12 North Carolina Restaurants That Turn Mac And Cheese Into The Main Event
Mac and cheese isn’t just a side dish anymore – it’s the star of the show at restaurants across North Carolina.
Get ready to discover where you can find the cheesiest, most creative mac and cheese creations in the state.
1. Poole’s Diner
Raleigh’s iconic spot serves up a macaroni au gratin that food lovers dream about for weeks. Chef Ashley Christensen slow-bakes pasta in layers of sharp cheddar until the top gets crispy and golden.
Each forkful delivers gooey cheese mixed with perfectly tender noodles. This downtown gem proves fancy doesn’t mean fussy when comfort food is done right.
2. Haberdish
Charlotte’s fried chicken hotspot doesn’t stop at bird – they pair their famous poultry with smoked gouda mac that’ll change your life. Creamy gouda blends with elbow macaroni, creating a smoky richness you won’t find anywhere else.
The breadcrumb topping adds satisfying crunch to every bite. Order it as your main or split it with friends who can’t resist.
3. The Mac House
Why settle for plain when you can customize? This Greenville food truck turned restaurant lets you build your own mac masterpiece from scratch.
Choose your cheese blend, pick proteins like bacon or pulled pork, then pile on toppings from jalapeños to truffle oil. With dozens of combinations possible, you’ll want to visit multiple times to try everything on the menu board.
4. Scratch Kitchen & Taproom
Durham foodies flock here for lobster mac that tastes like vacation on a plate. Chunks of fresh lobster meat nestle into three-cheese sauce made with gruyere, white cheddar, and parmesan.
It’s rich without being heavy, elegant without trying too hard. Pair it with one of their craft beers for the ultimate indulgent lunch that feels special any day of the week.
5. Beasley’s Chicken + Honey
Another Ashley Christensen creation, this Raleigh favorite knows how to do Southern comfort right. Their stovetop mac gets cooked low and slow until the cheese sauce becomes silky perfection.
Sharp white cheddar creates tangy notes that balance the richness beautifully. Served alongside crispy fried chicken drizzled with honey, it’s the kind of meal that makes you understand why people move South.
6. Relish Craft Kitchen
Kure Beach visitors stumble upon this coastal treasure and never forget the truffle mac. Earthy truffle oil transforms ordinary macaroni into something extraordinary without overwhelming your taste buds.
Fontina and white cheddar melt together into creamy bliss, while panko breadcrumbs add texture on top. It’s beachside dining with zero compromise on quality or flavor that locals guard like a delicious secret.
7. Backyard BBQ Pit
Durham’s barbecue joint proves that mac and cheese belongs next to smoked meats. Their version comes loaded with pulled pork mixed right into the cheesy pasta, creating a two-in-one masterpiece.
Smoky, tangy, and ridiculously filling, it’s comfort food that understands North Carolina’s love affair with pork. One bowl counts as both your entrée and your happy place for the afternoon.
8. The Pit BBQ
Raleigh’s barbecue institution serves a baked mac that’s become as famous as their whole hog. Four cheeses combine into a sauce so creamy it practically glows under the restaurant’s warm lighting.
Baked until bubbly with edges that get slightly caramelized, it’s the side dish that steals the show. Regulars know to order an extra serving because sharing becomes impossible once you taste it.
9. The Original Q Shack
This Durham barbecue spot takes mac seriously, slow-cooking it with smoked cheddar for depth you can’t fake. The cheese absorbs hints of hickory smoke, making every bite taste like summer cookouts and good times.
Creamy yet not soupy, it holds its shape while still delivering that gooey pull. It’s the kind of mac that converts people who claim they don’t like cheese.
10. I Heart Mac & Cheese
With locations across North Carolina, this fast-casual chain built its entire identity around one thing: ridiculous mac combinations. Build your bowl from scratch or try signature creations like buffalo chicken mac or cheeseburger mac.
Fresh ingredients get tossed with your choice of pasta shapes and cheese blends right in front of you. It’s quick, customizable, and proves that specialization really does breed excellence.
11. Mama Dip’s Kitchen
Chapel Hill’s soul food legend has been serving homestyle mac since 1976, and the recipe hasn’t changed because perfection doesn’t need updates. Baked with sharp cheddar and a hint of mustard powder, it tastes exactly like Sunday dinner at grandma’s house.
The edges get crusty while the center stays soft and gooey. One bite transports you straight to childhood, no time machine required.
12. Dame’s Chicken and Waffles
Durham’s brunch favorite doesn’t just serve chicken and waffles – their jalapeño mac steals hearts daily. Fresh jalapeños bring gentle heat that wakes up your taste buds without burning them.
Three-cheese sauce keeps things creamy while the peppers add personality and color. Sweet meets savory meets spicy in a combination that makes total sense once you try it for yourself at this beloved spot.
