Traditional Southern food includes staples like fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and veggies seasoned with ham or bacon grease. “New Southern” is a broad term that includes mash-ups like Nashville hot chicken deviled eggs and peach fritter doughnuts. As a city of transplants, Charlotte’s got a bit of everything. From barbecue ribs to Creole gumbo, we’ve provided a sampling of the region’s countless cuisines and where to find them in Charlotte.
Leah & Louise’s Mojo Hash. Photo by Peter Taylor.
FEATURED RESTAURANT
Leah & Louise
301 Camp Road, Ste. 10
980-309-0690
Husband-and-wife team Greg and Subrina Collier modeled this restaurant after a “juke joint,” a place African-Americans would go for “booze and blues” in the Deep South beginning in the Jim Crow era. Greg, the James Beard-nominated chef and Soul Food Sessions co-founder, serves dishes inspired by the Lower Mississippi River Valley soul food he grew up with. For a true taste of the Delta, order the Quail of 2 Chiles, hot fried quail with pickled celery on top of a warm blue cheese biscuit you won’t want to share. The “Shugahs” menu has treats like the Arthur Lou, a yang tart with ginger meringue and oatmeal crust, and the Crepe Cake, a pear fritter with cardamom whipped cream.
Hello, Sailor
20210 Henderson Road, Cornelius
704-997-5365
Davidson’s sweethearts Joe and Katy Kindred opened this lakefront spot. Expect Carolina classics like fried catfish and seafood platters, as well as tiki drinks.
Leroy Fox
705 S. Sharon Amity Road
704-366-3232
A casual eatery known for its fried chicken, Leroy Fox serves Southern classics and upscale pub grub, with an additional location in South End.
Haberdish
3106 N. Davidson St.
704-817-1084
Southern appetizers, fried chicken, and apothecary cocktails from Colleen Hughes draw a hip crowd to this mill town southern kitchen.
Dish
1220 Thomas Ave.
704-344-0343
A neighborhood joint with an eclectic clientele, good, down-home Southern food, and a funky wait staff.
At Midwood’s Huntersville location, Executive Pitmaster Matt Barry presents a plate of burnt ends with slaw and greens and pecan cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream. Photograph by Peter Taylor.
Midwood Smokehouse
1401 Central Ave.
704-295-4227
With North Carolina pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked chicken, and dry or sauced ribs, there’s a ’cue for everyone—and traditional sides to pair. The restaurant has a number of Charlotte locations including Ballantyne and Park Road Shopping Center, but the Plaza Midwood spot is its flagship post.
The Eagle Food & Beer Hall
2120 South Blvd., Ste. 1
704-780-1570
Feast on fried chicken with a side of house made hot honey, plus comfort food sides like mac & cheese, collards, and hushpuppies.
Mac’s Speed Shop
2511 South Blvd.
704-522-6227
Solid barbecue and cold beer (150 choices) in a motorcycle-themed space draw fun-loving crowds, with additional locations in Matthews and Lake Norman.
The Flipside Café
3150 Hwy. 21 N., Fort Mill
803-802-1711
Chefs Jon and Amy Fortes’ first restaurant makes you feel right at home, but the food lets you know it ain’t your mama in the kitchen.
Dogwood Southern Table + Bar
4905 Ashley Park Lane, Ste. D
704-910-4919
Dine on Shrimp & Grits, Duck & Dumplings, and Crab & Chorizo Hushpuppies at this rustic SouthPark restaurant.
Southern Pecan’s Louisiana BBQ Shrimp with red beans and rice. Photo by Peter Taylor.
Southern Pecan
6705 Phillips Place Ct., Ste. C
704-749-2949
The team behind Café Monte serves Gulf Coast-inspired cuisine like Pecan Fried Catfish, Louisiana Barbecue Shrimp, and Oyster Po’ boys.
204 North
204 N. Tryon St.
704-333-3747
This uptown spot with modern Southern food is best for cocktails and conversation at the bar.
The Asbury
235 N. Tryon St.
704-342-1193
Chef Mike Long’s menu mixes countryside favorites like biscuits and deviled eggs with bold flavors and contemporary techniques.
Haymaker
225 S. Poplar St.
704-626-6116
Enjoy locally and seasonally inspired dishes from chef William Dissen in this bright, stylish space next to Romare Bearden Park.
The King’s Kitchen
129 W. Trade St.
704-375-1990
Chef Jim Noble’s restaurant, which serves traditional Southern fare, donates profits to faith-based feeding centers and employs troubled youth and people who have just come out of rehab or prison.
McNinch House
511 N. Church St.
704-332-6159
Guests order from a daily prix fixe menu (ranging from five to nine courses), choose their wine and entrées, and the staff takes care of the rest.
Mert’s Heart and Soul
214 N. College St.
704-342-4222
James Bazzelle’s pride and joy serves down-home Southern cooking with a dash of Lowcountry in an uptown place.
Noble Smoke
2216 Freedom Dr.
704-703-5252
Feast on Carolina-style pork and Texas-style brisket, and grab a drink at the “Legends Counter” with custom plaques for Southern barbecue icons.
Supperland
1212 The Plaza
704-817-7514
Jamie Brown and Jeff Tonidandel, the spouses and business partners who also own Haberdish, Growler’s Pourhouse, and Reigning Doughnuts, transformed a 69-year-old former church into a restaurant and cocktail bar. Think Southern steakhouse-meets-church potluck.
Sweet Lew’s
923 Belmont Ave.
980-224-7584
It’s not uncommon for this Belmont “shack” to sell out of its brisket and chopped pork shoulder.