Best Places to Eat Near the Charlotte Convention Center
If you’re in town in Charlotte near the Convention Center, you may be looking for a delicious bite to eat and lucky for you Downtown Charlotte doesn’t disappoint. The Charlotte restaurant scene proves why the Queen City wears the crown for courting fans of eclectic Southern cuisine. Each restaurant outdoes the next when it comes to sourcing quality meats and oysters from nearby farms and shores. However, there’s an approachable quality that even the fanciest of restaurants here just can’t shake. Take a look at the eight best places to eat near the Charlotte Convention Center.
photo credit: opentable.com
JP Charlotte
601 South College Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 335-2064
JP Charlotte is known for its generous portions offered in an upscale setting. It’s a great place to start with a rum cobbler cocktail before moving on to tuna poke nachos, blackened sea scallops with grits, pork chops, Atlantic salmon, key lime crème brûlée and many more satisfying options. In addition to offering great service for ordinary dinners, JP Charlotte is also wonderful for larger groups.
photo credit: charlottemagazine.com
Sea Level NC
129 East 5th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 412-2616
This is “the place” for oysters in downtown Charlotte! The famed oyster happy hour at Sea Level NC is not to be missed for those who have the time. In fact, the Opal Ocean mescal cocktail has been known to be the start of many fun nights out in Charlotte. The beauty of the menu at Sea Level NC is that the restaurant sources as much of its food as possible straight from local fishermen on the Carolina coasts.
photo credit: Yelp
The Public House
300 South Brevard Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 595-3091
The Public House is a classy, clean-cut joint with a bar that’s stocked with everything from the finest gin to kombucha cocktails. The raw tuna salad, Korean dirty wonton nachos, and chicken parmesan show off just how eclectic the menu is at Public House. Guests can enjoy the fact that this is a large space with plenty of room for spreading around. One fun aspect of dining at this spot is that its proximity to both the Charlotte Convention Center and Bank of America Stadium ensures that there’s always high energy in the house.
photo credit: mimosagrill.com
Mimosa Grill
327 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 343-0700
How does global cuisine with a Southern twang sound after a day at the Charlotte Convention Center? That’s exactly what Charlotte’s Mimosa Grill puts on the table. The extensive wine and cocktail menu elevates the experience with the Gin Smash, Mimosa Margarita, Moonshine Sangria, and French Mule. White, red, sparkling, and rosé wines are also in high supply. The experience had at Mimosa Grill can vary based on the day and time that guests arrive. The restaurant actually offers separate menus for lunch, weekday dinners, Friday dinners, weekend dinners, and weekend brunch. Flank steak, New York strip, blackened catfish, crab cakes, and baked lobster macaroni and cheese are some of the regulars.
photo credit: tupelohoneycafe.com
Tupelo Honey
101 South Tryon Street, Suite 130, Charlotte, NC 28202
(980) 270-7268
Dig into a little honey-dusted chicken at this Charlotte restaurant where the coast, the Carolina mountains, and Southern cuisine merge. The menu here boasts scratch-made Southern favorites covering everything from chicken and waffles to fried okra. The restaurant’s wildflower Moscow mule embodies the free-spirited, genre-mixing vibe of the cocktail menu. There’s no better place to enjoy upscale comfort food with the added comfort of artisan cocktails in Charlotte!
photo credit: Yelp
La Belle Helene
300 South Tryon Street, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28202
(980) 209-0941
There’s no better spot for ambiance in Charlotte than La Belle Helen. Stepping inside is like being transported to an upscale Parisian café where you can explore new plates, drinks, and desserts with wild-eyed enthusiasm. French onion soup, ratatouille, beef bourguignon, steak frites, crispy duck confit, trout almondine, and many more European-inspired goodies make every meal here incredible. Don’t forget the lemongrass mousse, crème brûlée with honey chantilly, and chestnut crème mont blanc for dessert!
photo credit: charlottesgotalot.com
Brazz Carvery & Brazilian Steakhouse
500 South College Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 315-5704
Brazz Carvery & Brazilian Steakhouse is famed for its exceptional platters that are meant to be shared. Platters offer various combinations of filet, top sirloin, garlic steak, lamb, chicken, sausage, and more, Individual plates are also available. This is a great pick for a group looking for a fun experience while dining out in Charlotte.
photo credit: deanssteakhousecharlotte.com
Dean’s Italian Steakhouse
128 East Stonewall Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 499-6626
Dean’s Italian Steakhouse is a great spot for house-made pasta in Charlotte. Rustic steakhouse vibes merge with a taste of old Italy for a satisfying experience for those who love filet, bone-in strip, poached lobster claws, salmon, chicken piccata, and more. There’s even an oyster bar. In addition, guests can enjoy an extensive wine list with an emphasis on premium pours, an impressive draft beer list, and a collection of curated signature cocktails. A dessert menu consisting of limoncello pie, tiramisu, zeppoles, bread pudding, and hazelnut mousse is straight out of Tuscany!
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