Going keto in 2024? Here are 10+ meals to eat at Charlotte-area restaurants.
By this point, New Year’s resolutions are in full swing, with healthy eating being at the top of a lot of people’s lists in Charlotte and elsewhere. Have you decided to go keto? You’ll have a lot of company.
The ketogenic diet prioritizes eating low-carb, moderate protein and high-fat foods in order to send the body to a state of burning fat rather than carbohydrates.
But, trying a new diet for the new year brings the age-old question: What about eating out?
We scoured Charlotte menus for the right foods so you don’t have to.
PRO TIPS: When eating out on the keto diet …
Avoid additional sauces that can often have hidden sugars.
Skip the bread.
Stick to protein, fats and healthy carbohydrates with plenty of fiber.
Don’t be afraid to get creative and modify the dish (if the restaurant permits).
Swap fries for green veggies.
Here are some healthy keto-friendly dishes from Charlotte restaurants to try out:
Ace No. 3
Location: 1001 Belmont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 829 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207
Location: 8520 Pit Stop Ct NW #10, Concord, NC 28027
Cuisine: American
Dish to try: Go for a double cheeseburger with a keto bun (it’s from locally owned Unbelievabuns). You can also get a lettuce wrap, but trust us on the Unbelievabuns — they are really good!
Abugida Cafe
Location: 3007 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Cuisine: Ethiopian
Dish to try: Yedoro Alecha, tender chicken leg cooked simmered in Ethiopian herbed butter, garlic, onion and curry spiced sauce with boiled egg.
Blaze Pizza
Location: 1750 Camden Rd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 8948 J M Keynes Dr #400, Charlotte, NC 28262
Cuisine: Pizza
Dish to try: The restaurant serves up a keto pizza, with a keto (and gluten free) crust, spicy red sauce, mozzarella, ovalini mozzarella, bacon, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and spinach.
Fin & Fino
Location: 135 Levine Avenue of the Arts #100, Charlotte, NC 28202
Cuisine: Seafood
Dish to try: For those who love a little extra spice, try the mussels, served with a garlic-curry broth, fennel and lime. To avoid the added carbs, skip the bread.
Let’s Meat KBBQ
Location: 1400 Church Street B, Charlotte, NC 28203
Cuisine: Korean barbecue
Dish to try: At this all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue restaurant, there is no shortage of protein-packed meat to try, from curry pork belly to spicy chicken. Just swap the side of rice for green veggies like zucchini or green leaf lettuce.
Mac’s Speed Shop
Location: 2511 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 2414 Sandy Porter Rd, Charlotte, NC 28273
Location: 142 E John St, Matthews, NC 28105
Location: 8021 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, NC 28027
Location: 19601 Liverpool Pkwy, Cornelius, NC 28031
Cuisine: American
Dish to try: Hickory-smoked chicken served naked. You’ll get your choice of light or dark meat, slow-smoked and finished on the grill.
The Mad Greek of Charlotte
Location: 5011 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Cuisine: Greek
Dish to try: The Mad Greek Salad, made with lettuce, tomato, onion, cucumbers, feta, green pepper, olives and pepperoncini. For extra protein, consider adding grilled chicken. And hold the pita.
Mezeh Mediterranean Grill
Location: 340 E 16th St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Location: 4920 Old Sardis Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Dish to try: Build your own bowl with a green base such as spinach, kale or arugula. Then pack it with protein like chicken shawarma, chicken kebab or shredded lamb. Top it off with your choice of toppings.
The Roasting Company
Location: 1521 Montford Drive, Charlotte, NC 28209
Location: 122 Oakland Ave, Rock Hill SC 29730
Cuisine: Rotisserie
Dish to try: Kale & Veggie bowl, made with kale, arugula and mixed veggies, cotija cheese and Italian dressing (which has no sugar). For extra protein, add pulled chicken or pulled pork.
Southern Olive
Location: 940 Market St Suite 116, Fort Mill, SC 29708
Cuisine: Bakery
Dish to try: After eating a hearty meal at one of these other places, the keto cupcakes from Southern Olive are a wonderful treat.
Low-carb runner-up options — cauliflower pizza
Some of our favorite area pizzerias offer cauliflower crust pizzas. The macros might not qualify as keto, but if you’re simply looking to lower your processed carbs, check out these cauliflower crust pizzas:
Melissa Oyler and Heidi Finley contributed.
