Banana pudding is the layered Southern dessert of vanilla custard, sliced bananas and Nilla wafers, often topped with whipped cream or meringue and served.
Banana pudding emerged in the late 19th century when bananas became affordable through the Southern port trade with United Fruit Company shipments from Central America. Nabisco's 1903 introduction of Nilla wafers cemented the canonical layered presentation, and the dish remains the standing Carolina dessert at BBQ counters and church suppers. Charlotte's Mert's Heart and Soul and Lupie's Cafe run the canonical Charlotte versions.
2 editor picks for Banana pudding in Charlotte, ranked by editorial score. All Charlotte signature dishes · Banana pudding across every city.
Also in: Birmingham, Nashville.
Sweet Lew's BBQ ★ 4.5
belmont · 923 Belmont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Lewis Donald's Sweet Lew's BBQ in Belmont is the counter-service barbecue room running wood-smoked pork shoulder, brisket and house sausages since 2018.
Mert's Heart and Soul ★ 4.3
uptown · 214 N College St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Mert's Heart and Soul on N College Street is uptown Charlotte's longest-running soul food room, with a fried-chicken-and-collards plate that draws a crowd.