Just Opened - Oct. '21
Fall is in full swing in the Queen City! Between cheering on the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium and curling up outside by the fire pit, check out these new spots that have recently opened in Charlotte, just in time for sweater weather.
by Allie Papajohn Oct 29, 2021
Food & Drink
Bitty & Beau’s Coffee
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thursday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Amy and Ben Wright opened Bitty & Beau’s Coffee in Wilmington in 2016, and Charlotte is now home to one of eight franchised locations thanks to Charlotte owners, Amie and Vic Cennamo. The shop is known for employing individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and offers coffee drinks, breakfast sandwiches and pastries.
Chef’s Kitchen
Neighborhood: Pineville
Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 4-10 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Chefs Anthony Smith and Taylor Bishop have opened a second Chef’s Kitchen located in Carolina Place Mall. On the menu, you’ll find decadent dishes like Bloody Mary Shrimp & Grits, Coffee Rubbed Rack of Lamb and Blackened Pineapple Salmon alongside pasta and craft cocktails. Pro tip: Find their brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Mariposa
Neighborhood: Uptown
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m.; Closed Sunday-Monday.
The Mint Museum is once again home to a restaurant. In the space formerly occupied by Halcyon, Mariposa offers worldly cuisine inspired by Jill Marcus’ travels to North Africa, the Mediterranean and beyond. The menu is meant for guests to enjoy together with small shareables like Olive Focaccia and Elote Corn Fritters to larger items like Gullah Paella and Chipotle-Crusted Short Ribs. Don’t miss the wine list, curated by Level 3 sommelier Brad Grubb.
Night Swim Coffee
Neighborhood: Oakhurst
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m
The owners of Not Just Coffee and Undercurrent Coffee have teamed up to bring us this new cafe featuring Counter Culture coffee with a drink menu featuring Japanese coffee, golden milk and Masala chai. Food items include avocado toast, overnight oats, a breakfast sandwich and a frittata. Stay tuned: this crew plans to open additional locations around the city, including an upcoming roastery in LoSo.
OMG Donuts & Coffee
Neighborhood: Concord
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 6:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Closed Monday.
Popular Concord donut shop OMG Donuts is now open in the MoRa neighborhood on Old Post Road. You’ll find donuts made fresh daily including favorites like Maple Bacon and Caramel Apple. Visitors can even customize a donut to their liking with a filling of choice. And don’t miss the coffee from Charlotte’s very own local roaster, Pure Intentions Coffee.
Rumaway Cove
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 5 p.m.-midnight; Saturday 3 p.m.-midnight; Closed Sunday-Tuesday.
Don’t sleep on this pop-up bar at The Refuge because it won’t be around for long. The team behind the coming-soon bar, The Royal Tot, is serving their tropical-themed drinks and small bites ahead of their full opening later this year. Head to their website to make a reservation for you and your friends to sip on Painkillers and Mai Tais in the lobby of this cool boutique hotel.
Salata
Neighborhood: Uptown
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Closed Sunday (except during select Panthers home games.)
Fully customize your next salad or wrap at Salata (located in the Ally Charlotte Center building) with five green bases, various proteins, over 50 topping options and 11 house-made, gluten-free dressings. There’s no menu at this Texas-based concept, so the possibilities are endless! Don’t skip the teas and lemonades or the crunchy homemade pita chips, either.
The Batch House
Area: West Charlotte
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (or earlier if sold out); Closed Sunday-Monday
The city’s beloved “Batchmaker,” Cris Rojas-Agurcia, has opened The Batch House 2.0 after the original location was destroyed in a flood last November. In the pastry case, you’ll find cookies galore, S’mores Brownies, cake slices and the very popular Oatmeal Creme Pie (and she’s even partnered with Pretty Honest Candles to capture the delicious scent).. Yum!
Things to Do
Betty by Moxie
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday noon-4 p.m.; Closed Monday
Owner Michelle Castelloe’s fourth boutique is open in the space formerly occupied by City Supply on Thomas Avenue. Inside, you’ll find clothing and accessories plus a focus on kids’ items. If you’re looking to explore the other Moxie locations, find them out in Davidson, Matthews and right around the corner from Betty at the original Plaza Midwood store.
Luck Factory Games
Area: Concord
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 3-10 p.m.; Saturday noon-10 p.m.; Sunday 3-8 p.m. Closed Monday
Get your game on at our state’s largest board game cafe, now open at Gibson Mill Market. Unlimited game play is only $5 per person with over 1,000 games to choose from with VIP memberships available for $14.99 a month. Lots of snacks are available for purchase, too.
No Grease
Neighborhood: Steele Creek
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Franchisee Edmund Washington opened his eight Charlotte-area No Grease barbershop at Charlotte Premium Outlets in August and plans to celebrate with a grand opening this month. The shop is also home to a men’s nail salon (Alpha Male) and will soon also contain a full-service bar.
One Stop Sports
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Break out your trading cards (if you didn’t already during quarantine). This sports card shop is open in South End and carries cards of your longtime favorite players and recent heroes alike. We hear they carry Pokemon cards, too!
Paparazzi CLT
Neighborhood: University City
Hours: 4 p.m.-2 a.m. daily
Plan your whole evening around this new selfie bar in the University area. They offer plenty of photo opps plus a full food menu, fully-stocked bars, VIP sections and large TVs. Don’t forget to tag @paparazziclt when you post your photos!
Paradiso Plant Shop
Neighborhood: Optimist Park
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
This Atlanta-based plant shop is popping up at Optimist Hall just in time for the holidays. You’ll find house plants, terrariums, pottery, accessories and even books at this spot, which plans to stay open through early 2022.
Quest
Area: Huntersville, NC
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Explore the wonders of nature at this facility at Latta Nature Preserve in Huntersville. Inside, you’ll find live animals, a large aquarium, classrooms and space for rent. Next up will be the Raptor Center at Quest, with plans to open in 2022.
