My first bite of a golden empanada in North Carolina came from a spot I nearly drove right past, and I’ve been chasing that crunch ever since. There’s something magical about a pastry that shatters at the corner and then floods your mouth with warm, seasoned filling.
Across this state, from mountain towns to coastal streets, small kitchens are turning simple dough into something worth a special trip. Here are nine places where the crust crackles and the filling refuses to stay tucked inside.
1. Makus Empanadas, Raleigh, NC
Argentinian tradition sits at the heart of this downtown Raleigh favorite, where empanadas arrive with a crisp crust and just the right ratio of dough to filling. The crunch when you bite in feels engineered, and then the seasoned insides take over.
Regulars gravitate toward flavors like pork chimichurri, ham and cheese, bacon and cheese, and pepperoni, but the kitchen goes out of its way for everyone at the table. You’ll find vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan options here, plus a full vegan and vegetarian menu, so nobody gets left out.
The vibe is casual and trendy, with free parking, free Wi-Fi, and seating that works for solo lunches or bigger groups. Open every day from 11 AM to 8 PM at 411 W Morgan St, it’s a low-key spot that rewards anyone willing to wander downtown a little.
2. The Empanada Factory, Wake Forest, NC
Cooked to order is the whole promise at this Wake Forest eatery, and it shows in every crackling shell that comes out of the kitchen. The chicken and cheese draws a crowd, but so does the beef and cheese, both served with a garlic-cilantro ranch that ties everything together.
Beyond the empanadas, the menu stretches into tacos, burritos, sweet plantains, and yucca fries that come out large and perfectly crisp. There’s a good mix of traditional flavor combos and a few more adventurous ones, plus sweet options for anyone who wants to finish on a high note.
Tucked into 2010 S Main St in the Research Triangle area, the room feels cozy and quiet, with a full vegetarian menu, high chairs, and dogs welcome on the patio. Friday evenings get busy, so a quieter weekday lunch is your best bet for a relaxed table.
3. Felix’s Handmade Empanadas, Charlotte, NC
Set up inside Optimist Hall, this Argentine stall makes empanadas that hold their shape and their filling all the way to the last bite. The crust turns out flaky and buttery, generous with what’s inside, and never dried out the way lesser empanadas can be.
Adventurous eaters have plenty to explore, from shepherd’s pie and chorizo to bacon with date and goat cheese, plus a La Cubana for something familiar. Save room for dessert varieties like apple crumble or dulce de leche banana, and grab truffle or sea salt fries on the side.
The setting is bright and trendy, welcoming to families and easy for a quick solo lunch. Open daily with late hours on weekends at 1115 N Brevard St, it’s the kind of food-hall find that makes a Charlotte afternoon better than you expected.
4. Miguelo’s Empanadas, Stallings, NC
Family-owned and made fresh daily, this little shop near Matthews turns out empanadas that crackle on the outside and stay packed with well-seasoned filling inside. A dozen different kinds line the menu, so choosing becomes the hardest part of the visit.
Chicken, pork, and cheese all have their fans, and the sweet options give you a reason to come back before you’ve even finished the savory ones. Everything comes out hot and tasty, with a lot of filling tucked into each pastry.
The atmosphere is warm and quiet, the kind of beautiful little counter you stumble into on a whim and remember later. Located at 4522 Potter Rd in Stallings, it’s open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 8 PM with plenty of parking and quick counter service for lunch, dinner, or catering.
5. La Palma, Greensboro, NC
Vibrant colors, Dominican music, and the smell of the fryer greet you at this Sedgefield Crossing spot, where empanadas come out crunchy and, notably, not greasy at all. Fillings run from chicken to beef to potato, each one seasoned with real Caribbean care.
The kitchen does far more than empanadas, though. Perfectly cooked rotisserie chicken, mofongo, Cuban sandwiches, and potato balls known as bollito de papa all earn their place, and the portions of homemade Dominican food come out big.
Clean, tidy, and lively, the room feels welcoming for families, groups, and college students alike, with high chairs and a kids’ menu on hand. You’ll find it at 4623 W Gate City Blvd in Greensboro, open most days from 11:30 AM with weekend crowds picking up in the afternoon.
6. Juanchos Fonda, Asheville, NC
Everything here is crafted from scratch, and the Colombian-style empanadas come out fresh and airy, lighter than you’d guess from how satisfying they taste. The kitchen leans on quality ingredients and a healthier rice oil, giving each bite a cleaner finish.
Cheese, pork, chicken, and beef versions all shine, and the menu keeps going with sancocho, carne asada arepas, a chimichurri picada sampler, and vegan pandebono. It’s a full-service gluten-free spot with plenty of vegan options, so the table can order freely.
Set just across from Givens in the mountain city of Asheville, the space feels cozy and trendy, with live music, great coffee, and reservations accepted. Find it at 2619 Sweeten Creek Rd, open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM, and worth building an afternoon around when the mountain air turns crisp.
7. Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas, Durham, NC
Exposed-brick walls and a downtown Durham address set the stage for empanadas with the flakiest, most golden crust in the room. Each one comes well filled and full of flavor, whether you go for chicken, chorizo, or the standout eggplant version.
The South American menu spreads generously beyond the pastry, with camote chimichurri, crispy yuca frites, pork carnitas patacon pisao, and sides like collards, succotash, black beans, and coconut rice. Vegetarian and vegan eaters get a full menu, including a quinoa, black bean, and pepper jack empanada that holds its own.
Stylish and trendy without losing its warmth, this is a place worth a reservation, especially on busy Saturday evenings. Located at 112 W Main St and open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM, it turns an empanada craving into a proper night out.
8. I Love Empanadas, Wilmington, NC
Fresh, hot, and steamy from the moment they hit the plate, the empanadas at this coastal Wilmington kitchen taste like they came straight from a grandmother’s cocina. Colombian tradition runs through every crispy golden shell, with fillings that burst out the moment you break the crust.
What sets this newcomer apart is the balance. The breading stays thin rather than heavy, letting bright, authentic side sauces do their work and complement each bite instead of covering it up.
At around six dollars, a perfectly made empanada with banana crisps feels like a genuine bargain in the heart of Wilmington. You’ll find the counter at 609 S 15th St, open Tuesday through Sunday with later hours on Friday and Saturday, an easy, flavorful stop when the beach town calls.
9. Que Viva Latin Street Grill, Winston-Salem, NC
Piping hot cheese and picadillo empanadas fresh from the fryer set the tone at this family-run Jonestown Road kitchen. Bite in and the shell crackles, the beans stay soft without turning mushy, and the cheese pulls into a satisfying string.
Beyond empanadas, the menu celebrates Latin street food with arepas, Cuban sandwiches, tostones, maduros, chicharron, and a hearty bandeja paisa. Vegetarians and vegans get a full menu, and the sauces here get as much praise as the mains.
Warm, trendy, and welcoming to groups, this mom-and-pop operation is the kind of place that takes longtime regulars back to childhood flavors. Find it at 177 Jonestown Rd in Winston-Salem, open Tuesday through Sunday with fast, friendly service and plenty of free parking out front.