Charlotte Restaurants

KC & EILEEN TOP PICKS

OLD HICKORY HOUSE RESTAURANT Eileen: 'My personal favorite...There is a running debate among the locals about which style of BBQ is best--Eastern, which is vinegar based, or Western, which is tomato based.  This place is Tomato based.  It's kind of a hole in the wall (hasn't been redecorated since the 60's), but it's very clean. The food is the story here, however: it's one of the last places you can get Open-Pit BBQ in the city.'

LUPIE'S CAFE  Traditional southern food.  Very popular with the locals--you can see the movers and shakers of the city chowing down on fried chicken, mac' n' cheese and peach kuken.  KC and Lupie used to work together before she opened the place.  Very laid back and casual,  no frills.

 

PORTOFINO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA  There are 4 locations in Charlotte but the Eastway one is the original--and the most casual. Tucked into a shopping center on the east side of town, you have to know it's there.  Great Italian food at an affordable price. 

 

VILLA ANTONIO ITALIAN RISTORANTE Expensive, but the best Italian food in the city. A great place for special occasions.  They have a new upscale location in Ballantyne, but the South Blvd one is the original; you would never know from looking at it that it was worth going inside. A don't miss.

FAIRVIEW GRILL  A nighttime Karaoke hot-spot and hangout, but we go there at lunch for the great food.  Love the burgers! 

AGGIE'S ICE CREAM & GRILL  KC: "This is an awesome place for hamburgers, foot long hotdogs, fries, and to-die for ice-cream..."

UPSCALE OPTIONS

BARRINGTON’S  Award-winning chef Bruce Moffett has built a local reputation for finely-crafted Continental cuisine in this elegant South Park bistro.

CARPE DIEM:  Art nouveau décor and New American cuisine by sister act Tricia Maddrey and Bonnie Worford.
 
LUCE  Located at the base of the Hearst tower in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, Luce offers Tuscan cuisine in a warm ambiance, with a spacious outdoor patio option.  Around the corner from the Mint Museum.

MCINTOSH'S Voted Best Prime Steak House in Charlotte by the Zagat survey and longtime receipient of the Wine Spectator Award for Excellence.

NIKKO:  Both the South End and Ballantyne locations boast award winning sushi and Japanese fare.

NOBLE’S: Word has it this may be THE best table in town, in an elegant but relaxed atmosphere.

TOSCANA  Loyal customers keep coming back for the succulent homemade pasta and signature veal entrees.

TOWN  This sleek Uptown restaurant-bar boasts cutting-edge urban décor and ambiance.

UPSTREAM Acclaimed restaurant in the South Park area features mouth-watering Pan-Asian cuisine and fabulous fish.

ZEBRA RESTAURANT & WINE BAR offers contemporary French cuisine and nightly gastronomique tasting menus.

FABULOUS FOOD FIXES

Charlotte is known for its killer barbeque, often found in eclectic old-style places such as BARBEQUE KING.  Click for BEST BAR-B-Q BETS.

5 LANDMARK MOM & POP JOINTS:  Critic Trishia Childress reviews old-time Charlotte stalwarts Beef N Bottle, The Copal Grill, The Diamond and Gus’ Sir Beef.

PRICE’S CHICKEN COOP  The best fried chicken in town, and a draw for people of every race, social class and background since 1962.  Take out only,  for menu click here.

SOUTH 21 DRIVE IN Billed as the great American burger joint by local critics, this time-warp classic features sandwiches, burgers, fries, milkshakes and the best onion rings in town.

COFFEE CUP GRILL This landmark Uptown Soul Food restaurant located in an old industrial zone three blocks from Bank of America Stadium has served fresh-cooked locally-grown meals for 60+ years, but is now threatened by the wrecking ball.  Stay Tuned.

CAPTIAL GRILLE: Posh Steakhouse competes with McIntosh's (above) for Best Beef honors.

BISTRO 100  Creme brulee, anyone?  Classy lively French dining Uptown in the warm rustic atmosphere of a restored barn.

Fabulous falafel, kebabs, baklava, & other Middle Eastern fixes can be found at Dilworth's THE KABOB GRILL.  Menu click here.

WOODLANDS PURE VEGETARIAN SOUTH INDIAN CUISINE
Dazzlingly fresh authentically-prepared dishes in a lively atmosphere, frequented by ethnic and local families alike.


RESTAURANT RESOURCES

CUISINE OF CHARLOTTE.COM  Restaurant profiles, recipes, catering, lodging and more. 

CHARLOTTE OBSERVER DINING GUIDE  On the pulse of what's happening on the local Culinary scene.

Charlotte Shopping

SHOPPECHARLOTTE.COM   Online site devoted to Charlotte’s commercial offerings, from businesses to restaurants and shops

MINT MUSEUM SHOPS  Timeless and tasteful merchandise, plus unique crafts from the Mint Craft & Design shop.

CHARLOTTE ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES SHOW Over 500 dealers feature antiques, vintage collectibles, home décor and more at this bustling monthly event.
 
NEIMAN MARCUS  Luxury brands abound at this upscale temple of chic.

THE BOULEVARD AT NODA Charlotte's fun and funky Arts Destination boasts one-of-a-kind merchandise from art and jewelry to crafts and artisan offerings.

MALL MANIA

CAROLINA PLACE  Multiple department stores plus over 140 specialty shops at this 6,000,000 square foot mall at Pineville.

CONCORD MILLS This outlet mall outside of Charlotte features a huge selection of designer brands at discounted prices year round.

EASTLAND MALL  Located in the Eastern border of Charlotte, this mall features department stores Dillard's & Sears plus a full array of shops.

SOUTH PARK MALL Home to Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Crate & Barrel and high end retailers such as Tiffany & Co and Burberry, South Park mall is a luxury goods Mecca. 

NORTHLAKE MALL 10 miles from downtown Charlotte on the way to the Lake Norman district, Northlake boasts Dillard's, Macy's & Belk, plus a multitude of smaller retailers.