10 of the best places to eat in Huntersville, from Singapore noodles to shrimp and grits
Huntersville is not just the first stop on the way to the lake. It’s clean, there’s plenty of parking, and it’s got this, ‘I won’t judge your glass of wine at lunch’ feel to it. For me, getting to most of these restaurants takes as long as a trip to SouthPark Mall or a run to the airport.
For a change of scenery, make the short drive and try something new.
Here are 10 restaurants in Huntersville definitely worth checking out:
Block Bistro
13812 Cinnabar Place, Huntersville
It feels like Charleston without the nighttime humidity. Block is a great spot for date night or small family get-togethers.
Vibe: This out of the way neighborhood spot has big, bold food that won’t leave you bored.
Order: Charleston Shrimp & Grits (stone ground grits, blackened shrimp, bacon, red and green bell peppers, garlic, in a cream sauce/$16).
Pro tip: Make an early reservation and have a post-dinner nightcap at the upstairs bar.
A post shared by BLOCK bistro (@blockbistro) on Aug 3, 2018 at 6:38am PDT
Cafe 100
100 Huntersville-Concord Road, Huntersville
Arrive expecting creamer and jelly on the table and well-seasoned griddles in the kitchen.
Vibe: This place reminds me of Asheville spots like Early Girl Eatery and Sunny Point.
Order: Any of the benedicts available for brunch—on the menu and often included in the daily specials.
Dressler’s Birkdale
8630 Lindholm Drive, Huntersville
Dressler’s provides upscale food presented well on white linens and by a well-reviewed and professional waitstaff.
Vibe: The dining room is classic—carpeted with high-back chairs and white tablecloths—but without the associated pretension.
Order: Just for the Halibut (lump crab, roasted red peppers, spinach, potato cake, sun dried tomato beurre blanc/$35).
eeZ Fusion & Sushi
16925 Birkdale Commons Parkway, Suite F, Huntersville
This place is best experienced on a lukewarm evening, on the front patio, sharing a sea of sushi with friends.
Vibe: A good midweek spot when no one wants to cook. Expect funky rolls, typically with a flavorful sauce over the top.
Order: Sushi, of course. But for a shared indulgence, try the Crab Rangoon Dip (served with crispy wonton skins/$12).
Kung Foo Noodle
8625C Lindholm Drive, Huntersville
This would make for a great first date spot. The decor is enough to spark conversation or distract from the lack thereof.
Vibe: Kung Foo Noodle looks like one of my dreams—with Japanese video games playing on a Bruce Lee movie set. And the wall art is bad@**.
Order: Singapore Noodles (shrimp & chicken/lunch, $7.75; dinner, $11) and Curry Kick (chicken, herbs, and string beans in a coconut curry broth/lunch, $9; dinner, $11).
Pro tip: Split the Singapore Noodles and Curry Kick with a friend, and enjoy the curry explosion.
La Nortenita
500 N Old Statesville Road, Huntersville
Vibe: Whatever you bring with you ‘cause it’s in a parking lot.
Order: It’s always ‘Taco Tuesday’ here. Try carnitas, barbacoa, and chicharrón (fried pork skins)—they’re all $2.
Pro tip: Take cash.
Las Meras Tortas
14601 Statesville Road, Huntersville
You go to Las Meras Tortas for anything from pupusas to tortas to tacos. And you leave satisfied because it’s awesome.
Vibe: Takeout is probably your best bet here. The dining room is small and simple if you can’t wait to get home and eat.
Order: Las Sencillitas la Barda (pork skins, ham, steak on a bolillo bun with fries/$5.75).
Pro tip: Ask for your torta bread dunked in salsa and grab a napkin dispenser.
Mama’s Pizza Express
500 S. Old Statesville Road, Huntersville
This is where you get pick up food when family stops by unexpectedly—because no one can be disappointed by the wide-ranging menu and giant portions.
Vibe: Go with takeout here and bring it home for days’ worth of food.
Order: Frank’s Stromboli (12”/$9.99).
Pro tip: Order a couple of large garlic knots (6/$3.99) to go and pop them in the freezer. Good garlic bread can make any boring home pasta plate-wipeable.
Midwood Smokehouse Huntersville
16710 Birkdale Commons Parkway, Huntersville
This was a tough call over other local barbecue spots in town, but I recently had their brisket and remembered why they are so popular.
Vibe: Lots of wood in the interior to remind you why you’re there: smoked meats.
Order: The Roadhouse with chopped brisket ($11).
Verde Mexican and Nuevo Latin Fusion
9818 Gilead Road, Huntersville
Verde is serving some of the best Latin food in the entire Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. You will get big flavors and a few unexpected surprises.
Vibe: The open kitchen adds to the atmosphere here. And it certainly adds to the mouth-watering smell.
Order: The calamari (sweet chipotle glaze, chipotle rouille, spicy cocktail sauce/$9).
Honorable mentions:
- Antico Italian
- Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar
- Duck Donuts
- McCraw’s Barbecue truck
- Pinky’s Westside Grill Huntersville
- Thai Emerald
- Viva Chicken of Northcross
This story was originally published August 22, 2018 at 2:12 AM.