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10 underrated Latin American restaurants in the Charlotte area

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Good flavor knows no boundaries, and Charlotte’s restaurants featuring authentic Hispanic and Latin American cuisine will make your mouth water.

Whether you are an adventurous foodie or a novice at culinary exploration, it is possible to experience the tastes of Central or South America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean islands without getting on a flight. From tacos and empanadas to tostones and pupusas, we’ve got a guide to some of the hidden restaurant gems that serve up Latin American flavors.

Experience the tastes of Peru, Honduras, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Argentina and more as you stamp your culinary passport around the Queen City.

Aromas De Mi Pueblo

Location: 9107 S Tryon Street, Suite J, Charlotte, NC 28273

Experience the flavors of Ecuador when you visit Aromas De Mi Pueblo, located in Steele Creek. If you’re a meat lover, try the chaulafán, a dish made with fried rice and chicken, ham, shrimp, steak and a fried egg. For lighter fare, the empanada de verde con queso, a plantain-crusted empanada stuffed with cheese, is an option.

Brasas Arepas & Grill

Location: 4740 Old Pineville Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217

Craving a taste of Venezuela? Visit Brasas Arepas & Grill, located at Charlotte Market International off of Old Pineville Road and Woodlawn Road. There you will find traditional favorites like arepa peluda — a hand-held treat filled with shredded beef and cheese — and carne a la llanera — skewered beef that is slow roasted and served with mouthwatering sides.

Chevere Street

Location: 315 S Polk St Suite #4e, Pineville, NC 28134

Enjoy the flavors of Peru and Venezuela in the heart of Pineville at the newly opened Chevere Street. With the promise of quality, integrity and the joy of dining, patrons can enjoy a taste of stir-fried beef, pastry rolls filled with cheese and Latin-American wings.

A vibrant and abundant food bowl, photographed from above. The black bowl is artfully packed with sections of juicy shredded chicken, savory shredded beef, crispy-skinned roasted chicken, and a perfectly fried egg. Sliced fresh avocado and tangy pickled red onions top the center, with crunchy sweet potato chips arranged around the edge.
The arepa bowl is a crowd-pleaser consisting of egg, chicken, beef and pork on a bed of fried plantains and lettuce. Chevere Street

Felix Handmade Emapandas

Location: 320 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Location: 1115 N Brevard St UNIT 3, Charlotte, NC 28206

Felix Handmade Empanadas turns a traditional Argentinian appetizer into the star dish at Optimist Hall and its The Alley at Latta Arcade locations. Try them baked or fried with a plethora of fillings to satisfy your palate. Chase them with a sweet apple crumble or guava and cheese pastry.

A man in a dark green t-shirt stands at the wooden counter of Felix Empanadas, placing an order with a female employee. The scene is viewed through a large white archway, revealing a uniquely designed interior with a curved, teal metal cage structure, a wall with a bold black-and-white circular pattern, and a modern, multi-bulb chandelier hanging overhead.
Felix Empanadas are handmade and are stuffed with a variety of meats, breakfast and dessert options. It is located at Optimist Hall in Optimist Park. Alex Cason Photography CharlotteFive

Lempira

Location: 140 Eastway Dr, Charlotte, NC 28213

Location: 5906 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217

Location: 4439 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

Location: 7631 Sharon Lakes Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210

With chefs skilled in the culinary traditions of Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador, Lempira brings Central America to the Queen City. Dine on yuca con chicarron (cassava with pork skins) or Mexican ceviche or select from the vast array of breakfast, lunch or dinner selections.

A luxurious and abundant bowl of seafood stew. A rich, creamy broth is packed with shellfish, including plump shrimp, dark-shelled mussels, and bright red crab claws and legs artfully arranged and spilling out of the bowl, all topped with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
Lempira’s Honduran-style seafood soup, or sopa de mariscos estilo Hondureño. Lempira

Los Chamos

Location: 7001 South Blvd Ste B, Charlotte, NC 28217

If you love the cornmeal flatbread called arepas and other Venezuelan street food, you won’t be disappointed by the smorgasbord of options available to choose from at Los Chamos. Sample the award-winning patacon, which are two Venezuelan sandwiches made from two slices of fried green plantain and filled with shredded beef, coleslaw, Parmesan cheese and sauce.

Hallaca at Los Chamos restaurant in Charlotte.
Hallaca at Los Chamos restaurant in Charlotte. Queens University News Service

A Piece of Havana

Location: 11126 S Tryon St Suite B, Charlotte, NC 28273

If you’ve been dreaming of a trip to Cuba, you only need to head down to Steele Creek for a plate of paella Cubana or Cuban croquettes. If you want to connect with your inner “Dancing With the Stars” persona, put on your dancing shoes and stop by on the weekends for salsa dancing and live bands.

Restaurante Y Panaderia Salvadoreña

Location: 5724 E W.T. Harris Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28215

This Salvadoran bakery and restaurant on W.T. Harris Boulevard offers a little something for everyone. Whether you’re craving pupusas, ensaladas or quesadillas, check out Restaurante Y Panaderia Salvadoreña for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Rincón Latino Restaurante Inc.

Location: 8432 Old Statesville Rd #300, Charlotte, NC 28269

Self-described as casual dining, Rincon Latino Restaurante brings Central American street food and more to North Charlotte. Grab a baleada (thick handheld tortilla) filled with ham, eggs, chicken or beef. Sweeten your tastebuds with an atole de elote (a sweet, warm corn-based drink), or savor a dish of carne asada.

Zapatas Cantina

Location: 8927 J M Keynes Drive, Charlotte, NC 28262

Location: 15105 John J. Delaney Drive, Charlotte, NC 28277

Location: 19905 NC Hwy.73 West Catawba Ave., Suite 102, Cornelius, NC 28031

Zapatas Cantina aims to please with a friendly Mexican menu that caters to vegetarians and meat lovers alike. From tres quesos super nachos to a Bombay chimichanga, try a different dish at one of the three locations in University City, Ballantyne and Lake Norman.

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