Authentic Southern BBQ. Craft beer and cider. Local wineries. While you’re in Cabarrus County, eat and drink local and get a taste of our area’s five-star culinary experiences.
THERE'S MORE TO US
Feast at the “Jiggy With the Piggy” Barbecue Competition & Festival.
Sip away at 10 craft breweries, a cidery and America’s first prison-turned-distillery.
Choose among 130+ local restaurants featuring cuisines of all kinds.
Explore Non-Stop Flavor
Local Favorite Places to Eat
Support Cabarrus County’s independent restaurants! From best-kept secrets to happening hot spots, here’s a list of places to eat you ought to make time to dine at.
Eat Local
Finger-Lickin’ BBQ in Cabarrus County
From Concord to Kannapolis, Cabarrus County restaurants serve up some serious Southern barbecue. Whether you like yours sweet or smokey, slathered in tomato or mustard sauce, here’s your roadmap to the best BBQ in North Carolina.
Find BBQ
Cheers! Cabarrus County’s Craft Beer & Cider Scene
Cabarrus County’s craft beverage scene has quickly lapped the field. Visit local hotspots where area brewers make a splash with small-batch beer, wine, cider and spirits.
Raise a Glass
Patios, Picnics and Parks: Where to Eat Al Fresco
From local restaurant patios to beer gardens and food trucks or local snacks for a picnic lunch, there are endless options for outdoor dining in Cabarrus County.
Dine Outdoors
Thirst No More
Ice-cold drafts, rich wines and more await you on the Explore and Pour beverage trail. With the free mobile passport program, you can earn points and win prizes!
Explore the Trail
73 & Main
Enjoy a side of history with your meal. 73 & Main is an American restaurant and pub housed in the restored Mt. Pleasant Hosiery Mill, which was built more than a century ago. An on-site nano-brewery, Old Well Brewery, makes sure that no one goes thirsty.
Plus, enjoy a drink at the Bourbon Bar, which features one of the largest selections of bourbon in the state, including over 35 rare and antique bourbons and Cabarrus County’s own award-winning “Conviction” from Southern Grace.
Southern Grace Distilleries
The first distillery in the country that’s located within a former prison, Southern Grace Distilleries is one of a kind. You can come to this small-batch distillery simply to enjoy the drinks, or you can schedule an intimate tour of the prison.
Get a look behind the scenes on the Behind Bars Tour or be immersed in the process with the Barrel House Tasting or Bourbon Experience.
Chophouse 101
When Carlos Hernandez was 10 years old, his mother gave him some advice: learn how to cook. What started as a necessity turned into a passion. Hernandez finished culinary school and had successful turns at Asian and Italian restaurants in Charlotte before starting the instantly popular Hot Tamale food truck.
Now, he’s opened Chophouse 101 in revitalized downtown Kannapolis. Come see the new downtown and stay for the fresh chops, steaks, seafood, chicken and burgers.
Chocolatier Barrucand
Bringing over 50 years of combined experience to the table, Chefs Jean Luc & Ann Marie Barrucand formed Chocolatier Barrucand in historic downtown Concord. The shop is the culmination of a lifelong dream and quickly built a reputation for injecting imagination into their culinary creations. The selection changes daily, but previous options have included light-as-air macarons, apricot meringue and fluffy cheesecakes. And, of course, there will be plenty of chocolates, from caramel-filled to truffles. Keep an eye on their calendar to enjoy their monthly wine tastings.
