Carolina Girl's Guide To 11 Essential North Carolina Food Spots
If you want to understand North Carolina, you could start with a road map, or a travel magazine. But if you really want to know the Tar Heel State, we suggest you pull up a chair and eat. From the ancient peaks and hollers of the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the sparkling coasts of Wilmington and the Outer Banks, N.C. has a food personality that's uniquely its own. This is a state where wooden floors that creak, screen doors that swing wide open in warm welcome, and old-school glass-bottle sodas accompanying plates piled high tell stories and secrets to those who'll sit a spell. And you're always invited.
As a Carolina girl who grew up in the shadow of the Appalachian mountains, I was raised with the keen awareness that the best food spots aren't always the ones in the glitzy, critically-acclaimed travel guides. And I still believe that the cream of the crop consists of the soda pop shops, the barbecue buffets held in barns, and the country stores and roadside cafés that instantly make you feel at home — no black tie attire needed.
These essential North Carolina food spots were chosen because they capture something beyond what's on the plate — that authentic, Southern soul, along with its hospitality, its heritage, and its wonderfully unpretentious approach to eating and communing. Oh, and clogging (more on that later).
Original Mast General Store
If you're hungry for a food stop where the building itself seems to have an appetite for history, hop in the car and veer that steering wheel up the mountain, toward Valle Crucis. The Original Mast General Store has been part of this blink-and-you'll-miss-it Blue Ridge community since the 1880s, and stepping through its doors instantly transports you to the North Carolina of another era.
The first sight you'll likely see is the massive array of old-fashioned candy, where you can pick out whichever treats you prefer from big barrels before settling in with the store's legendary five-cent cup of coffee. Yes, five cents (your eyes aren't playing tricks on you). It's a detail that makes you grin in disbelief, but your sense of wonder won't stop there. The store began as a place where folks could get things the then-isolated area couldn't produce itself. It once tackled trades, housed a doctor's office, and even operated an actual post office. Today, this original Valle Crucis locale stands as the proud flagship of a now employee-owned business, with a few stores sprinkled elsewhere (the Mast General Store annex is even just a short cruise down the road).
For this Carolina girl, that combination of nostalgic sweets, old floors that creak, and a cup of coffee you can snag for pennies ... plus a place with generations of being useful to its neighbors under its belt? That's North Carolina perfectly brewed — and refills are always free.
Multiple locations
Shiloh General Store
Quietly nestled in Yadkin County, Shiloh General Store is an Amish country shop that presents visitors with everything from scratch-made baked goods to a counter complete with deli meats and cheeses. There's also fried chicken as well as chicken pot pies, Amish breads, and even those fresh-made whoopie pies that taste so good, you'll likely utter the name in glee (WHOOPIE!).
There are also jellies and jams, pickles, teas and coffees, honey, butters, fresh milk, and ice cream — the list goes on, making your leaving with more edible provisions than you came in planning to purchase a real possibility. Owners Phil and Margaret Graber have been running the store since the early 2000s, and proudly attest the products are Amish-made by hand, using fresh ingredients. This creates a locale where the food served feels deeply connected to the soul of the place, and its people. The vibe at Shiloh represents a slower pace of life, a pace that can be witnessed in many rural parts of the state.
Speaking of slowing down, the front porch here is a vital part of the experience, particularly made memorable as horse-drawn buggies clatter by. That old-fashioned charm alone gives this Amish stop a decidedly different taste than your run-of-the-mill pit stop. For a Carolina girl, that's an essential recipe: treats made from scratch, plus some front porch sitting, while watching the rest of the world roll past.
(336) 468-4789
5520 St. Paul Church Road, Hamptonville, NC 27020
The Soda Shop
The Soda Shop in Davidson has been around since the early 1950s, when its doors opened in a location right across the street from Davidson College. It comes as no surprise, then, that it has become a go-to hangout over the decades. The menu is exactly the sort of thing you would hope to find at an old-school soda shop, with everything from scratch-made egg salad, chicken salad, tuna salad, and pimento cheese, to mouthwatering melts, hot dogs, juicy burgers, and plenty of options for getting your fry fix, too.
Just don't forget to save room for the drinks and desserts, because the fresh-squeezed lime, orangeade, and lemonade drinks are the things of legend (the floats and malts are no strangers to applause either). And those fries? We won't commit to putting on paper that you should plan your entire Davidson trip around these fried potato strings — but we are certainly not saying don't.
Picture old-timey booths and stools, checkered flooring, and milkshake flavor options hand-scrawled on a chalkboard. Suffice to say, the old-school energy is an aura that surrounds patrons at all times in this soda shop. So, grab an orangeade, snag a made-to-order sammie, and definitely score some of those epic fries — all items on the menu for an ideal Carolina afternoon.
(704) 896-7743
104 S. Main St., Davidson, NC 28036
Priddy's General Store
There are places where you see "old-timey" and can take it to the bank that those words are merely a clever marketing. But then there's Priddy's General Store. Built in the late 19th century, this charming country shop is the genuine article. Not only do the architectural bones of the building's exterior attest to its rich history, but the interior also reveals a lovingly worn tapestry of time. Food is also a big part of its old-fashioned charm. Priddy's carries baked goods, quick eats, and locally made treats, alongside practical items any general store should stock.
But beyond the edible yummies lining the shelves, Priddy's regularly hosts live bluegrass music events, inviting guests to sit back with a cold sip while local tunes whisk them away from it all. That's a pretty classic N.C. pairing: a fizzy soda in your paw as someone picks a banjo nearby — don't be surprised if someone breaks out some spoons to play, too.
The store also knows how to summon nostalgia during the holiday season, when it hosts an Old Fashioned Christmas Drop In, complete with yuletide-themed treats, copious cups of warm cider, and, of course, Mr. Claus himself. For me, Priddy's belongs on this essential North Carolina list because it captures something that can't be put on a menu, and that's community. And in the Tar Heel State, community is everything.
(336) 593-8786
2121 Sheppard Mill Road, Danbury, NC 27016
Hole Doughnuts
We've written about the most unique sandwiches you have to try when visiting Asheville, and we've even covered the best Asheville breweries to visit for food, too. But we feel that has still left quite a hole in the excellent offerings in the Land of the Sky. And while some of the absolute best cinnamon rolls in America are just over the mountain at Gogo's Cinnamon Rolls in Old Fort, this is the time to dish about doughnuts that not only taste incredible, but also capture genuine Carolina heart and soul.
We're talking about Hole Doughnuts, which are made by hand only after you order, right there in the open kitchen. Yes, you get to gawk with utter glee as the entire process unfolds right in front of you — from yeasted dough to delicately, golden-crisped, fresh-from-the-fryer delights. And the flavors? Everyday choices are available, like Cinnamon Sugar and Vanilla Glaze, as are a bit more unique ones, like Peach Honey Thyme, Espresso Maple, and Pickle Lemonade. The doughnuts themselves have a unique texture, with a crisp exterior and slightly more dense interior (think funnel cake-adjacent).
After visiting, should you have some remaining sweets left uneaten (like that would ever happen after a Hole's trip), there are some excellent ways to use leftover doughnuts that don't disappoint.
(828) 774-5667
168 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806
E.H. Montgomery General Store
If any food stop in North Carolina comes with a bit of a time-traveling side adventure, it would be E.H. Montgomery General Store in Gold Hill. First erected in the 1840s as an old mercantile in what was once a bustling gold mining town, the store sits as if someone placed a spell to stop the clock entirely, then threw in a few wondrously old-fashioned treats to sweeten the deal.
Guests at this general store can snag some ice cream dipped by hand or fabulous frozen yogurt, peruse a plethora of Amish-made items such as preserved goods, and even scoop up a glass-bottled soda. Did we mention there are vintage candies and pastries as well? There are also the iconic sundae selections, like the Gold Rush Salty Caramel and the Gold Rush Pick & Shovel, for the super sweet-toothed shoppers.
But it gets even better. The store is the official host of Gold Hill's Friday Night Bluegrass Jam, held weekly throughout the entire year. That primo pairing of a sweet in your hand and musical notes meandering across the Carolina sky, plus people that are about as friendly and welcoming as a front porch breeze are about as North Carolina as a bottle of Cheerwine soda pop and sack full of Butterfield Candy's peach buds.
(704) 267-9439
770 St. Stephens Church Road, Gold Hill, NC 28071
Baker's Kitchen
One thing North Carolinians know how to do well is making a breakfast so memorable, you'll be thinking about it long after that last bite. Classic case in point: Baker's Kitchen, nestled in the heart of New Bern along the Neuse River, which whips up a delectable morning spread that'll leave you feeling full, and fond of this tiny eatery — where you walk in a visitor, and just about the time your feast of French Toast arrives, you feel like family. And ... there's the butter syrup.
This isn't some superfluous sidekick meant to politely accompany your morning stack, either. We're talking about Baker's famous Butter Syrup, which has become such a sensation that it has its own website and Facebook page , and fans can even have it shipped straight to them at home. Rich, creamy, sweet, and velvety, it was made to turn a stack of flapjacks, waffles, and more into something downright decadent. Locals and visitors rave about it, with one regular referring to it as "Sweet Baby Jesus syrup."
There's plenty more to dig into, too. Baker's serves Southern favorites alongside sweets from its full-service bakery, where the likes of bread, pies, and cinnamon rolls are baked onsite. Fancy a waffle? Good luck choosing between classic Belgian, cinnamon toast crunch, Oreo, or Funfetti variations. No matter what you choose, you'll likely leave convinced this N.C. gem is truly "batter" than the rest.
(252) 637-0304
227 Middle St., New Bern, NC 28560
Sims Country Bar-B-Que
Former late show host Stephen Colbert knew what was up when it came to North Carolina barbecue. And while you can certainly go online and find some of the best Carolina barbecue sauces on Amazon, you would miss out on the side helping of genuine North Carolina heart, found in places like Sims Country Bar-B-Que. It's the kind of spot that's impossible to describe to someone who's never been there is almost impossible. Let's just say you simply need to get there — and bring your dancing shoes, while you're at it.
Opened in 1979 by Keith Sims and his family — who still operate the business decades later — this Carolina Foothills gathering spot combines an all-you-can-eat barbecue buffet with live bluegrass, square dancing, and Appalachian clogging, all in an old barn. The buffet features pit-cooked chickens, pork, and beef, alongside scratch-made Southern sides like corn fritters, coleslaw, and the restaurant's iconic baked beans. It's zero frills, with nary a credit card machine, or alcoholic beverage, in sight.
The real enchantment begins when the music starts. Bluegrass, square dancing, and clogging happen on the Fridays and Saturdays, which happen to be when Sims is open. Jump in and try the fancy footwork yourself, or sit back and clap along. Either way, you'll be made to feel right at home, as Sims' motto is, "nobody leaves hungry, and nobody leaves a stranger."
(828) 396-5811
6160 Petra Mill Road, Granite Falls, NC 28630
Trust General Store & Cafe
While on the road heading to Trust General Store & Cafe, one might be tempted to doubt if it even exists. That's because this hidden treasure is the type of middle-of-nowhere mirage of a spot that many never take the extra time to discover. Nestled on a stretch of roadside roughly 30 miles from Asheville, this food stop is worth the extra miles (and maybe even a few confused U-turns en route).
The café serves everything from sandwiches like The Spicy Pig and salads such as the Grits & Greens, which is shrimp and grits, in salad form. Scratch-made desserts like oatmeal cream pies and coffee beverages can be enjoyed out on the porch, while rocking the world away. You can even dip your feet into Spring Creek, which flows through the backyard of the property, and is lined with picnic tables.
The current Trust General Store & Cafe opened in 1986 as a grocery-diner hybrid, later closing in the late 1990s before reopening in 2008. But the site's general store origins stretch all the way back to the turn of the 19th century, with discovered documents showing evidence of a barter system in place, where locals traded things like corn, eggs, or livestock for needed goods. Today, that sense of community is still alive and well.
(828) 622-7400
14535 NC-209, Hot Springs, NC 28743
Old Hampton Store & Barbecue
There's an old saying in the hills that "where there's bees, there's honey" but down in Avery County, where there's hickory smoke, there's a mountain paradise. That particular garden of Eden is Old Hampton Store & Barbecue, where you'll likely have the sort of experience that'll stay etched in your memories.
The food takes center stage, featuring its star sandwich, pulled barbecue on a sourdough bun, alongside a generous array of homemade dishes like macaroni and cheese and banana pudding. The pork is smoked with a charring kiss from hickory wood, and served with coleslaw on the side. Once you're finished eating, take some time to wander around the store, which dates back to 1920, and was once a train stop for the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad — nicknamed the Tweetsie Railroad, because of the sound of the train's whistle.
As you step, you'll likely be met with a creaking wooden plank, while pottery and crafts made by local artisans, and treats like jams, apple butters, and old-fashioned candies tempt you. A small stage sits inside the restaurant, with live acoustic and bluegrass music on the bill a few times each week, during the weather-cooperative months — the store shuts down during the winter. But visit during the season, and you'll experience the kind of North Carolina magic that'll have you grinnin' like a possum in a persimmon tree. (That's a good thing!)
(828) 733-5213
77 Ruffin St., Linville NC 28646
Methodology
This list comes from a very Carolina-specific perspective. As a Blue Ridge baby and a G.R.I.T. (Girl Raised in the South) through and through, this writer drew on firsthand experience growing up in the shadow of the Appalachian mountains. Other Tar Heels were also consulted to help identify the places that truly felt essential, rather than just being popular. Then, expert critics and food writers were brought into the mix to help confirm what N.C. kids already knew. The result was this collection of quintessential stops chosen to showcase the food, hospitality, history, music, scenery, and unmistakable spirit that make North Cackalacky (as we affectionately call it) so special.