Charlotte offers couples an array of unique date ideas. Diners can enjoy a plethora of fine Southern-influenced dining options, showcasing the produce bounty of the Piedmont region alongside fresh daily coastal catches.
Haymaker
Haymaker is a Southern-influenced farm-to-table offering from executive chef William Dissen, located in Uptown Charlotte near beautiful Romare Bearden Park. The LEED-certified restaurant is known for its unique seasonal fare showcasing the production bounty of Appalachia and the Piedmont region, supplied with daily farm-fresh deliveries and structuring its kitchen around a traditional brick hearth.
Address: Haymaker, 225 S Poplar St, Charlotte, NC 28202, Phone: 704-626-6116
Sea Level NC
Sea Level NC is the vision of seafood restaurateur Paul Manley, known for his work at various oyster bars throughout the Carolinas. The restaurant, which is located within Charlotte's Hearst Tower, is best known for serving up North Carolina's only farm-to-fork oyster on the half shell, served up as part of a sustainable fishing partnership. Excellent seafood offerings feature fare harvested from local North Carolina farms and coastal fishers, with only non-threatened species on the menu. Couples can choose from entrees such as fried North Carolina catfish, Thai-fried grilled salmon, and classic shrimp and grits or share plates of Calabash shrimp, Maine mussels, or squid chow chow with signature sweet-and-spicy sauce. Lobster rolls, catfish reubens, and shrimp po'boys are also available at lunch and dinner, complemented by an impressive draft list and high-quality cocktails and mocktails.
Address: 129 E 5th St, Charlotte, NC 28202, Phone: 704-412-2616
O-Ku Sushi
O-Ku Sushi is one of Charlotte's most popular sushi joints, located within the city's hip South End market destination Atherton Mill. The restaurant, which is inspired by sister facilities in Charleston, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C., showcases innovative twists on traditional Japanese fare, including dishes prepared with seafood sourced directly from Tokyo and Hawai'i's best fish markets. Selections from executive chef Michael Chanthavong include traditional maki, nigiri, and sashimi, served up alongside specialties such as duck confit buns, otoro or wagyu tartare, sashimi tacos, and Bang Island mussels prepared with spicy yuzu aioli. A Queen's Feast tasting menu highlights three-course chef's selections, paired with premium imported sakes and regional wine and beer selections. Complimentary valet parking is available for all guests.
2000 South Blvd #510, Charlotte, NC 28203, Phone: 704-594-1922
Clean Catch Fish Market
Clean Catch Fish Market is a full-service fish market and restaurant in Charlotte's hip Tranquil Court real estate development, located within upscale neighborhood Myers Park. The market, which is helmed by restaurateur Bill Ryan, serves up wild-caught fish sustainably sourced from North Carolina and around the world, including fish from prime areas such as Massachusetts, Alaska, New Zealand, and the Faroe Islands. Diners can choose from an impressive selection of daily fresh fish catches, served up alongside a full menu of sushi and sashimi and raw oyster bar selections served with mignonette and cocktail sauces. Prepared entrees include jumbo lump crab cakes, fish and shrimp taco kits, and Faroe Island salmon burgers, with organic and sustainable wines available to complement all entrees.
2820 Selwyn Ave, Charlotte, NC 28209, Phone: 704-333-1212
Lenny Boy Brewing Company
Lenny Boy Brewing Company is one of Charlotte's premiere microbreweries, originally opened in 2011 as a non-alcoholic kombucha production company in the city's historic South End district. Since 2013, the company has been the American Southeast's only certified organic kombucha producer, serving up delicious variants of the health-conscious probiotic drink, including flavors such as ginger, beet, strawberry, lavenderade, and blueberry yerba mate. That same year, the company also began producing their own alcoholic brews, including now-flagship ales such as their Citraphilia IPA, Life in the South Southern Lager, Ground Up Coffee Stout, and Dat Pale American Pale Ale.
3000 S. Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28217, Phone: 980-585-1728
Anne Neilson Fine Art
Anne Neilson Fine Art is a charming gallery located in Charlotte's high-end SouthPark neighborhood, within the luxurious Shops of Morrison retail complex. The gallery, which was opened in 2017, represents the works of more than 40 internationally-recognized artists, with a focus on emerging and established artists alike working in a wide range of mediums and styles. Exhibitions throughout the year are opened with special event evenings, rounded out by a full lineup of events such as wine tastings, lunch and learn workshops, and pop-up shopping events. All guests can feel good about purchases, as a portion of all gallery sales are donated to partner nonprofit organizations benefiting the arts and the greater Charlotte community.
532 Gov Morrison St #110, Charlotte, NC 28211, 532 Gov Morrison St #110, Charlotte, NC 28211
The Evening Muse
The Evening Muse is one of Charlotte's most acclaimed music venues, acclaimed by publications such as Creative Loafing and Elevate Lifestyle as the city's best independent concert hall. The intimate venue, which opened to the public in 2001 in the city's NoDa Arts District, hosts a full roster of touring bands across a wide variety of genres, including pop, rock, indie, alternative, blues, Americana, folk, hip-hop, reggae, ska, and jazz. Guests ages 21 and older can enjoy an excellent selection of wines, beers, and spirits during concerts, which are hosted in a stage area with noted high-quality acoustics. Though concerts are all ages, all guests must present legal government-issued identification for admittance. General admission seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
3227 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205, Phone: 704-376-3737
The AvidXchange Music Factory
The AvidXchange Music Factory is a full music and entertainment complex in downtown Charlotte, home to two performance venues today, including the 5,000-seat Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre, opened to the public in June of 2009. Guests can also enjoy a wide variety of pop, rock, rap, and R&B acts at the Fillmore Charlotte, which also opened to the public in 2009. Other venues within the complex include the intimate Underground venue, the stand-up-focused Comedy Zone, and WORLD Nightclub, which hosts nationally-renowned DJ sets on Friday and Saturday nights. Dining options include Mexican joint La Revolucion, 820 Pizzeria and Bar, and the VBGB craft beer hall and restaurant.
1000 North Carolina Music Factory Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28206, Phone: 704-916-8970
Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center is the flagship theatrical venue of the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, which was opened to the public in 1992 and serves as the resident venue for regional arts organizations such as the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, the North Carolina Dance Theatre, Opera Carolina, Charlotte Shakespeare, and the Queen City Theatre. The 2,118-theater is home to state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment and world-class acoustics, showcasing a spectacular 2,400-light fiber optic lighting network throughout its audience seating area. Theatergoers can enjoy a full seasonal lineup of diverse performances at the theater, including the center's flagship PNC Broadway Lights Series, which presents touring Broadway musical performances.
130 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202, Phone: 704-372-1000
Stoke Charlotte
Stoke Charlotte is an elegant Southern fare dining destination in Charlotte, helmed by executive chef Chris Coleman, best known for its work at the Dunhill Hotel and the farm-to-fork restaurant The Asbury. The upscale soul food restaurant, which offers all-day service, is centered around fare prepared in the restaurant's 600-degree wood-fired hearth oven, showcasing rustic entrees carefully crafted with regional Carolina produce. Dinner entrees include chili-sorghum-glazed pork shanks, scallops in smoked butternut squash bisque, and braised lamb tagliatelle. Cheese and charcuterie board service is also available, along with shareable small plates such as homestyle deviled eggs, Southern-style hushpuppies, and pretzel brioche. Brunch is served up throughout the week as well, complemented by an extensive regional draft list and a selection of high-quality handcrafted cocktails.
100 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202, Phone: 704-353-6005
