Upscale restaurant, lounge led by Michelin Bib-awarded chef opens in South End

Zamindar’s Club House has officially opened its doors, bringing an experience “rooted in the rich history, flavors, and traditions of Indian cuisine” to the heart of South End Charlotte.

The fine dining restaurant and cocktail lounge kicked off its soft opening Saturday, June 6, at 155 New Bern Street. The space was most recently home to Link & Pin, which shuttered its flagship restaurant in early 2025 after five years in business, CharlotteFive previously reported.

Link & Pin’s other locations — in Huntersville and at The Arboretum Shopping Center in South Charlotte — are still open.

Zamindar’s draws on the nostalgia of royal houses, grandiose feasts and gatherings of “India’s yesteryears,” according to a restaurant description.

The 7,500-square-foot space includes a 65-seat dining room that feels “more traditionally Indian,” plus a swanky cocktail lounge called Regiment One55 inspired by British colonial-era social clubs, Axios Charlotte reported.

The restaurant’s outdoor patio, dotted with colorful planters and umbrellas, also seats up to 30 people.

“This is something I’ve been planning and putting together for the last 10 years,” owner David Pandoria told CharlotteFive. “This is a dream I’ve had for quite some time.”

Pandoria made a name for himself as a DJ before stepping into sales leadership roles with Fortune 500 companies. It was a life-changing cancer diagnosis in 2023 that led him to pivot from corporate life and pursue his passion for food and hospitality.

“Don’t give up; anything can happen” Pandoria said, adding that he hopes his story is an inspiration to others.

Michelin-Bib Gourmand Chef Vamshi Adi is at the helm of Zamindar’s culinary experience.

Adi opened his first restaurant, Gazab, near New York City’s East Village in 2021, followed by the debut of Ishq in 2024. Now, Charlotteans can get a first taste of his contemporary take on traditional Indian dishes.

“I didn’t come to Charlotte to open another Indian restaurant,” Adi said in a video shared to the restaurant’s Instagram page. “I came to change what people expect from Indian food.”

“We’re bringing flavors inspired by royal kitchens, street food, regional specialties and recipes that most people outside India have never experienced,” he said.

Menu highlights include:

Zamindar’s official grand opening is slated for the weekend of June 27, Pandoria said. Reservations will open a week in advance.

Location: 155 New Bern St, Charlotte, NC 28203

Cuisine: Indian fine dining, cocktail lounge

Instagram: @zamindars.clubhouse

This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 6:00 AM.