Food and Drink

6 ways new dining spots are reshaping the Charlotte area

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

The articles focus on new dining spots and how they have changed Charlotte’s food scene over the past year. They show restaurant owners and chefs introducing different cuisines and concepts. These new businesses often replace well-known spaces and connect with the local community.

One article shows a Caribbean restaurant replacing an Italian spot in NoDa. Another describes a Japanese food truck evolving into a small restaurant with a creative menu. A popular breakfast place opens a second location in the Lake Norman area. A new Italian restaurant takes over a familiar SouthPark space and serves traditional and modern dishes. Each example highlights owners and chefs with distinct backgrounds who bring new flavors and ideas to the city.

Employees pose behind the front counter of Rise Cafe’s new Mooresville location on opening day, Friday, July 26, 2024. By JOE MARUSAK

NO. 1: POPULAR HUNTERSVILLE EATERY OPENS 2ND LAKE NORMAN-AREA BREAKFAST AND LUNCH SPOT

“95%-plus of what we put on the plate, we made it from scratch, fresh, in house.” | Published July 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

Angela Chan of Charlotte Date Night “can’t just pick one” favorite restaurant — she visits a variety of spots.

NO. 2: WHERE TO FIND CHARLOTTE’S BEST BITES, ACCORDING TO FOOD BLOGGERS AND INFLUENCERS

Get an insider’s view on top Charlotte dining spots with these recommendations from 14 local food bloggers and creators. | Published September 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mari Pressley

Sesame broccoli at DŌZO Japanese American Kitchen. By Jenny Hartley

NO. 3: DŌZO JAPANESE AMERICAN KITCHEN: FROM KATSU KART TO UPSCALE CHARLOTTE RESTAURANT

The 12-seat spot boasts lunchtime bento boxes, small plates and more. | Published February 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenny Hartley

Fontana di Vino is now open near DTR SouthPark.

NO. 4: NEW ITALIAN RESTAURANT TAKES OVER WELL-KNOWN RESTAURANT SPACE IN SOUTHPARK

The eatery offers a blend of traditional flavors and modern creativity with pasta, prime steaks, seafood and more. | Published May 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Rally co-founders Meg Charity and Barrett Worthington. By Amanda Anderson

NO. 5: NEW RESTAURANT HENRIETTA’S OPENS WITH FRESH, SEASONAL DINING IN LOSO CHARLOTTE

This new restaurant featuring an ostrich mascot offers dinner party vibes with an elevated menu from one of Charlotte’s top chefs. | Published June 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Fried green tomatoes were recently added to Haberdish’s dinner menu by executive chef Lex Falardeau. By Allie Papajohn/Haberdish

NO. 6: CHARLOTTE RESTAURANT FEATURED BY SOUTHERN LIVING FOR ITS SUMMERTIME TOMATO DISHES

Why this NoDa neighborhood’s spot is the toast of Southern Living’s list. | Published June 23, 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.