Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Charlotte

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

The Workman's Friend

4.8

4.8 (63)

$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

Jared

Dined on Sep 5, 2024

First time visitor and came away impressed with plans to go back. This has a casual environment with elevated pub fair - my burger and fries (those fries!) were awesome.

P.F. Chang's - Northlake

4.7

4.7 (241)

$30 and under

Chinese

Charlotte

About the restaurant

We are an Asian & Chinese restaurant offering dine-in, takeout, to-go, delivery, and catering. Make a reservation online to dine in. Order Asian and Chinese food delivery, takeout, and catering online or through the P.F. Chang's mobile app. Let us cater the perfect feast for you - corporate office catering menus are also available. P.F. Chang's offers a variety of signature Asian, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Mongolian, and Chinese food dishes including Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Chicken Pad Thai, Signature Lo Mein, Fried Rice, Mongolian Beef, Chang's Spicy Chicken, and Pork and Shrimp Dumplings. Order online for sushi delivery and takeout. Many gluten-free and vegetarian menu items are available. Try our seasonal cocktails and seasonal menu items.

Top review

Quentin

Dined on Aug 16, 2024

Dinner and service was very good. Only issue was the appetizer of fried dumplings came out lukewarm rather than steamy hot. Rest of the meal and drinks were delicious.

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Experience

Lucky 8 Happy Hour (Mon - Fri, 3 - 6pm)

Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails

4.7

4.7 (418)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Southend

About the restaurant

Nestled next door to Craft Tasting Room and Growler shop in South End. Alyson and Dan Davis designed Lincoln Street Kitchen and Cocktails to be local inside and out, from the small plates menu to the space itself. The seasonal menus’ are inspired by the roots of the region and local farmers. A local gem for both Brunch and Dinner where health is the forefront our philosophy as a seed oil free restaurant that has a variety of menu items that are both gluten free and vegetarian. The restaurant is also known for innovative bar program led by Beverage Director Amanda Britton with cocktails featuring house made shrubs, sodas, barrel-aged cocktails, zero poof and curated wine list. The restaurants midcentury nostalgic rustic yet refined design finds the balance between nature and modern, featuring a moss wall, lime washed brick, a walnut live edge bar, 48 seat dining room and a 30 seat roof top deck.

Top review

Robert

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent food. Nice view from the rooftop patio. Service was prompt and friendly. Great place.

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Experience

Happy Snacks at Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails

PARA

4.7

4.7 (26)

$31 to $50

American

Southend

About the restaurant

PARA, located in the heart of South End Charlotte, is an innovative lounge & restaurant serving globally influenced shareable plates, entrées & creative cocktails.

Top review

Sierra

Dined on Sep 5, 2024

The vibes were 10/10, food was delicious, and the service was amazing. Will definitely be back!

Leroy Fox Cotswold

4.6

4.6 (119)

$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

jsdbvip

Dined on Jul 28, 2024

We went in to Leroy Fox for brunch on a Sunday. Overall, it was a pleasant experience. There is indoor and covered outdoor seating. The atmosphere is very inviting and relaxing. We had great service from being greeted to our server. The options for brunch were very good. We started with the Pretzel Bites. We have had these before. Normally, they are better than they were this time. They were still good, just maybe not cooked quite as long. We still ate them and enjoyed them. In fact, it is one of our favorite things on the menu - just was not quite up to par on this trip. My wife ended up getting a standard breakfast type of food with eggs, bacon, and grits. She enjoyed it very much but also acknowledged that it was similar to what she would receive anywhere. I got the Chicken and Waffles. I had my eggs scrambled and on the side. They were fine. The fried chicken breast was very good. In fact, it was better than normal. Often, I find that the chicken is slightly over-cooked. This was not the case on this trip. It was cooked perfectly. Loved the seasoning in the breading. I had the peach compote on the side and gave it to my wife. The only real complaint that I have is that the waffle is a bit too dense. I prefer my waffles on the lighter and sweeter side. I think making that minor change would improve the dish in my opinion. Overall, we like Leroy Fox and we will be back in the future.

The Eagle - Charlotte

4.6

4.6 (268)

$30 and under

Southern

Southend

About the restaurant

We start with cage free, free roaming, all natural chicken. It’s brined, dredged, then dropped into custom-built fryers. Its got a little kick and is served with our house made hot honey.

Top review

Tiffany

Dined 5 days ago

Lovely atmosphere and food! The staff was amazing and food came out quickly.

La Capital MX

4.5

4.5 (298)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Southend

About the restaurant

La Capital brings the spirit of Mexico to the table creating an unmatched dining experience in Southend with our authentic Mexican cuisine and cocktails in a modern, high energy environment.

Top review

Randy

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent meal with terrific service… with nice ambience. A very good experience.

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Popular dish

Flan

Marquee Charlotte

4.2

4.2 (31)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Charlotte

About the restaurant

Discover unparalleled sophistication at The Marquee Charlotte, just 7 minutes from Uptown. A pinnacle of refined luxury, our prime location offers access to the city's finest cultural treasures and modern conveniences. More than a venue, it's an invitation to indulge in Charlotte's dynamic tapestry. Whether it's an elegant dining experience, a weekend of dancing, exclusive bottle service, or corporate events, The Marquee Charlotte is your passport to a world where every moment exceeds expectations in the heart of Charlotte.

At the Marquee Charlotte, baseball hats, athletic wear, flip flops and hoodies are permissible.

We automatically add a 20% gratuity to all checks.

Top review

Latrell

Dined 6 days ago

Really enjoyed the live music. The chicken wings- lemon pepper were really good. And the drinks also had liquor.

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Experience

VIP Exerience Party of 2

Experience

VIP Experience party of 4

Experience

VIP Experience party of 5

Rusty Bucket - South Park

4.1

4.1 (389)

$30 and under

American

SouthPark

About the restaurant

Rusty Bucket is a casual neighborhood tavern serving the highest quality food and beverage in a “come as you are” setting. Scratch kitchens, fresh cocktails, and the perfect pour are our craft. Our associates are welcoming, and our hospitality naturally makes us the local hub where friends and family frequently gather to share in a good time.

Top review

Robert

Dined 7 days ago

Our waitress was great and attentive. Food and drinks great.

Frida's Mexican Cantina

4.1

4.1 (102)

$31 to $50

Mexican

South Charlotte

About the restaurant

Top review