Food and Drink

New Wesley Heights restaurant promises fire-grilled seafood ‘done right’

Seafood lovers, rejoice! A new concept blending the coastal flavors of Charleston, South Carolina, and Maryland seafood culture is taking shape in West Charlotte.

Crown & Tide is slated to open in early May and promises fire-grilled seafood “done right,” co-owner Priya Bala told CharlotteFive. Together, Bala and her partner, Ricardo Richardson, will operate the restaurant out of City Kitch ghost kitchen in Wesley Heights.

Dozens of blue crabs are lined up across a black grill, their shells turning a vibrant orange from the heat. Each crab is split open and topped with a savory, melted garlic butter seasoning. The close-up shot captures the steam and sizzle of the seafood as it cooks over the open flame.
Crown & Tide, a new seafood concept, specializes in chargrilled blue crabs topped with a signature Parmesan sauce. Crown & Tide
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City Kitch, located at 2200 Thrift Road, has served as an incubator for culinary professionals, supplying both private and shared cooking spaces for food businesses in Charlotte. Crown & Tide will be the latest eatery to set up shop there, joining spots like Mazali and vegan eatery Taste of Soul.

At Crown & Tide, foodies can expect fire-grilled seafood dishes, including signature chargrilled blue crabs topped with a house-made Parmesan butter sauce, Bala said.

Other offerings will include shrimp kebabs, lobster and crab rice and seafood mac.

A chef wearing black gloves pours a steady stream of creamy yellow sauce from a squeeze bottle onto a lobster tail. The lobster sits atop a bed of seasoned rice mixed with herbs and vegetables in a clean white bowl. The dark, blurred background focuses all attention on the vibrant colors of the seafood and the drizzling sauce.
Crown & Tide tops all its offerings with a house-made Parmesan butter sauce. Crown & Tide

“We focus on fresh, high-quality seafood and cook with intention, bringing together vibrant flavors, simple techniques, and a made-to-order experience,” a restaurant description says.

Crown & Tide

Location: 2200 Thrift Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208 (inside City Kitch)

Cuisine: Fire-grilled seafood

Instagram: @crownandtide

A metal table is covered with an abundant seafood feast featuring multiple plates of grilled crab, lobster tails, and snow crab legs. Side dishes including corn on the cob, mac and cheese, and sliced zucchini are tucked between the main platters. The overhead view showcases a variety of textures and golden-brown finishes, creating a lavish spread ready for a group.
A fire-grilled seafood spread at Crown & Tide. Crown & Tide
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This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 9:00 AM.

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Tanasia Kenney
Sun Herald
Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.
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