These are the 12 hottest restaurants in Charlotte you need to check out right now

Chyna Blackmon
·5 min read

It’s no secret that Charlotte’s food scene is constantly growing with new restaurants and bars every year.

We shared 10 hot restaurants earlier in the year, and those spots probably haven’t slowed down much. But nothing stays still in Charlotte.

Over 180 new food and drink spots around town have opened or plan to this year alone, adding to the long list of beloved restaurants in the area. So it can be pretty difficult to narrow down where to grab a bite to eat when we’re blessed with so many food options to choose from.

Whether you’re going out for dinner, drinks or even brunch, here’s a new list of some of the hottest restaurants in Charlotte right now:

Azúcar

Location: 15906 Old Statesville Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078

Location: Ballantyne Village, 14825 Ballantyne Village Way, Suite A-150, Charlotte, NC 28277 (opening this fall)

Want to try out classic Cuban cuisine with a twist? Check out Azúcar and enjoy a variety of dishes, drinks and small bites for brunch, lunch and dinner. The family-owned Lake Norman restaurant opened last year in Huntersville but has become so popular that the team is expanding to Ballantyne Village and opening a second location this fall.

Azucar offers a modern take on Cuban food, but it keeps its classic roots.
Azucar offers a modern take on Cuban food, but it keeps its classic roots.

Bird Pizzeria

Location: 510 E 15th St, Charlotte, NC 28206

Bird Pizzeria was recently named one of Southern Living’s best new restaurants in the South. After serving slices as a pop-up, co-owners Kerrel and Nkem Thompson opened their brick-and-mortar in late 2021. Nestled in a small takeout space in Optimist Park, the couple’s local pizza shop is known for its East Coast-style pies made that you can personalize with your choice of meat and veggies.

A 14-inch pizza from Bird Pizzeria.
A 14-inch pizza from Bird Pizzeria.

Catalina Kitchen & Bar

Location: 1942 E 7th St #106, Charlotte, NC 28204

Catalina Kitchen & Bar is one of the newest spots to hit Charlotte’s food scene, owned by NFL Hall of Famer and television commentator Mike Ditka. The restaurant opened last month in the Elizabeth neighborhood, serving up seafood, salads, protein bowls and pasta, plus specialty cocktails, 60 wines, and 10 local and regional beers on tap. Right now, the restaurant is only serving dinner, but lunch and brunch service will soon be available, too.

Catalina Kitchen + Bar, by NFL Hall of Famer and television commentator Mike Ditka’s Restaurant Group, is located at 1942 E. 7th St. in Charlotte.
Catalina Kitchen + Bar, by NFL Hall of Famer and television commentator Mike Ditka’s Restaurant Group, is located at 1942 E. 7th St. in Charlotte.

Coquette

Location: 400 S Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28285

Whether you’re stopping by for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Coquette will make you feel like you’re in an intimate, French countryside cafe right in the middle of uptown. The new restaurant, which opened in August, offers a spin on traditional French dishes with a long list of bar snacks, small plates, dishes, fresh pastries, cocktails and more.

Coquette is a French cafe located in uptown Charlotte.
Coquette is a French cafe located in uptown Charlotte.

Chapter 6

Location: The Line in South End, 2151 Hawkins St, Suite 120., Charlotte, NC 28203

Chapter 6 is bringing a taste of Western Mediterranean cuisine right to South End. The new spot, which is part of the Rare Roots Hospitality restaurant group behind Dressler’s and Fin & Fino, overlooks the Rail Trail. Expect to enjoy small plates that showcase the flavors of the coasts and fields of Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, France and Italy.

Chapter 6’s small plates options include Mussels & Clams.
Chapter 6’s small plates options include Mussels & Clams.

Culinary Dropout

Location: 1120 S Tryon St #100, Charlotte, NC 28203

Culinary Dropout, a popular Arizona-based restaurant, just opened its first East Coast location in Charlotte. The new spot in South End serves “classic comfort food done right”with charcuterie boards, sandwiches, pasta, pan pizza and more. There’s also a 360-degree bar, pet-friendly outdoor patio and a stage for live performances.

Culinary Dropout’s craft cocktail menu includes more than 20 choices.
Culinary Dropout’s craft cocktail menu includes more than 20 choices.

The Dumpling Lady

Location: 327 W. Tremont Ave., Charlotte, NC 28203

Location: Optimist Hall, 1115 N Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206

Location: The Alley at Latta Arcade, 320 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 (coming soon)

The Dumpling Lady has long been a hot spot in town from its early days as a food truck back in 2017, before opening in Optimist Hall. But now you can also get your dumpling fix at the second and largest location in South End. The local restaurant is also expanding to uptown next year in The Alley at Latta Arcade to serve up its popular dumplings and other Sichuan staples.

The Dumpling Lady’s South End restaurant has an expanded menu and late-night hours.
The Dumpling Lady’s South End restaurant has an expanded menu and late-night hours.

The Fox & The Falcon

Location: 4905 Ashley Park Ln, Charlotte, NC 28210

Celebrity chef David Burke is no stranger to Charlotte’s culinary scene, and his newest restaurant just opened in SouthPark. The Fox & The Falcon, is designed as an elevated modern steakhouse. You’ll be able to find some popular items from Burke’s signature menu at the Sharon Square eatery, including Tomahawk steak, lobster dumplings and his famous clothesline bacon.

The DB Maple Glazed Bacon Clothesline by David Burke.
The DB Maple Glazed Bacon Clothesline by David Burke.

[CHARLOTTE’S HIDDEN GEMS: After reading about our city’s hot spots, check out 20 of the best underrated restaurants.]

Hestia Rooftop

Location: Ballantyne Village, 14819 Ballantyne Village Way Charlotte, NC 28277

There are several rooftop bars and restaurants around Charlotte, but Hestia Rooftop offers a view like no other. Check out uptown’s skyline, Carowinds’ roller coasters and even the foothills off in the distance when skies are clear while enjoying signature cocktails, sushi, steak and more. The upscale Asian restaurant now also offers brunch service every Sunday.

The outdoor view at Hestia Rooftop.
The outdoor view at Hestia Rooftop.

Jimmy Pearls

Location: The Market at 7th Street, 224 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Craving some seafood? Make a trip to The Market at 7th Street and grab a bite at Jimmy Pearls. The fast casual, coastal-inspired restaurant offers crab cakes, fish sandwiches, grits topped with shrimp, fish or veggies, and more. Jimmy Pearls has also welcomed a new lunch concept, Luxury Lunches, into their space on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Uncle Gene’s Fish Sandwich at Jimmy Pearls.
Uncle Gene’s Fish Sandwich at Jimmy Pearls.

Sixty Vines

Location: 1415 Vantage Park Drive #100, Charlotte, NC 28203

Want to get the experience of wine country without traveling? Head to Sixty Vines in South End. With more than 60 wines on tap, shareables, small bites and seasonal entrées inspired by vineyards around the world, Sixty Vines is designed to give guests a taste of wine country culture whether they’re grabbing a drink or sitting down for a meal.

Sixty Vines’ first North Carolina location opened in Charlotte in August.
Sixty Vines’ first North Carolina location opened in Charlotte in August.

SupperClub SouthEnd

Location: 3521 Dewitt Lane, Charlotte, NC 28217

Grab a bite, play games and listen to live music at the newest food and entertainment venue in town: SupperClub SouthEnd. The new spot will have a menu heavily influenced by French and Italian cuisine, along with craft cocktails and a beer and wine program, plus a gaming area with duckpin bowling, pool tables, shuffleboard, air hockey and more.

SupperClub SouthEnd offers duckpin bowling, pool and other games.
SupperClub SouthEnd offers duckpin bowling, pool and other games.

Melissa Oyler and Heidi Finley contributed to this report.