Last Updated: June 2026
One of the best parts about exploring North Carolina is discovering incredible locally owned restaurants along the way.
Cabarrus County has become one of our favorite places to eat because you’ll find everything from cozy breakfast spots and authentic Cuban cuisine to giant sandwiches, comforting Southern favorites, and family-friendly restaurants where everyone leaves happy.
What I love most is that these aren’t just places to grab a meal; they’re places where memories are made. Some are perfect for celebrating birthdays, others are ideal for a lazy Saturday breakfast, and a few have become our go-to stops before spending the day exploring.
Whether you’re planning a day trip to Concord or Kannapolis or you’re simply looking for somewhere new to eat this weekend, these are the restaurants we think are worth the drive.
🥞 Best Breakfast
KP Breakfast Barn | A Breakfast You’ll Talk About Long After You Leave
Read the full review: KP Breakfast Barn in Kannapolis, NC: A Breakfast Worth Waking Up For
If you’ve never visited KP Breakfast Barn before, prepare to be surprised. From the outside, it looks exactly like its name suggests… a large rustic barn.
Walk through the front doors, though, and you’ll find yourself inside a stunning two-story dining room with soaring ceilings, elegant leather booths, and an enormous floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace that instantly makes the whole space feel like a mountain lodge. It’s one of those restaurants where people stop and say, “Wow.” And then the food arrives.
The biscuits deserve every bit of praise they receive. They’re perfectly flaky, buttery, and everything you’d hope for from a classic Southern breakfast. Whether you’re fueling up before a day of adventures or meeting friends for brunch, this is one breakfast spot that’s absolutely worth adding to your list.
🥞 Most Affordable Sit Down Breakfast
Park Road Soda Shoppe
Looking for an affordable breakfast spot serving up delicious dishes but not wanting fast food? Park Road Soda Shoppe in Kannapolis, NC is our choice for a quick and delicious breakfast that won’t break the bank. Make sure you try the hashbrowns…they are cooked to golden brown perfection!
🥞 Our Go To Brunch Spot
Breakfastime
Every family has that one restaurant they keep coming back to.
For us, that’s Breakfastime. The menu is packed with comforting breakfast classics served quickly, the portions are generous, and it’s one of those dependable places you know will leave everyone happy. It’s the kind of restaurant that’s perfect before heading out for a full day of exploring Cabarrus County.
🍽️ What to Order
My son always ops for the chicken and waffles. While I love their fried pork tenderloin with eggs and grits!
🥪 Best Sandwiches
The Tickled Pickle Deli
Sometimes you’re craving an over-the-top sandwich. Sometimes you just want something made with really great ingredients. Tickled Pickle somehow delivers both.
This locally owned deli has quickly become one of our favorite lunch stops. Everything tastes fresh, the ingredients are high quality, and even the vegetarian options, like the Bella Caprese are packed with flavor. Seriously, if you love mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and a light balsamic vinagarette…this is a sandwich you’ll love!
It’s one of those places where you immediately start planning what you’ll order next time.
🍽️ What to Order
The Bella Caprese or one of their signature sandwiches.
💡 Local Tip
Lunch gets busy, and seating is limited, so consider ordering to go.
Best International Experience
Havana Carolina
Walking into Havana Carolina feels like leaving North Carolina behind for a little while. From the music and décor to the warm hospitality, every detail helps transport you to a café in Havana. And then there’s the food.
Our favorite is the Cuban Sandwich paired with crispy yuca fries. It’s the kind of meal that makes you slow down, enjoy the atmosphere, and linger a little longer over conversation. Check out my full restaurant guide for Havana Carolina in Concord, NC: A Little Taste of Cuba Near Charlotte
💙 Memory Maker
Sharing a meal that feels like a mini vacation.
👨👩👧👦 Best For
Date nights, family dinners, visitors.
🥙 Best Greek Gyro
Mykonos Grill – Kannapolis, NC
If you’re looking for a gyro that’s over-flowing with fillings, has flavorful meats, and the creamiest tzatziki sauce this is your place!
🌮 Best Mexican Restaurants
Casa Grande – Concord, NC
Cabarrus County has no shortage of Mexican restaurants, but Casa Grande remains one of our family’s favorites. The service is consistently fast and friendly, the portions are generous, and every meal we’ve had has been packed with flavor. It’s become one of those dependable restaurants we recommend again and again because we know it delivers a great experience every time.
Mr. Burrito – Kannapolis, NC
Don’t let the outside fool you with this local spot! Inside it’s bright & cheery inside with the best Mexican food I’ve had in a while…and the prices are incredible. The staff was so friendly and everything was packed full of flavor.
Best Chinese Restaurants
Asian Cafe – Concord, NC
Asian Cafe is hands down the best Chinese food restaurant in Concord, NC. They do serve sushi and do a fusion style of Asian foods…but the classic Chinese dishes are what they excel at. We absolutely LOVE their chicken fried rice and chicken lo mein dishes. The egg drop soup is nice and thick and perfect on a cold winter day.
🍴 Still on Our “Worth the Drive” List
One of the things we love most about exploring Cabarrus County is that there’s always another local restaurant waiting to be discovered.
These are some of the places we’re excited to visit and add to this guide in the future:
- Best BBQ restaurant
- Best pizza spot
- Best Italian restaurant
- Best seafood restaurant
- Best burger restaurant
- Best sweet treat destination
- Best food truck
- Best brunch spot
- Best farm-to-table experience
- Best date-night restaurant
- Best hidden café
- Best international cuisine
We’ll continue updating this guide as we explore more of Cabarrus County—so check back often to see what’s been added.
Why We Love Eating Local
Some of our favorite family memories haven’t happened on expensive vacations or at famous attractions. They’ve happened around a breakfast table before a day of exploring, over giant sandwiches shared at lunch, or while lingering after dinner because no one was quite ready for the evening to end.
That’s why we love highlighting locally owned restaurants. They’re more than places to eat; they’re part of the story of Cabarrus County and the people who make this community feel so welcoming. So the next time you’re wondering where to eat, skip the chain restaurants and give one of these local favorites a try. You might discover a place that becomes part of your family’s traditions, too.
Explore More of Cabarrus County
Continue planning your adventure with these guides:
- 50+ Best Things to Do in Cabarrus County
- One Perfect Day in Downtown Kannapolis
- Hidden Gems in Cabarrus County That Locals Love
- Best Coffee Shops in Cabarrus County
- 15 Family Activities in Cabarrus County That Even Teens Will Love
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