Just Opened in Charlotte – November 2023
Eating and drinking your way through the holiday season? Check out these newly opened businesses in Charlotte.
by Allie Papajohn Nov 28, 2023
Eat & Drink
ANJU
Neighborhood: Montford
Experience the delight of Korean food but with a contemporary twist at this new spot in the ParkTowne Village shopping center. ANJU serves traditional dishes, like bulgogi and tteokbokki, with a modern spin. You can also enjoy sips of soju, a Korean spirit made from rice or sweet potatoes.
Azul Tacos & Beer
Neighborhood: Wesley Heights
Enjoy tacos on handmade blue corn tortillas, birria tacos and ramen, Mexican street corn and hefty burritos at this Southern California-style Mexican restaurant. Wash it all down with a margarita or other craft cocktail made with tequila or mezcal. The restaurant also offers several beers on tap and Mexican sodas.
Destination Sweets
Area: Northlake
The creator of the former BW Sweets, once featured on Food Network, has opened a new shop offering mini cakes, cookies, brownies, cheesecake and many other treats. The final stages of construction are happening at the store, but you can pre-order online and pick up at Northlake Mall now.
Grinning Mule Saloon and Kitchen
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
Looking for a regular rotation of live country music? You can find it every night at Grinning Mule, now rebranded into a honky-tonk bar inspired by the owners’ frequent visits to Nashville. The food menu includes bar-friendly plates like BBQ Nachos, wings and burgers, and you can still enjoy a mule on tap.
L’Ostrica
Neighborhood: Madison Park
There are many ways to enjoy this new concept. Opt for the nightly, multi-course tasting menu or choose to attend “Sunday Supper,” a rotating, themed a la carte menu on Sunday evenings. If you’d rather eat at home, stop by during daytime hours for chef-prepared soups, salads, pastas, entrées and desserts. Finally, you can post up at the bar and sip on carefully crafted cocktails paired with elevated bar bites.
Lorem Ipsum
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
Refuge, the boutique hotel in Plaza Midwood, is now the temporary home of Lorem Ipsum, Justin Hazelton’s pop-up bar. The cocktail menu is small but mighty, and the vibes are reminiscent of Japanese jazz bars from the 1920s. Expect great sound quality and tunes, too, as Hazelton refers to this as a “listening bar.”
Monarch Market
Neighborhood: Uptown
This new food hall brings flavors from all over the world to Uptown diners. Take a look at what’s currently open at Monarch Market:
- Aster Cocktail Room: classic cocktail bar on the second floor
- Barley & Burger: gourmet burgers
- Focaccina: focaccia bread sandwiches and Italian desserts
- Kabab2Go: Mediterranean kababs and mezze
- Lanai Terrace Bar: coastal-inspired bar on main level
- Monarch Bar: main bar in center of the hall
- Pha Khao Lao: Laotian cuisine
- Rolled AF: modern Mexican
- Seoul Good: Korean-style street food
- Sushi Art: sushi rolls and poke bowls (full-service restaurant)
Petit Philippe
Neighborhood: Montford
Since 2010, owners Casey Hickey and Mark Meissner have offered a selection of fine wine. The original location in Myers Park is now closed, and the flagship location is open right next to Park Road Shopping Center. Petit Philippe also offers concierge wine storage for those looking to store wine in a secure, temperature-controlled setting.
Ralph’s Coffee Truck
Neighborhood: SouthPark
If you need a pick-me-up while perusing shops at Phillips Place, consider stopping by the coffee truck outside the newly opened Ralph Lauren store. This cute airstream coffee shop will be in town for just a few months and offers espresso, decaf, tea and pastries.
Rock Taco
Area: Rock Hill
After many delays, Rock Hill has welcomed a new taco shop in the former McHale’s Irish Pub spot. Guests can expect an elevated Mexican restaurant experience, with dishes like fish and grits and barbecue mole chicken.
Room Service
Area: Camp North End
The owner of Black Moth Bars has opened a boutique cocktail lounge at Camp North End. The menu features craft cocktails, of course, plus beer, wine and small plates. Find this bar in the Keswick building near neighbors like Seemingly Overzealous and FITTEDS.
Soul Miner’s Garden
Area: Camp North End
Vegan favorite Plant Joy has closed, but another popular vegan concept has taken its place. Soul Miner’s Garden started as a food truck before opening a restaurant in Gastonia, and now, a food stall will join the ranks. Popular items include loaded nachos and fries plus sandwiches and breakfast items.
Sprinkle
Neighborhood: NoDa
Everyone is welcome at this corner spot along North Davidson Street. Kids and adults alike can enjoy fun desserts, like milkshakes topped with a cupcake or doughnut, and the latter can partake in cocktails at the bar. Get your phones ready because everything is here is made for your next Instagram post.
The Ugly
Neighborhood: NoDa
Fairweather has closed, and in its space, the same owners have moved over their popular craft cocktail bar, Idlewild. In Idlewild’s former space, you’ll now find The Ugly, a no-frills bar with a small menu of draft cocktails and beer. The two spaces are still connected, so guests are welcome to go back and forth for different experiences.
Triple C Brewing
Area: Airport
If you find yourself in search of a Charlotte-made beer at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, check out the newly opened Triple C Brewing. You’ll find a handful of the brewery’s beers on tap at the bar in Concourse D.
Things to Do
Charlotte’s Nails
Area: Northlake
Public relations professional LaToya Evans is now the owner of a nail salon at Northlake Mall. The name is in honor of her late baby daughter, who passed just a year ago. Services include regular and gel polish, plus manicures and pedicures for kids, men and women.
Homewurk
Neighborhood: South End
This mobile clothing shop now has a temporary home in South End (before the building is torn down for construction). The collection features cool custom shirts and hats with humorous taglines or fun graphics plus unique, trendy pieces meant for everyday wear. Shoppers can also browse and order online.
Paper Skyscraper
Neighborhood: Uptown
Just in time for the holidays, this popular gift shop has opened a pop-up location in Uptown. While about a third of the size of the Dilworth location, you’ll still find just what you need when shopping for the perfect present.
Primark
Area: Concord
This Ireland-based retailer with trendy, affordable clothing is now open at Concord Mills. Inside, you’ll find everything from apparel and accessories to luggage and home décor. This new Charlotte-area location is the first U.S. store since 2015.
