Charlotte Observer • 27th August 2024

Need to make friends in the Queen City? Here’s your guide to Charlotte’s social clubs.

Those days when we made friends on the playground or greeted new neighbors with housewarming gifts — they seem so far away.

Let’s be so for real, making new friends in one of the country’s fastest-growing cities can be overwhelming, and after the start of COVID, it sometimes feels a bit awkward. And, things just aren’t the same these days, especially when everyone seems glued to their phones or wrapped up in online interactions and perceptions.

But no need to worry, Charlotte is a city with to...

Charlotte Observer • 2nd October 2024

At Kounter, restaurant operations have come to a halt. Now, it’s feeding NC storm workers.

A Rock Hill restaurant steps up to support linemen, providing thousands of meals to those restoring power in NC.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation across the Southeast, outages have left more than a million in the Carolinas without power. Amidst the chaos, a Rock Hill restaurant known for its significant site in civil rights history has become an advocate. Kounter has temporarily closed its doors to regular customers – to support lineman at Duke Energy as they tend to relief efforts...

Charlotte Observer • 6th September 2024

Where to find Charlotte’s best bites, according to food bloggers and influencers

Often, it seems like the most stressful few minutes of preparing for a night out with the family or an outing with friends starts with: “Hey Siri! Find restaurants near me.” And while a quick search can offer a plethora of options, sometimes it’s just better to have a recommendation from a real person.

So, what restaurants should you add to your dinner plans in Charlotte? That answer will, of course, depend on who you ask.

We turned to 14 Charlotte creators and food bloggers who are passionate...

Charlotte Observer • 22nd July 2024

‘Trying to shut the city down’: Slutty Vegan eyes Charlotte for an upcoming residency

Famous plant-based burger joint and Charlotte favorite, Slutty Vegan, is teasing a residency in the Queen City.

The restaurant, recently announced the residency with an Instagram post that read, “Tag a restaurant in Charlotte, NC‼” As of Friday afternoon, the response from Charlotteans included 370 comments, as of today, suggesting spots in Beatties Ford, Steele Creek, Uptown, NoDa, Optimist Hall, Camp North End, University City, Fort Mill and The Bowl at Ballantyne. The news was first reported...

Charlotte Observer • 16th December 2024

Say Hello, Kitty! A guide to cat cafes around the Charlotte area to sip, relax and adopt

Craving a warm and fuzzy experience? Charlotte’s cat cafes might just be the perfect — or purrfect, if you will — place to sip on your favorite coffee or cider while cuddling with adorable, adoptable kittens.

In places like NoDa, Monroe and Rock Hill, cat cafes offer a relaxing way to enjoy a coffee or snack while meeting cats and kittens that need a home. These laid-back spots provide a chance to unwind with furry friends, whether you’re considering adoption or just looking for some company....

Charlotte Observer • 23rd January 2024

Charlotte’s Black-owned restaurants offer seafood, soul food, sweet treats and more

When it comes to Black-owned restaurants, Charlotte has options for nearly every food craving you can imagine — including African, barbecue, Caribbean, soul food, seafood, modern upscale cuisine and more.

We’ve previously compiled a larger list of Black-owned businesses in Charlotte, but here you’ll find an update with more details about the city’s Black-owned restaurants, the cuisine they have to offer and menus so you can browse. Some food trucks, catering services and other food-related smal

Charlotte Observer • 6th December 2024

How to celebrate the 8 days of Hanukkah with festive meals or a cooking class in Charlotte

Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival that begins on Kislev 25 (typically aligning with late December in the Gregorian calendar), is a time to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem.

Central to this celebration is the lighting of candles each day. But Hanukkah is also about something deeply personal: coming together with loved ones, cherishing traditions and savoring the comforting flavors of the season.

From a crispy golden latke to the sweet, freshly baked raspberry...

Charlotte Observer • 24th October 2024

A billiards and cocktail combo is now open in one of NoDa Charlotte’s newest developments

A new neighborhood bar and pool hall is now open on Raleigh Street in NoDa, in the newly developed area known as The Pass, developed by Third and Urban.

Greg Guillorn, one of the owners of The Degenerate, shared his vision for Borderline Bar & Billiards, which promises to be a “pretty straightforward” venue for pool enthusiasts.

“It’s just gonna be a nice little neighborhood bar, some really good pool tables, a couple dart boards and some drinks. Nothing too crazy. Just a good time,” he told C...

Charlotte Observer • 19th November 2024

Hero of the holiday potluck: Unforgettable signature recipes from Charlotte chefs

“It’s tiiiiimee!” (sang in your best Mariah Carey voice) to start planning those holiday meals.

Whether you’re hosting a Friendsgiving or a traditional family feast, Charlotte’s top chefs are bringing their go-to holiday recipes straight to your table this season. With a pappardelle with lamb ragu, a traditional Indian dessert and even a special cornbread created from a blend of two Thanksgiving staples, these recipes might just make your table the one everyone’s talking about for years to come...

Charlotte Observer • 14th October 2024

New restaurant The Imperial Treasure brings dim sum, Beijing roast duck to Charlotte area

After years of running kitchens in both China and California, Li Li and her husband decided to step away from the fast-paced, traffic-heavy lifestyle in California in search of a fresh start in Charlotte.

In Charlotte, they found a city with a growing Asian community but felt something was missing – authentic Chinese food.

With intentions of sharing a taste of home, the restaurateurs are introducing their passion for handmade dim sum, Beijing roast duck and stir fry. At The Imperial Treasure,...

Charlotte Observer • 2nd October 2024

13 ways to get scared in Charlotte (and beyond) this Halloween season

Charlotte is diving headfirst into the Halloween spirit, offering plenty of thrills and scares over the next month.

With haunted mazes, ghost tours, costume parties and bar crawls, there’s no shortage of ways to get your heart racing in Charlotte during Halloween season. After all, as the classic line from “Halloween” goes, “Everyone’s entitled to one good scare.”

Check out these events in Charlotte, Indian Trail, Blacksburg, Gastonia and beyond — and be ready for a season filled with fright:...

Charlotte Observer • 24th July 2024

Korean barbecue spot with award-winning bulgogi will open Charlotte restaurant

Blasian Asian Way, a Korean barbecue fusion spot, will soon take over Saru Ramen’s spot at Camp North End in early September.

CharlotteFive has reached out to Saru, but has not yet received a response.

Blasian Asian Way, a food truck known for its Korean inspired dishes with a twist of American influence, is set to serve up a blend of Korean and American flavors from owner Jeffery McBride.

Blasian Asian Way — which moved to Charlotte from Fayetteville in 2022— “was born with the goal of intro...

Charlotte Observer • 16th July 2024

Made-to-order cupcake shop will close its original Charlotte location, citing sales dip

After five years of operation, SWIRL Dessert Bar, a made-to-order cupcake shop in Charlotte, will reduce availability to just one day a week as it plans to shut down its Oakhurst location.

The decision comes after SWIRL’s Oakhurst location had not been “breaking even for a long time.” Maria Kremer said she and SWIRL CEO Curtis Stone realized “if we didn’t shut down Oakhurst ASAP, then you know, we were going to lose both of the stores.”

Kremer credits the closing to a decline in sales and effe...

Charlotte Observer • 1st July 2024

One of the Charlotte area’s best pizza food trucks is opening two restaurant locations

Get ready for 2024 World Pizza Champion King of Fire Pizza to fire up its first brick-and-mortar locations., as it will open at The Green in uptown Charlotte this August and in downtown Clover, SC, in September.

If you didn’t already know, King of Fire is a family-owned, mobile brick-oven pizza food truck run by a three-time world pizza acrobatics champion Siler Chapman, who has appeared on Food Network, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Steve Harvey Show and The Today Show.

“With everything reope...

Charlotte Observer • 27th June 2024

Bakery in a vintage trailer brings baguettes, blueberry cinnamon rolls to Lake Norman

Looking for an on-the-go, homemade breakfast option in Cornelius? Sabores Bakery, operating in a new vintage trailer on Catawba Avenue in front of LKN Car Wash offers fresh bakery items such as sweet rolls, cachitos, baguettes and a coveted blueberry cinnamon roll.

The made-from-scratch bakery, which launched in May, was founded by mom-and-daughter duo Zulenka Bueno and Daniele Amaral.

“It hasn’t been easy, it has been a year of many emotions and experiences that has led us to be where we are...

Charlotte Observer • 20th June 2024

‘I thought it was a mistake on Google!’ Hidden restaurant open overnight in Charlotte

What if I told you there’s a place in Charlotte where you can feast on Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani food until 5 in the morning? That restaurant would be Taste of Asia Halal, the first halal-certified restaurant in North Carolina serving Chinese cuisine and a go-to spot for a diverse range of Asian cuisine, as the name reveals.

“I thought it was a mistake on Google!” CharlotteFive photographer Tonya Russ Price said when she looked up the hours of the restaurant, wh...

Charlotte Observer • 20th August 2024

The secret ingredient to Bliss & Blends’ energetic wine tasting events in Charlotte: Music

Bliss & Blends, known in Charlotte for its coveted wine bingo pop ups, will expand to its first brick-and-mortar location next month.

Founded by Selena Galloway, Bliss & Blends combines an informational wine tasting session with a fun night of bingo, music and charcuterie. At its new location on Sardis Road, opening Sept. 13, it will expand its event offerings to include yoga and mimosas and a crafts and champagne class, as well as more personalized private events and live music from violinists...

Charlotte Observer • 30th January 2024

Explore an authentic Dominican experience at República Restaurant & Lounge in Matthews

Republica Restaurant & Lounge in Matthews promises authentic Dominican food with a “little bit of gourmet.”

The restaurant, which was once an idea shared among owner Madeline Perez and two friends, started with the sentiment, “We wish there was a good Dominican restaurant.”

“There’s very few Dominican restaurants here in North Carolina, and we wanted to get that authentic taste that we missed from our island,” Perez said.

The Republica dining experience is a cultural celebration, as it hosts

Charlotte Observer • 11th January 2024

Visit this all-in-one South Asian grocery in Charlotte with a bakery, food court

Come with CharlotteFive to Triveni Food Court, situated in Triveni Supermarket, a South Asian grocery store featuring a bakery, halal meat and a food truck. At Triveni’s “in-house treat,” you can expect a wide range of “ready-to-eat homemade items and yummy treats,” available for dine-in, takeout and delivery.

And, on Saturdays and Sundays, you can find its food truck tucked away, serving South Indian food items such as traditional dosa with sambar and peanut chutney, all for under $10.
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Charlotte Observer • 27th November 2023

‘Buy-sell-trade party’: ThriftCon is coming to Charlotte to share sustainable fashion

Longing for a nostalgic trip to the flea market and more sustainable clothing options? You’re in luck because ThriftCon, a market with over 150 vintage clothing and collectible vendors, will make its way to Charlotte for the first time ever on Dec. 3.

Whether you’re in a ‘70s groove or a Y2K mood, at this “buy-sell-trade party,” you’ll have the option of buying secondhand and vintage clothing with some pieces starting at just $1 and typically ranging from $10 to $50.

ThriftCon, which was found

Charlotte Observer • 22nd November 2023

Tea time and wellness: Inside the herbal experience at Charlotte’s Five Goddess Farm

Nestled on a cozy corner in Elizabeth, Five Goddess Farm’s Apothecary + Tea Room is a sanctuary curated by owner Ashley Masters. Five Goddess Farm, which takes its name from Masters’ four daughters and herself, also offers services such as massages, reiki, intuitive readings and yoga sessions.

While Five Goddess Farm has been around for over a decade, the tea room — which first opened in June 2022 — is the manifestation of Masters’ idea to offer an escape for Charlotteans outside of the all-too

Charlotte Observer • 6th November 2023

Kristophers Sports Bar: The heart of Matthews turns into a ‘madhouse’ on game days

As waves of excitement echo off its walls, clamors of shouts and cheers can only mean one thing at Kristophers Sports Bar: it’s a Sunday night, and the game is on.

Kristophers, which is typically relaxed and dimly lit, comes to life with 52 TV screens, all guaranteed to be tuned in on game day.

“It’s not a wild party type of place. But when we crank up for a sporting event or for NFL football on Sundays, it’s a madhouse,” owner Robby Stringer said.

Built by Orie Johnson in 1989, when Matthews

Charlotte Observer • 23rd October 2023

A fan favorite food truck will close, and a new Rock Hill restaurant will take its place

The team behind Rock Hill-based food truck Cibi! Cibi! will launch its first brick-and-mortar location, Elk Ave Tavern, in early 2024.

The Cibi! Cibi! food truck, run by owners Anthony Legatie and Hunter Newton, is well known for its variety of street foods including smash burgers, cheesesteaks and fried chicken.

But when doors open at Elk Ave Tavern, you can expect the atmosphere to be somewhat of a “casual neighborhood spot for locals.” Look for a menu consisting of modern comfort foods, wit

Charlotte Observer • 17th October 2023

A trendy, Japan-based resale clothing chain expands to Plaza Midwood in Charlotte

2nd Street, a Japan-based second-hand clothing retailer of over 700 stores, has recently opened a new location in Plaza Midwood on Central Avenue, next door to Insomnia Cookies and nearby YAFO Kitchen and The Bohemian: A Wine Bar.

2nd STREET, which has already “received amazing feedback from our Charlotte shoppers,” is not a consignment shop – but actually a buy and sell store, because it gives cash on the spot for items. And, while it isn’t a vintage store either, because its items range from