Food and Drink

These are Charlotte’s 25 best new restaurants of 2025, according to you

By Chyna Blackmon and Heidi Finley

An overwhelming 180+ new restaurants opened in Charlotte this year, making it tough for food-lovers in the Queen City to narrow down what’s worth a try.

So we put the question to you: Which restaurants that opened in 2025 are the best of the best?

For more casual meals, restaurants with pizza, pasta, burgers and tacos certainly popped up among the favorites. So did neighborhood date night spots and fine dining options with small plates, sushi and seasonal menus.

They also span across the Charlotte area, with selections in Concord, Lake Norman, Pineville, Stallings and Waxhaw.

Here are your Top 25 restaurants of 2025:

Casa Azteca Mexican Grill

Location: 140 Regency Center Drive, Mooresville NC 28117

Clark’s Snack Bar

Location: 3001 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

Clark’s Snack Bar opened in the former space of The Good Wurst Company on Central Avenue with a similar grill-out style menu.
Clark’s Snack Bar opened in the former space of The Good Wurst Company on Central Avenue with a similar grill-out style menu. Kayleigh Ruller

Concord Trading Post

Location: 37 Union St S # A1, Concord, NC

ESO Artisanal Pasta

Location: Optimist Hall, 1115 N Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206

A close-up, high-angle shot of a pasta dish served in a round, light-colored bowl. The dish consists of several large, folded pasta pieces, possibly paccheri or manicotti, filled with a green mixture. They are covered in a rich, chunky red tomato sauce and generously topped with a sprinkle of grated white cheese and black pepper. The pasta is a vibrant, appealing orange-red color from the sauce. The bowl is set against a blurred light background.
Pasta pomodoro with tomato, basil and Parmigano-Reggiano from ESO Artisinal Pasta. Heidi Finley CharlotteFive

Flame Bistro & Bar

Location: 10223 Mcintyre Rdg Rd, Pineville, NC 28134

Flame Bistro & Bar’s Crispy-Skin Roast Duck.
Flame Bistro & Bar’s Crispy-Skin Roast Duck. Ryan Schmidt

Florence Wine & Beer Garden

Location: Merino Mill, 500 South Main Street, Mooresville, NC

Henrietta’s

Location: 117 Southside Dr, Charlotte, NC 28217

Henrietta’s carrots feature whipped ricotta, caramelized honey, dukkah and espelette.
Henrietta’s carrots feature whipped ricotta, caramelized honey, dukkah and espelette. Henrietta's

La Lima Sangunchería

Location: 131 E Park Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203

Leluia Hall

Location: 1829 Cleveland Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203

A rectangular white plate with a gold rim holds four golden-brown fried croquettes, garnished with fresh microgreens and orange flower petals. A lemon wedge is tucked among them, and a small white and gold patterned bowl of white dipping sauce, topped with green herbs, sits on the right side of the plate. In the blurred background, another white bowl with a salad or light dish is visible on a wooden table.
Leluia Hall’s fish sticks with panko, black cod, shrimp and lobster mousse, served with house-made tartar sauce. Heidi Finley CharlotteFive

Mother’s Comfort Food & Cocktails

Location: Park Road Shopping Center, 4101 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209

NADC Burger

Location: The Alley at Latta Arcade, 320 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202

A detailed, close-up food photograph of a double smash burger being presented to the camera. The burger features two beef patties with a dark, lacy crust, layers of gooey melted cheese, sliced pickles, and a generous amount of a pinkish “secret sauce” on a toasted brioche bun.
NADC Burger’ signature offering is made with two patties of 100% Wagyu beef with grilled onions, melted American cheese, house-made secret sauce, pickles and tamed jalapeños on a toasted potato roll. Courtesy of The Plaid Penguin and NADC Burger

Nora Mac’s

Location: 11318 N Community House Rd #200, Charlotte, NC 28277

The Painted Rooster

Location: 1601 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

Panko

Location: 730 E 36th St, Charlotte, NC 28205

A dramatic presentation of scallops served in their shells arranged around a central mound of salt that is flaming. The seafood dish is set atop a bed of yellow corn kernels, garnished with black caviar, and includes a wedge of charred lime.
The Trilogy of Ceviche at Panko Peruvian. Tamia Boyd | CharlotteFive

Papi Ricko

Location: 1226 Central Ave A, Charlotte, NC 28204

Rada

Location: 2820 Selwyn Ave Ste 180, Charlotte, NC 28209

A top-down view of a gourmet meal served on a white marble surface. In the foreground, a rectangular white plate holds a perfectly cooked cut of steak, richly red and topped with a generous layer of finely chopped green herbs and what appear to be red chili flakes. The steak rests in a pool of light brown au jus. Three half-moon shaped portions of what looks like potato puree or dumplings are arranged on the plate around the steak. In the upper left, a white bowl contains a mix of whole purple and yellow potatoes. In the upper right, another white bowl is filled with a green leafy salad, possibly mixed greens with red accents.
The chimichurri bavatte from Chef Callan Buckles is an example of a made-to-share large plates at Rada in Charlotte. Laura Pol

Seaboy Restaurant and Bar

Location: 20822 N Main Street, Cornelius, NC 28031

Siano’s Pizza & Pasta

Location: 5305 Waxhaw-Marvin Rd, Waxhaw, NC 28173

Siano’s 18” cheese pizza.
Siano’s 18” cheese pizza. Jamie Graziano

Sorellina Pasta Co.

Location: 2341 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205

Sora

Location: 2907 Selwyn Ave. Charlotte, NC 28209

A high-angle close-up shows three artfully plated appetizers on a rustic, mottled brown ceramic plate. In the foreground to the left, a small, fluted pastry cup holds a dollop of white cream topped with slivered almonds and a vibrant red, thin disc, possibly a beet chip or fruit slice. In the center-right, a round piece of bread serves as a base for a mound of light pink tartare or chopped seafood, garnished with fresh green and purple microgreens. Towards the back, a rectangular, crispy fried item is topped with a generous pile of finely shredded, light-colored ingredient, possibly fried onions or finely grated cheese. A sprig of lavender also rests on the plate behind this item.
Sora’s menu consists of European and Asian influenced courses. Sora

Spaghett

Location: 224 W 10th St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Spaghett’s potato scarpino.
Spaghett’s potato scarpino. Karmataun Productions
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Utsav Supermarket + Food Hall

Location: 5533 Westpark Dr, Charlotte, NC 28217

The VRTX Restaurant & Bar

Location: 7800A Stevens Mills Rd., Stallings NC 28104

Yassou Greek Cuisine

Location: 1039 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207

The mixed grill at Yassou Grill is lamb, chicken and filet with roasted vegetables.
The mixed grill at Yassou Grill is lamb, chicken and filet with roasted vegetables. Heidi Finley CharlotteFive

Yugenn

Location: 225 W. Bland St.., Charlotte, NC 28203

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Heidi Finley
The Charlotte Observer
Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits. Support my work with a digital subscription
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Chyna Blackmon
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