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5 new restaurants are opening in Charlotte, including a local barbecue joint

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Charlotteans can look forward to a slate of new restaurants opening soon in the city.

This week, I reported on five recent or upcoming restaurant openings, including a woman-owned wine bar, a gourmet pizza spot and a Charlotte-area eatery serving modern Italian favorites

Plus, a neighborhood barbecue joint with Asian flair will soon start hosting guests at its new flagship restaurant.

Here a few spots foodies can look forward to:

Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza

Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza, known for its star-shaped pies, is coming to The Bowl at Ballantyne this fall.

Founded by Italian chef Renato Viola, the Miami-born pizzeria has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for its “slow-fermented dough, premium ingredients and playful flavors.”

A close-up view of a white pizza topped with melted cheese and fresh basil sits next to a glass bottle of Mister O1 white truffle oil.
The Claudio at Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza features mozzarella, Italian tomato sauce, burrata stracciatella cheese, white truffle oil and basil. Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza

Pizza lovers can look forward to Mister O1 signatures like the Star Luca made with mozzarella, Italian tomato sauce, spicy salami calabrese, basil and a ricotta-stuffed crust. There’s also the Coffee Paolo featuring Gorgonzola, honey, coffee and spicy salami for those with a taste for something bolder.

“This opening feels less like adding another restaurant and more like bringing something genuinely new to Charlotte’s pizza scene,” managing partner Deepen Patel said in a news release.

Crisp Uptown

Crisp, known for its signature salads and wraps, is changing addresses The Alley at Latta Arcade. The fast-casual chain will find a new home in the former Young and Tate restaurant space in uptown, according to a recent permit request.

A filing for the new digs at 132 Brevard Court seeks “a zoning inspection for the location with dba name of CRISP to get signoff for an ABC alcohol permit,” online documents show.

The exterior entrance of the historic Latta Arcade features a grand stone facade with festive holiday wreaths and a dark green awning for “The Alley.” A few pedestrians walk along the sidewalk in front of the building’s large glass windows and classic architecture.
A fast-casual restaurant known for its made-to-order salads and wraps will find a new home at The Alley at Latta Arcade in uptown Charlotte. Google Street View image from December 2025 ©2026 Google

Details on a possible opening date weren’t immediately available.

The fast-casual chain had spots in Elizabeth and Dilworth, but both have closed.

Velvet Coupe Wine Bar

Velvet Coupe Wine Bar began welcoming guests to its new spot in Tega Cay, South Carolina this week and will host an official grand opening celebration Saturday, Feb. 14, a spokesperson told CharlotteFive.

Locals are invited to enjoy live music while exploring the cozy new eatery serving a mix of “approachable” yet unique wines and light bites.

An interior view of a modern wine bar featuring a long, black L-shaped counter. Warm, tan leather barstools with thin black metal legs are lined up along the bar. The back wall is painted a muted plum color and features a large, back-lit glass shelving unit filled with wine glasses. Decorative lighting includes a mix of orb-style chandeliers and black-and-white striped pendant lights. The floor is dark hardwood under a black industrial ceiling.
The bar at Velvet Coup in Tega Cay, SC. Heidi Finley CharlotteFive

“We are a women-owned business with an exceptional woman chef, bringing together a love of great wine and thoughtfully prepared food,” co-owner Jessica O’Connor told CharlotteFive. “Our space is comfortable yet elevated.”

“We’re pretty passionate about it and excited to share it with the Charlotte community.”

Taverna Italian American Eatery

Taverna Italian American Bistro will soon begin hosting customers at its new spot in Lake Wylie, South Carolina, the restaurant recently shared on social media.

A wide shot of the exterior of Lily’s Bistro, a light gray building featuring a sign that reads “Fine Italian and American Dining.” A bright blue car is parked in the foreground near the entrance, where a person is sitting on a small porch area under a gabled roof.
Another Italian eatery is set to take over Lily’s Bistro after the Lake Wylie business was sold, reports say. Google Street View image from July 2022 ©2026 Google

Offering modern Italian and American dishes, it’s set to replace Lily’s Bistro after the latter was sold.

Details on a possible opening date weren’t immediately available.

The Improper Pig

Local barbecue joint The Improper Pig will open the doors on its flagship restaurant in Plaza Midwood on Monday, February 16.

Owned by Stomp, Chomp & Roll hospitality group, the new 3,100-squarefoot spot will feature an outdoor bar and expanded kitchen with a wood-fired grill. Customers can look forward to favorites like Improper Pig’s St. Louis-style ribs and brisket, as well as a few new offerings.

A metal tray holds a long, glazed rack of ribs alongside four slices of triangular Texas toast and a small bowl of golden-brown hushpuppies with pickled red onions. Three small white square bowls contain southern sides: sweet potato mash with a crumble topping, collard greens, and creamy coleslaw.
The Improper Pig’s Smokin Rack. Courtesy NiceDay and LunahZon Photography

Vegetarian options are also on the menu, including collard greens, smoked tofu and Asian slaw.

“Our whole customer experience is come in, eat great food, in a relaxed atmosphere welcome to everyone,” founder Will Bigham told CharlotteFive.

Heidi Finley contributed to this report. Portions of this story were previously published in The Charlotte Observer.

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Tanasia Kenney

Sun Herald

Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.

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Tanasia Kenney

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