These Charlotte businesses, restaurants are opening in 2022

There’s always something fresh happening in Charlotte, with new places to eat, drink and explore every day. In 2022, there’s been a boom in these openings, with announcements from local businesses flying in nearly every week.

Now you can try Vietnamese banh mi, Latin sandwiches, Jamaican jerk chicken, Korean dishes, Indian street food and more global options. There’s also new breweries to sip craft beer and new coffee shops to stop in for a drink.

Below you’ll find the Charlotte restaurants, bars, and other small businesses that have opened this year, reopened after a closing or relocation, or announced this year that they’re opening.

Note that this is not an exhaustive list — as hard as we try, there’s so much movement in the Queen City that we likely missed a few spots. Please share any business openings with us at [email protected].

220C Banh Mi and Coffee

Location: 10020 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28270

Neighborhood: Sardis Woods/MoRA

220C Banh Mi is offering Vietnamese banh mi, complete with freshly baked French-style bread, along with savory and sweet pastries. It opened in late May.

Amelie’s

New flagship location: 136 E 36th St, Charlotte, NC 28206

Neighborhood: NoDa

Location: 325 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28282

Neighborhood: Uptown

Amelie’s moved its flagship bakery and cafe from its original home in Charlotte’s Villa Heights to NoDa. Plans also call for reopening its uptown location later this year.

Arbol

Location: 227 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Neighborhood: Uptown

Arbol opened June 1, serving healthy breakfast and lunch options with a Latin flair. Expect croissant sandwiches, breakfast burritos and acai breakfast bowls., along with salads and sandwiches at lunch.

Babe Cave

Location: 2122 Freedom Drive, Ste. D. Charlotte, NC 28208

Neighborhood: Wesley Heights

This cocktail lounge and photo studio hangout space was created by the team from Brunch on Sunday. to give women a place to gather. It’s open Saturday nights for cocktails and small plates and on Sundays for brunch.

Bar à Vins

Location: 3206 N Davidson St Charlotte, NC 28205

Neighborhood: NoDa

Bar à Vins, a wine bar focusing on affordable and approachable sips, opened in early May. It also offer bottled wines for retail and snack foods, including cheeses and charcuterie.

Bazal Gallery and Nightclub

Location: AvidXchange Music Factory, 950 North Carolina Music Factory Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28206

Neighborhood: Greenville

Bazal, an elevated nightclub and gallery concept by QC Social Lounge owner Noi Vong, is set to open on June 18. Expect elegance upstairs, with upscale drinks and art, while DJs crank out the tunes for a party vibe downtstairs.

Benny Ferrovia’s

Location: 340 W. Tremont Ave., Charlotte, NC 28203

Neighborhood: South End

Benny’s newest location is bringing 28-inch Virginia-style pizzas with slices bigger than your head to South End. You can also try it out at Benny Pennello’s in NoDa.

Biblio

Location: 2001 W Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28208

Neighborhood: FreeMoreWest/Ashley Park

Experience a reverse wine pairing of sorts at Biblio. “Instead of our sommelier pairing a bottle of wine to the food you order, our chef will create a unique, one-of-a-kind dish, that will pair perfectly with the bottle you order from our massive wine list,” chef and owner Sam Hart told CharlotteFive.

Bit by Seoul Food

Location: 721 Governor Morrison Street, Suite 150. Charlotte, NC 28211

Neighborhood: South Park

Bit takes the flavors you’re familiar with at Seoul Food and presents them in categories such as “Deep Fried,” and “Handhelds.” Think: Fried wings, tofu and mushrooms; bao buns; tacos; kimchi fries and more. And if you’ve got a sweet tooth, that’s covered — there’s doughnuts, too.

Bonterra Dining and Wine Room

Location: 6809-A Phillips Pl Ct, Charlotte, NC 28210

Neighborhood: Phillips Place, SouthPark

Bonterra’s previous location closed and was sold to Supperland owners Jamie Brown and Jeff Tonidandel. Now, Bonterra owner JD Duncan’s plan is to replicate the success of the popular Dean & Deluca that was in Phillips Place years ago, serving three meals a day.

Brazilian Eats & Treats

Location: 16049 Johnston Rd K, Charlotte, NC 28277

Neighborhood: Ballantyne

Brazilian-born owner Marcia Sanabria is opening a bakery this summer, focusing on authentic, savory and sweet dishes that are popular in Brazil, including pastries, mousses, cakes and more.

Burial Beer Co.

Location: 1214 and 1216 Thomas Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205

Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood

Asheville-based Burial Beer Co. is planning a June opening date at its Plaza Midwood taproom and expanded bottle shop — called The House of Relics. Expect a variety of beer styles, plus a food menu with options like sandwiches and charcuterie.

Canopy Cocktails & Garden

Location: 118 E Kingston Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203

Neighborhood: South End

Canopy Cocktails & Garden will be opening in South End’s Dilworth Artisan Station, with the name giving a nod to previous building tenant Charlotte Tent & Awning.

Culinary Dropout

Location: Vantage South End, 1120 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28203

Neighborhood: South End

Culinary Dropout will add to the foodie destination Vantage South End when it opens early next year. Diners will find craft cocktails and classic food such as pretzels with cheese fondue, fried chicken and more.

Counter-

Current location (until August 2022): 2200 Thrift Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208

Future location (beginning in August 2022): 2001 W Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28208

Neighborhood: FreeMoreWest/Ashley Park

Counter- owner and chef Sam Hart hired chef Alex Wnorowski, who has worked at Three-Star Michelin restaurant Noma in Copenhagen, to lead the kitchen at Counter-’s new location.

Chez Marie Patisserie

Location: 4732 Sharon Rd Suite M, Charlotte, NC 28210

Neighborhood: SouthPark

This French bakery and cafe opened in April, specializing in scratch-made desserts, pastries and sourdough bread. Salads and sandwiches are also available.

Choi’s Korean Kitchen and Soju Bar

Location: 808 E Arrowood Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217

Neighborhood: Montclaire South/South Charlotte

Choi’s Korea & Wing, the family-owned restaurant that closed in October after 26 years, reopened April 19 with a new name — Choi’s Korean Kitchen and Soju Bar — and Minae Choi, the youngest daughter of the previous owners, at the helm. Patrons can expect to see their favorite Korean dishes, along with a few updates.

Condado Tacos

Location: 1515 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28203

Neighborhood: South End

This specialty taco spot opened May 12, bringing its dips, tacos and margaritas to South End. It offers a variety of queso, guacamole and salasa choices, as well as the option to build your own tacos.

Cuzzo’s Cuisine II

Location: 9601 N. Tryon St., Suite F, Charlotte, NC 28262

Neighborhood: University City

A previous University City location of Cuzzo’s — known for its chicken and waffles, and its lobster mac and cheese — was short lived. But the cousins who run the show here, Andarrio Johnson and Anglee Brown, are back at it with a new spot and the same dishes you’ve come to love.

Drift on Lake Wylie

Location: 315 Lanyard Ln m, Belmont, NC 28012

Neighborhood: Belmont, NC

Drift on Lake Wylie, a contemporary, chef-inspired chophouse at McLean Marina, opened on May 9. The boat-accessible restaurant features multiple patios and an upscale menu that includes dishes like Wagyu beef tartare and lobster tail fettuccine.

Early Girl Eatery

Location: 1515 S. Tryon St., Suite 104, Charlotte, NC 28203

Neighborhood: South End

Asheville-based Early Girl Eatery opened in Charlotte on May 9 in the Dimensional Fund Advisors building. The restaurant offers gluten-free and vegan options and is well-versed at adding tempeh or tofu to its breakfast dishes, which are served all day.. Lunch and dinner are also available.

Eggs Up Grill

Location: 2609 S New Hope Rd, Gastonia, NC 28056

Neighborhood: Gastonia

This breakfast joint that originated in the Carolinas opened in Gastonia in January, serving omelets and other egg dishes, pancakes and waffles, plus breakfast sandwiches and bowls.. For lunch, the restaurant serves up burgers, sandwiches, wraps and salads.

Enat Ethiopian

Location: Optimist Hall, 1115 N Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206

Neighborhood: Optimist Park

This Ethiopian restaurant’s second location opened in May at Optimist Hall, with traditional dishes like the stuffed pastry Sambusa, the stir-fried meat and veggies Tibs, and the spongy bread Injera. Vegan and vegetarian options are available.

Ever Andalo

Location: 3116 N. Davidson St., Charlotte, NC 28205

Neighborhood: NoDa

The Italian restaurant replaced Crepe Cellar in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood in March, bringing in a new look and a new menu. Look for kale salads, fresh pasta, tiramisu and more.

Fidel’s Kitchen

Location: 500 West Summit Ave Charlotte, NC 28203

Neighborhood: Gold District/South End

Fidel’s Kitchen, a Jamaican restaurant, opened in May. It’s serving up jerk chicken, oxtails, rice and peas, vegetables and fresh juice for takeout.

Figo36

Location: 416 E 36th St., Unit 600, Charlotte, NC 28205

Neighborhood: NoDa

Expect modern versions of Italian classics when Figo36 opens in the former Orto space this summer. There will be a burrata bar, too.

Gilde Brewery

Location: 3530 Dewitt Lane, Charlotte, NC 28217

Neighborhood: Lower South End

Gilde’s first brewery outside of Germany opened in Charlotte in February. Inside, you’ll find German beer and food set in an immersive experience made to transport you to Europe.

Harry’s Grille & Tavern

Location: 8426 Park Road Suite 9, Charlotte, NC 28210

Neighborhood: Quail Corners

The restaurant opened in March with 4,673-square-foot of space for guests to dine on American gastropub fare, local craft beer and signature cocktails. Brunch is offered on the weekends.

Harold’s Chicken & Ice Bar

Location: 440 McCullough Drive, Ste A-100, Charlotte, NC 28262

Neighborhood: University City

The Chicago-based chicken joint is planning to open in June, bringing a hookah bar plus weekend brunch options to the fast-casual restaurant’s lineup. Pro tip: The chain is known for its mild sauce.

IndiGrille

Location: 1600 E Woodlawn Rd #150, Charlotte, NC 28209

Neighborhood: Montford

This fast-casual Indian restaurant offers house-made sauces and customizable options for rice bowls, burritos and kati rolls. IndiGrille opened in May.

Juniper Grill

Location: 15235 John J Delaney Dr., Suite P., Charlotte, NC 28277

Neighborhood: Ballantyne

Pennsylvania-based Juniper Grill offers American food with a California feel. The restaurant opened in May, offering an upscale but casual menu that incorporates local produce.

Koibito Poké

Location: 4701 Park Rd Charlotte, NC 28209

Neighborhood: Madison Park

The fast-casual restaurant based in Arizona that features build-your-own Hawaiian poké bowls is targeting a July opening.

Legion Brewing West Morehead

Location: 2013 West Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28208

Neighborhood: FreeMoreWest/Ashley Park

Legion Brewing’s newest location opened in May at the Salt + Vinegar project. The taproom is attached to a 25,000-square-foot brewery that also boasts a courtyard beer garden.

Limani

Location: 6902 Phillips Pl Ct, Charlotte, NC 28210

Neighborhood: SouthPark

Limani will offer Mediterranean-inspired cuisine including oysters, fried calamari, salmon and lamb chops when it opens at Phillips Place later this year.. It will take over the former Upstream space.

Lulu’s Maryland Style Chicken & Seafood

Location: 2308 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205

Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood

Lulu’s second location opened in March, offering a new place for Charlotteans to dive in to its popular crab cakes, wings and chicken and waffles. The space — about twice the size of the original restaurant — offers garage-style doors for an indoor-outdoor feel.

Madison Perk

Location: 5033 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217

Neighborhood: Madison Corners/Madison Park

The coffee shop with a family feel opened in March. You’ll find salads, sandwiches and snacks, plus craft beer and seltzers.

Mano Bella Artisan Foods

Location: The Market at 7th Street, 224 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Neighborhood: First Ward/Uptown

The specialty foods business opened in March at The Market at 7th Street, selling fresh pasta and other kitchen staples, including produce.

milkbread

Location: 1431 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205

Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood

Milkbread opened in Davidson and its Charlotte location — where the iconic walk-up Dairy Queen once operated in Plaza Midwood — is following on its heels this summer.

Mochinut

Location: 10500 Centrum Pkwy, Pineville, NC 28134

Neighborhood: Pineville

Mochinut, a Korean confectionery with a mix of sweet and savory treats and boba teas, will open inside the Super G Mart on its way to Pineville this summer. Its mochi doughnuts are made with rice flour that originated in Hawaii and unites Japanese rice cakes with American-style doughnuts.

Noble Smoke

Location: Optimist Hall, 1115 N. Brevard St., Charlotte, NC 28206

Neighborhood: Optimist Park

Noble Smoke opened an outpost at Optimist Hall in March, selling its signature hickory-smoked meats, savory sides and hand pies for dessert.

Noda Company Canteen

Location: Camp North End, 300 Camp Rd, Charlotte, NC 28206

Neighborhood: Druid Hills South

The Canteen is moving from pop-up status to a permanent location that will open in August in Camp North End’s Boileryard, adjacent to where the kiosk is now. It will continue serving beer, wine, sangria and snacks

OpenTap

Location: 5010 Carmel Ctr Dr, Charlotte, NC 28226

Neighborhood: South Charlotte

OpenTap is set to open around Labor Day at Carmel Center Drive, bringing a family-friendly space with 64 beers on tap and a shade garden, a tree house mezzanine and a spot for food trucks.

PARA

Location: 235 W Tremont Ave #100, Charlotte, NC 28203

Neighborhood: South End

This trendy new restaurant with a globally influenced menu comes from the work of Alex Verica in the kitchen as executive chef and Yashira “Yoshi” Mejia behind the bar. It opened in January.

Peninsula Prime Seafood & Steakhouse

Location: 19918 N Cove Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031

Neighborhood: Lake Norman

Alton’s Kitchen & Cocktails in Lake Norman’s Jetton Village shopping center closed Jan. 29 to make way for a new concept. Cambridge Hospitality Group purchased the restaurant with plans to make renovations, and it has reopened as Peninsula Prime Seafood & Steakhouse.

The Royal Tot

Location: 933 Louise Avenue, Suite 350, Charlotte, NC 28204

Neighborhood: Belmont Charlotte

This two-story, rum-focused cocktail bar in Belmont that opened in January features an indoor bar, ground-level patio, a rooftop deck and a private event space. Membership in its Admiral Vernon’s Rum Club offers you access to a rare and vintage rum selection.

Salted Melon

Location: 100 W. Worthington Ave., Suite 107 Charlotte, NC 28203

Neighborhood: South End

The market and restaurant from the owners of Reid’s Fine Foods will be health-focused and fast-casual dining when it opens this summer. It will offer what may be Charlotte’s only bone broth bar, complete with toppings such as ginger juice and chili oil.

The Salty Donut

Location: 1515 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28203

Neighborhood: South End

The Miami-based doughnut shop plans a summer opening on the bottom floor of the Dimensional Funds tower in South End, serving craft doughnuts and coffee. Both the design and doughnut flavors will have a local influence, CEO and co-founder Andy Rodriguez said.

Seemingly Overzealous

Location: Camp North End, 701 Keswick Ave #102, Charlotte, NC 28206

Neighborhood: Druid Hills South

This dairy-free (but not vegan) ice cream shop plans a late summer or early fall opening in Camp North End. Look for flavors such as blood orange, banana pecan maple and more.

Super Abari Game Bar

Location: 1015 Seigle Ave Charlotte, NC 28205

Neighborhood: Belmont Charlotte

Super Abari Game Bar opened its new Charlotte location on May 16. While the previous location closed due to redevelopment, the new spot offers more arcade games and pinball machines, more seating and a separate bar area.

Tap & Vine

Location: 7828-E Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277

Neighborhood: StoneCrest/Piper Glen

The wine bar and restaurant that got its start in the Charlotte area in Indian Trail took over the former Civetta Italian Kitchen + Bar space in March. Its menu includes shareable appetizers and heartier entrees such as Denver Cut Steak and Bourbon Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon.

Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle

Location: 3429 Toringdon Way, Charlotte, NC 28277

Neighborhood: Ballantyne

Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle — a Chinese noodle restaurant also known as Shi Miao Dao — is opening in June in the Toringdon Market shopping center next door to Tsuki Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar.

TOUS Les JOURS

Location: 4625 Piedmont Row Drive, Suite 105

Neighborhood: Barclay Downs/SouthPark

This French-Asian bakery with locations worldwide is known for its breads, pastries and signature Cloud Cake. It opened in May.

Urban Sweets

Location: 222 West Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203

Neighborhood: Wilmore/South End

A July retail space opening is on the way for Urban Sweets, which sells ice cream, cookies and cakes, along with other baked goods, via private events, pop-up shops and farmers markets.

Vinyl

Location: 1440 S Tryon St Suite 105, Charlotte, NC 28203

Neighborhood: South End

The South End neighborhood bar opened in April, offering shareables such as Hatch Queso Fries and Falafel Bites. Craft cocktails matched to musical themes include the You Only Get One Shot, with Pepperbox Doughnuts coffee-infused Fernet-Branca, and the Big Poppa, with Tito’s vodka, spiced orange cordial, lime and salted coffee-infused Amaro.

Waterman Fish Bar

Location: 9615 Bailey Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031

Neighborhood: Lake Norman

The Waterman Fish Bar’s second location opened April 7, bringing the same menu to a new space filled with nautical vibes and a three-season patio.

Yunta

Location: 2201 South Blvd, Suite 130, Charlotte, NC 28203

Neighborhood: South End

Yunta opened in March as the first restaurant in Charlotte offering a Nikkei menu, fusing Peruvian and Japanese influences.