The 21 best meals we ate all year: Here are our favorite Charlotte-area restaurants in 2024
Y’all, this is our favorite story of the year.
CharlotteFive covers our city’s restaurant scene all year long, so our minds are constantly on food: We write about restaurant openings and closings. We feature chefs doing things — fun things, famous things, unusual things — in the kitchen. We cover Classic Eats that have been serving up the staples for decades and new places experimenting with menus.
And at the end of the year, we tell you our favorite meal of the year from a local restaurant. This is not an easy choice to make — we eat a lot of terrific meals!
But before you peek at our list of favorites, we want to know your best meal of the year at a local restaurant, too. Click here to fill out our survey to let us know!
Now that you’ve done that, here are the 21 best meals we ate in the Charlotte area in 2024:
Aqua e Vino
Location: 4219 Providence Rd #3, Charlotte, NC 28211
Writer: Kayleigh Ruller
What I ate: Cauliflower flan with bechamel and black truffle, rock shrimp risotto, braised short ribs with carrots and tiramisu.
Price: Some items were off-menu; the braised short rib is $45.
Do not get me wrong, I’m certainly one with an inclination toward small plates and sprightly, orange-hued wines. But, when Chef Gabriele Grigolon at Aqua e Vino told me he would surprise me with an array of classic Northern Italian dishes — with handpicked bottles of prosecco to start and pinot noir to finish — I could only say yes.
Chef “Grigo” brought out cauliflower flan draped in bechamel and black truffle, hearty rock shrimp risotto, nostalgic braised short ribs with tender carrots and a single tiramisu to finish. Each dish had pointed, lifted flavors, as if I was tasting them for the first time. The chewy mouthfeel of the risotto and the custardy melt from the savory flan was such a humbling display of true, long-honed technique. The meal put anything flashy and haute to rest, reminding me of the pleasure of a long, slow, simple meal made by someone who has dedicated their whole life to feeding others.
The Crunkleton
Location: 1957 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
Writer: DeAnna Taylor
What I ate: Steak and Eggs + N/A cocktail
Price: $38 for the food and $15 for the drink
The Crunkleton is always a go-to for me. But, when I saw that they extended the brunch hours until 3 p.m., it only deepened my love since I tend to move slow on weekend mornings.
I always grab a seat at the bar because it allows me to interact with the bar staff and even get suggestions on bevies to try. This visit, I went with a bartender n/a suggestion, as I’m not really big on cocktails. He whipped something up based on my preferred flavor profile — something light yet refreshing, and it must have citrus. For my meal, I went with the classic steak and eggs, medium of course. I also subbed out the garlic and herb fries that usually come with the entrée for cheese grits. It was literally perfection. The steak was seasoned well with charred edges, just how I like it. There were no leftovers, because it was all too good to not eat at that moment!
Curry Gate
Location: 630 W 24th St. Charlotte, NC 28206
Location: 5516 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Location: 1240 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Matthews, NC 28105
Writer: Paige Masten
What I ate: Chicken tikka masala and garlic naan
Price: $25
Some of the best Indian food I’ve had anywhere is from Curry Gate. My roommate and I can’t get enough of it. Nothing else really comes close! It’s one of my favorite places to get takeout because not only is it delicious, the portions are huge — one entree can last me at least three meals, especially if I order extra rice! My go-to is usually chicken tikka masala, but I also love the butter chicken. It’s smooth, flavorful and warm — the perfect meal to curl up with during the wintertime. Don’t forget to order some garlic naan on the side! (Fair warning: the spice levels are stronger than you’d think, especially with the tikka masala, so don’t overestimate what you can handle.)
East Meets West Dinner
Private residence in Concord
Writer: Emiene Wright
What I ate: Rice fritters with tamarind sauce, groundnut soup, Swahili-style pilau rice with braised short ribs and kachumbari salad, stuffed quail, and a lamugee ice cream dessert
Price: $125
East Meets West, a collaborative dinner series between Ghanaian chef Awo Amenumey and Tanzanian chef Ammalu Saleh, immerses diners in a culinary meetup of Africa’s coasts. Each dinner is themed, with several courses that guide guests through an overview of the countries’ most celebrated dishes. If your only experience with African food is Ethiopian, you are in for a delight of bright, tangy fruit and warm, complex savory flavors.
My favorite bite was the baobab-hibiscus ice drop. Somewhere between a sorbet and an Italian ice, the custardy flavor of baobab balanced the tartness of the hibiscus, while notes of vanilla and orange left a satisfying finish on the tongue.
Chef Ammalu opened a new shop, Serengeti Kitchen, uptown at The Market at 7th Street days before Thanksgiving, so stop by if you can’t wait for the next East Meets West dinner. Follow both chefs at @serengeti.kitchen and @eh_vivi on Instagram.
El Puro Cuban Restaurant
Location: 5033 South Blvd, Charlotte NC 28217
Writer: Denise Casalez
What I ate: Ropa Veija, shredded brisket in a creole sauce with a side of congri rice and sweet plantain.
Price: $30
One thing that I admire about Charlotte is its diverse ray of Latin dishes across the city. Whether you’re in the mood for Mexican, Colombian, Cuban – Charlotte has it. One of my favorite dishes can be found here: El Puro Cuban Restaurant.
The menu has some of your Cuban classics but something about the Ropa Vieja brings me back everytime; pair it with a piña colada ($16) and it’s like a match made in heaven. The environment plus the live music makes it seem like you teleported to one of Miami’s hottest Cuban places.
The soft brisket paired with this fresh tomato sauce (with a nice kick of heat) just melts in your mouth – I’m a cook but there’s just some dishes I can’t even master myself. Then you have the Cuban beans, rice and sweet plantains that make the perfect side dishes.
Ever Andalo
Location: 3116 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Writer: Rana Cash
What I ate: Calabrian crab cakes
Price: $30
As much as I adore crab cakes, I generally avoid inevitable disappointment by not ordering them at restaurants. But I found the description on the Ever Andalo weekend brunch menu — lump crab cake, lemon focaccia breadcrumbs, chive cream sauce, calabrian chili oil and charred lemon — irresistible.
After the first bite into one of the three tender crab medallions, my tastebuds were so overwhelmed with delight, I had to rest my fork for a moment to gather myself. The sweet crab was the star of the show with the subtle lemon breadcrumbs serving as a light binder. I’m barely able to tolerate spicy foods, so my server — one of the best I’ve had anywhere in Charlotte — made the wise suggestion to hold the chili oil and instead offered a bit more of the chive cream sauce.
Despite the petite size of the crab cakes, I was more than satisfied because of the decadence of the crab. It didn’t hurt that I started my meal with the housemade burrata with orange marmalade on grilled focaccia (also housemade). This is a meal that will be on my mind for sometime to come.
Greco Fresh Grille — NoDa
Location: 730 E 36th St B, Charlotte, NC 28205
Writer: Melissa Oyler
What I ate: Traditional Greek Salad and the Veggie One with extra tzatziki (bowl)
Price: $24.25
Greco Fresh Grille is a local staple, with 9 locations in the Charlotte area. So when one landed in my neighborhood in NoDa, I knew I was in for a treat, but I honestly didn’t expect to be blown away. I honestly expected it to be akin to many other fast-casual restaurants: Fast and good, but not really memorable.
With my first bite of Greek salad, I knew I was wrong. Everything was so fresh! My veggie bowl was of an impressive size, with hearty portions of everything (including tzatziki. In fact, it almost had too much falafel — I found myself wishing I could do half falafel and half grilled veggies instead of having to pick just one.
One last note is that as a vegetarian, I’m used to having just a few choices at most Greek restaurants. This is not the case at Greco Fresh — I had several options!
Haraz Coffee House
Location: 1204 Central Ave #100, Charlotte, NC 28204
Writer: Desiree Mathurin
What I ate: Iced Pistachio Latte w/ Oat Milk and an almond croissant
Price: Around $15
I heard about Haraz before I moved to Charlotte in July. A friend moved to Matthews in May and told me Haraz was one of her first stops. She’s a foodie, so I knew she wasn’t lying when she said it was great. She also said the apartment building across the street seemed like a nice place to live. When I called to see if any units were available, there were! I was fully prepared to call this place home, especially with the prospect of having a good coffee spot two feet from my front door. That apartment didn’t work for us (my partner and my cat) and I’m glad it didn’t because at this point I would be washing dishes at Haraz to pay for my coffee.
I’ve had my share of pistachio-flavored coffee from nice shops to Dunkin Donuts. None of them come close to actually tasting like pistachio the way Haraz tasted. Add to that the “Haraz spice,” which definitely has some cinnamon in it, I had to stop myself from chugging it. The pistachio flavor was a little sweet, nutty and the espresso was nice and strong, and again underneath the flavor was the after taste of that cinnamon-y spice. The almond croissant I had was also really fresh and didn’t have that artificial almond paste taste some pastries can have. I went tame for my first visit but I can’t wait to go back. My next order will definitely be something traditional! And a Turkish coffee on the side because I haven’t had one in a while!
Ilios Noche
Location: 11508 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Writer: Mari Pressley
What I had: Calabrese Campenella with a Passion Fruit Mojito mocktail and vanilla gelato for dessert.
Price: $45.95
My meal at Ilios Noche was hands-down the best I’ve had all year, not just because of the passion fruit mojito mocktail — a subtly sweet way to set the tone for the night — but because the Calabrese Campanella stole the show. With braised lamb, zucchini, Kalamata olives and shaved parmesan, I was completely won over even though I don’t usually go for lamb or zucchini. Trying something I didn’t expect to love made it all the more memorable.
And most importantly, the dessert was unforgettable — vanilla gelato topped with orange-scented EVOO, candied grapefruit and sea salt. The perfect nectarous finish to my meal!
Las Pupusas Deli
Location: 2615 Little Rock Rd, Charlotte, NC 28214
Writer: Diamond Vences
What I ate: Two cheese pupusas and a horchata
Price: Pupusas are $3.69 each
If you enjoy pizza, you’ll love this Salvadoran classic that you should top with the tomato sauce, carrots, and cabbage — similar to the slaw — that it comes with. This place used to be a genuine delicatessen that could easily compete with Subway any day. After school, I played soccer at West Meck, and on game days, the girl’s team would walk up the road to grab a bite to eat here. Now it’s a fantastic Salvadoran eatery that still includes “Deli” in their name, and I love them for that. Also, if you want to see airplanes so close that you feel like you can touch them, just pop a squat outside. Order ahead if it’s Sunday, you’ll be competing with the folks leaving church at Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe!
Le Kebab Grill
Location: 350 E McCullough Dr, Charlotte, NC 28262
Writer: Josh Bergeron
What I ate: Gyro plate with sauteed veggies and yellow rice
Price: $18.39
Despite moving around the world as an Army brat, I mostly was unfamiliar with Middle Eastern food growing up. That changed in college at LSU with a local spot near my off-campus apartment. And I’ve found another one I’ve frequented often since moving to a new place in Charlotte.
Le Kebab Grill is in a shopping complex near the intersection of W.T. Harris Boulevard and North Tryon Street. The price may seem high, but the meal I get most often, a Gyro plate, is a good price for what you get — enough for two meals.
The plate comes with pita bread cut into triangles, slices of lamb and beef, tzatziki and your choice of sides. The sides include white, yellow or spice rice, french fries, salad or sauteed vegetables. The restaurant’s website allows for online ordering. You can eat in the restaurant or order takeout at the counter.
Probably like most people who live by themselves, I eat things in a familiar rotation. So, the true measure of a great meal is one worth repeating. And this is one that fits the bill.
Little Mama’s
Location: 4521 Sharon Road, Charlotte
Location: 9825 Sandy Rock Place Unit 1A, Charlotte
Writer: Patrick Wilson
What I ate: An appetizer of mozzarella cheese plus fresh tomatoes and basil and marinated artichoke hearts; chicken parm
Price: $48 before tax and tip
With a relative in town and looking for a good spot, we made our way to the Little Mama’s on Sharon Road, one of two Charlotte locations.
Our server made a solid suggestion: Create bites from the mozzarella cheese appetizer paired with a piece of fresh tomato and artichoke. That tasted like perfection.
A few months later, I can’t describe the chicken parm other than it tasted as good as you can imagine.
Lincoln Street Kitchen + Cocktails
Location: 1320 S Church St #400, Charlotte, NC 28203
Writer: Tamia Boyd
What I ate: Two Eggs, Potato Hash, Nueske’s Double Cut Bacon, Anson Mills’ Stone Ground Grits and Jagshead French Press Coffee
Price: $27.00
I love brunch. There’s something about having eggs and bacon at 1 p.m. on a Saturday that gets me going. Lincoln Street Kitchen + Cocktails has the best brunch in Charlotte. From a sit-alone experience to date night to friends in town and wanting to show them the best, they execute every time.
The ambiance inside gives couture but without having to spend an arm and a leg for something to eat. It’s cozy on a rainy day but also warm, inviting and upbeat any other day. My favorite thing about Lincoln Street is that the servers will suggest to you to get a bunch of sides if you want a little of everything. Since then, it’s been my go-to.
You can get your eggs any way: I like mine sunny-side and I’ll add them to my potato hash for a breakfast casserole dish that I made up. The bacon on the side is jammy, thick and with a lot of maple syrup flavor that gives you savory but also sweetness. Don’t get me started on the grits, they’re cheesy, creamy and melt in your mouth. Now that I’m talking about it, I wanna go back.
L’Ostrica
Location: 4701 Park Rd D, Charlotte, NC 28209
Writer: Tonya Russ Price
What I ate: Salmon roulade, stuffed with spinach with a sunchoke puree and a fresh green garlic sauce.
Price: $75
L’Ostrica is consistently one of my favorite places to eat. Whether it’s a small bite at the bar, a BLT with the summertime Heirloom tomatoes on their teeny tiny weekday lunch menu, its elaborate pre fixe dinner menu or the ever-changing Sunday Supper series, you can’t go wrong.
My favorite dish this year has to be one of the Sunday Suppers, the salmon roulade, stuffed with spinach with a sunchoke puree and a fresh green garlic sauce.
And I didn’t even mention the fully stocked fridge with prepared food and a curated wine market. L’Ostrica is the perfect balance of high brow and neighborhood vibe.
Menya Daruma
Location: 1941 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
Writer: Samantha Husted
What I ate: Shoyu ramen with a side of spicy daruma fermented chili sauce
Price: $15.50
Picture it: A cold and rainy afternoon in Charlotte. You’re sitting counter-side watching the talented chefs work their magic at Menya Daruma, a Japanese noodle bar in Dilworth with an open kitchen. A chef hands you a steaming bowl of shoyu ramen. You take the first spoonful — absolute perfection.
Nothing warms me up on a cold day like a bowl of ramen. While I love everything Menya has to offer, I find myself reordering the shoyu ramen time and time again. I usually grab a side of spicy daruma fermented chili sauce to add some heat — but you don’t have to. Menya’s homemade aromatic broth speaks for itself.
The shoyu’s base is a slow simmered chicken broth with a special blended soy sauce tare. It’s served with pork and chicken breast chashu, homemade noodles, chicken wontons (my favorite part), a soy sauce marinated soft egg (also delicious), soy marinated bamboo shoots and topped with daikon radish sprouts. The shoyu ramen is the perfect blend of textures and spices, guaranteed to elevate your mood — at least, that’s what it does for me.
Mico Restaurant
Location: 201 W. Trade St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Writer: Mary Ramsey
What I ate: 8 oz. 1855 Filet of Beef and a side of South American Parmesan Fries.
Price: $90 (includes tax + glass of wine)
I’d like to preface this by saying as a local journalist, I do not typically drop this kind of money on dinner. But after a very newsy year in Charlotte, I treated myself this November to a birthday/post-election coverage “staycation,” complete with the best meal I ate this year, at Mico Restaurant.
I ordered the 8 oz. 1855 Filet of Beef, cooked medium rare, and a side of South American Parmesan Fries. The steak was perfect — flavorful and so thick I had to actively think a little about how to approach cutting it, but still juicy and tender. And the fries. The fries! If you told me I could only eat those fries — crispy, but not too thin, and coated in spices and just the right amount of grated parmesan — for the rest of my days, I’d agree in a heartbeat. It’s a meal totally worth considering for your next special occasion or self-care splurge.
Prime Fish Cellar
Location: 2921 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Writer: Heidi Finley
What I ate: Caviar tasting
Price: $150
In what was arguably one of the most extravagant experiences I had all year — or any year — I got a grand introduction to the world of caviar at Prime Fish Cellar. I had tasted the briny fish eggs as a garnish once or twice before. But after a few bites of caviar paired with deviled eggs, blinis and potato chips, my eyes were open to the appeal. Perhaps my favorite part of the pivotal meal was piling on all the extras — egg, creme fraiche, scallions and shallots. (Toppings and bold flavors are my kinda thing, for sure.) The tasting at Prime Fish Cellar, a little sister spot to nearby PrimeFish, also kicked off a run of caviar experiences that just kept coming throughout 2024, which told me it was something of a new trend in Charlotte. The restaurant itself has evolved this year, too. What started out as a high-end bottle shop with provisions has slowly grown into a sushi bar where you can enjoy wine and sake flights, as well.
Puerta
Location: 1961 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
Writer: Sunny Hubler
What I ate: Tuna Tartare Tostada - bluefin tuna, guajillo and achiote, cucumber, aromatics, avocado puree, sesame.
Price: $14
I love a good tartare and will try just about any variation on the classic. This one. the Tuna Tartare Tostada from Puerta in Elizabeth, really hits it out of the park: The fish is fresh and the portion is generous, the chilis add a little kick while the cucumber and avocado cool things down, and the housemade tostada serves as the crispy, crunchy vehicle to get this from table to mouth. It doesn’t hurt that Puerta has a great vibe and a stellar bar program, too.
Rhino Market & Deli
Location: 1500 W Morehead St E, Charlotte, NC 28208
Writer: Zach Dennis
What I ate: The Sicilian, Hot
Price: $9.99
This is an appreciation of consistency. Sure, you could pull the cheese and watch the juice flow from a burger on your social feed, but let’s also just have a meal that tastes good. In the midst of the doom scroll, filtering between five best spots and you won’t believe this dish, just give us a good lunch option: no thinking, just munching. It doesn’t get more consistent than a hot Sicilian sandwich at Rhino Market & Deli. Ham and salami punctuated by a slice of provolone with the heat encompassing the porchetta, lettuce, tomato, banana peppers and red wine vinegar in the perfectly toasted ciabatta. I can anticipate the bite now. It’s a dish you wouldn’t believe.
Salmeri’s Italian Kitchen
Location: 526 Mercantile Pl Ste 101, Fort Mill, SC 29715
Writer: Shannon Greene
What I ate: Salmeri’s Shrimp Scampi, served over cacio e pepe risotto with asparagus, roasted garlic and smoked tomato butter
Price: $21
Who would have thought a school spirit night would turn into the best meal I ate all year? That’s exactly what happened when I showed up to Salmeri’s Italian Kitchen in Fort Mill last spring decked out in orange and blue River Trail Elementary gear. From the moment I dipped the soft, homemade bread into the olive oil, I could tell this wasn’t your typical Italian restaurant.
The menu changes seasonally, but that night I enjoyed one of the staples: Salmeri’s Shrimp Scampi, served over cacio e pepe risotto with asparagus, roasted garlic and smoked tomato butter. Because I’m picky about risotto, I asked for some bucatini pasta on the side. It didn’t matter, though. The risotto was flavorful, smooth and even lighter than expected, especially with the scampi and tomato butter flavors blended in. And the shrimp was cooked to perfection, juicy and tender as it sat atop the dish.
My family and fellow PTO moms raved about their food as well, and each plate that came from the kitchen looked like a work of art. As an added bonus, Salmeri donated a portion of all of the proceeds that night to the school. It felt great to support a family-owned business that gives back to the community while enjoying truly authentic Italian cuisine in a cozy atmosphere.
Sunflour Baking Company
Location: 2001 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
Location: 220 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 515 Jordan Pl, Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 14021 Conlan Cir B-9, Charlotte, NC 28277
Writer: Chyna Blackmon
What I ate: Egg, provolone, spinach and roast tomato sandwich on a cheddar biscuit
Price: $8.25
I’m a big brunch fan, so let me be the first to tell you that one of the best breakfast sandwiches I’ve ever had in my life can be found at a fan-favorite bakery in Charlotte: Sunflour Baking Company.
Just about everything sweet and savory on its menu looks delicious, but the egg, provolone, spinach and roast tomato sandwich — particularly on a cheddar biscuit — has a special place in my heart.
The combination of the melted cheese, juicy tomato on the crunchy buttery biscuit is actually as drool-worthy as it sounds, which is why it’s been a longtime favorite meal of mine and probably will be forever and ever (as dramatic as that sounds.)
Uniquely Charlotte: Uniquely Charlotte is an Observer subscriber collection of moments, landmarks and personalities that define the uniqueness (and pride)of why we live in the Charlotte region.
This story was originally published December 2, 2024 at 6:00 AM with the headline "The 21 best meals we ate all year: Here are our favorite Charlotte-area restaurants in 2024."
