Believe it or not, we’re already most of the way through summer 2020. Sure, it may look different than expected, but there’s still time and plenty of ways to explore and support Charlotte’s local restaurants. Here’s what’s new, what’s opening soon and the foodie events you need to know for the month of August.

OPEN NOW

NC Red re-opens in Plaza Midwood

The Plaza Midwood go-to for friend chicken and New England-style season re-opened to the public on July 23 with new menu items including chilled pickled NC shrimp with citrus, red pepper and a fennel lemon-caper mayo available as a small plate. Visit Tuesday-Thursday 11:30am-10:00pm, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-11:00pm and Sunday, 10:30am-4:00pm.

Boxcar Betty’s (Optimist Hall)

Charleston-based Boxcar Betty’s is now serving their signature fried chicken sandwiches at Optimist Hall. First-timers might opt for the classic Boxcar sandwich with fried chicken served with pimento cheese, peach slaw, house pickles and spicy mayo. They also offer a fried portobello mushroom cap option, salads and a build-your own option.

STIR in South End

Make your reservation now for South End’s newest hotspot. Located in the RailYard development, STIR specializes in craft cocktails made with artisanal ice and offers an oyster & cold seafood bar with several poke and ceviches. Enjoy brunch, lunch and dinner on their patio or spaced indoor seating. Brunch on weekends features $1 mimosas.

Ruby Sunshine

Make brunch plans at this daytime eatery focused on New Orleans-inspired fare, including brunch cocktails, a variety of Benedicts, BBQ shrimp and grits, a classic croque madame and a whole section for French toast and pancakes. Find them at 332 W. Bland Street.

Sabor Ballantyne

Head to Ballantyne to dine at Sabor’s newest location. The concept’s 17th location will serve the same authentic Latin street food taco-lovers have come to know and love. Find them at 14021 Conlan Circle, B1.

Lost Worlds Brewing 

In Cornelius, this adventurous brewery offers a 95-seat taproom and 150-seat outdoor biergarten. Enjoy six “basecamp beers” plus rotating features as part of their “adventure series.” They also regularly host food trucks and yoga. Find them at 19700-D One Norman Blvd.

Popbar Camp North End

Beat the heat with by grabbing a handcrafted gelato, sorbet or yogurt on a stick at Popbar’s newest location at Camp North End. Find them at 270 Camp Road, Suite 105. Open Thursday – Saturday.

Dine at Camp North End’s New Food Stalls 

At Camp North End, new food stalls including Bleu Barn North End, La Cassetta and SARU from Bow Ramen bring new flavors and plenty of socially-distanced outdoor seating to the trendy development.

Bentley’s reopens in SouthPark and opens for brunch August 1

After closing briefly in Uptown, Bentley’s recently reopened at the former Georges Brasserie location at Piedmont Town Center in SouthPark. Starting on August 1, they’ll be open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. Outdoor seating is also available.

Zeppelin reopens after temporary closure

After closing temporarily, South End’s Zeppelin has reopened for food, drinks and a new live music schedule on the patio.

The King’s Kitchen now open for dine-in and take-out

After closing to serve our communities in need, The King’s Kitchen has reopened for dine-in and curbside pickup. Visit to enjoy their full menu in the dining room, on the patio, or to-go. Hours beginning August 4 are Tuesday – Friday 11 am – 2:30 pm and 5 – 9 pm, and Saturday 5 – 9 pm.

OPENING SOON

MOA Korean BBQ

This upscale Korean BBQ spot will open in the coming weeks in Uptown after a private soft opening on August 4. Expect tabletop Korean barbecue, cooked by servers with your choice of high-quality meats, and a selection of a-la-carte dishes. Find them at 128 S Tryon St.

SkyBar by David Burke

New York award-winning chef and restaurateur David Burke will open SkyBar by David Burke in the former City Lights Rooftop location on August 7. The new rooftop spot will feature the chef’s take on modern American cuisine, including signature dishes like maple pepper bacon clothesline, emotional lobster dumplings and crabcake rafts, served alongside craft cocktails. Later this summer, David Burke will open RedSalt at Le Méridien, featuring cuts of steak prepared using chef Burke’s patented Himalayan sea salt dry-aging technique.

Grand Bohemian Hotel

The anticipated Uptown hotel destination will open its doors on August 5. In addition to being available for room bookings, the spa and two restaurants will be open. Mico will serve European-inspired Argentinian fare, while The Bohemian Garden offers grab-and-go options. A rooftop bar is expected to open at a later date.

Tacos 4 Life Arboretum

Arkansas-based Tacos 4 Life will open its second North Carolina location in the Arboretum on August 10. For every taco, salad, quesadilla, rice bowl, or nachos that are sold at the fast-casual restaurant, 24 cents is donated to Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), Tacos 4 Life’s nonprofit partner. They’ll aim to raise nearly 1,000 meals per day for starving children.

VANA South End

From Bardo’s Chef Michael Noll, VANA is inching closer to a grand opening in the South End neighborhood. Stay tuned for the official opening date. Find them at 1440 S. Tryon St., Ste. 100.

Silverlake Ramen South End

LA-based Silverlake Ramen is expected to open a South End location in the coming weeks. Until then, browse their menu online or visit their Concord location. They’ll open in South End across from the Atherton development.

Summit Seltzery

Soon, seltzer-lovers will have a place catered just to their tastes. In addition to draft seltzers, Summit Seltzery will also offer a variety of speciality seltzer based cocktails. Find them later this summer at 2215 Thrift Rd. Suite B.

Rocksalt reopening soon

After closing due to the ongoing pandemic, Rocksalt is planning to reopen their patio in the coming weeks. In the meantime, look out for opportunities to pick up retail oysters to-go from Chef Joleen ready to shuck or grill.

CLOSINGS

Sadly, many beloved Charlotte favorites have closed their doors for good. Recent closing announcements include SouthPark’s Corkbuzz, a favorite for wine-lovers and scoop girls, and Fitzgerald’s, an Uptown staple for bar fare and sports-watching.

In addition, Dunkin Donuts announced it will close 800 locations around the country, including all 459 Speedway shop stores. Other closing locations not yet announced.

CLT FOODIE EVENTS TO KNOW

Immersed in Ingredients Take 2
August 5 | Zeppelin | 6 pm

Upon their reopening, Zeppelin will host the Immersed in Ingredients event featuring a multi-course menu and cocktails that highlight the same ingredients.

CupLux Anniversary Drive-Thru
August 8 | 7:30 am – 3 pm | 3115 Freedom Drive

Join CupLux as they celebrate their third anniversary with a special drive-thru event. They’ll offer $3 Slushees, $2 Cold Brew, and $1 Tea Sodas ALL day. Visit early for a chance to score a free CupLux-branded mask, a drink card for a free beverage on us your next visit to CupLux, a sticker, or a surprise item on your way through.

Frank Family Vineyards Wine Dinner
August 12 – 13 | The Pump House

Make reservations now for this five-course dinner featuring wines from Frank Family Vineyards. $99++.

Raw: Global Seafood Dishes | Workshop Livestream
August 17 | 6 pm

Join Brett Faldstein, Executive Chef at Sea Level NC and ACE No. 3, and his team in the kitchen to learn how various cultures prepare raw or marinated fresh seafood dishes like ceviche, poke, crudo, carpaccio and sashimi. Workshop package includes a prepared appetizer, four courses of raw seafood dishes, a choice of cocktail and more.

Flavor Trippin Chef’s Dinner
August 25 | 7 pm | Sea Level NC

Sea Level’s Chef Brett and team will serve this seven-course dinner featuring Carolina-sourced seafood and craft beverages. $100+ per person.

Dinner & Drinks: A Night with Chef Daniel Wheeler and David Schmidt
August 30 | Fine & Fettle | 6 pm

Get your tickets now for this four-course dining experience lead with Chef Daniel Wheeler and cocktail pairings by resident lead mixologist, David Schmidt. Proceeds benefit The Underground Table, a non-profit organization that specializes in chef driven meals for those in the greater Charlotte area who are in need.

BBQ & Blue Jeans (tickets on sale now)
September 18

Make plans now to enjoy a BBQ meal and support a great cause on September 18. While this year’s BBQ & Blue Jeans event is moving to a drive-thru to keep guests safe, you can still expect two things: a great family meal pack from Midwood Smokehouse and that your participation will support the vital work at Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center. Reserve your pick-up meal now!

Get tickets now for Greenville’s euphoria festival September 17-20

Plan ahead to attend the 15th anniversary of Greenville’s euphoria event, which has been recently reimagined to maintain safety for guests. The food, wine and music festival will include gatherings at multiple area restaurants, from intimate chef’s tables to classroom sessions and multi-course lunches and dinners.