This family-owned farm-to-table restaurant offers a modern twist on traditional Southern fare with dishes like the shrimp and grits.
You have to try: The Farm Breakfast — a plate of local eggs with stone ground grits or Sunday potatoes, apple wood smoked bacon or sausage, and a buttermilk biscuit.
47 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 254-2502
theblackbirdrestaurant.com
Born in downtown Asheville more than 15 years ago, Tupelo Honey has spread its love for biscuits and honey to more than a dozen locations across the country. photograph by Tim Robison
The team at Tupelo takes pride in crafting scratch-made Southern food from responsibly sourced ingredients — like the picnic chicken salad, made from antibiotic-free chicken.
You have to try: The “Old Skool” Breakfast Bowl — a bowl of heirloom grits with goat cheese, parmesan rosemary potato cracklins, cheddar cheese, chopped bacon, roasted red pepper sauce, green tomato salsa, and two sunny-side up eggs.
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 255-4863
1829 Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 505-7676
101 South Tryon Street, Suite 130
Charlotte, NC 28280
(980) 270-7268
425 Oberlin Road
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 723-9353
tupelohoneycafe.com
The windows historic Stepp House was reimagined into a restaurant that serves breakfast all day. George W. Stepp, the home’s namesake, was a cabinetmaker who worked on the Biltmore Estate and served as mayor of Black Mountain from 1908 to 1911 and from 1915 to 1917.
You have to try: The huevos rancheros.
115 Black Mountain Avenue
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828) 357-5446
louisesblackmtn.com
This gem of a restaurant is known for superior service and specialty pancakes — like spiced apple cinnamon — with homemade maple syrup.
You have to try: The Bacon Bit Waffle – a fluffy Belgian waffle loaded down with crunchy bacon bits.
295 Sugarloaf Road
Hendersonville, NC 28792
(828) 697-1004
kostasfiresidepancakeinn.com
A view of the Chef’s Table, and Fried Broccoli Baffle with lemon zest, sea salt, and vegan aioli. photograph by Café Rule & Wine Bar
Despite the name, Café Rule is all about, well, breaking the rules. They like to approach familiar foods in innovative ways — like the pimento cheese grits.
You have to try: The Crab Benny.
242 11th Avenue Northeast
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-2005
caferule.com
This country cooking restaurant and general store is known for its all-you-can-eat buffet and its homemade Smokey Mountain Gravy — a traditional Blue Ridge recipe that uses simple ingredients: bacon grease, flour, milk, salt, and pepper.
You have to try: The buttermilk biscuits smothered in the aforementioned famous gravy.
2115 South Sterling Street
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 433-5400
abelesfamilyrestaurant.com
With menu items like collard greens, macaroni and cheese, grits, and potato salad, Dame’s offers true Southern comfort food, but they’re, of course, known for their chicken and waffle offerings.
You have to try: The Carolina Cockerel — three fried chicken wings over a classic, sweet potato, vegan, or gingerbread waffle with your choice of shmear and side.
Dame’s Chicken & Waffles
823 Bass Pro Lane
Cary, N.C. 27513
(919) 234-0824
147 East Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514
(919) 240-4228
530 Foster Street #130
Durham, N.C. 27701
(919) 682-9235
301 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Greensboro, N.C. 27406
(336) 275-7333
dameschickenwaffles.com
On the Carolina Coffee Shop’s menu, “Classic BLT” is code for “triple decker.” photograph by Anna Routh Barzin
Founded in 1922, Carolina Coffee Shop is the oldest continually running restaurant in North Carolina and has been serving up dishes made with fresh, local produce long before it was fashionable — like the nuts and berries salad with mixed greens, blueberries, strawberries, goat cheese, red onion, toasted pecans, and raspberry vinaigrette.
You have to try: The shrimp and grits.
138 East Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 942-6875
carolinacoffeeshop.com
Press is more than just a coffeehouse: Here, customers can indulge in made-to-order sweet and savory crepes prepared with locally sourced ingredients.
You have to try: The berries-and-cream crepe.
133 North Main Street
Graham, NC 27253
(336) 395-3645
359 Blackwell Street
Durham, NC 277
(919) 748-3142
presscc.com
Diners at this down-home Southern restaurant can treat themselves to savory Southern comfort food — like the fried green tomato and okra basket, or a hot pan of sweet potato cornbread served with honey ginger butter.
You have to try: Miss Ora’s Fried Chicken.
607 North Trade Street
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
(336) 727-4844
sweetpotatoes.ws
At Hummingbird, brunch tastes best on the patio. Try the tartine: seeded levain bread topped with béchamel, rosemary ham, mushrooms, Manchego cheese, arugula, and a sunny-side up egg. photograph by Alex Boerner
Menu items — like the peacemaker po’ boy and the charbroiled oysters — at this intimate eatery were influenced by chef Coleen Speaks’s years in New Orleans.
You have to try: The Brunch Burger — a house-ground ribeye patty with pimento cheese, a fried green tomato, and a fried egg between brioche buns.
1053 East Whitaker Mill Road, Suite 111
Raleigh NC 27604
(919) 301-8900
hummingbirdraleigh.com
This farm-to-table pub was founded on the belief that the shared enjoyment of good food makes happy people.
You have to try: The Country Grit Bowl — grits with house chorizo, two eggs, smoked gouda, and fire-roasted gravy on top.
1715 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Road
Saxapahaw, NC 27340
(336) 525-2010
theeddypub.com
This American bistro-style deli and bakery offers a specialized brunch cocktail menu that includes made-from-scratch Bloody Mary’s and rum punch with freshly squeezed orange juice.
You have to try: The Benedict Arnold — a Hollandaise-topped treat with crab cakes, poached eggs, asparagus, and sweet potato threads on crostini.
117 Queen Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-3899
beaufortgrocery.com
With homemade chicken salad, hoop cheese biscuits, and banana pudding, this down-home country restaurant is a local favorite.
You have to try: The cheeseburger omelet.
1201 North Williams Street
Goldsboro, NC 27530
(984) 207-7006
ashleys-diner.edan.io
Baker’s Kitchen is best known for breakfast, but the restaurant’s chef, Duke Kroger, has been expanding its lunch menu, too. photograph by Baxter Miller
The recipe for this restaurant’s famous butter syrup is kept strictly under wraps, but it’s not a secret that it makes the best dishes even more delicious, especially the fluffy Belgian waffles.
You have to try: The French toast.
227 Middle Street
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 637-0304
bakerskitchennb.com
Founded by brothers Michael and Ben Powell, Drift offers hearty and healthy brunch options — like their Market Bowl Breakfast, with a fried egg, roasted sweet potato, quinoa, avocado, roasted tomato, and greens, or the house-made pecan walnut granola with seasonal berries, honey, and yogurt.
You have to try: The veggie burrito.
20 East Second Street
Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
1005 International Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
221 North Front Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
110 Dungannon Boulevard, Suite 170
Wilmington, NC 28403
114 Causeway Drive
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
(910) 236-3033
driftcoffee.kitchen
This bistro, in the Castle Street Arts District, makes its dishes — like homemade tuna salad on thick sliced wheat and black bean Benedict — with the freshest ingredients and a healthy dash of love.
You have to try: The French toast casserole.
607 Castle Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 763-6555
jesterscafe.com
When it comes to spreading holiday cheer, the residents of this Chatham County town start early.
Our editor in chief shares a few treasured memories from her childhood home, a Christmas Eve night being one of the very first.
We took some, ahem, creative liberties when we combed through Our State’s archives to find a few favorite stories that carry the tune of a Christmas classic.
From decades-old family recipes to a centuries-old Carolina cookie, we’re filling our holiday tables with dishes that have stood the test of time.
