Charlotte’s culinary landscape reshapes with nine significant changes
This collection of stories explores the transformations in Charlotte's dining scene through notable openings and closures in 2025.
Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse in Ballantyne and The Waterman Fish Bar in Cornelius have both closed their doors, marking departures in established neighborhoods. Meanwhile, the newly reopened Dogwood Southern Table and Bar brings Southern flavors back with its new location at The Westin Charlotte.
Beyond Amazing Donuts announced a closure but maintains presence at local markets, and McHale’s Irish Pub will soon return to the NoDa neighborhood. March also saw Mediterranean newcomers like Mazi and Nazo’s Mediterranean Bowls & Salads open, while the city said farewell to Bryant Seafood and JJ’s Red Hots.
Read the stories below.
NO. 1: TWO POPULAR CHARLOTTE RESTAURANTS PERMANENTLY CLOSE SOUTH END, BALLANTYNE LOCATIONS
“We’re in the midst of evaluating several exciting opportunities for the future of these spaces — including the possibility of a new dining concept,” the owner said. | Published January 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon
NO. 2: 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. | Published January 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by CharlotteFive staff
NO. 3: A POPULAR CHARLOTTE RESTAURANT FEATURING SOUTHERN FLAVORS HAS NOW REOPENED
Reservations are now available for the upscale dining spot that closed a couple of years ago and is now opening in a new, fully renovated space. | Published January 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley
NO. 4: A CHARLOTTE-AREA SEAFOOD JOINT IS PERMANENTLY CLOSING ITS DOORS AFTER 3 YEARS
“It’s been an honor to be a part of this community and we will cherish the memories made here,” the restaurant said in its closure announcement. | Published January 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon
NO. 5: MCHALE’S IS BACK: IRISH PUB WITH STRONG TIES TO FORT MILL, ROCK HILL WILL REOPEN IN CHARLOTTE
Back on tap: The Irish pub, with 20+ years in SC before its 2020 closure, is brewing up something new in NoDa. Here’s what you want to know. | Published March 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sunny Hubler
NO. 6: MEDITERRANEAN FOOD, NEW LOUNGES AND MORE: MARCH’S FOOD SCENE IN CHARLOTTE
13 restaurants opened, 8 closed in March + even more are on the way in Charlotte. | Published April 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley
NO. 7: 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
NO. 8: MOORESVILLE BARBECUE RESTAURANT RATED AMONG ‘AMERICA’S BEST’ HAS CLOSED, OWNER SAYS
“We cherished every moment serving you, however we are no longer open,” a notice on the shuttered restaurant’s front door reads. | Published April 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak
NO. 9: WHATABURGER IS OPENING A ROCK HILL LOCATION. HERE’S WHEN YOU CAN EAT THERE.
The first Whataburger in North Carolina opens this week in the Charlotte area — and more will quickly follow. | Published May 28, 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.