Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Charlotte

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining 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 Foundry at Trilogy® Lake Norman

4.8

4.8 (1251)

$30 and under

American

Denver

About the restaurant

At The Foundry, we forge exceptional food and drink every day. The culinary team takes raw ingredients and crafts beautifully finished, bespoke plates, perfect for casual lunch or an anniversary dinner. Featuring local and regional house-crafted selections, the restaurant emphasizes healthy, freshly made and flavorful fare with a Southern twist, all pairing deliciously well with the Club’s signature drink, the Back Porch Sweet Tea. The experience at The Foundry is centered on three tried-and-true food and beverage tenets: it’s socially driven, locally inspired, and stylishly crafted.

Top review

RitaVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Food is always great as well as the service Bobbie, the manager talks and greets everyone that comes into the restaurant. She is truly your shining star

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 6 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!

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Experience

Street Taco Lunch Special

Experience

Large Party Dining at Maiz Agua Sal

Drift on Lake Wylie

4.6

4.6 (2716)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Belmont

About the restaurant

Located on Lake Wylie in the newly developed McLean South Shore, Drift on Lake Wylie is a chef-inspired lakeside chophouse. At the forefront of the Lake Wylie dining scene, our food is simple and seasonal—home to prime cuts of beef, local seafood, and homemade pasta. Whether you join us for dinner, pop by the bustling bar for a quick bite, or book one of our private dining rooms for a special dinner or cocktail party, we look forward to serving you soon.

Located 8 minutes south of Belmont off South New Hope Road and North of Lake Wylie just off Pole Branch Road.

Top review

Paul

Dined 7 days ago

Food was excellent. Bella was a fantastic server; kind, friendly, and attentive.

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4.5

4.5 (1643)

$30 and under

Southern

NODA

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Goodyear House, nestled in the vibrant NODA neighborhood, just a stone’s throw away from Uptown. Led by the culinary prowess of Executive Chef Chris Coleman, a champion on Food Network’s Chopped, Beat Bobby Flay, and SuperChef, our restaurant promises an unforgettable dining experience.

Indulge in our menu featuring casual elevated cuisine, expertly crafted to tantalize your taste buds. Whether you’re craving a hearty meal or a light bite, our diverse offerings cater to every palate. Relish the charming ambiance of our beautiful patio as you sip on handcrafted cocktails and savor delectable dishes.

As part of NODA, the city’s premier arts and entertainment district, The Goodyear House invites you to immerse yourself in a culinary journey like no other. Book your table today and join us for an unforgettable dining experience.

Top review

William

Dined 3 days ago

Food was excellent, Service was outstanding. Drinks were also great. We went on our anniversary and they gave us a free desert. Lived everything about the restaurant.

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Scallops a la Plancha

State of Confusion- Charlotte

4.5

4.5 (481)

$30 and under

American

South Charlotte

About the restaurant

State of Confusion features authentic dishes from Latin America, New Orleans, and the Carolina Low-country. We serve lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, with takeout and delivery available. Multiple indoor and heated outdoor hangout areas offer you and your groups a variety of options for dining in and special events.

Additional free parking at 301 Clanton: Monday - Friday after 5:00 pm and all day Saturday and Sunday.

Top review

Jeff

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

Ja'Marion was a very friendly and attentive server. We had a business meeting with cocktails, apps and entrees. The potato chip nachos with steak were a great starter. Our cocktails were all drinks that were not shown on the menu but the bartender nailed them perfectly. For entrees we had the Pan Fried Chicken, Gatorade Po Boy, and my personal favorite, the Bologna Sandwich. I cannot recommend that sandwich enough. Great job State of Confusion team!

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Experience

Queens Feast - Summer Event

Reid's Fine Foods

4.4

4.4 (979)

$30 and under

American

SouthPark

About the restaurant

Founded in 1928, Reid's is North Carolina's neighborhood specialty food store offering superior meats, wines, locally grown produce, seasonal fresh meals to a very loyal customer base. The South Park restaurant accommodates Deli Style service for lunch Monday-Saturday and Restaurant Menu service Tuesday-Friday night and all day Saturday and Sunday.
Join us for:
"Almost" 1/2 off steak burgers on Tuesday!
1/2 off wine by the glass on Wednesday!
$10 charcuterie boards on Thursday!
"Special Sips" on Friday - A special wine selected from our wine departments reserved list, changes each week, offered one day only!
1/2 priced restaurant wine bottles (in-house only) on Saturday's!
Sunday Brunch Features 10AM-4PM!
Live Music 6PM-9PM Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday's!

Top review

Chante

Dined on Jun 17, 2025

Our server DaQuan was awesome and the food was great!

Dos Caminos - Charlotte

4.4

4.4 (158)

$30 and under

Mexican

Charlotte

About the restaurant

Welcome to Dos Caminos Charlotte! A New York staple made it to North Carolina! The new Dos Caminos Charlotte is your next party destination. Enjoy Sizzling Fajitas, fresh made to order Guacamole, Cerveza, Margaritas, and more! We know life is better with a patio view, our outside patio is the perfect setting for sippin’ & chillin’ in the beautiful Charlotte weather!

Top review

JoeVIP

Dined 3 days ago

exemplary service. great food. beautiful place.

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.

Laurel Haven Estate

4.3

4.3 (12)

$30 and under

Winery

Waxhaw

About the restaurant

Nestled within the enchanting Laurel Haven Estate Vineyard and Winery in Lancaster, South Carolina, our newly opened bistro offers a captivating farm-to-table dining experience amidst rolling vineyard views. This charming restaurant seamlessly blends Southern hospitality with wine country elegance, serving thoughtfully crafted brunch dishes that complement our wines.

Set in a historic property dating back generations, our bistro features both indoor seating and an outdoor patio overlooking our working vineyard. Guests can indulge in locally-sourced seasonal fare while sipping our handcrafted wines, including our popular Rosé, Symphony, and Grenache varieties.

Perfect for both casual weekend brunches and special celebrations, our menu ranges from $14-$24, offering sophisticated comfort food with a wine country twist. After dining, explore our 1200-square-foot tasting room, stroll through the vineyard, or relax by our poolside bar.

Top review

Robbin

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

Very nice place! Lancaster is lucky to have them!

Aura Rooftop

4.0

4 (388)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Uptown

About the restaurant

Experience magnetic vibes up high at Charlotte's best rooftop lounge!

Ascend to Aura Rooftop atop the JW Marriott Charlotte, where an enchanting oasis awaits. Bask in breathtaking city views as you indulge in vibrant small plates and sip on signature botanical cocktails.

Top review

Dzhae

Dined 5 days ago

It was our first time experiencing a rooftop restaurant down in Charlotte. We've been living here for years but never tried it. I'm so glad we did! We are definitely coming back and going to try more. I wish that there were more options on the menu but that's really about it

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Experience

Regal Vibes Happy Hour

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