Just Opened in Charlotte – January 2025
Happy New Year, Charlotte! Celebrate 2025 by visiting one of these newly opened spots.
by Allie Papajohn Jan 24, 2025
Eat & Drink
Babaloo Coffee Club
Neighborhood: South End
The owners of Muraya and El Puro have opened a new coffee shop at The Shops at Winnifred, offering globally inspired coffee drinks, snacks and sandwiches. La Colombe lattes are served on draft, and the team is working on sourcing Colombian coffee beans.
Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor
Neighborhood: NoDa
Popular mixologist Bob Peters is at it again with the opening of Chief’s, a cocktail bar paying homage to his family. Pair your spirited drink (or alcohol-free option) with a sweet or salty snack as you sit back and enjoy the warm, cozy setting. When the weather turns for the warmer, guests can enjoy time out on the patio.
Dogwood: A Southern Table
Neighborhood: Uptown
This local favorite from restauranteur Jon Dressler is back open in a new location after operating in SouthPark for almost 10 years. Now, guests can enjoy the Southern-inspired menu and carefully crafted cocktails at The Westin. The hotel itself was recently renovated, thus ushering in the new restaurant.
El Veneno
Neighborhood: Uptown
After much success as a food truck, El Veneno now operates out of a food stall inside Monarch Market. Chef-owner Kimmy Bazan offers tacos plus a gordita, torta rusa, California burrito and other authentic items. The food truck itself will be back up and running after the team adjusts to the brick-and-mortar.
Finale Pizza
Neighborhood: Ballantyne
Find crispy, New York-style pizza at this new spot from the owner of Inizio. In addition to various 19-inch pizzas, diners can enjoy pasta dishes, beef meatballs and salads. Finale even offers wings by the pound.
Que Fresa
Neighborhood: Uptown
A second Que Fresa is open in the Duke Energy Plaza, making this an exciting expansion for the local restaurant group Que Hospitality. Feast on tacos and burrito bowls, but don’t forget the soft serve margaritas. Fun fact: this Uptown location serves an all-day breakfast menu, too.
Rada
Neighborhood: Myers Park
A popular Myers Park shopping center is now home to a “contemporary American” restaurant serving dishes like beef tartare, dover sole and striploin for two. A list of cocktails and a concise selection of wines accompany the food menu. Reservations are available now, and walk-ins are welcome.
Tacos 4 Life
Neighborhood: Dilworth
Local owner Keon Williams has opened a Dilworth location of this growing franchise known for its Meal 4 Meal program. A portion of proceeds from the tacos, salads, rice bowls, quesadillas and
Things to Do
The Comedy Club at Duckworth’s
Neighborhood: Uptown
The Uptown location of Duckworth’s is now home to a comedy club on the second floor. The space hosts national and local comedians either Thursdays and Fridays or Fridays and Saturdays, depending on the shows booked each week. The comedy club also has its own food and drink menu.