16 most anticipated new restaurants and bars in Charlotte
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DaBaby's No Knife Chicken & Waffles will open this summer. Photo: Courtesy of DaBaby
We're tracking 16 highly anticipated restaurants and bars opening 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 latest update on June 30.
No Knife Chicken & Waffles
A new brunch restaurant from rapper DaBaby opening in north Charlotte.
Opening: Mid-July.
The vibe: The restaurant is expected to have a fast-casual concept with an upscale diner feel. The menu is still being developed by DaBaby, but it will include chicken and waffles. Inside, there will be booth and bar seating and eventually a patio space.
Go deeper: DaBaby's Charlotte brunch restaurant is opening soon
Sweet July Cafe
A cafe from Ayesha Curry opening in Uptown.
Opening: July.
The vibe: The cafe will serve coffee, baked goods, smoothies and more inside The Ritz-Carlton.
Go deeper: Steph and Ayesha Curry opening Uptown bar and cafe at The Ritz-Carlton
Songbirds
A wine bar catering to independent artists and music lovers in University City.
Opening: End of July.
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 wines from Black-owned brands 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
Raíces
A Mexican-inspired restaurant taking over the former Summerbird space in South End.
Opening: Summer.
The vibe: The restaurant led by South Carolina restaurateurs Alfonso Bravo and Amalia Macias will bring a taste of Oaxaca through traditional techniques and small plates. Expect handmade tortillas, mole recipes, authentic pozole, and a selection of campo-style dishes, plus featured seasonal produce and meats from local family farms. A drinks menu will feature agave-focused cocktails inspired by the bars of Mexico City.
Go deeper: New Mexican restaurant Raíces opening soon in South End
Lady Funari
An Italian pasta bar in South End in the former Futo Buta space.
Opening: End of summer.
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 seasonal pasta dishes plus Negroni- and amaro-forward cocktails.
- Now that its owners have opened Mi Cariño, they're shifting their focus to this venture and hope to share more details soon.
Go deeper: Fresh renderings: New Italian pasta bar Lady Funari coming to South End
FARE
A healthy fast-casual restaurant in South End.
Opening: Fall.
The vibe: Fare will serve breakfast all day, lunch and dinner at the Queensbridge Collective. Its menu will feature smoothies, bowls and plates.
Go deeper: Healthy eatery Fare opening in South End this year
Kindred Steakhouse
A steakhouse in downtown Mooresville from Restaurateurs Katy and Joe Kindred.
Opening: Fall.
The vibe: The New Orleans-style steakhouse will include indoor and outdoor seating, plus a 25-seat private dining room. The menu will include dry-aged steak and chops, plus charcuterie. There will be an indoor-outdoor bar serving local beer, plus nods to New Orleans with Sazerac and French 75.
Go deeper: Popular Kindred team is bringing a new steakhouse to Mooresville
Guard and Grace
A Denver-based steakhouse in South End with a rooftop.
Opening: Fall.
The vibe: It'll have indoor and outdoor seating, a full bar, private dining rooms, and a 2,000-square-foot 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
CRÚ Wine Bar & Bistro
A Dallas-based wine bar in South End.
Opening: Fall.
The vibe: The 2,389-square-foot space will serve brunch, seasonal lunches, drink specials and dinner. The menu will also have wine flights, pinsa pizzas and rotating specials.
Go deeper: New Dallas-based wine bar coming to Charlotte's South End
The Iberian Pig
A Spanish-inspired tapas restaurant from Atlanta in South End.
Opening: Winter.
The vibe: Expect a menu featuring traditional charcuterie and tapas. Standouts are the bacon-wrapped dates and pork cheek tacos, with new creations planned for the Charlotte location.
Go deeper: Atlanta Spanish tapas restaurant to open in South End
Bourbon Steak
A steakhouse from chef Michael Mina and his restaurant group in Uptown.
Opening: Winter.
The vibe: They aim to offer luxury with 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
The Eighth Rule
A cocktail lounge from NBA player and Davidson College graduate Steph Curry opening in Uptown.
Opening: Winter.
The vibe: The snazzy lounge will have a bourbon-forward drink menu with craft cocktails, rare pours and innovative bites.
Go deeper: Steph and Ayesha Curry opening Uptown bar and cafe at The Ritz-Carlton
Wyatt's Superfine
A four-story dining concept from local restaurateurs Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown.
Opening: 2027.
The vibe: The 1903 Charlotte building is getting a second life as a four-story restaurant, with floors including a parlor-style space, a fine-dining experience on the second level and a solarium.
Go deeper: Historic Leeper-Wyatt building to reopen as 4-story eatery
Savona Food Works
A new food hall opening at Savona Mill in west Charlotte.
Opening: 2027.
The vibe: Expect about 25 food stalls, along with a full-service restaurant and bar, coffee shop, flower market and rooftop bar. There will also be indoor and outdoor seating areas and spaces for events.
Go deeper: New food hall planned for west Charlotte's Savona Mill
Mariah's Taco Spot
The popular taco truck is opening its first brick-and-mortar spot near NoDa.
Opening: TBD.
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
La La Land Kind Café
A TikTok-famous cafe taking over the former Bitty & Beau's Coffee space in South End.
Opening: TBD.
The vibe: Expect dessert-leaning coffee, matchas and toasts. Signature drinks include the La La Latte (espresso or matcha, vanilla, milk) and colorful creations like lavender, strawberry and French toast lattes. Toasts are mostly avocado-based, including a truffle burrata and cream cheese avocado toast, plus fruit-topped options.
Go deeper: TikTok-famous La La Land Kind Café is coming to Charlotte