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Charlotte and Raleigh-area restaurants earned four new Bib Gourmands Wednesday night, while Charlotte's Counter- retained its Michelin Star as the Michelin Guide unveiled its 2026 American South selections.

Why it matters: Michelin's arrival in the South last year put North Carolina's dining scene on an international stage. This year's awards recognize both returning favorites and newcomers making their mark on the region's culinary scene.

Driving the news: Michelin announced its 2026 American South selections Wednesday night during a ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee.

Catch up quick: The guide debuted its American South restaurant picks in 2025, putting several Charlotte and Raleigh-area restaurants on the culinary map.

Charlotte tasting menu restaurant Counter- earned one Michelin Star and a Green Star for sustainability. Vietnamese spot Lang Van received a Bib Gourmand.

In the Triangle, Mala Pata and Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh and Prime Barbecue in Knightdale all earned Bib Gourmands.

Michelin Stars: The guide's most prestigious distinction. One Star means a restaurant is worth a stop, two Stars are worth a detour and three Stars are worth a special journey.

Counter- — The upscale tasting menu restaurant in Wesley Heights retained its one Michelin star. 

Large group of well-dressed people posing in a bar/restaurant with a black ceiling covered in white handwritten text, gold circular chandeliers, and an EXIT sign in the background.

Charlotte chefs, industry colleagues and their families gather before the 2026 Michelin Guide American South awards in Nashville. Courtesy of Callie Langhorne

Bib Gourmand: This designation recognizes restaurants serving high-quality food at a good value.

The Story of Mi Cariño — A modern Mexican cantina and mezcalería that opened in South End earlier this year from the team behind Vinyl. 

Michelin recommended: These restaurants don't receive Stars or Bib Gourmands but are recognized by inspectors for offering a quality dining experience.

Albertine — Uptown: An upscale, Mediterranean-inspired restaurant from Joe and Katy Kindred.

L'Ostrica — Montford: An intimate fine-dining restaurant known for its seasonal tasting menus.

Pump Social — Concord: A former service station turned family-friendly restaurant with a spacious patio.

Spaghett — Uptown: A cozy Italian restaurant from Counter- chef Sam Hart, known for its handmade pastas.

Go deeper: Read more about many of Charlotte's Michelin restaurant picks in our 2026 guide to the city's best restaurants.

Between the lines: Charlotte received two of the ceremony's special awards.

Young Chef Award: Hector González-Mora: The Story of Mi Cariño.

Michelin Mindful Voices: Sam Diminich of Restaurant Constance.

Raleigh and the Triangle's Michelin winners

Ajja — The Raleigh hotspot has inventive Mediterranean fare and a laid-back vibe.

Ideal's — A destination sandwich spot in Durham known for pillowy bread and long lines.

Tesoro — The teensy spot in Carrboro has some of the best pasta around.

Mala Pata, Sam Jones BBQ and Prime Barbecue all maintained their distinctions. 

Go deeper: Most of Michelin's picks also made our 2026 guide to the Triangle's best restaurants.

Zoom out: Other restaurants and hospitality professionals across North Carolina also earned Michelin recognition Wednesday night.

Sommelier Award: William Mellon of Manna in Wilmington.

New recommended restaurants: Salita Pizza and Manna (Wilmington) and Native Fine Diner (Greenville).

Bib Gourmands: Three Asheville restaurants — Little Chango, Luminosa and Mother — all retained the honor.

What they're saying: "Food is the last line of defense,"  Diminich said at the awards. "It's something that we can all agree on. Cooking and hospitality is our language. Hope is the message."

Yes and: These North Carolina restaurants are still Michelin recommended.

The Fearrington House Restaurant (Pittsboro)

2026 guide to the city's best restaurants

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Charlotte and Triangle restaurants win 2026 Michelin honors

Counter- kept its Michelin Star, while restaurants in Charlotte, Raleigh and Durham earned new honors.

The Story of Mi Cariño in Charlotte earned its first Bib Gourmand at the 2026 Michelin Guide American South awards ceremony. Photo: Courtesy of Rémy Thurston Photography.

Charlotte and Raleigh-area restaurants earned four new Bib Gourmands Wednesday night, while Charlotte&#x27;s Counter- retained its Michelin Star as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michelin Guide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/31/michelin-guide-american-south-how-to-watch" data-vars-content-id="1afd4571-fea2-4ab9-8512-27115b135770" data-vars-headline="Charlotte and Triangle restaurants win 2026 Michelin honors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/31/michelin-guide-american-south-how-to-watch" target="_self">Michelin Guide</a> unveiled its 2026 American South selections.Why it matters: Michelin&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="arrival in the South last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/11/04/michelin-guide-south-edition-carolina-restaurants-stars" data-vars-content-id="1afd4571-fea2-4ab9-8512-27115b135770" data-vars-headline="Charlotte and Triangle restaurants win 2026 Michelin honors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/11/04/michelin-guide-south-edition-carolina-restaurants-stars" target="_self">arrival in the South last year</a> put North Carolina&#x27;s dining scene on an international stage. This year&#x27;s awards recognize both returning favorites and newcomers making their mark on the region&#x27;s culinary scene.

Food and Drink

News

Birmingham, Alabama-based Ladybird Taco opens Sunday, Oct. 25, in Dilworth.

Why it matters: The opening adds another breakfast taco spot to Charlotte and brings new life to the longtime home of Lebowski's Neighborhood Grill, which closed last year. 

Driving the news: Ladybird's Dilworth restaurant, the fifth for the small taco chain which has locations in Birmingham and Nashville, opens at 6:30am on Sunday. 

Modern cafe interior with white exposed ceiling, wicker pendant lamps, brick-tiled counters, and wooden tables. A gray wall shows a minimalist armadillo mural; glass doors.

What to expect: Texas-inspired breakfast tacos, coffee from a scratch kitchen. Flour and corn tortillas are handmade daily, along with three house-made salsas: patrón, verde and roja.

The corn tortillas are made with heirloom corn, which co-owner Gabe Scott says gives them a distinct texture.

Coffee comes from Hex, with pastries from Whisk & Wood.

Top-down view of a metal tray with a large floury flatbread, browned spots, on parchment reading LADYBIRD TACO. To the right are small sauce cups in green, brown, and yellow on a wooden table.

Tortillas, both corn and flour (shown above), are made in-house daily, along with their three signature salsas. Photo: McKenzie Rankin

Best bites: The menu includes a dozen breakfast and lunch tacos, ranging from $4.05-$5.30, along with queso, guacamole, salads and bowls.

Co-owners Brooks Veazey and Gabe Scott shared their go-to tacos.

Veazey recommends the No. 1 ($4.30) with tender belly bacon, egg and Monterey jack. He says to add potatoes (35 cents extra).

His other favorite is the No. 7 ($5.30) with house-smoked brisket, potato, rajas (roasted pepper strips) and queso.

Scott says you can't skip the No. 6 migas taco ($4.25) with egg, house-made chips, avocado, Monterey jack, green onion and pico de gallo.

What they're saying: "We want to create a space where people can come together that happens to be centered around breakfast tacos and coffee," Veazey told Axios.

The restaurant also has a small side patio facing East Blvd. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

Open daily from 6:30am-4pm for breakfast and lunch.

Ladybird Taco brings breakfast tacos and coffee to Charlotte

The breakfast taco restaurant opens Sunday, Oct. 25, at 6:30am

Ladybird Taco will open 6:30am-4pm daily. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

Birmingham, Alabama-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ladybird Taco" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/03/31/lebowskis-closed-ladybird-taco-dilworth" data-vars-content-id="29258acf-bb68-44f7-a488-7410617b6e19" data-vars-headline="Ladybird Taco brings breakfast tacos and coffee to Charlotte" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/03/31/lebowskis-closed-ladybird-taco-dilworth" target="_self">Ladybird Taco</a> opens Sunday, Oct. 25, in Dilworth.Why it matters: The opening adds another breakfast taco spot to Charlotte and brings new life to the longtime home of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lebowski&#x27;s Neighborhood Grill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/08/03/lebowskis-and-its-famous-wings-now-abide-in-the-reids-fine-foods-family-335959" data-vars-content-id="29258acf-bb68-44f7-a488-7410617b6e19" data-vars-headline="Ladybird Taco brings breakfast tacos and coffee to Charlotte" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/08/03/lebowskis-and-its-famous-wings-now-abide-in-the-reids-fine-foods-family-335959" target="_self">Lebowski&#x27;s Neighborhood Grill</a>, which closed last year.

One of Charlotte's newest wellness studios is part gym, part doctor's office.

Why it matters: Charlotte's boutique fitness craze is expanding into the broader wellness space, with more businesses going beyond workouts to offer one-stop shops for wellness, recovery and longevity-focused services.

Driving the news: Atlanta-based STAT Wellness opened its first Charlotte location in South End in August, offering functional medicine, wellness treatments, physical therapy and strength training under one roof. 

Charlotte is the company's eighth location since nurse practitioner Kristin Oja founded STAT in 2019.

Interior of a modern cafe lobby with a glass wall on the right, hanging plants, and a water-lily mural. Cozy seating with fluffy ottomans; a woman sits on a sofa. Exposed ceiling beams and pendant lights over terrazzo flooring.

The member lounge is just behind the entrance. 

What to expect: The space, at 2401 Distribution St., has a strength-training gym with squat racks, medical consultation rooms and lounges where members can hang out or co-work. 

Fitness: Group strength classes, private training and physical therapy.

Performance testing: VO2 max testing, body composition scans, resting metabolic rate testing and lab work.

Functional medicine: Medical visits, nutrition counseling and health coaching.

Wellness treatments: IV drips ($135-$500) and vitamin injections, including the popular NAD+ infusions, marketed for potential anti-aging effects.

The strength training room is line wall to wall with squat racks. Your first class is free. 

The strength training room is lined wall to wall with squat racks. Your first workout is free. 

The infusion area — STAT offers over a dozen IV drips and injections.

By the numbers: STAT offers three monthly membership options:

$150/month — Strength Training: Unlimited group fitness classes, open gym access, app-based workouts and quarterly body composition scans.

$185/month — Medicine: An hourlong initial medical visit, four annual follow-ups, unlimited dietitian and health coaching appointments, three physical therapy consultations, quarterly body composition scans and a movement screening.

$295/month — Medicine + Strength: Combines both memberships.

The intrigue: STAT accepts HSA payments, Oja tells Axios. 

Services and appointments can also be booked à la carte. 

💭 My thought bubble: I took STAT's VO2 max test and body composition scan ($149 and $59 à la carte, respectively) to give me data points to incorporate into my fitness routine. 

My results showed areas to focus on — including, unsurprisingly, more zone 4 and 5 cardio. It also told me what I already knew — don't skip leg day! 

Zoom out: STAT is just one of several Charlotte businesses combining numerous wellness services under one roof.

Pause opened in the Arboretum with saunas, cold plunges and recovery treatments. Another location is expected to open soon in South End.

Similarly, locally owned Nova Wellness in South End offers services from IV drips to light therapy and aesthetic injectables. 

Earlier this spring, a wellness hub opened in Plaza Midwood, combining a primary care office, tea room, life coaching and clinical research startup.

Even traditional hair salons are embracing the model. Uptown's Kenna Kunijo recently added a Japanese head spa, facials and injectables. 

Front view of a modern wellness clinic with a white facade reading "STAT WELLNESS" and "Functional Medicine & Movement" on the sign, large glass doors, a wooden slat wall on the right, and outdoor seating.

Exterior of STAT Wellness. Street parking is free outside. 

The big picture: Whether it's recovery, aesthetics or preventative medicine, Charlotte's wellness scene is shifting toward more personalized, one-stop experiences that don't seem to be slowing down. 

South End wellness studio combines a gym and doctor's office

STAT Wellness offers functional medicine, strength training and physical therapy under one roof.

Reception at STAT WELLNESS: curved tiled desk, a smiling receptionist behind a glass partition, with potted plants, a tall indoor tree, and colorful wall art near a round product display.

The entrance to STAT Wellness — the facility is across the street from Distro Beer Hub. All photos: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

One of Charlotte&#x27;s newest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wellness studios" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/05/29/new-fitness-and-wellness-openings-charlotte-2026" data-vars-content-id="924d4a9e-2ef8-4f69-bd86-6e105dd56550" data-vars-headline="South End wellness studio combines a gym and doctor&#x27;s office" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/05/29/new-fitness-and-wellness-openings-charlotte-2026" target="_self">wellness studios</a> is part gym, part doctor&#x27;s office.Why it matters: Charlotte&#x27;s boutique fitness craze is expanding into the broader wellness space, with more businesses going beyond workouts to offer one-stop shops for wellness, recovery and longevity-focused services.

Health

Development

Mecklenburg County voters will help decide the open U.S. Senate seat, congressional and state legislative races, and constitutional amendments in this year's midterms. Plus, Charlotte has a record $425 million in city bonds on the ballot.

Why it matters: In this swing state, many of these positions could shake up party control in Washington and Raleigh. And down ballot, other decisions could affect your day-to-day life.

Pro tip: Before you look at this voter guide, find your sample ballot here so you know exactly what's on your ballot and which districts you're voting in.

How it works: During early voting (Oct. 15 to Oct. 31 at 3pm), you can cast your ballot at any of these voting sites during their open hours. Eligible residents can also register and immediately vote on the same day in person during early voting.

On Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 3 — registered voters must go to their assigned polling place. You can find where that is here.

Below are Mecklenburg County's contested races. We are not listing uncontested seats in this voter guide, though they will show up on your ballot.

You may vote for ONE. The winner will succeed Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who is not seeking reelection and has at times been at odds with President Trump.

State of play: The Democratic caucus, which includes two independents, would need to net gain four seats to take control from Republicans. They're targeting North Carolina as a flip.

Roy Cooper (D) is North Carolina's former two-term governor, who made Kamala Harris' short list for a running mate in the 2024 presidential election but pulled out. Some speculated it was because he intended to run for Senate.

Michael Whatley (R) is the former Republican National Committee chair from Gastonia, whom Trump handpicked to run. "Pretend I'm on the ballot," the president once said while encouraging turnout at a Whatley campaign rally.

State of play: Democrats need a net gain of three seats to take the majority from Republicans.

📍 This district covers most of Charlotte.

🏛️ Rep. Alma Adams (D) is seeking her seventh term in this position at 80 years old. She co-founded the Black Maternal Health Caucus. She was once arrested at a protest over Roe v. Wade.

Jack Codiga (R) is in his late 20s. His platform includes ending welfare programs, including "the godfather of all Ponzi schemes (Social Security)," and abolishing property and income taxes.

Go deeper: Alma Adams and Jack Codiga answer Axios' questions

📍 This district includes part of Southern Mecklenburg County.

🏛️ Rep. Tim Moore (R), North Carolina's former House speaker for a decade, was first elected to this newly created district in 2024. Moore serves on the House Committees on Financial Services and the Budget.

📍 This district includes Southeast Mecklenburg.

🏛️ Rep. Mark Harris (R) is a Baptist preacher who was at the center of an election fraud scandal over the 2018 midterms. In quite the comeback, he won the GOP nomination to this Republican-safe district in 2024.

State of play: The GOP is trying to protect its supermajority in the state Senate, with 30 of 50 senators currently Republican.

State of play: The GOP is one seat short of a House supermajority that can override the governor's veto, with 71 of 120 House members.

Go deeper: Breaking down the North Carolina Senate and House

State of play: This is one of the most-watched races in this year's midterm elections, as the Supreme Court swung from a Democratic majority to a Republican one in 2022.

🏛️ Anita Earls (D), a Durham-based civil rights attorney, was elected in 2018.

Sarah Stevens (R) previously represented Surry and Wilkes counties in the N.C. House.

Go deeper: Breaking down the Supreme Court

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners District 2

You may vote for ONE. District 2 in west Charlotte is the only competitive commissioners' seat in this election.

Angela White Edwards (R) has run for county office multiple times.

Monifa "Mo" Drayton (D) beat longtime commissioner Vilma Leake in the Democratic primary.

Since all other commissioner seats are uncontested, the rest of the board is set to include at-large members Leigh Altman, Yvette Townsend-Ingram and Arthur Griffin Jr., as well as Morris "Mac" McAdoo (District 1), George Dunlap (District 3), Mark Jerrell (District 4), Charles DeLoach (District 5) and Susan Rodriguez-McDowell (District 6). All are Democrats.

Mecklenburg County Soil and Water Conservation

🏛️ Barbara Bleiweis has been chair since 2017 and also chairs the statewide Soil and Water Conservation Commission.

Michael Betterly says he has a background in business and agriculture.

Jillian King has suspended her campaign but will still appear on the ballot.

Require all voters, not just those presenting to vote in person, to present photo identification before voting.

Keep the state income tax rate from being raised higher than 3.5%.

Alma Adams and Jack Codiga answer Axios' questions

Go deeper: Breaking down the constitutional amendments

Go deeper: Breaking down the Charlotte bonds

2026 Mecklenburg County voter guide

Mecklenburg ballot spans from U.S. Senate to soil and water.

Vote here sign in University City library in Charlotte, North Carolina

A polling place in University City in Charlotte. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios

Mecklenburg County voters will help decide the open U.S. Senate seat, congressional and state legislative races, and constitutional amendments in this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="midterms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/10/07/nc-voter-registration-deadline-2026" data-vars-content-id="bfa200b1-a529-47e3-beda-b3ca7a3db5b1" data-vars-headline="2026 Mecklenburg County voter guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/10/07/nc-voter-registration-deadline-2026" target="_self">midterms</a>. Plus, Charlotte has a record $425 million in city bonds on the ballot.Why it matters: In this swing state, many of these positions could shake up party control in Washington and Raleigh. And down ballot, other decisions could affect your day-to-day life.

Election

Politics

Spooky season is taking over Charlotte bars with haunted cocktails, over-the-top decor and immersive experiences.

Here are seven Halloween pop-up bars to check out this October, plus a witchy "Practical Magic" experience.

Photo by JKE (@jkeofficial), courtesy of Blue Door

What to expect: The South End cocktail bar's "Nightmare on Mint Street" runs all October, with eerie décor, light bites and a cocktail menu inspired by horror's classic monsters — from Frankenstein to The Mummy. 

When: Daily from 5pm-1am through Oct. 31. 

Reservations encouraged; walk-ins welcome. 

What to expect: Whiskey Warehouse is transforming its Single Barrel Room speakeasy into a "Beetlejuice"-themed pop-up bar for October. 

There will also be Monday movie nights throughout October and a Halloween party Oct. 31.

When: "The Afterlife" at Single Barrel Room runs through Oct. 31.

Thursday: 4pm - 12am, Friday & Saturday: 4pm - 1am and Sunday: 4pm - 10pm — walk-ins only. 

What to expect: DeepCuts HiFi's listening lounge is transforming into "Haunted HiFi" as part of the nationwide Black Lagoon Halloween pop-up,  with immersive décor, collectible glassware, plus themed cocktails and food.

Tuesday - Thursday 5pm - 10pm, Friday 5pm – 2am and Saturday 2pm - 2am — walk-ins only. 

Photo: Paul Griffin (@drinksimdrinking), courtesy of Humbug

What to expect: Humbug is bringing back its popular "Hulaween" for a month of Halloween-meets-tiki cocktails.

Wednesday-Thursday 4pm-midnight, Friday-Saturday 4pm-1am and Sunday 2-10pm. No reservations needed.

What to expect: Foo Bar at the AvidXchange Music Factory is hosting a ticketed, 90-minute Halloween experience with spooky décor, horror-inspired games, photo ops and themed cocktails. 

When: Select dates through Oct. 31. You'll choose a date and time when purchasing tickets. 

General admission is $14 and includes a welcome drink. 

Stop by: 900 N.C. Music Factory Blvd., Suite B4.

The Vampire Repellent cocktail. Photo: Courtesy of Pollyanna Cocktail Bar

What to expect: Pollyanna's at Optimist Hall is featuring vampire-inspired cocktails with its "Creatures of the Night" pop-up.

Sip on this: "Vampire Repellant" with garlic-infused vodka, vermouth and onion brine, garnished with sour cream and onion chips.

Stop by: Optimist Hall, 1115 N. Brevard St.

Dead Ted's Halloween Adventure at Dom's Dive Bar

What to expect: Dom's Dive Bar is transforming for "Dead Ted's Halloween Adventure," named after Ted, the bar's year-round resident skeleton. Expect spooky cocktails, food specials and lots of skeleton-themed décor.

The pop-up ends with a costume contest on Halloween, with Carolina Panthers tickets for the winner.

Practically Magic at Independent Picture House

7 spooky Halloween pop-up bars to visit in Charlotte

From a "Beetlejuice"-themed speakeasy to horror movie-inspired cocktails, these Charlotte bars are going all out for spooky season.

Spooky season is taking over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Charlotte bars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/03/22/best-cocktail-bars-in-charlotte-137213" data-vars-content-id="ca5690dd-6f45-4181-bd47-dcb0654d37c0" data-vars-headline="7 spooky Halloween pop-up bars to visit in Charlotte" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/03/22/best-cocktail-bars-in-charlotte-137213" target="_self">Charlotte bars</a> with haunted cocktails, over-the-top decor and immersive experiences.

McKenzie Rankin

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South End wellness studio combines a gym and doctor's office

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7 spooky Halloween pop-up bars to visit in Charlotte

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Charlotte and Triangle restaurants win 2026 Michelin honors