Charlotte, or the Queen City, showcases contemporary culture and innovation perfectly. It has a storied African American history, which is a major reason for the rise of many Black-owned restaurants, bars, and cafes. The restaurants, in particular, are family-friendly. They offer an array of cocktails, southern Soul, and comfort food. You can also find some ideal spots for tasting delicious seafood. In this post, we highlight 12 amazing but lesser-known Black-owned restaurants in Charlotte, NC.
12 Black-Owned Restaurants in Charlotte, NC
1. Bobbee O’s BBQ
Bobbee O’s BBQ traces its origin to 2008. Today, it is one of the best BBQs in Charlotte. Their food evokes memories of a grandmother’s homemade food. From BBQ ribs and wings to homemade sides, everything is cooked from scratch. The chefs slow-smoke the meats to ensure the finest flavor. Bobbee O’s BBQ also provides catering services. It is an online fundraiser restaurant for non-profit groups. Visit it anytime from Monday through Thursday between 11 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday between 11 AM to 11 PM, or Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM.
Also Read: Black-owned Restaurants In Baltimore
2. Uptown Yolk
If you’re looking for a classic breakfast and lunch place in Charlotte, head to Uptown Yolk. It offers a range of delicious Southern breakfast options. People love their poached eggs and Canadian bacon, coffee-braised steak, grapefruit, bruleed, and the Belgian pecan waffle. This restaurant also has a dedicated, kid-friendly menu. The restaurant started in 2012 in Rock Hill before it relocated. After the pandemic, it opened as a full-service restaurant in 2021 in Charlotte. The place is open every day from 8 AM to 9 PM.
3. 1501 South Mint
Lovers of cocktails in Charlotte should visit 1501 South Mint. This cocktail lounge is well-known for its American-style food, wine, and craft beer. Established in 2019, it has the rustic decor of an old gas station overhauled into a stylish lounge. There is also mouth-watering food. The place also holds live events for vendors to showcase their products. It is closed on Monday and Tuesday and open on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 6 PM to 2 AM.
4. Mert’s Heart and Soul
Mert’s in Charlotte is the best black-owned restaurant for Soul Food. It is owned by James Bazzelle and his wife, Renee. Both are natives of Athens, Georgia. Mert’s opened in 1998. It is currently located at 214 North College Street. A distinctive feature of this place is its Low Country and Gullah-inspired dishes. These are shrimp and grits, Charleston bread rice, and the award-winning macaroni and cheese. Mert’s Heart and Soul is open from Monday to Thursday, 11 AM to 8 PM, Friday from 11 AM to 9 PM, and Saturday from 11 AM to 10 PM.
5. Freshwaters Southern New Orleans
If you are searching for top seafood restaurants in Charlotte, NC, owned and managed by Blacks, don’t miss out on Freshwaters Southern New Orleans. It serves classic southern seafood dishes like Cajun, crabmeat, crab cakes, shrimp, cheesy grits, and grilled shrimp. The restaurant has a family-like vibe. Here people love the amazing seafood and the live music in the background. The generous portions of seafood also make the eating experience memorable.
6. Lulu’s Maryland-Style Chicken and Seafood
Lulu’s is another restaurant famous for its seafood in Charlotte. The chefs here make delicious crab cake, shrimp plate, and chicken wings. This restaurant reminds people of home. Most of its dishes are almost always sold out, which reflects its appeal. It is ideal for having a fun family time or an enjoyable meal with your friends. Other popular items here are crab fries, salmon, and fish and chips. The restaurant opens from 11 AM to 10 PM on Monday, 11 AM to 10 PM on Wednesday and Thursday, 11 AM to 11 PM on Friday, 11 AM to 12 AM on Saturday, and 12 to 8 PM on Sunday.
7. BCook’s Food Truck
It’s a delight to savor flavorful American cuisine from a food truck in Charlotte. To have such an amazing experience, visit BCook’s Food Truck. This Black-owned restaurant is loved for its stacked burgers topped with bacon, mushrooms, and garlic crab fries. Fried chicken and waffle sandwiches of this place also enjoy considerable popularity. The restaurant also offers catering and takeout services. You can also organize a private event here. It is open from Monday to Thursday, 5 to 9 PM, and Friday and Saturday, 5 to 9 PM.
8. Qucuzzo’s Cuisine
What’s better than an afternoon or evening spent experiencing authentic Southern cuisine? Nothing. Qucuzzo’s Cuisine is one such place that’ll give you a fine dining experience. The gourmet restaurant was set up by Chef Andarrio and Carolina Anglee. Anglee handles customers, while Andarrio cooks magic in the kitchen. The chef has been featured on various news channels, such as Spectrum News and WBTV. The restaurant’s most-loved dishes include Aunt Bungie’s Red Velvet Waffle, Baked Mac & Cheese, and Shrimp Tacos. The Chef’s Platter is also widely ordered here. A single platter consisting of 20 wings, 20 shrimp, 20 chicken tenders, and 2 LB of rice and beans, among other things, can easily feed up to 3 people. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Wednesday from 11 AM to 9 PM, Thursday from 11 AM to 11 PM, Friday through Saturday from 11 AM to 3 AM, and Sunday from 12 PM to 9 PM.
Read Also: Best Cities for Black Families
9. Quidley’s Delight
Quidley’s Delight is a Jamaican restaurant in Charlotte that serves amazing chicken dishes to its huge customer base. It offers barbeque chicken, jerk chicken, curry chicken, and stew chicken. It also has an assortment of vegetarian dishes. This Black-owned restaurant is ideal for Jamaican food lovers. The eatery serves a traditional breakfast of saltfish and ackee with white yams, pumpkin, and dumplings. This meal is served every weekend. On Saturdays, Quidley’s Delight serves traditional Jamaican soup. The restaurant is also known for its homemade pineapple, ginger, and fruit punch juices. It is open Monday through Thursday from 1 to 8 PM, Tuesday through Thursday from 1 to 9 PM, Friday from 1 to 10 PM, and Sunday from 1 to 8 PM.
10. Romeo’s Vegan Burgers
Romeo’s Vegan Burgers offers 100% plant-based burgers, shakes, fries, and more. It sources its plant-based products from well-known companies like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meats. The restaurant’s hamburger is popular among both vegans and non-vegans. The burgers are flavored with plant-based cheese, vegan homemade sauce, and vegan buns. This place also offers delicious organic shakes flavored with soy ice creams and house-made tea and lemonades. The restaurant is open every day from 11 AM to 10 PM.
11. Smallcakes Utopia
These Black-owned restaurants in Charlotte, NC, are the brainchild of a couple, CJ and Samantha. Impressed by a Smallcakes Cupcakery in Georgia, they wanted to give people the best cupcakes in the entire Charlotte. According to them, their place is ideal perfection. Steve White, or CJ, has been in the restaurant industry for over 20 years. He is passionate about baking, so Smallcakes Utopia specializes in decadent treats like ice cream, cupcakes, cookies, and more. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 9 PM and Sunday from 12 PM to 6 PM.
12. Two Scoops Creamery
Two Scoops Creamery is run by three best friends. Marques, Jae, and Rich opened the restaurant in Plaza Midwood, Charlotte’s most vibrant neighborhood, in 2016. They aim to offer the citizens of Charlotte and neighboring cities the best homemade ice cream. Over the years, Two Scoops Creamery seems to have nailed at what it is doing. Its ice creams have been honored with an award, and the shop itself has been featured in the Food Network Magazine. Visit it anytime between Sunday to Thursday, from 1 PM to 10 PM, and Friday to Saturday 1 pm to 11 PM.
Summing Up
The Black-owned restaurants mentioned above enrich Charlotte’s culinary landscape. Each one offers a distinct dining experience. Their skilled chefs whip up mouth-watering Southern dishes that leave customers amazed. If you plan a trip to Charlotte, don’t forget to stop at one of the spots above.
