8 Great Places to Eat in Charlotte North Carolina

Savor my favorite amazing places to eat in Charlotte North Carolina. A sampling from hundreds of great places to eat in Queen City. I am astonished by the culinary scene and will return often to research more food epicness. Go visit Charlotte and do your own research! #CharlottesGotalot

The following Charlotte NC restaurants are listed in alphabetical order.

I was a hosted guest of Charlotte Regional Visitor’s Authority and Travel Media Showcase but this #COOLinary content is carefully crafted with the McCool Travel audience in mind.

8 Great Places to Eat in Charlotte North Carolina

1. Bonterra

NOTE: Bonterra rebranded as Phillip’s Bistro and Wine Bar.

Bonterra occupies a historic church in Charlotte’s Dilworth Historic District and serves the largest selection of wines by the glass on the US East coast. Over 200 options includes some wines not served by the glass anywhere else. Their Blackened Watermelon Pork Belly appears prominently in my dreams. Rather than using gas or electric, chef Blake Hartwick cooks everything over natural wood. Ask about the painting over the bar (fascinating history).

Bonterra: 1829 Cleveland Avenue | website

great places to eat in Charlotte, North Carolina. Article by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
pork belly at Bonterra, Charlotte, NC. Photo by Karyn Locke of Sand and Snow
great places to eat in Charlotte, North Carolina. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
chef Blake Hartwick of Bonterra, Charlotte
great places to eat in Charlotte, North Carolina. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
bar at Bonterra is a great place to drink in Charlotte NC

>> See the McCool Travel article: 8 Great Things to do on a Cabarrus County Getaway

2. Fahrenheit

Fahrenheit is located on the 21st floor, above the Hyatt Place and Skye condos. Visit Fahrenheit for remarkable views of Charlotte (from one of Queen City’s top rooftop spots), creative drinks (I had the Mastodon), and incredible food. My amazing lobster roll appetizer and scallop dinner only paved the way for the scrumptious dessert—a massive peanut butter candy bar with salted caramel ice cream.

Fahrenheit: 222 South Caldwell Street | website

great places to eat in Charlotte, North Carolina. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
sunset view of downtown Charlotte from Fahrenheit rooftop
great places to eat in Charlotte, North Carolina. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
“candy bar” dessert at Fahrenheit Charlotte
great places to eat in Charlotte, North Carolina. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
night view of Charlotte from Fahrenheit rooftop

3. Fidelli Kitchen

Two words: Meatball Cone. It is remarkable. Want a second opinion? Well, Fidelli won the “best new bite” award in the recent Taste of Charlotte contest. Fidelli Kitchen does have other cones if you must. Other options include building your own pasta bowl, ordering house made soups or sandwiches or desserts, and buying wine by the taste, small glass, full glass, or bottle. “Blurring the line between fast and fancy” is their motto.

Fidelli Kitchen: 1616 Camden Road | website

great places to eat in Charlotte, North Carolina. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
Meatball Cone and Chicken Alfredo Cone at Fidelli Kitchen
great places to eat in Charlotte, North Carolina. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
the wine wall at Fidelli Kitchen in Charlotte, NC

4. 5Church Charlotte

5Church occupies part of The Ivey’s Hotel, a new upscale boutique hotel in uptown Charlotte. Visit them for a popular Sunday brunch with local sustainable food. My shrimp and grits was delicious and my side salad was much larger than expected with super fresh ingredients.

5Church Charlotte: Corner of 5th and Church | website

great places to eat in Charlotte, North Carolina. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
“The Art of War” text on ceiling of 5Church in Charlotte North Carolina
great places to eat in Charlotte, North Carolina. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
shrimp & grits, 5Church: a fun Charlotte NC restaurant
great places to eat in Charlotte, North Carolina. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
5Church is one of the top Places to Eat in Charlotte NC

5. Papi Queso // Sycamore Brewing

Papi Queso’s claim to fame is rocking the Charlotte food truck scene and appearing on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives but they recently opened up a pop up kitchen inside Sycamore Brewing in South End. Um, GO! Papi serves simply amazing grilled cheese combos but the Cubano (when available) is #DroptheMic incredible.

Papi Queso: 2161 Hawkins Street | website

6. River’s Edge // US National Whitewater Center

First of all, when you visit Charlotte, you better go to USNWC. It is called an adventure playground for adults. I loved rafting, zip lining, mountain biking there, even with a couple of minor injuries. Hey, play hard, eat well! After working up an appetite getting thrown from a raft in Class IV rapids, I really enjoyed my bison Mexicali burger at River’s Edge. On a prior visit, my wife and I shared a remarkable quinoa salad and local craft beers.

River’s Edge at US National Whitewater Center: 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway | website

7. 7th Street Public Market

I love a repurposed building! 7th Street Public Market operates as an incubator for up and coming culinary startups in Charlotte, supporting local farmers and artisans. The muffin of the day at Local Loaf was a sinful orange butterscotch crumble. I bought the last one during a break from a super fun Charlotte Segway tour. I must return to 7th Street and try the tempting crusts at Pure Pizza. Any recommendations?

7th Street Public Market: 224 East 7th Street | website

great places to eat in Charlotte, North Carolina. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
7th Street Public Market has many fun Charlotte restaurants
great places to eat in Charlotte, North Carolina. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
Pure Pizza sign in 7th Street Public Market Charlotte

>> See the McCool Travel article: Fantastic Things to Do in Durham North Carolina: Art, Baseball, Craft Beer, and More

8. Stoke

Stoke is located inside the revamped Charlotte Marriott City Center, a sleek modern concept hotel unlike any other Marriott. Only a dozen steps from Independence Square, Stoke epitomizes relaxed luxury dining. Order the delectable deviled eggs and the magnificent sticky pork shank.

Stoke: 100 West Trade Street | website

great places to eat in Charlotte, North Carolina. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
charcuterie and deviled eggs at Stoke: best Charlotte NC restaurants
great places to eat in Charlotte, North Carolina. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
Places to Eat in Charlotte North Carolina: Stoke restaurant
great places to eat in Charlotte, North Carolina. Article and photo by Charles McCool for McCool Travel.
amazing pork at Stoke: one of the best Charlotte NC restaurants

For more information about visiting Charlotte, North Carolina:

Charlotte Visitor Bureau: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

FEAST Food Tours (visit several foodie stops on one tour!): website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Independence Square Charlotte, North Carolina by Sand and Snow

What are your favorite places to eat in Charlotte North Carolina?

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6 thoughts on “8 Great Places to Eat in Charlotte North Carolina”

  1. What a foodie scene Charles. Incredibly impressive. NC in general is super; my cousin moved to Wilmington last year and loves it.

  2. Dang, man! You ate well in Charlotte. I’ve really gotta spend more time there and especially explore its breweries, like Sycamore. Thanks for sharing this and I hope you can make it our way someday:)

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