Just Opened in Charlotte - April '21
Hello, spring! Warm weather has quickly arrived and Charlotteans are out and about enjoying patio weather and supporting local business. Check out the Queen City’s newest openings.
by Allie Papajohn Apr 27, 2021
Food & Drink
AmiMya Latin Cuisine
Neighborhood: Cotswold
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Closed Sunday.
Love customizing your meal? Then AmiMya Latin Cuisine is for you! Choose your dish (burrito, bowl, tacos, quesadilla, salad), protein and toppings to create the perfect lunch or dinner. Don’t miss the additional options like empanadas or chips and salsa if you’re still hungry.
Day & Night Exotic Cereal Bar
Neighborhood: Uptown
Hours: Monday-Saturday, noon-10 p.m.; Sunday, 1-6 p.m.
Originally a food truck in L.A., this cereal bar is open in the former Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cupcakes spot. On the menu, you’ll find cereal bowls and milkshakes made from your very favorite cereals, like Cookie Crisp and Apple Jacks. Choose a signature blend or create your own. Either way, you’ll feel the nostalgia creeping in.
Fat Cat Burgers + Bakeshop
Neighborhood: Dilworth
Hours: Doughnut window open 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and daily, 3-8 p.m. Restaurant open daily, 5-10 p.m.
Popular Charlotte restauranteur Fran Scibelli has closed the doors of Fran’s Filling Station and reinvented the space to offer handcrafted burgers and doughnuts. Folks of all ages will adore the walk-up window, where you can order doughnuts like Banana Pudding and Cinnamon Sugar (flavors change daily). Or stay awhile to enjoy a Cheeseburger Melt, jalapeno bacon-wrapped tots and a cold beverage.
Just Salad
Neighborhood: SouthPark
Hours: Daily, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Turns out this concept from New York offers more than “just salad.” Create your own wrap or salad or go with a signature creation. Or you can pivot completely and order avocado toast, soup or a fresh smoothie. The menu contains plenty of plant-based options (including Beyond Meat meatballs) and house-made dressing. Fun fact: There’s also a Just Salad located inside Atrium Health’s CMC!
Konnichiwa
Neighborhood: Dilworth
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, noon-9 p.m.
The space formerly occupied by Inishmore is now home to a sushi and hibachi spot. The menu is full of fun sushi rolls like the Hornets Roll (spicy tuna and avocado topped with crab salad, salmon, spicy aioli, kabayaki and crunch) plus hibachi bowls, seasonal soups and small plates. Traveling around? You may run into their sister concepts in South Carolina and Ohio.
Sal’s Pizza Factory
Neighborhood: Dilworth
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Closed Monday. (Hours have been pulled from the original location. Subject to change.)
The popular pizza joint known for their pizza by the slice has opened its second location. Fan favorites include Grandma Vodka Sauce (thin Sicilian with fresh mozzarella and vodka sauce) and the Fried Calamari Marinara. Not feeling a pizza? Try a hot or cold sandwich, pasta dish, Philly cheesesteak or chicken parm instead.
Tapas on Market
Area: Fort Mill, SC
Hours: Monday, 3-7 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, 3-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Chef Nicolas Daniels, formerly with Barcelona Wine Bar, is running the kitchen at the newest restaurant at Baxter Village in Fort Mill. Dishes are comprised with as many locally-sourced ingredients as possible. Highlights include Bravas (crispy potatoes with truffle garlic aioli), Crudo (snapper, chives, lemon, fish puffs) and Pork Belly (smoked for six hours).
Tipsy Taco
Neighborhood: Ballantyne/Stonecrest
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
This restaurant hailing from Greenville, SC, serves “Tex-Mex with a little twist” with creative tacos, fajitas, burritos and enchiladas. Favorites include their house-made Tamales, three-cheese dip and the Shaved Filet Mignon burrito. And with a name like “Tipsy,” there’s no shortage of tequila, frozen drinks, beer and wine options.
Waterbean Coffee
Neighborhood: Uptown
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
This premium Uptown location is in its biggest location yet and offers plenty of seating. They recently retired their most popular drink to introduce a new Crème Brulee Latte. Sounds pretty nice on a warm spring day.
What The Fries
Neighborhood: Pineville
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Closed Sunday-Monday.
The wildly popular food truck now also operates out of a brick and mortar off Park Road in Pineville. You’ll find crowd favorites like the Shrimp Hibachi Fries and Lobster Mac and Cheese Fries plus new additions like the Truffle Mushroom Philly and Fried Snapper Sandwich. Come hungry, leave anything but.
Things to Do
North End Farmers Market
Neighborhood: North End
Hours: Wednesdays, 4-8 p.m. Hours subject to change.
Charlotte’s newest farmers market opened April 28 at Camp North End. This hub of local purveyors offering bread, produce, coffee, pastries, meats and more will operate for a limited time and serve as a great stop for those wandering around the outdoor facility all evening.
