Unearth The Voyage
Craving the warmth of a Sunday dinner without waiting for the weekend? North Carolina’s soul food scene serves up that familiar comfort any day you need it—golden fried chicken, silky mac and cheese, greens cooked low and slow, and cornbread that tastes like home. From Charlotte institutions to hidden gems in Wilson and High Point, these kitchens honor tradition while adding just enough spark to keep things exciting. Come hungry and curious—these 15 spots will make you a regular in no time.
Nana Morrison’s Soul Food (Charlotte & Cary)
Family recipes from the 1940s still guide the kitchen at Nana Morrison’s, where every plate tastes like it’s been perfected over generations. Their fried chicken is golden and crackly outside, impossibly juicy within, while the mac and cheese arrives extra creamy with a rich, baked top. Collard greens simmer with smoked turkey necks until tender and soulful, and cornbread comes hot in cast iron like grandma’s. The room hums with friendly chatter and familiar faces, the kind of place where servers greet you by name. You’ll feel folded into the family rhythm—no pomp, just care. Locals return for consistency and heartwarming flavors that never drift. Sunday comfort, any day, exactly as promised.
Mert’s Heart & Soul (Charlotte)
In the heart of uptown Charlotte, Mert’s blends tradition and creativity without losing its homey soul. The legendary cast-iron cornbread arrives warm and fragrant, while the famed Soul Rolls pack collards, black-eyed peas, and fried chicken into a crispy, crave-worthy bite. Fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and Lowcountry staples keep returning diners grounded in authenticity. There’s an easy warmth here—welcoming service, colorful art, and a rhythm that feels like a long Sunday afternoon. Each plate honors roots while nudging the tradition forward, so a familiar meal feels newly alive. Locals love the balance: elevated but not fussy, comforting yet surprising. It’s a dependable hug in restaurant form.
Soul Central (Charlotte)
Soul Central delivers big-flavor cooking with open-armed hospitality, the kind that nudges you to sit, talk, and settle in. Oxtails arrive tender and glossy in rich gravy; seasoned greens carry real depth, and candied yams add that sweet Sunday balance. Portions are generous, sides are soulful, and plates feel like they were cooked by someone who knows your story. The dining room radiates family-style warmth—hum of conversation, staff that remembers your favorites. It’s weekday comfort that channels the weekend ritual, with consistency you can count on. Locals keep it in their weekly rotation for honest flavors and friendly faces. Leave full, happy, and already planning your next plate.
JJ’s Mama’s Soulfood & More (Lexington)
JJ’s Mama’s serves Lexington a hearty dose of nostalgia with portions that rival a holiday spread. Expect fried pork chops or smothered versions under savory gravy, fried chicken with crunch that holds, and mashed potatoes begging for a ladle of brown goodness. Sides lean classic: green beans, yams, cabbage—the supporting cast that makes a meal sing. The vibe is old-school and unfussy, like your favorite aunt’s kitchen after church. People drive in for plates that taste like home-cooked time travel. Prices are fair, hospitality is easygoing, and the food sticks with you in the best way. One visit becomes a ritual; your car just seems to turn in on its own.
Let’s Eat Soul Food (Durham)
At Let’s Eat Soul Food, Durham gets daily access to that cherished Sunday table feeling. Chicken and dumplings bob in a rich, savory broth, meatloaf is smothered like home, and ribs fall apart with a nudge. With no-frills décor, the focus stays squarely on flavor and kindness. It’s the kind of place where a hearty plate and a friendly word reset your day. Sides are faithful—mac and cheese, greens, yams—each seasoned with care rather than flash. Regulars come for reliability and the unmistakable warmth of being fed well. It’s comfort first, always, and it shows in every bite and smile.
Sol’Delish (North Carolina)
Sol’Delish marries Southern comfort with home-style passion, the culinary hug you crave midweek. Five-cheese mac and cheese anchors the table, creamy and deeply cheesy, while slow-simmered oxtails arrive silky and indulgent. Complimentary sweet tea in mason jars completes the Sunday-dinner illusion. You exhale after the first bite—like the day just got lighter. Portions lean generous, and flavors carry the memory of family gatherings, layered and steady. Service is gracious, pacing relaxed, and leftovers are practically guaranteed. The menu reads like a greatest-hits list for comfort eaters, with a few house twists that keep things interesting.
Sweet Potatoes Restaurant (Winston-Salem)
In Winston-Salem’s arts district, Sweet Potatoes transforms trusted classics into memorable comforts. Fried chicken sports a peppery crunch, chicken and waffles hit that sweet-savory harmony, and sides like black-eyed pea hummus and cornbread bring personality without losing tradition. The room is relaxed yet lively, echoing with conversation and the clink of plates. Service is neighborly, pacing unhurried, and specials keep regulars curious. It’s the kind of place that rewards both first-timers and faithfuls with balanced flavors and homemade charm. Expect plates that feel composed but never fussy—Sunday vibes with a creative wink.
Mr. Charles Chicken & Fish (Charlotte)
Since 1992, Mr. Charles has fried chicken and fish with a consistency that breeds loyalists. Buttermilk-soaked chicken cracks audibly, then gives way to juicy meat; fish platters with hushpuppies channel Carolina fish-fry nostalgia. The dining room is straightforward, service kind, and prices friendly—no gimmicks, just good food. Sides like slaw, fries, and greens round out unfussy plates that satisfy completely. You won’t leave hungry, and you won’t need a special occasion to come back. Locals love the reliability and the comfort of a place that knows exactly what it does best. It’s a long-running Charlotte standby for a reason.
Ken Cooks SoulFood Restaurant (North Carolina)
Ken Cooks serves the kind of soul food that feels like it came from a beloved relative’s Sunday spread. Ribs are lacquered and tender, potato salad is creamy with eggs and pickles, and turnip greens carry a gentle heat. The room invites lingering, with easy conversation and plates built for second helpings. It’s comfort-forward food with no shortcuts—seasoned, braised, and balanced. Service is warm and familiar, even on your first visit. Locals return for the dependable flavors and genuine hospitality that keep the experience grounded in home.
The Chicken Hut (Durham)
Opened in 1957, The Chicken Hut is a Durham time capsule where tradition still leads the way. Smothered pork chops swim in rich gravy, fried chicken plates deliver classic crunch, and sides taste like recipes passed down carefully. The historic feel is tangible—no-frills counter, familiar rhythms, steady stream of regulars. Consistency is the secret: you know exactly what comfort awaits. Portions are generous, prices fair, and the mood unpretentious. For many locals, it’s the week’s anchor—a way to access Sunday solace on a Tuesday.
Southern Soul Restaurant (Wilson)
In Wilson, Southern Soul has quietly become a must-visit for those who prize flavor over flash. Collard greens arrive tender and savory, cornbread comes crumbly and perfect for soaking pot liquor, and meats carry smoke and seasoning in balance. The décor is modest, but the plates beam with care and familiarity. It’s a place to slow down, eat well, and reconnect with classics that never disappoint. Regulars praise the dependable execution and the comfort that lingers after a meal. Like a hug from home, but on demand.
Jack’s Seafood & Soul Food Restaurant (Raleigh)
Jack’s unites two North Carolina loves—seafood and soul—on plates that taste like coastal Sundays and country suppers. Cornmeal-fried catfish is crisp and clean, mac and cheese wears a golden crown, and collards are seasoned just right. The atmosphere is unfussy; service is friendly and fast enough for weekday cravings. Mix-and-match combinations make it easy to build your perfect comfort plate. Regulars appreciate the flexibility, hearty portions, and consistent flavor. It’s a Raleigh standby when you want the sea and the South on one plate.
Becky’s & Mary’s (High Point)
Becky’s & Mary’s has earned its reputation with plates that feel like lovingly edited Sunday classics. Fried chicken skin shatters into a satisfying crunch, potato salad lands perfectly between creamy and tangy, and baked beans hint at sweetness without going sugary. The room is friendly and straightforward, with service that treats newcomers like neighbors. Expect honest portions and a menu that respects tradition. Locals bring guests here because it’s an easy yes—reliable, delicious, and genuine. Comfort becomes community, one plate at a time.
Cuzzo’s Cuisine (Charlotte)
Cuzzo’s brings a touch of Caribbean soul to Charlotte while staying rooted in comforting tradition. Oxtails are fall-apart tender, jerk chicken pops with bold spice, and sides strike that sweet-savory Sunday balance. The space is modest yet vibrant, buzzing with happy diners and plates you’ll photograph before diving in. It feels celebratory without being fancy, like a family gathering with music up. People drive across town for the flavors and the feeling—warm, generous, joyful. It’s a lively addition to any soul-food itinerary.
Iyla’s Southern Kitchen (Raleigh)
Iyla’s Southern Kitchen serves memory on a plate—timeless flavors executed with quiet confidence. Fried catfish wears a seasoned cornmeal crust that crackles, black-eyed peas stew with smoky bits, and sweet potato casserole arrives nutty and lush. The room feels welcoming, portions generous, and the cadence unhurried. Regulars treat it like a midweek anchor when they need solace and a solid meal. It’s the taste of Sunday wrapped in everyday accessibility, the kind of consistency that builds habit. You’ll taste care in every bite—and likely plan a repeat visit before dessert ends.
