Yunta Nikkei is a japanese-peruvian restaurant in South End, Charlotte.
Yunta Nikkei in South End is Bruno Macchiavello and Randy Garcia's Peruvian-Japanese kitchen, with pisco cocktails by Bob Peters on South Boulevard.
Signature dishes: Tiradito, Lomo saltado, Causa
Must order: The tiradito and a pisco sour from the Bob Peters list.
Tip: Walk-up bar takes seats; the dining room is on OpenTable.
Address: 2201 S Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Soul Gastrolounge on Raleigh Street is Andy Kastanas's NoDa tapas-and-cocktails room, reopened in 2025 after three years away from the original Plaza Midwood.
Signature: Pork-belly tacos, Sushi tapas
Order: The pork-belly tacos and a sushi-tapas plate.
Tip: DJ sets most nights. Walk-ins only, with a queue from 17:30.
Yafo Kitchen on Central Avenue is Charlotte's Israeli-Mediterranean counter, with house-made falafel, shawarma and laffa bread baked in Plaza Midwood.
Signature: Falafel, Lamb shawarma, Hummus
Order: A falafel pita with all the toppings and a side of hummus with warm laffa.
Tip: Counter-order, sit anywhere. Two more Yafo locations on Gov Morrison and East Boulevard.
300 East on East Boulevard is the family-run Dilworth American institution serving comfort plates and weekend brunch to the neighbourhood since 1986.
Signature: House burger, Crab cake sandwich, Sunday brunch
Order: The crab-cake sandwich at lunch and the house burger at dinner.
Tip: Sunday brunch is the seat to land. Book on OpenTable for weekend morning slots.
The Penguin Drive-In on East Boulevard in Dilworth is the relocated Charlotte burger institution, with a dog-friendly covered patio and a 1950s-style diner.
Signature: Burgers, Fried pickles, Onion rings
Order: A burger and a basket of fried pickles. The onion rings round the plate.
Tip: The Commonwealth Avenue location closed. East Boulevard is the active Charlotte room.
Selwyn Avenue Pub in Myers Park has poured pints and slung burgers across Selwyn Avenue for more than thirty years, with a beer list and a back patio.
Signature: Burgers, Bar food, Beer flight
Order: The pub burger and a cold local pint.
Tip: Patio is the seat in spring and autumn. Closed late afternoon Sunday.
LuLu's Maryland Style Chicken on Tuckaseegee Road brings Mid-Atlantic fried chicken and crab cakes to a quick-service counter in west Charlotte.
Signature: Maryland-style chicken, Crab cakes
Order: A Maryland-style chicken plate and a side of crab cake.
Tip: Counter-order and quick takeout. The Tuckaseegee flagship has the longest hours.
