These are the 22 best restaurants to check out in Charlotte, according to Southern Living
It’s no secret that Charlotte is a foodie town. The city is home to hundreds of delicious restaurants, offering a wide variety of cuisines.
From Southern fare and seafood to Italian and Asian, Charlotte’s got it all, no matter what you’re craving. And a new report is shedding light on the best bites around town.
Southern Living recently released its list of the 22 Best Restaurants In Charlotte.
“This passion for bringing comforting, flavorful meals to the table is palpable across the state, but Charlotte, specifically, is leading the charge in the restaurant scene. For years, the Queen City has steadily marched toward becoming a top food city in the South,” Southern Living says. “The culinary landscape is more so defined by its creativity and variety in cuisine.”
Here’s which restaurants made Southern Living’s top picks, listed in the order the magazine set:
Supperland
Location: 1212 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205
“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,” the report says.
Counter-
Location: 2001 W Morehead St. D, Charlotte, NC 28208
“Dining at Counter- means embarking on a sensory journey, one ‘designed to evoke emotion throughout the dining experience’,” the report says. “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.”
Haberdish
Location: 3106 N Davidson St., Charlotte, NC 28205
“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,” the report says.
Leah & Louise
Location: 301 Camp Road, Charlotte, NC 28206
“Billed as a juke joint with ties to the Mississippi River Valley foodways, the restaurant introduces its customers to menu items that combine the familiar in order to create the nuance of taste,” the report says.
Futo Buta
Location: 222 E Bland St., Charlotte, NC 28203
“Opened in the spring of 2015, Chef Michael Shortino’s Futo Buta continues to serve residents and visitors of the Queen City creative takes on ramen as well as other Japanese dishes,” the report says.
Mama Ricotta’s
Location: 601 S Kings Dr. AA, Charlotte, NC 28204
“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,” the report says.
Fin & Fino
Location: 135 Levine Avenue of the Arts #100, Charlotte, NC 28202
“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,” the report says.
Haymaker
Location: 225 S Poplar St., Charlotte, NC 28202
“‘Sustainability’ and ‘heirloom ingredients’ sound like culinary buzzwords, but they’re true North Stars for Chef William Dissen and his team at Haymaker,” the report says. “The Uptown restaurant whips up its offerings—which include PB&J pork belly, beef short ribs, and bacon fat beignets—using local farm deliveries, artisanal products, and a brick hearth.”
Lang Van
Location: 3019 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215
“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,” the report says.
Mert’s Heart And Soul
Location: 214 N College St., Charlotte, NC 28202
“Since 1998, Mert’s Heart and Soul has given Charlotteans the gift of soul food,” the report says. “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.”
Flour Shop
Location: 530 A Brandywine Road, Charlotte, NC 28209
“When it’s made correctly, there’s nothing as delightful as fresh pasta—and at Flour Shop, it’s handmade 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,” the report says.
Hestia
Location: 14819 Ballantyne Village Way 16th Floor, Charlotte, NC 28277
“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,” the report says.
Brooks’ Sandwich House
Location: 2710 N Brevard St., Charlotte, NC 28205
“A ‘best restaurant’ label doesn’t necessarily mean sky-high prices,” the report says. “The nearly 50-year-old, family-run roadside stop recommends getting your cheeseburger made “all the way,” which includes mustard, onions, and the housemade beef chili.” (Note: The local favorite celebrated its 50th anniversary June 24.)
Abugida Ethiopian Cafe & Restaurant
Location: 3007 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205
“Authentic Ethiopian fare is present in Midwood thanks to the team behind Abugida Ethiopian Cafe & Restaurant,” the report says. “At the end of the meal, guests can continue to soak up the ambiance while sipping freshly brewed coffee—poured tableside.”
Eddie’s Place
Location: 617 S Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte, NC 28211
“You don’t need to book a ticket to New Orleans to get your fix of Cajun dishes. Instead, head to Eddie’s Place in the Cotswold neighborhood, where she-crab soup, muffuletta sandwiches, and po’ boys are menu staples,” the report says.
Restaurant Constance
Location: 2200 Thrift Road, Charlotte, NC 28208
“According to Chef Sam Diminch, the “seasons write the menus” at Restaurant Constance, a 10-table, no-concept restaurant,” the report says. “Expect an evolving raw bar, inventive desserts, and a vast non-alcoholic cocktail menu with your reservation.”
Prime Fish
Location: 11212 Providence Road W B, Charlotte, NC 28277
“There’s never a bad time for a sushi dinner, particularly if you’re dining at 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,” the report says.
Letty’s
Location: 2121 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28205
“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,” the report says.
Ever Andalo
Location: 3116 N Davidson St., Charlotte, NC 28205
“There’s something to be said for starting a meal with a charcuterie board, tucking into a plate of seafood pasta, and rounding 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,” the report says.
300 East
Location: 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,” the report says.
Tacos El Nevado
Location: 4715 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 4640 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28209
“Tacos El Nevado—which has two locations in Charlotte—can partially attribute its glowing reviews to its $3 tacos, nachos, and homemade tortillas,” the report says. “In a world where tacos can be overly complex, Tacos El Nevado sticks to the basics, resulting in a hard-to-beat formula.”
South 21 Drive-In
Location: 3101 E Independence Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28205
“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 it will stay that way for years to come,” the report says.
