Haberdish

Southern kitchen and craft cocktail bar serving up stylish comfort food.

About the mac: It’s rich, just the right amount of creamy ($6/$12). You can even top it with spicy crispy chicken skins for just $2 extra.

Legion Brewing SouthPark

Legion Brewing’s newest location – serving up all your favorite Legion brews, plus, a full food menu.

Award: Best brewery mac and cheese

About the mac: It’s called Benton’s Ham Mac and Cheese and it’s made with corkscrew pasta, creamy cheddar sauce and Benton’s ham ($8). It pairs great with a Juicy Jay.

Rooster’s Kitchen

Cozy wood-fired kitchen offering classic Southern American and European staples.

Award: No. 1 best mac and cheese in Charlotte

About the mac: Rooster’s mac and cheese is all about that melty, baked-top crust.

Yafo Kitchen

Casual Mediterranean eatery slinging shawarma bowls, hummus and house baked laffah.

Award: No. 2 best overall mac and cheese in Charlotte

About the mac: Made perfectly creamy by using Greek yogurt. Genius.

Leroy Fox

Elevated Southern kitchen with craft cocktails.

About the mac: It’s spiral-y, cheesy and topped with fresh herbs ($4). Enjoy it by itself or order it with their fried chicken.

Midwood Smokehouse

Casual BBQ joint with multiple locations in Charlotte.

About the mac: Their classic mac has that thick, homemade-feeling consistency ($3.50). Just what you want with pulled pork and coleslaw.

Mac’s Speed Shop

BBQ, wings and beer served in a biker bar-style setting.

About the mac: The classic elbow noodles remind us of being a kid and we live for the random bits of melty, shredded cheddar ($3).

The Asbury

Modern, Southern fare served in the historic Dunhill Hotel.

About the mac: It’s served in a cast iron skillet and made with cheddar, piquillo peppers, crispy ham and goat cheese ($8). YUM.

Seoul Food Meat Co

Korean-inspired BBQ spot with craft beer, cocktails and karaoke.

Award: Best ramen mac and cheese

About the mac: Made with ramen noodles, it’s a unique take on an American classic. Check out gooey, stretchy cheese action ($4).

Jack Beagle’s

Laid back tavern in NoDa serving up American favorites.

About the mac: They have, not one, but six different types of mac and cheese. Jack-Mac is their signature style. It’s a little spicy and a little garlicky. ($2.99 cup/3.99 bowl)

Capital Grille

Upscale steakhouse in Uptown serving classic American cuisine in a clubhouse-y setting.

Award: Best lobster mac and cheese

About the mac: It’s creamy, thick and filled with juicy pieces of fresh lobster. They finish it off with a blanket of buttery bread crumbs ($18).

Kid Cashew

Rustic Mediterranean eatery in Dilworth with small plates and a large patio.

About the mac: It’s cooked in a cast iron skillet and made with homemade mornay sauce, leeks, shallots and five cheeses($6.95). That’s a lot of cheese.

Papi Queso

Insanely popular food truck serving up nothing but grilled cheese.

Award: Best mac and cheese on a sandwich

About the mac: Their Pig Mac consists of heritage pulled pork, mac n’ cheese, bourbon onions and cheddar cheese ($9.50). You can also do a more simple version named the Mac Melt, a creamy mac n’ cheese grilled cheese ($7).

Gastropub at Wooden Robot

Eclectic pub food menu that pairs perfectly with a Good Morning Vietnam.

Award: Most creative mac and cheese execution

About the mac: It’s called the ‘Bosshog Mac & Cheese Eggroll’ and it’s filled with beer boiled macaroni, gruyere, smoked, bacon jam, stilton and parmesan cream, liquid cilantro drizzle ($12).

La Belle Helene

French brasserie in Uptown serving classics like french onion soup and beef tartare.

Award: Best long noodle mac and cheese

About the mac: Macaroni gratin ($8). Comes with that satisfying baked top crust and a decadently creamy middle.