Where to find igloo dining in Charlotte, and how to book a reservation
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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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When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the restaurant industry was among the first to pivot. From takeout and delivery options to socially distanced outdoor seating, survival meant getting creative. A few Charlotte restaurants took their ingenuity to the next level, bringing in Instagram-worthy private dining options such as igloos and greenhouses.
They were such a hit that some local restaurants have decided to keep the trend going, while others found that the limitations were not worth the hassle and decided to get creative once again.
Dining igloos are back
From now until March 30, uptown’s Merchant & Trade has two igloos that seat 10-12 people. Reservations are required and are booking up quickly. Each igloo is available for two-hour rentals (with longer hours possible by contacting Merchant & Trade directly). Guests are required to commit to a $600 food minimum and a $150 reservation fee for all rentals.
Between guests, the restaurant is continuing to follow its cleaning protocols in compliance with CDC guidelines, including sanitization and use of an electrostatic fogger.
“We decided to bring the igloos back, based on overwhelming demand from last year and because they provide a way to social distance. The igloos are a great way to experience the Merchant & Trade rooftop during the colder months,” said Chris Baliles, director of food and beverage. “They offer a safe and warm setting, and with the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, we feel that additional safety measures are appreciated by our guests.”
The Goodyear House is also offering igloo dining again this winter. Its five igloos can fit up to six guests each and will have a strict two-hour time limit. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be booked on Igloos at The Goodyear House page on OpenTable. Guests will be charged a $25 fee, which will go to the restaurant’s nonprofit.
“Our registered nonprofit, Goodyear Giving, directs funds each year to local and international partners doing great work in their communities,” said Sean Potter, a partner of The Goodyear House. “This year, we are directing these funds to our current international partner, BuildOn, a group working to provide education through building schools in remote villages of impoverished and developing countries. Through this initiative, we will be building a school in Nicaragua in 2022.”
Aura Rooftop’s Snowed in on Stonewall winter popup is a dining igloo newcomer to Charlotte. Ride up to the fifth floor at the JW Marriott until Feb. 15 and enjoy one of the restaurant’s signature hot chocolates in an igloo. A $350 food and beverage minimum will get you two hours curled up under a blanket enjoying the food and the view. Reservations are required and can be made via OpenTable.
Greenhouses have been repurposed
At Fern and its former sister restaurant, Halcyon — now Mariposa — their individual dining greenhouses were the talk of the town last winter, but this season, they have a new home.
“Each greenhouse took about eight hours to assemble. They weren’t practical, as they needed to air out for 30 minutes between guests,” said Jill Marcus, president of Mother Earth restaurant group. “All of the greenhouses had to be disassembled over the summer, as it was just too hot to sit inside, and they now serve as real greenhouses at our Mother Earth farm at our corporate kitchens on Lindbergh Street.”
This winter, both Fern and Mariposa feature new patio heaters to keep guests warm while dining outdoors. “We are glad that (the greenhouses) were used for farewell dinners at Halcyon and served as a special remembrance for that time and place,” Marcus said.
This story was originally published December 23, 2021 at 6:00 AM.
