brought right to your car at this old-school drive-in and legendary seafood spot, open since 1959. It serves fish fillets, po'boys and hot…
Coastal North Carolina
The burritos are big and tasty at Flaming Amy's, a scrappy barn filled with kitschy decor from Elvis to Route 66. Burritos include the Philly Phatboy, the…
Outer Banks
The interior isn't dressed to impress – surfboards, license plates – but who cares? The reliably good seafood, burritos and burgers go down well with the…
Charlotte
This sprawling new food hall and retail space, in a former textile mill, is set to revitalize the neighborhood of Optimist Park. Look for beloved local…
Front Street Grill at Stillwater
Coastal North Carolina
The view reigns supreme at this inviting seafood spot overlooking Taylor's Creek. Nibble chili-lime shrimp tacos at lunch or seared backfin crab cakes at…
The Triangle
Chase plates of BBQ nachos or (cat)fish ’n’ chips with pints of North Carolina craft brews at this popular and very central downtown pub.
Outer Banks
A surf-themed bar and restaurant with ceiling and walls decorated with boards, and surf footage playing on screen all day. Try the Clam Box with 20 to 30…
Charlotte
Dining here is a no-frills experience, from the dreary setting to the humdrum dining room, but if you enjoy Indian vegetarian food it’s well worth it. The…
Outer Banks
Top spot for a sandwich to go, ahead of a cruise or hike. This cafe serves curb-sized creations like The Godfather – with hot Italian ham, salami,…
Asheville
The flagship downtown location of this Asheville-based chain is renowned for New Southern favorites, such as shrimp and grits with goat's cheese – even if…
Coastal North Carolina
Just off Front St, Aqua is heavy on local produce and seafood, with some gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options for good measure. The cast iron–seared…
Coastal North Carolina
For an unpretentious local seafood and craft beer, it has to be this surf-themed bar-restaurant. Boards hang from the ceiling, sport plays on screens,…
North Carolina Mountains
Beckoning hikers on the Appalachian Trail as it runs through town, this country diner will fuel you up for the day with a giant egg dish, then re-energize…
Outer Banks
A big old renovated wooden pub that's been an island tradition for beer and fried seafood since the 1850s. Good selection of local craft beer. Gluten-free…
Outer Banks
This restaurant beside the sound has been serving food for nearly 30 years. Come here for steamed seafood, fresh fish and and big daddy crab cakes.
