New Plaza Shamrock diner brings comfort food with a fine-dining twist
Chef Sam Diminich, a James Beard Award semifinalist, opened Grey’s Diner & Community Kitchen on April 27 in the space that once housed Mattie’s Diner. The new restaurant brings family recipes, locally sourced ingredients and a fresh perspective on diner classics to the Plaza Midwood/Plaza Shamrock area.
FULL STORY: New Plaza Shamrock diner crafts casual comfort food with fine dining perspective
Here are key takeaways:
• The chef: Diminich also runs the Michelin-recommended Restaurant Constance. Grey’s is named after his son, Allan Grey, while Constance is named for his daughter.
• Location: 📍 3100 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205. The 100-plus seat space includes a 40-seat diner car, a larger community room and a patio.
• Hours: Breakfast runs 7-11 a.m. weekdays and 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on weekends. The restaurant closes briefly in the late afternoon before dinner service, which runs until 10 p.m.
• The menu: Expect biscuits, waffles, beignets and a fried chicken biscuit at breakfast, plus vegan options like tofu chilaquiles. Dinner features fried flounder, salisbury steak, lasagna and chicken parmesan from family recipes. The Grey’s burger uses Shipley Farms beef on a Dukes roll.
• The vibe: Coffee comes from Charlotte’s Enderly Coffee. The diner car features tabletop jukeboxes, and a record wall pays homage to classic bands — a nod to Restaurant Constance.
• The mission: Diminich emphasizes accessibility, dignity and locally sourced ingredients. “Anybody around here is entitled to a great meal. I think that, to me, is fine dining,” he said.
• 📰 Want more food news like this? Check out the full guide to Charlotte restaurants opening or on the way in 2026. Check out the full guide and sign up for the free CharlotteFive newsletter, delivered daily.
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