The 10 best restaurants in uptown Charlotte near Spectrum Center

Chyna Blackmon
·4 min read

Basketball season is back in Buzz City as the Charlotte Hornets tip off their 2023-24 regular season.

Luckily, there are several places for fans to grab a bite to eat before or after a home game at Spectrum Center in uptown Charlotte.

Whether you want dinner, drinks or even a late-night breakfast, here’s a list of 10 of the most popular restaurants about a five minute walk of the arena:

Aria Tuscan Grill

Location: 100 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Distance from arena: 0.2 miles

Cuisine: Italian

Aria Tuscan Grill focuses on a menu with flavors of Tuscany with old world comfort food in a modern Italian setting. Enjoy housemade pasta, pizza, salads, desserts and more.

Basil

Location: 210 N Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Distance from arena: 0.3 miles

Cuisine: Thai

If you’re craving a taste of Thai food, Basil is a Charleston-based spot focused on “refined Thai cuisine.” You can stop by for lunch and dinner to enjoy small bites, curries, noodle and rice dishes, plus more.

Church and Union

Location: 127 N Tryon St #8, Charlotte, NC 28202

Distance from arena: 0.3 miles

Cuisine: American

Church and Union is a popular spot in the heart of uptown serving brunch, dinner and late night bites. The upscale restaurant’s menu features a wide selection of foods, including steak, seafood, pasta, fried chicken and more.

Church and Union’s Chef Jamie’s Lamb Burger is made with red onion marmalade, gorgonzola fondue, arugula, and secret sauce. Church and Union
Church and Union’s Chef Jamie’s Lamb Burger is made with red onion marmalade, gorgonzola fondue, arugula, and secret sauce. Church and Union

Fahrenheit

Location: 222 S. Caldwell St., 21st Floor, Charlotte, NC 28202

Distance from arena: 0.2 miles

Cuisine: American

Grab a bite and a drink while overlooking the city skyline at Fahrenheit. The uptown rooftop bar offers small plates, salads, seafood and more along with wine, cocktails and beer.

Fahrenheit’s rooftop patio offers sweeping views over uptown Charlotte. Fahrenheit
Fahrenheit’s rooftop patio offers sweeping views over uptown Charlotte. Fahrenheit

Forchetta

Location: 230 N College St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Distance from arena: 0.2 miles

Cuisine: Italian

Forchetta offers a taste of Italy with a modern twist inside The Holiday Inn Center City. The authentic Italian menu includes soups, salads, appetizers and more, all of which can be paired with wine, creative cocktails or gourmet coffee drinks.

Formerly Caffe Siena, forchetta is now open in a storefront connected to The Holiday Inn Charlotte Center City. Alex Cason Photography
Formerly Caffe Siena, forchetta is now open in a storefront connected to The Holiday Inn Charlotte Center City. Alex Cason Photography

Midnight Diner

Location: 420 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Distance from arena: 499 feet

Cuisine: American, breakfast

Want to indulge in breakfast bites no matter what time it is? Head over to Midnight Diner. The family-friendly restaurant, open 24 hours a day, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner foods all day long.

Midnight Diner has reopened at its new uptown Charlotte location at 420 E. Trade St. Charlotte Observer file photo
Midnight Diner has reopened at its new uptown Charlotte location at 420 E. Trade St. Charlotte Observer file photo

[RELATED: New upscale steakhouse chain opens first NC restaurant in uptown Charlotte.]

Mert’s Heart & Soul

Location: 214 N College St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Distance from arena: 0.1 miles

Cuisine: Gullah, soul food

Mert’s Heart & Soul has long been a staple for comfort food in Charlotte. The local hot spot, which opened in 1998, serves low country and Gullah-inspired dishes including shrimp and grits, Charleston red rice and more.

Mert’s Heart and Soul Mac Rib sandwich is a beef short rib topped with macaroni and cheese on top. Alex Cason/CharlotteFive
Mert’s Heart and Soul Mac Rib sandwich is a beef short rib topped with macaroni and cheese on top. Alex Cason/CharlotteFive

Rooster’s Wood Fired Kitchen

Location: 150 N. College St., Charlotte, NC 28202

Distance from arena: 0.1 miles

Cuisine: American

Rooster’s Wood Fired Kitchen has a seasonally-inspired menu made with ingredients from local craftsmen, artisans and small farmers. The local restaurant, which is open for lunch and dinner, serves salads, pizzas, seafood, steaks and more.

Sea Level

Location: 129 East 5th St., Charlotte, NC 28202

Distance from arena: 0.2 miles

Cuisine: Seafood

Sea Level, a restaurant and oyster bar, offers fresh seafood sourced straight from the Carolina Coasts. From fried oysters, steamed mussels and shrimp cocktails to a seafood tower to have it all, there’s a lot to choose from at this local seafood spot.

The Truist Tower at Sea Level includes a chef’s selection of 24 oysters, 12 mussels, 10 raw clams, shrimp cocktail, seasonal ceviche, salmon poke, Maine lobster and Marshallburg Farm caviar. Jess Gaddy
The Truist Tower at Sea Level includes a chef’s selection of 24 oysters, 12 mussels, 10 raw clams, shrimp cocktail, seasonal ceviche, salmon poke, Maine lobster and Marshallburg Farm caviar. Jess Gaddy

The Redeye Diner

Location: 210 East Trade Street, Charlotte NC 28202

Distance from arena: 0.2 miles

Cuisine: American, breakfast

Just like its sister restaurant Midnight Diner, Redeye Diner in uptown Charlotte serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner all day everyday. With choices including burgers and wings, buttermilk pancakes and french toast, the local diner is a hot spot no matter what you want to eat.

Did we miss your favorite spot? Let us know at charlottefive@charlottefive.com.