Dive into Hispanic culture at these Latin-owned Charlotte restaurants
With a growing population of Hispanic and Latino Charlotteans throughout the Queen City, it only makes sense that businesses owned by members of this vibrant and burgeoning community continue to grow, too.
For years, some neighborhoods around Charlotte have maintained a culturally rich and diverse offering of establishments and services to residents. But as Charlotte develops at a rapid pace, those businesses are beginning to spread beyond the confines of quiet corners around the Queen City and into more bustling neighborhoods, like South End and NoDa.
During Hispanic Heritage Month — celebrated each year from Sept. 15-Oct. 15 — check out some of the Hispanic and Latin-owned restaurants based in and around Charlotte (as well as our guide to Latin-owned small businesses):
Artisen Vegelato
Location: 301 W. John St. Matthews, North Carolina 28105
Cuisine: Gelato, dessert
What to know: Artisen Vegelato, winner of CharlotteFive’s Readers Choice contest for best ice cream, offers a variety of allergy friendly gelato made without dairy, gluten, eggs or nuts. Classic flavors include Brownie and Rum and Raisin, while seasonal flavors such as Passion Cheesecake and Peppermint Bark rotate throughout the year.
[THE VOTES ARE IN: Here is who you chose for the best ice cream in the Charlotte area.]
Azucar
Location: Ballantyne Village, 14825 Ballantyne Village Way, Suite A-150, Charlotte, NC 28277
Location: 15906 Old Statesville Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Cuisine: Cuban
What to know: At Azucar, look for the roots of traditional Cuban cooking executed with a modern twist, with variations such as cauliflower mash instead of rice and gnocchi made with yucca.
Bajo Cero San Marcos
Location: 2401 Cherry Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732
Cuisine: Mexican desserts, ice cream, paletas, snacks
What to know: Bajo Cero San Marcos is a local family-owned paleteria and ice cream shop offering a variety of classic menu items and flavors inspired by Aguascalientes, Mexico.
The Batchmaker’s Batch House
Location: 901 Berryhill Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Cuisine: Bakery, dessert
What to know: The Batchmaker, whom you may have seen on “Good Morning America,” bakes up cakes and cheesecakes, as well as cookies, bars and brownies that are sold by the batch. Don’t miss trying the Dulce de Leche brownies, blondies and stuffed snickerdoodles.
[VISIT THE BATCH HOUSE: 5 things to know about the Batchmaker’s Batch House.]
Calle Sol Latin Cafe & Cevicheria
Location: 1205 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 3100 Apex Dr, Charlotte, NC 28211
Cuisine: Cuban, Latin, Peruvian
What to know: Calle Sol’s FS Food Group restaurant ownership includes Martin Prieto of Martin’s Distribution and Carmen Vasquez, executive chef of YAFO Kitchen on East Boulevard. It offers Latin cuisine including Pollo a la Plancha, Salchipapa, Chaufa and Ceviche.
Catalú
Location: 135 New Bern Street Retail A, Charlotte, NC 28209
Cuisine: Catalonian, Spanish
What to know: Tapas restaurant Catalú is the newest concept from Manny and Paola Flores’ Que Hospitality group, which also operates Que Onda and Que Fresa. The menu practically transports you to Spain, with imported cheeses and charcuterie, ceviche and paellas.
Customshop
Location: 1601 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
Cuisine: American, Italian, seafood
Although Customshop isn’t a Latin restaurant, chef-owner Andres Kaifer brings his Spanish heritage into his food. Pro tip: Don’t miss out on trying the flan — or you can make it yourself at home.
Dulce Dreams Cafe
Location: Pop-ups, Uptown Farmer’s Market
Cuisine: Mexican bakery, dessert
What to know: Dulce Dreams Cafe offers traditional Mexican sweet bread rolls called conchas, some of which are stuffed with whipped cream, Nutella and other flavors. You can often catch its pop-ups at farmers markets and other vendor events.
[SWEET DREAMS COME TRUE: How to try Dulce Dreams Cafe’s popups.]
El Puro Cuban Restaurant
Location: 5033 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Cuisine: Cuban
What to know: Family-owned El Puro Cuban Restaurant aims to transport guests to pre-revolutionary Cuba, where they can enjoy live music while eating popular dishes such as masitas de la loma, ropa vieja and tamal en cazuela.
Frida’s Mexican Cantina
Location: 8740 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226
Cuisine: Mexican
A large mural by Jorge Torres of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo — the restaurant’s namesake — greets visitors near the front door at Frida’s Mexican Cantina. Along with a funky vibe, the restaurant serves up dishes based on owner Roble Zarate’s mom’s traditional recipes and sauces.
Havana Carolina
Location: 11 Union St S Suite, 108, Concord, NC 28025
Cuisine: Cuban
What to know: Owned by the same family as El Puro Cuban Restaurant, Havana Carolina brings the Cuban culture to Concord. You’ll find Cuban music on Friday and Saturday nights, along with a menu that includes classic Cubano sandwiches, along with Churrasco a la Cubana, which is a 10 ounce skirt steak grilled with homemade chimichurri and topped with onions.
Higher Grounds by Manolo’s
Location: 1501 Queens Road Charlotte, NC 28207
Cuisine: Coffee
Higher Grounds is a nonprofit coffee shop partnership between bakery owner Manolo Betancur and Myers Park United Methodist Church. Snacks include Colombian cheese bread and grab-and-go sandwiches, along with Betancur’s Artisen Vegelato.
La Caseta
Location: Camp North End, 1801 N Graham St #203, Charlotte, NC 28206
Cuisine: Latin street food
What to know: La Caseta, part of the Raydal Hospitality Group that also owns Sabor and Three Amigos, focuses on traditional handmade items passed down from generation to generation in the owners’ native El Salvador and Dominican Republic, plus other Latin countries. Expect arepas, pupusas and empanadas, as well as tacos.
La Dolcekca Bakery Cafe
Location: 1607 Montford Dr, Charlotte, NC 28209
Cuisine: Sandwiches, pastry, coffee
What to know: La Dolcekca is an international pastry shop featuring a wide array of offerings from savory sandwiches to satisfying desserts, such as pumpkin spice bread pudding and apple spice cupcakes.
Los Paisas
Location: 8318 Pineville-Matthews Rd #702, Charlotte, NC 28226
Cuisine: Colombian
What to know: Los Paisas has long been a staple in the Charlotte Hispanic and Latino community. The traditional restaurant serves up large, flavorful plates of authentic Colombian food without breaking the bank. Its Bandeja tipica Colombiana (typical Colombian platter) is a fan favorite.
MaBí Concina Tropical
Location: 416 E 36th St Unit 600, Charlotte, NC 28205
Cuisine: Caribbean, Dominican
MaBi — opened by Radal Hospitality of Sabor Latin Grill fame — showcases tropical fruits in its cocktail list, along with traditional Dominican foods such as charcoal chicken and ropa vieja. The new restaurant also offers empanadas, pernil and plenty of plantains.
Mal Pan
Location: 4625 Piedmont Row Dr 115 D, Charlotte, NC 28210
Cuisine: Mexican
What to know: Mal Pan features a menu of “big and carefully curated flavors” inspired by comfort foods from Mexico. Brunch is available every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., while lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dinner is a “sit-down” service, offered from 5 to 9 p.m.
Manolo’s Bakery
Location: 4405 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Cuisine: Bakery
What to know: Only a small slice of Manolo’s Bakery offerings are available online. Colombian-born owner Manolo Betancur — who was Overall Winner in the US Bread Hero category of the Tiptree World Bread Awards and also owns Artisen Gelato — bakes up all kinds of bread, pastries, doughnuts, cakes and more.
Marina’s Tapas
Location: Optimist Hall, 1115 N Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206 (opening soon)
Cuisine: Spanish tapas
What to know: Marina’s Tapas, opening this fall at Optimist Hall, is a venture named after the great-grandmother of Customshop owner Andres Kaifer. Expect to find croquetas, serano and Manchego sandwiches and flan, along with other tapas treats.
Noche Bruta
Location: Inside HEX Coffee, Kitchen and Natural Wines at Camp North End, 201 Camp Road, Charlotte, NC 28206
Cuisine: Mexican
What to know: Noche Bruta comes from the brainchild behind the former El Toro Bruto taqueria at Resident Culture. Inside Hex at Camp North End, Hector Gonzales-Mora offers chips and dips, flautas, tacos and tostadas.
Odalys Panaderia y Pasteleria
Location: 6301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28217
Location: 4404 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 6407 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28217
Cuisine: Bakery
What to know: This regional Latin bakery chain that also has locations in Concord, Gastonia, Monroe and Salisbury, offers cakes, pastries and bread.
Pachecos Tortilleria & Grill
Location: 168 Norman Station Blvd., Suite Z, Mooresville, N.C., 28117
Cuisine: Mexican
What to know: Rosalva “Rosi” Holder and her husband, Yoube, named Pachecos Tortilleria & Grill as a tribute to her mom. She’s now living on through the Lake Norman restaurant’s recipes, where herbs and spices are bringing back the flavors of her southern Mexican cuisine.
Panadaria el Quetzal
Location: 925 Eastway Dr, Charlotte, NC 28205
Cuisine: Bakery
What to know: This Guatemalan-owned bakery features breads, tarts, milhojas, tamales and more.
Panaderia La Espiga
Location: 6445 Albemarle Rd #3815, Charlotte, NC 28212
Cuisine: Bakery
What to know: Visit Panaderia La Espiga, a bakery tucked in a strip mall with a butcher shop, beauty salon and pizzeria for cookies, palmiers, bread pudding and more.
Panzu’ Brewery
Location: 7251 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, Mint Hill, NC 28227
Cuisine: Brewery, tapas
What to know: Owners Rosa Marte de Pacheco and Johan Marte, natives of the Dominican Republic, named the brewery in honor of their late father, whom the family called Papá Panzú. Look for tapas to munch on while you relax in the Caribbean atmosphere.
A Piece of Havana
Location: 11126 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28273
Cuisine: Cuban
What to know: The food at A Piece of Havana is widely celebrated for being packed with color and flavor. The authentic Cuban eatery features a dynamic menu and live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
Que Fresa Taqueria + Bar
Location: 1500-A W. Morehead St.
Cuisine: Mexican
What to know: Que Fresa is a taqueria with soft-serve margaritas, house-made Puffy Chips and at least 14 varieties of tacos. The restaurant was also named the CharlotteFive’s Readers’ Choice winner for Best Tacos.
Que Onda Tacos + Tequila
Location: 9601 N Tryon St Suite K, Charlotte, NC 28262
Location: 333 W Trade St #101, Charlotte, NC 28202
Location: 3022 Weddington Rd Suite 100, Matthews, NC 28105
Location: 13016 Eastfield Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Location: 1518 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Cuisine: Mexican
What to know: Offering more than just tacos and tequila, Que Onda’s menu is a comprehensive tour of all things that make Mexican food fun and delicious. You’re sure to find something you’ll love on this menu, from mouth-watering appetizers and savory sandwiches to sizzling skillet fajitas and rich desserts, such as flan, churros and tres leches.
Ricko’s Churro Bar
Location: 3100 N Davidson St, Suite 104, Charlotte, NC 28205
Cuisine: Mexican
What to know: Ricko’s Churro Bar, which comes from the team behind the popular Tacos Rick-O food truck, is all about the sweets. The recently opened shop offers churros, ice cream and other desserts, along with coffee to pair them with.
Sabor Latin Grill
Location: Multiple locations: Ballantyne, Cornelius, Elizabeth, Fort Mill, Huntersville, NoDa, Pineville, South End, SouthPark, University City South, Uptown, Yorkshire
Cuisine: Latin street food
What to know: Sabor Latin Grill gives customers the opportunity to experience a variety of Latin comfort dishes inspired by Mexican, Dominican, Cuban, Salvadoran, Colombian and Venezuela cuisine.
Salud Cerveceria
Location: 3306-C N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Cuisine: Craft beer, pizza, bar food
What to know: Salud Cerveceria, recognized by USA Today’s beer experts as the best beer bar in the country, serves up Neapolitan style wood-fired pizza, salads, empanadas and more, along with craft beer.
[BEST BEER BAR: Charlotte has the best beer bar in the country.]
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Savor Restaurant and Bar
Location: 2530 Sardis Rd N, Charlotte, NC 28227
Cuisine: Latin American, American, fusion
Newly opened Savor Restaurant and Bar offers a taste of the kitchens that co-owner Griselda Cruz learned to cook in. Specialties include Mole Poblano, chiliquiles, pollo adobe and many more, along with nachos, quesadillas and other staples.
Tacos and Tortilla Factory
Location: 9548 Mt Holly-Huntersville Rd E, Huntersville, NC 28078
Cuisine: Mexican
What to know: Choose from tacos, bowls, burritos and more at Tacos and Tortilla Factory, a build-it-yourself fast casual restaurant.
Three Amigos Grill & Cantina
Location: 2917 Central Ave A, Charlotte, NC 28205
Cuisine: Mexican
What to know: Three Amigos is known for its authentic enchiladas, using fresh Mexican spices. Choose among six options (verde, roja, poblanas, al horno, calabaza or jalisciences), or get the Enchilada Mixtas plate that combines four of those options.
Vera’s Kitchen
Location: 203 N. Broome St., Waxhaw, NC 28173
Cuisine: American, Mexican
What to know: Vera’s Kitchen offers breakfast options with Latin influences, plus burgers and quesadillas, burritos and other Mexican specialties at lunch, including birria.
Viva Chicken
Location: Multiple
Cuisine: Peruvian
What to know: Fast-casual Viva Chicken restaurants specialize in Pollo a la Brasa (Peruvian rotisserie chicken), paired with sides such as rice, plantains and Peruvian sauces. The local restaurant chain was founded by chef Bruno Macchiavello and Randy Garcia.
YAFO Kitchen
Location: 1231A East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 1331 Central Ave #101, Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 720 Gov Morrison St #120, Charlotte, NC 28211
Cuisine: Mediterranean
What to know: While YAFO Kitchen doesn’t serve Latin cuisine, the FS Food Group restaurant is co-owned by chef/partner Carmen Vasquez. The popular Mediterranean street food spot offers pitas, bowls and rotisserie chicken that you can top how you please.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published Oct. 7, 2022, and has been updated. Did we miss a spot? Let us know at charlottefive@charlottefive.com.
This story was originally published October 7, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
