The 5 Best New Restaurants And Bars In Charlotte, North Carolina
After spending years hiding in the shadows of Charleston, Nashville, and Atlanta, the Queen City has quietly emerged as a vibrant Southern culinary destination worth paying attention to. Because so many people relocated to the area during the pandemic – making it one of the fastest-growing U.S. metropolises – the local community has never been more diverse, creative, or hungry for original, independently-owned spots to eat and drink. “As Charlotte grows, it’s entering a second renaissance where the people want to experience something unique that can only be found here,” says Kerrel Thompson, who co-owns Optimist Park’s Bird Pizzeria with his wife Nkem. “There are so many restaurants opening every week.”