Restaurants YOUR GUIDE TO CHARLOTTE’S DINING SCENE
Dilworth 300 EAST
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NEW AMERICAN The interior of this old houseturned-restaurant is welcoming, as is the menu of familiar and surprising sandwiches, salads, and entrées. Save room for dessert by pastry chef Laney JahkelParrish. 300 East Blvd. (704-332-6507) BR (Sun), L, D, BAR
BONTERRA
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NEW SOUTHERN Its setting may be a historic Southern church, but Bonterra serves up modern Southern flavors with top-notch service. Wine lovers will be impressed by the more than 200 wines by the glass. 1829 Cleveland Ave. (704-333-9463) D, BAR
CAPISHE
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ITALIAN The pasta dishes and pizza prepared by Chef David Cavalier, previously of Kindred, are impressive for a fast-casual restaurant. Arrive early for lunch to beat the long lines. 500 E. Morehead St., Ste. 100. (980-819-9494) L, D, BAR
COPPER
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INDIAN Ease into Indian cuisine with standard dishes like chicken tikka masala, or be more adventurous with the spicy seafood medley “anjeeri.” 311 East Blvd. (704-333-0063) L, D, V, BAR
DOLCE OSTERIA
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ITALIAN This classic, cozy, family-run neighborhood trattoria serves a mix of fresh, regional Italian cuisine and a tidy, all-Italian wine list. 1710 Kenilworth Ave. (704-332-7525) L (weekdays), D, B/W
FERN, FLAVORS FROM THE GARDEN
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VEGETARIAN Fern moved from Plaza Midwood to Dilworth in mid-2016. It still has ferns on the wall, and the menu is still full of flavorful vegetarian cuisine. 1419 East Blvd., Ste. A. (704-377-1825) L, BR, D, V, BAR
FIAMMA RESTAURANT
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ITALIAN The open layout lends an air of conviviality to this slick eatery, which has house-made pastas, thin-crust pizzas, note-perfect risotto, and daring meat entrées. 2418 Park Rd. (704-333-3062) L, D, BAR NEW LISTING
FAT CAT BURGERS + BAKESHOP
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respect of seasonal produce, with playful dishes such as “Asparagus—as many ways as we could think of,” and a more robust cocktail program. 1961 E. 7th St. (980-299-2741) D, BR (Sun), BAR
LEBOWSKI’S NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL
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ZEN FUSION
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BAKERY With locations in Dilworth, Harrisburg, and Ballantyne, Sunflour serves croissants, cinnamon buns, sandwiches, and soups. Regulars spend mornings here with a cup of coffee, letting them fade into afternoons. 2001 E. 7th St. (704-900-5268) B, L, D, V
AMERICAN Dishes at this neighborhood favorite include burgers, brats, and the popular “Beef on Weck.” 1524 East Blvd. (704-370-1177) L, D, BAR
FUSION Here, fusion means a sampling of dishes from the Far East and Spain. 1716 Kenilworth Ave. (704-358-9688) L (weekdays), D, BAR
Elizabeth/Cherry CAJUN QUEEN
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CAJUN Nightly live jazz complements New Orleans creole favorites like shrimp étouffée and crawfish Diane in this century-old house. 1800 E. 7th St. (704-3779017) BR, D, BAR
CUSTOMSHOP
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NEW AMERICAN Owner and executive chef Trey Wilson uses top-notch, seasonal ingredients to create fresh takes on American cuisine in a hip, rustic atmosphere. 1601 Elizabeth Ave. (704-333-3396) D, BAR
THE FIG TREE RESTAURANT
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NEW AMERICAN The No. 2 restaurant on our 2018 Best Restaurants list, the Fig Tree specializes in fresh and flavorful cuisine with an emphasis on wine pairing in a 1913 bungalow. 1601 E. 7th St. (704-332-3322) D, BAR
PIZZERIA OMAGGIO
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Huntersville/Lake Norman ALIÑO PIZZERIA
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DRESSLER’S
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PIZZA Enjoy your Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pizza at a community table with paper towels on hand to catch the drips from crust dipped in herbs and olive oil. A second location is at Concord Mills. 500 S. Main St., Ste. 401, Mooresville. (704-663-0010) L, D, B/W
NEW AMERICAN Part steak house, part upscale American cuisine, dishes are delivered with consistency and a smile, both here and at the Metropolitan Avenue location. 8630-1A Lindholm Dr. (704-987-1779) D, BAR
FLATIRON KITCHEN + TAPHOUSE
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STEAK HOUSE High-quality steaks are a given here, but the seafood and vegetables are treated with the same respect. 215 S. Main St., Davidson. (704-2373246) BR, L, D, BAR
HAVANA 33
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CUBAN Enjoy lake views and authentic Cuban dishes like picadillo and mojo chicken with Yuca fries and sweet plantains. 637 Williamson Rd., Ste. 100 (704799-0875) BR, L, D, BAR
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NEW SOUTHERN Davidson’s sweethearts, Joe and Katy Kindred, opened this lakefront spot. Expect Carolina classics like fried catfish and seafood platters, as well as tiki drinks. 20210 Henderson Rd., Cornelius. (704-997-5365) BR, L, D, BAR
PIZZA Among a sea of by-the-slice joints, owner Daniel Siragusa sticks by his Italian roots with personal pizzas. Some think they can’t possibly eat the whole pie, but they do. And then they order dessert. 1055 Metropolitan Ave., Ste. 130. (704-370-0777) L, D, BAR
THE STANLEY
SUNFLOUR BAKING CO.
NEW SOUTHERN Chef Paul Verica’s menu reflects a
HELLO, SAILOR
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AMERICAN Owner Fran Scibelli reimagined the former Fran’s Filling Station to include burgers, fried chicken, and a walk-up window that serves handmade donuts. 2410 Park Rd. (704-372-2009) L, D, BAR
INIZIO PIZZA NAPOLETANA
KID CASHEW
MEDITERRANEAN This bright and rustic restaurant from the owner of Georges Brasserie serves meat family style from a wood-fired grill and a selection of small plates. 1608 East Blvd. (704-208-4148) L, D, BAR
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PIZZA Two words: pistachio pizza. Seriously, try it. Then grab a spot on the patio beneath the bistro lights and enjoy a bottle of wine with friends. There’s a second location in Providence Commons, too. 2230 Park Rd. (704-900-0929) L, D, BAR
$ $$ $$$ $$$$
Most entrées under $10 Most entrées $10-$17 Most entrées $18-$25 Most entrées $26 & up Best Restaurants
B BR L D V
Breakfast Weekend brunch Lunch Dinner Vegetarian friendly
B/W Beer and wine only BAR Full-service bar Patio seating available Reservations suggested
REVIEW POLICIES—The restaurants on these pages are recommendations of the editors of Charlotte magazine. They are not related to advertising in any way. Restaurant visits are anonymous, and all expenses are paid by the magazine. Reviews are written by members of the editorial staff. We regularly update these listings. New additions are denoted by “new listing” and revised reviews are indicated by “update.” JUNE 2021 // CHARLOTTE
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