A new restaurant with Rail Trail patio views is opening soon in Charlotte
A destination restaurant is opening in Charlotte in May, drawing in customers looking for patio views, live music, elevated food and game day entertainment.
Market on Morehead sits right at the edge of uptown and South End, perched just steps from the light rail’s Carson Station.
With a prime location and seating for 200 guests inside and 150 outdoors, the full-service restaurant and bar that’s a sister spot to Market on Main in Columbia, South Carolina, is positioned to draw in big crowds for lunch, brunch and dinner.
What to expect at Market on Morehead
Market on Morehead co-founder Josh Willoughby has worked for the past year to dial in every detail at the restaurant, which is in the final stages of construction and inspections.
“We really designed it up,” Willoughby told CharlotteFive on a private tour of the space, which has been in the works since negotiations on the lease began in 2023. “We think people are really going to like it.”
Expect a polished look that meshes traditional and modern styles, coupled with high-tech touches such as zoned music, color-changing stage lights and multiple screens, including a drop-down projector screen in the private dining room for slideshows or TV viewing.
There’s a 40-seat bar with seating in view of two TVs, along with windows that open to Rail Trail views. An indoor water fountain is also an eye-catching feature, placed inside a sunken area of the restaurant that offers an elevated feel.
Market on Morehead’s patio
Outside, there’s a standout feature that’s hard to miss: a 25-foot LED Jumbotron screen, so you won’t miss a moment on game day. There’s room for live music
Retractable patio screening will provide covering to keep guests shaded in the heated and cooled space outdoors, and when it’s nice, accordion-style doors and windows can also open up to bridge the space between indoors and outdoors.
The food, drink at Market on Morehead
The menu at Market on Morehead will largely match that of its sister restaurant, Market on Main, including its signature M.O.M. Burger, available on brunch through dinner. It’s paired with truffle fries and made from two 5-ounce, grass-fed Brasstown NC beef patties, with shredded lettuce, chopped onions, pickles and Russian dressing. (Go bigger by adding bacon, egg or pimiento cheese, or size it smaller as a single-patty Step M.O.M. burger.)
Other brunch options include feta scrambled eggs, griddled banana bread, duck & waffles and a crab cake BLT, along with steak & eggs. Lunch brings salads and handhelds including a crab rangoon grilled cheese and a lobster roll, plus salads and a vegan black bean burger.
At dinner, executive chef Howard Stephens has cooked up creations such as steak frites, lemongrass grilled chicken, a Japanese black vinegar pork ribeye and lamb ragu.
Market on Morehead’s beverage program will rise a step above Market on Main, however, with a larger wine program — and more wine storage spread throughout the restaurant. Twelve taps will hold a couple of batched cocktails and wine choices, plus eight local beer drafts and standards such as Guinness.
Among the cocktails will be frozen drinks, with Charlotte-themed names evoking South End, Rail Trail and the Queen City.
Walk, ride or drive
Market on Morehead is also situated to be one of the most accessible restaurants in the area where South End and uptown connect.
It’s walkable from nearby apartments and the Rail Trail, nestled in a corner of The Offices at Carson Station, across the street from Queensbridge Collective’s The Vivian and just a few blocks from Bank of America Stadium.
If you’re riding the light rail, customers can simply get off at Carson Station and walk right up the steps — Market on Morehead is right there.
For drivers, parking will be validated, and although lunchtime could be a challenge, parking will be “no problem,” on nights and weekends, Willoughby said. There’s plenty of space in the 400-car garage at The Offices, which is only used 9-5 on weekdays.
The Rail Trail Bridge that’s on its way is also set to “connect uptown with South End right at our door,” Willoughby said.
“We’re kind of trying to activate this particular area, because before we moved in, there hasn’t been too much.” We think we’ll help to bridge that gap a little bit.”
Market on Morehead
Location: 1001 Morehead Sq Drive #100, Charlotte, NC 28203
Cuisine: American
Instagram: @marketonmorehead
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