Eat & Drink

Just Opened in Charlotte – March 2024

Happy spring, Charlotte! Fight through the pollen and step outside to visit one of these newly opened businesses.

by Allie Papajohn Mar 21, 2024

Eat & Drink

Bartaco

Area: Huntersville

Popular taco joint, Bartaco, is now open in the bustling Birkdale Village shopping center. The menu offers a variety of tacos plus “not tacos” like street corn, plantains and chicken tortilla soup, along with an array of rice bowls.

Constantine’s Restaurant

Area: Gastonia

Enjoy a Turkish feast for lunch or dinner at this new restaurant just outside of Charlotte in Gastonia. From Turkish coffee to kebabs cooked in clay pots to flaming saganaki cheese, you’ll experience a meal full of Mediterranean flavors no matter what you order.

Dos Caminos

Neighborhood: Uptown

The Ally Charlotte Center continues to add to its restaurant lineup with the addition of New York-based Dos Caminos. Get your hands on upscale Mexican cuisine like sizzling fajitas and shrimp enchiladas suizas or go simpler with queso fundido, taquitos and nachos. There’s even a drink named just for Charlotte – the Queen City Margarita.

Fin & Fino

Area: Huntersville

The Rare Roots Hospitality group closed their 20-year-old Dressler’s Restaurant in Birkdale Village to make room for their other concept, Fin & Fino. Much like the Uptown location, guests can enjoy seafood-centric shareable plates, house-made pasta and a robust cocktail menu.

Gotcha Matcha

Neighborhood: South End

After a 90-day residence at The Coterie Concept, and a few months of pop ups around town, this matcha café has a new home inside Tabbris. Get your matcha fix or try a drink with ube or pandan to switch it up. The pastry options are always a must, too.

Keepsake Brewery

Area: Gastonia

Sip on a craft beer at this family-owned brewery, now open in Gastonia. The brewery offers a small but mighty lineup of beer, and the brews are packaged in reusable containers. Fun fact: co-owner Bobby Long has traditional brewing training from VLB in Berlin, Germany.

Noche Bruta

Neighborhood: Camp North End

Missing Chef Hector Gonzalez-Mora’s food from El Toro Bruto? Now you can enjoy it again at HEX in Camp North End thanks to the new dinner service, available Thursdays-Saturdays, 5-10 p.m. The menu consists of fare such as guacamole, tacos and tortas, and guests are also welcome to order wine or wine cocktails.

The Club House

Neighborhood: Ballantyne

At The Club House, expect an elevated yet approachable dining experience with scratch-made menu items and craft cocktails. The Club House is open until 2 a.m. daily, and you’ll find rotating DJs spinning all the tunes on select evenings (The Club House is 21 and over after 9 p.m.).

The Yard Milkshake Bar

Neighborhood: Elizabeth

Treat yourself to a larger-than-life milkshake at this new shop in the Elizabeth on Seventh building. As seen on “Shark Tank,” this concept is known for its dolled-up milkshakes with all kinds of toppings, from sprinkles and whipped cream to a full cupcake and slice of cheesecake.

Things to Do

Motion

Neighborhood: SouthPark

Get your exercise in and stay to recover all in one spot. Motion has an open gym, personal trainers and group classes in addition to in-house massage and physical therapy. Soon, the gym will also be home to another Giddy Goat coffee shop, offering both caffeine and smoothies.

Patagonia

Neighborhood: South End

If you’re heading somewhere nearby to hike or planning an outdoorsy trip, be sure to stop at Charlotte’s new Patagonia store and stock up on outerwear. The retailer’s first location in North Carolina is conveniently located near the Rail Trail, in the Design Center of the Carolinas.

Allie Papajohn

Since 2014, Allie has shared her favorite eats and drinks in the Queen City on her Instagram page, EatDrinkCLT. She enjoys acting as a resource for those looking for restaurant recommendations, tried-and-true spots, and new places to visit.