No Duh! Why NoDa is Charlotte’s Trendiest Neighborhood

Living in NoDa (North Davidson – Charlotte’s arts district) has its perks, and it’s easy to find them. One of the most walkable and colorful neighborhoods in the city, NoDa Charlotte is filled with food, music, art, shopping, and coffee, and most of it is within a five-minute walk. And with Saussy Burbank’s Highland Park townhomes in NoDa now under construction, we’ve enjoyed exploring the best of what the neighborhood has to offer. 

With the LYNX Blue Line Extension on the Light Rail, NoDa is connected with the rest of Charlotte in a way it’s never been before – a beautiful city where there’s plenty of real estate and new Charlotte homes for sale.

Things To Do in NoDa 

There’s no better spot to start the day than at Smelly Cat Coffeehouse and Roastery, where you can sit on the patio and watch the neighborhood come to life, while enjoying Smelly Cat’s signature dark roast or a latte. Or opt for Trade & Lore Coffee, where you can try coffee and tea drinks made with local produce and locally foraged ingredients. A third coffee spot is Crown Station Coffeehouse & Pub.

Smelly Cat Coffeehouse and Roastery, 514 E 36th St

Trade & Lore Coffee, 3306 N Davidson St

Crown Station Coffeehouse & Pub, 3629 N Davidson St

Transit in NoDa

With the new light rail station at 36th Street, living in NoDa means an easy ride to the rest of Charlotte without the hassles of traffic or parking. Our townhomes at Highland Park will be just a short walk from the 36th St Station. Take the train to work Uptown, for cultural events at UNC Charlotte, to breweries in the Historic South End and everywhere in between.

LYNX Blue Line, 36th Street Station, 434 E 36th St

Places to Eat in NoDa

The biggest challenge for both foodies and just plain hungry people living in NoDa is choosing where to eat, because there are so many tempting choices. Haberdish, named by Southern Living as one of the south’s 10 best restaurants, serves up mill town inspired dishes and boasts one of Charlotte’s most exciting cocktail programs. Cabo Fish Taco blends coastal Mexican cuisine with a Southern Californian feel. Or grab a burrito from Sabor Latin Street Grill. Or go sweet or savory at Crepe Cellar Kitchen, get a taste of the bayou at Boudreaux’s Louisiana Kitchen, or explore Charlotte’s best macaroni and cheese offerings at Jack Beagles. If you’re hungry at 4 a.m., Amelie’s French Bakery & Café is there for you. It never closes. Ever.

Haberdish, 3106 N Davidson St

Cabo Fish Taco, 3201 N Davidson St

Sabor Latin Street Grill, 3205 N Davidson St

Crepe Cellar Kitchen, 3116 N Davidson St

Boudreaux’s Louisiana Kitchen, 501 E 36th St

Jack Beagles, 3213 N Davidson St

Amelie’s French Bakery & Café, 2424 N Davidson St

Hanging Out in NoDa

NoDa Company Store has become an indispensable part of living in NoDa. Enjoy live music on the patio, shop at the weekly NoDa Farmers’ Market, have a beer or a glass of homemade Sangria, and eat from food trucks. Or have a beer at The Dog Bar while your pup meets some new pals. Salud Cerveceria, which shares a space with Trade & Lore Coffee, is another spot to hang out.

NoDa Company Store, 3221 Yadkin Ave

The Dog Bar, 3307 N Davidson St

Salud Cerveceria, 3306-C N Davidson St

Staying Active in NoDa

It’s easy to stay active when you live somewhere that’s as walkable as NoDa. But if you need a little more movement, Johnston YMCA can meet those fitness needs.

Johnston YMCA, 3025 N Davidson St

Nightlife in NoDa

NoDa is home to the best listening room in Charlotte. The Evening Muse is a cozy spot that offers impeccable sound for folk, jazz, rock, and any other kind of music you can imagine. For larger shows, go to the historic Neighborhood Theatre. If you walk around NoDa any weekend night, you’ll also hear music emanating from many other establishments, like breweries and restaurants. Even a tattoo shop, Canvas Tattoo & Art Gallery, hosts shows. Local bar The Blind Pig features foosball, darts, and lots of TV screens, and is open until 2 a.m. every day. Just a little bit down the street, Abari Game Bar, Charlotte’s first arcade bar, offers craft beer, cocktails, specialty sodas, arcade games, pinball, and classic console games.

The Evening Muse, 3227 N Davidson St

Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E 36th St

Canvas Tattoo & Art Gallery, 3012 N Davidson St

The Blind Pig NoDa, 453 E 36th St

Abari Game Bar, 1721 N Davidson St

NoDa Breweries

To say that the brewery scene has exploded in Charlotte would be an understatement, and NoDa is no exception. It’s home to a growing number of breweries, each with its own specialties and ambience. Several offer brewery tours.

Free Range Brewing, 2320 N Davidson St

Heist Brewery, 2909 N Davidson St

Bold Missy, 610 Anderson Street

NoDa Brewing Company, 2921 N Tryon Street

Divine Barrel Brewing, 3701 N Davidson St

Birdsong Brewing Co., 1016 N Davidson St

Shopping in NoDa

NoDa’s shopping scene is as eye-catching as the rest of the neighborhood. Shop for clothing, jewelry, art, and more from around the world at Pura Vida Worldly Art. Dig through racks of vintage clothing and Charlotte’s best collection of vintage cowboy boots at The Rat’s Nest. Or shop for gifts from Charlotte artists at Ruby’s Gift.

Pura Vida Worldly Art, 3202 N Davidson St

The Rat’s Nest, 442 E 36th St

Ruby’s Gift, 3204 N Davidson Street

Art in NoDa – Charlotte’s Arts District

Hart Witzen is a focal point for art in NoDa, studio space for artists, and a 5,000 square foot gallery. But art is part of every business in NoDa, from the music venues to the coffee shops, to the hair salons. Just look on the walls and you’ll see art. Much of the art is from artists working or living in NoDa. Osiris Rain, the founder of North Carolina Academy of Art, is responsible for many of the impressive murals in the neighborhood. David French is known for his imaginative paintings of Charlotte landmarks. And Lori Love is an award-winning mixed-media artist who uses materials like vinyl, fiberglass, and plastic to create stunning portraits of musical icons. If you want to give your eyes a treat in NoDa, all you need to do is look around. Or check out the locations below to bring the art back into your Charlotte townhome!

Hart Witzen, 136 E 36th Street

Osiris Rain Studios, 3224-B Benard Ave

David French Originals, 3442 Spencer St

Lori Love, Hart Witzen, 136 E 36th Street