Charlotte Travel Guide

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What to Eat in Charlotte

Charlotte's restaurant scene is a fair representation of its cultural identity: modern, with a bit of Southern tradition. Though it boasts its fair share of Southern comfort food, the city also shows off its flair for fine dining with a variety of sophisticated international and farm-to-fork menus.

Almost an attraction in itself, Price's Chicken Coop is a must-visit if you're hoping to experience some of the city's best Southern fried chicken. This hole-in-the-wall favorite is carry-out only (bring cash; your plastic is no good here). But what Price's lacks in ambiance it makes up for in crispy, delicious chicken. Beloved by both locals and travelers, Price's counter is consistently busy, so prepare to wait in line (especially at lunch). If you like your fried chicken paired with waffles — a Southern tradition — try another one of the city's cheap eat favorites, the Midnight Diner. For a taste of Carolina-style barbecue, head to Midwood Smokehouse, Queen City Q or Mac's Speed Shop.

If you're in the mood for fine dining, Charlotte's got you covered there, too. Business travelers looking to treat clients to a classic steak dinner will find plenty of chain chophouses in the Uptown area, but for a splurge-worthy meal that celebrates the bounty of the Carolinas, consider Halcyon Flavors From the Earth. If you're willing to travel outside the Uptown area, you'll find a bevy of award-winning restaurants, including Fig Tree, an eatery that occupies a Registered Historic Landmark home, Stagioni, an intimate Italian restaurant, and Good Food on Montford, a tapas-style eatery.  

You can't make reservations at Soul Gastrolounge, but you also can't leave the Queen City without trying this eclectic, perpetually busy eatery. Sushi, internationally inspired small plates and handcrafted cocktails are what keep locals and visitors coming back again and again.

And then there's the beer. Charlotte is often overlooked by craft beer aficionados in favor of Asheville's suds, but the Queen City can hold its own. New breweries are opening all of the time — in fact, North Carolina touts more craft breweries than any other state in the South. Luckily, many of them are grouped by neighborhood, making it easy to visit a few in one trip. Standouts include The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (home to one of the largest beer gardens in the city), Sycamore Brewing, Birdsong Brewing Company (don't leave without trying its Jalapeño Pale) and NoDa Brewing Company. If you don't want to venture too far outside the Uptown area, Wooden Robot Brewery and the Unknown Brewing Co. are some of the closest options.

Find the Best Restaurants in Charlotte

  • #1
    Lang Van
    #1 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 372 reviewsTripAdvisor (372)
    $ - $$ | Asian, Vietnamese
    3019 Shamrock Dr, Charlotte, NC 28215-3003
    Read More »
  • #2
    The Fig Tree Restaurant
    #2 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 748 reviewsTripAdvisor (748)
    $$ | Italian, French, American
    1601 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204-2411
    Read More »
  • #3
    Midwood Smokehouse
    #3 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 190 reviewsTripAdvisor (190)
    $ - $$ | American, Barbecue
    540 Brandywine Rd Ste C, Charlotte, NC 28209-2267
    Read More »
  • #4
    The Melting Pot
    #4 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 289 reviewsTripAdvisor (289)
    $$ | American, International
    901 S Kings Dr #140B Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28204-2916
    Read More »
  • #5
    Midwood Smokehouse
    #5 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 1955 reviewsTripAdvisor (1955)
    $ - $$ | American, Bar, Barbecue
    1401 Central Ave Ste 101, Charlotte, NC 28205-5143
    Read More »
  • #6
    Zen Fusion
    #6 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 330 reviewsTripAdvisor (330)
    $ - $$ | Japanese, Spanish, Asian, Fusion
    1716 Kenilworth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203-6085
    Read More »
  • #7
    Carpe Diem Restaurant & Caterers
    #7 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 455 reviewsTripAdvisor (455)
    $$ | American, International
    1535 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204-2508
    Read More »
  • #8
    The Capital Grille
    #8 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 1022 reviewsTripAdvisor (1022)
    $$ | Steakhouse, American
    201 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202-2146
    Read More »
  • #9
    The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
    #9 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 1579 reviewsTripAdvisor (1579)
    $ - $$ | American, Seafood, Sushi
    4310 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211-3997
    Read More »
  • #10
    Amelie's French Bakery
    #10 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 1979 reviewsTripAdvisor (1979)
    $ - $$ | French, Cafe
    2424 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205-2382
    Read More »
  • #11
    Dresslers Restaurant
    #11 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 373 reviewsTripAdvisor (373)
    $$ | American
    1100 Metropolitan Ave Ste 125E, Charlotte, NC 28204-3416
    Read More »
  • #12
    Viva Chicken - Ballantyne
    #12 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 583 reviewsTripAdvisor (583)
    $ | Peruvian, Latin, South American
    12206 Copper Way, Charlotte, NC 28277-3555
    Read More »
  • #13
    Pinky's Westside Grill
    #13 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 615 reviewsTripAdvisor (615)
    $ | American, Bar
    1600 W Morehead St, Charlotte, NC 28208-5222
    Read More »
  • #14
    Alexander Michael's
    #14 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 240 reviewsTripAdvisor (240)
    $ - $$ | American, Bar, Pub
    401 W 9th St, Charlotte, NC 28202-1972
    Read More »
  • #15
    Mama Ricotta's
    #15 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 661 reviewsTripAdvisor (661)
    $ - $$ | Italian, Pizza, Tuscan, Central-Italian
    601 S Kings Dr Ste Aa, Charlotte, NC 28204-2932
    Read More »
  • #16
    Luce Restaurant & Bar
    #16 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 286 reviewsTripAdvisor (286)
    $$ | Italian
    214 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202-1078
    Read More »
  • #17
    Amelie's
    #17 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 228 reviewsTripAdvisor (228)
    $ - $$ | French, Cafe
    380 S College St On Th Corner of S College St. And Mlk Jr Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28202-1976
    Read More »
  • #18
    The King's Kitchen
    #18 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 499 reviewsTripAdvisor (499)
    $ - $$ | American
    129 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202-2143
    Read More »
  • #19
    Midwood Smokehouse
    #19 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 286 reviewsTripAdvisor (286)
    $ - $$ | Barbecue, American
    12410 Johnston Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277-2575
    Read More »
  • #20
    Paco's Tacos & Tequila
    #20 of 2,981 Places to Eat in Charlotte
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 456 reviewsTripAdvisor (456)
    $ - $$ | Mexican, Southwestern, Latin
    6401 Morrison Blvd Ste 8A, Charlotte, NC 28211-3800
    Read More »

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