Burr & Berry
Local drive-thru coffee brand opening its fourth Charlotte-area location at 2905 Monroe Road near Elizabeth neighborhood, between Tipsy Burro and Smokey Joe’s Café. Targeting a late summer 2026 opening. Concept offers coffee, espresso, cold brew, chai, matcha, teas, seasonal beverages, and pastries from local bakers. Co-owned by Jason and Kelly Cowan, who launched the brand […]
Churp
Fast-casual healthy bowl concept from Tyler Helikson, founder of Happy + Hale. Opening at Olde Raleigh Village shopping center. Menu centers on customizable bowls with a dedicated kids bento box-style menu. Targeting late-summer or early-fall 2026 opening. Founder is considering future expansion depending on debut location success.
Sweet July Café
Ayesha Curry’s lifestyle café coming to the Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte. Menu features smoothies, pastries, healthy snacks, California farmers-market-inspired cuisine with Jamaican influences. Slated for July 2026 grand opening. Part of a three-restaurant collaboration with Stephen Curry and chef Michael Mina of the Mina Group.
Postino WineCafe
Postino WineCafe, an all-day restaurant and wine bar, is opening a second Charlotte-area location in the Commonwealth mixed-use development in Plaza Midwood. The 4,113-square-foot space will be open daily for lunch and dinner, featuring 30 wines by the glass, NC craft beer, cocktails, bruschetta, panini, salads, charcuterie boards and shareable plates. Expected to open by […]
The Eighth Rule
Steph Curry’s bourbon-forward cocktail lounge ‘The Eighth Rule’ is targeting a late winter opening at The Ritz-Carlton in Uptown Charlotte. Features craft cocktails, rare pours, and innovative bites. Operated in partnership with James Beard Award-winning MINA Group (Chef Michael Mina). A second restaurant by Ayesha Curry, Sweet July Cafe, is also opening at the same […]
Dave’s Hot Chicken
Dave’s Hot Chicken is expanding in the Charlotte area with four additional future locations planned for Pineville, High Point, Mooresville, and Indian Land (SC). The Steele Creek location at 13415 Rigsby Road opened May 28, 2026 (past). The four remaining locations have no confirmed opening dates yet. Franchise co-owned by Nick and Nicole Smith.
Bourbon Steak
Stephen and Ayesha Curry, alongside Michelin-starred chef Michael Mina, are opening three restaurants within uptown Charlotte’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel in 2026: Bourbon Steak (steakhouse), The Eighth Rule (bourbon-forward cocktail lounge and social dining destination), and Sweet July Cafe (lifestyle-forward café).
Botiwalla
Indian street food restaurant from chef Meherwan Irani (of Chai Pani fame), opening as the fifth Botiwalla location. 4,000 sq ft with 80 indoor seats and 30 patio seats. Menu features okra fries, lamb burgers, kebab rolls, rice bowls, chai, lassis, and fizzy drinks. Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm.
Little Alley Steakhouse
Atlanta-based steakhouse concept (operated by F&H Food Trading Group) reviving long-discussed Uptown Charlotte location inside Hearst Tower. A $3.7M construction permit was filed for the space. Plans call for ~8,600 sq ft with private dining rooms, patio seating, and large wine display. No official opening timeline announced. Project was originally announced in 2020 but went […]
Heartbutter
Non-alcoholic cocktail and community-centered pop-up concept founded by Dre Thomas. Two pop-up events planned: June 25 at CHNO Coffee (4612 Gilead St, Lower South End) and July at Lottie’s in Uptown Charlotte. Long-term goal is a brick-and-mortar location with owner eyeing a Fall 2027 opening in Charlotte. Beverage program developed with mixologist Donnell Owens featuring […]