Optimist Hall is a food market in South End, Charlotte.
Optimist Hall on N Brevard Street is Charlotte's first food hall, with 25-plus vendors including Bao and Broth, Botiwalla, Suarez Bakery and Noble Smoke.
Must order: A spread from three vendors at once; bao at Bao and Broth, kebab at Botiwalla, gelato at Honeysuckle.
Tip: Light Rail upstairs has the cocktail counter; Suarez Bakery downstairs is the coffee programme.
Address: 1115 N Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market on Yorkmont Road is the year-round state-run market with North Carolina farmers, meat, dairy and produce, open.
Order: A bag of mixed Carolina peaches in season and a side of country ham.
Tip: Peak season is May to September; pull up a Tuesday-Saturday slot.
The South End Farmers Market at Atherton Mill is the Saturday-morning year-round farmers market on South Boulevard, with small Carolina farms and artisans.
Order: Whatever produce is in season and a loaf from a Carolina bread baker.
Tip: Year-round but smallest in winter. Free parking in the Atherton Mill lot.
Atherton Mill on South Boulevard is the converted 1890s textile mill turned mixed retail and cafe destination, with Not Just Coffee and a Saturday market.
Order: Coffee at Not Just Coffee inside and a stop at the Saturday morning market.
Tip: Free parking on weekends. Closer to South End breweries than the Yorkmont state market.
The Market at 7th Street in uptown Charlotte is the non-profit food hall and public market open since 2011, with vendors selling cheese, BBQ, pizza.
Order: A sandwich at Orrman's Cheese Shop and a smoothie from Hip-Hop Smoothies.
Tip: The 7th Street LYNX station is the entrance. Convenient for visitors staying in uptown.
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market on Yorkmont Road is the year-round state-run market with North Carolina farmers, meat, dairy and produce, open.
Order: A bag of mixed Carolina peaches in season and a side of country ham.
Tip: Peak season is May to September; pull up a Tuesday-Saturday slot.
The South End Farmers Market at Atherton Mill is the Saturday-morning year-round farmers market on South Boulevard, with small Carolina farms and artisans.
Order: Whatever produce is in season and a loaf from a Carolina bread baker.
Tip: Year-round but smallest in winter. Free parking in the Atherton Mill lot.
Atherton Mill on South Boulevard is the converted 1890s textile mill turned mixed retail and cafe destination, with Not Just Coffee and a Saturday market.
Order: Coffee at Not Just Coffee inside and a stop at the Saturday morning market.
Tip: Free parking on weekends. Closer to South End breweries than the Yorkmont state market.
