15 most anticipated restaurants and bars in Charlotte
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FARE will open this November. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
We're tracking 15 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 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 Oct. 30.
FARE
A healthy fast-casual restaurant in South End.
Opening: Nov. 6
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
Too Chicks Bistro
A new restaurant opening in the former MaBí space in NoDa.
Opening: November
The vibe: The menu will feature brunch classics such as shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, plus breakfast bowls and tacos. Dinner options will include braised sea bass, Tuscan chicken and a few desserts. The cocktail menu is in the works, but expect playful names like "Chick Please" and "Chick on the Side."
Go deeper: Elevated brunch and dinner spot coming soon to NoDa
Lady Funari
An Italian pasta bar in South End in the former Futo Buta space.
Opening: Late fall.
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
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
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
Dear Charlotte
A garden-inspired restaurant, bar and event venue coming to Steele Creek.
Opening: Early winter 2027.
The vibe: The restaurant will be on the top floor of the new Hilton Garden Inn Steele Creek. The menu will feature botanical cocktails, pizzas and shared plates.
Go deeper: New restaurant, bar and event space coming to Steele Creek
Bourbon Steak
A steakhouse from chef Michael Mina and his restaurant group in Uptown.
Opening: Early 2027.
The vibe: The restaurant aims to pair luxury with a modern steakhouse vibe. 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 Union Sky
A rooftop restaurant and cocktail lounge in downtown Concord.
Opening: Early 2027.
The vibe: A new concept from the husband and wife duo behind Red Chillez Indian Restaurant. The menu will feature elevated American dishes like shareable flatbreads, gourmet burgers, wings, cauliflower wings, pasta and salads.
Go deeper: Rooftop restaurant and cocktail lounge opening soon in Concord
Roe & Olivia's
A restaurant from Chef Andres Kaifer of Customshop and Miami chef Michael Beltran.
Opening: Early spring 2027
The vibe: Expect contemporary American food influenced by the chefs' Cuban and Spanish roots and seasonal ingredients.
Go deeper: Customshop's Andres Kaifer to open new Charlotte restaurant with Miami chef
Wyatt's Superfine
A four-story restaurant from local restaurateurs Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown.
Opening: 2027.
The vibe: The 1903 Charlotte building is getting a second life, 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
Crescent Grounds Coffee
A coffee shop is taking over the former Phil Aull Studio on Providence Road.
Opening: 2027.
The vibe: Think national park visitor center with a large wraparound porch overlooking the park. The menu is still being developed but is expected to have dessert-inspired espresso drinks, cold foam beverages, nitro cold brew and coffee made with beans from a local roaster. The shop will offer pastries to start and will eventually add sandwiches.
Go deeper: New coffee shop to open in Elizabeth overlooking Colonial Park
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
CRÚ Wine Bar & Bistro
A Dallas-based wine bar in South End.
Opening: TBD.
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