Just Opened in Charlotte - July '20
Charlotte may still be operating in Phase II of re-opening, but that has not stopped another round of new beginnings for many businesses
by Allie Papajohn Jul 22, 2020
If you are ready to get out, grab your mask and consider one of the spots listed below – from a gourmet fried chicken sandwich eatery to Charlotte’s new all-day brunch restaurant.
Restaurant updates and hours of operation listed below are subject to change.
Food & Drink
Alchemy at C3Lab
Neighborhood: South End
C3Lab in South End includes an art gallery, free co-working space, event space and a new coffee bar and restaurant. Chef Ken Aponte leads the way in the kitchen with mixologist Bob Peters behind the cocktail menu. If you enjoy a plant-based diet, you’ll want to give this place a try, but the menu includes dishes with meat, too.
Restaurant Updates: Check out C3 Lab’s sanitation policies here.
Hours:
Dinner: Wednesday-Sunday, 6 p.m.-until. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Coffee Bar: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Bentley's
Neighborhood: SouthPark
4620 Piedmont Row Dr., #110
Bentley's was once located on the 27th floor of a high-rise in Uptown but now operates on the ground in SouthPark. Plan a fancy night out to enjoy caviar oysters, French onion soup, filet mignon, lamb chops and fried lobster tail. If you want to be one of the first to taste their brunch starting August 1, go ahead and make a reservation now. We spy croque madame, crabmeat benedict and French toast on the menu.
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 4:30 p.m. (bar) and 5:30 p.m. (kitchen). Brunch service begins August 1 (Saturday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Bleu Barn Bistro
Neighborhood: North End
Since 2014, Tara and Brent have offered fresh, locally sourced food from their Bleu Barn Bistro food truck across Charlotte. Now they also have a permanent stall at Keswick Avenue at Camp North End. The menu is subject to change seasonally, but look out for the popular Chicken Burger or Heirloom Tomato BLT.
Restaurant Updates: Face masks are required while walking around Camp North End.
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Boxcar Betty’s
Neighborhood: Optimist Park
Established in Charleston, SC, Boxcar Betty’s now has a home at Optimist Hall in the Queen City. Their gourmet fried chicken sandwiches are made with cage-free, antibiotic-free, all-natural chicken. First timer? Try the Boxcar with pimento cheese, peach slaw, house-made pickles and spicy mayonnaise. Consider ordering online for easy pickup.
Restaurant Updates: You can view the safety precautions at Optimist Hall here.
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Golden Waffles
Neighborhood: SouthPark
Golden Cow Creamery, one of Charlotte’s beloved local ice cream shops, is now serving Belgian Liege sweet waffles and whole grain protein waffles (in partnership with Cast Iron Waffles) at their SouthPark location. Choose your base and top it with gooey, fruity, fun and seasonal toppings (including ice cream). They’re also pouring Enderly Coffee, a local roaster.
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
La Caseta
Neighborhood: North End
The owners of Sabor Latin Street Grill and Three Amigos have opened La Caseta at Keswick Avenue at Camp North End. Here, you’ll find “mother made Latin street food” like tacos al pastor, pupusas, arepas and empanadas. Order online for easy pickup.
Restaurant Updates: Face masks are required while walking around Camp North End.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Little Fête
Online only
Chef Craig Barbour of Roots Café and Roots Catering now offers a new way to celebrate special occasions during the pandemic. These mini catering boxes cover all the bases, from barbecue and brunch to grazing tables and grilling kits. Place an order online and have it delivered to your door.
Updates: Little Fête offers contactless delivery.
Hours: Currently delivering Thursday-Saturday. Contact the business for special requests.
Popbar
Neighborhood: North End
Charlotte’s second Popbarlocation is open at Camp North End on The Mount at The Bunkhouse. You’ll find gelato on a stick plus traditional, strawberry, matcha and pineapple frozen lemonade. These treats are perfect for cooling off in the summer heat.
Restaurant Updates: Face masks are required while walking around Camp North End.
Hours: Thursday, 2-8 p.m.; Friday, noon-2 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Closed Sunday-Wednesday.
Queen City Grounds
Neighborhood: South End
Charlotte’s second Queen City Grounds location is nestled on the ground floor of Broadstone Queen City apartments. Grabbing a cup from this local favorite has never been easier as they’re on the Cloosiv app (order and pay ahead for easy pickup) and have a walk-up window.
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Monday.
Roy's Kitchen & Patio
Neighborhood: NoDa
3112 N. Davidson St.
The former Mango's is now Roy's Kitchen & Patio, a Black-owned Caribbean spot in NoDa. On the menu, you'll find tons of flabor in dishes like curry goat, jerk shrimp, rotisserie chicken, sweet plantains and house-made empanadas. Don't miss the cocktail menu featuring tropical drinks that'll whisk you away on a mental vacation.
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-midnight; Friday-Saturday, 4 p.m.-midnight; Sunday, noon-10 p.m.
Ruby Sunshine
Neighborhood: South End
Charlotte’s newest all-day brunch spot is inspired by Ruby Slipper Café in New Orleans. On the menu, you’ll find decadent dishes like the Bayou Shrimp Benedict, Brioche French Toast and a Southern BLT. Don’t forget a Big Easy Mimosa to wash it all down.
Restaurant Updates: Dine-in, takeout and delivery are available. Guests can use Yelp’s Waitlist to receive an estimated wait time if they are dining in.
Saru by Bow Ramen
Neighborhood: North End
This Nagayama-style tonkotsu ramen shop comes to Charlotte from Bow Ramen in New York City. Choose from six different kinds of ramen (including a vegetarian version) and pair your bowl of noodles with spicy edamame, a pork belly bun or kimchi. Find them at Keswick Avenue at Camp North End.
Restaurant Updates: Face masks are required while walking around Camp North End.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.
STIR
Neighborhood: South End
Got a thing for ice? STIR creates 300-pound blocks of it and shapes the ice into seven styles for their craft cocktails. If you’ve also got a thing for seafood, you’ll be excited about the raw bar, ceviche and poke bowls. Snag a reservation on OpenTable for lunch, dinner or weekend brunch.
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Brunch is served Saturday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Suárez Bakery & Barra
Neighborhood: Optimist Park
Charlotteans love to flock to Suárez Bakery at Park Road Shopping Center. Now, you can get your pastry fix (and more) at Optimist Hall. Fill up on croissants, donuts and brownies plus Cuban-inspired sandwiches and bowls. Pair your choices with a café Cubano or café con leche.
Restaurant Updates: You can view the safety precautions at Optimist Hall here.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Baked goods are available until they sell out. Coffee is available daily until 4 p.m.
Toucan Louie's Gold District
Neighborhood: Gold District
Sunstead Brewing and Toucan Louie’s have combined forces to offer beer and food in South End’s Gold District. The bright, large space is a great place to social distance while enjoying sandwiches or house-roasted coffee.
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m.-midnight; Saturday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
