Aug 21, 2025 - Food and Drink

Where to eat after midnight in Charlotte

Alexis Clinton

Busy retro diner interior with black-and-white checkered floor, red booths, silver trim, pendant lights, and customers seated or standing along the aisle. — Midnight Diner in Uptown is a go to option for a late night option if you want to sit down. Photo: Emma Way/Axios

Clubs and bars may close at 2am in Charlotte, but there are plenty of spots besides Cookout that serve food after hours.

Here are 17 places to get a late-night bite.

Halal Food Cart

The owners of the wildly popular Halal cart have multiple restaurants and food trucks around the city. Their Uptown and University food trucks, however, are your best bet for midnight munchies.

Stop by: The Uptown location (101 N Tryon St.) is open 10am-3am daily.

University City (9430 University City Blvd.) is open Thursday through Saturday 11am-1am.

Midnight Diner

The all-day diner originally opened in 2010 in South End, but moved near the Spectrum Center in Uptown in 2022.

Stop by: Open 24/7 at 420 E Trade St.

Go deeper: Revered Charlotte diner to open second location

Close-up of shrimp and creamy orange sauce served over white grits, accompanied by a golden brown biscuit on a white plate. — The shrimp & grits at Midnight Diner. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

RedEye Diner

Located in Queen City Quarter (formerly the Epicentre), Redeye Diner serves everything from breakfast to burgers in a classic diner-style setting.

Stop by: Open 24/7 at 210 E Trade St.

PIE.ZAA

A popular Asheville-based pizzeria in South End next to Vinyl.

Stop by: 1440 S. Tryon St.

Open Monday 4pm-1am, Tuesday through Thursday 11am-1am, Friday 11am-2am and Sunday 11am-1am.

Hand holding a slice of pizza with tomatoes, spinach, and cheese on a white paper plate in front of a circular lit sign featuring a pizza slice and text "PIE.ZAA" — Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios

Fumée

A lounge in University City with small bites from 11:30pm to 1:30am.

Stop by: 9539 Pinnacle Dr.

Open Monday 5pm-2am, Wednesday through Friday 5pm-2am, Saturday and Sunday 12pm-2am. Closed Tuesday.

Two gourmet sliders with toasted buns, topped with crispy fried onions, microgreens, and creamy sauce on a dark plate in a cozy restaurant setting. — Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

Fuel Pizza

A pizzeria in an old vintage gas station in Plaza Midwood that also serves wings and sandwiches.

Stop by: 1501 Central Ave.

Open Sunday through Wednesday 11am-2am and Thursday through Saturday 11am-3am.

South End Eats

A South End ghost kitchen with a list of takeout spots like The Dessert Factory, Zaikka South End, and Noisy Chicken & Waffles, some with late-night bites.

Order ahead online.

Stop by: 500 W Summit Ave.

Hours vary by kitchen.

Go deeper: 15 Must-try takeout spots in Charlotte

Takeout container with spicy fried chicken and fries covered in creamy gravy, held outside a blue building with large yellow letters reading "SOUTH END EATS". — Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

Cook Out

The fast-casual North Carolina restaurant is a staple for affordable bites like burgers and shakes.

Stop by: Find your nearest location here. Many are open until 3am and 4am.

Hand holding a white milkshake cup with red stripes and pink straw in front of a Cook Out fast food restaurant with brick exterior and signage advertising burgers, BBQ, hotdogs, and shakes. — Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios

Weekend options

Zämbies Pizza

A pizza shop offering giant slices in the heart of NoDa.

Stop by: 3204 N Davidson St.

Open 11am-midnight Sunday through Wednesday.
Open until 1am on Thursday and til 3am on Friday and Saturday.

A slice of pizza at Zämbies — A slice of pizza ($6) was so huge that we had to crop part of it out. If you think a slice is big, wait til you see their 28-inch pie ($42-$45). Talk about leftovers for days. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

Chex Grill

A chicken wing spot with more than a dozen locations and over 35 wing flavors.

Stop by: Some of the Charlotte area locations, including Uptown, University, Albemarle Road and Pineville, are open until 2am on Saturday and Sunday.