20 best restaurants in Ballantyne in 2025
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Rooster's Wood-Fired Kitchen in Ballantyne. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
Ballantyne is growing — and its appetite for good food is, too.
Why it matters: With Ballantyne's swanky rebrand attracting more residents and visitors, its dining scene is growing just as fast, from trendy national chains to beloved Charlotte staples expanding to the neighborhood.
Below is a list of the 20 best restaurants in Ballantyne, organized by category: special occasion, international, and fast casual. For this guide, we focused exclusively on locally owned spots, selected by our editors with input from Google reviews.
Special occasion
Hestia: A modern Asian fusion restaurant and rooftop bar offering panoramic views of the city.
- Stop by: 14819 Ballantyne Village Way, on the 16th floor of Ballantyne Village's Panorama Tower.
131 Main: A local upscale chain popular for its steak, seafood, and Charleston Lowcountry vibe — the Ballantyne location, on Rea Road has a fire pit and a covered porch for dining.
- Stop by: 9886 Rea Road
Midwood Smokehouse: A local favorite for all things barbecue — from brisket and burnt ends to pulled chicken and all the fixins'.
- Stop by: 12410 Johnston Road, in Toringdon Circle Shopping Center
Miro: A Spanish tapas, steak and seafood spot that's been in Ballantyne for over a decade, known for its paella, Chilean sea bass, filet mignon and dessert platter.
- Stop by: 12239 N. Community House Road
Napa Bistro & Wine Bar: A sleek, Napa Valley-inspired wine bar and full-service restaurant serving brunch, lunch and dinner.
- Stop by: 7708 Rea Road, in Stone Crest at Piper Glen
OGGI: A family-owned restaurant serving housemade pasta, caprese salads among other classic Italian dishes.
- Stop by: 16646 Hawfield Way Dr., The Shoppes at Ardrey Kell
Rooster's Wood-fired Kitchen: Located in The Bowl, the Ballantyne Rooster's is the fourth location for the Charlotte staple, which serves American cuisine with a focus on local and seasonal ingredients.
- Stop by: 15110 Bowl St.
Fast Casual
Harriet's: The Bowl location is the first sit-down restaurant for the burger joint, which first opened at Optimist Hall. Like the original, it channels a 1950s–60s diner vibe with a modern twist.
- Stop by: 15109 Bowl St.
Bossy Beulah's: A popular fried chicken joint from restaurateur Jim Noble, who also owns Rooster's inside The Bowl.
- Stop by: 15110 Bowl St.
Ilios Crafted Greek: You'll order assembly-line style from Ilios' menu of Greek cuisine, which includes pita sandwiches, salads, and plates like chicken soulva and spinach and feta pie.
- Stop by: 7926 Rea Road, in Stonecrest at Piper Glen
Viva Chicken: A popular regional chain specializing in Peruvian rotisserie chicken (pollo a la brasa).
- Stop by: 12206 Copper Way, in Toringdon Circle Shopping Center
YAFO: This fast-casual Middle Eastern street-food spot is another popular local chain from FS Food Group (Mama Ricotta's, Little Mama's, Midwood Smokehouse).
- Stop by: 15105 John J Delaney Dr. Ste J
International
Azucar: This modern Cuban eatery serves classics like Cubanos, empanadas and ropa vieja, plus cocktails, desserts and weekend brunch with bottomless sangria.
- Stop by: 14825 Ballantyne Village Way, in Ballantyne Village
Bahn Thai: Expect noodle dishes, curries and plenty of sushi — from nigiri and maki to specialty rolls — and $12.95 lunch specials at this causal Thai eatery.
- Stop by: 12206 Copper Way, in Torringdon Shopping Center
Cabo Fish Taco: The NoDa favorite, which serves up Baja-style Mexican dishes, like quesadillas, burritos, and of course, plenty of fish tacos and margaritas, has a location near Ballantyne's Backyard.
- Stop by: 11611 N. Community House Road
Crispy Banh Mi: An authentic Vietnamese sandwich shop, specializing in banh mi, spring rolls, vermicelli bowls and milk teas.
- Stop by: 14825 Ballantyne Village Way, in Ballantyne Village
Ramen Bar Kazoku: The family-owned and operated ramen restaurant specializes in classic ramen dishes, like tonkotsu, shoyu, miso, and shio, plus various styles of donburi (a beloved Japanese rice dish).
- Stop by: 7828 Rea Road, by the Regal Stonecrest at Piper Glen
Ma Ma Wok: A vegan Chinese restaurant serving plant-based takes on classics like lo mein, sesame chicken, and steamed pork buns.
- Stop by: 11914 Elm Ln.
Prime Fish: This snug restaurant in Ballantyne has some of the highest-quality sushi rolls in town, which you can enjoy on their screened-in patio or bar.
- Stop by: 11212 Providence Road, in Ballantyne Town Center across from Publix
Sheng Ramen: A casual strip-mall spot specializing in ramen, yaki udon and rice bowls.
- Stop by: 15201 John J Delaney Dr., in Ballantyne Commons East