Rooftops, waterfronts and dives: A foodie’s guide to a weekend in Charlotte

Charlotte has a growing reputation as a food city, and there’s no shortage of great dining options for newcomers and visitors, along with people in the know.

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Whether you’re looking for a gourmet meal or some snacks and craft beer, there’s something for everyone in the Queen City.

What are my qualifications? Aside from being CharlotteFive’s food writer for all of three months, I’ve lived in the Charlotte area my entire life and have had the chance to try some amazing food over the years. So, just take my word for it.

If you’re planning to visit Charlotte soon, here’s a guide with some restaurants to check out during your stay.

I’m not a huge coffee drinker, but you can’t go wrong with any of these spots for a morning cup of joe:

If you’re a first-time visitor to the Tar Heel State, you have to try the barbecue.

North Carolina is known for its pork barbecue, but a longstanding debate divides the state: Is vinegar-based sauce or tomato-based sauce the better match for smoked pork? It depends on who you ask, but check out these places for some quality ‘cue:

If you’re only exploring for a day or two, here are a few Charlotte institutions to check out:

Charlotte has its fair share of fine dining options, but there are plenty of places where dinner for two won’t break the bank.

I write a series for CharlotteFive called “On a Budget,” where I visit Charlotte restaurants to see how much food I can get for $25. Here are a few of my favorites:

Charlotte has a handful of rooftops with excellent views of the skyline, perfect for Instagram. Here are some of my favorites (but be warned: all of these spots are pricey):

If you’re in town while your favorite team is playing, here’s where to catch the game:

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If you’re focused on health, these spots offer plenty of nutritious options, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes:

If you’re into people watching and want to get out of uptown, head to South End, NoDa or Plaza Midwood. I’ve seen at least one person wipe out on an electric scooter at most of these places.

Here are some spots to check out:

SouthPark is Charlotte’s most popular shopping destination, home to luxury retailers and many of the city’s top restaurants. Here’s where to eat while you shop:

New York is the “city that never sleeps,” and sometimes it seems like Charlotte is the opposite of that. But here are a few spots to check out if you’re up late:

There are an overwhelming number of breweries in Charlotte. They all have good beer, but these spots are among my favorites because they serve good food:

Like pretty much everywhere else, cocktails are expensive in Charlotte. Some places make it worth it, though:

If you’re looking for more cheap drinks and less of a bougie vibe, head to one of these dive bars:

Lake Wylie and Lake Norman are just a short drive away from Charlotte, and both offer plenty of waterfront dining options:

Dessert is my area of expertise, and these are my favorite places to go in Charlotte for sweets:

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