The 11 Absolute Best NoDa Restaurants in Charlotte, NC
NoDa, which is short for North Davidson Street, is a neighborhood in Charlotte known for its art, entertainment, and eclectic style. Here, you’ll find tons of fun dive bars, like NoDa 101, one of the best karaoke bars around, coffee shops, cute stores, and of course, delicious food. All of the restaurants around here follow the artsy, eclectic style of the neighborhood from the decorations inside to the menu items they serve. NoDa is nothing but fun and we’ve put together a list of some of the best places to eat while you’re here. Cheers!
1. Billy’s Jack Shack
3220 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 817-8231
If you’re looking for top-notch happy hour food to enjoy while watching sports, Billy’s Jack Shack is the place for you. This place is always busy, and for good reason! Giving off dive-bar vibes, they have a constantly changing craft brew list that you can pair with their delicious comfort food. You have to try their raved-about Redneck Nachos consisting of a loaded plate of hose-made potato chips with BBQ pork, mac and cheese, white Alabama sauce, onions and bacon! So many delicious flavors all culminating into one. If you like mac’n cheese, they come in all forms here! Billy’s Jack Mac, Fried Mac Nugs, and Mac’n Cheese Steak are among the most popular. If you have a sweet tooth, you have to get the fried Oreos: great for reminiscing about the fair during the off months.
2. Cabo Fish Taco
3201 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 332-8868
This spot has been a neighborhood favorite for over 20 years. They’re serving up all kinds of tacos, burritos, salads, and more with super fresh seafood, chicken, and steak options. People just rave about the fish tacos here, some even dare to say they might be the best on the East Coast. They’ll start you off with some of their fresh salsa and chips, but they have other appetizers like crispy calamari and Baja shrimp and crab dip you can order. A couple of their signature tacos include beer-battered shrimp and grilled serrano chicken. As for their specialty tacos, some of your options will include BBQ mahi, tavarua tuna, and honey soy glazed salmon tacos. Also, make sure to order a marg here, they hit the spot every time. This Baja staple will definitely cure your taco needs.
3. Ever Andalo
3116 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 910-6543
Previously known as Crepe Cellar Kitchen and Pub, the owners of this spot transitioned into the new north Italian-inspired restaurant, Ever Andalo, in early 2022. Years ago, they traveled all over northern Italy which inspired their menu from the pasta dishes and desserts to the wine they serve. Start with their fresh focaccia or burrata, or order some oysters for the table, hot or cold. For the main course, the fettuccine all amatriciana is as tasty as it is beautiful. The sunny cavatelli made with homemade pork sausage, broccolini, sun-dried tomato cream, and parmigiano reggiano is another wonderful dish they have perfected. Some of their desserts include their orange olive oil cake and an Italian classic, affogato. This is simply a shot of espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but it is the perfect treat to end your meal. Next time you’re passing through NoDa and craving some carbs, show Ever Andalo some love.
4. Figo36
416 E 36th St Unit 600, Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 919-0020
In the heart of NoDa’s arts district, Figo 36 delivers a modern interpretation of Italian fare. Figo — Italian slang for cool — is perfect for a delicious meal, a nightcap, or a late-night bite. Fresh pasta and pizzas with handmade dough, small plates to share, and a tableside burrata bar make this a must-have. Some of their standout dishes are their Pesto Gnocchi Shrimp and their Red Devil Frutti Di Mare. But you can’t leave out their raved-about Branzino prepared with Sicilian pesto and citrus fennel. If you’re looking for a really good steak on your night out in NoDa, you should try their Bistecca Florentine, which is a hearty T-bone with caramelized onions, potatoes, and balsamic glaze. No matter what you over, Figo is sure to leave you satisfied.
5. The Goodyear House
3032 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 910-0132
The Goodyear House is a NoDa staple, and for good reason! This spot offers good vibes all around from fun music, delicious cocktails, awesome outdoor seating, and a literal sign that reads, “good vibes.” They serve everyone from vegans to meat lovers and everything is so fresh. Some of their most popular appetizers include their vegan smoked cashew mac, which is packed with flavor, and their shaken fry bag. The french fries come in a brown bag with flavor options of garlic-herb parm, sea salt malt vinegar, or togarashi. You throw your toppings into the bag and shake, shake, shake! Fun and delicious. As for entrees, try the Red Devil chicken sandwich or the Goopy Burger. Go ahead and make a reservation now and treat yourself to this memorable spot.
6. Growlers Pourhouse
3120 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 910-6566
This cozy neighborhood pub is serving up what they like to call craft beer and beer food. Beer food is just food that pairs well with beer, which isn’t too tough to find here. They have everything from sandwiches and salads to tacos and oysters. Start off with some wings or their duck confit potato skins. They also have a local veggies crudite which is burrata cream, olive oil, and flaky salt served with veggies. For the main course, their liquid nitrogen burger is quite a handful and loaded with flavor. The ruben and cauliflower sloppy joe are also big hits here. For dessert, try the frozen honey doughnuts with whipped cream! Their beer, wine, and cocktail list is extensive so find something to sip on and stay a while.
7. Haberdish
3106 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 817-1084
Come one, come all, and most importantly, come hungry! Haberdish is a NoDa, and Charlotte favorite for so many reasons. They are serving family-style southern favorites, so come with a group and you can try one of everything! Start with a couple of appetizers like the house pickles, deviled eggs, and hushpuppies. The hushpuppies come with a side of their almond butter that makes the flavor pop. The star of the show here is fried chicken. You can get a whole chicken or just a couple of tenders, white or dark meat, and they make it super easy so you can get exactly what you want. The second most important part of the meal is the sides. Get a small or a large depending on how hungry you are or how large your party is. Some of the choices include their creamy three-cheese mac & cheese, sweet potato dumplings, and braised rainbow carrots. If you’re able to save room for dessert, you have to try the brown butter pound cake or whoopie pies!
8. Heist Brewery
2909 N Davidson St #200, Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 375-8260
Since 2012, Heist has been one of Charlotte’s premier brewpubs, creating a wide variety of small-batch beers and showcasing a tremendous food menu. This balance is best exemplified by their Sunday Brunch Buffet, now back in action after a COVID hiatus. This spread would be impressive even if it weren’t a brewery, but that fact gives it extra credit. Load up your plate with all you can think of: shrimp and grits, lamb chops, chicken and waffles, assorted fruit, biscuits and gravy, a wide variety of flatbreads, different juices, coffee, and more. They also have specials for mimosas, beer pitchers, and more. What are you waiting for, book your reservation now!
9. JackBeagles
3213 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 334-5140
This place almost seems too good to be true. Stop by for breakfast and try one of the tastiest, as well as most inexpensive, biscuits you’ll find just about anywhere. Or come on in for lunch and try some apps like their pimento spread or fried mushrooms. For your entree, you’ve got options from burgers and hot dogs to one of their many mac and cheese dishes, sandwiches, and more. Now here’s where the “too good to be true” part comes in. Head over from the restaurant side of Jack Beagles to the bar side where you’ll find the huge outdoor patio and stage for live music. And probably the best part of all, it’s dog-friendly! So check this spot out for a chill breakfast or a night out on the town, they’ve got you covered all day and all night.
10. Sabor Latin Street Grill
3205 N Davidson St UNIT 105, Charlotte, NC 28205
(980) 207-3589
If you’re looking for the BEST empanadas in Charlotte, Sabor Latin Street Grill is the place to be. This Latin American restaurant is a perfect casual restaurant to check out if you’re looking for something quick and tasty in NoDa. Besides their popular empanadas, they have great tacos, taco salads, quesadillas, and so much more. The portion sizes are large and affordable, which makes for an easy crowd-pleaser. Be sure to visit on Tuesday for their $1 Taco Tuesday special. If you do, you have to try their Curtido Fish Tacos made with fresh and fantastic ingredients.
11. Oh My Soul
3046 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 891-4664
Calling all hippies! Oh My Soul was the first 100% vegan restaurant in NoDa serving the freshest South African classics in a cruelty-free way. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner and the presentation of all of their dishes is top-notch. Since their whole menu is vegan, they use all kinds of seasonings and sauces to make sure each meal is packed with flavor. For breakfast, try the Big Bro which is an egg scramble on toast loaded with grilled mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, South African sausage, and more. Their pancakes are also a big hit as well as the “Vicken” and Waffles. For lunch or dinner, the Hippie Chick is a fan favorite. It is a BBQ “Vicken” patty with grilled pineapple, melted cheese, lettuce, red onions, tomato, and pickles, all topped with pimento cheese, grilled jalapenos and BBQ sauce. Who knew eating vegan could be so tasty?! Out back, they have a lovely outdoor patio with plenty of seating and drink options, so bring a friend, have some South African wine, and try a new meal!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on March 23, 2022, and last updated on January 26, 2024. Please refer to restaurant websites and social media pages for the most up-to-date information.
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