Food and Drink

What happened in September in Charlotte's food scene? 19 things to know.

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

Charlotte's food scene witnessed a progression of new openings and expansions this September.

Emerging trends featured a mix of unique eateries and beverage spots that introduced diverse culinary options to the city. Several articles highlighted restaurants opening their first locations in Charlotte, along with other notable expansions.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, a chain known for its diverse flavors, announced the opening of its first North Carolina location in Plaza Midwood. The new spot will serve its customary ice creams and vegan options, alongside local collaborations.

A new open-air plaza debuted in uptown Charlotte, bringing live music and a dynamic food and drink experience curated by Mimosa Grill. The collaboration with Resident Culture Brewing promises to create a popular gathering spot with brews and bites.

In another development, Sala, a European-style cocktail bar, opened in the Eastover neighborhood, offering an assortment of cocktails with a historical flair. Its intimate setting, rooted in Charlotte's prohibition era, aims to become a meeting point for those seeking a nostalgic drink setting.

Also noteworthy, PoppyCox prepares to launch its first permanent location at Optimist Hall, featuring authentic Nashville hot chicken with varying heat levels. Initially, a local food truck, PoppyCox's opening marks its transition to a stable presence in Charlotte's vibrant dining hub.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is opening a new scoop shop in Charlotte’s Plaza Midwood neighborhood in 2025. By Chyna Blackmon

NO. 1: NYC’S VAN LEEUWEN ICE CREAM SCOOPS UP NEW LOCATION OPENING SOON IN CHARLOTTE

This will be the New York-based ice cream chain’s first scoop shop in North Carolina. Here’s when it opens. | Published January 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

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. 2: 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 CharlotteFive Generic, Tanasia Kenney

New Italian lounge Sala will feature select desserts, including panna cotta. By Stefanie Haviv

NO. 3: EUROPEAN-STYLE COCKTAIL BAR BRINGS ‘WARM WISHES & COLD DRINKS’ TO CHARLOTTE

A new bar and lounge is coming to Charlotte, promising guests “warm wishes cold drinks.” Sala, a new European-style cocktail lounge, opens Sept. | Published September 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

The concept for Distro Beer Hall, Charlotte’s newest destination for craft beer lovers, was inspired by food halls. By Tamia Boyd

NO. 4: FOUR BREWERIES. ONE ROOF: ‘ONE-OF-A KIND’ BEER HALL NOW OPEN IN SOUTH END

There’s no shortage of food halls in Charlotte, and the city’s newest concept was made with beer lovers in mind. | Published September 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

The Plaza Beer Garden in uptown Charlotte will feature artwork from local artist NONY. By The Plaid Penguin

NO. 5: SAY, CHEERS! A NEW OPEN-AIR BEER GARDEN IS COMING SOON TO UPTOWN CHARLOTTE

Live music, bites and brews are coming to an outdoor space in uptown Charlotte soon. | Published September 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

The Board Babe is a café specializing in artisan charcuterie boards and upscale catering at Optimist Park in Charlotte. By Taylor Lover

NO. 6: NEW CUSTOM CHARCUTERIE AND CATERING COMPANY IS NOW OPEN IN CHARLOTTE

An artisan charcuterie company has found a new home — and a new name — in Charlotte’s Optimist Park neighborhood. | Published September 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

South Mill at Elizabeth, located on Fort Mill Parkway, will get a new Beignets & Brew French Donuts location.

NO. 7: FORT MILL IS GETTING A NEW BEIGNET AND COFFEE SHOP. SEE WHAT ELSE IS ON THE MENU

Made-to-order French donuts, Nutella lattes, breakfast croissants and bananas foster sundaes are coming to Fort Mill. | Published September 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by John Marks

Tacos Al Pastor at The Happy Egg.

NO. 8: NEW MOORESVILLE FAMILY RESTAURANT FEATURES CHEF-OWNER’S HOMEMADE RECIPES

After decades as a chef at well known Lake Norman and other Charlotte-area restaurants, Cornelio Garcia fulfilled a longtime dream recently. | Published September 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

The Eagle Food & Beer Hall is known for its house-brined, hand-dredged, fresh-fried chicken. By Courtesy of The Eagle/Emily Lang

NO. 9: SOUTHERN EATERY TO CLOSE ITS DOORS IN SOUTH END. ‘WE ARE SO GRATEFUL’

A food and beer hall known for serving up Southern fare is leaving Charlotte. | Published September 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

Opened in 2019, Hoof and Barrel serves classic American fare including burgers, hot dogs, steaks and other staples, according to its menu.

NO. 10: BEER AND BURGER JOINT WITH SOUTHERN FLARE OPENS SOON IN FORT MILL. WHAT WE KNOW.

A popular York County eatery is bringing its famous burgers and beers to Fort Mill. | Published September 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

Concord Trading post offers a “build your own” sandwich option that includes your choice of bread, meat, cheese toppings and sauce.

NO. 11: GRAB-AND-GO SANDWICH SHOP WITH BAGELS, WRAPS AND MORE NOW OPEN IN CONCORD

Those in search of a good sandwich are sure to find one they like at a new fast-casual market in the heart of Concord. | Published September 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

Little Mama’s Rea Farms location in South Charlotte is now open. By Tonya Price

NO. 12: CHARLOTTE’S LITTLE MAMA’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT EXPANDS TO LAKE NORMAN

Charlotte’s Little Mama’s Italian restaurant is expanding to Lake Norman with its Italian-American classics and brick oven pizzas, founder Frank Scibelli said Wednesday, Sept. | Published September 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

Fort Mill's former municipal building, shown here on Confederate Street, will become a mix of offices and what could become Fort Mill's first speakeasy. By TRACY KIMBALL

NO. 13: OLD SC JAIL NEAR CHARLOTTE COULD BECOME A NEW SPEAKEASY. HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW

Plans aren’t locked in yet, but Fort Mill’s former jail could become the town’s first speakeasy. | Published September 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by John Marks

The creative concept will combine art, wellness and community in an expanded studio set to open at Charlotte’s Camp North End.

NO. 14: 'LIKE A DELI,’ BUT THERE'S NO FOOD AT THIS CAFé MOVING TO NEW SPACE IN CHARLOTTE

Charlotte is getting another café — but it isn’t what you think. | Published September 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

Smoked turkey, collard greens and Frito pie at Bear Walrus. By Heidi Finley

NO. 15: BEARS, BARBECUE AND BOURBON: A BUZZY NEW RESTAURANT NEAR CHARLOTTE MEASURES UP

Bear Walrus, a new barbecue and seafood restaurant getting plenty of buzz just across the border from Charlotte in York County, is now open in Rock Hill near 19th at the Warehouses and The Mercantile. | Published September 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

La Bonbonnière Bakery is located at 329 S Tryon St. By Courtesy of La Bonbonnière Bakery

NO. 16: BELOVED BAKERY BRINGS ‘OFFICIAL COOKIE LAB’ TO NEW CHARLOTTE SPOT. WHAT TO KNOW

A beloved Charlotte bakery is expanding, which means more homemade sweets. | Published September 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

PoppyCox, a pop-up specializing in Nashville hot chicken, will open its first brick-and-mortar location at Optimist Hall in Charlotte.

NO. 17: CHARLOTTE NATIVE BRINGS AUTHENTIC NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN TO NEW RESTAURANT

Some like it hot, and new Nashville-style fried chicken spot is bringing the heat to Charlotte’s dining scene. | Published September 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

Wichita’s second 7 Brew drive-through coffee shop opened today at Douglas and Rock. By Courtesy photo

NO. 18: DRIVE-THROUGH COFFEE CHAIN CONTINUES EXPANSION WITH FIRST CHARLOTTE-AREA SHOP

7 Brew Coffee, an Arkansas-based drive-thru coffee chain, is expanding its footprint in North Carolina with a new location in the Charlotte area. | Published September 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Evan Moore

A crab cake in a takeout box at Sol’Delish CLT in University City. By Alex Cason

NO. 19: SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT TO SERVE SOUTHERN COMFORT WITH A TWIST AT NEW CHARLOTTE SPOT

A popular soul food restaurant is expanding its footprint with a new location in Charlotte’s University City. | Published September 26, 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.