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If there’s one thing you can count on in Charlotte recently, it’s eye-popping growth in the food and drink scene.
What that means for the rest of us is new hotspots to visit, new drinks to sip and new flavors to explore.
This year, you’ll find new bars and restaurants bringing tastes from around the world in both casual and upscale establishments all around the area. Brunch, cocktails, pasta and sushi are all on the way, along with African cuisine, Middle Eastern sips, seafood and steaks.
Here’s a look all the new food and drink spots that are opening in 2026 or have announced plans to do so.
All Purpose Bar
Location: 3123 N. Davidson St., Charlotte NC 28205
All Purpose Bar — also known as APB — will move into the former Protagonist Beer space in NoDa sometime in early 2026, Charlotte Business Journal reported. Mixologist and bartender Larry Suggs told the publication the bar will be “an opportunity to put all my work into one little place.”
Location: The Campbell, 2025 Cleveland Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203
Antagonist, a new cocktail/coffee concept is coming to the Dilworth area, as early as January. The team behind Protagonist Beer is opening the new spot to serve coffee by day and cocktails by night in The Campbell apartment tower, touting “quick wits and smooth sips.”
Location: Centro NoDa, 715 E 36th St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Another Yemeni cafe is joining Charlotte’s coffee shop lineup. Bayt Almocha — which has locations in Kentucky and Michigan — is coming to the Centro NoDa development, with handcrafted coffee, pastries, savory sandwiches and more.
Location: Oakhurst Commons, 4000 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC 28205
Brunches, a brunch restaurant with five North Carolina locations, is opening in Charlotte and a few other spots in the Carolinas. The menu includes breakfast favorites and lunch options including bowls, burgers and tacos — plus a cocktail menu.
Location: 222 E Bland St, Charlotte, NC 28203
The B-Side Group is slated to open a modern pasta bar in the former Futo Buta space. Diners can look forward to handcrafted pasta, along with seasonally-driven chef specials and a beverage program that leans hard on Italian spirits.
Location: 201 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Bourbon Steak, a small restaurant chain with elite chef Michael Mina at the helm, is opening this year in the former Punch Room space at the Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte. Expect high-end steaks and seafood, seasonal produce and a wine list with a global point of view.
Location: 9615 Bailey Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031
Duckworth’s owner Rob Duckworth plans to breathe new life into the long-closed West Virginia restaurant Chili Willi’s, Charlotte Business Journal reported. The Tex Mex spot will move into the former The Waterman location in Lake Norman.
Location: 1727 Sardis Road North, Charlotte, NC 28270
Another restaurant is in the works for the team behind Taqueria Chuyita in Monroe. A specific opening date for the new Chuyita’s Fresh Mexican Food & Bar has not yet been announced.
Location: 9325 JW Clay Blvd #222, Charlotte, NC 28262
Crazy Legs Sports Cafe is opening in the University City area, bringing air fried chicken wings, sliders and loaded fries to sports fans who want to catch a game on a big screen. It planned to be operating by fall, but that timeline got pushed back to winter.
Location: 8736 Outlet Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28278
Crispy Cones is branching out of Wilmington to add a Charlotte location on Jan. 9. Look for classic chocolate and vanilla cones, plus cereal milk ice cream and other specialty flavors.
Location: 1301 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
The former Bakersfield restaurant is being transformed to Dilworth Social House, Charlotte Business Journal reported. The restaurant’s Facebook page touts the new spot as a “casual, family-friendly” place to “enjoy great food, cold beer, craft cocktails, and catch a game. “
Location: 1419 East Blvd a, Charlotte, NC 28203
Popular restaurant Dozo Japanese American Kitchen packed up its City Kitch space in late September and moved into the location that formerly held popular vegan restaurant Fern, Flavors from the Garden. That dining stalwart closed last April.
Location: 130 Matthews Station St, Matthews, NC 28105
Enzo’s Italian Market is set to open a larger space in downtown Matthews. The New York-style market, which has locations in Stallings and Lancaster, SC, will have fresh pasta and mozzarella, gelato, espresso stations and more.
Location: Queensbridge Collective, 1111 South Tryon, Charlotte NC 28203
FARE — a fast-casual restaurant that had originally aimed to open in Charlotte’s Monarch Market — has switched gears. Now, the Chicago-based and woman-owned restaurant offering all-day breakfast, customizable bowls and seasonal specials plans to open in the Queen City at Queensbridge Collective.
Location: 2120 South Blvd #1, Charlotte, NC 28203
Flora, a New York restaurant crafting American cuisine, is coming to the space that once held The Eagle Food & Beer Hall, Charlotte Business Journal reported. It serves lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, with dishes including edamame hummus, butternut squash arancini and chipotle glazed swordfish.
Location: 15083 Molokai Dr, Tega Cay, SC 29708
The Garrison is expanding from Pineville to open a new location in the former Shore Club space in Tega Cay. The restaurant plans to open this spring, pairing up the restaurant’s original menu with the pizza offerings found at Margaux’s, which is next door to The Garrison in Pineville and shares the same owner.
Location: 1510 S. Mint St., Charlotte NC
Groovers Listening Bar is expanding from Charleston, moving into the South End space where Cloud was located. A timeline for opening has not yet been shared.
Location: Queensbridge Collective, 1111 S. Tryon St. Charlotte NC 28203
Guard and Grace, a modern steakhouse with locations in Denver and Houston, will open up a Charlotte location. Expect high-end steaks on the menu, along with options that a raw bar and other seafood selections.
Location: Linea, 2161 Hawkins St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Seafood restaurant Half Shell is coming to the Linea development in South End. When the doors pop open, expect a menu that includes Florida stone crab and oyster shooters, along with caviar service, hot and chilled small plates and handhelds.
Location: 2729 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Hank’s Wings Company is slated to open in summer 2026 in the Tryon Plaza on North Tryon Street, Ascent Real Estate Partners said via Instagram. Offerings will include wings, Nashville-style fried chicken tenders, sandwiches and more.
Location: 110 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203
The Iberian Pig, a tapas restaurant with locations in Atlanta and Nashville, will open in South End in 2026. Among the menu items are Iberico Mac & Cheese, Pork Cheek Tacos and paella, along with Spanish meats and cheeses
Location: 1600 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
After The Pizza Peel & Tap Room shut down in Plaza Midwood, plans have been underway for The Improper Pig to open in the same space. An opening date has not yet been announced for Charlotte area’s third location of the popular barbecue joint.
Location: 2151 Hawkins St., Charlotte, NC 28203
The Juice Pod, a Northeast-based brand that sells juices, salads, wraps and other foods aimed at “clean” eaters, is planning a South End location. An opening date has not yet been set.
Location: Multiple
King of Fire, which got its start as a food truck and expanded to a permanent space in uptown Charlotte, plans to open a 3,484-square-foot space at CrossRidge Center across the border in Indian Land, South Carolina. The pizzeria also signed a six-unit franchise deal to expand across the state to Greenville, Spartanburg and Clemson. “This is more than just selling pizza — it’s about creating an experience that people will remember,” co-owner and founder Siler Chapman said in a news release.
Location: 1994 Charlotte Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28117
La Dolcekca Bakery Cafe in Montford has closed, but a new location is opening in Mooresville. Owner Karina Cooper has decided to “downsize and streamline” her menu to focus on one thing: desserts.
Location: 1954 S.C. Highway 160, Fort Mill SC 29708
Location: Crosslake Industrial Park, Knob Hill Road, Mooresville NC 28117
Long-awaited plans for a Mac’s Speed Shop and SouthBound restaurant complex have finally kicked into gear in Fort Mill. Construction was expected to be complete by the end of the year at Mac’s and in early 2026 for SouthBound, Mac’s president, Tony Salerno, has said. Land for a Mooresville location has been purchased, as well, but the timeline for construction has not yet been set.
Location: The Alley at Latta Arcade, 320 South Tryon St., Charlotte NC 28202
A new late-night Japanese restaurant is opening at The Alley at Latta Arcade. Maneki, which does not yet have an opening date, will serve traditional Japanese grilled skewers with a variety of dipping sauces. “As with many projects, there have been some unforeseen development issues. Rest assured we have not given up on opening Maneki at Latta,” chef Sam Hart told CharlotteFive in early December.
Location: 4090 Raleigh St., Charlotte NC 28206
After bringing her birria tacos to Charlotte foodies with her food truck and ghost kitchen service, Mariah’s Taco Spot will open its first brick-and-mortar location. The restaurant, which has tacos, oven-roasted wings and more, does not yet have an opening date.
Location: 1001 Morehead Square Drive, Charlotte NC
Market on Morehead is planning a winter opening for its 10,000-square-foot restaurant. Gourmet food, craft drinks and live music are all in the works for the sister property to Market on Main.
Location: The Arboretum, 8008 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Melt n Dip, a global dessert boutique that originated in Dubai, will open its first in North Carolina location in Charlotte’s Arboretum shopping center this year. As the name would lead you to believe, you can expect molten chocolate and dippable treats.
Location: 2725 South Blvd, Ste A, Charlotte, NC 28209
A Florida farm-to-table restaurant plans to put down roots in Charlotte soon. Naked Farmer, a fast-casual chain known for its locally-sourced, seasonal offerings, will open in South End. An official opening date hasn’t been announced. It will be the Naked Farmer’s first North Carolina location and occupy the former Maple Street Biscuit Company space at the Sedgefield Shopping Center.
Packard Tavern
Location: 222 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Packard Tavern, a new restaurant from industry veteran Paul Manley, is slated to open in uptown Charlotte in the former Bar One space. Look for its contemporary cuisine in spring 2026.
Location: 1518 Lyon Court, Charlotte, NC 28205
Plot Twist, a woman-owned, all-day coffee and cocktail bar, is opening in early 2026 in a former auto shop next door to Trope Bookshop and Wiloe Home & Gift in Plaza Midwood. Mocktails and THC options will also be on the beverage menu.
Location: 2121 Shamrock Dr, Charlotte, NC 28205
A year after Letty’s on Shamrock owner Letty Ketner shuttered the beloved restaurant in Charlotte’s Plaza Shamrock neighborhood, new life is coming to the iconic space. Now, PostScript Restaurant will open in its space, according to a filing with the city of Charlotte. PostScript’s owner confirmed the opening to CharlotteFive on Friday morning, Dec. 19, and said a full renovation is happening in the space.
Location: 14015 Conlan Circle, Charlotte, NC 28277
Reid’s Fine Foods is adding a fifth location in Ballantyne and is targeting a late fall opening. “The Ballantyne store will offer the best parts of our SouthPark and Selwyn Avenue locations in a new and inviting atmosphere in which to enjoy them … with plenty of parking!,” Tom Coker, president and majority owner of Reid’s Fine Foods, said via Instagram.
Location: Centro NoDa, 715 E 36th St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Along with Bayt Almocha, Ricci’s Hoagies will also be opening in the new Centro NoDa mixed-use development. Similiar to its two other Philadelphia locations, the sandwich shop will have authentic Italian hoagies, including veggie and chicken cutlet options.
Location: 19149 W Catawba Ave., Cornelius, NC 28031
Lake Norman’s Royal Bliss Brewing plans to bring a second location with a microbrewery, restaurant and an outdoor beer garden to the area. Once open, the new space would total 10,000 square feet.
Location: 1711 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 110, Charlotte, NC 28205
The Salty started off the year by opening its third Charlotte location in Plaza Midwood on Jan 2. “Plaza Midwood has such a strong sense of character and community, which aligns perfectly with who we are as a brand,” Andy Rodriguez, CEO and Co-Founder of The Salty said in a news release.
Location: 207 Griffith St, Davidson, NC 28036
Location: 126 Matthews Station St, Matthews, NC 28105
Dairy-free and allergy-friendly ice cream shop Seemingly Overzealous opened a third location in June 2025. Before the end of the year, the brand announced two more locations were on the way: in Davidson and in Matthews.
Location: 230 E W.T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28262
Shinjuku Station, a revolving sushi bar, is opening a Charlotte location, along with one in Raleigh. The brand says it offers “bold, playful visuals and tech-driven dining designed to make each visit feel fresh, exciting, and new.”
Location: 1440 S. Tryon St., Charlotte NC 28203
Mi Carino, a “Left-Coast Latino” restaurant from the team behind Vinyl, is slated to open in the former Vana space. Authentic, scratch-made Mexican food and a beverage program that includes small-batch mezcals and other agave spirits is in the works.
Location: 225 S Poplar Street Charlotte, NC 28202
Sushi Rosé is planning a spring 2026 opening in the former Haymaker space in uptown Charlotte. The Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant got its start in Winston-Salem, offering dishes such as lomo saltado, sushi, crudo and more.
Location: 1120 S Tryon St Suite 150, Charlotte, NC 28203
Toastique, which had quietly closed its year-old South End location in Charlotte, made plans for a Jan. 10 reopening in the same spot. The all-day cafe offers loaded toasts, smoothie bowls and an espresso bar.
Location: Multiple
True Food Kitchen is expected to open its first Charlotte location in South End soon. The Phoenix-based restaurant chain will be moving into the Linea South End mixed-use residential tower.
Location: Commonwealth, Pecan Avenue and Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205
A new sushi concept led by James Beard award-winning chef and sushi master is coming to Charlotte. Uchi, which offers its non‑traditional approach to Japanese cuisine, is opening its first North Carolina location in Plaza Midwood in early 2026. It’s also bringing along a more casual sister concept, cocktail bar Uchibā.
Location: Burial Beer Charlotte, 1214 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Chef Michael Le transformed his popular pop up Hello Uncle into Uncle’s in early January, expanding the Queen City’s access to Southeast Asian food. Le’s comforting Thai dishes can now be found at the food truck at Burial Beer in Plaza Midwood.
Unnamed restaurant in former King’s Kitchen space
Location: 129 W. Trade St., Charlotte NC 28202
A new tenant will replace what was The King’s Kitchen, commercial real estate firm Rebel Rebel CRE teased in a Dec. 11 Instagram post. The restaurant name and its cuisine has not yet been made public.
Location: 155 New Bern St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Zamindar’s Club House is slated to open in South End in early 2026 in the former Link & Pin space. The fine dining restaurant will feature dishes by Michelin-recommended chef Vamshi Adi of New York, who puts a modern take on traditional Indian cuisine.
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Heidi Finley
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