These are the top restaurants to visit in Charlotte, according to local foodies
“What’s your favorite restaurant?” It’s the age-old question that has been asked of foodies since the beginning of time. And while many of us enjoy giving restaurant recommendations to friends, family and colleagues, we also know that choosing just one favorite is no easy feat — especially as the Charlotte food scene has skyrocketed with options in recent years.
That’s why we asked these Charlotte food professionals their favorite restaurants in multiple categories. Instead of being forced to select just one spot, these folks who make food their living have shared their favorite places in the city for various occasions.
With all the variety in these answers, you’re sure to get some inspiration for your next night out on the town.
Chase Muhammad of Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen
Chase Muhammad is no stranger to Charlotte’s food scene as a culinary assistant at Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen. At work, she helps customers create delicious dishes from scratch, and after, she checks out restaurants in the Charlotte area that accommodate her vegan lifestyle.
Here are her top picks:
Favorite Restaurant for a Casual Bite: Kid Cashew. “Kid Cashew is perfect for a quick yet satisfying bite,” Muhammad said. “As a vegan, I love how their menu includes plant-based options with bold Mediterranean flavors. Their grilled veggie plates and salads are fresh, flavorful and perfectly fit my lifestyle. It’s a great spot for casual dining without compromising on quality.”
Favorite Restaurant for a Date Night: North Italia. “North Italia makes date nights special with its modern take on Italian cuisine,” Muhammad raved. “They offer delightful vegetarian dishes, and the chefs are accommodating for vegan requests. I love their handmade pasta and fresh ingredients — everything feels indulgent yet wholesome. It’s the ideal blend of romance and great food.”
Favorite Restaurant for a Special Occasion: RH Rooftop Restaurant. “RH Rooftop Restaurant combines breathtaking views with a luxurious dining experience,” Muhammad said. “They have elegant plant-based dishes that are perfect for celebrations. Their seasonal offerings and beautifully plated meals make it feel like a true treat.”
Favorite Restaurant for a Friends Night Out: Hawkers Asian Fusion. “Hawkers is such a fun and vibrant place for a night out with friends,” Muhammad shared. “Their menu is perfect for sharing, and they have a variety of vegan-friendly dishes. I always enjoy their creative small plates, like veggie dumplings or stir-fried noodles. It’s a place where everyone can find something they love.”
Favorite Restaurant for a Large Group: Oh My Soul. “Oh My Soul is my go-to for large gatherings because it’s entirely vegan and packed with flavor,” Muhammad said. “The upbeat atmosphere and creative dishes make it easy to enjoy with a group. Their comfort food options, like vegan burgers and loaded fries, are always crowd-pleasers. It’s a must-visit for plant-based dining in Charlotte.”
Michelle and Q Nguyen of ShareTea
Michelle and Q Nguyen are the dynamic married duo behind ShareTea Charlotte, a small bubble tea shop. When they’re not making or drinking tasty creations off the menu such as milk teas, fruit teas and even tea mojitos, the couple loves to explore the Charlotte food scene.
They’ve shared their favorite places to eat below:
Favorite Restaurants for a Casual Bite: Kid Cashew and North Italia. “We love how Kid Cashew cooks over the flames,” the Nguyens said. “It’s cozy and unique, and the service is quick.” As for North Italia, “the pasta tastes super fresh and the food is consistent every time we order from them,” the Nguyens said.
Favorite Restaurants for a Date Night: Link & Pin and Del Frisco’s Steakhouse. “[At both] Link & Pin and Del Frisco’s, the steak is very good and tasty, along with their sides,” the Nguyens said. “[The restaurant has] soft lighting and a pleasant, soothing ambience.”
Favorite Restaurants for a Special Occasion: The Nguyens rotate through visiting all the spots on their list when they have a special occasion to celebrate.
Favorite Restaurants for a Friends Night Out: Fahrenheit and O-Ku. “O-Ku can be busy, but it is worth it for the fresh sushi,” the Nguyens said. “The quality is there and the vibe is nice. The staff is friendly and helpful if you don’t know what you want.” The Nguyens also shared that “Fahrenheit [has] an amazing view of the city! It’s lively and energetic atmosphere [is] good to hang out with friends.”
Favorite Restaurants for a Large Group: Ru San’s. “Ru San’s is cheap and [has a] fun environment,” the Nguyens said. “Plus, there’s fast service and friendly staff!”
Johan Carcamo of State of Confusion
Longtime foodie Johan Carcamo has been exploring the Charlotte culinary scene for years. Recently, he decided to make his love of food into a career and became the general manager of State of Confusion in LoSo. While the menu of the restaurant he manages focuses on cuisine from Latin America, New Orleans and the Carolina Lowcountry, Carcamo’s tastes are diverse.
These are his top picks around Charlotte:
Favorite Restaurant for a Casual Bite: Sabor Latin Street Grill. “Sabor Latin Street Grill has an exciting menu that they prepare quickly for any type of day you’re having,” Carcamo said.
Favorite Restaurant for a Date Night: STIR Charlotte. STIR offers a great menu, and the atmosphere is very intimate,” Carcamo raved. “They have a great wine and draft cocktail selection to pair well with your food. You have to check out an ice show!”
Favorite Restaurant for a Special Occasion: State of Confusion. “State of Confusion offers many different spaces for any occasion,” Carcamo said. “They have igloos for outdoor seating, private dining, rooftop bar and a large space to accommodate any size group. They also have games that you can enjoy while drinking and eating. They have an eclectic cocktail menu that will leave you craving for more.”
Favorite Restaurant for a Friends Night Out: Barcelona Wine Bar. “Barcelona Wine Bar offers a unique and exciting tapas menu,” Carcamo shared. “They have an extensive wine list that will pair well with anything you decide to enjoy.”
Favorite Restaurant for a Large Group: Culinary Dropout. “Culinary Dropout has two large private dining spaces and a large dining room to host your party, no matter the size,” Carcamo said. “They also have a live band to play some great tunes.”
Andrew Quinn of Elsewhere Charlotte
As the general manager of Elsewhere Charlotte, Quinnis embedded in Charlotte’s food and drink scene. When he’s not shaking up cocktails for customers at Elsewhere or overseeing a private event in the space, Quinn explores South End dining options and beyond.
These are his favorite spots in the city:
Favorite Restaurant for a Casual Bite: Pasta & Provisions. Specifically, the location on Mint Street.
Favorite Restaurant for a Date Night: The Cellar at Duckworth’s. “I love the ambiance and vibe of the restaurant,” Quinn said. “Nothing beats their steaks and a New York Gin Sour.”
Favorite Restaurants for a Special Occasion: Supperland or Kindred.
Favorite Restaurants for a Friends Night Out: Yunta Nikkei or El Puro Cuban Restaurant.
Favorite Restaurant for a Large Group: Little Mama’s. “Never had a bad meal at Little Mama’s,” Quinn said. “You can always count on delicious pasta dishes like their homemade lasagna. Straight from grandma’s kitchen.”
Remy Thurston of FS Food Group
Remy Thurston is the director of marketing at FS Food Group – a Charlotte-based company that encompasses many fan-favorite dining options in the city, such as YAFO Kitchen, Calle Sol, Paco’s Tacos, Little Mama’s and more.
These are his favorite places to grab a bite in Charlotte:
Favorite Restaurant for a Casual Bite: Calle Sol Latin Cafe and Cevicheria. “I love hitting up Calle Sol before Charlotte FC matches for the Latin energy and a sandwich (maybe a cocktail too),” Thurston said. “I walk from there to the Gold Line and take it to the stadium on game days.”
Favorite Restaurant for a Date Night: Lang Van. “Lang Van has been our Wednesday night date night for about 6 years now,” Thurston shared. “It’s always cozy, and they might as well be family at this point. The pho is restorative, but #49 is sneaky good.”
Favorite Restaurant for a Special Occasion: Paco’s Tacos and Tequila. “Paco’s Tacos has been my wife’s family’s number one spot for birthdays since before I met her,” Thurston shared. “Amazing tequila selection and the fresh tortillas always hit the mark. Unmatched chips and salsa.”
Favorite Restaurants for a Friends Night Out: Customshop. “I revel in bringing friends to Customshop,” Thurston raved. “I love to be the snob who says I knew they were great before the rest of Charlotte found out they were great.”
Favorite Restaurant for a Large Group: Little Mama’s. “A big booth at Little Mama’s Italian with family combo parms and huge Caesar salad to share, please and thank you,” Thurston said.
Annie Stevenson of Billy Sunday
Annie Stevenson is the general manager of Billy Sunday, a cocktail bar at Optimist Hall. Between coordinating the day-to-day operations of the bar and planning themed pop-up events, such as Camp Billy in the summer and Tinseltown in the winter, Stevenson manages to explore the Charlotte dining scene.
These are some of her favorite spots:
Favorite Restaurant for a Casual Bite: Common Market. “Favorite place for a casual [or] quick bite would probably be Common Market,” Stevenson said. “I like going there after rock climbing. I like that I can rely on it being consistently good.”
Favorite Restaurant for a Date Night: Fin and Fino. “I’m a seafood junkie, and they always deliver. I also appreciate the detail they put into every aspect of the restaurant. They have really cool sculptures and the best smelling candles in the bathrooms. I know that’s kind of a silly thing to mention, but attention to detail like that sets places apart for me.”
Favorite Restaurant for a Special Occasion: Porter’s House. “I’m probably biased for having a crush on the bar manager [her fiancé!] but I always leave there feeling special. Every time I go I have to get the carpaccio and the sautéed shrimp appetizers.”
Favorite Restaurants for a Friends Night Out: The Degenerate. “They have a great space, great cocktails, and great food,” Stevenson said.
Favorite Restaurant for a Large Group: Optimist Hall. “Best place for a large group, I would probably have to say Optimist Hall,” Stevenson said. “There are so many different styles of food that everyone in your group should be able to find something they like. Or if your friends are all sharers like mine are, you can get a little something from every stall and share all of it.”
Ken Thomas of Moo & Brew
As a co-founder of Moo & Brew, Ken Thomas knows a thing or two about great burgers, beers and food. His restaurant offers a selection of local, regional and national craft beers, which you can pair with mouthwatering burgers and crispy fries. Moo and Brew is his all time-favorite spot in Charlotte, but as a true foodie, he has other places he loves and frequents often, too.
These are his favorite spots to eat in the city:
Favorite Restaurant for a Casual Bite: Lang Van. “Extra spicy dishes that hurt so good!” Thomas said. “Dan Nguyen and her staff always make my family feel like her family. They genuinely love their regulars and take special care to ensure a great experience every time. A true Charlotte gem.”
Favorite Restaurant for a Date Night: Yunta. “Amazing food served by friendly and knowledgeable staff in a lively environment,” Thomas said. “Pro tip: Go early and grab a seat at the bar and watch the show in the open kitchen for Food Network vibes. The ceviche is some of the best in town.”
Favorite Restaurant for a Special Occasion: La Belle Helene or Beef ‘N Bottle. “La Belle Helene always delivers if we’re feeling champagne fancy and want an elevated “dress up” celebration meal,” Thomas shared. “And Beef & Bottle to step back in time to Charlotte’s OG steakhouse and enjoy one of the best filets in town with a friendly server that has likely been there 40+ years.”
Favorite Restaurants for a Friends Night Out: Moo & Brew. “I’m obviously biased but it’s hard to beat Moo & Brew for a good hang with a group of friends,” Thomas said. “The quintessential neighborhood burger joint with a great selection of local, regional and national brews, indoor and outdoor space, and fun staff makes Moo & Brew THE spot for the good times.”
Favorite Restaurant for a Large Group: Mama Ricotta’s. “The private room at Mama Ricotta’s has been the perfect spot for many of our large group gatherings,” Thomas raved. “Delicious pasta dishes, good red wine and always attentive service in a comfortable setting make it our go-to time and time again.”
