Charlotte's restaurant scene: What's opened and closed recently?

The curated articles together depict the dynamic and changing landscape of Charlotte's restaurant scene in August 2025, highlighting closures, new openings, and unique culinary concepts.

Charlotteans witness the NoDa area gaining a reputation for having the best burgers, with a concealed food truck at Copperhead Social reportedly serving exceptional ones.

Mattie’s Diner, a long-standing fixture, closed as its owner shifts focus to another venture.

Meanwhile, the Milkshake Factory enters Charlotte, offering an expansive menu of over 26 milkshake flavors. Additionally, a new dessert spot opening provides a sweet twist to the local dining experiences.

These are just some of the transitions within the dining community, which includes iconic eateries closing while innovative concepts arise.

Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar’s All American Burger.

NO. 1: HOW TO NAVIGATE CHARLOTTE’S FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING SCENE WITHOUT TANTRUMS

From tots to teens, here are 30 kid-approved restaurants to check out in the Charlotte area. | Published August 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Expect fresh, seasonal dining at Spaghett. By Karmataun Productions

NO. 2: THE 7 HARDEST RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS TO GET IN CHARLOTTE — AND HOW TO SCORE A SEAT

We’ve all been there. | Published August 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Albertine, a fine-dining establishment by the Kindreds, is in uptown Charlotte. By Blake Pope/Kindred Studio

NO. 3: GARDEN & GUN INCLUDED THIS CHARLOTTE EATERY ON ITS LIST OF MUST-TRY RESTAURANTS

A national publication recently featured a Charlotte restaurant on its list of must-try eateries. | Published August 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Evan Moore

The visionaries behind it all: A warm welcome back to Soul Gastrolounge owners Lesa and Andy Kastanas, pictured inside their newly reopened Charlotte restaurant on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. After a highly anticipated return, the popular spot is now open in a new space near the Sugar Creek LYNX station, reviving a Queen City favorite. By Alex Cason

NO. 4: SOUL GASTROLOUNGE IS NOW OPEN. GET AN INSIDE LOOK AT ITS NEW CHARLOTTE HOME.

Much-loved Charlotte restaurant Soul Gastrolounge is back in a new location. | Published August 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Matt King, owner of Mattie’s Diner, pours syrup over a stack of blueberry pancakes. By Alex Cason

NO. 5: ICONIC CHARLOTTE EATERY CLOSES AS OWNER SHIFTS FROM WHIMSY TO WAFFLES

Why beloved Plaza Midwood eatery Mattie’s Diner closed. | Published August 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Evan Moore

The Philly cheesesteak, onion rings, fries and banana pudding at Bedder Bedder & Moore in Charlotte. By Evan Moore

NO. 6: I TRIED THE FOOD AT CHARLOTTE’S NEWEST ‘LAW FIRM.’ HERE’S WHAT I GOT FOR $25

If you’ve driven by the restaurant Bedder Bedder Moore in LoSo, you’ve probably mistaken it for a law firm (or perhaps a mattress store). | Published August 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Evan Moore

Charlotte-area restaurateurs Jon and Amy Fortes are opening Sip & Cinder in Waxhaw later this year.

NO. 7: CHARLOTTE-AREA RESTAURATEURS BRING A SMOKY, SPIRITED TWIST TO NEW WAXHAW EATERY

After years of building a name for himself in the Charlotte-area dining scene, chef and restaurateur Jon Fortes is bringing something new to Waxhaw — a cocktail-forward barbecue concept he says the town has been missing. | Published August 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Evan Moore

Desserts from a Rada and Customshop collaboration dinner. By Michael Winters

NO. 8: 9 MUST-TRY CHARLOTTE CHEF COLLABS, FROM RAMEN MASHUPS TO LUXE TASTING MENUS

In Charlotte’s ever-evolving food scene, collaboration is now a mainstay. | Published August 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shindy Chen

The sign at the new Cook Out in West Columbia, SC. By Chris Trainor

NO. 9: A COOK OUT RESTAURANT CONCEPT IS COMING TO CHARLOTTE. WHAT WE KNOW

Cook Out, the Thomasville‑based fast food giant famed for chargrilled burgers and more than 40 milkshake flavors, is expanding its experimental taco concept, Taco Roos, to Charlotte. | Published August 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Evan Moore

I long ago found the meanest, baddest, cheapest and best burger in Mooresville, in a downtown breakfast and lunch spot where veterans have many stories to share. By JOE MARUSAK

NO. 10: I FOUND THE MEANEST, BADDEST, CHEAPEST, BEST BURGER IN MOORESVILLE

With minutes to spare before the restaurant’s daily lunchtime closing, I entered Richard’s Coffee Shop through the door on its back porch, nearly out of breath. | Published August 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

Coco Mexican Restaurant is opening a second location at The Fountains, 8145 Ardrey Kell Rd., #103, in Charlotte. By Google Street View

NO. 11: ‘THE RUMORS ARE TRUE.’ A FLAVORFUL MEXICAN RESTAURANT WILL OPEN IN CHARLOTTE

A Mexican restaurant picked among the area’s most underrated spots has set its sights on Charlotte for its newest location. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

The cocktail menu at Retro will feature drinks with a nostalgic twist, like the “Pop, Rock and Drop It,” garnished with rock candy and Pop Rocks. By Bradley Havens @haven_visuals

NO. 12: ‘SERIOUS NOSTALGIA.’ BAR PROMISES 80S, 90S AND 2000S MUSIC AT NEW CHARLOTTE SPOT

Those in search of cocktails, music and vibes reminiscent of decades past can soon find them at a new bar opening soon in uptown Charlotte. | Published August 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

Improper Pig, a barbecue-Asian fusion restaurant, is getting a refresh featuring updated signage and interiors, as shown in this rendering. By Southwick Architecture + Interiors

NO. 13: ‘POSITIVELY IMPROPER’ BARBECUE JOINT TO OPEN NEW CHARLOTTE LOCATION. WHAT TO KNOW

A beloved barbecue spot with Asian flair is looking to expand its footprint in Charlotte with a refreshed look — and a new flagship restaurant. | Published August 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

The dining area at Kaya Gastrolounge in Belmont. By Alex Cason

NO. 14: ‘HEARTBROKEN.’ ANOTHER CHARLOTTE-AREA RESTAURANT IS CLOSING ITS DOORS

Another Charlotte-area restaurant is closing its doors, leaving guests less than a week to grab one last bite. | Published August 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

Buona Vita offers satisfying pizza in a sports bar environment in Ballantyne. By Jamie Graziano

NO. 15: GAME ON! BUONA VITA SERVES UP SATISFYING PIZZA WITH A SIDE OF SPORTS BAR FUN

Buona Vita, located in the Ballantyne area of South Charlotte, blends pub energy with an Italian twist, serving up pizza in a setting that feels more like a neighborhood sports bar than an Italian kitchen. | Published August 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tristan Graziano and Jamie Graziano

Krispy Kreme’s “bewitching” new lineup includes five limited-time doughnuts inspired by the Harry Potter series. The Harry Potter: Houses of Hogwarts x Krispy Kreme Collection launches Aug. 18, 2025.

NO. 16: KRISPY KREME DEBUTS 5 NEW HARRY POTTER-THEMED DOUGHNUTS. WHEN CAN YOU GET THEM?

Krispy Kreme is tapping into the wizarding world of Harry Potter for its latest doughnut collection. | Published August 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

Founder of ‘Music with friends’ Larry Farber looks on prior to a concert at Carolina Theatre, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Observer/Matt Kelley)

NO. 17: FRIENDS WITH CHARLOTTE’S ‘MR. MUSIC MAN’? HE’LL HAPPILY HELP YOU MEET A LEGEND.

Within 15 seconds of greeting a visitor in the driveway of his Myers Park home, Larry Farber’s teeing up one of his famous stories about — naturally — a famous person. | Published August 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Theoden Janes

“Top Chef” host Kristen Kish and judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons are heading to Charlotte to film Season 23, with a few stops in Greenville, S.C. By David Moir/Bravo

NO. 18: WHERE WOULD A ‘TOP CHEF’ JUDGE EAT IN CHARLOTTE? HERE’S WHAT THEY’VE TRIED SO FAR

The “Top Chef” team has landed in Charlotte to begin filming Season 23 of the award-winning culinary competition, and all eyes are on the food. | Published August 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

The space formerly occupied by Siam Garden, pictured here, will soon have a new tenant. Inchin’s Bamboo Garden is set to open its second Charlotte-area location in the former Thai restaurant space. By Google Street View

NO. 19: FUSION RESTAURANT PROMISES ‘FOOD FROM THE FAR EAST’ AT NEW CHARLOTTE LOCATION

A fusion restaurant serving Indo-Chinese cuisine is coming to South Charlotte. | Published August 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

This non-descript food truck behind Copperhead Social Club is where burger magic happens. By Timothy DePeugh

NO. 20: CHARLOTTE’S BEST BURGER IS HIDDEN BEHIND A BAR IN NODA

Behind Copperhead Social, a cozy little bar in NoDa where Brevard meets North Davidson, sits a nondescript food truck. | Published August 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Timothy DePeugh

Yugenn is slated to open at the beginning of September.

NO. 21: LATE-NIGHT EATERY TO BRING SUSHI, CRAFT COCKTAILS AND LIVE DJ SETS TO CHARLOTTE

With few late-night dining options in Charlotte, a new eatery is stepping in to fill the void, serving sushi, cocktails – and live DJ sets in South End. | Published August 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Evan Moore

Milkshake Factory’s menu features a variety of “indulgent” flavors -- more than 26 in all.

NO. 22: DESSERT SHOP WITH OVER 26 ‘INDULGENT’ MILKSHAKE FLAVORS TO OPEN IN CHARLOTTE

Milkshakes, sundaes and small-batch chocolates, oh my. | Published August 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

Charlotte 49ers running back Hahsaun Wilson (38) with the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Antavious Lane (1) defends in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. By Bob Donnan

NO. 23: HERE’S A LIST OF BARS & RESTAURANTS TO WATCH UNC CHARLOTTE FOOTBALL ALL SEASON

When I was a student at UNC Charlotte, I rarely missed a football game — tailgate and all. | Published August 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Evan Moore

Guests of Pump Social can expect nearly a dozen handcrafted sandwiches, salads and grain bowls alongside several beer and wine options.

NO. 24: OLD SERVICE STATION IS NOW AN EATERY SERVING ARTISAN-STYLE SANDWICHES IN CONCORD

What was once a service station is now a cozy restaurant serving up handcrafted sandwiches and more in the heart of downtown Concord. | Published August 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

Guests at Market on Morehead can expect a 62-table dining room, double sided bar, climate-controlled patio area and more, according to Swinerton Builders.

NO. 25: NEW RESTAURANT PROMISES GOURMET FOOD, COCKTAILS IN CHARLOTTE’S SOUTH END

A new dining concept is coming to Charlotte’s South End community, though customers will have to wait a few more months before they get a first taste. | Published August 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

A white SUV crashed through Coffee Republic and Bakery, leaving behind a trail of destruction, photos show. No injuries were reported.

NO. 26: CHARLOTTE-AREA COFFEE SHOP ‘CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE’ AFTER SUV RAMS BUSINESS

A Charlotte-area coffee shop will remain closed following a crash over the weekend. | Published August 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

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.