12 must-try new Charlotte restaurants and bars to visit

Charlotte’s dining scene boasts fresh energy with 12 must-try new restaurants and bars. Seafood lovers should check out Seaboy in Cornelius, where a small menu spotlights local and seasonal ingredients, or visit Marlee Jean’s Raw Bar + Kitchen in Davidson for oysters, crudo, and Southern flavors. DŌZO Japanese American Kitchen brings inventive Japanese-inspired plates to Charlotte, offering everything from bento boxes to pop-up smash burger nights.

On the drinks and bites front, Bruce Moffett's Sala reimagines a vintage cocktail lounge with curated wines and Italian snacks, while Virtuoso Breadworks in Waxhaw impresses with artisan sourdough and creative pastries made in a cozy vintage cottage. Each place adds something new—whether reimagined spaces like Kaya Gastrolounge or fast fresh Greek fare at Greco Fresh Grille—making it an exciting time to explore Charlotte’s latest culinary openings.

Sesame broccoli at DŌZO Japanese American Kitchen. By Jenny Hartley

NO. 1: DŌZO JAPANESE AMERICAN KITCHEN: FROM KATSU KART TO UPSCALE CHARLOTTE RESTAURANT

The 12-seat spot boasts lunchtime bento boxes, small plates and more. | Published February 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenny Hartley

Chef Jonathan Cox cooking behind the chef’s counter at Seaboy in Cornelius. By LunahZon Photography/Seaboy

NO. 2: WHAT MAKES THIS NEW CORNELIUS RESTAURANT A MUST-VISIT FOR SEAFOOD ENTHUSIASTS

The newest restaurant in Lake Norman is serving up fresh oysters, shrimp and more with a side of cozy charm. | Published April 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sunny Hubler

The Pub At Uptown plans to open in March at 500 W. Trade St., Suite 104.

NO. 3: A NEW GAME-DAY PUB WITH ELEVATED FOOD, COCKTAILS IS ON ITS WAY TO UPTOWN CHARLOTTE

Late-night bites on the menu will include gouda mac ‘n cheese bites, house-made hummus and Angus burgers. | Published February 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Marlee Jean’s Raw Bar + Kitchen owners Erick J. Crawford and Amanda Overdorf. By Alex Cason

NO. 4: DAVIDSON’S HOT NEW RAW BAR SERVES UP SEAFOOD FROM A CHARLOTTE FOOD TRUCK PRO

A background in seafood and a brand new baby helped inspire the details for a new Lake Norman restaurant space. | Published March 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sunny Hubler

The historical villa of the late Charlotte socialite Blanche Reynolds-Gourmajenko is located on Providence Road in Charlotte. Currently home to restaurants and a salon, Sala will open late this spring or in early summer in the former Toccare Day Spa space. By Google Street View

NO. 5: BRUCE MOFFETT’S NEW COCKTAIL LOUNGE CHANNELS CHARLOTTE’S PROHIBITION-ERA PARTY SCENE

Sala, Italian for lounge, brings European-inspired wines, cocktails and bites to the former villa of the late Charlotte socialite Blanche Reynolds-Gourmajenko. | Published February 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Olivia Lee

Greco Fresh Grille is opening its seventh location in the Sharon Corners Shopping Center by the end of 2020.

NO. 6: LOCAL GREEK RESTAURANT MAKING MOVES WITH ANOTHER NEW LOCATION IN CHARLOTTE AREA

The fan-favorite restaurant will be taking over the space formerly home to a decades-old pizzeria. | Published February 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

The bar at Kaya Gastrolounge. By Alex Cason

NO. 7: WHY A CHARLOTTE-AREA RESTAURANT VANISHED — AND THE DRAMATIC TRANSFORMATION TAKING ITS PLACE

See inside the new Kaya Gastrolounge, The Bottle Tree’s moodier, classier sister. | Published March 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Melissa Oyler

For Counter- chef and owner Sam Hart, the tasting menu setup encourages a highly collaborative and creative atmosphere among employees. By Kenty Chung

NO. 8: YES, CHEF! FROM SWEETBREADS TO BLACK ANTS: CHARLOTTE’S DARING TASTING MENU EXPERIENCES

Why choose a tasting menu over a traditional setup? Local chefs explain how the bold offerings can challenge your palate. | Published April 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Samantha Husted

In addition to chocolate and almond croissants, and cinnamon rolls, seasonal danishes are available, including poutine, and fig and goat cheese. By Lauren Kallenbach

NO. 9: OLD WAXHAW COTTAGE HOLDS NEW FLAVORS WITH ARTISAN BAKERY VIRTUOSO BREADWORKS

Baking memories: Virtuoso Breadworks rises in Waxhaw. The small bakery serves artisan bread while building a place for community gathering. | Published March 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Olivia Lee

Burtons Grill & Bar will seat 152 diners inside and 93 outside at its location opening soon near Lake Norman.

NO. 10: POPULAR EAST COAST INDOOR-OUTDOOR RESTAURANT CHAIN OPENS IN LAKE NORMAN-AREA LOCATION SOON

The made-from-scratch menu includes appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers, seafood and prime steaks, plus gluten-free, allergy-friendly options. | Published March 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

Owner Sam Leo is shown outside Zeko’s Village Italian Family Restaurant in Catawba County near Denver NC and Lake Norman on Thursday, April 17, 2025. By JOE MARUSAK

NO. 11: ICONIC RED BUILDING IN LAKE NORMAN NOW HOME TO AUTHENTIC ITALIAN CUISINE

On the menu, you’ll find a few of the family-run restaurant’s home-cooked specialties, along with NY-style pizzas. | Published April 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.