10 restaurants opened, 13 closed + 10 more on the way: Charlotte’s 2025 food scene (so far)
In the Charlotte area, change in the food and drink scene happens at breakneck speed, with restaurant openings and closings on the regular. And we’re here to help catch you up on what you might have missed.
Charlotte started off the year with new upscale restaurants including Rada and Dogwood Southern Table & Bar coming on board, More casual places to grab a drink, such as boba tea at B&K Tea Cafe or a cocktail at Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor, have also joined the conversation.
The area has also said plenty of goodbyes already in early 2025, with notable closures including Noche Bruta and Krustaceans Seafood. Other beloved spots that we’re permanently losing soon include The Bottle Tree and Fenwick’s.
There have been big restaurant moments to celebrate, too, including the release of the 2025 James Beard Award semifinalists. Three of Charlotte’s food and drink professionals — Chayil Johnson of Community Matters Cafe, Sam Diminich of Restaurant Constance and Colleen Hughes of Supperland were among the honorees.
Here’s what’s been happening in the Charlotte restaurant scene so far this year:
What’s opened?
Rada Charlotte opened Jan. 3 in the former LittleSpoon space, serving upscale, modern American cuisine.
B&K Tea Cafe continued its Charlotte-area boba tea expansion with a fourth location in Huntersville that opened Jan. 4.
Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor, a concept created by Built on Hospitality beverage director Bob Peters, opened next to The Goodyear House in NoDa on Jan. 5.
Tacos 4 Life, a fast-casual chain that gives back by donating meals, debuted its new Dilworth location on Jan. 7.
- Babaloo Coffee Club opened Jan. 18, bringing a new coffee option to South End.
Dogwood Southern Table & Bar reopened Jan. 22 at The Westin Charlotte, bringing back Southern favorites from the old location.
Cork & Cap, a new beer and wine shop, opened at Camp North End on Jan. 30.
Portofino’s opened a new uptown Charlotte location on Jan. 31.
The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar opened a Fort Mill location on Feb. 3.
Papi Ricko, a new Latin American restaurant and lounge, hosted a grand opening on Feb. 7.
What’s closed?
Center Theatre Pi in Fort Mill announced it was permanently closing Jan. 14.
Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse permanently closed its Ballantyne location on Jan. 15, along with its sister concept, Link & Pin’s flagship location in South End. Other locations remain open.
Noche Bruta closed up shop on Jan. 18 inside Camp North End’s Hex Coffee, Kitchen & Natural Wines, which has expanded its existing food service into the evening.
Wolfman Pizza closed up its Cotswold Village location Jan. 21, although fans can still taste the Charlotte staple’s pizza pies, pastas, paninis and more at its Quail Corners location on Park Road.
Sake Express in Belmont closed Jan. 24, Charlotte Business Journal reported.
Krustaceans Seafood, owned by former Carolina Panthers player Marcus Lucas’ Krustaceans Seafood closed after nearly five years in business, the team announced Jan. 26.
Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn at Birkdale Village closed Jan. 30, according to Charlotte Business Journal.
The Waterman Fish Bar shuttered its Lake Norman location after three years on Feb. 2. Its Charlotte location remains open.
The Good Wurst Company closed its final location in early February, although a sign on the building says “Re-opening soon. Thanks.” Charlotte Business Journal reports that original owner Lincoln Clark will open Clark’s Snack Bar in its place.
The Bottle Tree in Belmont, which won the top spot in CharlotteFive’s Readers Choice: Best Patio contest, announced it will close Feb. 16.
Cuzzo’s Cuisine’s location at Charlotte Premium Outlets will close Feb. 23. The restaurant is not renewing its lease there.
The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary is closing its second location on Beatties Ford Road on Feb. 28, about a year after its opening. Its original location remains open.
Fenwick’s, a Myers Park stalwart since 1984, will close at the end of March.
What’s coming soon?
Pizzeria Sapienza’s second location in Charlotte is opening Feb. 11 in Dilworth.
Leluia Hall, named a must-visit spot to try this winter by Bon Appetit and one of the top 25 restaurants to try in 2025 by CharlotteFive, is expected to open in February.
Mazi, a new Mediterranean restaurant operated by Built On Hospitality, plans a February opening.
North Italia, which has a South End location, is opening Feb. 26 at Birkdale Village.
Tipsy Pickle, a new pickleball complex with three bars and a Tex-Mex menu, is expected to open soon at Camp North End.
Mezzo Market plans a March opening, Unpretentious Palate reports.
Kaya Gastrolounge, a new restaurant from the team behind the soon-to-close spot The Bottle Tree, is set to open in Belmont in March.
Krazy Curry is expanding from Pineville to uptown in March.
ESO Artisanal Pasta, featured on “The Great Food Truck Race,” is set to open at Optimist Hall in March.
Sweetgreen plans to open a Plaza Midwood location soon in the Commonweath development.
The Painted Rooster is planning to open in Plaza Midwood, in the space where Zada Janes used to be. An opening date has not been announced.
This story was originally published February 11, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
