What’s new, what’s opening and what’s to eat this week in Charlotte
Between back-to-school chaos, new restaurants opening and a rare acquisition at one of uptown’s most-loved museums, there’s a lot happening in Charlotte right now.
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If you missed today’s CharlotteFive newsletter, here’s your fast take on what to eat, where to go and what to know — no endless scrolling required. ☕
South End is about to get a serious Mexican dining upgrade. Raíces, from husband-and-wife restaurateurs Alfonso Bravo and Amalia Macias, opens in September — and Evan got an early taste.
The couple has built five concepts across South Carolina over the past 15 years, but this is their first Charlotte spot. Chef TJ Steele, who worked at the Michelin-starred Oaxaca-inspired restaurant Claro in Brooklyn, is leading the kitchen. Behind the bar is award-winning mixologist Edson Sanchez, who developed an agave-focused cocktail program built around Mexican spirits.
Expect regional cuisine from Jalisco and Oaxaca, with handmade tortillas, open-fire cooking, seafood, ceviches, aguachiles and traditional moles. Standouts from the early tasting included a heirloom tomato and watermelon salad with queso oaxaca, a Carne en su Jugo taco with ribeye and heirloom beans, and scallops served with a bright mole verde. 📍 1422 S Tryon St Ste 140, Charlotte
NoDa favorite The Goodyear House is expanding right next door. Goodyear Bar officially opens Thursday, Aug. 27, pouring specialty coffee and espresso by day and craft cocktails after dark.
It’s a bittersweet transition. Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor — the Built on Hospitality lounge that debuted in early 2025 as an ode to beverage director Bob Peters’ late father — held its last service Sunday, Aug. 23. Goodyear Bar takes its place in the same space.
Morning coffee and espresso come from Night Swim Coffee. Lauren Long, bar and event manager for The Goodyear House, leads the evening cocktail program — think signature espresso, chai and matcha martinis. The menu also features light bites from The Goodyear House’s seasonal lineup. 🍸 📍 3024 N Davidson St, Charlotte. 🍸 Read Tanasia’s take.
Tutoring, homework, sports, band, theater — weeknight dinner is not winning right now. Several Charlotte restaurants are stepping in with affordable family meals, ranging from $25 to $140 depending on the spot and headcount. A few worth bookmarking:
🌮 El Malo in Plaza Midwood offers customizable taco Family Packs serving four to six people ($65) or eight to 10 ($130). You get corn and flour tortillas, two proteins, escabeche, house-made salsas, rice, beans and chips.
🇬🇷 Illios Crafted Greek, a CharlotteFive Readers’ Choice finalist for best Greek food, has a family meal for three to four ($44.95) — Greek rotisserie chicken, lamb gyro or pork souvla, plus two sides, pita and sauce. Salmon is a $12 upgrade.
🍕 Little Mama’s in SouthPark and South Charlotte has family-sized chicken or eggplant Parmesan ($53 and $32) that feeds two to three. Pro tip: Call it in and ask for rolls.
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🥧 Thoughtful Baking’s new Oakhurst location has a family-sized pot pie ($32) with pasture-raised chicken and a butter crust.
🥙 Yafo Kitchen locations are running Family Meal packs for three to four ($35) through September — Greek lemon or shawarma chicken, hummus, rice, salad, pita and sauces.
🍽️ See Heidi’s full dinner guide.
The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art did something it’s only done once before: it bought a painting. The acquisition — “Drum Call” (2025), a watercolor by Houston artist David McGee — marks only the second painting purchase in the museum’s 16-year history.
The work depicts a Black Civil War soldier standing beside a tall drum and was created to mark the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth. McGee has spent 30-plus years exploring identity, history and the politics of representation.
“David McGee’s work bridges history, literature and lived experiences in ways that invite viewers into meaningful conversations,” Executive Director Todd Smith said in a statement.
The CharlotteFive Readers’ Choice best bakery poll is entering its final rounds. The Top 5 finalists:
The fourth round narrows it to the Top 2 — voting is live until noon Wednesday, Aug. 26. The final round runs until Aug. 28. 🧁
🗳️ Cast your vote with Heidi here.
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This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists. To learn more about how The Charlotte Observer is using AI in our newsroom, see our policy here.
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