13 of the best places to eat, drink and play in Belmont, NC
Prior to last week, I had not been to Belmont, NC in a dozen years. I could probably have given you several dozen reasons why, and the majority of them would have involved me mistaking it for Gastonia.
Fortunately, after an early trip out to the Whitewater Center, I decided to venture just a bit farther down US-74 and cross the Catawba River into an area I once had considered no-man’s land. By the time I crossed back over later that evening, I discovered just how much Belmont has changed since a puka-shell-sporting, awkward 17-year-old had been completely underwhelmed while there on a college visit in 2006.
For those of you who have missed out on the development of the city since then, here’s a quick look at some of the many different ways you can enjoy Belmont this summer:
Eat
As a millenial living in the South and also as a fan of the endless stream of new cooking shows, I am literally programmed like Pavlov’s dog to respond to any restaurant’s social media posts referring to pimento cheese or biscuits ‘n gravy.
I don’t know why a Midwesterner from Buffalo like myself is so obsessed with the dishes of the South, but what I do know is that when I heard about Nellie’s Southern Kitchen, I knew this was a place to see. Nellie’s doesn’t disappoint with a menu that rivals Haberdish, and a rooftop bar and dining area to boot. Of course, not everyone is looking for Southern cooking and maybe others just have a personal problem with the Jonas Brothers (their parents are the owners of Nellie’s).
Nellie’s
Whatever the case may be, Belmont also has Old Stone Steakhouse, providing traditional steakhouse fare in a gorgeous establishment, as well as The String Bean, a quirky spot with a fried green tomato BLT and shrimp and grits on the menu.
Anyways, you would be wise to dine at any of these establishments or many others, as long as you promise to stop by the Cotton Candy Factory for a treat afterwards. Upon walking in you are immediately captivated by a colorful oasis of sweets and other goodies in a fun and festive setting. Grab some jelly beans and a handful of chocolate and give a bit back to the Holy Angels center. Holy Angels is Belmont’s center for residents with mental, intellectual and developmental conditions, who also happen to serve as staff members at the factory. Proceeds fund the organization as well.
A post shared by Cotton Candy Factory (@cottoncandyfactory_belmont) on Mar 22, 2018 at 3:18pm PDT
Drink
As a millennial in the South and as a fan of the endless stream of new beers being released in taprooms and at Teeters all across the city, I am literally programmed like Pavlov’s dog…okay, you get my point again. Belmont is officially a “place to be” on the weekends when the drinks start flowing and the music starts playing. Start your night out at Sammy’s, and get a Lynchburg Lemonade while enjoying one of the “old” establishments on a rapidly changing Main Street.
Once you’re done, take a few steps back and go to jail…literally. The Jailhouse is a cigar and spirits club that offers anyone willing to fork up $12 a chance to sit and drink flights of high quality whiskey while looking around the walls of the old jailhouse.
If you’re a fan of wine and craft beer, instead, venture over to Luna Hombre where the staff is so friendly, they will randomly ask patrons to sample new beer offerings and provide helpful recommendations for other places to visit during your trip!
Again, there’s plenty of other places to venture out to for a quality drink all around the city and one would be remiss not to try out the Muddy River’s selection of rum being distilled locally right on the riverfront.
Play
There’s really not much to do in Belmont besides eat and drink so if you’re not rolling up in a motorized scooter, you’re not welcome. Okay — so that’s just not true, but if it were up to me, I would probably just be tossing back shooters at Sammy’s and chomping on cotton candy while the outdoor enthusiasts deal with the heat and try to be active.
However, for those who enjoy the finer things in life, look no further than the Catawba River. Belmont has direct access to one of the most important waterways in the Carolinas and with Lake Wylie nearby, providing a great spot for boating, canoeing and more, Belmont has something for everyone. For those who just need more, there’s some place called the US National Whitewater Center right down the road that’s okay and all, I suppose (judging by the swarms of people who flock there, especially for warm-weather holidays). Maybe check that out.
A post shared by USNWC (@usnwc) on Jul 1, 2018 at 5:35pm PDT
Observe
In reality, the most fun part about going on a daycation involves observing. The fun comes from looking out the window while first pulling into the fringes of the city and seeing late 19th century houses that are still pristine descendants of former mill owners living in Belmont generations ago.
If you want to keep observing, I would suggest pulling up to the riverfront after, crossing the bridge over the Catawba and seeing all of the development taking place in an area that was once so desolate.
Keep driving back towards Main Street and take a second to appreciate the amount of funding the city has placed in its parks (from Stowe to Reid), resulting in a community center that everyone can appreciate. There’s plenty more to observe — it’s just for you to find for yourself.
It will not be another dozen years until I return to Belmont again. Honestly, I’d be surprised if I wasn’t back, with reserves that I call family and friends, eager to see this place that I’ve come to finally appreciate. I’d like to think both the city and that young man who first visited in 2006 have grown, found themselves and only wear puka-shells for special occasions now in the time that’s since passed. Don’t take my word for it, though, go out and see for yourself!
Photos by: Brian Dlugosz
This story was originally published July 5, 2018 at 1:07 AM with the headline "13 of the best places to eat, drink and play in Belmont, NC."