Just Opened - September 2023
Happy fall, y’all. There’s a crispness to the air each morning that’s motivating people in the Queen City to get out and explore. Celebrate by heading to one of these newly opened businesses in Charlotte.
by Allie Papajohn Sep 29, 2023
Eat & Drink
Bumblebee Creamery
Area: Belmont, N.C.
Hours: Sunday & Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Closed Monday.
The owners of Heirloom have been busy crafting all kinds of flavors for their new gelato shop. Selections will rotate, and there are vegan and dairy-free options, too. Be sure to try your choice in a homemade waffle cone. Other options include plain or dipped in chocolate and with or without sprinkles.
Cali Colombian
Neighborhood: South Charlotte
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
Get your fix of authentic Colombian food for breakfast, lunch or dinner at this new spot on South Boulevard. The menu includes freshly baked bread and desserts, plus arepas, empanadas, fresh juices and Colombian coffee. Guests are welcome to stay for dine-in service or order at the counter to-go.
Catalina Kitchen + Bar
Neighborhood: Elizabeth
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
NFL legend Mike Ditka’s restaurant group has opened its first North Carolina restaurant here in Charlotte. At Catalina, you’ll find coastal, Southern-inspired dishes ranging from big salads and sandwiches to a 40-day wet-aged ribeye and buttermilk fried chicken. Soon, the restaurant will offer weekend brunch and a “social hour” menu of small plates and drinks from 3-6 p.m.
Chapter 6
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Monday-Friday, 4 p.m.-close; Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. & 4 p.m.-close.
The Dressler family added a sixth restaurant to its local lineup, including Fin & Fino and Dressler’s. Chapter 6 features Western Mediterranean dishes with inspiration from places like Spain, Tunisia, France and Italy. Tackle the menu by filling up on small plates or go for shareable large plates that feed two to four people. The restaurant will also offer “The Treatment,” a chef-guided tasting tour of the menu, for a fixed price per person.
Coquette
Neighborhood: Uptown
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. & 5-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. & 5-10 p.m.; Closed Monday.
Feast like the French all day long at this beautiful new Uptown café from the owner of Mariposa. In the morning, you’ll find French pastries and coffee plus lunch at midday. Later, enjoy full dinner service and drinks. The bar opens at 11 a.m. daily, and brunch is offered on the weekends starting Sept. 23.
Frothy Beard Brewing Company
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Monday & Wednesday-Thursday, 3-10 p.m.; Friday, 3-11 p.m.; Saturday, noon-11 p.m.; Sunday, noon-10 p.m.; Closed Tuesday.
A Charleston-based brewery, Frothy Beard is the perfect spot for beers before or after Panthers games, as the brewery is located just blocks from the stadium. Food trucks are on rotation for now, but a kitchen serving pizza and burgers is coming soon.
Gotcha Matcha & Espresso
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Monday-Tuesday, 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Closed Sunday.
Gotcha Matcha is operating as a pop-up for only 90 days inside The Coterie Concept. The menu contains a variety of matcha-based drinks made with oat milk, plus pandan and ube cinnamon rolls. Need a caffeine boost in the evening? The menu is 10% off Monday and Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Lebowski’s Grill and Pub
Neighborhood: Dilworth
Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Monday & Thursday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m.
This Charlotte staple, known for its wings and Beef on Weck sandwich, is now under Reid’s Fine Foods’ ownership. After briefly closing, Lebowski’s has re-opened with a revamped menu and interior. If you’re a Buffalo Bills fan, you’ll find that this is still the place to be on game day.
Milk Cha-Cha
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Daily, 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Find just the drink for you at this new Milk Cha-Cha location. From black tea, ube and fresh fruit tea to the popular brown sugar swirl, you’ll find something you love in no time. Feel free to adjust your sugar levels and change up the milk type, too.
Muraya
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Sunday-Wednesday, 4-11 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
Dive into Colombian cuisine with a twist at this new spot. Co-owner Manny Pérez Ochoa, who is also part of El Puro and Havana Carolina, and his wife, Carolina Maury, hired Colombian chef Mariana Arango to execute their vision. Take a seat in the dining room, at the bar or in the lounge and enjoy tapas, entrées, sushi and craft cocktails.
Pizza Baby
Neighborhood: Wesley Heights
Hours: Monday-Tuesday, 5-9 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 5-11 p.m.; Sunday, noon-9 p.m.
This “baby” was born out of necessity when the owners of Flour Shop were forced to pivot during the COVID shutdown. Now, they’re serving their “Americana” pizza at a permanent location, with another in Elizabeth on the way. Expect chewy, textured crust with delicious toppings for your pizza, or choose from a selection of small plates.
Summit Coffee
Neighborhood: Ballantyne
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Davidson-born coffee shop now has 11 locations across the area thanks to this new Ballantyne opening. Get your caffeine fix via a hot or iced coffee, as well as matcha, chai and other teas. Don’t forget to check out the seasonal specials and pastries, too.
The Office Craft Bar & Kitchen
Neighborhood: Ballantyne
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Taste a wide variety of family-friendly favorites at the second location of The Office Craft Bar & Kitchen. Like the one in Indian Land, the StoneCrest Shopping Center location offers burgers, wings, salads and larger entrées, plus plenty of space for group gatherings and game-day viewing.
The Punch Room
Neighborhood: Uptown
Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 5 p.m.-midnight; Closed Sunday-Wednesday.
This luxury bar, located on the 15th floor of The Ritz-Carlton, has been closed since the COVID shutdown but it’s now re-open with mixologist Kel Minton behind the menu. Expect classic cocktails, seasonal drinks, punches and robust alcohol-free drink options, too, from this 19th century-style speakeasy.
Things to Do
Glory Days Apparel
Neighborhood: South End
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
This local Charlotte apparel shop now has a bigger home in South End. Inside, you’ll find a wide selection of creative T-shirts, hats and sweatshirts featuring Charlotte sports teams, CLT logos and unique designs. Better make space in your dresser now!
