Here are the best things we ate at Charlotte restaurants in June
What’s up y’all? Evan here. My birthday is in June, and in continuing the tradition of eating ridiculously calorie-dense foods (see the giant mozzarella stick and fist-sized egg rolls), I spent a few hours eating as many birthday freebies I could find from Baskin-Robbins, Nothing Bundt Cakes and raising my blood pressure in the process.
Although I managed to eat nearly two weeks’ worth of sugar, my favorite meal of the month wasn’t included in that birthday spree. That one was a different kind of sweet treat.
The CharlotteFive team is rounding up the best bites we’ve had all month so you can stay in the know. We’ll tell you what’s worth your time — and your money — around Charlotte.
We also want to hear from you: What were your favorite meals around town this month? Send us an email at charlottefive@charlottefive.com and share your picks.
Here’s a look at the best things we ate in June.
Experiencing Eddie’s Place (again)
It’s Evan. June is Pride Month, and as a gay man, brunch was basically mandatory.
Enter Eddie’s Place. It wasn’t my first time there, and it won’t be the last.
I knew I wanted the chicken and waffles the moment I saw it on the menu — a fresh-baked waffle topped with a pecan-fried chicken breast and honey cinnamon butter that immediately sold me. The knife went through it with ease, and the mix of sweet cinnamon and savory chicken just worked perfectly together.
I sampled a few bites of the hashbrowns before pushing them aside, then added syrup to the waffle, which took the sweetness up another notch. I couldn’t finish it all in one sitting, but it definitely didn’t make it to the next day.
📍 Location: 617 S Sharon Amity Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
FM Eatery: It’s all about sweet and savory
Heidi here, thinking back wistfully to a month filled with truly tasty food. While many bites stand out, my favorite meal from start to finish was at FM Eatery in downtown Fort Mill during a date night dinner. The small but vibrant spot was packed with guests from all walks of life, many of whom were ordering the restaurant’s smoked burrata. Accented with seasonal sage and ginger apricot jam, a sturdy crostini and a bit of arugula, the flavors and textures made for a pairing I’d eat again any day.
One of the daily specials, a creamy risotto accented with a bold red pepper puree and blackened shrimp, caught my eye and satisfied my cravings for something comforting. The small plate portion size kept the savory dish light enough to eat on an early summer evening, and it paired surprisingly well with my mango mocktail.
The star of the meal, however, was the fried peach pie with salted caramel gelato. When I see a fried pie on a menu, I can’t resist — it brings back memories of outdoor gatherings with my husband’s family when my teenagers were tots, melting in the summer sun. This elevated version hit every note, highlighting the area’s fresh-off-the-trees peaches.
📍Location: 217 Main St, Fort Mill, SC 29715
Soul Gastrolounge sliders
Think Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich, but make it vegan: It’s Melissa, and I’ve been wanting to try Soul Gastrolounge’s mushroom sliders ever since I saw them a few months back on social. I finally had the chance, and they were as delicious as I’d imagined.
But first, I can’t forget to mention the eggplant chips, which are served with tzatziki and are also delicious.
And don’t sleep on the cocktail menu: Mixologist Bob Peters is back “home” at the restaurant he says launched his career. On my visit this month, I enjoyed a Lavender Fog: Tito’s vodka, Earl Grey tea, lavender syrup, lemon and soda water, with “soft floral aromatics layered with citrus brightness and gentle effervescence,” per the restaurant’s cocktail menu.
📍 Location: 4110 Raleigh St #120, Charlotte, NC 28213
