Charlotte has a booming restaurant, brewery and bar scene; it’s hard to keep up, and it’s easy to miss the new openings that don’t get tons of media attention. Here is a list of restaurants opening in 2017 that you’ll want to pencil in, plus a couple that flew under the radar for 2016.
~ Opening in 2017 ~
Zepplin
Neighborhood: South End
Coming to South End this spring is a new neighborhood bar that will serve small plates, local charcuterie, cheeses, craft cocktails, and fine wines. The restaurant and bar will be located next door (in the same building) to the new Common Market, 235 W. Tremont Ave.
Wu’s Cajun Seafood
Neighborhood: South End
Taking the space of Nan & Byron’s, The Bottle Cap Group (this restaurant group has brought us All American Pub, Hot Taco, Brazwell, Slate, Oak Room, Ink N Ivy, and Whiskey Rivery) is bringing “Asian Cajun” to Charlotte. What is going to be on the menu? Items like blue crab, oysters, lobster, crawfish, and other seafood. In addition, there will be Po’boys, rice and noodle dishes, and stir-fry. They won’t short the bar menu either ~ you will be able to order drinks like sake bombs and hurricanes that are famous in New Orleans. This new spot in South End is looking at a spring opening.
Dilworth Tasting Room – opened Weds 1/11
Neighborhood: Dilworth
Dilworth is getting a new wine bar and cafe. Dilworth Tasting Room, formerly home to Dilworth Billiards at 300 E Tremont is looking to open sometime this month. The bar menu will consist of about 22 bottle beers and 30 different wines (by the glass). The food menu will have cheese and meat, salads, and will expand to other items in the future. This is definitely going to be a new place to go when you need to wind-down after a long day at the office.
Suki Akor
Neighborhood: Uptown
Uptown is getting a Japanese steak and sushi restaurant which will be located at the bottom of the Embassy Suites Hotel. The space including the restaurant and bar totals about 5,000 square feet. Suki Akor is expected to open in February.
Grabbagreen
Neighborhood: Uptown
This fast casual franchise is opening two locations in Charlotte. On January 11, the Epicentre location will be open (next to Blackfinn) and in February the location in Ballantyne will open. Giving you more options to Eat Clean in the new year.
Cupcrazed Cakery
Neighborhood: Myers Park
In December, Cupcrazed Cakery owner Heather McDonnell announced she will be opening a second location. All of Charlotte rejoiced, as the first location is in Fort Mill. She will be bringing her crazy flavors into Charlotte in March.
Inizio Pizza
Inizio is bringing their Neopolitan style pizza to Dilworth in the spring of the new year.
Hello, Sailor
Neighborhood: Lake Norman
If you haven’t heard, The Kindreds are opening their 2nd restaurant in the location of Rusty Rudder in Cornelius which is about 4,000 square feet with a patio complete with a tiki bar.
Unknown
Neighborhood: South End
By unknown we aren’t referring to a second opening of Unknown Brewery but a yet to be named new restaurant opening next door to Mac’s Speed Shop (also the owners of the new property). We will be keeping our eyes on what is to come to South End on this property.
Common Market
Neighborhood: South End
The Common Market is coming back to South End, and only a half mile from its former location. The new location will be approximately 3,000 square feet of indoor space, plus a patio of 4,000 square feet which will include a stage and shade. The Common Market is expected to open in late 2017.
~ ICYMI … Opened in 2016 ~
Yes, there are dozens more and we’ve covered most of them in prior posts. Here, though, are a few you might have missed.
Murphy’s Kitchen & Tap
Neighborhood: Uptown
Murphy’s brought comfort food in the form of an Irish gastropub.
Stoke
Neighborhood: Uptown
Stoke was mentioned in our donut piece, for their one pound doughnut. In addition to their sugary menu item, Stoke is stepping up Uptown’s game with its wood-fired menu items, local beers, and cocktails.
Babushka’s Pierogi European Cuisine
Neighborhood: Pineville
If you consider yourself an adventurous eater, then you need to try Charlotte’s new Russian restaurant. Located in Pineville, you will be impressed by the authentic cuisine.
We will continue make it our mission to keep you up to date on what is new and hot in 2017 in the Charlotte dining scene, focusing on spots that are, as we like to say, scoop-worthy. Stay tuned, #ScoopEats.
