Best Restaurants in Charlotte, NC for Couples
The familiar saying the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach is dated today. Really, anyone can probably be wooed with the right romantic setting and good food. This round-up of some of the best restaurants in Charlotte NC for couples can help you find your culinary match.
Charlotte’s best restaurants run the gamut. You can find every type of cuisine and all different styles of restaurant in the Queen City.
When you’re looking for best restaurants in Uptown Charlotte check out Sea Level NC, Fin & Fino, La Belle Helene, or Stoke.
Sea Level NC is an inventive seafood restaurant with an industrial feel sourcing its offerings from the Carolinas coast when possible. Or, if you’re really up for oysters, check out Fin & Fino, nearby the Mint Museum Uptown. The Treatment is a full-on foodie experience with the server and chef taking you on a customized tour of the menu.
La Belle Helene will make you feel like you’re in a Parisian brasserie. This Uptown eatery was actually designed by a French designer inspired by “19th century French covered passage architecture and romantic skylit evenings.” Start your evening off with escargots or onion soup, just bring breath mints!
Stoke is actually located in the Marriott City Center, but don’t let that dissuade you. Although, you might want to gauge beforehand whether you’re a couple that likes eating family-style. Stoke serves up local ingredients wood-fired in its 600-degree oven.
South End is another area to explore for Best Restaurants in Charlotte. Zeppelin is a welcoming restaurant with intimate table seating. Even if you don’t like bourbon, hope that someone orders an Uncle Eddy while you’re there. The cold smoked cocktail comes to the guest’s table in a smoke-filled container. When the server lifts the lid, you’ll swear you’re at a chateau by a wood-burning fire.
Or check out Bardo. There are under 20 tables at Bardo, a small plate and cocktail spot where you can watch the chefs at work. Or you might try Link & Pin, one of the newer additions to Charlotte’s restaurant scene. Named for the nearby railroad line, this restaurant describes itself as an “elegant yet rustic” gastropub. For southern flair, try the Chicken and Waffles.
Dot Dot Dot is a storage unit turned speakeasy in Park Road Shopping Center. You’ll go around the back of the strip mall to take a seat in this Prohibition-style spot. Dot Dot Dot is known for its craft cocktails, but the food menu is focused on shareable small plates.
Baku is a Japanese Robata Lounge just across the street from South Park Mall. You can try a la carte sushi, maki rolls, hot or cold small plates, sashimi or specialties such as the Grilled Duck. Specialty cocktails here are mixed with yuzu or sake to give an Asian flavor.
Barrington’s is a small South Park-area venue with just a dozen or so tables. The service here is stellar with people who have been working for chef-owner Bruce Moffett for years. Enjoy high end American fare in this intimate setting. You might enjoy a glass at Foxcroft Wine Co. before or after dining at this top Charlotte restaurant.
Moffett is also the owner of Stagioni in Myers Park. This is a cozy Italian restaurant in what looks like a converted villa. On Valentine’s Day it will be serving only a set menu $85 per person. The four-course menu includes options such as pork shoulder, lobster stuffed beef tortellini, or baked oysters. If you go another day, know that the wood-fired pizzas are served with scissors to cut your pie. You didn’t know you needed to do that until you try it!
Another popular option from Moffett is Good Food on Montford. The restaurant now accepts reservations through Resy, which can eliminate the notoriously long wait times from this hot spot. However, walk-ins often enjoy bowling at nearby 10 Park Lanes or grabbing a drink at Brazewlls Pub while waiting. Some favorites to try at Good Food include the gnocchi with pancetta, squash, mushrooms and sage cream or the steamed bun with five-spice rubbed pork belly. The Biscoff ice cream is a must at dessert.
Up in NoDa, a great spot for couples is the Crepe Cellar. It’s a cozy gastropub serving up sandwiches, burgers, and daily specials. But the real draw is the savory or sweet crepes. Trying to decide between the Brownie in a Blanket or Bananas Foster might put a dent in your companionship for the night. You should probably get both!
Over in Plaza Midwood, another of Charlotte’s great neighborhoods, you’ll want to visit Soul Gastrolounge. You can enjoy Soul Original sushi rolls, meat skewers, sashimi, or salads (including a yummy Guacamole stack). Or try the Asian-glazed pork belly tacos with watermelon salsa.
Open Table analyzed more than 400,000 of its member reviews to determine its most romantic restaurants in Charlotte. On that list?
The Melting Pot in Midtown is a fine-dining fondue restaurant. You can enjoy dunking bread in cheese, meats and veg in hot broth, or just go right to the chocolate dipping!
Primo Prime in Myers Park is one of the restaurants in Charlotte NC loved by those who know it. Found above the casual Italian eatery Zio, Primo Prime is an upscale Italian experience from the same chef-owner, Joe. Serving Italian fine food since 1993, this restaurant is known for its Beef Carpaccio, Rack of Lamb, and pasta dishes.
Bonterra in Dilworth offers foods “From the Sea” or “From the Farm” and also boasts a wood-fired oven. Start off with the lobster bisque, which is served table side.
Customshop in Elizabeth combines Italian, French, and Spanish influences with New American innovation. The casually elegant restaurant has a global wine list and a rustic chic appeal.
Really, you can’t go hungry with all these Charlotte restaurants to choose from. Just looking for things to do in Charlotte NC? Check out our recent roundup for couples or some of our articles tied to the holidays or other times of year.
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