The weather is heating up in the Queen City, and so are the restaurant openings and happenings. Read on for the latest spots to try, news to note and foodie events to attend.
Openings & Closings
El Toro Bruto Permanent Food Truck opened at Resident Culture Plaza Midwood at 5 p.m. Tuesday, 6/6. Though more limited than the South End menu, all of the greatest El Toro Bruto hits will be featured on the new truck including Tacos, Mexicali Bowl, Nachos, and
Breakfast Tacos (available only 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday)
Sycamore Brewing’s new taproom – Open now
Sycamore’s much-anticipated new taproom features a second-floor patio, two beer gardens, a taproom menu, stationed food truck and coffee shop. Check them out now at 2151 Hawkins Street.
Rosemont Market & Wine Bar – Open now
Rosemont Market & Wine Bar is now open at the intersection of Pecan and 7th in Charlotte’s Elizabeth neighborhood. Expect a neighborhood gourmet market with grab-and-go breakfast and lunch options and provisions for cooking at home, along with a wine bar featuring a chef-driven dinner menu.
The Co-Op – Open now!
This Charleston-area favorite has opened a Charlotte location in South End. Quench your thirst with more than 40 rotating frosé flavors, or enjoy classic breakfast offerings, fresh sandwiches and salads and more.
Uptown Yolk South End – Open now!
After closing three years ago, Uptown Yolk is returning better than ever in South End. The kitchen, led by Chef Collier and Chef Brandon Staton features breakfast staples plus coffee and cocktails. Find them at 1220 S. Tryon St., Suite 500.
Sip City Market & Bottle Shop – Open now
New to Plaza Midwood, Sip City Market & Bottle Shop offers a wide range of regional wines, craft beers, kombucha, gourmet foods, charcuterie boards, home décor and more. Find them at 917 Central Avenue.
Miku Japanese Restaurant – Open now
Inspired by traditional flavors, MIKU in South Charlotte offers a fresh, creative and respectful interpretation of contemporary Japanese cuisine. Find them at 8129 Ardrey Kell Rd.
401 Social – Open now
Now open in the heart of Uptown, 401 Social offers cocktails, entrées and sharable snacks, plus patio dining and live music from 7 to 10 p.m. on Fridays. The lounge, located in the heart of Charlotte’s Second Ward at East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and South Caldwell Street, is steps from the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Your Mom’s Donuts Reopened
Your Mom’s Donuts thankfully wasn’t gone for long. It’s reopened right across from Blackhawk Hardware in The Park Road Shopping Center under new owners Dustin and Colleen Wanemacher.
Goldie’s – Open now
Goldie’s live music venue and restaurant opened May 22 offering three distinct food menus, two seating areas, two bars, two patios, and one main stage where, beginning June 1, guests can expect live music nightly.
Gourmand Market – Open now
Now open in SouthPark, Gourmand Market offers a unique gourmet food market and full-service bar with handcrafted cocktails, local craft beers, and premium wines, as well as small bites like charcuterie boards and tomato tarts. In the cozy coffee shop area, you can indulge in a delicious cup of coffee while browsing gourmet offerings. Find them at 4425 Sharon Rd.
Wentworth & Fenn opens Uptown location
Camp North End fave bakery Wentworth & Fenn announced their weekend opening in The Alley at Latta Arcade in Uptown. Hours will be:
Tues-Fri | 9a-5p
Sat | 10a-5p
Sun-Mon | Closed
Pop in for a Breakfast Sammies, Biscuits, Salted Caramel Bread Pudding, Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies, Drip or Iced Coffee, and more.
Midnight Diner Relocated Uptown
The longtime Charlotte diner’s management announced last fall that they would relocate from their South End location at 115 E. Carson Blvd. to Uptown, across from Spectrum Center. Find them now at 420 E. Trade St.
June Openings to Look Out For:
- HUMBUG in Plaza Midwood
- CLUB HOUSE in Plaza Midwood
- EDEN in Plaza Midwood
- RALLY PICKLEBALL ~ court reservations open 6/15
Just Announced: Soul Gastrolounge Set To Reopen In NoDa
Soul Gastrolounge, the longtime culinary and cultural anchor of Plaza Midwood, has found a new spot to call home after nine months of searching: The Pass, a mixed-use development in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood. The space at 4100 Raleigh Ave., will be 6,400 square feet, more than three times the size of the original. It will also feature a large outdoor patio and a reimagined Tattoo Liquor Lounge (formerly housed inside Kiki/Sister in Plaza Midwood) with a separate entrance. The anticipated opening is set for Fall 2023.
Closed: The Royal Tot
Sadly, The Royal Tot in Plaza Midwood has closed as of May 2023.
Closing End of June: Roxbury Night Club Uptown
News to Note
Make plans now to try Sea Level‘s new menu items
Summer is the perfect chance to try Charlotte’s go-to for fresh seafood. Sea Level is now offering the following new dishes:
- Scallops & Risotto: pan-seared, U/10 diver scallops, local mushroom risotto, Parmesan, garlic aioli
- Sweet & Tangy Short Rib: bone-in, honey miso braise, parsnip puree, crispy Brussels
- Creole Shrimp Crunch: chilled Creole & lime shrimp, cucumber, avocado, remoulade, green onion, wontons
- Steamed Mussels: coconut green curry, mint, grilled sourdough
- Seasonal Salmon Salad: grilled, mixed greens, goat cheese, blackberries, local radish, toasted pecans, blackberry ginger vinaigrette
Support ‘Sunnie Strong’ with Sea Level‘s latest Rising Tide cocktail
Support Sunnie from ‘Sunnie Strong’, a courageous 10-year-old girl battling Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG), a rare and aggressive type of brain tumor that primarily affects children. Order the new Rising Tide cocktail, the Southern Trinity, to make a difference in Sunnie’s life and her family’s journey.
Sunday Funday at Billy Sunday
Billy Sunday is helping fight the Sunday scares with $18 bottles of Rosé every Sunday.
$5 Happy Hour at Link & Pin South End
Link & Pin just added a $5 happy hour special at its South End location. How it works: Sit at the bar Monday-Thursday from 4-6pm and order from the bar bites menu. There are four dishes for $5 each, including two types of burgers, mini ahi tuna tacos and Brussels sprouts.
Foodie Events
Eat Black Charlotte Week & Festival
June 2-11 | Various locations
Enjoy food and treats from 15 black-owned food trucks, plus kids activities and a DJ. Ahead of the festival, 25 Black-owned restaurants will offer a week of pre-fixe lunch and dinner menus available from Friday, June 2 through Sunday, June 11.
Ace No. 3 “Spirit Night”
June 5 | Belmont Village, Concord Mills, and Myers Park locations
Visit an Ace No. 3 location on June 5 for “Spirit Night,” where 20% of in-store sales from 5-9pm will benefit the featured charity of each location. The Belmont Village location will be supporting The Bulb, a non-profit that provides local produce, as well as health and wellness education, to food insecure neighborhoods. The Concord Mills location will be supporting Hope House Foundation, a non-profit that provides transitional housing and supportive services to women and children who are experiencing homelessness in the Lake Norman area in order for them to procure long-term housing and self-sufficiency. The Myers Park location will be supporting the Isabella Santos Foundation, a non-profit that helps spread awareness of Neuroblastoma, raise funds for research and support families impacted.
Taste of Charlotte
June 9-11
Taste of Charlotte is a three-day food festival in the heart of Uptown. It features samples from area restaurants and various performances and activities that will surely delight the festival-goers. Admission to Taste of Charlotte is free.
Pints for P.A.W.S.
June 11 | Duckworth’s SouthPark
Duckworth’s has teamed up with Carolina P.A.W.S. (Pet Adoption & Welfare Society) to host a special rescue and awareness night where they’ll be donating $1 for every draft sold to Carolina P.A.W.S. So, by simply enjoying a refreshing beverage, you’ll be supporting a great cause. During the “Pints for P.A.W.S.” party, Carolina P.A.W.S. will be bringing their adorable, four-footed friends. There will be plenty of furry companions to meet and cuddle, so bring your friends, family, and anyone else who could use a dose of unconditional love.
Bourbon Dinner
June 14 | Napa on Providence
Book your spot now for an all-encompassing evening of great bourbon, food, and a four-course menu specially curated by Napa’s Chefs and Culinary team.
Father’s Day at The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar
Sunday, June 18
A grown-up celebration of Dads at these popular lounges. In Charlotte: Waived day pass for fathers, complimentary coffee, 10% off cigars, $4 drafts, $43 bourbon flight and cigar pairing. And in Gastonia: Waived day pass for fathers, complimentary coffee, 10% off cigars, $12 Bloody Mary’s and Maple Bacon bourbon old fashions
Dine Out For Kids®
June 20 | Village Tavern
Village Tavern is partnering with Communities in Schools for Dine Out For Kids®, donating a portion of sales from Tuesday, June 20. Dine Out For Kids® benefits thousands of local students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg public schools, ensuring they have all they need to be successful in school and beyond.
The Waterman “Neighborhood Night”
June 21 | South End and LKN locations
Head to the South End or LNK locations for The Waterman’s “Neighborhood Night,” where 20% of in-store sales from 5pm-close will be donated to the featured charity of each location. The South End location will be supporting Feast For Good, a non-profit that organizes and activates resources to nourish cancer patients. They source and deliver local meals to those actively undergoing treatments with limited to no access to food due to financial, logistical, familial, or physical challenges. The LKN location will be supporting Bags of Hope, a non-profit ministry providing weekend food provisions to school children in the Lake Norman area who experience food insecurity.
Don Julio Dinner
June 21 | Napa on Providence
Napa on Providence is collaborating with the Don Julio Distillery to create an exclusive four-course dinner. Don Julio is known for their high quality premium tequilas. Josh Hiller, Don Julio Brand Ambassador, will share his passion and knowledge of Don Julio during this exclusive collaboration.
Eat, Drink & Flamingle
June 22 | McNinch House Restaurant
In honor of The McNinch House Restaurant’s late Founder, Ellen Davis, who adored flamingoes, this event will celebrate National Flamingo Day and feature cocktails, wines, and a selection of hors d’oeuvres on the porch, lawn, or in the timeless interior. Each ticket entitles guest to 2 drinks and hors d’oeuvres curated by our Executive Chef. $65 per person. Reserve your spot here.
In the Farm Kitchen – “Sous Vide & Seared”
June 22 | North Corner Haven
Guests will enjoy a hands on cooking demonstration by Chef Joy, in the Farmhouse followed by a gorgeous lunch on the Farmhouse porch. This particular demonstration will include learning the sous vide technique using delicious pasture raised chicken paired with the Season’s Best Market Vegetable (hopefully tomatoes!) and Carolina Gold Rice. To end on a sweet note, guests will learn the proper way to make a classic creme brûlée and get to torch dessert before it’s served. $150 per person inclusive of applicable tax and fees.
Serving the Culture Dining Series
June 25 | Lenny Boy Brewing Co.
Serving The Culture presents GET CRUNK, an immersive multi-course brunch event celebrating the era that brought us Tall White Tees and gave birth to Soulja Boy. Each of the 8 courses and various cocktails will be crafted and curated by a select group of chefs and mixologists. $150+.
