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All year long, the CharlotteFive team eats, sleeps and breathes food (yes, we even dream about it some most nights.)
We write about restaurants opening; and sadly, restaurants closing.
We write about chefs earning awards, famous Food Network visitors and restaurants getting Michelin Stars. Wow, see how easily that rolled off the tongue? (Okay, fine, one restaurant got starred, but you can’t shut us up about it!)
We write about fun collab dinners, gas station food, Cuban sandwiches, burgers we can’t stop thinking about and how to know if a Chinese restaurant is good.
And at the end of the year, we write about the best meal we ate at an area restaurant all year long. This is never an easy choice to make — we have a lot of great food options around here!
Before you peek at our list of favorites, make sure you’ve told us your favorite meal of the year, too! Fill out our survey on CharlotteFive.com or send us an email to charlottefive@charlottefive.com.
The best meals we ate at a Charlotte restaurant all year
Writer: Tonya Russ Price
Location: 1115 N Brevard St ste d, Charlotte, NC 28206
What I ordered: The Whole Menu
Cost: $40 per person
ESO Artisanal Pasta has zipped into town and taken ahold of me. My friends asked where I wanted to go for dinner for my birthday. I chose ESO Artisanal Pasta. We ordered the whole menu. This is the best deal in town. Their menu is printed daily because everything is made in house, there is always something new to try every visit. The chef lived in Italy and makes classic, Italian recipes. The menu that evening had three or four different pastas with different variations of red sauce, two cream sauce noodles, one mushroom noodle dish, Scillian fried chicken, arancini, meatballs and freshly made focaccia. Let’s just say we were properly carbohydrated. There aren’t many restaurants that you can afford the whole menu and not waste food. Grab four of your friends and go order the whole menu. Don’t forget to save room for tiramisu!
Location: Multiple
Writer: Samantha Husted
What I ate: a Mexican hot dog, mushroom and suadero tacos.
Price: For weekly specials, prices vary.
This year, I’ve been really invested in Charlotte’s evolving pop-up and food truck scene. I love the DIY nature of a roaming restaurant where the chef has total control of the menu. That being said, El Veneno — a Mexican food truck owned by 25-year-old Kimmy Bazan — continues to impress. Bazan’s unapologetic approach to sharing the diverse flavors of Mexico (often with a creative twist) is shaking up Charlotte’s food scene and I’m here for it. At a recent fundraising event for Carolina Migrant Network and ourBRIDGE for KIDS, I ate a mouthwatering Mexican-style hotdog topped with onions and cotija cheese, rich suadero tacos (suadero, for the uninitiated, is the flavorful meat found between the brisket and the flank) and hearty mushroom tacos. If I wasn’t so full, I would have gone back for seconds.
Location: 1930 Camden Road, Suite 260, Charlotte, NC 28203
Writer: Emily Broyles
What I ate: Pad Thai with shrimp and chicken
Price: $15
You really can’t go wrong with a noodle dish at Hawkers Asian Street Food. Just moving here this summer, I remember looking for spots around me to get Pad Thai to manifest snagging Ariana Grande presale tickets to her tour the next day (I didn’t, but let’s not talk about that). And then, I saw Hawkers near me, and their top-ordered dish: the Pad Thai. It’s definitely not the most authentic Pad Thai you can get in Charlotte. But it conveniently hits the spot with perfectly cooked noodles in a chili sauce, and the option of shrimp, chicken, and egg that ties it all together. While I’m a takeout girl, I’ve been wanting to go back recently and eat inside so I can wash it all down with a Jeni’s cup of ice cream next door. Kinda basic, I know. But you can rely on it doing you right every single time.
Location: Multiple
Writer: Kayleigh Ruller
What I ate: Bo la lot
Price: $15
The best dish I ate this year was the bo la lot from Hello Uncle. I ate it messily, drink in one hand, a small plate in the other, at one of Stablehand’s signature “Wine Nights,” where chefs pop-up and somms pour $10 tastes. Michael Le, the young chef whizzing about Stablehand and what seems to be everywhere now, handed me the bo la lot, a simple Southeast Asian street food On the plate, a skewer of lemongrass-infused beef, wrapped in betel leaf, sat atop rice vermicelli noodles. I marveled at the aroma; lemongrass, pepper, scallions, the soft, almost-sweet scent of rice. The betel leaf wrap provided a lovely, semi-bitter, lightly-peppered envelope for the beef. The crunch of peanuts, the drizzle of scallion oil, and the dipping sauce — a tangy fish sauce of sorts — brightened the dish and captivated me with such force I couldn’t really talk to my friends anymore. The dish was so simple and unobtrusive; no one flavor or ingredient dominating the stage. The combination of all of the ingredients was more of a harmonious, song-and-dance ensemble performance. All on one crowded Thursday Wine Night in April.
Location: 1608 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Writer: Desiree Mathurin
What I ate: Pick 2 Lunch Special; Wood-Fire Grilled Sausage & Beans and Cast Iron Mac & Cheese
Price: Ordered five plates, two drinks about $50 with tip
I’m broke and everything is expensive. I remember in college, we’re talking 2009-ish, we could get a fat burrito and huge plate of rice and beans, along with three Bulldogs (margaritas with little Coronas sticking out of them) for $40 including tip. (Always tip. RIP Blockheads in NYC.) Now, that’s not the case. However, I say all that to say the best thing I ate this year was A. delicious and B. extremely cheap. It’s the Pick 2 lunch deal at Kid Cashew on East Boulevard. Pick two items for $11.95. And specifically, I got the “Wood-Fire Grilled Sausage & Beans,” the “Meatball Trio with Au Poivre” and “Cast Iron Mac & Cheese.” All three, banging. But the sausage … Great snap, flavorful, simple and the beans were like the icing of a cake. I’m typically not a restaurant macaroni and cheese person. If I want box mac & cheese, I’ll buy it for cheaper, but this mac was also great. Nice flavor and cheesy. But again, the price! You can’t beat it. I know I barely scratched the surface food-wise here (I’m looking at the dips) and for dinner it’s definitely more than $12 bucks, but I’ll spend the extra money.
Lang Van
Location: 3019 Shamrock Dr, Charlotte, NC 28215
Writer: Heidi Finley
What I ate: Summer rolls, crispy fried quail, Vietnamese pancake, No. 60 vermicelli, tofu stir-fry, stir-fry with shrimp, chicken and beef
Price: Roughly $100 altogether
I’ll admit I was late to the Lang Van fan club — it’s a good 45-minute hike through traffic from my suburban nest for dinnertime. But all the Michelin attention it’s gotten lately drew me in, and I’m pretty locked in for the long haul at this point. My friend Nancy’s mother (Amma) came to visit, and I knew that’s where we had to go. We shared an enormous amount of food — all spectacular — and took home a bit of it, too. But the absolute best thing I had was part of the tofu stir-fry that Amma ordered. I’ve never before had such tasty and crispy tofu, and the savory bites have stuck in my mind since. The yellow Vietnamese pancake, which comes with an entire garden of fresh herbs, was craveable, too. Now I know what kept Top Chef host Kristen Kish returning over and over again.
Location: 4439 Central Avenue, Charlotte
Location: 140 Eastway Drive, Charlotte
Location: 5906 South Boulevard, Charlotte
Writer: Patrick Wilson
What I ate: Camarones a La Plancha
Price: $20.99
This entree features nine grilled shrimp served with rice, beans and salad (including fresh avocado). With high-quality ingredients and great cooking, Lempira focuses on dishes from Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador. Nothing on the menu would be disappointing, but these grilled shrimp are amazingly tasty, and you’ve got a lot on the plate to go with them. I ordered this meal at the Eastway Drive location.
Location: 4017 Park Road D, Charlotte, NC 28209
Writer: Timothy DePeugh
What I ate: Butter poached scallop, split English peas with olive oil, cracked pepper and lemon zest; white asparagus foam, white asparagus curls and edible flowers.
Price: One course in a $165 multi-course tasting menu
I haven’t come across another dish all year that heralded in the season as much as a scallop dish did at L’Ostrica in early March. The scallop itself was a perfectly rendered thing, plump and quivering on the plate, while the sweet, grassy peas and the creamy white asparagus sang of sunlight and spring. As part of a winemaker dinner celebrating the wines of the Jolie-Laide label, the scallop came with a glass of Chalone Melon de Bourgogne 2023, which only confirmed my belief that what all of us had on the table in front of us that night was pure joie de saison.
Location: 12410 Johnston Road, Charlotte, NC 28277
Location: 540 Brandywine Road, Charlotte, NC 28209
Location: 1401 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 16710 Birkdale Commons Parkway, Huntersville, NC 28078
Writer: Nick Sullivan
What I ate: Large brisket plate with sides of hushpuppies, mac n cheese and beans
Price: $26
On a recent trip to Nashville, everybody hyped up the food as the gold standard of barbecue. But you know what I got? A 35-minute wait for some mid meat and a piddling slice of bread. Us Charlotteans are spoiled because the best barbecue joint is right in our backyards: Midwood. Every menu item is a hit, but if you’re a newbie, I’d recommend the brisket. It’s tender, smoky and everything a good plate of barbecue should be, paired with the sauce(s) of your liking. I’m partial to the mustard-based option, but there’s really no wrong answer. The large plate comes with hushpuppies and your choice of two classic comfort food sides. Again, no wrong answer. And when you’re finished, try to squeeze in a dessert. Worth it.
Location: 232 Government Ave SW, Hickory, NC 28602
Writer: Rana L. Cash
What I ate: Chicken wings, Cherokee corn dip
Price: $21
It’s one thing to seek out a great restaurant or check off one of those “must-visit” new locations. It’s another thing entirely to stumble upon a true gem. That’s how I’d describe Olde Hickory Station. It’s the kind of place the locals love and appreciate and probably selfishly hope only a few out-of-towners learn about. This was a halfway point for me and a friend in Asheville, and new to us both. Upon walking in, my head was immediately on a swivel, twisting and turning to gawk at the incredible wine selection (yes, it’s part of the Olde Hickory Brewery down the road and the craft beer selection abundant, but I’m a wine girl), the mounds of cheeses, tin fish from all over the world, and a bounty of cakes and pastries. And this was before sitting down for lunch. The food — simple and expertly prepared — overachieves. I had chicken wings, one of my favorites. They were saucy, fried to perfection and worth a return visit. If we’re being honest, wings can be dry, too hard and flavorless. I doubt the folks at Olde Hickory Station would hold up chicken wings as its prize offering, but between those, the Cherokee corn dip and an ice-cold beverage, I could not have been any happier.
Location: 2820 Selwyn Ave, Ste 180, Charlotte, NC 29209
Writer: Tamia Boyd
What I ate: 30oz striploin, squash fritto, san sebastian
Price: $222
According to The New York Times, Rada is one of the best places for a delicious meal. Naturally, I had to go because I’m a) curious, b) a foodie, and c) it was a birthday celebration — so yes, I went all out. The interior is classic and sophisticated, it makes you feel like you’re in a movie. Start with the San Sebastian: the presentation is fabulous, and it’s possibly one of the best martinis I’ve had in Charlotte. Briny, salty, and just savory enough, it has the perfect kick. For your main, order the 30oz striploin, you won’t regret it. Pair it with the squash fritto because, honestly, who doesn’t love a little upgraded “french fry” moment? The striploin was melt-in-your-mouth tender, topped with perfectly cooked onions that added a savory punch, and that au poivre sauce? I’m still dreaming about it. The portion was huge for two people, and yes, I happily took leftovers home. The squash fritto was crisp on the outside, tender inside, with a sage and garlic dipping sauce that made it the perfect side to balance the richness of the striploin.
Location: 2015 E Arbors Dr #270, Charlotte, NC 28262
Writer: Alex Cason
What I ate: Butter Chicken Pizza
Price: $18.99
Earlier this year, while out covering Indian restaurants as part of CharlotteFive’s Readers’ Choice contest, I discovered Soma Bistro and Cafe has a Butter Chicken pizza. The owner mentioned that it has drawn a lot of attention, so I tried it out. The combination of dough and traditional butter sauce almost make too much sense, as naan is substituted out for a more traditional pizza crust, but the flavors work perfectly. The restaurant is also open until 1:30 a.m., which makes it perfect for those of us who work wild hours.
Location: 224 W 10th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Writer: Shindy Chen
What I ate: Heirloom tomato salad, tortelli, bucatini “Cacio e Pepe,” Steak “Alla Diane,” roast chicken pot pie medallion, special seasonal pumpkin dessert
Price: $60 for 3 courses (though by going with someone, I was able to taste a total of 6 courses) plus a glass of wine ($18)
It’s rare to have all the components of a meal taste wonderful from start-to-finish, but Spaghett in Charlotte in late October achieved that for me this year. As you enter the historic 19th century house at the edge of Uptown’s Fourth Ward, you’re transported to a simpler time when dining fireside, surrounded by intimate conversations against a background of gorgeous art hung on (green) paneled walls were the norm. If that doesn’t suit then the back dining room offers a livelier, more convivial, neon-lit vibe. The pasta flavors and fillings were perfetto at all the right textures and degrees of firmness. The greens are fresh, hearty, delicately dressed and light. Don’t miss the fun cocktails — Annette Funicello, Big Dom, Tiramisu Milk Punch — the other highlights of this superb tag team duo in mixologist Amanda Britton and chef Kendall Moore.
Location: 3216 South Blvd Suite 105, Charlotte, NC 28209
Price: $34.40
What I ate: Tofu triangles, Su Dan Dan Noodles, Veggie Dumplings
Writer: Melissa Oyler
I had heard nothing but wonderful things about Sun’s Kitchen, so I expected it to be good. I didn’t expect to be blown away like I was. First, I love how the meatless meals were very clearly marked as vegan, so there was no guessing about whether my order would be vegetarian-friendly. Second, when you read the words “numbing and spicy” on the menu, believe them! My mouth was on fire the entire time I was eating, but it just added to it, somehow. I saved the rest for dinner the next night, and when I tell you I awaited those leftovers all day long, I am not exaggerating. Add this place to my rotation!
Location: 7th Street Market, 224 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Price: $130
What I ate: Ribs and pulled pork along with a helping of sweet potato naan
Writer: Zach Dennis
All I knew was I needed to have my stomach prepared for this one. Two fish and one, two, three, four, FIVE hogs? Sign me up and don’t expect me to be productive after the Two Fish, Five Hogs dinner event from Jimmy Pearls and Peculiar Pig. Even the menu had you salivating: creamed corn fritters (possibly sent by God into the hands of Jimmy Pearls), a boil of mussels and cornmeal focaccia (I was sweating) and two different fish and five different pork dishes. That’s without mentioning the sweet potato naan, which has been dancing in my dreams ever since, and the collard slaw that was so good I think it reset my vision to 20/20. I’m not sure if a brick-and-mortar is on the way for Jimmy Pearls after leaving 7th Street Market, and after this dinner I’m not sure I want that diverting their focus. What they did here? Magic. You have my money every time.
Location: 2201 South Blvd Ste 130, Charlotte, NC 28203
Writer: Chyna Blackmon
Every time I’m in Charlotte (after relocating to Raleigh), it is a personal nonnegotiable that I must go to Yunta. Even if I’m traveling somewhat close to the SC-NC border, I will gladly plan for the detour — so of course I squeezed it into my jam-packed weekend covering Lovin’ Life this year. I must apologize that I’ve secretly tried to gate keep this (not-so-hidden-anymore) gem that only opened a few years ago, but it’s truly my favorite restaurant in the city and among my all-time top picks. From the vibrant decor and electric beats to the flavorful menu items, I always enjoy every bite of every experience, from the table corn nuts to my staple order: arroz con marisco. The savory, steamy Peruvian seafood risotto is blended with octopus, shrimp, scallops, squid, panca bisque and Parmesan cheese. I like it so much I’ve literally never tried anything else — except my boyfriend’s go-to ceviche entree. Whether you’re going on a date, a happy hour with your friends or just want to venture outside of Charlotte’s Southern cuisine, I highly, highly recommend.
Uniquely Charlotte: Uniquely Charlotte is an Observer subscriber collection of moments, landmarks and personalities that define the uniqueness (and pride) of why we live in the Charlotte region.
This story was originally published December 17, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
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Melissa Oyler
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