Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Charlotte

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Charlotte? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Primo Prime

4.9

4.9 (585)

$31 to $50

Italian

Myers Park

About the restaurant

We bring the best of Italy to the heart of Myers Park, offering classic Italian cuisine created from the freshest ingredients served in a warm, casually elegant atmosphere. Preview wines from our wine cellar and enjoy a cocktail before or after dinner in our cozy bar.
At Primo Prime, pride in our food, excellent service, and an inviting atmosphere never let us settle for being anything less than the best. We were featured in the South Charlotte Weekly Culinary Corner. Come on upstairs and see why they gave us five stars!

Top review

MaryallysVIP

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

Great neighbor gem! Have loved it for the past 20 years. Always consistent!

Maiz Agua Sal

4.7

4.7 (28)

$30 and under

Mexican

Charlotte

About the restaurant

Located in the vibrant Wesley Heights neighborhood, Maiz Agua Sal is a celebration of authentic Mexican cuisine that honors tradition while embracing culinary diversity. We serve brunch, lunch, and dinner, crafting meals that reflect Mexico's rich history and unique flavors.

At the heart of our kitchen are house-made heirloom corn tortillas pressed daily, alongside long-simmered braises and perfectly tender meats, all complemented by farm-fresh produce. Our scratch kitchen ensures every dish bursts with vibrant flavors, offering a fun and delicious dining experience.

Our beverage program beautifully mirrors our culinary philosophy, featuring a thoughtfully curated selection of artisanal agave spirits and high-quality ingredients inspired by Mexican culture. Join us for an unforgettable meal that brings a taste of Mexico to Wesley Heights!

Top review

AliVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We loved everything about this place! The food was absolutely amazing-great recommendations from our server and the taste and flavor combinations were amazing. Definitely loved the tamales and the homemade tortillas. Great drink options for alcohol and non-alcoholic tastes. Great service really just fabulous experience will definitely be back!

Discover more

Experience

Street Taco Lunch Special

Experience

Large Party Dining at Maiz Agua Sal

Flour Shop

4.6

4.6 (1221)

$31 to $50

American

Myers Park

About the restaurant

Your neighborhood pasta bar.
With a culinary team lead by Chef Trey Wilson, we're bringing handcrafted food to the Backlot of Park Road Shopping Center since 2018 and are thrilled to be an OpenTable Diners' Choice award-winner multiple years in a row. At Flour Shop, everything is made in-house with a commitment to supporting ethically-sourced food, including ingredients from local farms and fishermen. Choose to dine with a front-row view of the busy open kitchen at our 24-seat pasta bar, relax with friends and family in the dining room, or enjoy your dinner au natural on our creekside patio. We feature an extensive wine and cocktail program.

Conveniently located a few minutes from Myers Park, Selwyn, Dilworth, Southpark, and other great historic neighborhoods in Charlotte, NC.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Top review

Jessica

Dined 3 days ago

Food was great. Chef came by several times to check on us. Great ambiance and fun crowd.

Cabo's Mexican Cuisine & Cantina

4.6

4.6 (3)

$30 and under

Mexican / Southwestern

South Charlotte

About the restaurant

WELCOME TO CABOS
BIENVENIDOS A SU CASA AMIGOS

As children growing up in Mexico, my father Ramon always taught us to dream and to believe in our family and our ability to make our dreams come true, working hard with passion and determination.

Top review

TracyVIP

Dined on Mar 21, 2025

This has been our Friday night go to for 25 years. It never fails to make us laugh and smile every time. The food and drinks and now live music on Friday nights..fantastic

The Workman's Friend

4.6

4.6 (88)

$30 and under

Irish

Plaza Midwood

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Plaza Midwood, we are an authentic Irish American pub serving scratch-made pub fare with friendly service and a welcoming atmosphere. Choose from our open air patio overlooking the action of Central Avenue, or our cozy indoor dining room outfitted with a working fireplace.

Top review

Kent

Dined on May 11, 2025

Comfortable and warm pub atmosphere. Fish & chips are the best in CLT and their Guinness pour is perfect.

Pizza Baby East

4.5

4.5 (51)

$30 and under

Pizza Bar

Elizabeth

About the restaurant

We're proud to be an award-winning establishment, having received the Top 50 Pizza for 2024 in US.

Pizza Baby East is the full-service Roman Café and Wine Bar, offering a selection of locally sourced mozzarella, antipasto, a rotating special, and our signature 12" Americana-style pizza inspired by the Eternal City. Everything is baked in-house, meticulously sourced, and clean label!

Located in the Elizabeth neighborhood, we serve pizza by the slice in a rectangular hand-held fashion, using our signature housemade focaccia. If you haven't been to Rome, our pizzas are reminiscent of street-style pizza al taglio.

Top review

Brian

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Absolutely some of the best pizza I’ve ever had. The Barada is outstanding, and the meatballs are to die for.

Tap & Vine - Quail Corners

4.4

4.4 (85)

$30 and under

American

South Charlotte

About the restaurant

If you’re in the Quail Hollow area and looking for something a bit outside the ordinary, we invite you to discover what makes Tap & Vine a favorite among locals for Tapas, Salads, Entrées, Appetizers and everything in-between. See our full menu, make a reservation, or get complete information on letting us host your upcoming celebration.

Top review

RogerVIP

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Great place for dinner and drinks. We will be back for the live music.

Évasion CLT

4.4

4.4 (23)

$30 and under

American

Cotswold

About the restaurant

Escape the ordinary with Évasion! Enjoy delights and drinks that will make your taste buds dance as we EAT DRINK VIBE the night away.

Top review

Halana

Dined 4 days ago

Great experience Desire was great. Will definitely be back again

Leroy Fox Cotswold

4.3

4.3 (124)

$30 and under

Southern

Cotswold

About the restaurant

Leroy Fox is a restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina that specializes in serving fried chicken. The restaurant features a modern roadhouse appeal and offers a large outdoor patio area and cocktails served in mason jars. Leroy Fox offers a multitude of menus, including a lunch and dinner menu, brunch menu, drink menu, dessert menu, catering menu, to go menu, kid's menu and late night menu. The brunch menu features omelets, chicken and waffles, fried pork chop, sausage and gravy biscuits, chicken and sausage biscuits, eggs Benedict and more. Lunch and dinner fare at Leroy Fox includes rib eye, pork chop, salmon filet, shrimp and grits, grilled chicken and dumplings and multiple fried chicken options.

Top review

Veronica

Dined on Jun 12, 2025

Asia is the BEST!!! She is such a great server always!!

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