Looking ahead to 24 new Charlotte restaurants to eat and drink your way through in 2024
With more than 225 restaurants that opened in 2023 or announced plans to open in 2024 in Charlotte, it’s hard to try everything. So we’ve curated this list of 24 restaurants we think you’ll want to put in your plans for the year ahead.
Some spots such as Jive Turkey Hut, Joan’s Bakery and Deli and Nusa are already open. But most of these restaurants are still somewhere in between the conception stage and construction, so timelines for opening can fluctuate. You’ll want to make sure to follow CharlotteFive for updates as they progress.
In the meantime, here are are 24 of the best new restaurants and other food-and-drink hot spots we recommend you make plans to visit in 2024:
3rd & Fernwood
Location: 1100 Metropolitan Ave., Suite 170
A new restaurant and speakeasy is on its way to the former Hickory Tavern spot at Metropolitan Charlotte. Chef Gregory Collier and Subrina Collier’s BayHaven Restaurant group are opening 3rd & Fernwood, along with Collier’s fellow James Beard nominee, chef Cleophus Hethington. Hethington will be executive chef of the restaurant, putting together a menu that will likely include a fried chicken sandwich and a fish fry-style skate wing with collard green kimchi slaw.
Albertine
Location: Duke Energy Plaza, 525 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
James Beard nominated chef Joe Kindred and his wife, Katy, are opening Albertine, a new fine dining restaurant. Their plans call for contemporary Mediterranean and Southern-inspired cuisine, nestled in uptown Charlotte’s Duke Energy Plaza. It’s slated to open in summer 2024.
Azucar
Location: Ballantyne Village, 14825 Ballantyne Village Way, Suite A-150, Charlotte, NC 28277
Azucar, a Cuban restaurant in Huntersville, is opening a second location in Ballantyne. Look for a modern approach to Cuban cuisine that incorporates twists such as cauliflower mash and yucca gnocchi, paella and craft cocktails.
Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks
Location: 8548 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28213
Philadelphia native Derrick Hayes is bringing his Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks franchise from Atlanta to Charlotte, as he branches out into franchising. The sandwiches feature beef, chicken and salmon cheesesteaks topped with things like onions, banana peppers, mushrooms and sweet peppers, stuffed in Amoroso’s rolls.
Borderline Bar & Billiards
Location: The Pass, 530 E. Sugar Creek Rd. and 4100 and 4212 Raleigh St., Charlotte NC 28213
Borderline Bar & Billiards plans to open next year at The Pass, near the Sugar Creek light rail station. Owner Greg Guillorn, who is also behind The Degenerate, is planning for a “comfortable neighborhood bar” with social games and drinks.
Curry Junction
Location: The Arboretum Shopping Center, 8200 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Curry Junction, a sister restaurant to Curry Gate, will open in the former Akropolis Cafe spot at The Arboretum in early 2024. Look for the same flavors of India and Nepal you’ll find at the other locations, including chaat, momo and biryani.
Location: 332 W Bland St Suite C, Charlotte, NC 28203
El Toro Bruto closed up shop at Resident Culture, but it’s not gone for long. Chef Hector Gonzalez-Mora has plans are in the works to reopen in a new location. Watch out for details on where to find some of the best breakfast tacos in Charlotte.
Jive Turkey Hut
Location: 3701 Statesville Ave., Charlotte, NC 28206
Jive Turkey Hut, a restaurant focusing on turkey legs and daiquiris, opened in late December. Co-owner Clarence Boston is also opening Another Brewery at 2509 N. Davidson St. and Hippin’ Hops Brewery & Distillery at the former D9 uptown location at 650 E. Brooklyn Village Ave.
Joan’s Bakery and Deli
Location: 1100 Metropolitan Ave., #190, Charlotte, NC 28204
Joan’s Bakery and Deli opened in December at Metropolitan, putting out some of the Rare Roots Hospitality restaurant group’s best-known desserts along with the food from familiar Jewish deli pop-up Meshugganah. Jon Dressler named the restaurant for his mom, lifelong baker Joan Dressler.
Leluia Hall
Location: 1829 Cleveland Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203
Leluia Hall will open in 2024 in the former church that once housed Bonterra. Diners can expect family-style servings in an upscale casual space with a steak and surf menu at the Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group concept.
Maneki
Location: The Alley, 320 South Tryon St., Charlotte
James Beard Award finalist chef Sam Hart is opening a Japanese robatayaki food stall called Maneki in the former Latta Arcade, now The Alley. The late-night restaurant is slated to open in early 2024 with chef Kenny Do in the kitchen, putting out traditional Japanese grilled skewers with a variety of dipping sauces.
Mano Bella
Location: SouthPark
Italian goods staple Mano Bella Artisan Foods is expanding from its Market at 7th Street location to SouthPark. When the new space opens in 2024, you can expect the same freshly baked breads and handmade pastas, along with traditional sauces that you can eat there or take home to make later.
Nusa
Location: 8200 Providence Road, Suite 700
Nusa, a new concept from the owners of Prime Fish and Omakase Experience by Prime Fish, opened in late 2023. The fast-casual Indonesian restaurant took over the former Charlotte Cafe space at the Arboretum, serving noodles, chicken dishes and soup for lunch and dinner.
The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary
Location: 1017 Beatties Ford Rd Charlotte, NC 28216
The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary is opening a second location in January. The space named after owner Sherry Waters’ grandmother will feature local artwork and will include a tea tasting room for gatherings.
The People’s Market
Location: Station 4, 3600 South Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28209
A new location of The People’s Market is set to open in spring 2024 at The Station at LoSo, serving a variety of scratch-made food all day. Diners can stop in for breakfast, or later in the day, they can grab artisan sandwiches and wraps, pizza, salads and smash burgers. A full bar with craft beer, cocktails and more is also included in the plans.
Picasso
Location: Merino Mill, 500 S. Main St., Mooresville, NC 28115
Taqueria Picasso is slated to open at Merino Mill in February 2024. Expect signature tacos and other dishes with Mexican and Mediterranean flavors that you can eat at long tables and benches. You’ll also be able to peak an open kitchen, where you can see food being prepared.
PIE.ZAA
Location: 1440 South Tryon, Charlotte, NC 28203
PIE.ZAA is expanding from Asheville with a second location opening in South End. The New York-style pizzeria that rotates specialty pizzas monthly also offers oversized cookies to pair with your pie.
The Reggae Lounge
Location: 2630 Statesville Ave., Charlotte, NC 28206
The Reggae Lounge planned to open in December but now expects to bring its Caribbean flare to the Queen City in early 2024. “It will have a real Caribbean theme,” Elvado Laing, a native of the Bahamas, told the Charlotte Observer. “When you walk in, you’re going to feel like you’re not even in Charlotte. One thing they are going to get is authenticity.”
Rio 150
Location: Mill One, 201 N. Church Street, Mooresville, 28115
Rio 150 — known for having the biggest margarita in Lake Norman — is opening a new location in downtown Mooresville’s Mill One development. The 8-year-old family owned restaurant on River Highway (formerly known as La Unica Mooresville) has recently rebranded and was featured on “America’s Best Restaurants.”
Runaway Whiskey & Wine
Location: 2135 Thrift Road, Suite 104, Charlotte, North Carolina 28208
Runaway Whiskey & Wine opened Dec. 20 in the booming Thrift Road corridor. The 1920s-inspired bar with a focus on whiskey also offers a men of 12 craft cocktails, plus an option to go with the “Bartender’s Choice.” On the food menu, look for small plates such as corn crab fritters and mains including a Wagyu burger and frites.
Soul Gastrolounge
Location: The Pass, 4100 Raleigh St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Spaghett
Location: 224 W 10th St. Charlotte, NC
Spaghett, a craft pasta and cocktail restaurant, will open in the former Poplar space in uptown Charlotte’s 4th Ward in 2024. Chef Sam Hart — who owns Counter- and is also opening Maneki — was a James Beard Award finalist last year.
Taco Boy
Location: The Station at LoSo, 3700 South Blvd, Ste. 100, Charlotte, NC 28217
Charleston-based Taco Boy is expanding, bringing a new location to Charlotte’s The Station at LoSo. Taco Boy LoSo — which will include an in-house tortilleria — will sit in Station 3, with the taqueria offering indoor and outdoor dining.
Tipsy Pickle
Location: Camp North End, 201 Camp Road, Suite 107, Charlotte, NC 28206
Entertainment complex Tipsy Pickle is on its way to Camp North End, with plans for six pickleball courts, three bars and a Tex-Mex style menu. Along with the indoor and outdoor courts, Tipsy Pickle will have golf simulators, ping pong, pool tables, shuffleboard, cornhole and darts to play before you take a break at its indoor and outdoor bars or its cocktail lounge.
