2022 marks the year of fast-casual restaurant in Charlotte.
From the emergence of local favorites like Milkbread and national chains like Dave’s Hot Chicken, it seems like people want to grab their food and go. But they don’t mind waiting in long lines before driving back to their work-from-home havens.
The big picture: The fast-casual trend seems to be a byproduct of the pandemic. A lot of the restaurants on our list are grab-and-go, meeting the demands set in place about two years ago when restaurant owners were faced with a challenge: adjust or fail.
Zoom in: The influx of national chains (Piada Italian, Brown Bag Seafood, Slim Chickens) is a sign that Charlotte is catching up to other foodie cities. Big brands want to capitalize on our growth.
- Yes, but: That growth comes with consequences for local favorites like Soul Gastrolounge and sister restaurant “Sister” in Plaza Midwood, which closed earlier this year because of rising rent prices.
What’s next: Problems in the restaurant industry continue to trickle down from the days of the pandemic, including staff shortages, supply chain issues, permit delays and construction back-ups.
- We predict the fast-casual trend will continue into 2023 but so will our need to gather in intimate settings, shifting the demand to more sit-down venues. Plus, look out for the return of local favorites like Soul Gastrolounge (in a new location), Midnight Diner and Phat Burrito.
- Keep reading about Axios Charlotte’s most anticipated restaurants, bars and breweries still to come.
Here are our picks for the 11 best new restaurants in Charlotte, listed in no particular order (this is not a ranking).
The restaurant is located in the same space and owned by the same restaurateurs as its predecessor Crepe Cellar Kitchen & Pub. It’s no surprise this cozy Italian restaurant quickly became one of Charlotte’s best restaurants.
What we ate: The burrata ($16), Calabrian chili pappardelle ($24), the Bucatini all’Amatriciana ($23) and cannoli ($14) for dessert.
My thoughts: Ahead of its opening, people were skeptical but curious about Ever Andalo because Crepe Cellar was such a local favorite. That skepticism was washed away but the curiosity clearly hasn’t. Axios’ Katie Peralta Soloff and I went on a Tuesday night at 5:30, right when it opened. We didn’t have a reservation but were able to sit down. By 7pm there wasn’t an empty seat in the house.
Read more: Inside the manic, magical four-week dash to create Ever Andalo
What we’re watching: Ever Andalo owners and restaurateurs, Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown, will turn the former Bonterra spot in Dilworth into a surf-and-turf restaurant called Leluia Hall. It’s set to open summer of 2023.
Housemade burrata with orange salt and orange marmalade, paired with grilled focaccia bread. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
Calabrian Chili Pappardelle — Calabrian chili beef ragù, housemade ricotta. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
Bucatini all’Amatriciana — guanciale (pork cheeks), tomato-garlic sauce, pecorino romano. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
Cannoli — housemade shells, vanilla cream, housemade ricotta. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
(2) Yunta (yoon-ta)
The Peruvian and Japanese restaurant opened in March and prime dinnertime reservations are still hard to come by.
What we ate: The Tiger’s Milk ceviche ($21), the beef nigiri ($15) and the yuca balls ($11).
- For dessert, share the Lucuma chocolate bomba ($12) or the (deconstructed) lemon pie ($12).
What we drank: The Pisco sour ($12).
Our thoughts: Restaurants like Yunta, which bring popular cuisines from around the world to North Carolina, are what make Charlotte a foodie city. Everything from the ceviche to the Pisco sour to the service lives up to the hype, as Axios’ Emma Way wrote after a visit earlier this year.
Read more: Ceviche and house music are recipe for cool at new Charlotte hotspot Yunta
Pisco sour with passion fruit foam (right). Photo: Emma Way/Axios
Tigers Milk ceviche. Photo: Emma Way/Axios
Yuca balls stuffed with Andean Farm Cheese, Aji Carretillero Sauce. Photo: Axios archives
Lucuma chocolate bomba and lemon pie. Photo: Axios archives
The beloved Plaza Midwood Dairy Queen building has been turned into a charming cafe.
What we ate: The hot dip sandwich ($11), the original sandwich ($9) and a milkbread doughnut of course ($2.50).
Danielle’s thoughts: “Plaza Midwood lamented when the Dairy Queen closed, but Milkbread has quickly become an essential neighborhood spot. It’s a versatile option for breakfast, lunch and dinner no matter what you’re craving, with enough outdoor tables that you can sit down and enjoy your meal. So while you won’t be able to get a soft-serve cone at the corner of Central and Pecan avenues anymore, the Milkbread doughnuts are a pretty good substitute,” Axios’ Danielle Chemtob writes.
Read more: The Kindreds will turn the beloved Plaza Midwood Dairy Queen into a cafe named Milkbread
The original sandwich — crispy chicken, mayo, lettuce and pickles. Photo: Danielle Chemtob/Axios
Hot-dipped crispy chicken, coleslaw, mayo. Photo: Danielle Chemtob/Axios
Milk chocolate doughnut. Photo: Alex Sands/Axios
Authentic Asian cuisine, incorporating flavors from Japan, located in the heart of Uptown. It’s one of the best places in town to get sushi.
What we ate: “I went on a date night and ordered the earth & sea roll ($26) and the nirvana ($18),” Axios’ Alexis Clinton writes.
Alexis’ thoughts: Saku is the perfect date night restaurant, but don’t just take my word for it. Netflix’s “The Ultimatum” was recently filmed there. The food is delicious, the aesthetic is great for pictures, given the murals, plus the vibe including the music and service is amazing. “Selling Charlotte” was also filmed there, so it’s definitely worth going to eliminate the FOMO.
Read more: New sushi restaurant Saku now open in Uptown
Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
Gourmet “East Coast-style” pizza made in a literal hole in the wall in Optimist Park. Reserve at least a day in advance — their time slots fill up fast.
What we ate: “I ordered a BYO pie with dairy-free cheese, arugula and onions ($27),” Alexis writes.
Alexis’ thoughts: I went for lunch but had to order a day in advance because they are so busy. There aren’t many pizza places offering dairy-free options to choose from so that alone is enough to let someone with a special diet feel seen and heard. Not to mention the flavor on this pizza blew me away. It’s a take-out-only spot but there are a few seats outside.
Read more: East Coast-style pizzeria now open in Optimist Park
BYO pie with dairy-free cheese. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
Alexis is lactose intolerant but we wanted to highlight Bird’s white pizza, made with fresh mozzarella, ricotta, garlic, olive oil and basil. Photo: Emma Way/Axios
LA-based, Nashville-style chicken joint that always has a line out the door.
What we ate: “The Dave’s #2: 2 sliders with fries, served with kale slaw, pickles and Dave’s sauce. FYI these aren’t really “sliders,” they are pretty much two full-sized sandwiches, so it’s a great thing to share,” Axios’ Danielle Chemtob writes.
- A note on spice: We tried the medium, but you can order everything from mild to the reaper, which requires you to sign a waiver.
Danielle’s thoughts: Ok, here’s the thing. I didn’t WANT a fried chicken chain from California to be this good (and that’s coming from someone who grew up there). This is the South after all! The fried chicken capital! But I was hooked the moment I bit into this crunchy, juicy chicken sandwich, drenched with the addictive Dave’s sauce (and topped with the crunch of the slaw and pickles). And I don’t think I’m the only one, because the lines wrap around the door regularly. Plus, the crinkle-cut fries are perfectly crisp, and you can use them to sop up the rest of your Dave’s sauce.
What we’re watching: Dave’s will eventually have 12 locations across the Charlotte area. Its second location will be in University City.
Read more: Fast-casual Nashville-style hot chicken chain opens first Charlotte location
Photo: Danielle Chemtob/Axios
Photo: Danielle Chemtob/Axios
Cheat’s Cheesesteak Parlor opened its brick-and-mortar location over the summer after a series of popular pop-ups.
What we ate: “We got a classic cheesesteak (made with ribeye steak, cheez whiz and grilled onions) and added hot cherry peppers ($14.60), plus a chicken cheesesteak (grilled chicken, cheez whiz, grilled onions, bell and poblano peppers) and added mushrooms ($14.85). And seasoned fries on the side, of course ($2.31),” Axios’ Katie Peralta Soloff writes.
Katie’s thoughts: What our cheesesteaks lack in photogenicity they make up for with their mouth-watering, bold and cheesy flavors throughout. This is one of those meals you may need to follow with a nice brisk walk (or maybe a nap). Cheat’s location is convenient and smart — it’s a compact building on Pecan between Plaza Midwood and Chantilly with only outdoor seating— making it a great choice for a hot meal on a cool afternoon.
Read more: Real-deal Philly cheesesteak “whiz wit” now open in Charlotte
Photo: Katie Peralta Soloff/Axios
A locally-owned, fast-casual, restaurant that offers affordable and authentic Indian fare.
What we ate: A customizable rice bowl ($11.85), masala fries with Indi sauce ($2.49), the lamb kebab burrito ($9.99), the tandoori chicken flatbread ($11.85).
- “The menu can be fairly overwhelming. It’s expansive, and everything — from the protein to the toppings — is highly customizable. If you’re someone who’s new to Indian cuisine or usually needs a few minutes to decide what you’re getting, I’d recommend reviewing the menu online beforehand,” Axios’ McKenzie Rankin writes.
McKenzie’s thoughts: If you’re a fast-casual/bowl person — like a Chipotle or Cava— IndiGrille should probably be in your rotation.
Read more: Fast-casual Indian restaurant called IndiGrille now open in Charlotte
Tandoori Chicken Kati Roll with all of the toppings. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
Customizable rice bowl with tandoori chicken, veggies, cabbage slaw, cucumber pico and cilantro. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios
Uptown’s newest healthy takeout cafe with a Hispanic flair — offering breakfast, smoothies, panini sandwiches and coffee.
What we ate: The “el Cubano” sandwich ($11.50), a breakfast burrito ($8.50), and a slice of flan ($5.50).
What we drank: The matcha love smoothie ($7.75).
My thoughts: I will sometimes make a trip to Uptown just so I can eat Arbol. I frequently crave their “matcha love” smoothie. And, dare I say they have one of the best Cuban sandwiches in town? I think I do.
Read more: “Arbol” is Uptown’s new healthy takeout café
The breakfast burrito. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
Flan. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
The Cuban sandwich. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
Two-story waterfront restaurant with views of Lake Wylie with indoor and outdoor seating.
What we ate: The braised lamb shank ($36), Chilean sea bass ($48) and carrot cake for dessert.
Alexis’ thoughts: I’ve recommended a few of my friends to this restaurant and they never have a bad thing to say. Plus, the restaurant’s always adding new menu items so you can try something new every time you go.
Read more: 2-story waterfront restaurant now open in Lake Wylie
Braised lamb shank. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
Chilean sea bass. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
Carrot cake. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
A market, coffee shop, bakery and restaurant from the owners of Reid’s Fine Foods, located in South End.
What we ate: The street car bowl ($13.25) and the golden broth ($6.50)
My thoughts: Whenever we post about Salted Melon on Instagram, people always rave about their broth bar and rightfully so — it was the perfect thing to have on a cold gloomy day. And the steak in that street car bowl had no business being that good.
Read more: Salted Melon now open in South End
The street car bowl with a lemonade on the side and a cup of broth to go. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
The broth bar has two options — chicken or beef. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
Flashback: Check out our past best new restaurants list here: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016.
link
More Stories
10 Best McDonald’s Breakfast Orders for Weight Loss
Healthy Joe Wicks breakfast recipes
Josh Scherer’s High-Protein Turkey Breakfast Burrito Recipe