Charlotte has a growing reputation as a food city, and there’s no shortage of great dining options for newcomers and visitors, along with people in the know.

Whether you’re looking for a gourmet meal or some snacks and craft beer, there’s something for everyone in North Carolina’s Queen City.

What are my qualifications? Aside from being CharlotteFive’s food writer for all of three months, I’ve lived in the Charlotte area my entire life and have had the chance to try some amazing food over the years. So, just take my word for it.

If you’re planning to visit Charlotte soon, here’s a guide with some restaurants to check out during your stay.

Grab some morning coffee

I’m not a huge coffee drinker, but you can’t go wrong with any of these spots for a morning cup of joe:

Smelly Cat Coffee House & Roastery: A NoDa institution known for its artsy vibe.
The Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters: A Plaza Midwood favorite with in-house roasting, creative seasonal drinks and a loyal local following.
Haraz Coffee House: A popular Yemeni coffee shop with several area locations serving spiced coffee, pistachio lattes and Middle Eastern pastries.
Enderly Coffee Co.: A locally owned roastery in West Charlotte known for direct-trade beans, community involvement and excellent espresso.
Night Swim Coffee: Another spot known for creative drinks, like its banana pudding latte.

Start with some Carolina barbecue

If you’re a first-time visitor to the Tar Heel State, you have to try the barbecue.

North Carolina is known for its pork barbecue, but a longstanding debate divides the state: Is vinegar-based sauce or tomato-based sauce the better match for smoked pork? It depends on who you ask, but check out these places for some quality ‘cue:

Midwood Smokehouse: Go with the Carolina Pork: hickory-smoked chopped pork dressed with an Eastern North Carolina vinegar sauce.
Mac’s Speed Shop: Get the Hickory-smoked pulled pork sandwich (dry-rubbed, slow-smoked for 12 hours served with a side of slaw).
The Smoke Pit: A newer Charlotte location recently opened from the well-known local smokehouse that started in Concord. Its brisket and Lexington-style pulled pork is delicious.
Cook Out: This NC-based fast food chain is sacred. The pork barbecue sandwich is good, and you can pair it with thousands of food combinations.

Try a Charlotte classic

If you’re only exploring for a day or two, here are a few Charlotte institutions to check out:

Haberdish: Right in the heart of NoDa and accessible by light rail. The Michelin-recommended restaurant is known for its fried chicken tenders (they’re massive and delicious) and craft cocktails.
Lang Van: Some of the best Vietnamese food in the city and Charlotte’s only Michelin Bib Gourmand. Plus, the egg rolls are amazing.
Alexander Michael’s: Probably the best choice if you’re staying in uptown. You can’t go wrong with any of the burgers or sandwiches.
The Fig Tree Restaurant: This is the place to go if you’re here for a special occasion (main courses range from $35-$66).
300 East: Consistently recognized as one of the top restaurants in the city. I remember the salmon burger being very good.

On a budget

Charlotte has its fair share of fine dining options, but there are plenty of places where dinner for two won’t break the bank.

I write a series for CharlotteFive called “On a Budget,” where I visit Charlotte restaurants to see how much food I can get for $25. Here are a few of my favorites:

Zio Casual Italian: A casual Italian restaurant in Myers Park. Get the New York-style pizza.
South 21 Drive In: One of Charlotte’s oldest restaurants. Order the Super Boy burger with some fries and onion rings.
Clark’s Snack Bar: Another Charlotte mainstay. The chopped cheese is comparable to one you might find in New York.
Rio 150: A local, family-owned Mexican chain with locations scattered throughout the Charlotte area. Its lunch specials are a steal.
Harper’s Cafe: This one is in Pineville, but it’s worth the drive. The chicken tenders are fantastic, and the portions are sizable.

Rooftops for views of the city

Charlotte has a handful of rooftops with excellent views of the skyline, perfect for Instagram. Here are some of my favorites (but be warned: all of these spots are pricey):

Fahrenheit: By far, the rooftop offers the best view of the skyline. Its brunch is great, but be sure to book in advance.
Aura Rooftop: The bar with the second-best view of the city. I’ve never had a cocktail I’ve hated there.
Merchant & Trade: A posh rooftop bar with a partially covered patio in uptown. There’s a dress code, and it doesn’t take reservations, so get there early.
Nuvole Rooftop Twenty Two: My favorite rooftop bar in uptown. Pair any of the drinks with the wagyu beef sliders.
Mizu: A rooftop Japanese restaurant with skyline views, sushi and seafood. They’ve also got an extensive cocktail menu.

Where to watch the game

If you’re in town while your favorite team is playing, here’s where to catch the game:

Angry Ale’s: A neighborhood spot with food and drink specials daily, plus a big patio.
Courtyard Hooligans: One of the best places to watch soccer in Charlotte. Get there early for big matches.
Ed’s Tavern: A sports pub in Dilworth that fills up fast. I love the buffalo chicken dip and fried pickles here.
Sports Page Food & Spirits: A sports bar in north Charlotte with ranch bacon cheese fries, loaded with ranch dressing, cheddar cheese and bacon crumbles.
Boardwalk Billy’s Raw Bar and Ribs: A fun waterfront sports bar in University City, though I may be a little biased as a UNC Charlotte graduate. Be sure to order the loaded nachos or the soft pretzels.

Healthy options in Charlotte

If you’re focused on health, these spots offer plenty of nutritious options, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes:

Flower Child: One of the most popular healthy-casual restaurants in the city. It serves grain bowls, salads and wraps, with plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Kid Cashew: A restaurant with Mediterranean-inspired cuisine such as grilled meats, fresh vegetables, hummus, salads and healthy brunch options.
Oh My Soul: A vegan cafe with a lush patio serving colorful bowls, wraps, burgers, salads and smoothies inspired by South African flavors.
Sanctuary Bistro: A restaurant known for creative plant-based dishes made with organic ingredients
Yafo Kitchen: A local favorite for Mediterranean grain bowls, salads and grilled proteins.

Restaurants for people watching

If you’re into people watching and want to get out of uptown, head to South End, NoDa or Plaza Midwood. I’ve seen at least one person wipe out on an electric scooter at most of these places.

Here are some spots to check out:

Eat while you shop

SouthPark is Charlotte’s most popular shopping destination, home to luxury retailers and many of the city’s top restaurants. Here’s where to eat while you shop:

Little Mama’s Italian: A local favorite for comforting Italian classics. The vodka rigatoni is especially popular, and the restaurant has even received recognition from the Michelin Guide.
BrickTop’s: An upscale American restaurant with sushi, steaks, seafood and one of the area’s best patios.
Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse: Great if you’re looking for a lively atmosphere with burgers, wings, sandwiches and an impressive beer selection.
The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar: Charlotte’s famous burger-and-sushi mashup.

Late-night eats

New York is the “city that never sleeps,” and sometimes it seems like Charlotte is the opposite of that. But here are a few spots to check out if you’re up late:

Midnight Diner: The only restaurant in Charlotte open 24/7. I always get the western omelette.
The Degenerate: A laid back NoDa gastropub. The majority of the menu is reasonably priced, shareable plates.
Ri Ra Irish Pub: There’s more of a bar atmosphere during late nights, but the food is amazing. (Get the fish and chips.)
State of Confusion: A LoSo spot with Latin American and New Orleans inspired dishes, plus one of the best rooftops outside of uptown.
Whiskey Warehouse: Another solid rooftop outside of uptown in Plaza Midwood. Weekend drink specials include $4 mimosas and $3 Bud Lights.

Where to grab a beer

There are an overwhelming number of breweries in Charlotte. They all have good beer, but these spots are among my favorites because they serve good food:

Salud Cerveceria: My favorite spot for brewery pizza in Charlotte. I think it’s got the best pizza in the city, actually.
Monday Night Brewing: My favorite second-favorite brewery pizza spot in the city. I don’t even go for the beer.
Suffolk Punch Brewing: The brunch here is great. And this place is perfect for introverts since you order on your phone.
The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery: The German-inspired menu includes bratwurst, schnitzel, pretzels and the best beer cheese in Charlotte.
Heist Brewery: Try its wood-fired flatbreads, burgers and sandwiches. The brunch is great, too.

Where to grab a cocktail

Like pretty much everywhere else, cocktails are expensive in Charlotte. Some places make it worth it, though:

Idlewild: A made-to-order cocktail bar in NoDa. Just tell your server which flavors you’re in the mood for, and they craft a drink to your taste.
Dilworth Tasting Room: The original DTR location in Dilworth has the best patio of all the cocktail bars mentioned here.
The Cellar at Duckworth’s: A hidden speakeasy below Duckworth’s in uptown. Be sure to make a reservation.
Elsewhere Cocktail Bar: A stylish South End spot known for inventive seasonal cocktails.
Supperland: Not just a cocktail bar, but it’s inside an old church and has a cool vibe. Colleen Hughes, the Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group’s beverage director, has earned national recognition from both the James Beard Foundation and the Michelin Guide for her cocktail program.

Dive bars for cheap drinks

If you’re looking for more cheap drinks and less of a bougie vibe, head to one of these dive bars:

Thirsty Beaver Saloon: A storied Plaza Midwood spot Mick Jagger once hung out at while he was in Charlotte.
Two Buck Saloon: Another Plaza Midwood spot I’ve never had a bad time at. The drinks are super cheap.
Midwood Country Club: Might be the furthest thing from a country club. Expect pool tables, darts, cold beer and a laid-back Central Avenue crowd.
Johnny Dollars: It looks sketchy on the outside, but it’s always a good time. And it has a pretty entertaining TikTok page.

Eat on the water

Lake Wylie and Lake Norman are just a short drive away from Charlotte, and both offer plenty of waterfront dining options:

Hello, Sailor: My go-to lakefront spot sounds like a gay bar. But the Michelin-recommended spot feels like a beach club, with seafood-focused dishes, cocktails and a large patio overlooking Lake Norman.
North Harbor Club: Basically the waterfront version of The Fig Tree. The sunset views there are gorgeous.
Drift on Lake Wylie: An upscale waterfront option in Belmont with a scenic setting and a menu focused on contemporary American cuisine, seafood and steaks.
Papa Doc’s Shore Club: Kind of like a dive bar on the water. Expect seafood, drinks, live music and a laid-back lake atmosphere.

For those with a sweet tooth

Dessert is my area of expertise, and these are my favorite places to go in Charlotte for sweets:

Amelie’s: Everything there is good. Seriously. Try the macarons.
Villani’s Bakery: If you’re into Italian pastries and cheesecakes, you’ll leave here happy.
Manolo’s Bakery: Get the tres leches.
Suarez Bakery: Get the tres leches here, too.
Crave Dessert Bar: It offers cakes, waffles, fondue and cocktails, and it’s all fantastic.
Cafe Monte French Bakery & Bistro: Get the chocolate raspberry mousse cake or the beignets.

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