The 30 best restaurants in Lake Norman NC right now, from classic eats to new hot spots
I’ve been a Lake Norman resident for nearly a decade, and while I love the area, the food scene wasn’t exactly popping when I first moved.
Fast-forward some years, and I’m more excited than ever about the food and beverage scene up here at the lake. Some are new, some are classics, but these are 30 of the best places I’ve eaten in Lake Norman so far.
131 MAIN
Location: 17830 Statesville Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031
131 MAIN in Cornelius has a charming small town feel from top to bottom. The outdoor dining veranda and cozy fire pit make gathering here feel extra homey, as does the distinctively southern flair that characterizes the menu. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner seven days a week.
Acqua Ragazza
Location: 201 N Church St suite 102, Mooresville, NC 28115
Acqua Ragazza is the brainchild of a third generation Italian-American, and those roots show.
This is a charming spot located in Mooresville’s Mill One development that serves up traditional Italian fare and craft cocktails. It’s ideal for a date night or a night out with friends.
Alino Pizzeria
Location: 500 S Main St #401, Mooresville, NC 28115
Located north of the city in Mooresville, Alino Pizzeria offers a variety of fresh, fire roasted pies. Alino’s authenticity is unmatched; they import their tomatoes, flour, olive oil and mozzarella weekly straight from Italy, and pizzas are all cooked in house in the authentic Italian ovens. There’s tons of seating both indoor and out, making this as family-friendly as pizza joints come.
Azucar
Location: 15906 Old Statesville Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Azucar is a fun spot for brunch, cocktails or a fun dinner out. The interior is modern and stylish with lots of lounge-style seating. The menu, too, takes a modern approach to Cuban cuisine, with dishes like Cuban paella, croquetas and Cubano sandwiches.
Bao Bao
Location: 9715 Sam Furr Rd C, Huntersville, NC 28078
This casual, local eatery is dishing up some of our area’s most authentic Chinese cuisine. Specifically, Bao Bao puts a focus on hot pot and dim sum — it’s all fresh, flavorful comfort food that’s equally good for dine-in and takeout.
Brickhouse Tavern
Location: 209 Delburg Street Suite 210, Davidson, NC 28036
This tavern and taphouse, located in the former Davidson Cotton Mill built in the 1890s, is always buzzing with energy. It’s been operating in Davidson for 25 years, serving classic tavern fare like burgers, pizzas, lots of apps and more than 70 beers.
Brooklyn South
Location: 19400 Jetton Rd # 201, Cornelius, NC 28031
Brooklyn South is a Cornelius staple — it opened in 1998 under the guidance of a Long Island, New York family. In addition to serving up traditional NYC-style pizza, Brooklyn South dishes up calzones, salads, pastas, cannolis and more. Order your eats ahead on the weekends when it’s busy.
Epic Chophouse
Location: 104 S Main St, Mooresville, NC 28115
Epic Chophouse is perhaps one of Mooresville’s most beloved dinner spots when you’re looking for a nice night out. While the dining area trends toward the upscale, the bar is more casual and always lively. The fare here is New-American with an impressive wine list and classic cocktails. Be sure to make reservations on the weekends.
The Foundry Restaurant
Location: 310 Exploration Blvd, Denver, NC 28037
The Foundry in Denver, part of the Twin Mills Club, has an open, airy dining area with a menu of freshly made, local fare. Most of the menu has a southern twist, including their signature drink, the “Back Porch Sweet Tea.” Even though it’s part of a club, it’s always open to the public.
Habibi Lebanon
Location: 408 S Main St, Davidson, NC 28036
Habibi Lebanon is the evolution of what was Restaurant X (in the same location). While Restaurant X focused on British and European fare, owner and chef Nazira Atme reopened the restaurant as “Habibi Lebanon” to offer traditional recipes and preparation methods handed down from her own family. The spices, wines and beer all come straight from Lebanon.
Hello, Sailor
Location: 20210 Henderson Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031
Hello, Sailor embodies much of what makes living at the lake great. You can boat up, walk the docks, order from the tiki bar or sit outside facing the lake. In the summer, it’s our go-to for oysters and a cocktail, and in the cooler months, the retro-style bar and playful, fish-camp style indoor area are great to cozy up and enjoy fresh or fried seafood, burgers, sammies and more.
Il Bosco
Location: 127 Depot St, Davidson, NC 28036
Il Bosco is something of a hidden gem. It’s a tiny Italian restaurant right off of Main Street in Davidson serving up chef-curated, seasonal food. The back patio is one of the best parts of this spot — with string lighting and lots of plants, it’s a romantic hideaway in the heart of downtown Davidson.
Kabab N Grill
Location: 123 Trade Ct, Mooresville, NC 28117
Kabab N Grill is a delicious little find if you’re looking for quality, traditional Mediterranean. There’s lots of vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian options, and the menu is well set up for sharing.
Kairu Sushi and Noodle Bar
Location: 9709 Sam Furr Rd A, Huntersville, NC 28078
Kairu opened about a year ago as a destination for modern Japanese and Vietnamese fusion. There’s a wide selection of sushi rolls, sashimi and noodle dishes like ramen and pho. There are plenty of vegetarian/vegan options, as well. Kairu is a great local gem.
Kindred
Location: 131 N Main St, Davidson, NC 28036
Kindred didn’t just help put Lake Norman dining on the map — it put Charlotte dining on the map. Katy and Joe Kindred opened their eponymous restaurant in 2015, and they’ve continued racking up awards since. Kindred does it all right: Excellent service, a buzzy bar with one-of-a-kind cocktails, beautiful decor that preserves the history of the original building, and a menu that is simple but rich with character. And then there’s that world-famous milkbread …
Lineberger’s Steakhouse
Location: 6747 NC-150, Sherrills Ford, NC 28673
Lineberger’s, in Sherrills Ford, is a true neighborhood joint: The family-owned bar and grill has a log-cabin style rustic interior and all the classics you’d want from a laid-back steakhouse experience. There’s nothing stuffy about it, just multiple cuts of meat and seafood, a nostalgic salad bar, and homemade desserts baked fresh daily.
Mandolino’s
Location: 208 S Main St, Davidson, NC 28036
Affectionately known as Mando’s, this little pizza spot in Davidson is great for dine-in and takeout. Hot tip: In addition to salads and pastas, they offer one of Lake Norman’s best gluten-free pizzas. For a solid night out, head upstairs after your meal to Side Bar Bottle Company, a cute bar with an impressive selection of beer and wines.
Masala Mastee
Location: 107 N Main St #101, Davidson, NC 28036
In my humble opinion, Masala Mastee is serving some of the best Indian cuisine in the greater Charlotte area, not only in Lake Norman. Masala Mastee was opened just a few years ago from the same family that owns Sangam (also in Cornelius). Masala Mastee offers authentic Indian street food with an impressive array of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. It’s a casual spot that’s equally good for takeout and dine-in — if weather permits, grab a spot on the porch overlooking Main Street.
My Brother’s Bagels
Location: 751 N, NC-16 Business Hwy, Denver, NC 28037
My Brother’s Bagels was opened by a pair of (you guessed it) brothers who grew up making bagels with their dad in New Jersey. All of the bagels are 100% hand-rolled, and Brother’s also serves up hot breakfasts and lunch options like paninis and cold sandwiches. If you’re looking for breakfast anywhere north of Cornelius, don’t sleep on this local favorite.
Moyers Lakeside
Location: 119 Landings Dr #104, Mooresville, NC 28117
Moyers is an excellent lunch option when in Mooresville. They offer several hot options: burgers, fries and a local favorite cheesesteak, as well as cold sandwiches, like a club or BLT. The shop is small, but there’s plenty of outdoor seating.
On the Nines
Location: 205 Golf Course Dr, Mooresville, NC 28115
On The Nines is the ticket when you’re looking for a more upscale meal in a bistro-like setting. Located at the Mooresville Golf Club, On the Nines serves up seasonal Southern eats, craft cocktails and a rich wine list.
Osito’s Tacos and Tortas
Location: 20700 N Main St, Cornelius, NC 28031
I wasn’t sold on the premise of Osito’s until I actually tasted it. It’s intentionally not authentic Mexican, so even though the menu contains tacos, nachos, burritos, quesadillas, and a solid classic margarita, expect flavors from the south. You might order a shrimp and grit cake taco or a torta with chorizo. Whatever you choose, the flavors are bold without being heavy, and this little spot is always packed for good reason.
The Pickled Peach
Location: 202 S Main St, Davidson, NC 28036
The Pickled Peach is a beloved Davidson hotspot for good reason. Their menu includes farm-to-table sandwiches, soups and salads, as well as a variety of freshly baked goods, coffee and tea. The market side of Pickled Peach has an array of local farm-fresh items (eggs, milk, produce, etc.), local wines, and healthy snacks. The Pickled Peach is often busy, so order ahead if you’re planning to get takeout.
Pho Nam
Location: 18059 W Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031
This cute, family-owned Vietnamese restaurant has been operating for decades, and the dedication to their regulars shows. For friendly service and authentic, delicious pho or Vietnamese coffee, this is your spot. They serve lunch and dinner, and you can dine-in or takeout.
Pinky’s Westside Grill
Location: 9818 Gilead Rd STE 101B, Huntersville, NC 28078
Pinky’s is a classic. It’s a fun, funky hangout for people of all ages, serving up comfort food like sandwiches, hot dogs, and tacos. For adults, there’s plenty of good beverages, as well, and in the warmer months, the patio is a great place to post up.
Sangam Indian Cuisine
Location: 20910 Torrence Chapel Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031
Sangam offers a large menu of Northern Indian dishes alongside a popular lunch buffet. There’s plenty of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. It’s a casual place for dine-in or grab takeout to eat at home.
Savannah Oyster Co
Location: 201 N Church St suite 100, Mooresville, NC 28115
Savannah Oyster Co. in Mooresville is a lovely blend of Southern hospitality and “Northeastern attention to seafood and sustainability.” It’s an upbeat, lively atmosphere that’s ideal for a celebratory night out or drinks with friends.
Thai House
Location: 19700 Suite A One Norman Blvd Huntersville NC
This is my go-to Saturday night takeout spot. Expect fresh, flavorful Thai with a menu that has plenty of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The red curry is particularly good, and the Thai mussels are delicious, too.
Table 31
Location: 103 Landings Dr, Mooresville, NC 28117
Located in the Langtree development in Mooresville, Table 31 is a relaxed restaurant for American cuisine — think prime rib, salmon, salads and more — craft cocktails and an approachable wine list. It serves lunch and dinner seven days a week.
Verde Nuevo Latin Fusion
Location: 9818 Gilead Rd b107, Huntersville, NC 28078
This family-owned business takes a modern approach to Latin cuisine. The dishes are fresh and authentic, and the restaurant itself is laid-back and welcoming. Verde describes its fare as “Mexican food that is not exactly typical,” and the menu bares that out with plenty of innovative spins on classic Latin flavors.
