10 Great Casual Restaurants in Charlotte, NC
A relaxed dinner out is just what we need in the middle of a busy week or a low-key weekend, and sometimes we love a casual dining spot over a white tablecloth, reservations-required experience. So when we are in Charlotte, NC, some of our favorite spots to grab a bite to eat without worrying about dressing up or making a whole night of it are these 10 great casual restaurants.
Good Food on Montford
1701 Montford Dr, Charlotte, NC 28209
(704) 525-0881
This casual spot is very popular, so reservations are a good idea if you want to enjoy great food at Good Food on Montford. With a menu focused on sharable food like the small plate of Korean Beef or the large plate of Paella that serves four to six people, grabbing a meal with friends at this casual but sharp restaurant is always a good idea.
Puttery Charlotte
210 Rampart St, Charlotte, NC 28203
(704) 368-1600
For a fun game night along with great food, the Puttery is where we head on a casual night out. The adults-only restaurant’s cheeky indoor mini golf course is a fun diversion, complete with funky settings like a museum, a pop art corner and a ski lift area that create fun photo ops along with the game. Heavy on sharable treats like a Charcuterie Board and Beef or Lamb Sliders, the menu also features amazing pizza options and themed cocktails like the Tasty Green and Dinner at the Louvre.
The Degenerate
2116 N Davidson Ste A, Charlotte, NC 28205
(980) 207-3049
This industrial-chic spot is just as popular for dinner as it is for brunch, so we love to come here anytime we are in the mood for quality, upscale food in a casual setting. Some of our favorites here are the Deviled Eggs, Gochujang Wings and the Jerk Chicken Tacos off the shared plates menu as well as dinner service’s Short Ribs & Grits.
The Southern Pecan
6706-C Phillips Pl Ct, Charlotte, NC 28210
(704) 749-2949
For a reliably delicious southern coastal meal, we crave the food and the gentile ambiance at The Southern Pecan. You know that when your server sets down the warm and fresh complimentary cornbread on your table, every meal is going to be amazing. Some of the best things to eat here are the Pecan Fried Catfish, the Oyster Po’boy with Comeback Sauce for dinner and Southern Pecan Shrimp and Grits for brunch.
Sosu
3718 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
(980) 237-4800
We love a good ramen spot, and Sosu’s quirky manga-themed casual restaurant is where we go when we are craving a steamy bowl of noodles. Slurping up a Shoyu, Spicy Miso or Ichiraku bowl while perusing the black and white storyboards decorating the walls at Sosu is always fun. But the perfect balm for the spicier dishes is an order of Akatskream, the house-made taro ice cream, which will end your meal on a not-too-sweet note.
Capishe Real Italian Kitchen
500 E Morehead St Ste 100, Charlotte, NC 28202
(980) 819-9494
A relatively new spot in the Charlotte casual dining scene, Capishe serves up authentic Italian dishes like quality pasta and pizzas that are cranked out just minutes after ordering because of their 900-degree ovens. We crave Capishe Real Italian Kitchen’s spicy Calabria Piccante pizza, loaded with bufala mozzarella and gorgeous peppers, but the Linguine Carbonara is a close second.
Flower Child
1537 Camden Rd, Charlotte, NC 28203
(980) 294-0500
When we need to load up on the healthy, delicious food, we head to Flower Child. The menu is full of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free choices, so there is truly something for every taste here. Some of the most popular options are the Ginger Miso Crunch salad, the Forbidden Rice Bowl and the build-your-own entrée with five protein options to combine with two of the twelve sides choices.
Velvet Taco
1601 East Woodlawn Rd Ste B, Charlotte, NC 28209
(704) 594-7147
Velvet Taco’s globally inspired taco menu delivers some of the most delicious and creative handhelds out there, and when we are craving rich, complex flavors we head here. The Spicy Tikka Chicken Tacos, the vegetarian Beer Battered Cauliflower Tacos and the barbacoa-style Brisket Tacos will all melt in your mouth, which is why Velvet Taco is consistently rated one of our favorite casual restaurants in Charlotte.
Calle Sol Latin Café & Cevicheria
1205 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 565-8291
When we are craving Latin food, we head to Calle Sol for delicious flavors from everywhere from Peru to Cuba to South America that begins with a plate of Cuban bread and butter, a must-do when eating here. Visitors can try one of their four signature ceviche options or a plate of Chaufa, a unique Asian-Latin dish that pays homage to the Chinese workers who came to Latin America in the 19th century, along with a full bar and plenty of familiar entrée options.
Puerta
1961 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
(704) 412-7767
A gorgeous patio, elevated Mexican street food and to-die-for margaritas make Puerta the perfect casual dinner spot in Charlotte any day of the week. The Salsa Trio and Yellowtail Ceviche are perfect nibbles for sharing, and we love to try the adventurous tacos here for our main entrée. Some of the best are the Lengua, Carne Asada and the Crispy Fish, but everything on the menu is just as tasty as it is beautifully presented.
For more recommendations on where to eat and drink in the city, check out our Charlotte page, here!
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