40+ Hispanic- and Latino-owned restaurants to check out in Charlotte

The bottom line: One of the best ways to learn more about and celebrate Hispanic culture is through food.

• Here's a list of 40+ of our favorite Hispanic- and Latino-owned restaurants, bakeries and businesses in Charlotte.

Editor's note: This is not a ranking.

Arbol

Expect healthy options at this Uptown cafe, helmed by Chef Edwin Cruz, who is originally from Mexico. In addition to paninis and smoothies, Cruz brings a "Latin flair" to Uptown with menu items like horchata, flan and Cuban sandwiches.

Stop by: 227 W Trade St., inside the Carillon Tower in Uptown.

Must-try item: The Cuban sandwich and the matcha love smoothie.

Go deeper: Arbol is Uptown’s new healthy takeout café

Babaloo Coffee Club

A South End walk-up cafe by husband-and-wife duo and local restaurateurs, Cuban-born Manny Pérez Ochoa, co-owner of El Puro, and Colombian-born Carolina Maury, co-owner of Muraya.

Stop by: 1425 Winnifred St.

Must-try item: Any of their matcha drinks.

Go deeper: The team behind El Puro and Muraya to open South End cafe serving global treats and La Colombe coffee

The Batch House

Born and raised in Honduras, Cris Rojas Agurcia, aka the Batchmaker, has been baking cakes and brownies since she was a young girl. The idea behind The Batch House bakery is that customers can come in for one sweet treat or a whole batch (go with the latter).

Stop by: 901 Berryhill Road in Wesley Heights.

Must-try item: The oatmeal creme pie.

Go deeper: Batch House menu includes dirty Oreo truffles, s’mores brownies and Snickers cheesecake

Brasas Arepas & Grill

Brasas, originally known as Arepas Grill, has been serving some of the best arepas in town for over a decade. Colombian native Rafael Bravo purchased the restaurant from the original Venezuelan owner a few years ago. Now, Brasas offers a variety of traditional Venezuelan and Colombian dishes.

Stop by: 4740 Old Pineville Road.

Must-try item: The churrasco steak with fried plantain, fries, avocado salad and chimichurri.

Cali Colombian Restaurant

At Cali, you’ll find traditional Colombian dishes like arepas, empanadas and the bandeja paisa. The restaurant also has an in-house bakery, with freshly baked bread and desserts.

Stop by: 5920 South Blvd.

Must-try item: The bandeja paisa, which has beans, rice, an arepa, chorizo, sweet plantains, chicharrón (pork rinds), avocado and beef.

Go deeper: Cali Colombian Restaurant is now open on South Boulevard

La Caseta

Expect arepas, pupusas and tacos at this Camp North End food stall, founded by Dalton Espaillat and his wife, Miriam, of Sabor Latin Street Grill and Three Amigos, among other restaurants. The duo, originally from the Dominican Republic and El Salvador, respectively, say they grew up around street food and see it as a place where communities come together.

Stop by: 1801 N. Graham St.

Must-try item: Taco al Pastor is adobo pork carved straight off a “trompo” (Spanish for spinning top), served in a handmade corn tortilla with onions, pineapple, cilantro and salsa verde.

Dulce Dreams Cafe

Owner Norma Zuniga opened Dulce (pronounced dool-seh) Dreams as a pop-up bakery in December 2021. Less than a year later, the Mexico-born Charlottean quit her job as a lab technician to pursue her pastry-making passion full-time.

Stop by: Zuniga operates Dulce Dreams out of Sweet Spot Studio in Oakhurst.

• Pre-orders are available for pick-up, and Zuniga posts her availability on the Dulce Dreams Cafe Instagram.

Must-try item: A concha sandwich, such as the Gansito concha.

Go deeper: Dulce Dreams Cafe brings flavors of Mexico to Charlotte

El Malo

El Malo takes inspiration from traditional Tijuana-style taco shops like ones you'd find in San Diego and other parts of Southern California. Inside, it has a speakeasy-style bar called "Hermanita" (Spanish for little sister) that livens up late at night.

Stop by: 1308 The Plaza.

Must-try item: The California burrito.

Go deeper: Mexican restaurant El Malo opens in Plaza Midwood

El Puro

Named one of Charlotte’s best restaurants by our team last year, El Puro offers an experience that takes you back to 1950s pre-revolutionary Cuba. 

Stop by: 5033 South Blvd.

Must-try item: If you’re going on a date, order this to share: masitas de la loma (tender pork shoulder chunks), a side of congrí (rice and beans), and maduros (sweet plantains). There’ll still be room for dessert, and maybe another cocktail to loosen you up before the salsa lessons start. 

• Bonus: Don’t sleep on their brunch. Order the tres leches pancakes.

Go deeper: Havana Carolina owners open new Cuban restaurant in Charlotte

Felix Empanadas

Felix Godward founded Felix Empanadas in 2017 as a food trailer. As the son of Argentine immigrants, he wanted to bring the same empanadas his grandmother would make during family trips to Argentina.

Stop by: Inside The Alley at Latta Arcade (320 S. Tryon St.) and Optimist Hall (1115 N Brevard St.)

Must-order item: Carolina BBQ empanada, made with pulled pork and topped with coleslaw.

Go deeper: Felix Empanadas expands to Uptown with takeout available until 3am

Havana Carolina

With the same owners as El Puro, Havana Carolina has been a family affair since the Maldonado family purchased it in November 2017. Before coming to the U.S., Idael Pérez Maldonado and his family owned a bed and breakfast in Cuba. A month after the Maldonados purchased the restaurant, Idael died tragically in a car accident. His wife and two adult children work to keep their father’s dream alive, as Axios contributor Ben Jarrell wrote.

Stop by: 11 Union St. S., Concord.

Must-try item: Ropa vieja, Cuba’s unofficial national dish. It’s shredded beef brisket marinated and simmered in a homemade tomato sauce with onions and peppers.

Go deeper: The remarkable story of Havana Carolina, a Cuban restaurant where two UNC Charlotte students help keep their father’s dream alive

La Lima Sangucheria

This fast-casual Peruvian sandwich restaurant in South End is by the same owners as Yunta Nikkei and Viva Chicken.

Stop by: 131 E. Park Ave.

Must-try item: The Sakura sandwich.

Go deeper: First look inside La Lima Sangucheria by co-founders of Yunta and Viva Chicken

Legends Ice Cream Shop

Javier Morales, aka "QC Javi" on Instagram, has made a career out of highlighting Hispanic and Latino-owned businesses in Charlotte. Recently, he opened an authentic Mexican ice cream shop in east Charlotte.

Stop by: 5708 N Sharon Amity Road

Must-try item: The "Legends" ice cream, which is topped with extra desserts.

Go deeper: Charlotte influencer QC Javi opens Mexican ice cream shop

Los Chamos

Co-owner Carlos Calzadilla immigrated to the United States from Caracas, Venezuela, in 2007. He grew up in the service industry and even met his wife, Christina, working at Cantina 1511. In 2022, the duo opened Los Chamos, an authentic Venezuelan restaurant on South Boulevard serving arepas, cachapa, pabellón, pepitos and picaña.

Stop by: 7001 South Blvd.

Must-try item: El Patacon — it’s like a burger with fried plantains instead of buns, and pulled skirt steak instead of ground beef.

Go deeper: Venezuelan restaurant Los Chamos opens soon in south Charlotte

Lupitas Carniceria & Tortilleria

This takeout restaurant and butcher shop combo has a wide selection of meats and fridge staples like eggs and milk. The tortillas are all made in-house and meat orders are done by the pound, so you get to assemble the taco yourself.

Stop by: 5316 South Blvd.

Must-try item: Barbacoa de res on a corn tortilla.

MaBí

A Dominican restaurant by Dalton Espaillat of Raydal Hospitality Group, which includes popular local Latin restaurants such as Sabor Latin Street Grill, La Caseta and Three Amigos.

Stop by: 416 E 36th St.

Must try item: The ropa vieja and chicharrones.

Go deeper: Dominican restaurant MaBí opening in NoDa

Manolo's Bakery

Formerly known as Las Delicias, Manolo's Bakery was one of the first Mexican bakeries to open in Charlotte. Here you’ll find favorites like empanadas and tres leches cakes.

Zoom in: Owner Manolo Betancur is originally from Colombia. Known for his humanitarianism, Betancur has helped migrant workers in the Carolina foothills and traveled to Ukraine to help a bakery recover from the Russian invasion.

Stop by: 4405 Central Ave.

Must-try item: A concha. It’s a traditional Mexican sweet bread roll with a crunchy topping.

Maria's Mexican Restaurant

Maria’s offers all of your Mexican favorites: seafood and meats plus vegan and vegetarian options. The family-owned and operated restaurant also has a full bar with pineapple coconut margaritas. 

Stop by: 5234 South Blvd.

Must-try item: The quesabirria, which is a meat-packed quesadilla/taco hybrid filled with cheese and beef stew served with beef broth for dipping.

Go deeper: 9 must-try Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants in Charlotte

Muraya

This Colombian tapas restaurant is located along the Lightrail in South End. It’s owned by Manny Pérez Ochoa, of El Puro, and his wife, Carolina Maury, who was born in Barranquilla, Colombia. Expect Colombian dishes with a twist and vibey Latin house music.

Stop by: 200 E. Bland St.

Must-try item: The coctel de camarones (shrimp cocktail) with waffled tostones.

Go deeper: El Puro owner will bring a taste of Colombia to South End with new restaurant Muraya

Papi Ricko Latin Kitchen & Lounge

Ricky Ortiz first brought the flavors from his hometown of Durango, Mexico, to his food truck Tacos Rick-O. Now, he has a permanent spot in Plaza Midwood with a larger menu selection, fun drinks and themed parties.

Stop by: 1226 Central Ave.

Must-try item: The street tacos, which are served in a mini food truck diorama.

Go deeper: 9 fun dishes and drinks to try at Papi Ricko in Plaza Midwood

Que Fresa

Que Fresa offers tacos, bowls, shareable plates, sandwiches, wraps, and desserts. Owner Manuel Flores named the restaurant after his wife, who grew up in Mexico in the ’80s.

• Fun fact: "Fresa" means strawberry in Spanish, but it's also Mexican slang for a preppy person. 

Stop by: Wesley Heights (1500 W. Morehead St.) and Uptown (530 S. College St.)

Must-try item: The skinny bowl, made with chicken or steak, quinoa, hard-boiled egg, roasted corn, spring mix, guacamole and radish pickled chiles. 

Go deeper: Que Fresa opens in west Charlotte in former Picante spot

Que Onda

Before there was Que Fresa, Manuel Flores opened Que Onda. Now, this local Mexican chain has several locations across Charlotte serving street tacos, salads, tortas, enchiladas and burritos. 

• Flores also owns Spanish tapas restaurant Catalú in South End.

Stop by: Que Onda has five locations in Uptown, Matthews, Highland Creek and University City, but we especially like its Plaza Midwood location because of its brunch menu.

Must-try item: The birria tostones, made with green plantain tostón, topped with guacamole, beef birria, pickled onion, Cotija cheese and crema.

Go deeper: Que Onda opens with a second-floor balcony and new menu in Plaza Midwood

RiCkO's Churro Bar

The build-your-own churro shop is Charlotte's first churreria, according to owner Ricky Ortiz, best known for his popular Mexican food truck Tacos Rick-O.

Stop by: 3100 North Davidson, between Happy Camper and Haberdish.

Must-try item: Cookie Monster loop churro.

Go deeper: Tacos Rick-O food truck owner opens RiCkO's Churro Bar in NoDa

Sabor Latin Street Grill

Sabor offers pan-Latin flavors from around the world, pulling inspiration from Mexico, Cuba, El Salvador, Venezuela, Colombia and the Dominican Republic, owner Dalton Espaillat's home.

Stop by: Espaillat opened the first Sabor in 2013. Now, there are 17 locations across the Carolinas.

Must-try item: The BYOB burrito — with your choice of protein, beans and rice — comes with tomato, onion, cheese, lettuce and cilantro.

Suárez Bakery

This bakery with Cuban roots has been in Park Road Shopping Center since the early '90s. It also has a stall inside Optimist Hall. Known for its specialty cakes and pastries, tea cookies, and gourmet cupcakes, Suárez Bakery is iconic in Charlotte’s baked goods scene.

Stop by: Park Road Shopping Center and Optimist Hall.

Must-try item: Tres leches cup. It’s a vanilla cake soaked in sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and whole milk, with whipped cream, caramel, and cinnamon.

Tacos El Nevado

Tacos El Nevado has been serving up authentic Mexican dishes for over a decade. Last year, it made it to our list of best restaurants.

Of note: Many dishes at Tacos El Nevado originate from Oaxaca — a state and city in Mexico known for its food. In fact, it's widely considered to be the gastronomic capital of Mexico.

Stop by: 4719 Central Ave.

Must-try item: Any of the tacos. Choose from asada (grilled steak), pollo (chicken), shrimp or fish, among other options. Pictured here, from left to right, are the campechano (steak and Mexican sausage), chicken and steak tacos.

Three Amigos Mexican Kitchen and Cantina

Before Dalton Espaillat and his wife Miriam took over Three Amigos in 2010, it was a struggling Mexican restaurant called La Casa de Las Enchiladas. With a lot of TLC, the Espaillats revived the authentic Mexican spot, and it’s been a favorite on Central Avenue since. 

Stop by: 2917 Central Ave.

Must-try item: The enchiladas.

Vicente Bakery & Bistro

This artisanal bakery offers a globally inspired breakfast and lunch menu of breakfast sandwiches, flatbreads and all-day pastries, including 10 different croissants. It's named after Vicente López, a street in Buenos Aires' Recoleta neighborhood in Argentina. 

Stop by: 2520 South Blvd., on the ground floor of the Seline at Southline apartments.

Must-try item: The cinnamon roll

Viva Chicken

This Peruvian rotisserie chicken restaurant has 15 locations across North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, but the OG spot is in Elizabeth. Its co-owner, chef Bruno Macchiavello, is from Peru and says that in his home country, rotisserie chicken is a popular street food. 

Stop by: 1617 Elizabeth Ave. is the OG location.

Must-try item: Peruvian rotisserie chicken, or pollo a la brasa. It’s marinated for 24 hours, cooked over charcoal and served by the quarter, half or whole bird, plus sides.

Go deeper: Chef Bruno Macchiavello of Yunta and Viva Chicken wants to bring more Peruvian cuisine to Charlotte

Yunta Nikkei

Named Charlotte’s best restaurant by our team last year, Yunta offers a unique blend of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine. It has the same owners as Viva Chicken, but offers a very different vibe. Rather than casual street food fare, Yunta is the kind of place you go to for a night out on a date or with friends.

Stop by: 2201 South Blvd.

Must-try item: The tiger's milk ceviche, made with fish, golden fried squid, leche de tigre, and tartar sauce.

Go deeper: Ceviche and house music are recipe for cool at new Charlotte hot spot Yunta

Here are some other must-visit Latino-owned restaurants in Charlotte:

• Salud Cerveceria — 3306 North Davidson St.
• Customshop — 1601 Elizabeth Ave.
• Bae’s Burgers — 246 N. Main St., Mooresville
• Bocao Sushi — 1000 North Carolina Music Factory Blvd.
• Tacos El Regio NC — 8829 E W.T. Harris Blvd.
• Fonda Mexicana El Paraiso — 6105 South Blvd.
• Ely Tortilleria — 6301 N. Tryon St.
• Pupusa 503 — 850-C Chancellor Dr.
• Sumaq — 6259 South Blvd.
• Havana33 — 637 Williamson Road Unit 100, Mooresville
• Yogurt and Yuca (YAY) — 1425 Winnifred St.

And here are some Hispanic-owned businesses in Charlotte, as suggested by our Instagram followers: 

• Zuleyma Castrejon Salinas — Traditional Mexican artesanías and clothing.
• Verde Tribe Plant Shop — Ecuadorian-owned plant shop.
• Inka Print Clt — Colombian graphic designer.
• OBRA Collective — Artist.
• Bonitos Hats — Hatmaker.
• Valentin Ramirez Cardiel — Muralist, also known as dead_folks.
• Bella G Beauty Studio — Beauty, cosmetic & personal care.
• Treats by Marisol — Gourmet dog bakery.
• The Comunidad — Vendor market started by and hosting Latino business owners.
• El Puro Events — Event company by the owners of El Puro Cuban Restaurant that offers live performers, music and event coordinators.
• La Bodeguita — Crafting experiences inside a Camp North End Airstream.

Learn more:

• You can try various foods from more than a dozen Latin American countries at The Hola Charlotte Festival in Uptown on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 12-6pm.
• Javier Morales, also known as QC Javi, always has a blast on his Instagram, especially during Hispanic Heritage Month. He also runs the account Latinos in Charlotte, which shares things to do for Charlotte’s Latino community.
• The City of Charlotte has a guide of more ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month beyond food.
• If you’re confused about the difference between Hispanic and Latino, here’s a great graphic. Hispanic is about language (countries where Spanish is the first language), whereas Latino is about geography (countries in Latin America).

Note: This story was originally published in Oct. 2020 and most recently updated in June 2025.