Best Restaurants In Charlotte, North Carolina

Three plates of food from Customshop in Charlotte — Photo:
Customshop

For years, the Queen City has steadily marched toward becoming a top food city in the South—with recent nods from the James Beard Foundation validating its expertise and growth. While barbecue and typical Southern fare can certainly be found within Charlotte’s city limits (check out Sweet Lew’s BBQ or Noble Smoke), the culinary landscape is more so defined by its creativity and variety in cuisine. If you want Vietnamese, Italian, or Ethiopian dishes, Charlotte delivers. Fresh seafood, expertly rolled sushi, and street tacos are all here. In fact, when your options are this vast, the only issue is choosing where to go—so we did the work for you. Read on to discover the best restaurants in Charlotte.

L'Ostrica

You never know what you might get at L'Ostrica, and that's a good thing. Partners and co-owners Cat Carter and chef Eric Ferguson have been delighting diners with ambitious tasting menus since opening the restaurant in 2023. The food here is hyper-seasonal, so the menu will likely be different each time you visit. Options include 10-course and a 5 to 7-course menus, as well as a more casual bar menu where you can linger over drinks and a bowl of Charred Onion and Truffle Dip. The restaurant also has a Chef's Market with take-away food like salads, soups, desserts, and a very popular sandwich of the day.

lostricaclt.com, 4701 Park Rd. Charlotte, NC 28209

Customshop

Open since 2007, Customshop has long been considered one of the city's best restaurants. Chef Trey Young's European-inspired dishes put it on the map, and even after handing over the reins to chef Andres Keifer in 2022, it remains just as beloved for its handmade pastas (like Saffron Bucatini with North Carolina shrimp, chorizo Iberico, and peppadew broth), creative crudos, and seasonally-driven entrees.

customshopfood.com, 1601 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204

Bird Pizzeria

You know a pizzeria is good when the menu options are limited—every item must be a standout. That's the case at Bird Pizzeria, a low-key shop with a simple menu of whole, Neopolitan-style pies (plain, white, and vegan) and simple toppings. Owned by husband-and-wife team, Kerrel and Nkem Thompson, Bird has gained a steady local following and national praise since opening in 2021. An indoor dining room is coming soon, so that even more people can enjoy their pies.

birdpizzeria.com, 510 E 15th St., Charlotte, NC 28206

Salted Melon

We named Salted Melon 2024's best new restaurant in North Carolina because Salted Melon is a one-stop-shop for Charlotte food lovers. This all-day cafe also has a gourmet grocery store (with chocolate, snacks, drinks, pantry items, and more) and sells fully-prepped meals to go. The menu is a mix of indulgent dishes like the Truffle Cacio e Pepe and the Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich balanced by wholesome items like salads and grain bowls. Coming soon: A second location in the city's Eastover neighborhood.

saltedmelon.com, 100 W. Worthington Avenue Suite 107, Charlotte, NC 28203

Hello Sailor

This modern, Southern take on a fish camp is located just outside of the city on Lake Norman, but it's worth the drive. Snack on peel-and-eat North Carolina shrimp and beef fat fries, or go for a more elevated entree like steelhead trout with garlic labneh and smoked succotash. Non-seafood eaters will find plenty to like here too, from the double patty burger to baby back pork ribs.

hellosailornc.com, 20210 Henderson Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031

Supperland

Count yourself lucky if you can snag a reservation at Supperland. Opened in Plaza Midwood in 2021, the self-proclaimed “Southern steakhouse meets church potluck” is the next chapter for two restored buildings that once served as the First Church of Christ, a gallery, and a bread shop—although at different times. After indulging in the miso mac and cheese, wagyu pot roast, and sausage gravy croquettes, guests can head downstairs to the restaurant’s speakeasy, which offers first-come-first-serve seating as well as pre-booked coursed cocktail tastings.

supper.land, 1212 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205

Counter-

Dining at Counter- means embarking on a sensory journey, one “designed to evoke emotion throughout the dining experience.” Unusual, yes, but the tasting menu concept earned owner and executive chef Sam Hart a 2023 James Beard nomination for Best Chef: Southeast. While the restaurant itself is designed to be a blank canvas—grays, whites, muted tones—it transforms to align with a rotating theme and accompanying menu; past themes include a tribute to Pink Floyd’s album, The Wall, and a push for mental health awareness.

counterclt.com, 2001 W Morehead St, Suite D Charlotte, NC 28208

Haberdish

Take one look at the chicken sandwich served at Haberdish—a lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch spot in the NoDa neighborhood of Charlotte—and you won’t be able to think about anything else. Part Southern kitchen, part cocktail bar, the restaurant harkens back to the neighborhood’s history as a mill town, and its menu features dishes made with the same ingredients and techniques that have been used for centuries. If the food menu is the definition of straightforward Southern comfort (the fried chicken is a crowd favorite), the cocktail menu is its inventive, whimsical cousin. Order the Mind Your Own Beeswax or a Happy Go Lucky Punch if you’re feeling festive.

haberdish.com, 3106 N. Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC 28205

Mama Ricotta’s

While new restaurants tend to get all the hype, the older establishments—the ones that have been greeting guests for decades—quietly and steadfastly serve their well-loved dishes day in and day out. Mama Ricotta’s, an Italian stalwart in Midtown, has been open for about three decades, and if you’re craving a chicken parm sandwich or a plate of penne alla vodka, it won’t disappoint. Part of Charlotte’s FS Dining Group, Mama Ricotta's sister restaurant, Little Mama’s, opened in 2020.

mamaricottas.com, 601 S. Kings Dr. AA, Charlotte, NC 28204

Fin & Fino

Charlotte may be hours away from an ocean, but Fin & Fino takes its role as a “social seafood house” seriously. The restaurant receives a daily delivery of its fish and shellfish—all of which were raised or caught sustainably–to make its roster of seafood dishes. Alongside a raw bar menu starring the “Penthouse” (a tower of oysters, shrimp, lobster tails, crab cocktail fingers, seafood salad, and scallop crudo), the team serves up entrees featuring mussels, scallops, a wagyu flat iron steak, and more. Not to mention, there’s an impressive, playful cocktail menu; Call of the Clam, Endless Breadsticks, and Papa Was a Rolling Stone are all options to wash down your delicious meal.

finandfino.com, 135 Levine Avenue of the Arts #100, Charlotte, NC 28202

Haymaker

“Sustainability” and “heirloom ingredients” sound like culinary buzzwords, but they’re true North Stars for chef Chris Coleman and his team at Haymaker. The Uptown restaurant whips up its offerings—which includes North Carolina mountain trout, cornmeal pork Milanese, and charred cabbage with butter beans—using local farm deliveries, artisanal products, and a brick hearth. You may want to try everything on the menu, but the Jimmy Red Cornbread with whipped ricotta, pickled peach, and sour butter is a non-negotiable.

haymakerclt.com, 225 S. Poplar St. Charlotte, NC 28202

Lang Van

The menu and atmosphere of a restaurant may define its public perception, but it’s the people behind the operation who become the heart and soul of the entire entity. Lang Van’s owner Dan Nguyen is well-known and loved in the community, and her passion for serving Vietnamese dishes is equally matched by her uncanny memory for customers and their orders. If you once ordered pho, spring rolls, or the vermicelli noodle dish Bun Bo Xao, there’s a good chance she’ll remember.

3019 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215, 704-420-8840

Mert's Heart And Soul

Mert's Heart & Soul, Charlotte — Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

Since 1998, Mert’s Heart and Soul has given Charlotteans the gift of soul food—and a national audience got a peek at the restaurant on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives in 2015. Menu standouts include the Soul Roll (egg roll wraps with black-eyed peas, rice, collard greens, and diced chicken), the mini loaves of cornbread, and the fresh salmon cakes. If you’re feeling peckish afterward, consider ending the meal with a slice of pound cake.

mertscharlotte.com, 214 North College St., Charlotte NC 28202

Flour Shop

There are lots of Italian restaurants offering fresh pasta, but not many make it the way Flour Shop does, which is right in the middle of the intimate dining room. Besides the pasta itself, the restaurant’s dishes include produce grown in the area and locally sourced meats. While it could be easy to fill up on starters, make sure to leave room for the squid ink linguine with chorizo and Carolina shrimp or the beef and pork bolognese.

flourshopfood.com, 530 A Brandywine Rd., Charlotte, NC 28209

Hestia

You’ll need to head up 16 floors in Ballantyne Village’s Panorama Tower to get to Hestia. The modern rooftop restaurant opened in March 2023 with a full-service bar and a robust menu featuring sushi, sashimi, and a variety of original takes on bar food. Whether you come for the 180-degree views of the city or the omakase dining experience (where the chef takes the reins on your order), you’ll leave the meal feeling thoroughly confident in the trajectory of Charlotte’s growing restaurant scene.

hestiarooftop.com, 14819 Ballantyne Village Way, Charlotte, NC 28277

Brooks’ Sandwich House

Brooke's Sandwich House — Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

A “best restaurant” label doesn’t necessarily mean sky-high prices; in fact, Brooks’ Sandwich House—where cash is the only accepted form of payment—serves $4 hot dogs and $8-a-pound beef chili. The nearly 50-year-old, family-run roadside stop recommends getting your cheeseburger made “all the way,” which includes mustard, onions, and the house made beef chili.

brookssandwichhouse.com, 2710 N. Brevard St., Charlotte, NC 28205

Abugida Ethiopian Cafe & Restaurant

Authentic Ethiopian fare is present in Midwood thanks to the team behind Abugida Ethiopian Cafe & Restaurant. Injera, a spongy flatbread, is used in place of utensils, to scoop up lamb and beef tibs (cubed beef sauteed in vegetables and spiced butter), gomen (collard greens), and other specialties. At the end of the meal, guests can continue to soak up the ambiance while sipping freshly brewed coffee—poured tableside.

abugidacafe.com, 3007 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205

Eddie’s Place

You don’t need to book a ticket to New Orleans to get your fix of Cajun food, Instead, head to Eddie’s Place in the Cotswold neighborhood, where she-crab soup, muffuletta sandwiches, and po’ boys are menu staples. All-day breakfast is another defining factor of the eatery—omelets, breakfast burritos, eggs Benedict, and chicken and waffles are a solid start to any day.

eddiesplacerestaurant.com, 617 S. Sharon Amity Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211

Restaurant Constance

yourfarmsyourtable.com, 2200 Thrift Rd., Charlotte, NC 28208

According to chef Sam Diminch, the “seasons write the menus” at Restaurant Constance, a 10-table, no-concept restaurant. Born out of Diminch’s Your Farms Your Table Restaurant Group and named after his daughter, Restaurant Constance is highly focused on quality, local produce, and the power of connecting over a meal. Expect an evolving raw bar, inventive desserts, and a vast and creative non-alcoholic cocktail menu with your reservation.

Prime Fish

For sushi that's a cut above the rest, head to Prime Fish. Led by chef Robin Anthony, who also holds the title of owner and Certified Sake Adviser, the Ballantyne destination serves up Edomae-style sushi. No matter what you order—be sure to try the black truffle salmon, though—the self-taught chef will ensure you enjoy a top-tier meal, often topped with his signature edible flowers, grown by a local farmer in Charlotte.

primefishclt.com, 11212 Providence Rd W B, Charlotte, NC 28277

Letty's On Shamrock

Letty's Thomas' Chicken Sandwich — Letty Ketner

Southerners know a little pimiento cheese makes everything better, and Letty’s on Shamrock’s grilled pimiento cheeseburger is a true testament to that statement. The restaurant offers traditional Southern items as well as bistro‑style fare—all served in a casual, friendly atmosphere in the middle of the Plaza‑Midwood neighborhood. And, if the burger didn’t quench your pimiento cheese craving, there’s always the panko-battered and fried pimiento cheese fritters.

lettysonshamrock.com, 2121 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC, 28205

Ever Andalo

It's dinnertime. Start your meal with a charcuterie board, then tuck into a plate of seafood pasta, and round out the night with a housemade cannoli. If that sounds like your ideal dining experience, you’ll want to book a table at Ever Andalo, an Italian restaurant in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood. Owned by Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown of the Tonidandel-Brown restaurant group, Ever Andalo is the Italian cousin of Supperland and Haberdish.

everandalo.com, 3116 N. Davidson St., Charlotte, NC 28205

300 East

300east.net, 300 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203

Since 1987, 300 East has called a refurbished Victorian house in the Dilworth neighborhood home. It’s an institution known for its French Onion soup, brunch offerings, and dessert menu, now spearheaded by Charlotte native chef Ashley Boyd. Boyd has been working at her family’s restaurant since she was a child, and in recent years, she’s brought her renowned pastry prowess to the table with items like the Butterscotch Ice Cream Sandwich, the Callebaut Brownie, and the Duke’s Mayo Caramel Cake.

Tacos El Nevado

Tacos El Nevado—which has two locations in Charlotte—can partially attribute its glowing reviews to its $3 tacos, nachos, and homemade tortillas. In a world where tacos can be overly complex, Tacos El Nevado sticks to the basics, resulting in a hard-to-beat formula. Plus, you really can’t go wrong with a side of guacamole or choriqueso with fried corn tortilla chips.

tacoselnevadonc.com, 4640 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28209
4715 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205

South 21 Drive-In

The Super Boy, a double burger with housemade chili and slaw, might be the star of the show at South 21 Drive-In, but the curb-side service restaurant has plenty of other options too. Opened in 1955, the historic eatery continues to whip up Fish-o-Burgers, BLTs, and other favorites for its customers. With such a long-lasting legacy, the family-owned drive-in is proof that good food has been central to Charlotte’s culture for decades—and hopefully it will stay that way for years to come.

south21drivein.net, 3101 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28205

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