LGBTQ+ owned restaurants in Charlotte to support during Pride month (and always)

We’re focusing in the food and drink industry here, but the Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce has an extensive list of businesses around the city.

 Lupie’s Cafe

Lupie’s on Monroe Road is known for its chilis. It serves Texas, Cincinnati, Vegetarian, and Southern varieties. Pro tip: try any of them over nachos.

Location: 2718 Monroe Rd. Open 11-9 Mon-Fri, 12-9 on Sat, closed Sun.

Cooking with Joya

Adjoa Courtney, known as Chef Joya, is a personal chef specializing in vegan dishes. She does private dinners and meal prep for clients.

“The love for what I do is the main ingredient in everything. When you have a meal from Chef Joya, you are getting a piece of my spirit, my personality, and my heritage on a plate,” Joya said.

Details: Visit Chef Joya’s website to book her services or to purchase her cookbooks.

Bean Vegan Cuisine

American classics turned vegan. The restaurant on Independence Blvd. has burgers, fishless filets, pulled “pork,” and lots of other fried treats — all vegan. It also sells snacks and sweets like cheesecake and chocolate cake.

Location/hours: 3001 East Independence Blvd. Open Mon-Fri 12-8, and on Sat-Sun from 11-8.

Detour Coffeebar

The full-service coffee shop on wheels has dozens of drinks on its menu including coffee and espresso drinks, refreshing summer drinks, and teas, sodas, and smoothies for non-coffee drinkers.

Location/hours: Check out Detour Coffeebar’s schedule.

[Related Agenda guide: 18 best coffee shops to fuel up for your work day]

Your Custom Catering & Events

The custom catering company has catered everything from weddings to CIAA and Charlotte Pride events. During the pandemic owner Nate Turner switched gears to serve students, tent city residents and others in need.

Details: Visit the website to get a catering quote.

Earl’s Grocery

The popular shop in Elizabeth doesn’t just offer groceries, it serves delicious southern classics including buttermilk fried chicken sandwich.

Location/hours: 1609 Elizabeth Ave. Open 10:30-7 Mon-Sat, and closed Sun.

The Wine Vault

The Wine Vault offers a wide array of red and white wines that come by the glass and in flights.

The shop is located at the Shoppes At University Place near UNC Charlotte.

How to support: 9009-1 J M Keynes Drive. Open 11-4 Mon, 11-9 Tue-Sat, and 3-9 Sun.

[Related guide: The 6 coolest wine bars in Charlotte, right now]

Poplar Tapas Wine & Spirits

Poplar offers Peruvian and Spanish foods, serving everything from charcuterie boards to mac and cheese. It’s located in the historic Morrison House in Charlotte’s Fourth Ward.

Location/hours: 224 W 10th St. Open 5-9 Tue-Thurs, 5-10 Fri-Sat.

[Related Agenda guide: Neighborhood guide: 17 things to do, see, and eat in Uptown]

Tacos Rick-O

The authentic Mexican food truck serves tacos, quesadillas, rice bowls, and more. Owner Rick Ortiz offers catering and is working on a physical location in NoDa.

Location/hours: Tacos Rick-O is Hopin’s permanent food truck. Find them parked outside the taproom Tue-Fri from 5:30-9, Sat 1-9 and Sun 1-5.

NoDa Company Store

This place has a little bit of everything, groceries, t-shirts, beer, and wine—you name it. The NoDa store recently upgraded its back patio. You can even pick up The Dumpling Lady dumplings here.

Location/hours: 3221 Yadkin Ave. Open Mon 5-10, Tue-Thurs, 12-10 Fri 12-11, Sat 10-11, and Sun 10-8.

Counter-

The tasting menu restaurant by Chef Sam Hart offers seasonal dining experiences with different themes. In addition to wine, diners are also given musical pairings for each dish. [Go deeper]

Location/hours: 2200 Thrift Rd. The restaurant is reservation only, and open 6-10 Tue-Sat.

More resources:

• The Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce has an extensive directory of local businesses in every industry here.
• Charlotte Black Pride is celebrating July 11-18th.
• Charlotte Pride is back on this August.
• Charlotte’s Got A Lot has a great LGBTQ Guide to Charlotte with nightlife, salons, drag, sports, and more.