Here are restaurants serving traditional Southern foods on New Year’s Day in Charlotte

Many Southerners have traditionally eaten a New Year’s Day meal of collard greens, black-eyed peas and pork, associated with bringing luck and prosperity in the New Year.

Now, of course, you can head out to brunch, then return home to whip up a feast for dinner. But if you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, you’re going to need restaurant options.

Like Christmas Day 2023, New Year’s Day 2024 falls on a Monday, when many restaurants in Charlotte are already closed. So holiday options for traditional staples are a little harder to find — but they’re out there.

Here’s where you can find traditional Southern New Year’s Day foods to start your year off right in Charlotte:

Golden Owl Tavern

Location: 9041 Robert D. Snyder Road, Charlotte, NC 28262

Tucked inside the UNC Charlotte Mariott Hotel & Conference Center, Golden Owl Tavern is a go-to spot for traditional Southern favorites.

What to eat: Heritage Pork Chop, Hoppin’ John, Cast Iron Cornbread, collard greens with ham hock

Haymaker

Location: 225 S. Poplar St. Charlotte NC 28202

At Haymaker, you can go off script a little bit and try the traditional foods in new ways. On New Year’s Day, the uptown Charlotte restaurant is open from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for lunch and from 5-9 p.m. for dinner.

What to eat: Autumn Lasagna (made with creamed collards) or the Coal-Grilled Daily Catch (served with field peas)

Mert’s Heart and Soul

Location: 214 N College St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Mert’s, which is open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on New Year’s Day, is another restaurant offering a modern take on traditional foods with its Mert’s Soul Rolls, along with brunch items.

What to eat: Mert’s Soul Rolls (made with black-eyed peas and collards), black-eyed peas, collards, cornbread, blackened pork chops, ribs

Nana Morrison’s Soul Food

Location: 2908 Oak Lake Blvd Suite #106, Charlotte, NC 28208.

Location: 3824 Corning Place, Suite A, Charlotte, NC 28216

Nana Morrison’s, a staple in Charlotte for soul food favorites, can serve up everything you need for good luck in the new year.

What to eat: fried or smothered pork chops, ribs, black-eyed peas, collard greens, cornbread