Want to snack while sipping on a glass of wine? Appetizers. Want to try a little bit of everything on the menu? Appetizers. Want to feed a large group but don’t know what to order? Appetizers. Clearly, small plates are perfect for any occasion — and that’s why we love them so much. From charcuterie boards to croquettes to whipped ricotta, these delicious bites are guaranteed to have your mouth watering.
Eastover, Myer’s Park & Dilworth
Napa on Providence (Eastover) & Napa at Kingsley (Fort Mill)
110 Perrin Pl & 1310 Broadcloth St, Fort Mill, SC
The Napa restaurants both have a large selections of small plates that are delicious and filling. Order appetizers such as cast iron meatballs, crispy calamari, burrata, seared tuna crudo, steamed PEI mussels, fig and flatbreads, and beef carpaccio to make a meal next time you visit either location.
Dot Dot Dot
4237 Park Rd Unit B
Dine on appetizers in this Myer’s Park speakeasy. The snacks and small plates are plentiful including deviled eggs (pictured above), roasted shishito peppers, shrimp ceviche and polenta dumplings. Yum!
Salted Melon Market and Eatery
NEW LOCATION 815 Providence Rd Myers Park
100 W Worthington Ave Suite 107 South End
The next time you’re not sure what to have for dinner, stop by the Salted Melon Market and Eatery for a delicious meal made out of appetizers. The bar bites menu, which is available from 3PM to 6PM daily is both filling and affordable. Enjoy bites such as tuna tartare, smashed sliders, crispy garbanzo hummus, chipotle BBQ shrimp tacos and corn and cauliflower fritters.
Lebowski’s
1524 East Blvd
Lebowski’s is the ultimate neighborhood sports bar. It’s the perfect place to grab a drink, watch a game and dine on appetizers. Lebowski’s app menu is plentiful, with options like quesadillas, chips and queso, rueben egg rolls, disco fries, fried skinny pickles, nachos, cauliflower bites, pretzels, wings and more.
Wesley Heights
Maiz Agua Sal
1018 Jay St, #110
There’s nothing quite like sipping on a margarita while enjoying chips and various dips at your favorite Mexican restaurant. At Maiz Agua Sal — MAS — Tortilleria, you can enjoy a wide variety of appetizers such as elote, albondigas (meatballs) and guacamole. Plus, if you visit on Tuesday through Friday, during the hours of 3PM to 6PM, you can snag a $10 app sampler of elote, chicharrones (fried pork rinds), guac, three salsas, pickled veg and a basket of chips.
Streetcar Bar + Bites
2135 Thrift Rd, #104
Enjoy classic bar bites while watching a game at Streetcar Bar + Bites in Wesley Heights. With options such as pretzels, buffalo chicken dip, mozzarella sticks, chicken wings, fried pickles and more on the menu, after dining on appetizers here you’ll leave feeling full and happy.
NoDa
The Goodyear House
3032 N Davidson St
The appetizers available at The Goodyear House span a wide range, so there’s guaranteed to be something everyone in your party will love. Make it a meal of apps by picking a few things to share from the menu. We love crispy rice balls (pictured above), marinated shrimp, shaken fry bag, smoked cashew mac and beef tartare.
The Artisan’s Palate
1218 E 36th St A
Visit The Artisan’s Palate Tuesday through Saturday between 4PM and 5PM to catch the bar bites menu, or go outside of those hours for the traditional dinner menu filled with tasty appetizers. Snack on a cheese board (with the option to add meat), bacon-wrapped dates, empanadas and pulled chicken slider appetizers in this restaurant that doubles as an art gallery.
Plaza Midwood & Elizabeth
Flight
1949 E 7th St
Flight, Elizabeth’s newest wine bar, is the perfect place to grab a glass of wine and an appetizer. Pair your wine flight (or glass) with shareables such as house baked focaccia, ricotta, calamari verde toast, cheese plates and meatballs. We can’t plan our next girls night here fast enough!
Rosemont
1942 E 7th St #101-H
There’s no shortage of appetizers at Rosemont in Elizabeth. Sip on a glass of wine, beer or cocktail while munching on appetizers like mussels, white bean dip with grilled naan, burrata, buffalo cauliflower and more. Pro tip: if you visit on a Monday, mussels are half off.
Supperland
1212 The Plaza
Everyone knows about Supperland’s decadent brunch buffet and delicious family style entrees, but did you know the restaurant also has a selection of great appetizers? Sit at the bar, on the patio or in the main dining room to indulge in apps such as baked brie bites, wood-fired onion dip (pictured above), salads and oysters.
South End
PARA
235 W Tremont Ave, Suite 100
This swanky South End restaurant has an abundance of small plates and sharing items. Grab a cocktail and order appetizers such as warm spinach dip, lobster rolls, short rib dumplings (pictured above), jerk chicken karaage and wings to fill up.
El Puro
5033 South Blvd
With the live music, dancing, drinks and great small bites, El Puro is like going to a party right on South Blvd. Indulge in Cuban appetizers like croquettes, empanadas, fried congri rice balls (pictured above), ceviche and more that are sure to leave you feeling full.
Chapter 6
2151 Hawkins St
Almost everything on Chapter 6’s menu is small plate sized, making it the perfect place to go when you want to make a meal out of appetizers. You can’t miss dishes like the whipped ricotta (pictured above), marinated olives, wagyu tartare, charred broccoli and local tomato toast.
SouthPark
Reid’s
4331 Barclay Downs Dr
Sit out on the patio at Reid’s SouthPark while enjoying delicious appetizers! Order small plates such as pretzel bites and beer cheese, tuna poke tacos, crispy brussels sprouts, crab cake fritters, steak lettuce wraps, fried gulf oysters, caprese bruschetta, or even a cheese and charcuterie board which is only $10 on Thursdays!
Mizu
3100 Apex Dr, 9th Floor
Mizu provides the perfect girls night or date night atmosphere to dine on small plates and cocktails. Some of our favorite things to order include firecracker shrimp, chicken katsu sliders, pork belly buns, crispy fried potatoes, roasted eggplant (pictured above) and the house salad.
Ballantyne, South Charlotte & Mooresville
Epic Chophouse
1365 Broadcloth St, #101 Fort Mill, SC
104 South Main Street
Mooresville, NC 28115
In addition to the delicious steaks, chops and seafood available, Epic Chophouse offers incredible appetizers for those wishing for a lighter meal at the restaurant. We love the wagyu meatballs which feature wagyu and pork topped with house made marinara sauce and sprinkled parmesan and basil ricotta cheese. Or, go for the delectable spinach, chevre, brie and roasted garlic bake pictured above.
Postino Wine Cafe
15210 Bowl St #103
At Ballantyne’s newest wine bar, both the drinks and appetizers are flowing. While you sip on your wine snack on the Chef’s charcuterie board with prosciutto di parma, Spanish chorizo, salami, whipped feta, chef’s cheese pick, olive, almond hummus, charred artichoke, blistered sweet pepper, crostini, and lavash bread or grab a bruschetta board.
Author’s Note: This article was written by Alexandra Maloney, a local Charlotte foodie and professional content strategist. You can find her chatting more about Charlotte food, drinks, and events on Instagram, @slicesandsushi.
