Food and Drink

11 international and Latin eateries to try across greater Charlotte

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

Greater Charlotte bursts with international and Latin eateries, each bringing unique flavor to the region.

Try Maria Pacheco's family recipes at Pachecos Tortilleria & Grill, where dishes like menudo and siete mares soup stay true to southern Mexican roots.

For modern Mexican, the new uptown Que Fresa location impresses with creative tacos and soft-serve margaritas.

At Calle Sol Latin Cafe & Cevicheria in SouthPark, Cuban and Peruvian classics such as lomo saltado and vaca frita shine.

Cocktail fans can enjoy small bites with global flair at Paloma, savoring everything from Korean pork belly bao buns to citrusy Paloma cocktails.

Calle Sol’s Apex Drive dining room.

NO. 1: LATIN CAFE AND CEVICHERIA’S SECOND LOCATION IS LOCATED IN CHARLOTTE’S SOUTHPARK AREA

The restaurant serves Peruvian and Cuban food, including ceviche, croqueta and vaca frita. | Published May 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Pictured at Pachecos Tortilleria & Grill in Mooresville on Friday, July 5, 2024, are, from left, owners Yoube and Rosi Holder; daughter-in-law, Juliam Ramos; in-laws Aristea and Abel Rivera; cousin Jose Jesus de Maria; daughter Maria Holder; son-in-law Jake Rivera; daughter May Holder. By JOE MARUSAK

NO. 2: LAKE NORMAN FAMILY RESTAURANT FEATURES MOM’S RECIPES FROM SOUTHERN MEXICO

Owner says mom’s meals reflected who she was: “amazing, beautiful, natural, flavorful and colorful.” | Published July 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

Mr. Rayo Mexican Grill co-owner Cesar Ugalde stands near a mural created by Charlotte area artist Alex DeLarge. By Heidi Finley

NO. 3: HELLO, QUESO. A LOCAL FAMILY-OWNED MEXICAN RESTAURANT IS POPULAR IN FORT MILL.

Look for familiar food from a family team bringing you the tastes of Michoacán, Mexico. | Published August 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

A Monster Margarita at Rio 150.

NO. 4: A MEXICAN FOOD FAVORITE KNOWN FOR 56-OUNCE MONSTER MARGARITAS HAS A LOCATION IN CONCORD

The Mexican restaurant brand is growing quickly. | Published September 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Talkin’ Tacos’ Birria Taki Tacos are made with birria and Chihuahua cheese, then topped with onion, cilantro, cheese sauce and crumbled takis on corn tortillas —and they’re served with consomme for dipping. By Talkin' Tacos

NO. 5: THIS TACO TRUCK-TURNED-FAST-CASUAL CHAIN HAS A LOCAL LOCATION

Talkin’ Tacos has a suburban restaurant location in Concord. | Published September 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Chuyita’s is opening at 1727 Sardis Road North.

NO. 6: MONROE TAQUERIA — WITH 12 VARIETIES OF TACOS — HAS A SECOND LOCATION IN CHARLOTTE.

In addition to its impressive spread of authentic tacos, the local taqueria serves breakfast burritos, combo platters and more. | Published November 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

The roasted Shrooms taco at Que Fresa is made of wild mushrooms, Poblano rajas, roasted corn, Chipotle aioli, Cotija cheese and pickled Fresno fried leeks. By Alex Cason

NO. 7: RESTAURANT VOTED BEST TACOS IN CHARLOTTE HAS ANOTHER LOCATION

The restaurant’s latest expansion brings tacos, carnitas + soft serve margaritas to uptown Charlotte. | Published December 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Paloma owners Heriberto Chavez (left) and Valentino Panizzut.

NO. 8: A COCKTAIL-FOCUSED RESTAURANT IN MOORESVILLE SERVES INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS

Several signature Paloma standouts are on the menu, including small bites with international flavors. | Published December 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Mi Veracruz Mexican Restaurant now has two Lake Norman locations.

NO. 9: POPULAR FAMILY RESTAURANT WITH HOMEMADE RECIPES HAS A 2ND LAKE NORMAN LOCATION

CharlotteFive readers voted the establishment as one of the most underrated Mexican restaurants in the Charlotte area. | Published January 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

Jalapeno Poppers at Casa Azteca Mexican Grill in Mooresville, NC.

NO. 10: FAMILY EXPANDS POPULAR CHARLOTTE RESTAURANT CHAIN WITH NEW CONCEPT IN LAKE NORMAN

“We took what is essentially that same Mexican flavor and upscaled it to make it that much more interesting and approachable.” | Published February 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

Rio 150’s Aparrillada. By Creart Design Studio

NO. 11: A LAKE NORMAN MEXICAN RESTAURANT IS TAKING OVER A FORMER CHILI’S LOCATION IN CHARLOTTE

Coming this summer: Traditional tacos, enormous margs and more. | Published April 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

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.