The Tastiest South End Restaurants in Charlotte
Charlotte is the most tenanted city in North Carolina. This contributes to the rise of many restaurants, most of which have perfected the culinary art over the years. There’s a range of cuisines available in this business hub, and many restaurants are reasonably priced. We went around sampling various restaurants to enjoy the whole culinary experience, and we found this to be among the best South End restaurants in Charlotte.
Photo credit: lincolnstreetkitchen.com
Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails
1320 S Church St Suite 400, Charlotte, NC 28203
(980) 207-4494
For a dreamy brunch with fantastic cocktails, Lincoln Street needs to be at the top of your list. The inside is fairly small, but comfortable and very picturesque, however they also have seating on the outside patio and rooftop . Brunching means drinking, so go ahead and order yourself a mimosa or a cup of ambition (their iced coffee with toasted pecan infused vodka) to get started. Start off with some deviled eggs or one of their delicious toasts like the avocado toast with tomato jam and feta that is simply mouthwatering, or the ricotta berry challah toast. For the main course, choose from things like breakfast sandwiches, waffles, eggs benedict, and so many other yummy options.
Photo credit: axios.com
O-Ku
2000 South Blvd., Ste. 510, Charlotte
(704) 594-1922
For the ultimate Asian cuisine in Charlotte, O-Ku perfectly fits the bill. It is one of the best South End restaurants in Charlotte. The restaurant has an authentic Asian touch, and it was a great experience. Some of us don’t like raw seafood, but their sushi was extraordinary. The Executive Chef and the rest of the staff exude radiant enthusiasm and help one navigate through the sushi selections. We also enjoyed the wagyu beef and duck. They also have a great wine selection which we fully utilized. O-Ku has been voted as one of the Best Sushi Restaurants in the US by Travel & Leisure. We must say they did live up to our expectations. Plus, they have a gluten-free menu with delicious food.
Photo credit: axios.com
Superica
101 W. Worthington Avenue #100 Charlotte NC 28203
(980) 321-9914
We went into Superica with our stomachs rumbling in anticipation. Luckily, we didn’t have to wait too long since we had already joined the online waitlist. We had cheese enchiladas, grilled shrimp diablo, and our all-time favorite, the fajita Parilla Mixta (marinated grilled chicken and steak served with guacamole, sour cream, charro beans, homemade tortillas, pico de gallo, cheese, and Mexican butter). The food was flavor-packed amazing, the staff was polite, and the prices were just right. We also got ourselves a copy of the Tex-Mex Cook Book to try out some of those comfort-food recipes at home.
Photo credit: uber eats
Bang Bang Burgers
235 West Tremont Av. Suite 101 Charlotte, NC 28203
(980) 225-1016
2001 E 7th Street D, Charlotte, NC 28204
(704) 375-4505
Bang Bang Burgers are firm believers in offering quality and have partnered with some of the best players for their supplies. These include Jane’s Gluten-Free Bakery for gluten-free buns, LaFrieda for dry-aged Angus beef steaks, and Dukes Bread for artisan brioche buns. We relished in their signature burger, a combination of homemade pickles, American cheese, red onion, sliced tomato, green leaf lettuce, and the super tasty Bang sauce. Other additions to their burgers include shaved jalapeños, bacon, fried onion rings, sautéed portobello mushrooms, and a whole range of cheeses. All the burgers we ate were super impressive, living up to the restaurants’ name!
Photo credit: facebook
Let’s Meat KBBQ
1400 Church Street B Charlotte NC 28203
(980) 299-4389
Let’s Meat KBBQ is a Korean all-you-can-eat barbecue joint that serves some of the most amazing meat prepared in authentic Korean style. The setup is table-side grilling which was thrilling. We savored their lemon garlic pork belly, bulgogi, beefsteak, rosemary pork belly, chili shrimp, fire squid, and spicy fried chicken. All the meat options were finger-licking good. We also enjoyed the drinks: Korean Ice Coffee, Black Soybean, and Korean Cider. The restaurant also serves beers and wine. We didn’t want to leave, but there’s a 2-hour dine-in limit so that they can serve as many people as possible. They were pretty keen on maintaining the social distancing protocols. This is undoubtedly one of the best South End restaurants in Charlotte.
Photo credit: axios.com
Poppy’s Bagels and More
2201 South Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28201
(704) 900-5107
Poppy’s is renowned for its remarkable, fresh bagels, which are available in twelve different flavors. You can get a ciabatta, white, rye, or multigrain bagel, which we found impressive. A must-try is the Eggs Benedict Bagel. Another specialty is the Everything Bagel (a combination of cream cheese, bacon, and egg) and Poppy’s Club (roast turkey, avocado, cheddar, lettuce, bacon, and tomato). We also relished their sandwiches, paninis, and soups. The restaurant offers takeaway, delivery, and dine-in options. There is outdoor seating which was cool, the staff is friendly, and the pricing is decent.
Photo credit: watermanclt.com
The Waterman Fish Bar
2729 South Blvd (Suite D), Charlotte, NC 28209
(704) 275-5558
The Waterman is a seafood restaurant with a stunning view of South End, which is best seen from the rooftop bar. The outdoor seating is refreshing, the customer service is impeccable, and the prices are reasonable. We started with seafood gumbo and salmon spinach apple soup, which were both amazing. Then we indulged in ceviche perlite, and oysters on the half shell, then had the crispy calamari and voodoo shrimp, all of which were wonderfully tasty. There’s a brunch menu on weekends between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Photo credit: doordash.com
Rai Lay
1520 South Blvd #130, Charlotte, NC 28203
(980) 207-0991 or (980) 207-2211
Rai Lay is a small but cozy outlet serving delicious Thai street food, Asian comfort food, and sushi. The atmosphere is sleek and gives an industrial feel. The ingredients are fresh, enhancing the food’s flavor. The red duck curry, red chicken curry, and green chicken curry were all lovely. We got to enjoy great wine, draft beer, and specialty cocktails with our meal. Although closed on Mondays, there is every other day of the week to relish in this goodness. The service is top-notch, the atmosphere is warm, the prices are reasonable, and the food is delicious.
Photo credit: facebook
Bardo
1508 South Mint Street, Unit B Charlotte, NC 28203
(980) 585-2433
Bardo’s concept is an American-tasting menu. The outlet is chef-driven, and the service is exemplary. The restaurants’ ambiance is pleasant and inviting. Food is served either as a 3-course, 5, 7, or 12-course meal. We had the 7-course dinner and wine pairing – the experience was magical. Our favorites were the short ribs and beef tartar. The food presentation was splendid, and the food, drinks, and dessert were all flavorful. This is one of the best South End restaurants in Charlotte. We are definitely coming back here.
Photo credit: facebook
Fairwood 226
226 Fairwood Ave, Charlotte, NC
(980) 309-0463
The setting is intimate and casual, and you can even walk in wearing sweatpants. Fairwood is famous for its local craft drinks, which are as mesmerizing as their food. Wine and dine and enjoy breathtaking views from their outdoor seating setup. We relished in their delicious mac and cheese with smoked brisket, soft pretzel with beer cheese, and smoked chicken wings. The firewood nachos (Jalapenos, grilled chicken, sour cream, lettuce, fire-roasted salsa, and white corn tortilla chips) were to die for. We made a note to revisit this outlet next time we are in the neighborhood.
Photo credit: www.300east.net
300 East
300 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203
(704) 332-6507
300 East has been in the historic Dilworth neighborhood since 1986. While brunch may largely be a modern and trendy food, 300 East has been serving this food for decades so you can count on it being frill-free as well as fantastic.
The Breakfast Tacos, with chorizo, crispy potatoes, eggs, and queso fresco, are a classic; as is the Grit Bowl with your choice of four additions, such as avocado, Nueske’s Bacon, and Pickled Jalapeño. But for a truly unique dish, the Breakfast Pizza is made with a delicious house crust and topped with red sauce, chorizo, cheddar-jack cheese, scallions, queso fresco, and fried eggs. You can also pair it with cocktails such as their own concoctions or classics like Irish Coffee or a Bloody Mary.
Photo credit: queenparksocial.com
Queen Park Social
4125 Yancey Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
(980) 819-5626
Sure, booze is fun and all, but what about bowling, shooting hoops, and playing Pac-Man? Queen Park Social has those and so much more, with experiences from going digitally fishing to playing board games. Throw in a cold brew or pineapple martini and plenty of beers on tap and you’ll have a blast hanging in the South End.
Hit up happy hour in style with amazing deals on eats and drinks at the best bars in Charlotte – we spill on when to go and what to order.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on September 27, 2021 and last updated on October 17, 2023. Please refer to restaurant websites and social media pages for the most up-to-date information.
Featured Blog Posts
13 Scenic Rooftop Restaurants in Charlotte
Charlotte’s continuous growth and ever-changing skyline means more rooftops to dine and drink on! There’s now plenty of charming places for rooftop brews and swanky lounges. So which are the best rooftop restaurants in Charlotte? Continue reading to find all the very best elevated rooftop bars in Charlotte that are totally worth a visit!
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.
Best Christmas Bars/Pop-Ups in Charlotte, NC
Between November and early January, a few of our favorite cocktail bars and rooftop destinations transform into a winter wonderland. From snow and Christmas trees to bright twinkly lights and every kind of festive cocktail perfect for celebrating the season, Christmas pop-up bars are springing to life all over Charlotte, North Carolina. When we are ready to try our hand at landing on the Naughty List, we love to grab a friend and hit up one of these spots for a wintery good time during the holiday season.
The Top Spots for Carolina BBQ in Charlotte
And Charlotte has pretty amazing foods. You only need to be willing to try out something new to experience the richness in this city. Among these incredible eateries, joints are barbeque spots. These BBQ spots offer you a taste of Charlotte’s finest smoked meat mastery and artistry infused with years of training and traditions.