Just Opened - Dec. 22' & Jan. '23
The past two months have been stellar in terms of new openings! Get out there and explore what’s new in the Queen City.
by Allie Papajohn Jan 23, 2023
Food & Drink
BaoBao
Area: Huntersville, N.C.
Hours: Sunday-Monday, Wednesday-Thursday: 4-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 4-10 p.m.; Closed Tuesday.
Enjoy a variety of housemade bao, dumplings and other traditional Chinese dishes at this spot at Northcross Shopping Center. Specialties include sheng jian bao (a fluffy dough bun pan-fried and filled with pork meatball) and xiao long bao (steamed pork and soup dumplings). Or perhaps you’ll fill up on sichuan beef, stir fried scallops, map tofu or chicken fried rice. No matter what, come hungry!
Beard Papa’s
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Treat yourself to flakey, freshly-filled cream puffs from this Japanese chain now open in Charlotte, making this their first North Carolina location. It’s pretty simple: just pick your outer shell flavor and select a filling. Then, enjoy (and we won’t judge if you make a mess)!
Biblio
Neighborhood: Wesley Heights
Hours: Wednesday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 5-11 p.m.; Closed Sunday-Tuesday.
Looking for a food menu at chef Sam Hart’s new restaurant? Stop now because at Biblio, “the wine list is the menu.” How does it work? You’ll peruse a wine list of 500+ wines and pick a bottle. The culinary team will then craft a three-course meal based on your choice (additional dishes are available for an extra cost). If you’re intrigued like we are, go on and make a reservation.
Brown Bag Seafood Co.
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Get your fill of seafood just how you like it and in a casual setting, too. This concept born in Chicago now has a third home in the area (with the others in Huntersville and Uptown) and is serving up boxes, salads, tacos and sandwiches with your choice of fish, chicken and more. Their specialties, like the lobster roll, and fish and chips, are great choices if you don’t feel like building your own meal.
Counter-
Neighborhood: Wesley Heights
Hours: Wednesday, 7 p.m. seating; Thursday-Saturday, 5:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. seatings; Closed Sunday-Tuesday.
Since closing the original location last fall, chef Sam Hart has been hard at work on two concepts: Biblio (see above) and a new home for Counter-. Now, you can once again indulge in a 10- or 14-course tasting menu. Menus will change throughout the year, and each seating has room for just 16 guests. Come with an open mind and be ready for a unique experience designed to take you on a tasty journey.
Crispy Banh Mi
Neighborhood: Ballantyne
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Closed Sunday.
This popular banh mi shop is popping up in all corners of Charlotte. The fourth location is now open in Ballantyne Village where you’ll find their 11 banh mi sandwiches plus chicken wings, fries, vermicelli, juices and boba tea. You can order ahead for pickup or even delivery through Chownow or Postmates.
Elizabeth Parlour Room at Hooligans FC
Neighborhood: Elizabeth
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 2-11 p.m.; Friday, 2 p.m.-midnight; Saturday, 10 a.m.-midnight; Sunday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Love watching soccer at Hooligans? You still can! Now, you’ll be able to sip on craft cocktails and enjoy bar snacks. The space is still home to 11 TVs and plenty of seating for your match-viewing pleasure.
LoSo Craft Cocktails at Weathered Souls
Neighborhood: LoSo
Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m.; Sunday, 5-9 p.m.; Closed Monday-Wednesday.
This Texas-based brewery that opened late last year already has its newest additions: a craft cocktail lounge with drinks by local mixologist Bob Petters and a kitchen serving oysters, sourdough brioche and a “hot steak” sandwich by chef Greg Collier. The brewery, known for its Black Is Beautiful brew, officially has it all.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Area: Blakeney
Hours: noon-11 p.m. daily.
Ice cream in January? Always! Jeni’s fourth area location is now open in Blakeney Town Center. Per usual, you’ll find tasty flavors like Brambleberry Crisp, Darkest Chocolate and seasonal offerings, available in house-made waffle cones or a cup. You can even get their pints delivered to your door.
Lee’s Hoagie House
Neighborhood: Ballantyne
Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.
Local franchise owner and Philly transplant Robert Russo has opened this Philadelphia staple right here in Charlotte. The menu features a variety of sandwiches, from traditional cheesesteaks and hoagies to hot wraps and burgers. Post up at this family-friendly spot and catch a game or two on the weekends.
Limani
Neighborhood: SouthPark
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
Dine on impressive seafood options and upscale Greek cuisine at this new Mediterranean restaurant in Phillips Place. At lunch, you can choose from a limited menu or explore the three-course prix fixe option, which includes a starter, main dish and dessert. The dinner menu includes selections from the raw bar, Greek specialties, whole fish, lobster pasta and salads. It’ll be hard to ignore the dessert menu thanks to the loukoumades (fried doughnut puffs) and cracked “Spasmeno” baklava (caramelized phyllo with pistachio praline mousse.)
Menya Daruma
Neighborhood: Elizabeth
Hours: Wednesday-Monday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Closed Tuesday.
Your new go-to ramen spot is open and receiving early praise from its guests. The menu features ramen with housemade wavy noodles plus “snacks,” katsu sandos and abura soba (dry ramen). Soon, they’ll open Kappo En in the back, which will include 10 seats at a counter for a 10-12 course omakase.
Open Rice
Neighborhood: Midtown
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4:30-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4:30-9:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon-8 p.m.; Closed Monday.
If you live Uptown or have been driving across the city to get to Open Rice, you’re in luck! Their new location is now open at the Metropolitan in the spot formerly occupied by Vivace. The menu includes a wide variety of Hong Kong specialties, like Hong Kong char siu, spare ribs, noodle soups and rice dishes. Bring a few friends and order a bunch to share.
Soul Miner’s Garden
Area: Gastonia, N.C.
Hours: Wednesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
This vegan restaurant-on-wheels now has a restaurant in Gastonia. They’re currently in their soft opening phase, but you’ll still find favorites like nachos, fries, street tacos and sandwiches on the menu. If you’re on the go, consider ordering online for easy pickup or stay home and order delivery on DoorDash.
The Crust Pizza
Neighborhood: Montford Park
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, noon-9 p.m.
Get your hands on Midwest-style pizza with a memorable crust and cut into squares at this new spot in ParkTowne Village. You can build your own or choose from a specialty pie, like Meat Lovers or Grilled Chicken Pesto. Not in the mood? Try a salad or sub instead.
The Salty Donut
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Break out that sweet tooth! The Miami-based donut shop, named one of the “31 best donut shops in America” by Thrillist in 2018, offers several standard flavors, seasonal options and a few Charlotte-specific items (like the Layered Ham & Cheese Roll and the White Chocolate & Chai donut.) Don’t forget a Cinnamon Cereal Milk Latte from the coffee bar before you go.
Urban Sweets
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 1-7 p.m.; Closed Monday-Tuesday.
Once a mobile cart, Urban Sweets now calls South End home and offers homemade ice cream, chocolates and Enderly coffee. If you really love ice cream, consider their Pint Pick Up subscriptions, with options like 3 months for $90 or a whole year for $312. That’s how you really keep the good times rollin’!
Vera’s Kitchen
Area: Waxhaw, N.C.
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Closed Sunday.
Luis and Lupita Vera, both originally from Mexico, are offering comforting dishes with Latin influences for breakfast, lunch and weekend dinner. Dig into birria tacos, quesadillas, burgers and more. Be sure to check the chalkboard for daily specials.
Things to Do
Charlotte FIT South
Area: South Charlotte
Hours: Monday-Friday, 5 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Closed Sunday.
Trainer and owner Taylor Calamese has opened her second Charlotte FIT location, with options like personal training, group training, fitness classes and an open gym. Members can also partake in weight management, nutrition coaching and more to make the most of their wellness experience.
Museum of Illusions
Neighborhood: Uptown
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
If you’re looking for a fun activity for all ages, purchase tickets to this international museum franchise, Museum of Illusions. Walk through and explore over 60 interactive pieces and learn how each of them work, too.
RSVP South End
Neighborhood: Lower South End
Hours: Monday, Thursday-Friday: 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; Tuesday-Wednesday, 4 p.m.-midnight; Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-midnight.
Charlotte’s hottest new nightlife hub is now open and welcoming guests into its four separate spaces. Depending on your vibe, you can choose to hang out on the rooftop, by the stage, in the verdana or in the parlor. Each section contains a variety of drink options and, without a doubt, plenty of fun.
Science on the Rocks
Neighborhood: Uptown
Hours: Dates and times vary. See website for the latest.
Remember this fun, adults-only event at Discovery Place? It’s finally coming back on Friday, Jan. 27. Expect a cash bar, live music, science shows, IMAX features and full access to all the interesting exhibits on the floor. Be sure to snag your tickets online, and don’t forget your I.D. at the door.
Super G Mart
Area: Pineville, N.C.
Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.
This giant international supermarket, with a Charlotte location on Independence Boulevard, is now open near Carolina Place Mall. The store features aisles and aisles of goods from across the world. Soon, an International Food Hall will open inside.
The Coterie Wellness Center
Neighborhood: Wesley Heights
Hours: See the schedule here.
A yoga studio with three types of classes is now open in this ever-growing area. Your first class is free and, if you love it, you can sign up for single classes, class packs or unlimited access. Don’t forget to check out the private mediation library when you need some quiet time, too.
