New diners, restaurant closings and banana pudding drama: Charlotte food news this week
Another week in Charlotte’s food scene brought new openings, tough closings, a national honor for two local food halls and one very polarizing banana pudding take. Here’s everything you need to catch up on.
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A James Beard semifinalist is opening a diner
Chef Sam Diminich — whose intimate Restaurant Constance is Michelin recommended — is opening Grey’s Diner & Community Kitchen on Monday, April 27. Named after his son, the 100+ seat restaurant takes over the former Mattie’s Diner space and promises comfort food made with locally grown ingredients.
Breakfast runs 7-11 a.m. weekdays and 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on weekends. Dinner brings family recipes like lasagna, chicken parmesan and a fried flounder plate inspired by Diminich’s childhood in Calabash. There’s also a burger named after his son featuring Shipley Farms beef on a locally made Dukes roll. And yes — tabletop jukeboxes in the diner car.
“Accessibility is really important to me. Dignity is really important to me. Anybody around here is entitled to a great meal. I think that, to me, is fine dining,” Diminich said.
📍 3100 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205
Dave’s Hot Chicken lands in Gastonia
Dave’s Hot Chicken officially opened its fifth Charlotte-area location on Friday, April 17. The Gastonia spot features “nods to the county’s textile history” alongside bold graffiti art, the Gaston Gazette reported. Chicken tenders and sliders are the stars, with dry rubs ranging from “no spice” to “reaper.” Hours are Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-11 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-midnight.
📍 2230 E Franklin Blvd Suite 140, Gastonia, NC 28054
Plot Twist brings coffee and cocktails to Plaza Midwood
Plot Twist, a new coffee and cocktail bar, opened April 21 on Lyon Court, completing a stretch of women-owned businesses. Co-owner Nikki Velazquez designed the space with green walls, gold accents and velvet furniture. Drinks are built around eight flavor profiles — choose a mocktail, cocktail or cafe beverage for each one.
“This is my baby. This is my brain child,” Velazquez said.
The highlight? A pink rotary phone in the lounge. Pick it up and you’ll hear: “Spill the tea, tell us everything, sis.” Those anonymous messages will fuel a “Tea of the Week” feature.
📍 1518 Lyon Ct, Charlotte, NC 28205
Crown & Tide promises fire-grilled seafood in Wesley Heights
Opening in early May at City Kitch ghost kitchen, Crown & Tide blends Charleston and Maryland seafood culture. Co-owner Priya Balakrishnan told CharlotteFive foodies can expect signature chargrilled blue crabs topped with a house-made Parmesan butter sauce, plus shrimp kebabs, lobster and crab rice and seafood mac.
📍 2200 Thrift Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
ChangeBaker Place settles into East Charlotte
Opened in January, The ChangeBaker Place is the latest venture from Manolo Betancur and his wife, Leidy Ospina, expanding from Manolo’s Bakery next door. The Colombian-roasted coffee menu includes a tres leches latte and a floral chai made from fresh tea leaves. Don’t skip the chocolate croissant — get it warmed up for the full flaky, gooey experience.
📍 4405 Central Ave B, Charlotte, NC 28205
Wheatberry Bakeshop is closing in South End
Sad news for pastry lovers. Wheatberry Bakeshop will close its storefront permanently on Saturday, May 9. Owner Haley Woodard said the bakery couldn’t turn a profit and was hitting “the end of our rope.” She assured fans the closure was “most likely not a forever goodbye.” Wheatberry is open Tuesday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. until then.
📍 1425 Winnifred St #105, Charlotte, NC 28203
Habit Burger quietly closes in Mooresville
The Habit Burger and Grill at 379 W. Plaza Drive in Mooresville has shut down after opening there in 2023. The chain still has Charlotte-area locations in Denver, Monroe and Indian Land, South Carolina.
📍 379 W Plaza Dr, Mooresville, NC 28117
The Great Westside Fish Fry may be gone for good
If you missed Saturday’s Great Westside Fish Fry, you might have missed the last one. Event organizer Winston Robinson told CharlotteFive this iteration would likely be the final one.
“This thing started as just a gathering,” he said. “Now it’s five years of building community joy. That’s a flex.”
The bougie vs. budget breakfast guide
From a $6.99 stack of blueberry pancakes at the Original Pancake House to the $65-per-person weekend brunch buffet at Supperland, Charlotte has breakfast spots at every price point. 🗞️ Check out the full guide covering six local spots including Eddie’s in Cotswold, The Dive N in Pineville, 300 East and Leluia Hall.
Where to eat after midnight
Need food past 10 p.m.? 🗞️ Check out the full guide to 30+ Charlotte restaurants still serving late, from 24/7 spots to bars with full menus running until 2 a.m.
Banana pudding nearly derailed a date
In the week’s most relatable moment, Evan nearly ruined a date by confessing he prefers warm banana pudding. His date’s reaction: “Warm banana pudding is an option?” We won’t tell you who was right — but his number hasn’t been blocked yet.
Two Charlotte food halls crack USA Today’s top 10
Optimist Hall landed at No. 8 and The Market at 7th Street came in at No. 9 in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for the nation’s best food halls. It’s the second year in a row for Optimist Hall. The Market at 7th Street has served as a “small business incubator,” helping launch and grow more than 75 local food businesses since 2011.
Vote for the best Italian restaurant
CharlotteFive’s Readers’ Choice contest for best Italian restaurant is down to the Top 10. Cast your vote — and yes, you can vote more than once.
That’s the week. Now go eat something. And if you haven’t already, sign up for the free daily CharlotteFive newsletter so you never miss a bite.
This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists. To learn more about how The Charlotte Observer is using AI in our newsroom, see our policy here.
This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 7:00 AM.
