Unearth The Voyage
Mac and cheese isn’t just a side dish anymore, at least not in North Carolina. Across the state, restaurants have turned this comfort food classic into something worth traveling for, whether it’s loaded with three kinds of cheese, topped with fried chicken, or baked until the edges get crispy and golden. From Raleigh to Asheville, chefs are proving that mac deserves its own spotlight on the menu, and locals can’t get enough of these creamy, cheesy creations.
1. Poole’s Diner (Raleigh)
Ashley Christensen’s Macaroni au Gratin isn’t just popular, it’s legendary. This dish outsells everything else at Poole’s Diner, with tens of thousands of orders going out every single year. The secret? A perfect blend of Jarlsberg, Grana Padano, and sharp cheddar that melts into pure comfort.
Food Network and Garden & Gun have both featured this mac, and for good reason. The golden, bubbling top hides layers of creamy pasta underneath. Once you taste it, you’ll understand why people keep coming back for more, making it the restaurant’s most-ordered item year after year.
2. Beasley’s Chicken + Honey (Raleigh)
Sure, fried chicken brings people through the door at Beasley’s, but the Pimento Mac & Cheese keeps them ordering extras. Built on a rich custard base and baked until set, this version stands apart from the typical stovetop mac. Creamy pimento cheese gets folded in, adding a Southern twist that feels both familiar and special.
The takeout menu even has its own button just for this dish, which tells you everything you need to know. It’s not an afterthought or a simple side—it’s a star player that earns its own spot in the lineup.
3. Relish Craft Kitchen & Bourbon Bar (Raleigh)
Relish takes mac and cheese in multiple directions with their Mac & Cheese Skillets. Each one gets baked to order in a hot skillet, creating those crispy, caramelized edges everyone fights over while keeping the center silky and smooth. The menu rotates between Cajun, Italian, Alfredo, and other creative riffs, so there’s always something new to try.
That skillet presentation makes all the difference—the sizzling cheese and pasta arrive at your table still bubbling. It’s comfort food with a gourmet twist, and the bourbon bar next to it doesn’t hurt either.
4. The Pit (Raleigh & Durham)
Barbecue spots don’t always get credit for their sides, but The Pit knows better. Their Mac & Cheese appears on every catering package and sits proudly next to trays of chopped pork at family gatherings across the Triangle. They’re so confident in the recipe that they’ve published it for home cooks to try.
Locals have learned the trick: always add mac to your barbecue order. The creamy, cheesy pasta balances out the smoky, tangy meat perfectly. It’s become such a signature that people request it specifically when planning events or picking up dinner.
5. Haberdish (Charlotte)
Over in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood, Haberdish treats mac and cheese like the main event it deserves to be. Their version comes with a three-cheese mornay sauce and a blistered, baked top that cracks when you dig your fork in. But here’s where it gets interesting: you can add spicy crispy chicken skins on top.
The menu literally highlights this dish, making sure you don’t miss it. Those chicken skins add crunch and heat, turning an already incredible mac into something unforgettable. It’s the kind of upgrade that makes you wonder why every restaurant doesn’t do this.
6. Mert’s Heart & Soul (Charlotte)
Mert’s has been serving Lowcountry soul food in Charlotte for years, and their mac and cheese shows up in nearly every review and write-up about the place. It’s the kind of creamy, soul-warming mac that reminds you of Sunday dinners and family gatherings. Nothing fancy or complicated—just perfectly cooked pasta in a rich, cheesy sauce.
What makes it special is the consistency. Every time you order it, you get the same comforting bowl that keeps Charlotte locals coming back. Sometimes the best mac doesn’t need tricks or toppings—it just needs to be done right.
7. Midwood Smokehouse (Multiple NC locations, incl. Charlotte & Raleigh)
With locations across North Carolina, Midwood Smokehouse has perfected the art of pairing smoked meats with classic sides. Their Classic Mac & Cheese appears right on the sides menu PDF, printed alongside coleslaw and baked beans. But don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s just another side—this mac holds its own against the pit-smoked mains.
The creamy, straightforward preparation lets the quality shine through. When everything on your plate is cooked low and slow with care, even the sides become destinations. That’s exactly what Midwood delivers at every location across the state.
8. Dame’s Chicken & Waffles (Durham)
Dame’s takes mac and cheese seriously enough to give their signature version a name: “Return of The Mack.” This isn’t your typical side order—it’s a full bowl of creamy mac crowned with a crispy fried chicken cutlet. The combination of rich, cheesy pasta and crunchy, juicy chicken makes every bite satisfying.
Of course, you can also order mac as a side with your chicken and waffles if you prefer. Either way, you’re getting quality comfort food that Durham locals have been raving about. The playful name matches the fun, welcoming vibe of the whole restaurant.
9. Sweet Potatoes (Well Shut My Mouth!!) (Winston-Salem)
The name says it all: Well Shut My Mouth!! Sweet Potatoes in Winston-Salem serves a 3-Cheese Macaroni & Country Ham Soufflé that’ll make you say exactly that. Parmesan, sharp white and yellow cheddar, plus hints of blue cheese create layers of flavor you won’t find anywhere else. The country ham adds a salty, smoky punch.
This isn’t just mac and cheese—it’s a soufflé, which means it arrives puffy and light yet incredibly rich. It’s fancy enough for a special occasion but comforting enough to crave on a regular Tuesday night.
10. Buxton Hall Barbecue (Asheville)
Buxton Hall built its reputation on whole-hog barbecue, but regulars know to add the mac and cheese to every order. While the restaurant focuses on those award-winning smoked meats, the sides get just as much attention. Mac shows up on ordering platforms and menu aggregators, and locals talk about it with the same enthusiasm they reserve for the main dishes.
That’s the mark of a truly great side—when it can stand next to legendary barbecue and still get its own shoutouts. Buxton Hall proves that even at a place known for one thing, everything else can be exceptional too.
11. The Mac House (Wake Forest)
When mac and cheese is your entire concept, you’d better do it right. The Mac House in Wake Forest does exactly that, offering everything from truffle mushroom to buffalo chicken mac, plus vegan options for plant-based eaters. This is a restaurant where mac isn’t relegated to the sides section—it is the menu.
If you’ve ever wanted to make mac and cheese your main character, this niche destination was built for you. Each version gets the same care and creativity, proving that this comfort food classic has endless possibilities when given center stage.
