Published by Christina Riley. Last Updated on May 27, 2025.
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This NC food guide focuses on the best restaurants in Concord and nearby in Cabarrus County.
We’re huge fans of Cabarrus County and have found some pretty amazing restaurants in Concord, Kannapolis, and Mount Pleasant. If you’re looking to visit this fun part of North Carolina, we want you to come prepared with this list of places to eat in Concord NC.
Whether you are staying at Great Wolf Lodge, in town for a race, or looking for a fun day trip from Charlotte, we’ve got you covered on where to eat in Concord and beyond.
If you’re searching for a specific place, here’s how we’ve organized this guide:
Whether you’re a new resident, a frequent visitor, or a local, we’re leaving no detail behind. If you live in Cabarrus County and are wondering, “What are the best restaurants near me?” we think this NC travel guide will help you out!
Read More: Things to Do in Concord and Cabarrus County
The Best Restaurants in Concord (List)
We start this guide with the best places to eat in Concord before venturing out to the rest of Cabarrus County. Here’s what you’ll find in this section:
- 44 Mills Kitchen & Tap
- Gianni’s Trattoria
- Havana Carolina Cafe & Bakery
- Jake’s, an R&R Bar-B-Que Restaurant
- Johnny Roger’s BBQ & Burgers
- Not Just Franks
- OMG Donuts
- The Smoke Pit
- The Sweet Spot
- What-a-Burger
44 Mills Kitchen & Tap
Address: 6189 Bayfield Pkwy, Concord, NC
Website
Located in Afton Ridge, 44 Mills Kitchen & Tap is one of the best date night restaurants in Concord! Chef Mike Watson prepares thoughtful and locally inspired dishes, including his crave-worthy liver mush croutons!
The name is inspired by the 44 historic mills that used to thrive in this area, and the food here lives beyond that legacy. Order a cocktail, don’t skip the mini ham biscuits, and enjoy a fabulous night with extraordinary food.
Read More: 20+ Awesome Museums in Charlotte and Nearby!
Gianni’s Trattoria
Address: 325 McGill Ave NW, Concord, NC
Website
More than just your average Italian, Gianni’s Trattoria is one of the best restaurants in Concord NC. Owned by real New Yorkers, the vibe is friendly and welcoming.
The menu items shine because of fresh and quality ingredients, such as the Prosciutto from Parma and the Truffle oil from Perugia.
Havana Carolina Cafe & Bakery
Address: 11 Union Street South, Suite #108, Concord, NC
Website
Family-owned, the Havana Carolina Cafe & Bakery in downtown Concord brings a unique dining experience. This Concord restaurant is a favorite among locals and serves authentic Cuban food with family recipes.
Make sure to order a Cafe Havana or a Guava smoothie!
Jake’s, an R&R Bar-B-Que Restaurant
Address: 755 Pitts School Rd NW, Concord, NC
Website
Formerly R&R, Jake’s remains a family-run restaurant/icon in Cabarrus County. When it first opened in 1998, the restaurant was an homage to its owners (Robert Critz and Robert Elmore, Jr.)and to the railroad tracks near its first location in Kannapolis.
After tragedy struck in 2019, the restaurant’s name changed to honor Jake Critz, who passed away too young and too soon.
According to their official website, Jake’s “serves as a daily reminder of the lives touched by addiction, the strength of family, and the hope that by sharing his story, we might help others along the way.”
The powerful message behind its name is hard to ignore, but there’s a homey restaurant and a delicious menu to explore at Jake’s.
Come in and admire the model train that’s circling the tracks above and have a seat, where tasty Eastern NC barbecue, burgers, and hot dogs await. Save some room for banana pudding after, too.
Jake’s also caters and sells barbecue, brisket, and much more in bulk, so please keep them in mind for your next party or picnic.
Johnny Roger’s BBQ & Burgers
Address: 3709 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC
Website
There really is nothing better than a restaurant that serves both fantastic barbecue AND a moist juicy burger! Johnny Roger’s BBQ and Burgers uses an old family recipe for their BBQ seasoning and sauce, this barbecue joint serves more than North Carolina style.
Make sure to get some brisket and a cheese-stuffed burger!
Not Just Franks
Address: 72 Union St S, Concord, NC
Let’s face it. When offered the opportunity to get a damn good hot dog, we are always game! Not Just Franks serves up the best hot dogs in North Carolina right in downtown Concord.
Get the number 5 — an all-beef hot dog and a pretzel – for a heck of a deal!
OMG Donuts
Address: 10005 Weddington Rd Ext, Concord, NC
That’s right. Those donuts really are OMG!
Perfectly yeasty and filled to order, OMG Donuts is an absolute must when in Concord. The apple fritters are ginormous, and unlike most donut places, OMG does a really fantastic job at their variety while maintaining consistency in their quality.
The absolute cherry on top? They are really affordable!
The Smoke Pit
Concord Address: 796 Concord Pkwy, Concord, NC
Website
The first of our favorite restaurants in Concord is a great stop for barbecue! The Smoke Pit is open for breakfast and lunch with large portions of smoked meat and house-made sides.
If you are looking for more than just NC barbecue, The Smoke Pit features Texas, Kansas City, and Memphis-style too!
All of the meat is butchered on-site and smoked over local hickory for the best possible flavor. In case the name sounds familiar, the Smoke Pit has locations in Gastonia, Salisbury, and Monroe, too!
Read More: The NC Transportation Museum in Spencer (and 3 Reasons to Go Now!)
The Sweet Spot
Address: 10050 Edison Square Dr NW, Concord, NC
Website
If you’re looking for breakfast in Concord, fuel your day at The Sweet Spot. Serving breakfast seven days a week, The Sweet Spot has a fun and tasty menu to explore.
There are tons of sweet options (hence the name), with crepes leading the way but also joined by more than a few french toast options (including stuffed and gluten-free).
Savory breakfast eaters aren’t left out at The Sweet Spot, thanks to a strong lineup of omelets, breakfast sandwiches, bowls, and so much more.
Another thing I love about this restaurant is the coffee, which comes just the way you like it—black, with espresso, and/or with some flavor.
What-a-Burger
Address: Various Locations
Website
There are multiple What-a-Burger locations in Cabarrus County, with two great ones in Concord. By the way, this is not to be confused with the Texas-based What-a-Burger chain.
At this cash-only spot, you should grab a double What-a-Burger and don’t skip the onion rings!
Also, in our opinion, you haven’t lived until you’ve tried a soda filled with dill pickles!
Restaurants in Harrisburg
The Cabarrus County town of Harrisburg is quieter than others, but it still packs a culinary punch. Bubba’s Bunkhouse is one of a growing list of places to eat in Concord’s surroundings, and here’s why.
Bubba’s Bunkhouse
Address: 4351 Main St, Harrisburg, NC
Website
At Bubba’s Bunkhouse, you can choose your belly’s journey and it will never be boring. Their All Day Menu has something for all types of eaters.
Lighter diners have a wide and yummy variety of appetizers, salads, soups to choose from.
If even hungrier, you’re also very welcome at Bubba’s. Their sandwiches and flatbreads mix traditional favorites with more adventurous choices. Their Pulled BBQ Pork Sandwich (with Jalapenos) and Pepperoni & 4 Cheese Flatbread are two shining examples, respectively.
The massive menu also includes smash burgers, tacos, and multiple dinner entree options.
However, we CANNOT leave out the “Smokehouse” portion of the menu, which continues to push boundaries while not forgetting the roots of good smoked meats.
Bubba’s Pork Belly Burnt Ends and their Kielbasa will always be on our minds, but we’re welcome to return and revisit their Pulled BBQ (vinegar) and Pulled BBQ Brisket.
Restaurants in Kannapolis
There are also some pretty amazing restaurants in Kannapolis, a close neighbor of Concord. These are all located in the newly revamped historic downtown.
- The Bank Food Hall
- Chophouse 101
- Decadence Popcorn
- Eat Cakes Bakery
- James’ Sweet Spot
- Local Patriot Roasting Co.
The Bank Food Hall
Address: 201 West Ave, Kannapolis, NC
Website
Housed in the Cabarrus Bank Building, The Bank Food Hall is a welcome addition to downtown Kannapolis. Massive portraits of America’s most infamous bank robbers adorn the walls, but don’t worry, you’ll be safe from Bonnie and Clyde inside this food hall.
I love the variety of vendors at The Bank, which includes:
- Big City Bites (sandwiches, burgers, wings, and more)
- Blendz Lab (smoothies, bowls, and salads)
- Pizzeria Luciano’s (pizza, wings, and more)
- Skinny Buddha (Hibachi grill, sushi, and more)
Most of the menus also have kids sections, so you don’t have to pack a lunch from home for your little ones.
Chophouse 101
Address: 101 West Ave, Kannapolis, NC
Website
Starting from humble beginnings as a salad line cook, Carlos Hernandez opened Chophouse 101 in 2020 to bring fresh farm-to-table food to Kannapolis.
You may recognize some of the flavors from his food truck, Hot Tamale, which frequented many of the area breweries.
Read More: 20 Awesome Wineries near Charlotte (Vineyards Within 2 Hours)
Decadence Popcorn
Address:
Website
There should always be room for gourmet popcorn and Kannapolis has a business dedicated to it. At Decadence Popcorn, you’ll find a variety of freshly popped sweet and savory flavors, including some extra spicy ones!
Decadence Popcorn also sells tins and custom gifts, which are perfect for any special occasion you can name.
Flavors change but I’ll always remember the Cookies and Cream bag that we took home after one trip to Kannpolis.
Eat Cakes Bakery
Address: 141 West Ave, Kannapolis, NC
Facebook Page
We aren’t usually dessert people, but when there is a smell so strong and inviting from the coffee shop next door—you have to investigate! Eat Cakes Bakery opened at the beginning of 2021, just like most of the shops in the historic district of Kannapolis.
Baking delicious cupcakes, brownies, scones, muffins, and more, this family-run shop is a delight! And don’t forget treats for the furry love of your life!
Eat Cakes Bakery also makes treats for pups.
James’ Sweet Spot
Address: 100 S Main St, Kannapolis, NC
Website
James’ Sweet Spot doesn’t qualify as a traditional restaurant but its sweet offerings appeal to the kids and those who remain kids at heart. The name is a tribute to the family’s patriarch James Rector, who unexpectedly passed away in 2019.
James dreamed of opening a unique business to combine a couple of the family’s favorite things (candy and puzzles) and James’ Sweet Spot has certainly lived up to his vision.
Inside, you’ll find aisles lined with taffy, candy, chocolates, and more to satisfy your sweet tooth. They also have ice cream, handcrafted sodas, and chocolates for you to devour as you walk around downtown Kannapolis.
You can also buy a game or a puzzle (or both) to take home and enjoy while remembering the sweetness inside this wonderful shop.
Local Patriot Roasting Co.
Address: 139 West Ave, Kannapolis, NC
Website
If you are searching for a coffee shop in Kannapolis, then Local Patriot Roasting Co is a must! Veteran-owned, Local Patriot is the first coffee roaster in Kannapolis and opened at the end of 2020.
Grab a piping hot cup of coffee and enjoy the beautiful open layout and decor.
Restaurants in Mount Pleasant
Before we leave Cabarrus County, we need to discuss the wonderful small town of Mount Pleasant and its lovely restaurant scene.
73 & Main
Address: 1467 N Main St, Mount Pleasant, NC
Website
An impressive bourbon wall greets you as you enter the speakeasy side of 73 & Main. The Mount Pleasant restaurant showcases upscale menu items at an affordable price.
Fine Filet Mignon, Prime Rib, and Seafood Mac & Cheese are great dinner choices here.
Mount Pleasant’s first brewery, Old Well, is also inside 73 & Main, in case you need more reasons to support this great space!
We included Old Well in our guide to breweries in the area.
Mount Pleasant Smoke House
Address: 8335 W Franklin St, Mount Pleasant, NC
Website
Vinegar, red slaw, and Brunswick Stew. You’re in North Carolina, baby!
Mount Pleasant Smoke House smokes pork barbecue, brisket, ribs, chicken, and more with a motto of low and slow. Add in some pimento cheese fries and fried corn on the cob, and we bet you’ll be in foodie heaven!
While not a restaurant in Mount Pleasant, we think you should know about Southern Grace Distilleries, one of our favorite distilleries in North Carolina!
Read More: 8 Beautiful Brunswick County Beaches to Explore
Hungry for More Restaurants in Concord and Cabarrus County?
These restaurants in Concord, Kannapolis, and Mount Pleasant are just the beginning of the fun in Cabarrus County! After you’ve fueled up from a locally owned restaurant, check out more things to do in Cabarrus County.
This place is packed with fun, including the waves at Great Wolf Lodge, the races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, amazing breweries, and more. These great restaurants in Concord, Kannapolis, and Mount Pleasant are the perfect pairing with all the excitement found in this Central North Carolina county.
Have you been lucky enough to dig into any of these restaurants? We’d love to know about your experiences here and if you have any delicious places to add.
Beyond Concord Restaurants (More Cabarrus County Travel Guides)
We’ve featured these amazing restaurants in Concord (and nearby) in many of our NC travel guides. Here are a few of them, packed with ideas that’ll help you explore Cabarrus County in style!
