Restaurant Openings, Closings, Holiday Events and Food News for December

It’s the holiday season and that means plenty of opportunities to gather around the table to enjoy all that Charlotte’s food scene has to offer. Make plans to try these new hotspots, fresh menu updates, and food-related events before 2024 comes to an end. 

Openings & Closings

Napa Bistro & Wine Bar, South Charlotte – Open now

Napa’s third local location has opened in South Charlotte in the Stonecrest shopping center. Guests can now enjoy small plates and picks from a wine list featuring more than 100 bottles. Reserve your spot on OpenTable.

Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen, Ballantyne – Open now

Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen has opened its fourth location at The Bowl at Ballantyne. Expect the same menu items you know and love in a refreshing space that features a large patio.

Seemingly Overzealous, Plaza Midwood – Open now

Seemingly Overzealous has opened a second location in Plaza Midwood in addition to their location in Camp North End. Ice cream lovers can expect 20 unique flavors, all of which are dairy, egg and gluten free.

Fly Kid Fly, Ballantyne – Open now

Also new to The Bowl, Fly Kid Fly is a joint effort between Charlotte coffee brand Hex and Suffolk Punch offering coffee, tea, pastries and breakfast burritos.

Gotcha Matcha, Uptown – Open now

The beloved pop-up matcha spot has found a permanent home in Uptown. Expect the same menu featuring classic and flavored matcha lattes, espresso, loose-leaf teas and other treats.

Dogwood Southern Table and Bar, Uptown – Opening soon

After closing in SouthPark, this Southern restaurant is looking forward to re-opening inside The Westin in Uptown. Look for them to open in January 2025.

Krazy Curry, Uptown – Opening soon

After finding success at their original Pineville location, Krazy Curry will open in January inside One South Tower. At the Uptown location, diners can expect Indian-Nepali cuisine including vindaloos, curries, samosas and a lunch buffet.

Closings:

• Volo Ristorante CLOSED
• Popbar NODA Closing 12/14

News to Note

Salted Melon serving espresso, coffee and more at pop-up at Phillips Place

Salted Melon, the market and eatery concept from the team behind Reid’s Fine Foods, will be popping up at Phillips Place serving up their full espresso bar menu and more from December 4th to December 29th. Expect your favorite coffees & seasonal beverages, an assortment of pastries, muffins & baked goods, plus Reid’s gift baskets and other specialty market items.

Find the Salted Melon eatery pop-up at 6809 Phillips Place Court, Suite A, located across the street from The Palm, opening Wednesday, December 4th.

Hours of Operation:
Monday – Saturday, 8AM to 6PM
Sunday, 10AM to 6PM

Festive holiday drinks at Salted Melon

Speaking of Salted Melon, don’t miss your chance to grab these specialty drinks while they last:

• Peppermint Bark Latte: Peppermint and white mocha with espresso, mixed with your choice of milk, and topped with crushed peppermint candy cane.

• Gingerbread Latte: Gingerbread syrup with espresso, mixed with your choice of milk, and topped with gingerbread crumbles.

• Jingle Bell Rock: Cinnamon syrup shaken with 2 shots of espresso over ice, mixed with your choice of milk

Festive pop-up bars to visit

This year, there’s no storage of options when it comes to getting into the holiday spirit(s). Check out these holiday themed pop-up bars in and around Charlotte:

• The Garrison: Nov. 18 — Jan. 4
• Humbug: Nov. 30—Dec.23
• Miracle at Backstage Lounge: Nov. 18—Dec. 31
• Tinsel Town at Papa Doc’s: Opened Nov. 21 
• Tinseltown at Billy Sunday: Nov. 29—Dec. 31
• Santa’s Favorite Watering Hole at Vinyl: Nov. 20—Jan.6
• Sippin’ Santa at The Royal Tot: Nov. 18—Dec. 31
• A Holiday Spirit Experience, Supperland: through Jan. 11

Foodie Events

Jingle & Drinks Jubilee
December 9 | Reid’s Fine Foods Myers Park & SouthPark

Get into the holiday spirit with the Jingle & Drinks Jubilee at Reid’s. Wear your favorite ugly sweater and get ready to enjoy specialty holiday cocktails, tastings of more than 20 wines and beers, hors d’oeuvres and the chance to win raffle prizes. Email morgan@reids.com to reserve your spot!

Build And Take Class: Bûche De Noël
December 9 | Sur La Table

In this three-hour class, you’ll learn how to make Bûche de Noël, a traditional Christmas Yule log cake, from scratch.

Cooking Class: Elegant Holiday Table
December 18 | Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen

Get guest-ready by learning how to whip up this menu that’s sure to impress. Featuring a standing rib roast with port wine and currant reduction sauce, truffle potato pave and white chocolate custard tart with compressed apples.

Baking Class: Holiday Baking Prep
December 23 | Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen

Learn versatile and simple dishes that can be made well ahead of time to provide ease around holiday entertaining. Led by pastry chef Britt.

Christmas Eve Dinner at Napa
December 24 | Napa on Providence, Napa Kingsley and Napa Bistro & Wine Bar

Savor the holiday by letting someone else do the dishes. Reserve your spot now for a three-course Christmas Eve prix fixe menu for $60 per person.

New Year’s Eve at Napa
December 31 | Napa on Providence, Napa Kingsley and Napa Bistro & Wine Bar

Toast to the new year with a three-course prix fixe menu for $100 per person.