17 most anticipated new restaurants and bars in Charlotte
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Sweet July Cafe will open at The Ritz Carlton. Rendering: AvroKO
We're tracking 17 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 May 29.
Zamindar's
A new Indian restaurant and cocktail lounge in the former Link & Pin spot in South End.
Opening: Second week of June.
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
Olivelli Deli
A walk-up deli window in NoDa.
Opening: End of June.
The vibe: The 82-square-foot walk-up window at 35th Street and North Davidson will soon reopen in the former Reigning Doughnuts space by the same owners. It will serve deli sandwiches, chips, small bites and soft serve.
Ardente Kitchen
A new Italian restaurant from Mano Bella Artisan Foods.
Opening: This summer.
The vibe: The restaurant will offer dine-in service and will also be a neighborhood Italian market. It will serve organic handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, meats, seasonal vegetables and homemade sauces. The focus will be on ingredients from central Italy, where co-owner Raffaele Patrizi is from.
Go deeper: New Italian market, restaurant coming to Dilworth this summer
Café Audire
A vinyl listening room at The Pass.
Opening: Second 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.
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
Fare
A healthy fast-casual restaurant in South End.
Opening: Third quarter of 2026.
The vibe: Fare will serve breakfast all day, lunch and dinner at the Queensbridge Collective. Its menu will feature smoothies, bowls and salads, avocado toast, overnight oats, and egg wraps.
Go deeper: Healthy eatery Fare opening in South End this year
Guard and Grace
A Denver-based steakhouse in South End with a rooftop.
Opening: Fall 2026.
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 2026.
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: Late 2026.
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 2026.
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 2026.
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
Lady Funari
An Italian pasta bar in South End in the former Futo Buta space.
Opening: TBD.
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