Food and Drink

25 restaurant stories from June highlighting Charlotte’s changing food scene

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

Charlotte's food scene continued to evolve in June, with a mix of openings, closures and new concepts.

Harper’s, a classic Charlotte eatery, returns as a cafe with a different menu and concept.

Meanwhile, Tokyo Kitchen offers fast-casual hibachi, appealing to busy consumers.

Thai Thai Cafe is reopening in Mooresville, featuring traditional Thai flavors.

These stories reflect a dynamic culinary landscape, with shifts in dining preferences and business strategies.

NO. 1: THE DOORS ARE CLOSED: THESE ARE THE CHARLOTTE RESTAURANTS WE’VE PERMANENTLY LOST IN 2025

Rent issues, retirements and personal reasons are behind the closures in Charlotte’s food and drink scene. | Updated June 2025 | Read Full Story by CharlotteFive staff

Andy Hollis, owner of Sir Edmond Halley’s. By Alex Cason

NO. 2: WHAT KEEPS CHARLOTTE LOCALS RETURNING TO SIR EDMOND HALLEY’S PUB?

Charlotte’s Classic Eats: For 30 years, this pub’s secret to success has been surprisingly — and beautifully — quite simple. | Published June 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sunny Hubler

Tokyo Kitchen is now open in South Charlotte.

NO. 3: THIS NEW SOUTH CHARLOTTE RESTAURANT BRINGS HIBACHI FLAVORS ON THE GO

Craving Japanese food? This restaurant is built to get you in and out quickly. | Published June 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Tristan Graziano holds an 18” cheese pizza outside Siano’s in Waxhaw. By Jamie Graziano

NO. 4: NEW WAXHAW PIZZERIA QUIETLY SERVES UP TOP-TIER PIES WITH DEEP FLAVOR

Why this low-key spot is worth the drive for thin-crust pizza lovers. | Published June 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tristan Graziano and Jamie Graziano

A takeout brisket plate with collards and cornbread at The Smoke Pit in Concord. By Alex Cason

NO. 5: 2 CHARLOTTE SPOTS AMONG BEST FOR DOORDASH BARBECUE IN THE SOUTH

When the cravings hit for ribs, pulled pork or brisket, these familiar restaurants have you covered. | Published June 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

A popular longtime Thai restaurant just south of downtown Mooresville is set to reopen with new, women LGBTQ+ owners. By JOE MARUSAK

NO. 6: ‘SHARING OUR RICH TRADITION’: POPULAR MOORESVILLE THAI RESTAURANT SET TO REOPEN

“Get your taste buds ready, Mooresville,” the new owners said on social media. | Published June 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

At Sora in Charlotte, European and Asian elements are woven intricately throughout each plating, creating a delicate merging of culture and flavor.

NO. 7: A NEW TASTING MENU RESTAURANT OPENS QUIETLY IN MYERS PARK

Longtime Charlotte restaurateur Birdie Yang — best known for Baku and Yama Asian Fusion — has quietly opened his newest concept: Sora, a tasting menu restaurant. | Published June 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Samantha Husted

Oh My Ganche, The Cheesecake Bar will be opening at Camp North End June 14. By Courtesy of Oh My Ganche, The Cheesecake Bar

NO. 8: ‘OH MY GANACHE, YES!’: NEW CHEESECAKE BAR COMING TO CHARLOTTE SOON

Here’s what to expect at the new dessert spot opening soon at Camp North End. | Published June 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

The Mooyah Double Cheeseburger made with double Certified Angus beef, American cheese, lettuce, tomato and MOOYAH Sauce on a potato bun. By Courtesy of Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes

NO. 9: TEXAS-BASED BURGER JOINT BRINGING ANOTHER LOCATION TO CHARLOTTE AREA

Here’s when and where the fast-casual burger spot will open in Charlotte. | Published June 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

Paris Baguette’s Charlotte bakery is located at 9826 Sandy Rock Pl A. By Courtesy of Paris Baguette

NO. 10: WORLD FAMOUS BAKERY BRINGS SWEET AND SAVORY BITES TO NEW LOCATION IN CHARLOTTE

Here’s what to expect at the beloved bakery cafe with thousands of locations around the world. | Published June 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

Table Main is located in a former home in Roswell, Georgia. It has received a Bib Gourmand, named after Michelin’s mascot, Bibendum — known in the United States as the Michelin Man. By Iain Bagwell

NO. 11: MICHELIN STARS ALIGN FOR ITS SOUTHERN CULINARY GUIDE CELEBRATION — HERE’S WHERE

South Carolina culinary city to host inaugural Michelin Guide American South ceremony, where the spotlighted restaurants will be revealed. What else we know. | Published June 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

SWIRL’s Classic is a chocolate chunk cookie with white frosting, chocolate chips and chocolate sauce, and SWIRL’s Grizzly is a brownie cookie with cookie frosting, brownie cake bites and chocolate sauce. By Alex Cason

NO. 12: THE ULTIMATE SWEET SPOT: THIS DESSERT BAR WAS NAMED CHARLOTTE’S BEST FOR COOKIES

Here’s where you can find the best cookies around Charlotte, according to our readers. | Published June 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon Alex Cason

Food connoisseurs dig into Waygu beef at an exclusive June 9 dinner hosted by The Charlotte Observer and CharlotteFive at Restaurant Constance. By Tonya Russ Price

NO. 13: A NIGHT TO REMEMBER: A LOOK AT OUR EXCLUSIVE DINNER AT RESTAURANT CONSTANCE

Scallops, shortbread and James Beard Award semifinalist chef Sam Diminich made for a delicious evening with The Charlotte Observer and CharlotteFive. | Published June 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Bossy Beulah’s Chicken Shack is among three new tenants signed on at The Bowl at Ballantyne. By LunahZon Photography

NO. 14: CHARLOTTE RESTAURANT SHUTS DOWN SOUTH END LOCATION WITH BIGGER MOVES IN STORE

Here’s what’s next for the local spot known for its fried chicken. | Published June 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

Lorem Ipsum is a chic listening bar in the lobby of Hotel Refuge, a five-room boutique hotel that’s a cozy oasis in Plaza Midwood. By Jonathan Cooper

NO. 15: HIDDEN GEM IN CHARLOTTE NAMED ONE OF THE 15 BEST BARS IN AMERICA

Cheers, Charlotte! Here’s what makes this local spot so special. | Published June 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

Harper’s Cafe is now open in Pineville, serving its famous chicken supremes from the restaurant that closed in 2024. “Welcome back!! We missed you,” Thomas Peyton Limberakis wrote on the restaurant’s Instagram post about its return. “My wife and I are planning our visit soon! We are Charlotte natives and love you guys!” By Tonya Russ Price

NO. 16: ‘WE ARE CHARLOTTE NATIVES AND LOVE YOU GUYS’: A CLASSIC EATS RESTAURANT REOPENS.

We lost a Charlotte favorite last year — it was closed to make room for a bank. Now, with fast-casual breakfast food and a commissary kitchen, Harper’s Cafe marks a new chapter for Charlotte’s iconic restaurant. | Published June 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kayleigh Ruller

Melt N Dip offers crepes, cakes, waffles and more. By Courtesy of American Asset Corporation

NO. 17: GLOBAL DESSERT SHOP EXPANDING TO CHARLOTTE WITH CREPES, GELATO AND MORE

Here’s when the sweet new spot will be making its Queen City debut. | Published June 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

Bakersfield located at 1301 East Blvd. By Google Street View

NO. 18: POPULAR MEXICAN RESTAURANT OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF CHARLOTTE LOCATION

Here’s what the team said about shutting down the restaurant after a decade in business. | Published June 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

Desi District’s Bombay Chicken Grill sandwich.

NO. 19: FROM BIRYANI TO BURGERS, A NEW RESTAURANT IS BRINGING THE FLAVOR TO CONCORD

The fast-casual Indian fusion spot is opening soon near Concord Mills. Here’s what to know. | Published June 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Screengrabs from @antidote.bar on Instagram

NO. 20: THIS ROOFTOP BAR HAS ‘EVERYTHING BUT THE ORDINARY’ — AND RANKS NO. 1 IN NC

Here’s what to know about the beloved bar. | Published June 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

Szechuan Mansion Hotpot will be located in The Arboretum shopping center. By American Asset Corporation

NO. 21: POPULAR HOTPOT CHAIN IS BRINGING THE HEAT TO CHARLOTTE WITH SPICY BROTHS + MORE

You may have tasted this treat before: The restaurant has two locations in the Triangle. | Published June 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Evan Moore

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A pancake platter and a Blood Mary at Another Broken Egg Cafe. By Courtesy file photo

NO. 22: 3 NEW EATERIES SET TO OPEN IN CONCORD’S CHRISTENBURY VILLAGE. WHAT TO EXPECT

The restaurants are set to open by early next year. | Published June 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Evan Moore

slicing tomahawk steak with knife By ahirao_photo

NO. 23: CHARLOTTE’S STEAK SHOWDOWN: WHICH RESTAURANT HAS THE CITY’S PRIME PICK?

We got 31 nominations for the best steak in Charlotte. Now, put your vote on the top spot. | Published June 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

LOVE ISLAND USA -- Episode 719 -- Pictured: (l-r) Clarke Carraway, Nicolas Nic Vansteenberghe -- (Photo by: Ben Symons/Peacock)

NO. 24: CASA AMOR IS OPEN: A CHARLOTTE BAR’S ‘LOVE ISLAND’ PARTY BRINGS THE VIBES

A Charlotte bombshell joined ‘Love Island USA’ — and fans went wild at this local watch party. | Published June 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tamia Boyd

Victor Zelaya, a baker, or ‘pastelero’, at Manolo’s Bakery decorates a special order cake for a sixteenth birthday on Tuesday, June 17, 2022 in Charlotte, NC. By Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez

NO. 25: FOR CHARLOTTE BAKERY, ICE RAIDS ARE HITTING SALES ‘WORSE THAN THE PANDEMIC’

“It’s not the first time we’ve ever had a hard time in this business, but I’m not going to give up,” the small business owner said. | Published June 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

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.