Just Opened in Charlotte – May 2026
Spring is in full swing, Charlotte! This month has brought exciting growth and expansion across many existing culinary groups. Get the scoop below!
by Allie Papajohn May 28, 2026
Eat & Drink
Ann Marie’s Gourmet Burgers & Fries
Area: Northwest Charlotte
Chef Renaldo Norris, owner of Renaldo’s Culinary Experience and Kulture NoDa, has a new smashburger concept inside the Walmart on the northwest side of Charlotte. Consider the loaded fries and burgers as fuel before you run through your shopping list.
Brunches
Neighborhood: Oakhurst
Enjoy the brunch menu of your dreams for breakfast and through midday at this North Carolina-based concept. From chicken and waffles and chicken biscuits to avocado toast and a brunch burger, the choices for a delicious meal are endless. Don’t forget a coffee drink or mimosa flight to pair.
Chili Willi’s
Area: Lake Norman
Restaurateur Rob Duckworth’s latest concept is a reimagined version of a Tex-Mex restaurant he grew up with in Virginia. Guests may enjoy three types of chili, plus enchiladas, burritos, tacos and plenty of other specialty dishes. The bar also features a strong selection of tequila and mezcal.
Heist Brewery
Neighborhood: NoDa
Two years after a fire forced it to close, this popular brewery is back open for business. The kitchen and dining space have been redesigned, creating opportunity for more food items on the menu and more space for guests. Above all, Heist is still serving the signature beers.
Italo
Neighborhood: Uptown
The owners of Cicchetti have transformed the space into a new Italian concept featuring house-made pasta and Italian wine. The dishes can be served as individual servings or family-style, making it a great spot for groups. Love Italian? Check out the sister concept, Aria Tuscan Grill, next door.
Maman
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
This popular café and bakery from New York now has a home in Charlotte. The menu features a robust offering of breakfast and lunch options, plus plenty of beautiful pastries and creative coffee drinks. More local Maman locations are in the works, so stay tuned!
Market on Morehead
Neighborhood: South End
Gamedays will elevate this fall thanks to this restaurant with a 25-foot TV screen, expansive patio and huge indoor dining room, located just down the road from Uptown’s sports arenas. The concept comes from the owners of Market on Main in Columbia, South Carolina, offering a menu of burgers, fries, sandwiches, salads and more.
Packard Tavern
Neighborhood: Uptown
High Tide Hospitality has a new concept, Packard Tavern. The menu features approachable dishes like deviled eggs, carbonara, a French dip and French fries along with craft cocktails and a beer and wine list. The space also features two private rooms.
Sabores de Oaxaca
Area: East Charlotte
The owners of Tacos El Nevado have opened a new concept celebrating traditional dishes from Oaxaca, Mexico. Come discover molotes, stewed dishes, sopes, tortas and more inside the small but mighty restaurant off Central Avenue.
Sharigato
Neighborhood: Optimist Park
The city’s first hand roll restaurant is officially open, offering made-to-order hand rolls served right to you at 23-seat bar. Menu items also include sashimi and Japanese snacks like miso soup, black truffle edamame and ube tempura fries. Sharigato even offers a build-your-own hand roll kit to-go.
South End Hideaway
Neighborhood: South End
Stop by for a casual daytime hangout or stick around for bustling nightlife activity at this redesigned space from the owners of Queen Park Social. Enjoy games like darts and pool and dance the evenings away to tunes by rotating DJs and live music. Dishes from the kitchen are made in partnership with YUMBII food truck.
Thoughtful Baking Co.
Neighborhood: Oakhurst
Chef Mary Jayne has been baking for and selling at farmers’ markets for years. Now, she has a permanent storefront that guests can visit on a regular basis, but you’ll still find these goods at several weekend markets, too. Not sure where to start? Definitely go with the chicken or veggie pot pies.
