30 new businesses that opened in Charlotte in 2026
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Mi Cariño in South End. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
We're tracking new businesses that have opened in Charlotte in 2026.
Why it matters: Openings remain steady, but local business owners say it's getting harder to stay open.
The big picture: Charlotte saw more than 120 new business openings in both 2024 and 2025 — and dozens more are expected this year.
Below is a list of the new businesses we've reported on so far.
- Editor's note: We will update this list once a quarter.
FOOD & DRINK
A new Mexican-Latin restaurant in South End by the owners of Vinyl.
Stop by: 1440 S Tryon St., on the same strip as Pie.Zaa
Go deeper: Vinyl team to bring Mexican flavors and mezcal to South End with Mi Cariño
A Michigan-based sports cafe in University City.
Stop by: 9325 JW Clay Blvd.
Go deeper: New sports cafe with live podcasts opening soon near UNC Charlotte
A popular Japanese-American food counter that reopened as a full-service restaurant and bar in Dilworth.
Stop by: 1419 East Blvd.
Go deeper: DŌZO is back in Dilworth with a bigger space and menu. Here's what we tried
A Charleston-based music venue featuring DJs who spin vinyl records.
Stop by: 1510 S. Mint, next to Blue Door
Go deeper: Popular Charleston listening bar expanding to Charlotte
A Florida-based farm-to-table restaurant in South End.
Stop by: 2725 South Blvd.
Go deeper: The Naked Farmer brings healthy food and long lines to South End
A Charlotte-born barbecue joint known for mixing smoked meats with Asian flavors in Plaza Midwood.
Stop by: 1600 Central Ave.
Go deeper: See inside: The Improper Pig opens Plaza Midwood flagship soon
A new café by local activist and entrepreneur Manuel Betancur in east Charlotte, next to Manolo's Bakery.
Stop by: 4405 Central Ave.
Go deeper: New east Charlotte café builds on activist's mission
An Irish Pub in NoDa.
Stop by: 423 E. 36th St.
Go deeper: Fenian's Keep is NoDa's new Irish pub
A Philadelphia sandwich shop in NoDa.
Stop by: 719 E. 36th St.
Go deeper: Philadelphia sandwich shop Ricci's Hoagies opens in NoDa
The rebranded version of the embattled Sycamore in South End.
Stop by: 2151 Hawkins St.
Go deeper: Club West opens: What's actually different?
A new game café and wine bar in southeast Charlotte.
Stop by: 1640 Sardis Road.
Go deeper: New southeast Charlotte café pairs board games with coffee and wine
The popular French restaurant relocated to South Tryon.
Stop by: 101 S Tryon St.
Go deeper: Sneak peek inside the new Coquette in Uptown
A new seafood restaurant in South End.
Stop by: 2161 Hawkins St.
Go deeper: Half Shell Raw Bar brings happy hour oyster specials to South End
A Southeast Asian pop-up that has expanded with a permanent home at Burial Brewing in Plaza Midwood.
Stop by: 1214 Thomas Ave.
Go deeper: Buzzy Charlotte pop-up Hello, Uncle gets permanent home in Plaza Midwood
A Dilworth cocktail bar that locks your phone away for two hours.
Stop by: 2025 Cleveland Ave.
Go deeper: 3 things to know before visiting Charlotte's new phone-free bar
The owner of the popular takeout-only spot Renaldo's Culinary Experience has expanded into a new spot in NoDa.
Stop by: 3228 N Davidson St.
A new American restaurant in SouthPark.
Stop by: 4201 Congress St.
Go deeper: Laurel Park opens in the longtime Village Tavern space
Spurs Up Saloon
Crafty Beer Guys in Uptown's Brevard Court was rebranded to Spurs Up to avoid feeling too similar to its neighboring business, Queen City Bites & Crafts.
Stop by: 127 Brevard Ct., across from Crisp.
Tiny Bar
A bodega meets a no-frills bar, in, you guessed it, a tiny space, now open near the entrance to Latta Arcade in Uptown.
Stop by: 120 Brevard Ct.
Go deeper: Three new businesses to open in Brevard Court ahead of Charlotte FC season
Amelie's Plaza Midwood
Called Amélie's L'Express, it's the popular French bakery's first no-seating outpost, and its sixth location.
Stop by: 1511 Central Ave.
Go deeper: Scoop: Amélie's to open express-style cafe in Plaza Midwood
Known for its Jewish deli classics, the pandemic-era pop-up returns to City Kitch in west Charlotte.
Stop by: 2200 Thrift Road
Go deeper: Beloved Jewish deli Meshugganah to reopen in west Charlotte
Gotcha Matcha & Espresso
The locally owned brand, known for its creative matchas, got its start as a Charlotte pop-up in 2023 and now has two brick-and-mortar locations, both just steps apart in Uptown.
Stop by: 401 S. Tryon St.
Go deeper: Gotcha Matcha opens second Uptown location
South Block
A fast-casual restaurant chain known for its acai and cold-pressed juices opened its first Charlotte-area location in Ballantyne.
Stop by: 14020 Stream Way,
Go deeper: South Block brings acai bowls to Ballantyne in first North Carolina expansion
RETAIL
The popular Charlotte resale shop expanded to Lower South End.
Stop by: 3110 S. Tryon St.
Go deeper: Thrift Pony expands to LoSo with massive new thrift shop
THINGS TO DO
A slide park in south Charlotte.
Stop by: 9535 South Blvd.
Go deeper: Adults, you can go to Slick City: What to know about Charlotte's new slide park
A DIY wood workshop space in the Belmont neighborhood of Charlotte.
If you go: Book a project in advance at 933 Louise Ave.
Go deeper: DIY woodshop studio opens near Uptown
SERVICES
A tattoo shop in Camp North End.
Stop by: 1701 N. Graham St.
Go deeper: Camp North End adds queer-owned tattoo studio
Services include small- to medium-format print items, including programs, brochures, catalogues, playbills, and nostalgic trading cards for youth sports.
Stop by: 9301 Monroe Road
Go deeper: Why a Charlotte magazine veteran is opening a print shop in the digital age
A wellness destination in the Arboretum offering a range of services, from float therapy, infrared saunas and cold plunges to cryotherapy, IV drips, LED light therapy and compression therapy.
Stop by: 7915 Providence Road
Go deeper: Full-service wellness studio Pause coming soon to the Arboretum
FITNESS
A gym studio with high-intensity, low-impact strength workouts in Myers Park.
Stop by: 2909 Selwyn Ave.
Go deeper: Curious about Lagree? Here's how Charlotte's 3 studios stack up