32 restaurants with heated patios in Charlotte
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Winter Dining Guide
From where to go to how to dine outside in the cold, we tell you how to navigate Charlotte’s dining scene this winter.
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Dining al fresco is a little trickier when it comes to Charlotte winters.
SOME GOOD NEWS: After adapting to COVID-19 capacity and social distancing restrictions last winter, many restaurants around town are equipped to handle sweater weather, with heated outdoor dining options.
Heat lamps, fire pits, overhead infrared heating and fire tables are enabling restaurants — from casual to upscale, American to Asian-fusion — to offer patrons a warm spot to enjoy a hot meal.
Here is our list of 32 restaurants with heated patios around Charlotte:
The Artisan’s Palate
Location: 1218 E 36th St A, Charlotte, NC 28205
Neighborhood: NoDa
Cuisine: American
Cocktails, culture and a cozy patio await in The Artisan’s Palate’s secret garden. The restaurant and art gallery features several fire pits, perfect for gathering around to sip a cocktail off the extensive drink list.
Barcelona Wine Bar
Location: 101 W Worthington Ave Ste 110, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: South End
Cuisine: Spanish
Grab some jamon and manchego croquetas and pair them with eggplant caponata to share while you cozy up by the heaters on Barcelona Wine Bar’s patio.
Bar Marcel
Location: 3920 Sharon Rd #160, Charlotte, NC 28211
Neighborhood: SouthPark
Cuisine: Italian with French and Spanish flare
Open for brunch and dinner — cast iron cinnamon rolls and handmade trenette al pesto taste equally as delicious under the glow of Bar Marcel’s heat lamps.
Barrington’s
Location: 7822 Fairview Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226
Neighborhood: Foxcroft
Cuisine: American
For an upscale meal with some fresh air vibes, check out Barrington’s. Order a la carte or enjoy the four-course prefix menu while being enjoying sweater weather by the propane heaters.
Bulla Gastrobar
Location: 4310 Sharon Rd w01, Charlotte, NC 2821
Neighborhood: SouthPark
Cuisine: Spanish tapas and cuisine
A large patio dotted with heaters makes Bulla the perfect spot to sip on sangria and share some tapas dishes with friends. Don’t leave without trying the crowd favorite ham croquettes and montaditos.
Camp North End
Location: 300 Camp Rd, Charlotte, NC 28206
Neighborhood: Druid Hills South
Cuisine: Latin, vegan and everything in between
Visit the 76-acre set up of food stalls, restaurants, art, shops and more at Camp North End. Grab a bite to eat and enjoy the property’s infrared heaters and fire pits. Here are the details:
Boileryard — features heaters above the seating in the pergola and the tent areas, as well as two adjacent wood burning fire pits.
Mount — features heaters above seating and one central wood burning fire pit.
Keswick — features heaters above tables in front of the food stalls, on a new gas-powered fire table.
Charlotte Beer Garden
Location: 1300 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: Dilworth
Cuisine: American
With 436 beers on tap and a heated sidewalk patio, you can stay warm by while drinking a cold beer at Charlotte Beer Garden. Order the Esquites Corn Dogs, with roasted corn, pimento peppers, pickled onions, avocado spread and sweetened mayo.
The Cowfish
Location: 4310 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28211
Neighborhood: SouthPark
Cuisine: American/Asian fusion
The enclosed, heated patio at The Cowfish is a popular SouthPark spot for grabbing a burger or sushi — or both rolled into one.
Dilworth Tasting Room
Location: 300 E Tremont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: Dilworth (The SouthPark location does not feature heaters)
Cuisine: Wine bar and small plates
Cozy up with a glass of your favorite red wine and some truffle chips on the patio of Dilworth Tasting Room’s Dilworth location, where heaters can be found throughout.
The Dunavant
Location: 2322 Dunavant St Suite #200, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: South End
Cuisine: American
Order up The Dunavant’s signature steak and bottomless truffle fries meal and enjoy it under the restaurant’s patio heat lamps. Make sure you check out the restaurant’s always creative seasonal drink menu — Pardon My French anyone?
Fahrenheit
Location: 222 S Caldwell St 21st Floor, Charlotte, NC 28202
Neighborhood: Uptown
Cuisine: Asian-accented New American
Take in the Charlotte city skyline views from the warmth of the fire pits at this 21st floor hotspot. An Asian-accented menu from chef Rocco Whalen offers dishes like Shanghai Wok Tossed Lobster and Kung Pao Cauliflower.
Fern
Location: 1419 East Blvd Suite A, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: Dilworth
Cuisine: Vegetarian
The greenhouse dining may be gone, but Fern has brought in some patio heaters to keep guests warm as they enjoy a garden-fresh vegetarian meal with crops grown by the Mother Earth Group farm.
Fig Tree
Location: 1601 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
Neighborhood: Elizabeth
Cuisine: American
Experience fine dining al fresco on this restored Craftsman bungalow’s covered porch or covered pavilion complete with new infrared heaters. The Elk Chop is not to be missed.
Flour Shop
Location: 530 A Brandywine Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209
Neighborhood: Myers Park
Cuisine: American
Dine on some mouth-watering handmade pasta while getting cozy under a blanket. Available for a $5 washing fee, Flour Shop’s blankets add a little extra warmth to the two tower heaters on the restaurant’s lower patio and the two infrared heaters on its upper patio.
Foxcroft Wine
Location: 1235 East Blvd #I, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: Dilworth
Location: : 7824 Fairview Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226
Neighborhood: SouthPark
Location:: 7416 Waverly Walk Ave, Charlotte, NC 28277
Neighborhood: Waverly
Cuisine: American
Food-friendly wines and a menu with tasty bites both small and large make any of the three Foxcroft Wine locations perfect for snuggling up under a heater. BYOB (bring your own blanket) is encouraged, as is trying the mouthwatering Signature Donuts with salted caramel and chocolate sauces.
Golden Owl Tavern
Location: 9041 Robert D. Snyder Rd, Charlotte, NC 28262
Neighborhood: University Place
Cuisine: Southern
Whether you indulge in some scallops and grits or opt for some whiskey crab bisque to keep warm — the lounge style seating and three fire pits the Golden Owl Tavern are the perfect outdoor setting for any occasion.
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Link & Pin
Location: 155 New Bern St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: South End
Location: 9723 Sam Furr Rd, Huntersville NC 28078
Neighborhood: Northcross
Cuisine: American
The South End location of this rustic gastropub offers an enclosed patio with heaters while the Northcross location offers a covered patio with heaters. Either spot is great for dishes big and small, and even for brunch.
The Loyalist Market
Location: 435 N Trade St #102, Matthews, NC 28105
Neighborhood: Matthews
Cuisine: Cheese, sandwiches and small plates
This cut-to-order cheese and charcuterie shop provides heaters at every table on its patio so guests can enjoy a board or a sandwich while keeping warm.
Mario’s/John’s Place
Location: 2945 Matthews Weddington Rd, Matthews, NC 28105
Neighborhood: Matthews
Cuisine: Italian
There’s a large heated patio with an adjacent greenspace for little ones to roam a bit while you’re waiting for a pizza or calzones at this joint restaurant and bar.
Merchant & Trade
Location: 3030 S Church St, Charlotte NC 28202
Neighborhood: Uptown
Cuisine: Modern American
In addition to its coveted 12-person igloos that are available by reservation, Merchant & Trade also offers a heated terrace with spectacular city views. Whether you’re looking to snack on some Buffalo Fried Mushrooms or indulge in some Surf & Turf, the view is taken care of.
Nuvole 22
Location: 220 E Trade St Suite 2200, Charlotte, NC 28202
Neighborhood: Uptown
Cuisine: American
At 22 stories up, this rooftop restaurant provides sweeping views of the city that will almost make you forget you are cold. Sip a cocktail from the restaurant’s extensive menu warmed by the heat lamps and fire pits. For an extra layer of protection from the elements, Nuvole 22 has a retractable screen and blankets available.
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
Location: 4150 Yancey Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Neighborhood: South End
Cuisine: American, German
Dotted across its 8-acre biergarten are space heaters and large fire pits to keep visitors warm while they toast at Charlotte’s oldest brewery while munching on a giant soft pretzel. Prost.
Ruru’s Tacos & Tequila
Location: 715 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207
Neighborhood: Myers Park
Cuisine: Mexican
Get your margarita with a twist of lime and a side of heat on RuRu’s heated patio. Plus, with taco names like Fat Guy in a Little Coat, Am I Being Punked and I’ll Have What She’s Having, ordering at RuRu’s is always sure to make you smile.
Rusty Bucket
Location: 4810 Ashley Park Ln, Charlotte, NC 28210
Neighborhood: SouthPark
Cuisine: American
Grab a Bucket burger and a beer and cozy up on this SouthPark patio next to the heaters. Add some extra jalapenos to the Cheese Blanket Nachos and you’re sure to stay warm.
Rock Salt
Location: 512 Brandywine Rd Ste 500, Charlotte, NC 28209
Neighborhood: Myers Park
Cuisine: Seafood
The covered, heated patio at Rock Salt is the perfect spot to stay warm while enjoying some of the restaurant’s signature seafood dishes. It may be chilly outside, but the taste of fresh oysters will bring you right to the coast.
SouthBound
Location: 2433 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: Dilworth
Cuisine: Southern Californian/Mexican
The spacious patio at this open-air spot provides for an indoor-outdoor vibe that’s welcoming year-round when you want to grab a few tacos or a burrito.
Suffolk Punch
Location: 2911 Griffith St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: Sedgefield
Cuisine: American
Whether it’s a chicken biscuit and a cup of coffee for brunch, or lobster mac and cheese and a beer at dinner, Suffolk Punch offers ample outdoor space with heaters to keep you warm.
Stagioni
Location: 715 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207
Neighborhood: Myers Park
Cuisine: Italian
If you’re looking for seasonally made Italian dishes that never disappoint, Stagioni is a must. If the Truffle Tagliatelle doesn’t keep you warm, the patio’s heaters will.
Vaulted Oak
Location: 3726 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205
Neighborhood: Echo Hills
Cuisine: Brewery
Order your beer inside, then choose between heaters sprinkled throughout the picnic tables on the two patios — or make your way over to the large outdoor fire pit for extra warmth.
Wooden Robot
Location: 1440 S Tryon St UNIT 110, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: South End
Location: 416 E 36th St #100, Charlotte, NC 28205
Neighborhood: NoDa
Cuisine: American
Grab some craft-beer infused food from the Twisted Eats menu at The Brewery in South End or just opt for some brews at The Chamber location in NoDa. The Brewery features heaters on its patio, and The Chamber keeps you warm with fire pits.
Workman’s Friend
Location: 1531 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
Cuisine: Irish
Fish, chips and Guinness — the perfect combo for enjoying the patio at Workman’s Friend. Overhead heat lamps keep you warm while you choose from the 18 beers on tap.
Zio
Location: 116 Middleton Dr, Charlotte, NC 28207
Neighborhood: Myers Park
Cuisine: Italian
The quaint and charming patio at Zio is reminiscent of a hidden alley in Italy and the perfect spot to enjoy pizza and pasta under the glow of standing heaters.
This story was originally published December 17, 2021 at 6:00 AM.
