23 most anticipated new restaurants and bars in Charlotte

Between the lines: Restaurant opening dates are notorious for being pushed back, especially because of permit approval delays and supply chain issues that slow down build-outs and renovations. Many of the timelines are owners' estimates.

• This list includes only new restaurants, bars and other establishments in the Charlotte area. It doesn't feature expansions like Suffolk Punch in Birkdale Village.

Editor's note: This guide is updated monthly, with the last update on Feb. 2.

Groovers Listening Bar

A Charleston-based music venue featuring DJs who spin vinyl records coming to Charlotte.

Opening: Feb. 5

The vibe: Groovers has two DJ booths, one meant for vinyl-spinning DJs and another on a platform overlooking the light-up dance floor.

• You'll hear a mix of '70s, '80s and '90s music intended to make you dance and sing along.

Go deeper: Popular Charleston listening bar expanding to Charlotte

Naked Farmer

A Florida-based farm-to-table restaurant opening in South End.

Opening: Feb. 7

The vibe: The farm-to-table chain will offer healthy, seasonal options for lunch and dinner, including salads, plates, bowls and other vegetable-forward meals.

Improper Pig

A Charlotte-born barbecue joint known for mixing smoked meats with Asian flavors coming to Plaza Midwood.

Opening: Feb. 16

The vibe: Although this is technically an expansion of an existing Charlotte-area restaurant, the new Plaza Midwood location of The Improper Pig will become the brand's flagship, located on the prominent corner of Central and Thomas avenues.

Go deeper: See renderings: The Improper Pig to open in Plaza Midwood

Amina

A restaurant fusing East African and Mediterranean flavors in Uptown.

Opening: Early February

The vibe: The 5,350-square-foot eatery will transition to a lounge after 10pm on weekends, featuring occasional live music or DJs setting the vibe with R&B and house music.

Go deeper: Scoop: East African-Mediterranean fusion restaurant Amina to open in Uptown Charlotte

Antagonist

An all-day cafe in Dilworth from Protagonist founders Mike and Kristin Salzarulo and The Crunkleton and Puerta alumni Phi Hoang and Madison Phillip.

Opening: February

The vibe: The cafe and bar will serve Giddy Goat coffee by day and turn into a cocktail bar with a no-phone policy by night.

The Antagonist menu will primarily feature cocktails, along with some small bites and beer.

Go deeper: No phones allowed at new cocktail bar Antagonist, coming to Dilworth in 2025

Songbirds

A wine bar catering to independent artists and music lovers in University City.

Opening: March 1

The vibe: A former "American Idol" contestant is opening this spot to offer a space for artists to perform and have resources to help launch their musical careers. Expect DJs, live music and a selection of Black-owned wines in the evening. By day, you'll find coffee and pastries.

Go deeper: Former "American Idol" contestant opening Charlotte wine bar to support other artists

Sage & Citrus

A wellness-forward fast-casual restaurant opening in Camp North End.

Opening: March

The vibe: The food stall located in the Keswick building will serve bowls, smoothies, sandwiches, soups and kid-friendly dishes. It'll also offer plant-based and vegan-friendly options like cauliflower bites and cauliflower mac and cheese, alongside hearty dishes like salmon and short rib entrees.

Chili Willi's

A West Virginia-based Tex-Mex restaurant from the owner of Duckworth's is opening in the former The Waterman spot in Lake Norman.

Opening: March

The vibe: Expect a menu with enchiladas, flautas, chimichangas, and huevos rancheros. Other dishes include pork carnitas tacos, coffee-rubbed hanger steak and grilled salmon.

Go deeper: Owner of Duckworth's bringing a taste of West Virginia to Charlotte with Chili Willi's partnership

Zamindar's

A new Indian restaurant and cocktail lounge opening in the former Link & Pin spot in South End.

Opening: Middle of March

The vibe: Expect two experiences under one roof — a fine-dining Indian restaurant and a British-influenced cocktail lounge.

Go deeper: New fine-dining Indian restaurant and cocktail lounge coming to South End

Uchi and Uchiba

A Japanese restaurant by Texas star chef Tyson Cole.

Opening: End of March/early April 2026

The vibe: Located in one of the two revitalized 100-year-old buildings in Plaza Midwood. Its "sushi-focused menu innovates traditional Japanese fare and focuses on meticulous service, elevated dishes, and an inventive cocktail program," according to a press release from the developer.

Go deeper: Uchi, Van Leeuwen, Solidcore, The Salty to open in Plaza Midwood

Olivelli Deli

A walk-up deli window opening in NoDa.

Opening: April

The vibe: The 82-square-foot walk-up window at 35th Street and N. Davidson will soon reopen in the former Reigning Doughnuts space by the same owners. It will serve six to seven deli sandwiches, chips, small bites and soft serve.

Café Audire

A vinyl listening room opening at The Pass.

Opening: First quarter of 2026

The vibe: Expect teas and locally sourced coffee during the day and custom cocktails in the evening, in addition to baked goods and finger foods. The 1,107-square-foot space will have vinyl record players to rent; guests are welcome to bring their own, too.

Sharigato

A new hand-roll-focused sushi restaurant opening at The Joinery in Optimist Park.

Opening: Early 2026

The vibe: Each roll is made to order and served at a 24-seat counter, where people can watch the process unfold.

• It'll also have a separate takeout window — dubbed Shariboto — with maki-style rolls wrapped in a special film to help retain texture. Sushi robots will help prepare and roll the rice for efficient and consistent prep time.

Go deeper: Hand-roll sushi restaurant Sharigato coming to Optimist Park

Market on Morehead

A spacious restaurant with an expansive dog-friendly patio and a 25-foot TV overlooking South End's Rail Trail.

Opening: Spring

The vibe: Josh Willoughby, co-founder of Market on Main in Columbia, South Carolina, describes his vision for Market on Morehead as a complete destination for eating, drinking and entertainment.

Go deeper: South End restaurant to open with massive patio, dog park and huge TV over Rail Trail

Mariah's Taco Spot

The popular taco truck is opening its first brick-and-mortar spot near NoDa.

Opening: Mid-spring 2026

The vibe: Expect crowd favorites like tacos and wings, plus new dishes like strawberry crunch churros and cookies.

Go deeper: Mariah's Taco Spot food truck to open a brick-and-mortar near NoDa

Plot Twist

A coffee and cocktail bar opening in Plaza Midwood.

Opening: Beginning of Q2

The vibe: The former auto shop is being transformed into what co-owner Nikki Velazquez describes as a true "third space" that'll have a menu with coffee, cocktails, mocktails and THC beverages.

Go deeper: Scoop: Coffee and cocktail bar opening in Plaza Midwood with "cool older sister" vibes

Pasta bar by Vinyl owners

An Italian pasta bar in South End opening in the former Futo Buta space.

Opening: Second quarter of 2026

The vibe: Expect a warm, moody interior with a chef's window and chef's table open to the dining room. Its patio will face the Rail Trail. The menu will feature fresh seasonal pasta dishes plus Negroni- and amaro-forward cocktails.

• Now that its owners have opened Mi Cariño, they're shifting their focus to this latest venture and hope to share more details, including a name, sometime soon.

Go deeper: VINYL team to open pasta bar in South End

Fare

A healthy fast-casual restaurant opening in South End.

Opening: Second quarter of 2026

The vibe: Fare will serve breakfast all day, lunch and dinner at the Queensbridge Collective. Its menu features smoothies, bowls and salads, avocado toast, overnight oats and egg wraps.

Go deeper: Healthy eatery Fare opening in South End this year

Bourbon Steak

A steakhouse from chef Michael Mina and his restaurant group is opening in Uptown.

Opening: Fall

The vibe: They aim to offer luxury with a mix of modern and steakhouse vibes. Expect a menu focused on beef, seafood and seasonal produce. The restaurant will serve wine and cocktails.

Go deeper: James Beard Award-winning chef to open a steakhouse at The Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte

Guard and Grace

A Denver-based steakhouse opening in South End with a rooftop.

Opening: Q4 of 2026

The vibe: It'll have indoor and outdoor seating, a full bar, private dining rooms and a 2,000-square-foot outdoor deck with panoramic skyline views.

• The menu will include beef, seafood, charcuterie, seasonal vegetarian options, wine and cocktails.

Go deeper: Popular Denver steakhouse Guard and Grace coming to new development in South End

The Iberian Pig

A Spanish-inspired tapas restaurant from Atlanta opening in South End.

Opening: Late 2026

The vibe: Expect a menu featuring traditional charcuteria and tapas. Standouts are the bacon-wrapped dates and pork cheek tacos, with new creations planned exclusively for the Charlotte location.

Go deeper: Atlanta Spanish tapas restaurant to open in South End

Ladybird Taco

A Birmingham-based taco restaurant replacing Lebowski's Neighborhood Grill.

Opening: TBD

The vibe: Ladybird Taco specializes in Texas-style breakfast and lunch tacos. It'll also have a barista and a craft coffee menu.

Go deeper: Beloved Dilworth bar closes to make way for new taco restaurant

Wyatt's Superfine

A four-story dining concept from local restaurateurs Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown.

Opening: TBD

The vibe: The historic Charlotte building from 1903 is getting a second life as a four-story dining concept with floors including a parlor style space, a fine dining experience on the second level and a glassed-in solarium.

Go deeper: Historic Leeper-Wyatt building to reopen as 4-story eatery