There’s nothing quite like a great lunch to get you through that mid-afternoon slump. From leisurely sit-downs to quick grab and gos, Charlotte has a lunch destination for every occasion. We’ve rounded up a list of some of the best spots to grab an afternoon bite in each neighborhood, so that you can start planning your next lunch break now.
Elizabeth
Catalina Kitchen & Bar
1942 E. 7th St, #106
Lunch Hours: Daily, starting at 11AM.
The Scoop: Catalina Kitchen & Bar is a casual upscale restaurant recently opened by Mike Ditka’s restaurant group. This brand new eatery is the perfect place to stop by for lunch, as they serve the same menu all day. Choose from lighter fare like salads, soups, and sandwiches, or opt for something a bit heavier like the braised short rib or rigatoni pasta.
Cheat’s Cheesesteak Parlor
913 Pecan Ave.
Lunch Hours: Daily, starting at 11AM.
The Scoop: You can’t go wrong with grabbing lunch from this spot. You have to try one of their famous cheesesteaks, like the basic with ribeye steak, cheez wiz and grilled onions, or go a bit more upscale with the Cali, made with ribeye steak, white american cheese, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Enjoy your lunch on their patio, then finish off with a soft-serve ice cream cone for dessert.
Rosemont Market & Wine Bar
1942 E. 7th St, #101-H
Lunch Hours: Monday — Friday, 11AM — 3PM.
The Scoop: The Rosemont Market & Wine Bar serves all your classic, light lunch fare. We love the cobb salad and chicken salad sandwich from this spot, but you can’t go wrong with any of the featured soups, salads, or sandwiches. Plus, Rosemont is great for a family lunch outing, as they have a kids menu, too.
South End
Savi Provisions
2151 Hawkins St.
Lunch Hours: Daily, starting at 10AM.
The Scoop: This newly opened grab and go market in The Line is a delicious and quick lunch break. Located right next to Sycamore Brewing, Savi Provisions provides customers the option of ordering lunch at the counter, or grabbing something pre-made from the market. With sandwiches ranging from BLTs to pimento grilled cheese, and a market full of snacks, there’s something for everyone here.
Salted Melon Market & Eatery
100 W. Worthington Ave, Suite 107
Lunch Hours: Daily, starting at 10AM.
The Scoop: The Salted Melon Market & Eatery is another grab and go South End staple. Head up to the counter at the market to order lunch here, with delicious options ranging from poke bowls, to paninis, to protein packed bowls and salads. Don’t forget to add an order of house cut truffle fries, or a mint watermelon salad, to complete your meal.
Monday Night Brewing
2217 S. Tryon St.
Lunch Hours: Daily, starting at 12PM.
The Scoop: Grab a bite and brew with lunch at Monday Night Brewing. The brewery’s kitchen opens every day at noon, serving up some of the most delicious pizzas in the Queen City. Pizza options include margherita, mushroom, hot honey, and more, and all pair beautifully with Monday Night’s signature beers and cocktails.
The Waterman Fish Bar
2729 South Blvd Suite D, South End & 9615 Bailey Rd, Cornelius, NC
Lunch Hours: Weekdays, 11AM — 2PM
The Scoop: There are great lunch deals and food at both Waterman Fish Bar locations (South End & Lake Norman). Stop in for a Salmon BLT, Shrimp Po’Boy, Fisherman’s Pick (beer-battered cod, house-made pickle, cole slaw, tartar, brioche bun), Hot Chicken sandwich, or the Sedgefield sandwich (Schweid & Sons steak patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, house-made pickle, Waterman sauce, brioche bun) all of which cost just $10 during lunch! (this $10 lunch price offer does not begin until 10/9/23)
Sixty Vines
1415 Vantage Pk. Dr, #100
Lunch Hours: Monday — Friday, 11AM — 4PM.
The Scoop: New to Charlotte, Sixty Vines is the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon lunch. Not only do they have 60 wine taps to choose from, but they also have delicious food to munch on while you enjoy an afternoon glass. Charcuterie boards, salads, pizzas, pastas, and sandwiches are all on the menu at Sixty Vines, and don’t skip the olive oil citrus cake if you’re craving something sweet.
Uptown
Coquette
400 S. Tryon St, Suite 10
Lunch Hours: Tuesday — Friday, 11AM — 3PM.
The Scoop: If you’re looking for somewhere close to the office for an impressive business lunch, look no further than Coquette. This newly opened, French inspired restaurant in Uptown serves a delicious lunch, with options such as the steak sandwich, made with roast beef, gruyere, horseradish cream, charred pickled onions, and au jus, and salade du jardin, made with seasonal shaved vegetables, calamansi vinaigrette, and wild herbs.
Saku
123 E. 5th St, Suite 100
Lunch Hours: Tuesday — Friday, 11:30AM — 2:30PM & Saturday 12PM — 3PM.
The Scoop: Try a sushi special in a beautiful restaurant for lunch at Saku. This Yakitori & Sushi bar Uptown offers a bento box special for lunch. The four bento box options all include your choice of a miso soup or ginger salad, and some combination of sushi, nigiri, skewers, rice, or noodles. Prices range from $16-$25, making this a great lunch deal.
Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse
330 N. Tryon St.
Lunch Hours: Daily, starting at 11AM.
The Scoop: Duckworth’s is a classic Charlotte spot to grab a casual lunch or dinner. There are cheesesteaks, burgers, sandwiches, and wraps to choose from on the menu, and the selection of appetizers is almost as long as the actual menu itself! We love creating our own burger, which starts with a signature beef patty, impossible burger patty, chorizo burger patty, or chicken breast, and ends with picking your favorites from a laundry list of cheese and toppings. If salads are more your thing, there’s also a build your own salad option, which starts with a house made salad base and comes with up to 6 toppings and house-made dressing.
La Belle Helene
300 S Tryon St, Suite 100
Lunch Hours: Weekdays, starting at 11AM.
The Scoop: La Belle Helene is another uptown lunch spot that is sure to impress business clients or guests, and the perfect place to treat yourself, because the stunning interior matches the upscale vibe of the food. For lunch, try out the deviled eggs, steak frites made with hanger steak and bearnaise, or the french onion soup with a baguette and comté.
SouthPark
800° Carolinas
6815 Phillips Pl Ct.
Lunch Hours: Monday — Friday & Sunday 12PM — 3PM.
The Scoop: 800° Carolinas has one of the best lunch deals in all of Charlotte with their $10 lunch special. For just $10 on weekdays and Sundays, customers can enjoy pizza, salads, and sandwiches. We love the honey badger pizza, the avocado & hummus sandwich, the prosciutto & burrata pizza, and the 800 chopped salad. Don’t miss this delicious lunch!
Limani
6902 Phillips Pl Ct.
Lunch Hours: Monday — Friday, 11:30AM — 3PM.
The Scoop: Limani is a stunning restaurant located in the heart of SouthPark serving up delicious Greek fare. For lunch, choose among a wide variety of salads and light fare, like spanakopita, salmon kabobs, chicken souvlaki, and tomato salad.
Mal Pan
4625 Piedmont Row Dr 115 D
Lunch Hours: Daily, 11AM — 5PM.
The Scoop: If you’re craving Mexican food for lunch, Mal Pan is a must visit. Start your meal with your choice of chips and dip — there’s salsa, queso, and guacamole to choose from on the appetizer list. Then, enjoy tacos, with come with a side of rice and beans, burritos, bowls, and tortas.
Red Rocks Cafe
4223 Providence Rd, #8
Lunch Hours: Monday — Saturday, starting at 11AM.
The Scoop: Red Rocks Cafe in Strawberry Hill has some incredible lunch options available. Our favorites are the Southern salad, which is fried chicken tenders atop a bed of mixed greens with cucumbers, tomatoes, boiled eggs, bacon and cheddar cheese, served with your choice of dressing, and the grilled chicken sandwich, which is marinated and grilled chicken breast topped with provolone cheese, on a brioche bun with lettuce and tomato. Yum!
Pineville
The Garrison
314 Main St, Pineville, NC
Lunch Hours: Friday & Saturday, starting at 11:30AM.
The Scoop: The Garrison has tons of delicious lunch options, but one of our personal favorites is the Tarheel Burger. Loaded with pimento cheese, bacon, fried green tomatoes, and served on a brioche bun, this burger is the real deal. Choose from house chips or Garrison fries as a side, and if you get the fries, be sure to splurge for the truffle parm upgrade.
Margaux’s Wine, Pizza, & Market
316 Main St, Pineville, NC
Lunch Hours: Tuesday — Saturday, starting at 11:30AM & Sunday, starting at 12PM.
The Scoop: For lunch at Margaux’s any of the pizzas are a slam dunk, but you can never go wrong with whatever the monthly special happens to be — currently it’s a Barbecue Chicken Pizza featuring BBQ sauce, mozzarella cheese, chicken, cilantro, and red onions. Pair your lunch with a glass of wine and charcuterie for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Plaza Midwood
Midwood Smokehouse
1401 Central Ave
Lunch Hours: Daily, starting at 11AM.
The Scoop: Grab some traditional Southern BBQ for lunch at Midwood Smokehouse. We love the lone star brisket sandwich, made with tender smoked brisket and midwood sauce, served on a brioche bun with slaw and house pickles, and the chicken barbecue plate. And, whatever you get, you have to pair it with a side of classic mac & cheese.
Calle Sol Latin Café & Cevicheria
1205 Thomas Ave
Lunch Hours: Monday — Friday, 11AM — 3PM.
The Scoop: If you’re looking for a lunch special that’s both delicious and affordable, you have to stop in to Calle Sol. On weekdays, this Plaza Midwood restaurant offers a $9 lunch special that comes with one entree and two sides from the hot bar. Lechon, chicken chaufa, and picadillo are offered as entrees every day, and a fourth option rotates daily. Sides include jasmine rice, black beans, salad, soup, and vegetables, and everything is truly delicious.
YAFO Kitchen
Multiple Locations
Lunch Hours: Daily, starting at 11AM.
The Scoop: YAFO Kitchen has locations throughout Charlotte, including in Plaza Midwood, making it an easy and convenient lunch destination. Pop in to YAFO during your lunch break to create a customizable bowl or pita, or select one of the featured chef entrees, like the stuffed avocado bowl or kibbeh pita tacos. Complete the meal with a side like mac and cheese or hummus, then bring your lunch back to the office or home.
NoDa
Cabo Fish Taco
Multiple Locations
Lunch Hours: Daily, starting at 11AM.
The Scoop: Cabo Fish Taco’s flagship store is located in the heart of NoDa and their outdoor patio is the perfect spot to grab a quick lunch. Choose a signature taco like blackened mahi-mahi or grilled salmon, or opt for a speciality taco like lemon grilled shrimp or calamari fritos for a light but filling lunch. Plus, they offer taco takeout, too, if you’re on the go for lunch!
JackBeagle’s
3213 N Davidson St
Lunch Hours: Daily, starting at 12PM.
The Scoop: If you’re looking for a filling and delicious lunch in NoDa, JackBeagle’s is your spot. Indulge in one of the many mac-and-cheese options like chili mac or stadium mac, made with a smoked hot dog and pretzel. If mac-and-cheese isn’t your thing, there’s sandwiches, burgers, waffle fries, and hot dogs, too.
Oh My Soul
3046 N Davidson St
Lunch Hours: Tuesday — Friday, starting at 12PM.
The Scoop: Oh My Soul is an all-vegan dining spot in NoDa. Even if you’re not vegan, you’ll surely love grabbing lunch from this spot. You can’t go wrong with the elote ribs, which are Mexican street corn ribs topped with chipotle lime cream and feta cheese. We also love the buddha bowl, a hummus bowl filled with kale salad, marinated cauliflower, caramelized onion, avocado and roasted sweet potato, with a creamy garlic mayo, cumin roasted chickpeas, toasted pumpkin seeds and choice of one protein.
Author’s Note: This article was written by Alex Maloney. You can find more of her Charlotte-related content on Instagram, @slicesandsushi.
