It’s been a long hot summer, but Charlotte’s food scene shows no sign of cooling down just yet. Read on for the latest new hotspots to try, new openings expected soon and culinary news to note.
NOW OPEN
Saku Yakitori & Sushi Bar
Uptown
The much-anticipated Japanese restaurant features the Robata grilling technique, classic Japanese comfort food and sushi with cherry blossom-inspired décor. Book reservations now online.
People’s Market Elizabeth
Elizabeth
The beloved neighborhood café, bar and gathering place once located in the heart of Dilworth has reopened in Elizabeth and is operating “soft opening hours” from 8 am – 2 pm daily. Expect the same sandwiches, breakfast classics and coffee you loved in Dilworth.
HUMBUG, inside Refuge
Plaza Midwood
Make plans to visit the latest pop-up bar occupying the Refuge Charlotte hotel in Plaza Midwood starting August 3. They’ll be there for at least six months offering craft cocktails and shots. Stay tuned on Instagram for more opening information.
Salted Melon Market
South End
From the team at Reid’s comes Salted Melon, a part market, part bakery and restaurant now open in South End. The new hotspot also features a broth bar, espresso bar, weekend brunch and all-day eats.
Canopy Cocktails & Garden
South End
At Dilworth Artisan Station, Canopy Gardens & Cocktails offers three bars and ample indoor and outdoor space to sip craft cocktails with house-made simple syrups alongside local beers.
Omakase Experience by Prime Fish
Cotswold
Looking for a new kind of sushi experience? Omakase by Prime Fish invites guests to experience Chef Robin’s curated, seasonal sushi tasting menu. They offer two lunch seatings and two dinner seatings each day, with six guests per seating.
Piada Italian Street Food
Cotwsold
This Ohio-based fast casual Italian spot features build-your-own entrees like pasta bowls, rolled piadas and chopped salads.
Leo’s Italian Social
Piedmont Row, SouthPark
The new Leo’s Italian Social in Piedmont Row wants to be your favorite neighborhood Italian spot. A neighborhood gathering space, where guests can sit back and enjoy a beautifully crafted cocktail, glass of wine or signature infused spirit while celebrating the Italian culture and beautiful days ahead gathered around the table.
Tremont
South End
Now open in the former Bocado space in South End, Tremont was founded by a group of friends who love to gather around food. Guests can experience this atmosphere now over various handheld options and an entire section dedicated to burgers. As far as drinks, Tremont offers a full bar and shaved ice cocktails.
Cheat’s Cheesesteak Parlor
Plaza Midwood
After a series of successful pop-ups around town, the popular go-to for cheesesteaks and sandwiches is now open in Plaza Midwood at 913 Pecan Avenue. Try their vegan options and Italian hoagie for a twist on your regular order. Open 12 pm – 8 pm.
Freemore Tavern
Wesley Heights
From the owners of Ed’s Tavern comes this new game-day favorite. Guests can enjoy the same food menu as Ed’s. Find them at 1500 W. Morehead. Open daily from 11 am – 12 am.
Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte
South End
The popular brewery has officially opened its doors in Charlotte’s South End. The taproom features two bars, tons of beer and activities like table tennis, foosball and shuffleboard.
Fiore Lounge
Ballantyne
Plan a visit back to the 1920s with this prohibition-style cocktail bar serving small plates, entrees, cocktails and more. Open Wednesday – Sunday 5-10 pm. Find the, at 14825 Ballantyne Village Way Suite 135.
The Landing at Fourth Ward
Uptown
Now Open! A fusion of @queencitygrounds & @summitseltzer. Soft Opening Hours Thurs – Sat 8am-10pm | Sun 8am-3pm
Americana Beer Co.
Monroe
Monroe recently welcomed a new brewery in a historic building that once was a pharmacy. Guests can enjoy signature beers on tap, along with other local craft beers, hard seltzers, ciders and wine. While there’s no kitchen, they’ll have rotating food trucks on-site.
Lula Bahn Mi & Bakery
Pineville
A new family-owned bahn mi and bakery opened in mid-July in Pineville. Lula Bánh Mì + Bakery offers Vietnamese street food like rice and noodle bowls, curry and stew, appetizers as well as signature small-batch desserts. Find them at 10400 Centrum Parkway.
ADDED NEW LOCATIONS:
OPENING SOON
Duckworth’s will open a new location this summer in Piedmont Town Center, along with a new cocktail bar called The Loft in the same building, Axios reports.
The Garrison
Pineville
Coming soon to Pineville, this cocktail bar and restaurant will open in a historic PInevillw building that was formerly a bank. Find them this September at 314 Main St.
Wheelz Pizza
Midtown
Wilmington-based Wheelz Pizza will soon have another home in the Queen City. They’re expected to open in the coming weeks in the Kings Court Plaza in Midtown.
Figo36
NoDa
The Menagerie Hospitality Group will open Figo36 in NoDa. Guests can expect carefully-crafted Italian food and rink in a casual atmosphere. ​
Urban Sweets
South End
After gaining popularity as an ice cream cart since 2021, Urban Sweets will open a brick and mortar shop next month in South End, offering ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes and chocolates. Also be on the lookout for their monthly delivery subscription service.
Little Mama’s Italian
Rea Farms in South Charlotte
The sister concept to Mama Ricotta’s is expected to open a new location in South Charlotte’s Rea Farms community. Find them soon at 9825 Sandy Rock Place.
CLOSINGS
- Sister, Plaza Midwood
- Soul Gastrolounge (relocating)
- Alchemy
- Twenty Degrees Chocolates
- Legal Remedy Riverwalk
FOODIE NEWS
Haberdish now serving lunch
This go-to for fried chicken is now offering lunch service Thursdays and Fridays from 11 am – 3 pm. The menu includes fried chicken sandwiches, tenders, a new cobb salad and a cast iron trout sandwich.
Mama Ricotta’s Celebrates 30 years in business
Believe it or not, the Charlotte icon is celebrating three decades of serving up home-style Italian for all of life’s best occasions. We cannot be this old.
Live music at Dressler’s
Looking for a new way to wind down on a summer Friday night? Dressler’s will have live music from Sophie Lakin every Friday from 6-9 pm through August 26.
CULINARY EVENTS
The ‘WHOLE DAMN FISH’ Dinner series: Snapper
August 9| Fin & Fino
Head to Fin & Fino for this four-course tasting dinner prepared by Chef Jonny. Each course will showcase different parts of the snapper fish and different cooking techniques. $70 includes dinner, taxes, and gratuity.
CLT Burger Week
August 12-21 | Various locations
Start planning now for the 7th annual Charlotte Burger Week. For 10 days only, more than 25 Charlotte restaurants will offer specialty burgers for just $6.
Drag Brunch with The Vanity House
August 20 | Angeline’s
Celebrate Charlotte Pride with a drag performance and three-course brunch menu and drinks. A portion of all ticket sales will be donated to The Revor Project. Continue the celebration after brunch, upstairs at Merchant & Trade (doors open early at 2 pm) with DJs and no cover charge.
Farm to Fork Picnic in the Garden
September 25 | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Tickets are now on sale for the September 25, 2022 Farm to Fork Picnic in the Garden. The event – sponsored by Piedmont Culinary Guild (PCG) and the Center for Environmental Systems (CEFS) – pairs some of Charlotte’s best chefs with local farmers and food producers to celebrate local food and farms. Proceeds from the event will support agriculture and food system training programs at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems and farmer grants at Piedmont Culinary Guild.
