Want the perfect game day weekend in Charlotte? Just ask chef Rocco Whalen.
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- Chef Rocco Whalen shares his Charlotte itinerary for Panthers game day weekend.
- Local stops include Sauna House, Optimist Hall, NoDa’s The Exchange and Fahrenheit.
- Weekend ends with art, brunch and football at Platform Sports on Sunday afternoon.
The Carolina Panthers are kicking off the preseason with a match against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium on Friday, Aug. 8. Game day weekends in Charlotte are electric; the city pulses to the beat of the Panthers fans’ energy. But with so much going on, it can be difficult to decide where to go, what to do and how to celebrate.
CharlotteFive asked Rocco Whalen, the chef-owner of Fahrenheit in uptown, to give us his game day weekend itinerary. With a Fahrenheit location in Cleveland and one in Charlotte, Whalen is an expert on the two cities.
Whalen, a born-and-raised Clevelander, found his way to the Queen City in 2014. Now, he divides his time between Charlotte and Cleveland.
”Cleveland is home base,” he told CharlotteFive. “But my wife and I do have a condo in uptown.”
As for which team he roots for — it’s complicated.
“I love the Browns — they’re my hometown team,” Whalen explained. “When I opened (Fahrenheit), I had the opportunity to really watch the Panthers — Cam Newton, Roman Harper, and all my favorites — go 15-1 and go to the Super Bowl … I would be very torn if they were in the Super Bowl against each other.”
Despite the mixed loyalties, he’s all ready for this weekend’s matchup. Check out Whalen’s game day weekend itinerary below.
Friday morning
When Whalen flies into Charlotte from Cleveland — especially on a busy game day weekend — he always schedules time for some much-needed relaxation. Life is all about balance, especially when running two rooftop restaurants across the country.
After landing at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, he makes his way over to Sauna House, a traditional Finnish spa in the Wesley Heights neighborhood. Sauna House, with its cold plunges and warm saunas, allows for a refresh of the mind, body and spirit — this is a big weekend of imbibing, after all.
“ It’s probably the most energetic recovery center with a sauna and cold plunge that’s opened in Charlotte,” Whalen said. “I fell in love with it instantly.”
Friday afternoon
After a morning of relaxation, it’s time to fuel before the preseason game. Whalen recommends stopping by Optimist Hall for a mini food crawl. There, he’ll grab a bite from Harriet’s Hamburgers, The Dumpling Lady or Marina’s Tapas.
“ If I’m coming in for a long weekend, I’d want to hit Optimist Hall,” Whalen told CharlotteFive. “I think it’s a great opportunity for you to engage in all sorts of great things in Charlotte, whether it’s a burger from Harriet’s or maybe some dumplings from The Dumpling Lady.”
Optimist Hall has plenty of diverse options, ensuring a little something for everyone. Not in the mood for a burger or dumplings? Opt for Indian street food at Botiwalla by Chai Pani, or perhaps an artisanal grilled cheese from Papi Queso; there’s also Ethiopian fare at Enat. And ESO Artisanal Pasta is opening there Friday, Aug. 8.
After getting some grub, Whalen pops over to The Exchange at 36th in NoDa for some pregame wine and cocktails. The Exchange is a bodega, bar and restaurant all in one. With a mix of vintage furniture and artwork, it’s cozy and kitschy and has NoDa written all over it.
“ It’s a little small boutique place, but if you love NoDa, it’s a great place to start,” Whalen said.
Friday night
It’s back to uptown for the final stop before the big game: Whalen’s rooftop restaurant, Fahrenheit.
“I’d probably pregame after NoDa at my rooftop,” Whalen said. “Maybe a slice of sashimi or a sushi roll, or a chicken spring roll, or some things that we really do well.”
Soak in the panoramic city views, order some craft cocktails — or beer if that’s your thing — and grab a few dishes like Fahrenheit’s ahi poke nachos, sushi or its wagyu short rib steam buns.
Game time: Panthers vs. Browns
After enjoying the views at Fahrenheit, Whalen hops over to the Bank of America Stadium for the 7 p.m. kickoff. The rooftop restaurant is only a few blocks away, after all.
If you still have room in your stomach for the game, he recommends grabbing some loaded nachos at Spudz or checking out Wok and Roll. Spudz can be found at sections 118 and 536, and Wok & Roll is at 307 in the stadium.
Post-game brew
Whether the Panthers win or lose, it’s time to head toward Plaza Midwood to grab a cheap brew at one of the city’s most well-known dive bars: The Thirsty Beaver Saloon. Tucked between a massive apartment building and frequented by rockstars, the tiny bar is a relic.
It’s the perfect spot to celebrate a win or commiserate a loss; no matter the outcome, you’re in good company.
“ Post-game Friday night, I would want to take my friends and family over to the Thirsty Beaver Saloon,” Whalen said. “I feel like my family is just like Mick Jagger and as iconic as he is.”
Saturday morning recovery
The best cure for a post-game day hangover? Some fresh air and a big brunch.
Whalen recommends heading north of Charlotte toward the Latta Nature Preserve and finding some peace and quiet on a trail walk.
Touch grass. Reconnect. Whatever you do, don’t let the hangxiety win.
After some time outside, head over to Hello, Sailor on Lake Norman for a well-earned brunch. Grab something fried and something fresh — and definitely get the hush puppies. Again, life is about balance. If you’re feeling up to it, stop by Hello, Sailor’s tiki bar for a hair-of-the-dog cocktail.
Saturday afternoon
After brunch, head back to Charlotte for some art therapy. Whalen, a self-described “sneakerhead,” enjoys visiting The Shoedio, a custom shoe store where you can paint your own sneakers.
“ You get to go in and pick a style of shoe or bring a style of shoe,” Whalen explained. “Then you get to go through a custom painting class on how to paint them, and you can make them your own.”
Saturday night
For dinner, Whalen will either head to a classic, hidden-gem of a restaurant like New Zealand Cafe, or grab some authentic North Carolina barbecue at Midwood Smokehouse.
“It’s one of the places that chefs go to often on a Sunday night where you see them having Sapporo’s or saki bombs — I think they do a really great job. It’s nothing crazy fancy, but it’s really delicious.” Whalen said of New Zealand Cafe.
Sunday reset
It’s Sunday, at last! The day of rest. It’s been a long, but fun game day weekend exploring Charlotte with Whalen.
Today, he suggests one last cold plunge at Sauna House before a quiet brunch at Milkbread in Plaza Midwood.
If you still have football in your heart, finish off your day at Platform Sports in LoSo. There, you can catch the game on one of Platform’s many large screen televisions.
“ That’s how I’d want to kind of settle out on a Sunday,” Whalen said. “You’ll probably see me there Sunday afternoon, just chilling out and enjoying myself.”
