The best restaurants in Kinston

“Venerable BBQ joint serves smoked pork, ribs & chicken plus burgers, fish & classic country dishes.”

“Carry-out chain featuring chicken wings, signature breadsticks & pizza tossed from housemade dough.”

“Counter-serve chain serving fried chicken & Eastern North Carolina-style BBQ in vinegar-based sauce.”

“Branch of a fast-food chain known for its drive-thru BBQ, burgers & more than 40 milkshake flavors.”

“Southern-inspired fast-food chain known for fried chicken & biscuit, plus signature sides.”

“Fast-food chain serving chicken sandwiches & nuggets along with salads & sides.”

“Retro-themed chain with a 1950s soda-fountain look, dishing out familiar fast-food selections.”

“Popular delivery, carry-out & dine-in chain known for pizza, wings & pasta, plus sides & desserts.”

“Family-friendly daytime diner with biscuit sandwiches, breakfast platters & hearty sides.”

“Simple chain spot offering American diner fare & all-day breakfast, including signature waffles.”

“Family-owned Greg's Pizza in nearby Grifton turns out artisanal pies with quality ingredients, plus hearty subs, sandwiches and cheesesteaks. Go classic or build your own, and expect flavors that hold up to a busy weeknight or game-day hang, without the fuss.”

From the Greenville newsletter, September 3, 2026

“Pete Jones Barbecue is the kind of Eastern NC institution you crave midweek, cooking whole hogs over wood since 1947 and still run by the Jones family. Expect tender chopped pork with cornbread, slaw, and baked beans, plus the bragging rights of a James Beard America’s Classics pedigree.”

“Established in 1947, Skylight Inn BBQ keeps it delightfully no-frills, serving straight-up Carolina-style classics that taste like home. When you want smoky, tender barbecue without the fuss, this local institution delivers the kind of consistency and comfort you end up craving on random Tuesdays.”

From the Greenville newsletter, September 5, 2026

“Retro-themed chain with a 1950s soda-fountain look, dishing out familiar fast-food selections.”

“Popular delivery, carry-out & dine-in chain known for pizza, wings & pasta, plus sides & desserts.”

“Creative, locavore New American fare in an upscale, urban-rustic spot featured on a PBS series.”

“Local eatery serving authentic Thai specialties such as drunken noodles in a casual atmosphere.”

“Craving a legit local hang that nails the classics? Village Steakhouse and Pub serves up steak, seafood, and pasta with that all-American, slightly rustic vibe, the kind of spot where friends actually meet to eat. Solid excuse to rally the crew this week.”

From the Goldsboro newsletter, August 17, 2026