Here’s our list of the most anticipated openings, in chronological order.
The Teal Turnip
The restaurant is the brainchild of chefs Taylor Kastl and Steve McGinley, the team behind Tayste Catering. It’ll open in the Oakhurst Shopping Center.
Opening: May 5, 2023
Details: The menu will feature small plates with “adventurous menu items.” You’ll also find non-traditional ingredients like beef tongue, beef cheeks and liver mousses in the mix. The menu will be hyper-seasonal, which means it’ll change often and there’ll be rotating daily specials. It will have a selection of wine and signature cocktails.
Go deeper: Scoop: Teal Turnip to open in Oakhurst with small plates and a chef’s table
Coffee Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Beet Beurre Blanc. Photo courtesy of Taste Catering
Rosemont Market and Wine Bar
An all-day restaurant, neighborhood market and wine bar wrapped into one from the team behind popular Elizabeth restaurants The Crunkleton and Cheat’s Cheesesteak Parlor.
Opening: May 2023
Details: Rosemont Market and Wine Bar will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner plus market items, grab-and-go meals and drinks like beer, wine and coffee. There will also be indoor and outdoor seating.
Go deeper: Exclusive: Team behind The Crunkleton is opening a new restaurant and market in Elizabeth
Club House Kitchen & Cocktails
A restaurant in the former LuLu’s Maryland Style Kitchen & Seafood spot is owned by the team that owns PARA, a tapas restaurant in South End.
Opening: May 2023
Details: Expect a menu from PARA’s chef Myles Scaglione to include “elevated bar food for Pinhouse” and “plays on Southern classic dishes,” according to co-owner Chet Desai.
Go deeper: The PARA team is opening a new bar in Plaza Midwood called Club House
Club House in Plaza Midwood. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
Humbug
The Plaza Midwood pop-up bar will have a permanent location in Villa Heights with the same name, vibe and craft cocktails.
Opening: May 2023
Details: The new 1,850-square-foot location will include a larger bar as well as more amenities, like a pool table in the back with a low-lit, casual vibe. Expect beer on draft and an expanded beverage program from their original pop-up bar. There will also be elevated bar snacks, like homemade dips, plus baguettes and butter.
Go deeper: Scoop: Plaza Midwood cocktail bar Humbug to relocate to a new, expanded space
Photo: Danny Charland/ Humbug
Sycamore Brewing
The popular South End brewery is opening in a new building next to its former location.
Opening: May 2023 at 2151 Hawkins St.
Details: The new two-story taproom will include a 6,000-square-foot second-floor patio and bar with views of the rail trail and the skyline.
- The second story will also include a nod to the original location with the brewery’s Airstream food truck.
- It will have a beer garden, a full-service taproom, which will also serve food, and Sycamore’s new coffee shop on the first floor.
Go deeper: Sycamore Brewing’s new two-story South End location opens in May
Photo: Emma Way/Axios
The Co-Op
The Charleston-based frosé and sandwich shop is opening its first North Carolina store.
Opening: May 2023
Details: The Co-Op will primarily serve frosé and sandwiches. Other menu highlights include $1 coffee every morning and fresh salads. There will be 40 rotating frosé flavors, including seasonal options, with six to eight offered at a time.
Go deeper: Charleston-based frosé and sandwich spot coming to South End
Photo courtesy of Aleece Sophia
Seemingly Overzealous
A dairy-free ice cream shop opening at Camp North End.
Opening date: Last week of May
Details: Seemingly Overzealous will offer the classics, plus unique flavors like blood orange carrot ginger, matcha with honey and lemon and peanut butter and jelly. Flavors that aren’t dairy-free will be clearly marked.
Photo: Courtesy of Remy Thurston
Trio Nightclub
The popular Charleston nightclub is coming to Charlotte.
Opening date: May 2023
Details: It will have a “Vegas-style production in a more intimate setting,” owner Eric Gussin tells Axios.
Go deeper: Popular Charleston nightclub Trio expanding to Charlotte in 2023
Steve Aoki tickets sold out in less than an hour according to Gussin. Photo courtesy of Trio
Tora
Sushi restaurant and bar opening in the former Rocket Pizza spot.
Opening: End of May 2023
Details: “Tora will have a very relaxing modern vibe,” a representative from the restaurant tells Axios.
- Expect a full bar and lounge area, a private party room and a general dining room.
- The menu will have a fusion of sushi Chinese wok and other Asian cuisine
Tora is located at 1213 West Morehead St. Photo: Courtesy of Tora
Goldie’s
A new 6,400-square-foot music venue opening in LoSo.
Opening: Spring 2023 at 3601 South Blvd.
Details: Expect multiple patios, indoor spaces and live shows almost nightly.
- Its menu will have burgers, sandwiches, tacos and rotisserie chicken, plus brunch “sammies” and burritos on the weekends.
- Its bar will serve frozen drinks, beer and wine.
Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
Intown Golf Club
A new social club for golfers is opening at Apex SouthPark.
Opening: Spring 2023
Details: The luxury golf club is about 13,000 square feet and has a large covered patio and outdoor putting green.
- It’ll have TrackMan golf simulators, golf lessons, rentals and golf events (including tournaments and leagues).
- It’ll also have a restaurant and bar overseen by Federico Castellucci III, the president and CEO of Castellucci Hospitality Group.
“Intown Golf Club offers a convenient and weather-proof setting where you can play 18 holes in 45 minutes, day or night, rain or shine,” a representative from the club told Axios via email.
Go deeper: Private social club Intown Golf Club is coming to SouthPark
Rendering courtesy of The Intown Golf Club Team via ai3, inc.
Hippin Hops Brewery
Georgia’s first Black-owned brewery is expanding to Charlotte.
Opening: Spring 2023 at 2509 North Davidson St.
Details: The brewery will have indoor and outdoor space, totaling 3,900 square feet. It’ll also serve gourmet burgers.
Go deeper: Black-owned brewery and burger joint coming to NoDa
Photo: Courtesy of Clarence Boston, owner of Hippin Hops Brewery
Monday Night Brewing
Local developer Providence Group Capital plans to convert an auto shop on South Tryon into the Atlanta-based brewery’s fifth location.
Opening: Late spring 2023
Details: The brewery currently operates at two locations in Atlanta, one in Nashville and one in Birmingham. Expect Neapolitan-style pizzas, wine, curated cocktails, several non-alcoholic options plus an outdoor bar.
Go deeper: Proposed food hall in South End reimagined as spot for an Atlanta-based brewery
Rendering courtesy of Providence Group Capital
Pizza Baby
A New York-style pizza joint by chef Trey Wilson from Custom shop in Elizabeth and Flour Shop in Park Road Shopping Center.
Opening: June 2023 in Wesley Heights
Details: Expect eight to 10 pizzas on the menu, plus four to six salads and vegan options. The dough itself will be vegan and will be for sale. They’ll also offer dough-making classes.
- Of note: Pizza Baby East in Elizabeth will open later this year.
Go deeper: Team behind Flour Shop to open Pizza Baby in Elizabeth and Wesley Heights this year
Pizza Baby East rendering courtesy of “Southwick. Architecture + Interiors”/courtesy of Art & Commerce Food Group
RALLY
An urban pickleball and entertainment facility at 101 Southside Dr.
Opening: June 20, 2023
Details: The two buildings comprising Rally will include a full-service restaurant and eight pickleball courts. Its menu will be inspired by global street food and designed by an award-winning hospitality team based out of Washington, D.C. It will have premium signature cocktails, plus twists on local and international classics.
- Rally recently hired its executive chef, Cory Chunn, who was on Top Chef. He was previously the executive chef at La Belle Helene.
Go deeper: Pickleball restaurant and bar with 8 courts coming to LoSo
Rendering courtesy of Rally
Chapter 6
A new restaurant from restaurateur Jon Dressler, who’s behind The Porter’s House, Fin & Fino and Dressler’s.
Opening: June 2023
Details: The menu will feature cuisine from around the world, a bar, nearly 7,000 square feet of restaurant space and an outdoor patio overlooking the Rail Trail. Chapter 6 will be located insideThe Line in South End.
Phat Burrito
Nearly five years after it closed, the landmark South End burrito joint Phat Burrito is reopening in a new neighborhood.
Opening: June/July in LoSo Village near the corner of South and Clanton.
Details: Expect the same oversized burritos. The 2,600-square-foot corner space is a bit bigger than the original, but owner Michael Cox says he hopes to capture the same vibe inside.
Go deeper: Phat Burrito to reopen after a nearly 5-year closure
Photo: Axios archives
Room Service
A boutique cocktail lounge and an upscale specialty market called Stay Inn are opening at Camp North End.
Opening: Summer 2023
Details: Room Service and Stay Inn will be in the Keswick building along with Seemingly Overzealous, Current Nostalgia and The Revelry. Room Service will offer specialty drinks, beer, wine and small plates (sandwiches during the day and sharable plates in the evening).
Go deeper: New cocktail lounge and specialty market to open in Camp North End next year
Beyond Amazing Donuts (B.A.D)
B.A.D’s brick-and-mortar has been a long time coming and highly anticipated. Its owner and chef, Jasmine “Jazz” Macon, was the former pastry chef at Leah & Louise.
Opening: Summer 2023
Details: There’ll be six staple flavors on the menu, named after characters she created, plus four seasonal flavors that will be “inspired by North Carolina agriculture,” according to Macon.
Go deeper: Popular doughnut pop-up Beyond Amazing Donuts opening a brick-and-mortar in Montford Park
Raspberry Sprinkle doughnuts, Macon’s personal favorite and a staple flavor. Photo: Courtesy of Jasmine Macon
STK
STK Steakhouse, an international brand, has signed a lease for the 7,000-square-foot former Carolina Ale House space at the Charlotte Plaza (201 S. College) in Uptown.
Opening: Summer 2023
Details: ONE Group Hospitality operates 22 STK restaurants in major metropolitan cities in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. The menu options include premium steaks, seafood and specialty cocktails.
Go deeper: New upscale steakhouse coming to Uptown
Rendering courtesy of STK Steakhouse
Leluia Hall
Restaurateurs Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown will turn the former Bonterra spot in Dilworth into a surf-and-turf restaurant.
Opening: Summer 2023
Details: Expect family-style, shareable dishes, a raw bar program and prime cuts of steak. Dishes will be prepared by Tonidandel and Supperland executive chef Chris Rogienski. The new restaurant will feature 200+ bottle wine list and a new cocktail program from mixologist Colleen Hughes.
Go deeper: Leluia Hall replaces Bonterra in Dilworth
Schreiber’s on Rye
A New York style-deli will open in Optimist Hall where Xia-Bao Biscuit used to be.
Opening: Summer 2023
Details: Chef Larry Schreiber, who also owns Bao and Broth in Optimist Hall, will serve a taste of his childhood from New York City with dishes like pastrami on rye, matzo soup and Coney Island knish.
Axios archives
Streetcar
Originally this bar was going to be called “Boxcar Bar+Bites” but has been rebranded to Streetcar Bar+Bites.
Opening: September 2023
Details: The sports bar will be the spot where you can grab brunch, lunch, dinner or a nightcap. They will also have plenty of TVs for game-day viewings.
Go deeper: Mexican restaurant, pizza joint and 2 bars join booming Thrift Road area
Runaway Whiskey & Wine
A 1920s bar with an atmosphere that nods to the Prohibition Era – combining Art Deco and mid-century modern style.
Opening: September 2023
Details: Expect an extensive selection of whiskey and wine, plus specialty-crafted cocktails and a variety of small plates.
Go deeper: Mexican restaurant, pizza joint and 2 bars join booming Thrift Road area
Taco Boy
A popular taqueria out of Folly Beach in Charleston expanding to The Station at LoSo.
Opening: Late September or early October 2023
Details: The 15,000-square-foot space will have indoor and outdoor seating and tortillas made in house. The menu will feature scratch-made tacos, quesadillas and sides like rice and beans, chipotle slaw, Mexican street corn and guacamole.
Go deeper: Popular Charleston restaurant Taco Boy is expanding to Charlotte
Photo by Savannah Copeland
Catalina Kitchen + Bar
NFL legend Mike Ditka’s restaurant group is opening a casual, upscale restaurant on the corner of East Seventh Street and North Caswell Avenue in Elizabeth.
Opening: Fall 2023
Details: The restaurant will feature American fare, daily happy hour specials, an extensive wine list and local beers.
- It’ll have indoor and outdoor seating.
Go deeper: Mike Ditka’s restaurant group to open Catalina Kitchen + Bar at Elizabeth on Seventh this fall
Monarch Market
An 18,000-square-foot food hall at One Independence Center in Uptown (101 N. Tryon St. at the corner of Trade and Tryon streets).
Opening: Late 2023
Details: Expect 12 food stalls, a full-service restaurant and three bars (one of which will be outdoors facing North Tryon). It will also have four event spaces.
Go deeper: A new food hall is coming to Uptown
Monarch Market. Rendering courtesy of Crescent Communities
Urban District Market at Lintmen’s
New food hall next to the new Seoul Food Meat Co. location opening along the XCLT trail.
Opening: Six of the 13 tenants opened in April 2023. The remaining tenants will open later this year.
What to expect: The remaining tenants in the Lintmen’s complex will include a test kitchen that’ll serve as a restaurant incubator for aspiring entrepreneurs and a grab-and-go market called “SUPER.”
Go deeper: Urban District Market, Charlotte’s newest food hall, opens April 17
Photo: Axios archives
MAS (Maiz Agua Sal)
From the team behind Craft Tasting Room and Lincoln Street Kitchen and Cocktails is a new Mexican-inspired tortilleria and agave bar and restaurant.
Opening: End of 2023
Details: The restaurant will have lunch, dinner and some light breakfast options including fresh tacos with house-made tortillas and adorned with pickled vegetables and salsas. The cocktail menu will focus on mezcal and tequilas, as well as non-alcoholic options like agua fresca.
Go deeper: Tortilleria and agave bar with skyline views planned for West Charlotte redevelopment
Eden
A three-story cocktail lounge opening where The Peculiar Rabbit used to be in Plaza Midwood.
Opening: TBD
Details: The three-story venue will have different vibes on each floor, plus indoor and outdoor seating. Expect small shareable bites on the first floor, desserts and charcuterie on the second level and brunch on the rooftop. The drink menu will have five to seven specialty cocktails, premium champagne, beer and wine.
Go deeper: New three-story bar called Eden will open in Plaza Midwood
Eden of Plaza. Photo: Courtesy of Zach lamb with Rori Production.
Dram & Draught
Raleigh’s popular neighborhood bar Dram & Draught will offer a range of drink options — from craft beer to mocktails.
Opening: TBD
Details: Located across from the Charlotte Beer Garden is the upscale neighborhood bar which will feature seasonal cocktails, 14 taps of craft beer from Charlotte and across North Carolina, and creative spirit-free cocktails.
Go deeper: Popular Raleigh-based cocktail bar opening first Charlotte location
Dram & Draught in Raleigh. Photo: Michael Graff/Axios
Midnight Diner
The South End comfort food restaurant will relocate to Uptown.
Opening: TBD
Details: The diner will relocate to Trade Street across from the Spectrum Center with free parking.
- The previous location at 1111 S. Tryon will be replaced with a two-tower mixed-use development. Site work on the project begins this year.
Go deeper: Project update: Development replacing Midnight Diner will include two huge towers
Photo: Axios archives
Puerta
Opening: TBD at 1961 E. 7th St.
Details: Expect food and drink inspired by Oaxaca in southern Mexico. Tequila will be the focal point of the drink menu for the Mexican restaurant in the former Stanley space
Go deeper: The Crunkleton team will open a Mexican restaurant in the former Stanley space
The Crunkleton sits on the left at 1957 E. 7th St. and the new restaurant sits on the right at 1961 E. 7th St. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Slutty Vegan
Plant-based burgers from Atlanta’s popular Slutty Vegan restaurant are making their way to Charlotte.
Opening: TBD
Details: The new location will feature most of the burger and dessert options as the Atlanta restaurant. The item names are as creative as the recipes, like “The One Night Stand,” a plant-based patty with vegan bacon that is covered in “slut sauce” atop a Hawaiian bun.
Go deeper: Atlanta’s popular “Slutty Vegan” burger joint to open in Charlotte
Photo: Courtesy of Thomas Wheatley/ Axios Atlanta
Soul Gastrolounge
Opening: TBD
Details: Soul Gastrolounge closed its popular Plaza Midwood location due to rising rent. The restaurant owners recently announced on social media that they have a food truck and will announce their plans for their next location soon.
Go deeper: End of an era: Soul Gastrolounge will soon close in Plaza Midwood
Photo: Axios archives
Saucy Brew Works – Dilworth
The Cleveland-based brewery and pizza restaurant will open at 501 E. Morehead St., across from the Dowd YMCA.
Opening: 2024
Details: The two-story brewpub will have an enclosed penthouse space, plus a nearly 10,000-square-foot rooftop deck. There will be at least 20 beers on tap, plus coffee and a full food menu centered on Saucy’s New Haven-style pizzas (thin-crust, coal-fired).f
Go deeper: Ohio’s Saucy Brew Works to expand in Charlotte with a huge brewpub and Airbnb
Saucy Brew Works in Shaker Heights, just outside of Cleveland
HERE ARE THE POPULAR FAQs FOR RESTAURANTS IN CHARLOTTE NC,
Q: What are the most anticipated new restaurants in Charlotte, NC, in 2023?
A: In 2023, Charlotte is excited about several new dining establishments. Some highly anticipated ones include STIR, Open Kitchen, and Link & Pin South End. These venues promise unique culinary experiences and are set to elevate the city's dining scene.
Q: Can you list the recently opened dining establishments in Charlotte, NC?
A: Sure! Some recently opened restaurants in Charlotte, NC, include Mattie's Diner, Open Kitchen, and Dandelion Market. These newcomers offer a diverse range of cuisines and atmospheres to explore.
Q: What are some upscale and fancy dining options in Charlotte, NC?
Charlotte boasts several upscale dining options, including The Capital Grille, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, and The Fig Tree Restaurant. These establishments offer elegant settings and a refined culinary experience.
Q: Can you recommend high-end restaurants suitable for celebrating special occasions in Charlotte?
A: Celebrate special occasions at Dressler's or Deluxe Fun Dining Restaurant, renowned for its top-notch service, exquisite menus, and intimate atmosphere. Reservations are recommended for these special evenings.
Q: Where can I find the best soul food restaurants in Charlotte, NC?
A: The best soul food experiences in Charlotte can be found at Nana Morrison's Soul Food, Mert's Heart and Soul, and Queen's Soul Food, where you can savor authentic Southern flavors.
Q: Can you recommend soul food restaurants that offer vegetarian or vegan options?
A: For vegetarian and vegan soul food options, consider dining at Bean Vegan Cuisine, which offers a variety of plant-based alternatives without compromising on flavor.
Q: What are some romantic restaurants in Charlotte with an intimate ambiance?
A: For a romantic evening, consider dining again at The Fig Tree Restaurant or Luce, known for their intimate settings and candlelit atmospheres.
Q: Are any restaurants with outdoor seating and a romantic atmosphere in Charlotte, NC?
A: Enjoy al fresco dining with a romantic touch at Barrington's, where you can savor a delightful meal under the stars while surrounded by a charming atmosphere.
