Charlotte's full of thriving Black-owned businesses, some that have been around for generations, serving family recipes, others that sprouted up in recent years amid a larger entrepreneurial boom.

Why it matters: Charlotte ranks No. 16 nationally as a hub for Black-owned businesses, down from No. 12 in 2025, according to a 2026 report from Charlotte-based LendingTree.

Zoom out: The city now falls behind other North Carolina cities, including Fayetteville (No. 2), Durham (No. 10), Burlington (No. 11) and Greensboro (No. 12.), but it still ranks above Raleigh, which is currently listed as No. 27.

Here are several restaurants and bars worth checking out, including:

• ☕️ Archive, a coffee and retail shop in west Charlotte
• 🍸 Babe Cave, a women-designed and focused bar in Loso
• 🍕 Bird Pizza, an East Coast-style pizza joint in Optimist Park
• 🍵 Lottie's, a coffee shop with small bites in the former EpiCentre
• 🥂 Lorem Ipsum, a listening bar and cocktail lounge in Plaza Midwood
• 🍽️ Mert's Heart & Soul, a soul food for nearly 30 years in Uptown
• 🍔 Romeo's, a vegan burger joint in south Charlotte

More Black-owned restaurants and bars to visit

Charlotte also has a wide range of Black-owned entrepreneurs running services and retail shops where you can spend your money locally.

🧖‍♀️ Pamper a new mother with Ziva Postpartum Retreat's experiences and support services in Uptown.

🐶 Treat your dog to a grooming session at Whitney's Wittle Wonders in University City.

👯‍♀️ Pick up dance moves from Hip-Hop to contemporary at NC Dance District.

✨ Make custom jewelry with Glow Girl in South End.

👰‍♀️ Shop for your wedding dress from Mackins Bridal Boutique.

🧶 Learn how to knit and crochet at Charlotte Yarn in Dilworth.

More businesses to browse

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Here's how you can celebrate Black History Month through events this February:

🎊 Today: Celebrate Afro-Latinx heritage with performances and workshops at Harvey B. Gantt Center from 12-5pm.

🛍️ Feb. 8: Shop from local Black-owned small businesses at Venue 8470 from 1-4pm.

💃 Feb. 13: Dance with Mint Museum Uptown's Mint 2 Move Cultural Dance Night, where you can move to Black American music from 7-11pm. Tickets are $15-$19.

🍽️ Feb. 21: Grab dinner from The Culture Food Truck Rodeo at Levine Avenue of the Arts from 12-7pm. Tickets are $7.18.

🧠 Feb. 26: Test your knowledge of Black cultural trivia at Cuzzo's Cuisine and stay for food, music and drinks from 7-9:30pm.

🙌🏼 Feb. 28: Check out the African American Heritage Festival at Charlotte Museum of History from 11am-5pm.

🗣️ Tuesdays in February: Listen to the stories from local Black leaders in the community in a sit-down discussion at Sugar Creek Library.

🎥 Weekends in February: Watch a classic film at Carolina Theatre's Black and Brilliant series.

🍿 Multiple showings: See a screening of a Black movie from "Juice" to "Uptight" at The Independent Picture House.

It's been a decade since the Carolina Panthers played in Super Bowl 50.

Why it matters: The Panthers 2015 team drew global attention.

State of play: Sunday's Super Bowl will be in the same facility — Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

What we're watching: The Panthers won their division and hosted their first playoff game since the 2015 season. Legendary quarterback Cam Newton beat the Keep Pounding drum ahead of the game.

The bottom line: After years of mediocrity, the Panthers are relevant again.