Our Most Popular Charlotte Food & Drink Stories of 2022
From the best of what's new, to the stories behind beloved gems
1. 25 Best New Restaurants in Charlotte: 2022
An unranked rundown of the city’s notable, recently opened spots.
Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails’ Chicken Biscuit Pot Pie. All photographs by Peter Taylor.
2. Major Figure in Charlotte’s Beer Community Departs the Scene
Nils Weldy, the longtime shepherd of Charlotte’s craft beer community, leaves behind an ever-growing flock.
By Greg Lacour
Courtesy Justin Moore
3. Cursed Corners: Why Can’t These Charlotte Spots Keep a Restaurant Tenant?
Here’s an easy way to tell how long someone has lived in Charlotte: Take them to 1315 East Blvd., at the corner of East Boulevard and Scott Avenue, and see how many past restaurants they can name.
By Kathleen Purvis
Red@28th, a “multicultural literary lounge” that opened in early 2021, is the sixth tenant in 20 years to lease the 8,000-square-foot space at East Boulevard and Scott Avenue. Photos by Peter Taylor.
4. A Guide to Charlotte’s Best Italian Restaurants: 2022
Charlotte’s roster of Italian eateries continues to expand, proving the city’s robust appetite for pizza and pasta isn’t going anywhere. Fortunately, we’ve got a range of options, from white tablecloth ristorantes to more casual osterias. Enjoy scratch-made tagliatelle the way you’d eat it in Bologna or order meatballs and breadsticks at a counter. Sip a glass of Chianti at a Venetian-style wine bar or take a gelato to go. Find an experience at any price in this restaurant guide.
PETER TAYLOR
(Clockwise from top left) Snapper picatta, Bolognese papperdelle, crab arancini, penne alla Civetta, seared scallops and risotto.
5. 6 Notable Newcomers to Charlotte’s Breakfast Scene
And what to order at each.
By Taylor Bowler
Photos by Peter Taylor
6. A Survey of Charlotte’s Tastiest Biscuits
We scoured the city for its stickiest, homiest, cheesiest, French toastiest options.
7. The Story Behind Park Road Joint Sir Edmond Halley’s
Over 26 years, it’s become one of Charlotte’s most beloved watering holes—even if you do need a map to find it.
By Kathleen Purvis
Photos by Peter Taylor
8. Served History: The Story Behind Kopper Kettle in Pineville
Big portions and family traditions have held tight for 50-plus years at this gem.
By Kathleen Purvis
Saradina Morris and her father, George Karnezis, who opened Kopper Kettle on a barren stretch of Nations Ford Road in 1971. Photos by Peter Taylor.
9. To the Bitter South End: A Night Out in Charlotte
I moved here from Minneapolis in January and had not yet experienced the delights of Charlotte nightlife. What follows is an account of my baptism by mozzarella sticks, soccer hooligans, Korean liquor, karaoke, and tennis shoes that I swear were white when the evening began.
By Tess Allen
Resident Culture South End. Photographs By Andy McMillan.
10. Rob Clement Bets Charlotte Will Go Meshugganah Over His Jewish Deli
The story behind the popular pop-up looking to become a brick-and-mortar.
By Taylor Bowler
“Pastrami was made as a way of preserving beef,” says Rob Clement, owner of Meshugganah. ”The flavor is very similar to barbecue, which fits into the Carolinas.” Photos by Peter Taylor.
