A tasty tour through a culinary paradise in the Southeast
North Carolina’s culture is both country and cosmopolitan. The influence of Appalachian roots is as prominent as the modern diversity of Charlotte, the state’s largest city and the second-largest financial center in the country. This cultural spectrum is reflected in the culinary landscape, which ranges from classic Southern flavors like moonshine and BBQ to new, modern delights. Get ready for a culinary road trip with locally grown sweet, salty, sour, and spicy items from across North Carolina
Raleigh-Durham’s culinary and craft beer capital
Fly into Raleigh-Durham International Airport to begin this culinary experience. Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina, and both Raleigh and Durham are part of the famous Research Triangle, which refers to the region’s three top-tier universities along with its high-tech industries. These cities attract residents (and cuisines) from around the world. Try Venezuelan arepas at Guasaca, Laotian food at Bida Manda, Lebanese kebabs at Sitti, and authentic German and Polish cuisine at J. Betski’s. Raleigh-Durham also boasts a bevy of James Beard Award nominees and winners. In Raleigh, there’s award-winning Ashley Christensen and her group of restaurants, including Poole’s Dinner and Andrea Reusing in the trendy Durham Hotel. In Durham, nominees include Scratch Bakery, Nana’s, and Mateo’s, a tapas restaurant serving Spanish-Southern fusion cuisine. Cool off with a beer (or several) at the Raleigh Beer Garden, which features the world’s largest selection of draft beer. Then, browse the college-chic shops and restaurants of Durham’s Ninth Street District, or sample the nightlife in Raleigh’s trendy Glenwood South district. The next stop is low-key Lexington, where the BBQ battle begins.
Western Style BBQ in Lexington
North Carolinians are in a constant battle over the two types of BBQ preparation found in the state: Eastern style, which uses a vinegar and pepper base and cooks the entire pig; and Western style (also known as Piedmont or Lexington), which adds ketchup and other seasonings as a dip and uses only the pork shoulder. Little Lexington has plenty of restaurants serving the local style to help you with your BBQ education process. Recognized as one of the best in the region, Lexington BBQ serves its signature pork with its almost addictive hush puppies. With appearances in Southern Living and on “Good Morning America,” Barbecue Center is famous for its char-grilled ground beef and a titanic banana split. Speedy Barbecue, Inc. is a great stop for big, affordable portions. Cook’s Barbeque, meanwhile, always has long lines waiting for its impressive chopped pork, homemade fries, and tiny corn chips. Plan your trip for late October and you can sample a buffet of meticulously cooked meat at the Lexington Barbecue Festival. No matter when you visit Lexington, your trip won’t be complete without a visit to the historic uptown area, where you’ll find a fine arts scene and can sample local wines. Your journey continues in Asheville.
Asheville, a place with organic and locally grown gastronomy
Modern, liberal Asheville emphasizes the new and unexpected at every level, from its arts and music scenes to its traditional farm-to-table dishes and menus. Walk the streets of Asheville and try local favorites such as Tupelo Honey, with its Southern-inspired fare and famous Bloody Mary. The pickled okra and cheese-and-paprika-stuffed olives make it a lunch-breakfast favorite. Other must-try include the unfamiliar flavors of White Duck Taco. There are also vegetarian and vegan options at Rosetta’s or authentic Spanish tapas at Curaté. If you’re thirsty for a good drink, you’re in luck. The appropriately nicknamed “Beer City USA” boasts the highest ratio of breweries per capita in the country. Amazing brews await you here at places like Highland Brewing, Green Man, Wicked Weed, Pisgah Brewing, Catawba Brewing, Burial Beer, and Hi-Wire, among others. It’s worth noting that this list doesn’t include cider specialists like Black Mountain Ciderworks in nearby Black Mountain. Be sure to stop by the Biltmore Estate, where you can tour the largest private residence in the country. You can also sample the finest wines and refined farm-to-table flavors at the estate’s bistro before making your final stop.
Modern twists on tradition in Charlotte and Concord
Your journey through the flavors of North Carolina ends in Charlotte and nearby Concord, home of the NASCAR Motor Speedway. Charlotte’s neighborhoods offer a wealth of flavors to discover, from craft beers at Birdsong Brewing in the original NoDa to perfect fried chicken at Price’s Chicken Coop in the South End and the upscale Fig Tree Restaurant in Elizabeth. Charlotte boasts one of the most beautiful skylines in the South, which you can take in from the rooftops of restaurants like Fahrenheit, Whiskey Warehouse, and Peculiar Rabbit. In what could be considered a historic twist of fate, legal moonshine stills are becoming popular in the South. During Prohibition, Southern moonshine stills built even faster cars to outrun cops, which evolved into the racing phenomenon known today as NASCAR. Sign up for a tour of the Southern Grace Distillery in Mount Pleasant, just outside of Concord. Located in a former prison, this site offers a behind-the-scenes tour of the prison and distillery. You can fly home from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which offers nonstop flights to many international destinations.
