Food and Drink

Popular restaurant and lounge temporarily closes in Charlotte. ‘A brief pause’

LulaBelle’s, a Southern-inspired restaurant and lounge, is shutting down — for now.

Management at the restaurant, located in Charlotte’s Northlake area, announced this past weekend that it was “taking a short break” but would reopen soon.

“This is not goodbye — just a brief pause,” they wrote in a farewell message shared on Instagram. “We look forward to welcoming you back soon with the same great food, warm hospitality, and unforgettable vibes you know and love.”

The exterior storefront of a boutique features a beige stone facade accented with stone-brick pillars and black fabric awnings over the windows and doors. Prominently displayed above the entrance is a large, white cursive sign that reads “Lula Belle’s,” with the apostrophe creatively styled as a wide-brimmed sun hat. A tall, black street lamp stands in the foreground on the right, partially obscuring the right side of the building’s signage.
LulaBelle’s, a Southern-inspired restaurant and lounge, has temporarily closed but promised to reopen soon. Google Street View image from April 2026 © 2026 Google

“Until then, we ask that you continue to keep the LulaBelle’s family in your thoughts and prayers.”

A death certificate on file at the Mecklenburg County register of deeds shows the lounge’s owner, Napoleon Deval Isom, died on May 24.

Isom also owned Rio Ultra Lounge, which remained open as of June 25.

Lulabelle’s management has asked for prayers as they “heal and navigate this difficult season.” CharlotteFive reached out for more information and was awaiting a response.

The popular eatery, located at 9335 Center Lake Drive in Wedgewood North, was recently named on OpenTable’s Top 10 list of neighborhood gems, CharlotteFive reported.

The menu features a variety of Southern classics including fried chicken, Cajun shrimp pasta, collard greens and mac and cheese.

Jeff Chamer contributed reporting.

LulaBelle’s Restaurant & Lounge

Location: 9335 Center Lake Dr #100, Charlotte, NC 28216

Cuisine: Southern comfort

Menu

Instagram: @lulabellesclt

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Tanasia Kenney
Sun Herald
Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.
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