Craving a bowl of grits so creamy they cling to your spoon, topped with plump shrimp and sausage that carries a little kick? North Carolina hides some seriously good versions of this Southern classic, and half the fun is stumbling onto a spot you never expected to fall for.
From coastal towns to mountain streets, these kitchens turn a humble dish into something worth planning a whole day around. Grab your appetite, because these nine plates are ready to make your weekend delicious.
1. The Big Easy NC
Walk into this New Orleans-themed corner of downtown Raleigh and the exposed brick, wrought iron, and live music set the mood before your food even lands. The Shrimp and Creamy Gouda Grits is the star, and the grits earn every bit of that name.
What sets this plate apart is the Gouda. The grits come cheesy, silky, and carefully seasoned, giving the whole bowl a mellow richness that plays off the andouille sausage beautifully.
That sausage brings the excitement. Paired with jalapenos, it adds a gentle heat that wakes everything up without overwhelming the sweetness of the shrimp, which arrive a good size and cooked just right.
Beyond the grits, the kitchen leans hard into Cajun and Creole comfort, with alligator bites, jambalaya pasta, and seafood gumbo rounding out the menu. Cornbread comes alongside many of the Southern plates, too.
Open late most nights and easy on families, it makes a fine stop whether you want a quick lunch on Fayetteville Street or a lingering dinner with friends. Street parking can be tricky, so leave a few extra minutes to circle the block.
2. Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
Mountain air and Southern comfort meet at this downtown Asheville favorite, where the all-day menu takes classic dishes and gives them a creative twist. The shrimp and grits here has become the kind of plate people plan a trip around.
Regulars rave that the grits may be the best they have ever eaten, and that is saying something in a state full of contenders. Creamy and full-bodied, they anchor tender shrimp along with pork and collard greens for a plate that feels both refined and homey.
Sausage lovers have an easy move here: the chorizo upgrade adds a smoky, spiced layer that turns the dish up a notch. It is a small touch that changes the whole personality of the bowl.
The rest of the menu is just as tempting, with honey-dusted fried chicken, famous fried green tomatoes, and biscuits with sawmill gravy. Reservations are smart, since there is usually a wait, especially on weekend mornings.
Come during peak autumn color and pair your meal with a stroll through downtown Asheville. It is one of the most rewarding food-and-scenery combos in the whole state.
3. Easy Like Sunday
Brunch is the whole point at this Charlotte spot, and the name pretty much promises the vibe: relaxed, warm, and made for lazy weekend mornings. The shrimp and grits fits right in with that easygoing energy.
Rich and creamy grits form the foundation, with shrimp cooked to that perfect snap and a sausage that delivers just the right kick. Blackened shrimp bring a little smoky heat, so if you like your brunch with attitude, this bowl has your name on it.
Portions run generous, which is a good thing when the rest of the menu keeps calling. Ricotta-stuffed French toast, fried chicken with cornmeal pancakes, and short rib hash all beg for a return visit.
The space itself is charming, with both indoor and outdoor seating, and dogs are welcome inside and out. Parking is plentiful and free, which is a small miracle in this part of the city.
They do not take reservations and there is usually a wait, so arrive early or come ready to enjoy a little patience. The payoff on your plate makes it easy.
4. Succotash Southern and Creole Kitchen.
Creole flavor runs deep at this comfortable Durham eatery, where Southern staples share the menu with dishes built on bold seasoning. The shrimp and grits has earned comparisons to what you would find in Charleston, which is high praise for a Piedmont kitchen.
The grits themselves are the calling card here: creamy, rich, and layered with flavor. Shrimp arrive perfectly seasoned, and the whole plate carries that unmistakable Creole personality.
Sausage, peppers, and green onions pile on top, giving every bite texture and a little spice. It is a dish that tastes like it came out of a family kitchen that has been perfecting the recipe for years.
Around the plate, the menu stretches into jambalaya, red beans and rice, smoked brisket, and beignets for dessert. Fried green tomatoes over greens with pickled red onions make a great starter, too.
Open Wednesday through Sunday with a midday and evening service, it works for both a leisurely lunch and a slower dinner. Dinner reservations are recommended, and free parking makes the visit stress-free.
5. Southern Pecan – Gulf Coast Kitchen
Gulf Coast cooking finds a happy home in Charlotte at this festive, classy-yet-casual kitchen where the Southern staples come with a coastal accent. Its shrimp and grits regularly gets called out as some of the best around, and for good reason.
Creamy and deeply flavorful, the grits hold their own against everything piled on top. The dish carries a Cajun and Lowcountry spirit, with savory meats and a nice spicy kick woven throughout.
What makes this spot stand out is the sheer range of Southern seafood surrounding that signature plate. Pecan-fried catfish, gumbo BBQ shrimp, fried oysters, po boys, and jambalaya all share the spotlight.
The setting balances a lively, celebratory feel with an inviting comfort that works for a birthday dinner or a casual family lunch. Valet parking is even an option, which is a nice bonus.
Weekends get busy, especially Friday and Saturday evenings, so consider a reservation. Come hungry and plan to try more than one thing, because the menu makes it hard to choose.
6. Savor Southern Kitchen
House-made everything is the secret weapon at this unfussy Wilmington eatery, and it shows the moment you taste the shrimp and grits. Locally sourced ingredients turn a familiar dish into something you will remember long after the drive home.
The grits here are the real deal: stone ground, cooked slow, and finished with just enough cheese to add richness without burying the corn flavor. That restraint is exactly what makes them shine.
Then there is the sausage. The kitchen makes its own, so every bite has that fresh, deliberate flavor you simply cannot get from a package.
Paired with the shrimp, it turns the whole plate into serious comfort food.
Prices sit on the friendlier end, which makes this a smart weekend breakfast or lunch stop on the way to Carolina Beach. Huge biscuits and biscuits with gravy round out the menu nicely.
Open mornings into early afternoon most days, with easy parking and a relaxed atmosphere, it is the kind of neighborhood gem worth going out of your way for. Weekend mornings draw the biggest crowds.
7. Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen
Farm-to-table cooking meets Southern soul at this Cary favorite, where an upscale touch never loses the comfort at the heart of the food. The shrimp and grits has turned plenty of skeptics into fans of a dish they thought they did not like.
Everything comes down to balance here. A wonderful blend of bold flavors, grits with just the right consistency, and shrimp with a satisfying texture make each bite feel considered.
The kitchen leans on classic Southern skillet accompaniments and savory andouille-style gravies to build its seafood specialties. That saucy richness is exactly what keeps people coming back for one more forkful.
The setting adds to the appeal, with a cozy, romantic feel that works for date night and a relaxed enough vibe for a family dinner. Outdoor tables are a treat in spring and fall.
Alongside the shrimp and grits, you will find jambalaya, skillet-fried chicken, bacon-wrapped meatloaf, and a brownie sundae worth saving room for. Reservations are recommended, and parking is plentiful and free.
8. Mert’s Heart And Soul
Soul food with real heart pours out of this husband-and-wife-run spot in the heart of uptown Charlotte, where colorful decor and signed photos give the room its own personality. Lowcountry dishes fill the menu, and the shrimp and grits is a standout.
The cheese grits form a thick, rich base that gives the plate its comforting weight. It is the kind of hearty texture that feels like a hug from a home kitchen.
Where this version really wins is the seasoning. That gravy carries a perfect combination of spice and flavor, and the kitchen is known for loading dishes with smoked meats and sausage flavors, from turkey kielbasa to more.
The menu reaches well beyond one bowl, with soul rolls, salmon cakes, fried whiting, and cornbread that people talk about long afterward. Shrimp creole and catfish are longtime favorites, too.
Located right downtown, it draws families, groups, and visitors alike, with the busiest crush landing Saturday afternoon and evening. Parking can be a bit of a hunt, so factor that into your plans.
9. Early Girl Eatery
Perched on a quaint stretch of Wall Street in downtown Asheville, this cheerful eatery has become a jewel of many a mountain-town visit. All-day breakfast and meat-and-two plates fill the menu, and the shrimp and grits fits right into that scratch-made philosophy.
Local ingredients drive everything here, from NC sweetpotatoes in signature dishes to organic and heirloom grit preparations. The grits carry a homemade character you can taste in the very first bite.
The kitchen specializes in Southern plates that combine local breakfast sausages, house seasonings, and rich gravies. That means the shrimp and grits arrives with layers of savory, comforting flavor built from ingredients sourced close to home.
Regulars rank it among the best breakfasts in Asheville, and its blend of local coziness and downtown charm makes it easy to see why. Plenty of shops sit within a short walk for after your meal.
They do not take reservations and there is usually a wait, so plan for a little patience or aim for a quieter weekday morning. It is a delicious anchor for a full day of exploring the mountains.