Barrister's at The Esquire Hotel

Name: Barrister's at The Esquire Hotel
Address: 168 W Main Ave, Gastonia, NC, United States, 28052-2306
Telephone: (980) 888-1502
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.7

4.7

93 Reviews

$30 and under

American

Top Tags:

Welcome to Barrister's at The Esquire Hotel! Located on the ground level of the restored Lawyer's Building, we strive to deliver a balance of Southern classics and soon to be new favorites. Custom cocktails and an adventurous wine list round out the options. Dine in doors beneath a 2 story vaulted ceiling or outdoors on our dreamy canopied patio. Join us where the past meets the present in Downtown Gastonia!

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 7, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 3 times today

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American
Hours of operation
Mon–Sat 7:00 am–9:00 pm
Phone number
(980) 888-1502
Website
http://www.esquirehotel.com/dining
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual

Location
168 W Main Ave, Gastonia, NC 28052-2306
Neighborhood
Gastonia
Cross street
Main Ave and MLK Blvd
Parking details
Private Lot
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Vegan, Wine

Popular dishes

What 93 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.8Service
4.8Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Charlotte
Good for business meals
Charlotte
Great for outdoor dining
Charlotte
Romantic
Charlotte
Great for scenic views
Charlotte
Good for special occasions
Charlotte
American
Charlotte
Good for business meals
Charlotte
Innovative
Charlotte
Great for outdoor dining
Charlotte
Romantic
Charlotte
Great for scenic views
Charlotte
Good for special occasions
Charlotte
American

93 Reviews

CB
CelesteB
Charlotte
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Celebrated my husband's 50th with friends. The time, service, and money were well spent.
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DL
DonnaL
Caribbean
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I had a wine flight with Brussels sprouts and a pork chop, relish and grits special. Loved it all! My husband had the butternut squash risotto and beer and enjoyed both. We split the Chocolate chess pie which was scrumptious. We dined outside on the elegant patio and had a wonderful time.
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CR
CalvinR
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
New menu was delicious and full of options for our range of diners. Our 7 year old loved the chicken sandwich on the kids menu, mother in law had the pasta special, which was outrageous, and my wife and I had the ribeye and Caesar salad. All delivered perfectly with excellent service!
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PW
PaulaW
Charlotte
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 4, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
Beautiful restaurant. Food was very good. Service was excellent. Will definitely be back.
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KK
KathyK
Richmond
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
What a fabulous meal. The servers were welcoming and professional. We will be back soon!
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PW
PaulaW
Charlotte
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was delicious. Staff was friendly and helpful. Definitely will be back.
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RG
RodneyG
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing restaurant! Food and drinks were great. We took our drinks up on the roof to watch the sunset. Spectacular.
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TW
TinaW
Western NC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great experience all the way around, from the food, to the service, to the ambiance of the restaurant.
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GS
GeorgeS
Greensboro
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Went to celebrate my 59th birthday. I wanted to go to a place with great food and service that was not loud. The space itself is old/restored and beautiful. Do not go in a hurry. And expect to pay a premium. I knew this going in and found all was within my expectations. Service and food were very good. Recommended.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 30, 2023
overall4food3service3ambience5
Very beautiful location inside a small boutique hotel. Food was beautifully plated but pork loin was tough-hard to cut and chew, not much flavor, fried green tomatoes were very thinly sliced so mostly breading. Banana pudding was also bland with no bananas in sight. Although the restaurant was fairly empty (4 separate couples at most), the waitress rushed the meal-main course came out while we were still eating appetizers, asked if we wanted boxes while we had just started eating mains and never asked if we wanted additional drinks after we ordered cocktails initially. Very friendly, just think service is a training issue. Nice location and atmosphere but not rushing back to try again.
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AL
AlanL
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 30, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Wonderful! The service was impeccable! Everything was delicious and presented wonderfully! It is a smaller restaurant than I expected so the noise level is high but we had no problem having a great conversation with our friends and I don’t hear well so this is always a consideration for me. We all chose to get the Queens Feast selections with some of their signature cocktails…I had the Lavender Lemonade…so so good! Sweet but not too sweet. Perfect! Our friend had a Manhattan and said it was perfectly done. My husband had a bourbon drink that he really enjoyed and they made our other friend a mocktail off the menu without batting an eye! The Fried Green Tomatoes were the absolute hands down best I have ever had! The Mahi Mahi was so delicious!! Perfectly cooked with wonderful accompaniments! The Pork Lion was a bit dry but the accompaniments made up for it beautifully and we were a pretty late seating so that may be why. We were there until the place emptied but the employees never made us feel hurried or rushed! We will definitely be back!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on July 28, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience4
Our dinner was great. We came in around 7:30pm specifically for Charlotte Restaurant Week. It did feel a little rushed. We had planned to hang out for another round of drinks, but I think the staff was anxious to leave (9pm close) and the rain closed the upstairs hotel bar. Our food would come out when we were half way through the current dish. At one point, I was still eating my main course when the waitress began to take my plate, and our dessert was already on the table. I’m hoping it was just because it was a Friday night, and it’s understandable that the staff may want to have plans after their shift. This is our second time at Barristers, and we look forward to returning.
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KM
KathyM
Charlotte
18 reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on July 27, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
The food was good - good sized portions and tasty. The service was very good and attentive. The manager checked with us to be sure that we were satisfied and was friendly, as was the rest of the staff.
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CP
CynthiaP
Charlotte
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 25, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
Elegant decor and delicious food. A hidden 109 year old treasure!
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AK
AKA1961
Charleston
2 reviews
vip
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 24, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Kayleigh was great. Definitely will visit the outdoor area on our next visit.
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TH
ToniH
Los Angeles
19 reviews
vip
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on July 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Went for restaurant week. While the menu was abbreviated both entrees of pork loin and mahi mahi were excellent. Some of the best polenta and banana pudding ever. Salad ingredients were so fresh and the vinaigrette was awesome. Would definitely return.
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SB
SandyB
Charlotte
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our dinner was very enjoyable, the server was knowledgeable and attentive, and the restaurant itself is historic and lovely. We will ask to be seated outside next time if the weather permits because the outdoor area is beautiful. There was live music while we dined, but the indoor acoustics made it difficult to enjoy the couple who entertained although they were a talented duo. When we finished dinner we took the hotel elevator to the rooftop and enjoyed the view and sunset. We’ll visit again soon, hopefully, to try other menu items.
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s
steves
Cincinnati
90 reviews
vip
5.0
90 reviews
Dined on July 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This was my second visit to Barrister's at the Esquire Hotel in Gastonia, and I'm sure it won't be my last. The menu, while modest, has many interesting appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and entrees. Our server was great. She was energetic, personable, and knowledgeable.
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JB
JudyB
Charlotte
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food sourced locally. Farm to table preparation. Fresh and vibrant. Beautiful restoration of an historic building.
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N
Nancy
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on June 10, 2023
overall3food4service2ambience2
This restaurant is trying to be upper scale. However, they are not there yet ( besides prices and portion size). Tables have no table cloth You have to purchase bread ( even in the lower scale restaurants bread came complimentary) Tables (crumbs) should be cleaned in between courses ( since we are talking an upper scale restaurant) Farm to table claim only applicable to some of the products Our vegetables ( 4 different people) were between overdone to plainly burnt. This is not home cooking, we should not have been served them. Restaurant has potential but I do not think we will be returning.
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CG
ChrisG
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on June 8, 2023
overall4food4service2ambience4
Date Night at Barrister's was really nice. Got there a little early and went to the roof top and surprised that we were the only ones up there. Being a Date Night that was perfect but surprised as it was a beautiful evening. Diner on the outside patio with a little music was perfect. We were waited on promptly and 'young' waitress was, I believe, new to her job. Didn't know menu or bar drinks all that well. She was friendly and did okay ( believe a lot of places are struggling with 'new' wait staffs?) Not bad service but need a bit more training. Food was excellent and really enjoyed the patio! Surprised there were not more people there on a really nice night. Maybe more advertising, a Happy Hour on the Roof Top with a waiter and possibly a bar and bartender? Overall -- I definitely would recommend Barrister's as a good choice!!
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S
Stand
Jacksonville
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on June 3, 2023
overall4food4service2ambience4
Great food and atmosphere. Server could have been better.
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PW
PaulaW
Greensboro
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 27, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Waitstaff was helpful and friendly. Took close to an hour to get our entrees. Food was very good. Nice selection (at a good price) of canned craft beers.
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NR
NancyR
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This was the best meal I've had in a long time. Everything I had from the cocktails, appetizer, salad, and entree were made fresh and so full of flavor. My compliments to the chef. Reasonable prices and great atmosphere. I am recommending Barristers to all my friends!
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PW
PaigeWW
Charlotte
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Awesome first time dining at the Barrister’s with my Husband and two small children. The patio area is fantastic for evening dinners. The service is great, food and drinks are even better. The lavender lemonade is everything I want in a cocktail. The cheese board is very good and priced well. We would have enjoyed a few more crackers too accompany the larger cheese portions. I ordered the duck breast prepared medium and it was perfection. I enjoyed a slice of the cheesecake with my daughter for dessert, note she’s a fussy 6 year old and thought the cheesecake was excellent. We cannot wait to go back and enjoy this little gem right here in Gastonia!
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K
Kathy
Western NC
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on May 20, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Steak prepared perfectly but a bit fatty like all ribeyes are
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Charlotte
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
4 of us (plus a stroller) attended an early Mother’s Day lunch at 12:30pm on a Saturday. We made a reservation, so our table was already set with menus which was nice. We were quickly greeted, everyone was very polite. The music in the background was enjoyable, the lighting was perfect, the atmosphere alone will have us coming back. My husband loved the cornbread from the bread service. My mother in law and I both ordered the salmon special, potato crusted in a creamy capers sauce - and it was worth the wait! (I started to feel like we were waiting a while for our food to come out but the appetizers we ordered held us over - bread service, bbq salmon, and a 1/2 salad) The salmon was PERFECTLY cooked all the way through and the sautéed snap peas were just delicious. My father in law had the duck and loved it. My husband had the 12oz steak and enjoyed every bite. My father in law enjoyed pecan pie for dessert and the rest of us enjoyed cheesecake. The menu said the cheesecake was “seasonal” which meant it may come out with fruit or caramel… but it came out plain. We still had the strawberry jam from the bread service on the table so we poured that over the cheesecake and it was wonderful. When we finished our meal, the hostess went outside with us to help take a group picture, it was our first outing with our one-week old baby. That level of customer service was much appreciated. My in laws said next time they’re in town, they want to stay there in the hotel, because they enjoyed the atmosphere so much.
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CJ
CraigJ
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
First time dining here and the service was fantastic and food was delicious! We will go back soon.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Charlotte
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on May 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
A thoroughly enjoyable meal from start to finish. The outdoor seating was great, cocktails were well-mixed, food was perfectly prepared, and our server was wonderful. Will definitely dine there again.
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TH
THERESAM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience3
The servers at Barrister's took care of us. My husband, my grandson and I had a wonderful evening with delicious food and the best service we have had in a long while. The duck was good; the porkchop was spot on, and my grandson loved the mac and cheese. He spoke of it many times the rest of our weekend. We will be back!
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CA
CindyA
Charlotte
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 11, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very enjoyable evening with good food , excellent service, cozy dining venue .
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AB
AlexB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 29, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
We had a great night celebrating our anniversary at Barrister’s. The staff was very pleasant. The Brussels and cheesecake were amazing!
Barrister's at The Esquire HotelResponded on May 2, 2023
We are delighted you chose us to celebrate such a lovely event. Please come back and visit with us any time. We would love to have you dine with us again.
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EM
EMMCL
Charlotte
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Sentell runs an outstanding restaurant right in the heart of our new home, Gastonia. The ambiance made us feel like we were in Europe or Morocco. Before we even arrived, Sentell made us feel welcome. He is the epitome of excellence, great job, well done. We celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary and the whole crew made us feel welcome. We thoroughly enjoyed the Salmon and Shrimp entrees. We started off with the most delicious appetizers, the Brussel sprouts and pimento cheese. Our meal was perfectly paired with Prosecco, a very delectable sparkling wine. Loved the water service too. The service was outstanding. Kaylee, excellent customer service. Christianne, superb customer service, she even acknowledged it was our anniversary. What a team. Just that extra touch we needed. We have traveled all over the world, eating in various restaurants. Barrister’s is definitely right at the top, great class. Love the rooftop too. We have already started making plans to return and bring friends & family too. Merci beaucoup et thank you very much for making our #19 as good as it gets. See you soon. The LOVET’S
Barrister's at The Esquire HotelResponded on May 2, 2023
Thank you so much for such a heartfelt comment regarding Barrister’s and its staff. We strive daily to provide the best customer experience to each customer, making their dining experience magical as if its their first time. So, thank you again for the kind words. We look forward to having you and your family dine with us again.
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JJ
JJEMEDIA
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great experience in the heart of downtown Gastonia, NC. Service, on point and friendly. Food.. Duck and Shrimp entrees… cooked perfectly and oh so tasty. Drinks, nice! Bars is very cool. Give them a try!
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MW
MattW
Baltimore
13 reviews
vip
2.0
13 reviews
Dined on April 9, 2023
overall2food2service2ambience3
Best part was the ambiance. Entrees overpriced for portion. Drinks had something left to be desired.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Charlotte
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 30, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was my birthday!! super fun and beautiful with great food and nice service
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PG
PatriciaG
Charlotte
2 reviews
vip
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 24, 2023
overall3food4service4ambience4
John was excellent waiter Service was slow for our food ( took 40 minutes) Appetizers excellent just needed additional chips My salmon and beet salad perfect We will be back for upstairs drinks, appetizers Thank you
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AD
AnnivDate
Charlotte
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 18, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience4
Duck and salmon were absolutely delicious. Seasonal cheesecake with Prosecco was the perfect dessert. Staff was kind, great experience overall.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Charlotte
16 reviews
4.0
16 reviews
Dined on February 17, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
It was great! This was my first time there. Met a friend to catch up on life so wanted a nice venue. Felt kind of silly that I made a reservation since we were the only two people in the restaurant from the time of the reservation (12pm) until we left two hours later. The food was excellent so I hope they make it!
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s
sandra
Charlotte
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on February 14, 2023
overall2food2service2ambience3
I'm sorry to say that our experience at the Barristers was not a good one. We waited almost an hour for our food. When we finally got it, my salmon was not good. It was over cooked. We had reservations for 4 days later for my birthday. We didn't want to keep the reservation, but we did. That experience was worse. I'm not going into details. We will continue going to Webb Street Restaurant.
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FAQs

Barrister's at The Esquire Hotel is rated 4.7 stars by 93 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 7, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 3 times today

Google Map for Barrister's at The Esquire Hotel

168 W Main Ave, Gastonia, NC 28052-2306

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Main Ave and MLK Blvd
Neighborhood
Gastonia
Hours of operation
Mon–Sat 7:00 am–9:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Private Lot
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Vegan, Wine

Website
http://www.esquirehotel.com/dining
Phone number
(980) 888-1502

Barrister's at The Esquire Hotel

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Popular dishes

Ribeye

Fried Chicken Sandwich

Mahi

Menu

What 93 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

FAQs

How is Barrister's at The Esquire Hotel restaurant rated?

Is Barrister's at The Esquire Hotel currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information