Eat your way through Charlotte’s best women-owned restaurants
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Women hold most service roles but only 20% of head chef positions nationwide.
- Only 34% of restaurants are majority-owned by women despite higher workforce share.
- Charlotte showcases dozens of women-owned food businesses across diverse cuisines.
When it comes to women-owned restaurants, Charlotte has no shortage of flavor and creativity.
Although women make up a majority of the restaurant workforce, women are still underrepresented when it comes to ownership and leadership. According to the National Restaurant Association, 47% of restaurant businesses are at least half women-owned, but only 34% are majority-owned by women.
In the world of independent restaurants, just 33% are majority women-owned. That gap shows up in other ways, too, as women hold most of the industry’s server jobs but only 20% of head chef roles.
It’s worth celebrating the women who are changing the game in Charlotte. This list highlights the women behind your favorite spots, the cuisines they bring to the table and menus so you can plan your next bite!
From food trucks and dessert shops to catering services and other food-focused businesses, we’re showcasing the many ways women are shaping Charlotte’s food scene.
Think we missed a spot? Send us a note at charlottefive@charlottefive.com so we can get it added.
Here are some of the spots owned by women business owners in the Charlotte-area:
22 Street Kitchen
Location: 1801 Cross Beam Dr K, Charlotte, NC 28217
Cuisine: Burritos, tacos, subs and wraps
How to order: Order in person or via 22 Street’s website.
Abugida Ethiopian Café
Location: 3007 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Cuisine: Ethiopian
How to order: Dine-in or call (980) 237-2760 for takeout; delivery is available through its website.
Ace of Spuds
Location: Varies (food truck)
Cuisine: Gourmet loaded baked potatoes
How to order: Follow the truck’s schedule on Instagram or its website; it’s also available for catering events (contact via email to book).
Archive CLT
Location: 2023 Beatties Ford Rd Suite D, Charlotte, NC 28216
Cuisine: Coffee
How to order: In person.
The Artisan’s Palate
Location: 1218 East 36th Street, Charlotte, NC 28205
Cuisine: cocktails, gourmet shareable items
How to order: In person.
The Batch House
Location: 901 Berryhill Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Cuisine: Bakery, dessert
How to order: In person or online for batch-sized orders.
Beyond Amazing Donuts
Location: Varies
Cuisine: Doughnuts
How to order: Order in-person every Wednesday 4-8 p.m. at the North End Farmers Market and Saturday 8 a.m.-noon at the Uptown Farmers Market.
Bitty & Beau’s Coffee
Location: 1930 Camden Rd Ste 236, Charlotte, NC 28203
Cuisine: Coffee shop
How to order: In person; catering can be arranged online.
Brown Bag Seafood Co.
Location: 601 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Cuisine: Fast-casual seafood
How to order: In person or online for pickup.
Cara’s Cookie Company
Location: Camp North End, 270 Camp Road, Suite 105, Charlotte, NC, 28206
Location: 350 McGill Ave NW, Concord, NC 28027
Location: 275 N Elm St, High Point, NC 27262
Cuisine: Cookies
How to order: In person or online for pickup.
Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen
Location: 4001-C Yancey Rd Ste 100, Charlotte, NC 28217
Cuisine: Seasonal lunch menus; cooking school
How to order: In person; sign up for cooking classes or order catered meals through the website.
CLT Rollie
Location: Varies (food truck & delivery service)
Cuisine: Specialty egg rolls
How to order: Online through DoorDash; also look for the food truck at local events, posted via Instagram.
Craft Tasting Room & Growler Shop
Location: 1320 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Cuisine: Charcuterie, cheese, sandwiches and craft beer
How to order: In person or online for pickup via ToastTab, DoorDash and GrubHub.
Daphne’s Bakery
Location: 7609 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, Mint Hill, NC 28227
Cuisine: Dessert
How to order: In person or online for custom cakes.
Dish
Location: 1220 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Cuisine: American/Southern
How to order: In person or online for pickup via Toast Tab or DoorDash.
Dulce Dreams Cafe
Location: Pop-ups, Uptown Farmer’s Market
Cuisine: Mexican bakery, dessert
How to order: Pre-order online for pickup.
Enat Ethiopian Restaurant
Location: 4450 The Plaza Ste D, Charlotte, NC 28215
Cuisine: Ethiopian
How to order: Dine in or online via DoorDash.
Everest Bistro
Location: 2910 Mt Holly-Huntersville Rd, Charlotte, NC 28214
Cuisine: Nepali and Indian fusion
How to order: In person or online through its website.
Fenwick’s
Location: 511 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207
Cuisine: American
How to order: In person, when it reopens.
Frida’s Mexican Cantina
Location: 8740 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226
Cuisine: Mexican
How to order: In person or online for pickup or delivery.
Geno D’s Pizza
Location: The Market at 7th Street, 224 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Cuisine: Jersey-style pizza
How to order: In person for dine-in or takeout; online ordering for pickup and local delivery is available through its website and Slice Life.
Grow Cafe
Location: 5324 Docia Crossing Road Suite B, Charlotte, NC
Cuisine: Coffee, light bites
Hestia
Location: 14819 Ballantyne Village Way, 16th Floor, Charlotte, NC 28277
Cuisine: Japanese fusion
How to order: Order online or dine in with a reservation.
Honeybear Bake Shop
Location: 4402 Stuart Andrew Blvd A, Charlotte, NC 28217
Cuisine: Cookies, dessert
How to order: Online for in-person pickup or shipping.
Jazzy’s Cheesecakes
Location: Charlotte restaurants
Cuisine: Gourmet cheesecakes
How to order: Online for local pickup at Qs Culinary Cart, Buffalo Eatz, Grow Cafe and West End Mini Mart.
Jewell Treats
Location: 902 W 4th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Cuisine: Cupcakes and pies
How to order: Call (980) 202-2530 for pickup or online for delivery via DoorDash.
Ken Cooks
Location: 430 Old Little Rock Rd, Charlotte, NC 28214
Cuisine: Soul food
How to order: Pre-order via Instagram message for in-person pickup or delivery for two or more orders before 10:30 a.m. Payments are cash only.
Lang Van
Location: 3019 Shamrock Dr, Charlotte, NC 28215
Cuisine: Vietnamese
How to order: In person or call (704) 531-9525.
Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails
Location: 1320 S Church St Unit 400, Charlotte, NC 28203
Cuisine: New American small plates (chef-driven menu with seasonal ingredients) and craft cocktails
How to order: In person or online for pickup or delivery.
Lola Ceviche & Peruvian Tapas
Location: 605 N Polk St - Suite E, Pineville, NC 28134
Cuisine: Peruvian, ceviche
How to order: In person or online for pickup.
Londa’s To Go
Location: 1540 West Blvd Suite 102, Charlotte, NC 28208
Cuisine: Soul food
How to order: In person, by phone at (980) 299-6461 or online for pickup or delivery.
Nacho Average Truck
Location: Varies (food truck)
Cuisine: Gourmet nachos
How to order: In person (its weekly schedule is posted on the website); it also caters private events.
Nikko Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Location: 325 Arlington Ave Ste 108, Charlotte, NC 28203
Cuisine: Japanese
How to order: Dine in.
Orrman’s Cheese Shop
Location: The Market at 7th Street, 224 E. 7th St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Cuisine: Cheese, charcuterie, light bites
How to order: In person or online.
Papi Queso
Location: Optimist Hall, 1115 N Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Cuisine: Gourmet grilled cheese and sandwiches
How to order: In person or online.
The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary
Location: 2326 Arty Ave., Charlotte, NC 28208
Cuisine: Tea
How to order: In person or call (980) 248-2653.
Pilot Brewing
Location: 1331 Central Ave UNIT 104, Charlotte, NC 28205
Cuisine: Beer
How to order: In person.
Pure Pizza
Location: 2838 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205
Cuisine: Pizza
How to order: In person or online.
Rio 150
Location: 8164 South Tryon St., Charlotte NC 28273 (coming soon)
Location: 8629 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord NC 28207
Location: Mill One, 201 N. Church Street, Mooresville, 28115
Location: 482 River Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28117
Cuisine: Mexican
How to order: In person or online for pickup.
Room Service
Location: Camp North End, 300 Camp Rd, Charlotte, NC 28206; Keswick District Suite 105
Cuisine: Beverages and bar bites
How to order: Visit in person.
Sanctuary Bistro
Location: 6414 Rea Rd Ste C2, Charlotte, NC 28277
Cuisine: Vegan and gluten-free gourmet
How to order: Dine in or online via the website for pickup.
Savor Restaurant and Bar
Location: 2530 Sardis Rd N, Charlotte, NC 28227
Cuisine: Latin American, American, fusion
How to order: In person or online via DoorDash, Postmates or Uber Eats for delivery.
Sen Mee Noodle House
Location: 3718 Central Ave Suite B, Charlotte, NC 28205
Cuisine: Thai and Vietnamese noodles
How to order: In person or online.
Skyview 22
Location: Walmart, 9820 Callabridge Ct. Charlotte NC 28214
Cuisine: American, Southern, soul food
How to order: In person or online.
Smelly Cat Coffeehouse
Location: 514 E 36th St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Cuisine: Coffeehouse and café
How to order: In person or online for pickup. It also sells freshly roasted coffee beans in-store and online.
Soul Miner’s Garden
Location: Camp North End, 1801 N. Graham St. STE 101 Charlotte, NC 28206
Cuisine: Vegan
How to order: In person at the counter or online for pickup.
Stephie’s Kitchen
Location: 1251 Arrow Pine Dr G200, Charlotte, NC 28273
Cuisine: American
How to order: In person or online via its website, GrubHub, Uber Eats or Postmates.
Sugar and Storm
Location: 2822 South Blvd Suite B, Charlotte, NC 28209
Cuisine: Custom cakes and desserts
How to order: As it operates out of SWIRL Dessert Bar, you can submit an order request on its website
.
Thoughtful Baking Co.
Location: Varies
Cuisine: Pies, pot pies, quiche
How to order: Online for delivery, or at farm-to-fridge sites at Birdsong Brewing Co. and Traditions.
Vera’s Kitchen
Location: 203 N. Broome St., Waxhaw, NC 28173
Location: 1951 Dickerson Blvd Suite A, Monroe, NC 28110
Cuisine: American, Mexican
How to order: In person or online via DoorDash, GrubHub, Postmates or UberEats.
Wheatberry Bakeshop
Location: 1425 Winnifred St Suite 105, Charlotte, NC 28203
Cuisine: Bakery
How to order: In person or online via its website for pickup.
Wildroots Cafe
Location: 500 E Morehead St #160, Charlotte, NC 28202
Location: 440 S Church St #101, Charlotte, NC 28202
Cuisine: Mobile coffee shop (espresso drinks, lattes, and teas from a traveling coffee bar)
How to order: Follow their Instagram for pop-up locations and hours; book via their website for special event requests.
This story was originally published July 18, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
