The best of South End Restaurants: Where to snack, drink, and dine in this Charlotte neighborhood
Words By: Sloane Wick
South End Charlotte is known as an innovative, unique, and dynamic city part of the city and its restaurants exemplify this better than anything. Here are 11 South End restaurants that will have you coming back for more.
Bang Bang Burgers
Nothing satisfies hunger quite like a good burger at the end of a long day. Big Bang Burgers has you covered there! With artisan brioche buns and burgers shaped with high-quality black Angus beef, your inner carnivore will love you for visiting BBB.
Approximate meal cost: $11 – $20 per adult
What to know: Black bean burgers are available as a non-meat option.
Address: 235 W Tremont Ave Ste 101 Charlotte, NC 28203
Atherton
With O-Ku, Indaco, Not Just Coffee, and Living Kitchen all housed within the original Atherton Mill & Market space, this is a must for South End dining.
athertonmillandmarket.com
What to know: O-ku offers fresh sushi, Indaco is a buzzing Italian restaurant, NJC has some of the city’s best brews, and Living Kitchen is a vegan/health food lover’s dream.
Address:
2000 South Blvd, Charlotte NC
Ray Lay Thai
Ray Lay Thai lives up to its beach-inspired name with its fresh ingredients and refreshing beverages. This South End restaurant offers an assortment of authentic Thai street food and a full bar with specialty cocktails designed to pair with any dish.
Approximate meal cost: $12 – $30 per adult
What to know: Ray Lay Thai currently does not offer reservations but does offer take-out.
Address: 1520 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Fairwood 226
Fairwood 226 combines comfort food, a full bar, and a lovely view from their rooftop seating. The menu is filled with unique takes on your favorite foods like buffalo chicken mac & cheese or s’mores lava cake.
Approximate meal cost: $6 – $10 per adult
What to know: Fairwood 226 is closed on Mondays.
Address: 226 Fairwood Ave, Charlotte, NC
Indaco
Indaco is the perfect restaurant to finish off a romantic date in the South End. Their menu of hand-crafted pastas and wood-fired pizzas is complemented by the restaurant’s assortment of Italian wines.
Approximate meal cost: $14 – $25 per adult
What to know: Indaco offers 50% off Antipasti and Pizza on Tuesday-Thursday from 4 p.m.-6 p.m..
Address: 2046 S Blvd Charlotte, NC 28203
The Waterman Fish Bar
This casual seafood restaurant offers a stunning view of the South End from their rooftop bar. They pride themselves on “serving sustainable, domestic products” in their “familiar and approachable” menu.
Approximate meal cost: $9 – $23 per adult
What to know: Waterman offers a brunch menu from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m on weekends.
Address: 2729 South Blvd (Suite D), Charlotte, NC 28209
Hot Taco
This Mexican restaurant fits perfectly into the lively South End with its colorful decor and bold menu. You’ll walk away from Hot Taco with a stomach full of food and a phone full of Instagram-worthy photos.
Approximate meal cost: $9 – $20 per adult
What to know: Hot Taco has tons of money-saving specials!
Address: 200 E Bland St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Bardo
What better way is there to top off an adventurous day in the South End than with an equally adventurous meal? Bardo has cultivated a tasting menu just for you. The culinary experience can be requested with 3, 5, 7, or 12 courses.
Approximate meal cost: $35 – $90+ per adult
What to know: You can order a “bartender’s choice” cocktail for $12 in which the staff will make you a custom “off-menu” drink.
Address: 1508 S Mint St Unit B Charlotte, NC 28203
Alchemy at C3 Lab
Alchemy is the perfect place for vegetarian, vegan, or simply health-conscious South End patrons. This unique restaurant specializes in a “mindfully curated selection of vegetarian focused dishes with options for omnivores.”
Approximate meal cost: $10 – $29 per adult
What to know: Alchemy offers a brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Address: 2517 Distribution St Charlotte, NC 28203
BW Sweets
BW Sweets is bringing to-go treats to the South End. Their menu contains all kinds of snacks to satisfy your sweet tooth like donuts, candy apples, and even 16 different flavors of cake slices.
Approximate meal cost: $2 – $7 per adult
What to know: BW Sweets is currently grab-and-go only (no dine-in).
Address: 1425 Winnifred St, Charlotte, NC 28215
Poppy’s Bagels and More
Fittingly to its name, Poppy’s is a staple in the realm of classic South End restaurants; they have 12 different flavors of bagels but also offers a wide-range of non-bagel foods like omelets, soups, and sandwiches. Everyone can find something to enjoy at this charming deli.
Approximate meal cost: $4 -$14
What to know: Poppy’s is not currently open for dine-in.
Address: 2201 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Wine Loft
With all the excitement in the South End, the Wine Loft offers a place to relax with a snack and a glass of wine in a trendy yet welcoming environment. Their goal is simple: To “teach, share, learn together, and make wine…hip.”
Approximate meal cost: $9 -$20
What to know: The Wine Loft offers weekly wine tastings!
Address: 2201 South Blvd #120, Charlotte, NC 28203
