Published July 22, 2026

8 New Charlotte Restaurants We Can't Wait to Try

Written by Jay White

8 New Charlotte Restaurants We Can't Wait to Try header image.

8 New Restaurants and Bars We're Most Excited About in Charlotte

Charlotte's food scene isn't slowing down anytime soon.

Over the next several months, the Queen City will welcome everything from celebrity-backed restaurants and upscale steakhouses to authentic Mexican cuisine, Italian pasta bars, rooftop dining, and an exciting new food hall.

Whether you're always looking for the next great date night spot or simply enjoy trying the newest restaurants before everyone else, these are eight openings you'll want to keep on your radar.

Here are the Charlotte restaurants and bars we're most excited to see open.

🍗 No Knife Chicken & Waffles

📍 North Charlotte
Expected Opening: Mid-July

Charlotte native and Grammy-nominated rapper DaBaby is entering the restaurant business with No Knife Chicken & Waffles.

The concept is expected to feature an upscale fast-casual atmosphere with classic comfort food at its center. While the full menu hasn't been released yet, chicken and waffles will obviously be the star of the show, along with booth seating, a full bar, and an outdoor patio planned for a later phase.

With a hometown celebrity behind the concept, this is easily one of the city's most anticipated openings of the summer.

☕ Sweet July Cafe

📍 The Ritz-Carlton – Uptown
Expected Opening: July

Charlotte is also getting a concept from Ayesha Curry.

Sweet July Cafe will bring specialty coffee, smoothies, baked goods, and light café fare to Uptown inside The Ritz-Carlton.

Fans of the Sweet July lifestyle brand can expect a welcoming space that's perfect for grabbing breakfast, meeting friends, or enjoying an afternoon coffee in the heart of the city.

🌮 Raíces

📍 South End
Expected Opening: Summer

One of the restaurant openings food lovers are buzzing about is Raíces, a Mexican-inspired restaurant taking over the former Summerbird location in South End.

The menu will celebrate traditional Oaxacan cooking with:

Handmade tortillas
Authentic mole
Pozole
Campo-style dishes
Seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms

The cocktail menu is equally exciting, featuring agave-forward drinks inspired by Mexico City's bar scene.

If you're looking for authentic flavors instead of your typical Tex-Mex experience, this one should be near the top of your list.

🍝 Lady Funari

📍 South End
Expected Opening: Late Summer

South End continues to evolve into one of Charlotte's premier dining destinations, and Lady Funari is another reason why.

Opening in the former Futo Buta space, this Italian pasta bar promises:

Fresh seasonal pasta
A chef's table experience
Rail Trail patio seating
Cozy, intimate interiors
Negroni and amaro-focused cocktails

For anyone looking for a memorable date-night destination, Lady Funari could quickly become one of Charlotte's hottest reservations.

🥩 Guard and Grace

📍 South End
Expected Opening: Fall

Denver favorite Guard and Grace is bringing its award-winning steakhouse concept to Charlotte.

The restaurant will feature:

Premium steaks
Fresh seafood
Extensive wine list
Craft cocktails
Private dining rooms
A 2,000-square-foot rooftop deck overlooking the Charlotte skyline

South End continues adding upscale dining experiences, and this may become one of its signature restaurants.

🥩 Deepwell Steakhouse

📍 Downtown Mooresville
Expected Opening: Fall

The acclaimed team behind Kindred is opening a completely new steakhouse concept in downtown Mooresville.

Inspired by New Orleans, the restaurant will feature:

Dry-aged steaks
Premium chops
Charcuterie
Indoor and outdoor dining
A beautiful cocktail bar serving classics like the French 75 and Sazerac

For north Charlotte residents, this is one of the region's most exciting restaurant announcements.

🥃 The Eighth Rule

📍 The Ritz-Carlton – Uptown
Expected Opening: Winter

Another celebrity-backed concept is arriving from Steph Curry.

The Eighth Rule will be a sophisticated cocktail lounge inside The Ritz-Carlton featuring:

Bourbon-forward cocktails
Rare whiskey pours
Elevated small plates
Luxurious lounge atmosphere

It's expected to become one of Uptown's premier destinations for happy hour, celebrations, and nightlife.

🍴 Savona Food Works

📍 West Charlotte
Expected Opening: 2027

While it's still a little further away, Savona Food Works may ultimately become one of Charlotte's biggest dining destinations.

Plans currently include:

Around 25 local food vendors
Full-service restaurant
Rooftop bar
Coffee shop
Flower market
Indoor and outdoor gathering spaces
Event venue

The redevelopment of Savona Mill continues to transform west Charlotte, and this food hall could become one of the city's top gathering places.

Charlotte's Food Scene Keeps Getting Better

What's exciting about these openings isn't just the restaurants themselves—it's what they say about Charlotte.

National brands, award-winning chefs, celebrity entrepreneurs, and successful local restaurateurs continue choosing Charlotte as a place to invest.

That means more dining options, more unique experiences, and even more reasons for people to visit—and move to—the Queen City.

From South End and Uptown to North Charlotte, Mooresville, and west Charlotte, nearly every corner of the region is seeing exciting culinary growth.

The Bottom Line

If you've been waiting for an excuse to explore Charlotte's restaurant scene, the next several months will give you plenty of opportunities.

Whether you're craving authentic Mexican food, handmade Italian pasta, premium steaks, brunch, specialty coffee, or craft cocktails, there's something exciting on the horizon.

Just remember—restaurant opening dates can shift as construction and permitting move forward, so keep an eye out for official announcements before making plans.

Which Opening Are You Most Excited About?

If you could only pick one, which would it be?

🍗 No Knife Chicken & Waffles
☕ Sweet July Cafe
🌮 Raíces
🍝 Lady Funari
🥩 Guard and Grace
🥩 Kindred Steakhouse
🥃 The Eighth Rule
🍴 Savona Food Works

Let us know in the comments!