Food and Drink

7 Charlotte classics and newcomers every foodie must try

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

Many articles highlight Charlotte's mix of long-standing favorites and new restaurant concepts. They show how established spots maintain loyal followings while recent additions add fresh energy and flavors. Both types appeal to locals and visitors who want variety.

Benny’s Pizza serves affordable oversized slices across several locations.

Optimist Hall houses a range of eateries offering Southern, Asian, Italian, and Mexican dishes under one roof.

DŌZO Japanese American Kitchen creates composed plates like crab fried rice and bento boxes in a small setting. Lanzhou Hand-Pulled Noodles lets guests watch chefs stretch fresh noodles while serving other rarely found Chinese dishes.

Alexander Michael’s stands as a fixture in uptown, known for comfort food like spicy crab soup and sandwiches.

Haberdish draws diners with fried green tomatoes and tomato pie, giving Southern classics a twist. Each place represents Charlotte’s evolving food scene and the diverse cuisines available to food lovers.

An assortment of sandwiches and a salad from Sandwich Max.

NO. 1: 15 LOCAL LUNCH SPOTS WHERE YOU CAN GET A MEAL UNDER $15 IN CHARLOTTE

These lunch deals will fill you up — and help you support small businesses at the same time. | Published August 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Alexandra Maloney

Diners at Coquette in uptown Charlotte.

NO. 2: 13 BEST RESTAURANTS IN UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, FROM ELEVATED SPOTS TO TRIED & TRUE FAVORITES

There has never been a better time to head uptown for dinner and drinks out. From casual spots to fine dining, here’s a list of our favorites in Charlotte’s Center City. | Published November 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Sunny Hubler

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

Gibson Mill Market in Concord is expanding its lineup in May with two new additions: Piatto Fresco, a Mediterranean eatery, and Gelato di Luna, a gelato shop from the owner of Taco Street. By Catherine Muccigrosso

NO. 4: TWO EATERIES TO DEBUT, ADDING NEW FLAVORS TO GIBSON MILL MARKET FOOD HALL IN CONCORD

The market was the city’s first food hall, opening three years ago in a repurposed mill. | Published April 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso

At Lanzhou Hand-Pulled Noodles in Matthews, you can watch the chef work on your dinner. By Tonya Russ Price

NO. 5: NEW CHINESE RESTAURANT IN MATTHEWS PUTS THE ART OF NOODLE-MAKING ON DISPLAY

The Charlotte-area restaurant serves authentic, hand-pulled Lanzhou noodles — and allows you to watch while they’re made. | Published April 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

The Diamond Restaurant’s Gyros Platter has lamb, lettuce, tomato, onions, cucumbers, feta cheese, olives beets, tzatziki and pita bread. Side of collards. By Alex Cason

NO. 6: 15 SPOTS WASN’T ENOUGH — NEWCOMERS NEED TO TRY THESE CHARLOTTE RESTAURANTS, TOO

From Greek diners to soul food, here are 27 more restaurants that you’d recommend to new Charlotteans for a taste of the Queen City. | Published June 4, 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. 7: 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.