Where to find these 8 viral foods in North Carolina

Take a bite of these viral foods in North Carolina that are taking over our social media pages.

Scrolling through your “FYP” (For You Page) on Instagram can feel like you’re taking a trip around the world. One minute you’re catching up on the wildfires in Canada, and the next you’re getting cute aggression looking at cheetah cubs in Kenya. Finally, you end up watching all sorts of delectable delights that leave your mouth watering for more, leaving you wondering where you can get your hands on these viral foods in N.C.

Well, we have you covered. We scoured the state to find some of the top food finds and even got to try some of them out for ourselves.

Do buy some Dubai Chocolate coffee 

Out of all the viral foods out there on the Internet, chances are that you’ve come across videos of thick chocolate bars filled with green pistachio cream that is mixed with crunchy kunafa (toasted pieces of shredded phyllo dough). In fact, Google reports that the trendy treat was the fifth-most searched food at the end of 2024. Since then, the viral chocolate bar has only exploded in popularity, with large chains such as IHOP and Shake Shack creating their takes on the flavor through pancakes and milkshakes, respectively.

One combination I love is the Dubai Chocolate Iced Latte from Asali Desserts & Cafe in Cary, N.C. The iced latte features a chocolate drizzle and a generous layer of whipped cream, topped with pistachio sauce and kunafa. The shop offers other drinks inspired by viral foods, such as the Banana Bread Shaken Espresso.

Cafe Soul Cups also hopped on the Dubai Chocolate coffee trend, adding a special touch to their drink: a chocolate crackle coating that lines the inside of the cup. The fun part of the drink is gently crushing the cup so that the thin chocolate coating breaks off and melts into the coffee. This version features a pistachio latte and a double espresso.

Cary Magazine even spotted “Severance” actress and Raleigh native Sarah Bock trying the drink herself. Do try the Dubai chocolate coffee drinks, and we guarantee you won’t regret it.

It’s never too late to celebrate matcha madness

True North Carolinians know all about March Madness and the intense team rivalries within our own state. While we have to wait until November for college basketball season to start back again, you can still go mad for some matcha. The green tea powder, packed with nutritional benefits, is especially popular here in the U.S.

According to the Trade Statistics of Japan Ministry of Finance, 78% of matcha exported from Japan last year went to the U.S. If you’re new to the matcha craze and aren’t sure if you will enjoy the earthy flavor, then trying a dessert that infuses the powdered tea might just be the best way to try it out. Cocobean Coffee in Charlotte, N.C. mixes matcha with a Southern delicacy—banana pudding.

The Banana Pudding Matcha Latte at Cocobean Coffee consists of a matcha latte base, topped with a generous scoop of thick and creamy banana pudding. Charles Nash III, who goes by Official Foodie CLT on Instagram, raved about the dessert—claiming that the banana pudding could be “better than your grandma’s,” and that the coffee shop offered some of the highest quality matcha in the Queen City. Grab a spoon and blend the two together for the ultimate flavor fusion.

Say “cheese” for these Brooklyn-style pizza slices

When you think of the best city to get a slice of pizza, New York City is bound to be the first to come to mind. There’s one legendary Brooklyn pizza shop that consistently ranks at the top, and the good news is that you don’t have to fly out to LaGuardia to get a slice of this pizza.

In 1965, Dom DeMarco opened Di Fara Pizza in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn, and since then, Di Fara has stood the test of time. Anthony Bourdain dubbed Di Fara the best pizzeria in his book titled “Kitchen Confidential Updated Ed: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly.” Dave Portnoy, known for his “One Bite” pizza review series, has given Di Fara the second-highest ranking, and users of the restaurant-ranking app Beli have rated the pizza shop as the third-best in the city.

Family members have now opened a location in downtown Cary, N.C., and will be opening another location in Research Triangle Park. Having lived in N.Y.C., I just had to try the Cary location to see if it lived up to the hype of the original Di Fara. I tried a regular and square slice of cheese pizza, which transported me back to my days of scarfing down a slice of cheesy goodness right after a fun night out in the city that never sleeps.

The pizza tavern also doubles as a sports bar and offers an extensive cocktail menu with seasonal drinks.

Relive your childhood with this cereal milk frozen custard

There are few things that will make you nostalgic for your childhood than sipping on the last bits of the leftover milk in your cereal bowl, as you watch some Saturday morning cartoons. The leftover milk, otherwise dubbed as “cereal milk,” often carries some of the leftover sugar and flavors from the cereal. This flavor has taken over thanks to Milk Bar, which started selling “cereal milk” flavored cookies, milkshakes, and soft-serve.

Now you can unlock those Saturday morning memories with a fun day trip to Wrightsville Beach, N.C., where you can enjoy the sound of the ocean waves and the sight of a bright sunset with Kohl’s Frozen Custard. Frozen Custard is like a thicker, richer ice cream that adds egg yolk into the mixture. Kohl’s Frozen Custard has a Cereal Milk flavor that incorporates a “cereal milk” base with Fruity Pebbles mixed into the custard.

If you’re on the other end of the spectrum and want a more “grown-up” flavor, I would highly recommend the French Kiss flavor. This flavor features a Kahlua base with a chocolate syrup swirl and dark chocolate shavings. I tried this flavor back in 2011 and found it to be the perfect amount of chocolate, with a touch of coffee liqueur.

The fact that this flavor has stuck around longer than the skinny jean trend is also a testament to its timeless taste, despite the fleeting nature of FoodTok trends. Considering that the market for alcoholic ice cream is growing, it also seems like this flavor will be there to stay for a while.

Sip on this espresso martini with a twist 

It’s not just singers who are working late these days. If you’re like Sabrina Carpenter and want to end your long workday with some “me espresso,” order a Kaapi Martini from Chai Pani in Asheville, N.C. Chai Pani won the award for “Outstanding Restaurant” from the James Beard Foundation, and The New York Times dubbed Chai Pani as one of their top 50 favorite restaurants in America.

The restaurant is known for its Indian street-style snack food dishes that are great to share around the table. Of course, as an espresso connoisseur, I just had to try the Kaapi Martini. While India is famous for its chai, the southern region of India is actually known for its filter coffee, which has become the region’s caffeinated beverage of choice.

Last year, TasteAtlas ranked South Indian filter coffee as the second-best coffee around the world. The brewing process starts by putting refined coffee/chicory powder into a tin coffee press and adding boiling water. Typically, the mixture is left overnight and then served with hot milk and sugar in the morning.

The Kaapi Martini at Chai Pani features South Indian filter coffee, enriched with chicory, that is shaken with vodka and topped with chai masala. It’s a strong drink jam-packed with plenty of flavor that adds a fresh twist to an already popular cocktail.

“Chapel Chill” out with some ube ice cream

With matcha and pistachio cream taking over Instagram feeds, green seems to have become a popular food color. But there’s a color that’s catching up, and it’s one that you may not expect. Ube, a vibrant purple-colored yam indigenous to the Philippines, has started filling our feeds with bright hues.

In fact, Adrienne Panis, a senior test kitchen specialist at Tag Food and Bev Experts told the Food Institute that the company saw a roughly 50% increase in demand for the violet root vegetable. The eye-catching color especially attracts high engagement on social media. The yam also boasts an earthy flavor with a subtle sweetness that makes it versatile for both savory dishes and desserts.

Coconut blends particularly well with ube, and that’s why you should try the Ube Non-Dairy Ice Cream from Chapel Chill the next time you’re in Chapel Hill, N.C. The Ube ice cream features a coconut cream base, which makes it a great vegan-friendly option. Chapel Chill, not only has a cute name, but the ice cream shop also won the Reader’s Favorite distinction in Chapel Hill Magazine’s “Best of Chapel Hill 2025” list.

Munch on bargain burritos from this popular West Coast Mexican fast food chain 

Anyone who has taken a trip out to California has probably been intrigued by all of the iconic fast food chains based in the Golden State. USA Today readers even recently ranked one of those fast food chains as the best in the country, and it’s the Mexican fast food chain called Del Taco. Most known for their affordable tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, you can now enjoy Del Taco’s new location in the RTP area of Durham, N.C.

It’s so popular that there’s always a line of cars in the drive-through, even after 11 p.m. After trying their red sauce burrito and tostada, I could totally understand the hype around the chain—even if it took half an hour to get our order in. There are several vegetarian and vegan options, as well as an extensive breakfast menu.

Whether you’ve been wanting to try some California-style Mexican fast food or are still grieving Taco Bell getting rid of their tostada, Del Taco will definitely hit the spot.

Grab some chicken over rice at this cult-favorite N.Y.C. chain 

Another famous international fast food chain just opened a location in the west side of Cary, N.C. earlier this year. While Halal Guys has become the most recognized name for halal fast food, the chain started out as a humble food cart in the heart of midtown Manhattan during the 90s. Now, chicken over rice has become as synonymous with New York City as the thin pizza slices.

For just $14, you can now get a taste of delicious N.Y.C. street food in the Triangle area. The chicken and rice bowl comes with seasoned rice, chicken, tomatoes, lettuce, pita slices, and the renowned white sauce. There are also other protein options that you can get instead of chicken, like beef gyro and falafel.

If you prefer a sandwich, you can also get all of the ingredients inside a pita for only $11. Make sure to load on the white sauce, and if you’re a hedonist for some heat, add a pinch of their infamous red sauce.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Related: Get a Taste of North Carolina’s Indigenous Cuisine with These Five Dishes