Food and Drink

Restaurant openings and closings: 135+ fresh bites on the Charlotte dining scene

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of stories explores recent restaurant and grocery openings and closings shaping Charlotte’s food landscape.

Dogwood Southern Table and Bar has reopened at The Westin Charlotte with a mix of returning and new menu items, while Whataburger entered the region with location updates and opening dates.

The Waterman Fish Bar closed its Cornelius spot, and Queen City Craft Gourmet shut down after over six years.

Rio 150 is moving into a former Chili’s property, and McCormick & Schmick’s has exited uptown Charlotte.

Read the stories below.

Cory Duran, owner of The People’s Market. By Heidi Finley

NO. 1: THE ULTIMATE LIST OF 135+ NEW RESTAURANTS, BARS AND CAFES COMING TO CHARLOTTE IN 2025

Check out the newest additions to Charlotte’s food and drink scene. | Published January 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by CharlotteFive staff

Dogwood Southern Table and Bar opened in January at the Westin Charlotte in uptown. By The Plaid Penguin

NO. 2: A POPULAR CHARLOTTE RESTAURANT FEATURING SOUTHERN FLAVORS HAS NOW REOPENED

The upscale dining spot closed a couple of years ago before reopening in a new, fully renovated space. | Published January 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

The Fisherman’s Pick at The Waterman.

NO. 3: A CHARLOTTE-AREA SEAFOOD JOINT PERMANENTLY CLOSED 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

Queen City Craft and Gourmet’s Diner burger. By Cat Read

NO. 4: SOUTH CHARLOTTE RESTAURANT CLOSED FOR GOOD AFTER YEARS OF SLINGING BURGERS, BEER

Fans had just a few days to stop in and grab one of their favorite shareables before saying farewell. | Published February 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Rio 150’s Aparrillada. By Creart Design Studio

NO. 5: 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

Whataburger’s first North Carolina restaurant opens in Gastonia on Thursday, May 29, with several more locations to follow. One will be in Rock Hill, slated to open in early 2026. By Heidi Finley

NO. 6: WHATABURGER OPENS A ROCK HILL LOCATION. HERE’S WHEN YOU CAN EAT THERE.

The first Whataburger in North Carolina has opened in the Charlotte area. | Published May 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Prime rib roast with herbs and spices. By Brent Hofacker/Courtesy of Landry’s

NO. 7: MCCORMICK & SCHMICK’S CLOSES IN UPTOWN, MARKING ITS EXIT FROM CHARLOTTE

Locations of the once-prominent steakhouse have been closing nationally. | 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.