53 new businesses that opened in Charlotte in 2026
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Exterior of Maman Plaza Midwood. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/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 Rd.
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 Rd.
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
Uchi and Uchiba
A Japanese restaurant by Texas star chef Tyson Cole.
Stop by: 1720 Commonwealth Ave.
Go deeper: Uchi and Uchibā will open soon in Plaza Midwood
The popular casual salad spot formerly inside Latta Arcade, that reopened in Brevard Court.
Stop by: 132 Brevard Ct.
Go deeper: See inside: Three new businesses to open in Brevard Court ahead of Charlotte FC season
A restaurant fusing East African and Mediterranean flavors in Uptown.
Stop by: 225 E. 6th St.
Go deeper: Scoop: East African-Mediterranean fusion restaurant Amina to open in Uptown Charlotte
A wellness-forward fast-casual restaurant in Camp North End.
Stop by: 1801 N Graham St.
A new restaurant in SouthPark in the former Rusty Bucket space.
Stop by: 4810 Ashley Park Lane.
Go deeper: Sneak peek: The Craic opens in SouthPark
James Beard–nominated chef Sam Diminich and the team behind Your Farms Your Table Group have reopened Mattie's Diner on The Plaza as a Michelin-level space.
Stop by: 3100 The Plaza.
Go deeper: Grey's Diner revives iconic Charlotte spot on The Plaza
A new hand-roll-focused sushi restaurant at The Joinery in Optimist Park.
Stop by: 402 E. 22nd St.
Go deeper: See inside: Hand-roll sushi restaurant Sharigato to open soon in Optimist Park
A coffee and cocktail bar in Plaza Midwood.
Stop by: 1518 Lyon Ct.
Go deeper: Scoop: Coffee and cocktail bar opening in Plaza Midwood with "cool older sister" vibes
A new restaurant from the family behind Tacos El Nevado.
Stop by: 3654 Central Ave.
Go deeper: Tacos el Nevado family opening authentic Oaxacan restaurant
A spacious restaurant with an expansive dog-friendly patio and a 25-foot TV overlooking South End's Rail Trail.
Stop by: 1001 Morehead Square Dr.
Go deeper: South End restaurant to open with massive patio, dog park and huge TV over Rail Trail
A popular brunch spot from the Wilmington area expands to east Charlotte.
Stop by: 4008 Monroe Rd.
Go deeper: Wilmington brunch spot Brunches expands to east Charlotte
A contemporary American restaurant in the former Bar One space.
Stop by: 222 S Church St.
Go deeper: New Packard Tavern to offer comfort food and cocktails in Uptown
Chili Willi's
A West Virginia-based Tex-Mex restaurant from the owner of Duckworth's in the former The Waterman spot in Lake Norman.
Stop by: 9615 Bailey Rd.
Go deeper: Scoop: Chili Willi's opens in Lake Norman
New cocktail bar in the former Billy Sunday space at Optimist Hall.
Stop by: 1115 North Brevard St.
Go deeper: Cocktail bar Pollyanna to open at Optimist Hall
The brewery reopened nearly two years a grease fire forced them into major repairs.
Stop by: 2909 N Davidson St.
Go deeper: NoDa's Heist Brewery to reopen this spring
An Italian restaurant in the former Cicchetti space in Uptown.
Stop by: 100 N. Tryon St.
Go deeper: New Italian restaurant serving fresh pasta opens in Uptown in May
A French-inspired cafe and bakery in Plaza Midwood.
Stop by: 1711 Commonwealth Ave.
Go deeper: Scoop: NYC-based French Bakery Maman opens soon in Plaza Midwood
A new day-to-night concept in the former Slingshot space in South End.
Stop by: 332 W. Bland St.
Go deeper: New day-to-night venue opening soon in former Slingshot space
The second location for the University City sports bar in Uptown.
Stop by: 123 W Trade St.
Go deeper: Picasso's Sports Café opens in Uptown
The former South End speakeasy has transitioned into a restaurant and hi-fi listening bar.
Stop by: 2433 South Blvd.
Go deeper: See inside: BackStage Lounge to reopen as DeepCuts Hi-Fi
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
A new immersive, time-travel-themed escape room in Belmont.
Stop by: 933 Louise Ave.
Go deeper: Charlotte's new time travel escape room changes based on your choices
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 Rd.
Go deeper: Why a Charlotte magazine veteran is opening a print shop in the digital age
FITNESS
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 Rd.
Go deeper: Full-service wellness studio Pause coming soon to the Arboretum
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
A Chicago-born boutique fitness studio in South End.
Stop by: 2151 Hawkins St.
Go deeper: Chicago fitness brand TRAIN Moment to open studio in South End
A North Carolina yoga brand offering a range of heated yoga classes on cushioned floors in South End.
Stop by: 2041 South Blvd.
Go deeper: 16 new fitness and wellness openings in Charlotte