2 restaurants are joining the Charlotte food scene. Here’s what’s coming
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Chili Willi’s opened May 8 in Cornelius as a reimagining of the original restaurant.
- Chili Willi’s menu features scratch‑made fajitas, enchiladas and wood‑fired dishes.
- Italo opens May 19 uptown offering fresh pastas, focaccia, cocktails and wine.
Hello again, Charlotte. It’s Tanasia, and I’m back with my weekly roundup of all things new on the Charlotte food scene.
Cinco de Mayo has come and gone, but it’s not like I need an excuse to indulge in crispy tacos and margaritas. If you’re like me, there’s a new Lake Norman-area Tex-Mex restaurant that’s sure to make your taste buds tingle.
Over in uptown, there’s a new Italian-inspired pasta and wine bar taking shape. You’ll find more than your standard spaghetti and meatballs at this place.
Here’s a quick recap of recent and upcoming restaurant openings around Charlotte:
Chili Willi’s
A Tex-Mex restaurant made famous in Huntington, West Virginia, now has a home in Cornelius.
The new Chili Willi’s, which opened Friday, May 8, is a reimagining of the beloved chain known for its award-winning chili and spicy Tex-Mex offerings. Rob Duckworth, owner of Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse and Link & Pin restaurants, partnered with Chili Willi’s founder Ron Smith to revive the restaurant.
Customers can expect more of the same scratch-made classics including fajitas, enchiladas and wood-fired specialties. Craft margaritas and other tequila-forward cocktails on the menu, too.
Italo
If you’re looking for elevated pasta dinners and good wine, Italo may be one to add to your must-try list.
The pasta house officially opens Tuesday, May 19 in the heart of uptown and will replace Cicchetti’s, the Venetian-inspired wine bar from veteran restaurateurs Pierre Bader and Briana Cohen.
That eatery is rebranding, this time offering fresh pastas, handmade focaccia, cocktails and a wine list celebrating “classic Italian regions.” My favorite, cacio e pepe, is among classic pastas on the menu, along with salads, bruschetta and wagyu steak.
“The idea was to create ... something that feels both classic and new,” Bader said in a news release announcing the new concept.
“We’re excited to introduce a dining experience that’s rooted in tradition with timeless dishes but offers a new perspective for the neighborhood.”