Soul Gastrolounge is now open. Get an inside look at its new Charlotte home.
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Soul Gastrolounge reopens in 2025 at NoDa's The Pass after closing in 2022.
- Original fixtures like the DJ booth and signature decor return with the relaunch.
- Relocation follows rent hikes and building sale in Plaza Midwood neighborhood.
Much-loved Charlotte restaurant Soul Gastrolounge is on its way back in a new location, opening Monday, Aug. 25.
Reservations for seat at the iconic spot closed for nearly three years are now available on Tock.
Owners Lesa and Andy Kastanas packed up their popular tapas spot from its home in Plaza Midwood, where rising rents and the sale of their building led to a lengthy pause in operations. Along with the changes came the closure of Sister, an all-day European cafe formerly known as Kiki Bistro, and Tattoo Lounge, both owned by the Kastanases and located in the same building.
Now, Soul Gastrolounge is reopening at Third & Urban’s NoDa mixed-use development The Pass, just steps from the Sugar Creek light rail station and close to the Independent Picture House, Charlotte Art League and Black Box Theater.
For the most part, fans will find the experience quite familiar.
“We’re not going to change much, really,” Andy said. “It will still be a late-night idea. ... We’re trying to make it as much like the old place as possible.”
Just a few months after Soul reopens, Tattoo Lounge will also reopen, the owners told CharlotteFive.
We’ll take you through what familiar things to expect, what will be new and everything else you need to know.
What to expect at the new Soul Gastrolounge
“It’s really about us more than the physical location,” Andy said.
What’s new? It’s twice the Soul: The restaurant is now about 4,700 square feet, more than twice the size of the original space. A semi-private dining room is part of the new space, and an outdoor patio will seat 30, with a total capacity of 220.
Soul’s new and returning culinary dream team
Shiki Brewer, formerly the executive chef of Crunkleton and a finalist of Food Network’s ”Guy’s Grocery Games,” will serve as chef de cuisine.
The executive sous chef is Wanda Orice, who was previously Soul’s sous chef. The sushi chef, Joe Thu, created the original sushi menu and is back again.
Stevie Laws, named as one of Diago’s Top 50 U.S. bartenders, will serve as beverage director, and assistant beverage director is Jacob Taylor, formerly of Idlewild.
Yuri Oliveria, the former general manager of Napa on Providence, will be Soul’s general manager. And Jeff Jennings, former DOP of Mythos, Cosmos, Salamandra and Aqua, is the director of operations.
“It’s the same vibe, same look, same entertainment — but bigger and newer, said Jennings, who has known the Kastanases for about 30 years and worked on the buildout of Soul’s original location.
“The expectation is huge, and we’re going to go beyond it,” he added.
The DJ booth is back — it’s been a fixture since Soul’s opening in 2009, and Andy is among the Charlotte music scene’s longstanding visionaries. You can even relive a few notable past sets with links on the restaurant’s website.
Scott Weaver, who is also the restaurant’s interior designer and creative director, will DJ as well as host themes and events at the restaurant. “Just here to keep the vibe groovy,” he told us.
The decor of Soul Gastrolounge
The peacock is back, too. The taxidermied bird hung on the wall is prominently featured on Soul’s website, a mascot of sorts, heralding the restaurant’s return.
In fact, much of the decor you’ll see on the carrot-colored walls will be familiar.
Stained glass panels — orange, turquoise and yellow— are set above the windows overlooking the light rail station. The booths from the original location are back, as well as panels of wallpaper hung near the restrooms.
“I don’t know what we’ve got that’s actually new,” Andy joked. “Some new tables.”
Soul’s buildout was led by architect CLUCK Design and Gais Construction.
The menu
Among the other burning questions we all want the answers to: Will there be pork belly tacos once again?
The answer is a resounding yes. The menu will remain nearly identical to Soul’s Plaza location with a few additions, so the pork belly tacos, along with your other favorites, will return.
Weekend brunch will come back after a while, and catering will be introduced in the fall.
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“People love their favorites, and we’re going to keep ‘em on there,” Andy said.
The much-anticipated reopening may be happening a little slower than expected, but the longtime team behind the scenes is focused on giving customers exactly what they’re expecting, and more.
“This is truly Andy’s vision and heart and soul,” his wife, Lesa, said..
The couple just celebrated 40 years of marriage and were together for five years before that. But slowing down is not on their radar anytime soon.
“I do not feel like that man is done. He just has a lot of vision, and there are a lot of things he wants for this city,” Lesa said.
Melissa Oyler contributed writing.
Soul Gastrolounge
Location: 4110 Raleigh St #120, Charlotte, NC 28206
Cuisine: Small plates, sushi
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 5 to 12 p.m.
Instagram: @soulgastro
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This story was originally published August 4, 2025 at 1:37 PM with the headline "Soul Gastrolounge is now open. Get an inside look at its new Charlotte home.."
