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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. 

Thick roasted meat topped with breadcrumbs and fresh herbs on a colorful ceramic plate, with greens and onions; a small dish of red sauce beside. Blurred bar patrons and staff in the background.

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.

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.

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.

Go deeper: Popular Charleston listening bar expanding to Charlotte

A Florida-based farm-to-table restaurant in South End.

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.

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.

Go deeper: New east Charlotte café builds on activist's mission

Go deeper: Fenian's Keep is NoDa's new Irish pub

Go deeper: Philadelphia sandwich shop Ricci's Hoagies opens in NoDa

The rebranded version of the embattled Sycamore in South End.

Go deeper: Club West opens: What's actually different?

 A new game café and wine bar in southeast Charlotte.

Go deeper: New southeast Charlotte café pairs board games with coffee and wine

The popular French restaurant relocated to South Tryon.

Go deeper: Sneak peek inside the new Coquette in Uptown

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.

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.

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.

Go deeper: Laurel Park opens in the longtime Village Tavern space

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.

A bodega meets a no-frills bar, in, you guessed it, a tiny space, now open near the entrance to Latta Arcade in Uptown. 

Go deeper: Three new businesses to open in Brevard Court ahead of Charlotte FC season

Called Amélie's L'Express, it's the popular French bakery's first no-seating outpost, and its sixth location.

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.

Go deeper: Beloved Jewish deli Meshugganah to reopen in west Charlotte

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.

Go deeper: Gotcha Matcha opens second Uptown location

A fast-casual restaurant chain known for its acai and cold-pressed juices opened its first Charlotte-area location in Ballantyne.

Go deeper: South Block brings acai bowls to Ballantyne in first North Carolina expansion

Interior of a vintage thrift store: purple walls, racks full of colorful dresses and jackets, bags on stands, a chandelier, neon pink sign says "THE SHOW MUST GO ON", and a "MEN" section in back.

Thrift Pony LoSo. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios

Popular Charleston listening bar expanding to Charlotte

The Naked Farmer brings healthy food and long lines to South End

See inside: The Improper Pig opens Plaza Midwood flagship soon

New east Charlotte café builds on activist's mission

Philadelphia sandwich shop Ricci's Hoagies opens in NoDa

Club West opens: What's actually different?

New southeast Charlotte café pairs board games with coffee and wine

Sneak peek inside the new Coquette in Uptown

Half Shell Raw Bar brings happy hour oyster specials to South End

Buzzy Charlotte pop-up Hello, Uncle gets permanent home in Plaza Midwood

3 things to know before visiting Charlotte's new phone-free bar

Laurel Park opens in the longtime Village Tavern space

Three new businesses to open in Brevard Court ahead of Charlotte FC season

Scoop: Amélie's to open express-style cafe in Plaza Midwood

Beloved Jewish deli Meshugganah to reopen in west Charlotte

Gotcha Matcha opens second Uptown location

South Block brings acai bowls to Ballantyne in first North Carolina expansion

Why a Charlotte magazine veteran is opening a print shop in the digital age

Full-service wellness studio Pause coming soon to the Arboretum

30 new businesses that opened in Charlotte in 2026

We're tracking the newest restaurants, bars and more that have opened since the start of the year.

Mi Cariño. Busy restaurant interior with wood beams and round globe lights. Diners at booths, servers in black with orange aprons. Shelves of bottles and an open kitchen; a large screen shows a desert car scene.

Mi Cariño in South End. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios

We&#x27;re tracking new businesses that have opened in Charlotte in 2026.Why it matters: Openings remain steady, but local business owners say it&#x27;s getting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="harder to stay open." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/08/15/local-business-struggle-charlotte-developers-landlords" data-vars-content-id="1efde4bd-6557-454f-b6a5-9289b4530243" data-vars-headline="30 new businesses that opened in Charlotte in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/08/15/local-business-struggle-charlotte-developers-landlords" target="_self">harder to stay open.</a>

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Business

The Parlor, a new entertainment venue, will open near Uptown this fall. 

Why it matters: The venue is the latest business from the full-service local hospitality group Beau Monde, which operates popular event spaces such as The Casey and The Ruth.

Driving the news: Construction is expected to start in April on the $2.7 million Parlor project, which is designed to host a range of events — from weddings to corporate gatherings.

Zoom out: The Parlor will sit adjacent to The Casey, bringing Beau Monde's total campus to more than 30,000 square feet of event space. Both venues will share the same in-house catering team.

Beau Monde Hospitality also owns and operates The Collector's Room. 

The vibe: The Parlor's new 11,000-square-foot space at 1837 N Tryon St. will operate as a standalone venue with a more intimate feel, inspired by old French salons.

The venue can hold up to 120 guests in its three spaces, including a signature bar, a sun parlor for ceremonies, and a reception space.

There are also individual rooms that can be used for getting ready spaces or corporate gatherings with 50 guests or fewer. 

What they're saying: Owner Marysue Boyle tells Axios that The Parlor aims to fill a void by providing quality in-town event space for weddings with 120 guests or fewer.  

"That's the main driver. It's also an added luxury that it's attached to The Casey, giving us the opportunity to create a true event campus for larger events and expos," she adds.

Zoom in: Rental pricing ranges from $2,000-$5,000. They're also offering a pre-construction discount on the rental rate for events occurring before June 30, 2027.

What's next: You can book an event as early as this October, when it's projected to open to the public. Tours are also available by appointment.

Go deeeper: What 11 popular Charlotte wedding venues cost

What 11 popular Charlotte wedding venues cost

New French-inspired wedding venue near Uptown coming soon

The Parlor is the latest venue from Beau Monde Hospitality expected to open this fall.

Dimly lit vintage-style bar with a curved wooden counter and marble top. Warm lighting, chandeliers overhead, shelves behind the bar, arched doorway to the left, dark wood paneling, and tiled floor edge.

The Parlor was inspired by the intimacy of the old French salons. Rendering: Courtesy of Southwick

The Parlor, a new entertainment venue, will open near Uptown this fall. Why it matters: The venue is the latest business from the full-service local hospitality group Beau Monde, which operates popular event spaces such as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Casey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/05/10/event-venue-opens-rehabbed-factory-building-north-tryon" data-vars-content-id="40470e87-6bbd-4361-b4f6-99a967ff6c41" data-vars-headline="New French-inspired wedding venue near Uptown coming soon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/05/10/event-venue-opens-rehabbed-factory-building-north-tryon" target="_self">The Casey</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Ruth." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/09/15/now-open-wesley-heights-event-space-offers-an-oasis-308199" data-vars-content-id="40470e87-6bbd-4361-b4f6-99a967ff6c41" data-vars-headline="New French-inspired wedding venue near Uptown coming soon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/09/15/now-open-wesley-heights-event-space-offers-an-oasis-308199" target="_self">The Ruth.</a>

Weddings

We're tracking 23 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 down 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 March 31.

A restaurant fusing East African and Mediterranean flavors in Uptown.

The vibe: The 5,350-square-foot eatery will transition to a lounge after 10pm on weekends, featuring occasional live music or DJs setting the vibe with R&B and house music.

Go deeper:  Scoop: East African-Mediterranean fusion restaurant Amina to open in Uptown Charlotte

A wellness-forward fast-casual restaurant in Camp North End.

The vibe: The food stall in the Keswick building will serve bowls, smoothies, sandwiches, soups and kid-friendly dishes. It'll also offer plant-based and vegan-friendly options like cauliflower bites and cauliflower mac and cheese, alongside hearty dishes like salmon and short rib entrees.

The vibe: The 82-square-foot walk-up window at 35th Street and N. Davidson will soon reopen in the former Reigning Doughnuts space by the same owners. It will serve deli sandwiches, chips, small bites and soft serve.

A new restaurant in SouthPark in the former Rusty Bucket space.

The vibe: The Craic's menu features daily brunch, oven-fired pizzas, burgers, wings, and Irish-inspired entrees, including Irish stew and fish and chips.

Go deeper: Daily brunch and Irish eats coming to The Craic in SouthPark

A wine bar catering to independent artists and music lovers in University City.

The vibe: A former "American Idol" contestant is opening this spot to offer a space for artists to perform and have resources to help launch their musical careers. Expect DJs, live music and a selection of wines from Black-owned brands in the evening. By day, you'll find coffee and pastries.

Go deeper: Former "American Idol" contestant opening Charlotte wine bar to support other artists

A new restaurant from the family behind Tacos El Nevado.

The vibe: The owners of one of Charlotte's most popular Mexican restaurants are creating this spot to have a menu devoted to traditional dishes from Oaxaca, Mexico. The menu will feature traditional guisados (stewed dishes), sopes and torta de pierna (a pork leg sandwich). It'll also serve Oaxacan hot chocolate and other regional specialties rarely found outside southern Mexico.

Go deeper: Tacos el Nevado family opening authentic Oaxacan restaurant

The vibe: Expect teas and locally sourced coffee during the day and custom cocktails in the evening, in addition to baked goods and finger foods. The 1,107-square-foot space will have vinyl record players to rent; guests are welcome to bring their own, too.

A contemporary American restaurant in the former Bar One space.

The vibe: The space is getting several layout changes, but no major overhaul. For example, a 14-seat chef's table and wine room is being built where the burlesque stage was. Also new: a 35-person private dining room with its own bar and full AV setup.

Go deeper: New Packard Tavern to offer comfort food and cocktails in Uptown

A West Virginia-based Tex-Mex restaurant from the owner of Duckworth's in the former The Waterman spot in Lake Norman.

The vibe: Expect a menu with enchiladas, flautas, chimichangas, and huevos rancheros. Other dishes include pork carnitas tacos, coffee-rubbed hanger steak and grilled salmon.

Go deeper: Owner of Duckworth's bringing a taste of West Virginia to Charlotte with Chili Willi's partnership

A new Indian restaurant and cocktail lounge in the former Link & Pin spot in South End.

The vibe: Expect two experiences under one roof — a fine-dining Indian restaurant and a British-influenced cocktail lounge.

Go deeper: New fine-dining Indian restaurant and cocktail lounge coming to South End

James Beard–nominated chef Sam Diminich and the team behind Your Farms Your Table Group are reopening Mattie's Diner on The Plaza as a Michelin-level space.

The vibe: Grey's will open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The team describes it as a revival of the classic American diner paired with high-level hospitality in a casual setting. It'll have a bar program spanning morning coffee to evening cocktails.

Go deeper: James Beard-nominated chef revives Mattie's Diner 

A new hand-roll-focused sushi restaurant at The Joinery in Optimist Park.

The vibe: Each roll is made to order and served at a 24-seat counter, where people can watch the process unfold.

It'll also have a takeout window — dubbed Shariboto — with maki-style rolls wrapped in a special film to help retain texture. Sushi robots will help prepare and roll the rice.

Go deeper: Hand-roll sushi restaurant Sharigato coming to Optimist Park

A popular brunch spot from the Wilmington area is expanding to east Charlotte.

The vibe: Brunches, with a tagline of "Mimosas Made Me Do It," sells mimosa flights, a mimosa tower, Girl Scout Cookie-inspired brunch shots and adult Capri Suns.

Go deeper: Oakhurst welcomes brunch spot Brunches

An Italian pasta bar in South End in the former Futo Buta space.

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, including a name, soon.

Go deeper: Fresh renderings: New Italian pasta bar Lady Funari coming to South End

A coffee and cocktail bar in Plaza Midwood.

The vibe: The former auto shop is being transformed into what co-owner Nikki Velazquez describes as a "third space" that'll have a menu with coffee, cocktails, mocktails and THC beverages.

Go deeper: Scoop: Coffee and cocktail bar opening in Plaza Midwood with "cool older sister" vibes

A healthy fast-casual restaurant in South End.

The vibe: Fare will serve breakfast all day, lunch and dinner at the Queensbridge Collective. Its menu features smoothies, bowls and salads, avocado toast, overnight oats and egg wraps.

Go deeper: Healthy eatery Fare opening in South End this year

A Denver-based steakhouse in South End with a rooftop.

The vibe: It'll have indoor and outdoor seating, a full bar, private dining rooms and a 2,000-square-foot deck with panoramic skyline views.

The menu will include beef, seafood, charcuterie, seasonal vegetarian options, wine and cocktails.

Go deeper: Popular Denver steakhouse Guard and Grace coming to new development in South End

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

A Spanish-inspired tapas restaurant from Atlanta in South End.

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

Tacos el Nevado family opening authentic Oaxacan restaurant

New Packard Tavern to offer comfort food and cocktails in Uptown

James Beard-nominated chef revives Mattie's Diner

Fresh renderings: New Italian pasta bar Lady Funari coming to South End

New Dallas-based wine bar coming to Charlotte's South End

Historic Leeper-Wyatt building to reopen as 4-story eatery

23 most anticipated new restaurants and bars in Charlotte

Get ready for creative spots serving everything from sushi to tapas to Indian cuisine.

Amina plans a soft opening in Uptown in early April. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

We&#x27;re tracking 23 highly anticipated restaurants and bars opening in Charlotte.

These homes come with features that meet key criteria on your dream home checklist, from neighborhood walkability to quick greenway access.

Why we love it: The clean white spaces, cabinets and countertops brighten up the home and offer a fresh look. 

Realtor: Martha Mendoza Borgese • ERA Live Moore

Specs: 4 beds, 2 baths and 1,498 square feet

Notable features: White cabinets, stainless steel appliances, white countertops, wood floors, marble tile shower and patio.

White two-story house with black shutters and front steps on a green lawn. A carport extends to the right; leafless trees and a bright blue sky frame the scene.

Photo: Courtesy of Martha Mendoza Borgese

Why we love it: There's an abundance of cabinet storage to help you organize all your seasonal kitchen decor or fine china. 

Specs: 3 beds, 2 baths and 1,401 square feet

Notable features: Brick exterior, fireplace, hardwood floors, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, open layout, walk-in closet, screened-in porch and fenced-in yard.

Why we love it: This house is located steps away from Little Sugar Creek Greenway, so there's no excuse not to get in your daily steps or take your furry friend on a walk.

Realtor: Jill Miller • Helen Adams Realty

Specs: 4 beds, 2 baths and 2,031 square feet

Notable features: Shaded porch, stainless steel appliances, fireplace, wood floors, wine fridge, open layout, walk-in closets and fenced-in yard.

White brick ranch-style house with a brown shingle roof, a front porch with two chairs, a leafless tree in the yard, trimmed shrubs, and a green lawn under a blue sky.

Dining room with dark blue walls, light wood table, and cane chairs. A chandelier hangs above a blue built-in cabinet; abstract art and a yellow heart painting adorn the walls, with window and plant.

Why we love it: The enclosed patio fills with tons of sunlight thanks to floor to ceiling windows. 

Realtor: Austin Snyder • EXP Realty LLC Ballantyne

Hot homes: 5 houses for sale in Charlotte ranging from $385K to $1.2M

Houses for sale in neighborhoods near South End, Quail Hollow, Windsor Park and more, including some with walkability to a greenway.

These homes come with features that meet key criteria on your dream home checklist, from neighborhood walkability to quick greenway access.

Alexis Clinton

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23 most anticipated new restaurants and bars in Charlotte

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New French-inspired wedding venue near Uptown coming soon

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30 new businesses that opened in Charlotte in 2026