5 new restaurants opening soon in Charlotte (+ what’s coming to Packard Place?)
The Charlotte food scene is constantly growing and shifting with new restaurants — from cozy diners to swanky lounges — opening every day.
This week, I reported five restaurant openings — and found out what’s taking over the former Bar One space in Packard Place. (You can find a full roundup of this week’s food & drink news here.)
Locals in Plaza Midwood can grab fluffy Mexican pastries on the fly, and in South Charlotte, there’s a “cozy” new spot that promises Korean street food, soju pours and more.
COCO Express
Location: 3216 South Blvd #102, Charlotte, NC 28209
COCO Express, a new carryout concept from the Coco Mexican Restaurants family, opened on Friday, Dec. 5.
Customers can expect “fresh flavors, fast service, and the COCO experience you love” at chain’s newest location in South End. Traditional Mexican fare is on the menu, including carne asada, flautas and chicken fajitas.
Restaurant hours weren’t immediately available.
Wakey Wakey
Location: 1640 Sardis Road N, B160, Charlotte, NC 28270
Those seeking classic breakfast and lunch can find it at Wakey Wakey, Charlotte’s newest brunch spot.
The restaurant officially opened Thursday, Dec. 4, offering guests a from-scratch menu featuring pancakes, avocado toast, breakfast sandwiches and even a few Mexican-inspired dishes.
“It’s a pretty big menu, I must say,” owner Juan Martinez told CharlotteFive. “Anything you can think of, we have it as far as breakfast and lunch.”
Wakey Wakey is open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m daily.
Dulce Dreams Cafe | La Conchis
Location: Pop-ups, The Village Collective
A bakery on wheels? That’s exactly what Norma Zuniga had in mind for her latest venture.
Zuniga, owner of Dulce Dreams Café, will sell traditional Mexican pastries called conchas and other sweet treats from her van, fittingly called La Conchis. The mobile bakery will set up shop at The Village Collective in Plaza Midwood on Monday through Friday and rotate locations on weekends.
The menu features more than 100 conchas flavors including vanilla, cookies and cream and pistachio chocolate. Customers will also find an assortment of drinks from aguas frescas to Latin-inspired iced lattes.
“My main goal is to show the city the sweet side of Mexican cuisine,” Zuniga said.
Packard Tavern
Location: 222 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Packard Tavern, the latest concept by High Tide Hospitality, will take over the former Bar One space in uptown, owner Paul Manley told CharlotteFive.
The 4,800 square-foot restaurant is slated to open in spring 2026. The space will also include a private dining room and dedicated chef’s table.
“We’re leaning into the word ‘tavern,’ and taverns go back to the founding of this country as a pivotal place to gather within the town square,” Manley said.
The contemporary American menu will feature classic dishes including short rib, chicken pasta and a “premium” tavern burger. For drinks, customers can expect classic cocktails alongside a smaller menu of refined creations.
MASIJA
Location: 8320 Pineville-Matthews Rd Ste 607, Charlotte, NC
A new Korean bar is bringing beer, light bites and more to South Charlotte.
Masija, which means “Let’s drink,” opened Thursday, Dec. 4, in the former 704 Korean BBQ spot.
“Introducing Charlotte’s first sojubang — a cozy Korean bar for slow nights, small bites, soju pours, and K-drama moments you’ll want to replay,” the restaurant wrote on Instagram.
Masija is open Sunday through Thursday 4-10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 4-11 p.m.
Additional information wasn’t immediately available.
Zamindar’s Club House
Location: 155 New Bern St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Zamindar’s, a fine dining restaurant and lounge, is the latest in a wave of Indian restaurants to join Charlotte’s food scene.
Slated to open in early 2026, the upscale eatery will replace the shuttered Link & Pin restaurant in South End.
“An Indian restaurant & lounge shaped by a shared love of music and food,” a sign covering a window of the forthcoming restaurant reads.
CharlotteFive reached out to Zamindar’s for more information.
This story was originally published December 5, 2025 at 2:20 PM.