Restaurants
Charlotte’s culinary offerings have expanded dramatically in recent years, spurred by the city’s emergence as a national and international commerce hub, the influx of tens of thousands of new residents, and the addition of Johnson & Wales University.
What was once a predictable southern town of down-home diners and run-of-the-mill chain eateries has greatly evolved. Twenty-first century Charlotte blends the best of the old—slow-cooked vegetables, stick-to-the-ribs meat and potatoes, Southern barbecue, and ultra-sweet tea—with sophisticated new menus featuring international cuisine, upscale presentations, and inspired recipes.
Not only do we have chefs trained in Europe and across the United States, we now celebrate the culinary delights of chefs trained right here in the Queen City at Johnson & Wales, which opened in Uptown in 2004. Restaurants are arranged alphabetically by type of cuisine. Listings are located in Charlotte unless otherwise noted.
1. Fenwick’S On Providence
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (704) 333-2750
Address: 511 Providence Rd.
Description: It’s often said that no one who lives in Charlotte is from Charlotte. But they do exist, and many of them frequent Fenwick’s in the heart of Myers Park, the city’s first suburb and one of its best old-money addresses. During the day ladies who lunch nibble on homemade muffins, croissant sandwiches, quiche, casseroles, and salad plates. But at night the tiny restaurant takes an upscale, yet casual, turn with fresh seafood and salads, grilled chicken, steaks, and other standard not-too-nouveau cuisine. Take a break from low carb here—the bread, muffins, and desserts are well worth it. Reservations are not accepted. Fenwick’s is open for lunch and dinner Mon through Sat.
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Restaurants
Address: 7716 Rea Rd.
3. Hotel Charlotte
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (704) 364-8755
Address: 705 South Sharon Amity Rd.
Description: The furnishings and decor of the original Hotel Charlotte were transported from the city to the suburbs and serve as a backdrop for this traditional Charlotte eatery. The menu is American, with a New Orleans flair. For lunch, try burgers or po’boys with “add-ons” of your choice. For dinner, try the shrimp creole, steak Diane, crawfish étouffée, jumbo gumbo, live Maine lobster, or New England clam chowder. The restaurant’s wine and beer clubs are just the thing for sampling a wide variety of beverages (it boasts more than 100 varieties of beer). Hotel Charlotte is open for lunch and dinner Mon through Fri, and open only for dinner on Sat. Sun is brunch only, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
4. Sonoma Modern American Cuisine
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (704) 377-1333
Address: 100 North Tryon St.
Description: Sonoma features the hottest trends in New American cuisine. This local favorite, a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner, has more than 300 varieties of wine to accompany its fresh, healthy, and uniquely combined cuisine. Sonoma is located in the same building as the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. So, if you’re going to a Broadway play or to the symphony or opera at the Blumenthal, take advantage of Sonoma’s show special: a three-course dinner for $30 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. show nights. Lunch is served weekdays; dinner, Mon through Sat. Patio seating is available; reservations recommended.
5. Zink
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (704) 444-9001
Address: 201 North Tryon St.
Description: Zink is a great option if you’re looking for American fare in an atmosphere that’s a bit more formal. The menu puts a new twist on our traditional comfort foods. For example, you can dine on American wagyu meat loaf or lobster mac ‘n’ cheese. Other options include crab-stuffed mountain trout and buttermilk fried chicken sliders. Zink has a prime location on Tryon Street, just north of The Square. Its outdoor patio is a great option because it’s set back from the bustle and slightly above street level. The wine list is derived exclusively from U.S. vineyards, and the extensive beer selection is also all-American. The bar at Zink is a popular spot after work and on weekends. Open daily for lunch and dinner; reservations accepted.
6. Baoding
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (704) 552-8899
Address: 4722 Sharon Rd.
Description: This SouthPark restaurant’s design looks more like an upscale New York eatery than the typical Asian restaurant. The northern Chinese food is chic, matching the decor. You’ll know it’s Asian, but modern preparation techniques make dining here exceptional. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Takeout is available.
7. P. F. Chang’S China Bistro
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (704) 552-6644
Description: This Chinese bistro chain opened its first Charlotte location in Phillips Place, Charlotte’s most upscale shopping center. The restaurant was received so well, often with a wait, that P.F. Chang’s opened a second location at Northlake Mall. Both locations offer many wines by the glass and great appetizers such as lettuce wraps, but don’t fill up before you try the signature spicy chicken, honey shrimp, fried rice, and lo mein. Lunch and dinner served daily.
8. Shun Lee Palace
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (704) 366-2025
Address: 4340 Colwick Rd.
Description: This is a favorite Chinese restaurant for many Charlotteans. It offers a wide variety of entrees to choose from, serving Mandarin, Szechuan, Hunan, and Cantonese cuisine. Lunch is served Mon through Fri plus Sun; dinner is served seven days a week.
9. Thai House
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (704) 532-6868
Address: 3210 North Sharon Amity Rd.
Description: Thai House has been voted Best Thai food in the Queen City by Charlotte Magazine. The restaurants feature a classic menu with more than 70 traditional recipes—seafood, chicken, duck, pork, and beef, served with hot rice and spicy sauces (mild, medium, or hot). Try the King and I, prepared with grilled Thai whole shrimp seasoned with fresh garlic, tomatoes, chili pepper, onion, and carrots and garnished with broccoli, or the Gulf of Siam, featuring a choice of shrimp, baby clams, squid, or seafood combination cooked in a clay pot and served with vegetables and spices. It is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
10. Thai Taste
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (704) 332-0001
Address: 324 East Blvd.
Description: Thai Taste was the first Thai restaurant in the Queen City and operated as a single restaurant for many years on East Boulevard, where it catered to the many “foodies” who live in Dilworth and dine there. Creating Loafing has twice recognized it as the best Thai food in Charlotte. In recent years, it has added locations in shopping centers in the University City area and in Matthews. The curry dishes at Thai Taste are excellent—just let the waitperson know how “hot and spicy” you like it. Lunch is served Mon through Fri, and dinner is served every night.
11. Bill Spoon’S Barbecue
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (704) 525-8865
Address: 5524 South Blvd.
Description: Bill Spoon began serving eastern-style barbecue in Charlotte in 1963. Although he has since passed away, his family carries on the tradition of this popular eatery. Spoon’s is a Charlotte landmark so well known for its vinegar-based barbecue that it has been the subject of television shows and culinary documentaries. Everyone from construction workers to the richest men in the city eat here. And, if you find yourself short of cash, the owners have been known to let folks mail in a check. Open 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mon through Sat.
12. Bubba’S Barbecue
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (704) 393-2000
Address: 4400 Sunset Rd.
Description: Bubba’s cooks the whole pig Eastern North Carolina style, using peppers and spices in a vinegar base in a 33-hour process. You can also order barbecue chicken, barbecue beans, barbecue ribs, barbecue french fries, Brunswick stew, meat loaf, and, of course, hush puppies. In true Southern tradition, Bubba’s offers sweet potato pie and pecan pie.If you choose takeout, remember to purchase a bottle of Bubba’s sauce—it’s not included with a regular take-home order. Join the Bubba’s Birthday Club, and you can eat free on your special day. Open for lunch and dinner daily.
13. Hog Heaven Barbecue
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (704) 535-0154
Address: 1600 Purser Dr.
Description: This is one of those hole-in-the-wall joints that you could pass by, but shouldn’t. The small building, with just six tables, produces great Lexington-style (Western North Carolina) barbecue. In fact, Southern food connoisseur Bob Garner praises Hog Heaven’s barbecue in his book, Bob Garner’s Guide to North Carolina Barbecue, by calling it the “best Lexington-style barbecue in Charlotte.” Owner Sonny Lyon also makes a mean homemade Brunswick stew, and his wife makes a tasty coconut pie for dessert. Hog Heaven is open Mon through Sat for lunch and dinner.
14. Old Hickory House
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (704) 596-8014
Address: 6538 North Tryon St.
Description: There are people who swear the Brunswick stew is the best in the state. The pit-cooked barbecue is pretty good, too. You don’t get a lot of ambience at Old Hickory House, just great food and friendly service. Takeout and catering are available. Open for lunch and dinner Mon through Sat.
15. Ole Smokehouse #1
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (704) 523-7222
Address: 1513 Montford Dr.
Description: This landmark serves great barbecue—ribs, chicken, beef, and pork—but it also has steaks and fresh seafood for the non–barbecue lovers in your crowd. Be sure to inquire about the daily specials. It’s open for lunch and dinner Mon through Sat.