What we ate in 2025: A CharlotteFive look back at a historic year for local food
As 2025 draws to a close, Charlotte’s food scene has more to celebrate than ever before. From national recognition to the simple joy of a perfectly salted fry, here is a lighter look at the stories that defined the year for the Queen City’s culinary landscape.
🍽️ The dishes we can’t stop thinking about
In our annual roundup of favorite meals, the standout bites of 2025 weren’t just about the fancy tablecloths—they were about the flavors. The team raved about the ricotta dumplings at Rada, which felt like a literal cloud, and the meticulously crafted courses at Counter- that earned the city its first Michelin star. From the elevated comfort of Leluia Hall’s seafood to hidden gems found in local stalls, 2025 was a year of tasting the best Charlotte has to offer.
🚀 A scene in full bloom
The 2025 food scene was characterized by bold expansion and “vibe-forward” concepts. We saw the opening of highly anticipated spots like Leluia Hall (a “steak and surf” concept in a historic Dilworth church) and Spaghett, a craft pasta and cocktail house from the team behind Counter-. Beyond fine dining, the city embraced unique trends like “coffee omakase” and the massive 60-foot screen at the new Blinders sports lounge in South End.
✍️ A personal year in review from CharlotteFive’s Heidi Finley
For CharlotteFive journalist Heidi Finley, 2025 was a year where “dreams came true” for both chefs and critics alike. Her coverage tracked the city’s meteoric rise, but she also kept it local and grounded, perhaps most notably by finally trying livermush for the first time. Her journey through the year highlighted the diversity of the scene, from celebrating Michelin honors to documenting the temporary bare shelves of local staple Neese’s Sausage.
🏆 CharlotteFive Readers’ Choice: 2025 winners
After thousands upon thousands of votes, the 2025 readers’ choice winners have officially been crowned. If you’re building your 2026 bucket list, start with these favorites:
- Best fried chicken: Original Chicken ‘n Ribs
- Best french fries: Angry Ale’s (praised for its perfectly salted shoestrings)
- Best Indian food: Desi District
- Best sports bar: Blinders
Which one are you trying first? Whether it’s a Michelin-starred tasting menu or a basket of fries from Angry Ale’s, 2025 proved that Charlotte’s food scene is no longer a hidden gem: It’s the main event.
Editor’s note: This story was curated and summarized by AI based on recent reporting from CharlotteFive.
