Charlotte’s Culinary Rise: Michelin Stars And A Wave Of New Restaurants

 

Charlotte’s Culinary Rise: Michelin Stars + A Wave Of New Restaurants In The Queen City

 

 

For years, Charlotte, North Carolina, wasn’t the city you’d name first in a conversation about food destinations. Well-known food writer and lifestyle journalist, Shindy Chen, recently said about Charlotte that:  “Charlotte has historically not been known as a foodie destination. You know, when you think of like food cities, you think more Charleston in the South, or you think even Asheville has gotten a lot of recognition.”

 

But that narrative is changing fast. With strategic investment by The Queen City’s tourism board and a surge in chef-driven creativity, Charlotte has officially landed on the culinary map with its FIRST GUIDE MICHELIN STAR. Why it matters: A Michelin star is one of the highest marks of culinary excellence a restaurant can receive. What makes those Michelin stars so special is how rare they are and how difficult it is to get one. The Michelin star system began 99 years ago in 1926. Today, receiving a Michelin star is a true mark of success in the culinary industry around the world.

 

The Michelin Guide, revered worldwide for its exacting standards, just unveiled its first-ever selections for the American South, and Charlotte’s restaurants made a dazzling debut.

 

 

 

Michelin inspectors—anonymous professionals who evaluate food quality, value, consistency, and a chef’s unique imprint on a menu—spent months quietly dining in restaurants across the Queen City. The result: Charlotte emerged with an impressive list of awardees that underscore the city’s growing culinary reputation.

 

Counter-, the west Charlotte tasting-menu restaurant in Wesley Heights, helmed by Chef Sam Hart, became the city’s brightest star—literally, earning one Michelin Star for its exceptional cuisine, as well as a Green Star for leadership in sustainable gastronomy. Hart’s passion for blending creativity with conscience has long made Counter- one of Charlotte’s most talked-about dining experiences. Now, it’s officially one of its most decorated.

 

 

Mixology, too, found its moment in the Michelin spotlight. Colleen Hughes, Head of Mixology at Supperland, the beautifully restored mid-century church in Plaza Midwood known for its upscale Southern fare, was honored with Michelin’s Cocktail Award. “This award honors those who don’t just mix ingredients—they craft moments that stick with us,” said host Java Ingram during the announcement. Hughes’s thoughtful approach to pairing cocktails with Supperland’s elevated Southern dishes has helped redefine what a complete dining experience looks like in Charlotte.

 

Charlotte’s Michelin recognition didn’t stop there. More local and area restaurants made the prestigious Michelin Guide Restaurant list, including:

• Customshop in Elizabeth
• Ever Andalo in NoDa
• Hello Sailor in Cornelius
• Kindred in Davidson
• Little Mama’s in SouthPark
• Omakase Experience by Prime Fish in Ballantyne
• Prime Fish in Ballantyne
• Rada in Myers Park
• Restaurant Constance in west Charlotte

 

Together, these names represent Charlotte’s remarkable range—from intimate omakase experiences to modern Italian, from lakeside seafood to neighborhood bistros. The diversity mirrors the city’s broader evolution: an increasingly vibrant food scene rooted in Southern hospitality.

 

Charlotte’s restaurant boom shows no signs of slowing as 2025 winds down. The next wave of openings reflects the city’s growing variety and local pride — from chef-led concepts to neighborhood staples finding new life. Here’s what’s coming soon:

Opened/Opening Late 2025

• (Optimist Park) – 24-seat sushi counter at The Joinery focused on hand-rolls and seasonal precision.
• Painted Rooster (Plaza Midwood) – Chicken-forward comfort food taking over the former Zada Janes space.
• Surefire Market (West Charlotte) – Casual burger and chicken spot with a neighborhood-market vibe.
• The Iberian Pig (South End) – Spanish-style tapas from Atlanta’s Castellucci Group.
• Market on Morehead (South End) – Patio-driven American eatery near the Rail Trail, built for social dining and long evenings.
• Burna Boy Grill & Lounge (Uptown) – Afro-Caribbean grill blending live music and vibrant flavors.
• The Garrison (Tega Cay/Pineville areas) – Modern Southern grill with a rustic touch from local veterans.

Coming Winter 2025 → Early 2026

• MilkBread SouthPark – Expansion of the local breakfast-and-fried-chicken favorite.
• High Hippo Tiki Bar (NoDa) – Tropical cocktails and small bites from the Supperland beverage team.
• Laurel Market at Sycamore Cotswold – Beer-garden and food-hall hybrid from Sycamore Brewing.
• Ramen Den (Ballantyne) – Noodle house from the Prime Fish team.
• Cluck & Cork (Uptown) – Wine-forward fried-chicken and small-plates lounge.

In Development for 2026

• Constance Bakery & Café (West Charlotte) – Chef Sam Hart’s daytime complement to Restaurant Constance.
• Luna’s Table (Steele Creek) – Latin-inspired neighborhood restaurant centered on open-fire cooking.

 

Charlotte’s dining scene isn’t chasing big-city comparisons anymore — it’s carving out its own identity. From sushi counters to Southern grills, it’s a mix that feels both ambitious and authentically local.