A foodie’s bucket list: 23 things to eat and drink around Charlotte in summer 2023
Summer is finally here, and that means it’s time to create your infamous Charlotte bucket list to make it one to remember.
But bucket lists don’t just have to be about places to go and things to do. Who says you can’t also have one for food, too? Personally, I’m also on the hunt for the best bites and fun drinks around Charlotte, so there are a lot of restaurants I’m planning to check out this summer.
So if you’re a fellow foodie like me and want to treat yourself to new dishes, drinks and desserts, this one’s for you. Here’s our list 23 things to eat and drink during summer 2023:
Texas Black Pepper Brisket from Chefry’s Blue Smoke BBQ
Location: 134 Mooresville Commons Way, Mooresville, NC 28117
The Carolinas are big for barbecue, so get your fix this summer at Chefry’s Blue Smoke BBQ, the newest barbecue restaurant in the Lake Norman area. Combining his decades of knowledge running top restaurants with his grandmother’s recipes, the owner says the Texas Black Pepper Brisket, seasoned 24 to 48 hours in advance, is the No. 1 customer favorite.
Ice Cream Sandwich from Urban Sweets Co.
Location: 222 West Blvd Suite S114, Charlotte, NC 28203
Urban Sweets serves several sweet treats and desserts with new flavors every month, including the ice cream sandwich made of chocolate chip cookies with Ballantyne Butter Pecan Ice Cream. You can satisfy your sweet tooth at the shop in South End or catch the mobile ice cream cart.
The HEARTest Yard Roll from EEZ
Location: Birkdale Village, 16925 Birkdale Commons Pkwy F, Huntersville, NC 28078
Voted best sushi spot in the area by CharlotteFive readers, eeZ has been a go-to for sushi lovers for years by serving the “freshest, most creative sushi.” There are several sushi dishes on the menu and more foods being added soon, including the HEARTest Yard Roll, in honor of the local nonprofit established by former Panthers tight end Greg Olsen.
Frosé flight from Co-Op Frosé and Eatery
Location: 340 W Tremont Ave., Unit 110, Charlotte, NC 28205
Co-Op Frosé and Eatery opened just in time for summer, bringing its specialty frosé flavors to Charlotte. The Charleston-based shop’s South End location offers over 50 rotating rosé slushy flavors, gourmet sandwiches and breakfast foods.
Mini donuts from Sugar + Ice
Location: 16940 Birkdale Commons Parkway, Suite B, Huntersville, NC 28078
Treat yourself to the classic State Fair Mini Donuts at its new location in Birkdale Village, Sugar + Ice. Indulge in delicious mini donuts, including the specialty Almost Heaven cinnamon sugar donut with cookie butter cream and cookie butter crumbles.
Southern Picnic Board from Loretta’s
Location: 8500 Pineville-Matthews Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226
Have a night filled with live music and unique bites at Loretta’s, a restaurant with the vibe of a “jazz supper club.” The South Charlotte restaurant focuses on French Creole and Southern cuisine with menu items like the Southern Picnic Board, featuring prosciutto, pimento cheese, giardiniera and deviled eggs.
Orange Crush cocktail from Goldie’s
Location: 3601 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28209
Go for the live music and stay for the elevated bar food and drinks at Goldie’s in LoSo. The music venue and restaurant offers a wide selection of food options at Goldie’s Kitchen, Big Weiner Hot Dogs and Tina’s Pizza, plus weekday cocktail and drink specials.
Chicken Parm pizza from Bisonte
Location: 710 W Trade St f, Charlotte, NC 28202
Location: 8133 Ardrey Kell Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Location: 1381 Chestnut Ln, Matthews, NC 28104
Voted best pizza restaurant in Charlotte, Bistone brings a taste of Buffalo, New York, to three locations in the Charlotte area. There are a wide variety of flavors to try, depending on your pizza preference, including the Chicken Parm pizza, made with Bisonte pizza sauce, mushrooms, onions, chicken and mozzarella cheese.
Cookie Dough gelato from Artisen Vegelato
Location: 301 W. John St. Matthews, North Carolina 28105
Cool off with a sweet scoop of gelato from Artisen Vegelato this summer. Voted best ice cream shop around Charlotte, this Matthews dessert serves classic flavors like mint chocolate, brownie and cookie dough, along with seasonal flavors like peppermint bark, passion cheesecake and S’mores.
Loaded nachos at Truist Field
Location: 324 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Want to grab a bite at the ballpark? Truist Field’s got you covered this season. Aside from classic hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jacks, enjoy a Knights game with barbecue sandwiches, loaded mac and cheese or loaded nachos made with queso and pork or brisket, barbecue sauce, green onions and pickled jalapenos.
Berry Ballantyne cocktail from Hestia Rooftop
Location: Ballantyne Village, 14819 Ballantyne Village Way Charlotte, NC 28277
Enjoy sips and the sunset from Hestia Rooftop, serving modern Asian cuisine and views of Uptown’s skyline, Carowinds and even the foothills off in the distance. Hestia offers custom menus and 11 signature cocktails, including the Berry Ballantyne with Absolut Berry Acai Vodka, Lejay Cassis, blackberry puree and sparkling sake.
Fried Chicken Funnel Cake Breakfast from State of Confusion
Location: 3500 Dewitt Lane, Charlotte, NC 28217
State of Confusion has a menu full of unique bites with Peruvian, New Orleans and Lowcountry flavors that you can get for brunch, lunch and dinner. If there’s ever an excuse to have dessert for breakfast, I’m here for it. If you want a unique twist on sweet with a little bit of savory, try the fried chicken funnel cake breakfast with powdered sugar and syrup and fried chicken tenders.
Charcuterie Board from Gourmand Market
Location: Apex SouthPark, 4425 Sharon Rd S120, Charlotte, NC 28211
Grab a bite from the new gourmet food market and bar, Gourmand Market. The grab-and-go spot features specialty coffees, cocktails and gourmet small plates, including deviled eggs, pork belly, beef tartare and charcuterie boards with jams, meats, cheeses and more.
Barcelona Classic burger from Barcelona Burger & Beer Garden
Location: 500 S Main St, Mooresville, NC 28115
Summer is the season for burgers but if you want to skip the grill, you can head to the best burger joint around Charlotte: Barcelona Burger & Beer Garden.The Mooresville restaurant isn’t just popular locally, but nationally, as well. So if you can’t go to Spain this summer, at least you can pretend with the Madrid Burger or the Barcelona Classic, made with American cheese, lettuce, pickle, tomato, onion and its house sauce.
House oysters from The Waterman Fish Bar
Location: 9615 Bailey Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031
Location: 2729 South Blvd, Suite D, Charlotte, NC 28209
Nothing says summer like seafood and The Waterman Fish Bar has plenty of it. Both locations in South End and Lake Norman have a wide variety of options, including oyster happy hour on weekdays. Dine out on the patio and enjoy delicious $1.50 house oysters.
Beignets from Milkbread
Location: 1431 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 624 Jetton St #110, Davidson, NC 28036
Milkbread is a popular spot for foodies around town, especially for its sweets. But the restaurant just rolled out a new menu item to satisfy your sweet tooth this summer: beignets. The mini pastries covered in powdered sugar are made to order at both locations in Lake Norman and Plaza Midwood.
EJ’s Krabby Cakes from EJ’s Soul Food and Vegan
Location: 501 Cox Road, Gastonia NC
EJ’s Soul Food and Vegan isn’t just serving up your favorite Southern flavors, but unique vegan dishes, too. The Gastonia restaurant just opened this month, offering soul comfort foods and vegan dishes that have natural, homemade ingredients, including the vegan chickpea-based Krabby Cakes, made using a recipe created by vegan chef and author of Flava My Plate cookbook, Dawn Hilton-Williams.
BYO Margarita from Salted Melon Market & Eatery
Location: 100 W Worthington Ave #107, Charlotte, NC 28203
Whether it be a bite at the bar or groceries on the go, Salted Melon Market & Eatery is a popular spot to grab a meal in South End. Aside from a delicious dinner, you can now also curate your own summer cocktail and pick your favorite flavor, rim and garnish to sip on.
Chef Jamie’s Lamb Burger from Church and Union
Location: 127 N Tryon St Suite 8, Charlotte, NC 28202
If you’ve never been to Church and Union, now is a great time to go because the most popular dish in company history is back on the menu. Named after its creator and founding partner, Jamie Lynch of “Top Chef” fame,Chef Jamie’s Lamb Burger is available for brunch and dinner. It’s made with red onion marmalade, gorgonzola fondue, arugula and secret sauce served with hand-cut french fries.
POG Grenade Fruited Gose from Primal Brewery
Location: 52 Ervin St, Belmont, NC 28012
Location: 16432 Old Statesville Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
The Charlotte-area is home to over 75 breweries, but Primal Brewery was voted the best in the biz. Primal Brewery, which was founded 10 years ago, has locations in Huntersville and Belmont with a wide variety of rotating beers. This summer, go for a tropical taste and try the POG Grenade Fruited Gose, brewed with passionfruit, orange and guava.
Pineapple Teriyaki Glaze wings from Wing King Cafe
Location: 13209 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273
Location: 200 N Dobys Bridge Rd #164, Fort Mill, SC 29715
If you’re looking for wings, check out the restaurant voted as the best in the Charlotte region: Wing King Cafe. There are a lot of flavors to choose from, including the Pineapple Teriyaki Glaze wings — one of the summer specials.
Frozen Lemonade from Bitty & Beau’s Coffee
Location: 1930 Camden Rd. Suite 236, Charlotte, NC 28203
Just in time for the summer, Bitty & Beau’s Coffee is rolling out new menu items to help beat the heat: frozen lemonade and iced matcha lattes. The coffee shop chain, voted the best in Charlotte, also sells three coffee blends and offers a variety of lattes, frappuccinos and smoothies.
The Monster Swirl from SWIRL Dessert Bar
Location: 2822 South Blvd B, Charlotte, NC 28209
Location: 1640 Oakhurst Commons Dr #103, Charlotte, NC 28205
Beat the heat with an ice cream treat like no other: the Monster Swirl from SWIRL. The local bakery is known for its custom cupcakes and cookies, but you can also get milkshakes and ice cream with candy toppings, too. If you’re looking for something extra sweet, try out the Monster Swirl, made of vanilla ice cream blended with Oreos and Chips Ahoy and drizzled with chocolate sauce.
