Southern cuisine is a sacred thing. Bonterra fully embraces this sentiment, right down to their location. Nestled in a historic Dilworth church, the restaurant pays homage to its spiritual history, pairing the classic architecture with a refined take on Southern fare. Owner John Duncan had a vision for this old church when he and his father purchased it over two decades ago, and the city staple has provided Charlotteans with divine dining ever since.
Head Chef Blake Hartwick has been an integral part of the venture since its inception, establishing an innovative farm-to-table experience long before this mission of dining was ever popular in the Queen City. Bonterra’s hidden grace is its variety and accessibility, the perfect spot for both special occasions and everyday dining.
With the menu continually changing with the seasons, every meal is always deliciously fresh and inventive. Duncan’s expansive, carefully curated wine selection, meanwhile, provides endless combinations and pairings that exalt Hartwick’s menu.
The whole enterprise, really, is locally focused and chef-driven—a fact evidenced in every bite and every sip. A founding member of the Charlotte food scene we know today, Bonterra is a fount of everyday elegance in dining, inspiring whole congregations of loyal regulars.
