Top 10 Best Charlotte Restaurants

Charlotte is famous for food that reflects its New South identity, blending traditional Southern fare with modern culinary influences. The best food in Charlotte often includes Carolina-style barbecue (which is vinegar-based or Lexington-style with a red sauce), shrimp and grits, and pimento cheese. What sets Charlotte's food apart is this fusion of old and new South, alongside a growing international food scene. While specific cooking techniques that originated solely in Charlotte are few, the city's chefs excel at refining Southern classics and embracing farm-to-table practices. Special ingredients commonly found include North Carolina pork for barbecue, fresh local produce from the Piedmont region, and stone-ground grits. The city’s food offers a taste of Southern heritage with an evolving, contemporary edge.

The average cost of a meal in Charlotte can range from $15 to over $120 per person, varying with the establishment and style of dining. A single meal at a budget-friendly restaurant or a casual spot might cost between $15 and $30. For a group meal at a mid-range restaurant, individuals can expect to spend between $35 and $65 each. When considering a high-end or fine dining restaurant in Charlotte, the cost for one person can be $70 to $120 or more, especially for tasting menus or at highly acclaimed venues.

Charlotte has a wide array of popular fast-food restaurants offering quick and convenient meal options throughout the city. These establishments are well-known for their recognizable brands and efficient service. Some of the most popular fast-food restaurants in Charlotte include:

• McDonald's: A global fast-food leader with numerous locations.
• Chick-fil-A: Highly popular for its chicken sandwiches and customer service.
• Bojangles: A Charlotte-founded chain famous for its Cajun-seasoned fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits.
• Wendy's: Known for its square beef patties and Frosty desserts.
• Taco Bell: Offers Mexican-inspired fast food.
• Subway: Provides customizable submarine sandwiches.
• Cook Out: A regional favorite known for its extensive menu of char-grilled burgers, barbecue, and milkshakes.
• Zaxby's: Popular for its chicken fingers, wings, and sandwiches.

Charlotte's food scene is dynamic, with new establishments frequently opening and introducing fresh concepts. While "newest" is a constantly changing descriptor, here are some examples of the best new restaurants Charlotte has seen or that have garnered significant attention more recently (representing openings and buzz from late 2023 into 2024/2025; checking local Charlotte food publications is best for the very latest):

• Restaurant Constance: This chef-driven spot by Sam Hart has quickly gained acclaim for its focus on hyper-local sourcing and a menu that reflects the seasons of North Carolina.
• Salted Melon Market & Eatery (Newer concepts/expansions): While established, new offerings or significant menu revamps at places like Salted Melon, which focuses on healthier options, can feel like fresh additions.
• Ever Andalo (Continued Buzz): Though open for a bit longer, this Italian restaurant in NoDa continues to be a very popular and highly-regarded "newer" addition to the dining scene.
• Supperland (Significant Impact): While not brand new, Supperland's grand scale and unique concept as a "Southern steakhouse meets church potluck" in a restored church continues to make it a major, relatively recent landmark.
• Bar One (South End): This cocktail-forward lounge with a curated food menu has added a sophisticated new option to the bustling South End neighborhood.

Yes, there are Charlotte restaurants that offer great views of the city, ranging from upscale dining experiences to more casual spots. Several rooftop restaurants downtown Charlotte provide panoramic cityscape vistas. For instance, Fahrenheit features a striking view of the skyline from its rooftop patio, serving contemporary American food. Merchant & Trade, located atop the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, offers chic cocktails and small plates with impressive views of Romare Bearden Park and the uptown Charlotte skyline. Nuvole Rooftop TwentyTwo, another hotel-based option, provides elevated views and a sophisticated lounge atmosphere. While not strictly a "city view" in the skyline sense, RH Rooftop Restaurant Charlotte (from the provided list) offers a beautiful, airy, atrium-style view from its location, creating a unique visual experience. These best restaurants in Charlotte with a view provide memorable backdrops for dining.

Optimist Hall and Pins Mechanical Co. are two examples of fun restaurants in Charlotte; the city offers many cool restaurants Charlotte NC has become known for, each with a unique vibe making them fun places to eat in Charlotte. These establishments often feature lively decor, special themes, live music, or interactive elements.

• Optimist Hall: This vibrant food hall housed in a former textile mill offers a multitude of food stalls with various options, a large open seating area, a brewery, and often hosts events. Its fun comes from the variety, the bustling atmosphere, and the ability for everyone in a group to find something they like.
• Pins Mechanical Co.: Located in South End, this spot combines a bar with duckpin bowling, dozens of pinball machines, and other retro arcade games. The fun is built into the interactive games and social atmosphere.
• Seoul Food Meat Co.: This NoDa eatery offers a unique Korean-inspired barbecue experience with a lively outdoor space that includes games like cornhole and a dog park. Its karaoke rooms add another layer of interactive fun.
• Super Abari Game Bar: For a retro gaming experience, this bar offers a huge collection of classic arcade games and pinball machines, along with a selection of drinks and casual food, making it a fun, nostalgic outing.
• Themed Bars/Restaurants: Charlotte has various establishments with specific themes, from speakeasy-style cocktail bars with an element of discovery to restaurants with highly stylized decor that transport diners to another place or time.

Yes, there are good places to eat near Charlotte airport, including McKoy's Smokehouse and Saloon and Miguel's Mexican & American Restaurant, offering convenient options for travelers. McKoy's Smokehouse and Saloon, located a short drive from the airport, serves Carolina-style barbecue and American comfort food in a casual setting, which can be a good choice for a satisfying meal without venturing too far. Miguel's Mexican & American Restaurant offers a range of Mexican dishes and American staples, providing a quick and familiar option. Several well-known chain restaurants, both fast-food and casual sit-down, are also situated along the main thoroughfares leading to and from the airport, offering reliable and speedy service suitable for those with limited time before or after a flight.

Charlotte offers a commendable and growing selection of restaurants serving vegan food, from dedicated all-vegan establishments to eateries with extensive and creative plant-based options; examples include V-Grits, Plant Joy (located in Optimist Hall), Oh My Soul, and Fern, Flavors from the Garden. V-Grits is a popular spot known for its Southern-style vegan comfort food. Plant Joy offers a globally inspired vegan menu within the bustling Optimist Hall food hall. Oh My Soul provides a colorful and uplifting atmosphere with a menu of vegan dishes and fresh juices. Fern, Flavors from the Garden, presents a more upscale, vegetarian dining experience with many clearly marked and inventive vegan dishes. Many other Charlotte restaurants across different food styles are also increasingly featuring thoughtful and clearly labeled vegan options.

Numerous restaurants in Charlotte accommodate diners looking for gluten-free food, with some being dedicated gluten-free establishments and many others offering clearly marked gluten-free menus or a good understanding of how to accommodate gluten sensitivities; examples include The Silly Axe Cafe (a dedicated gluten-free restaurant and bakery), many of the city's New American and farm-to-table restaurants like The Fig Tree Restaurant or Restaurant Constance (from previous list) which can often adapt dishes, and various pizzerias now offering gluten-free crusts. The Silly Axe Cafe is a standout as a 100% gluten-free restaurant, offering a menu of comfort foods and baked goods. Higher-end restaurants focused on fresh ingredients are adept at guiding diners toward naturally gluten-free choices like grilled meats, fish, and vegetable dishes, and can modify preparations. Diners with severe allergies should always communicate their needs clearly with the restaurant staff.

Charlotte cuisine reflects its New South identity, blending traditional Southern roots with modern influences and an increasing international presence. The city's food scene is known for specific styles that highlight its heritage and contemporary growth. Some of the most famous food styles in Charlotte include:

• Carolina Barbecue: This is a cornerstone of North Carolina food, and Charlotte offers its share of establishments serving pork barbecue, often with a vinegar-based sauce (Eastern style) or a tomato-and-vinegar based sauce (Lexington or Western style). Its fame comes from the deep-rooted tradition of whole-hog barbecue and specific regional sauce preferences in the Carolinas.
• Southern Comfort Food: Dishes like fried chicken, shrimp and grits, pimento cheese, biscuits, and collard greens are widely available and celebrated. These items are famous for their rich flavors and connection to Southern home cooking and hospitality.
• New American/Farm-to-Table: Charlotte has a strong contingent of restaurants focused on New American food, emphasizing seasonal, locally sourced ingredients from North Carolina farms. This style is famous for its fresh, innovative approach to dining.
• Seafood: Given North Carolina's coastline, fresh seafood makes its way to Charlotte restaurants. Dishes featuring shrimp, oysters, and various fish are popular, reflecting the state's access to coastal bounties.
• International Foods: Charlotte's growing population has brought a wider array of international food options, with Vietnamese, Mexican, and various European styles becoming more prominent and appreciated for their authentic flavors.