Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Charlotte

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots 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 favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Charlotte, NC | Second Ward

4.9

4.9 (606)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Charlotte

About the restaurant

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Top review

Christine

Dined on Jun 26, 2025

It was a great experience for our family as we celebrated my son's 21st birthday. He is a meat lover so the food options were perfect.

Marquee Charlotte

4.9

4.9 (76)

$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

RitaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Enjoyable as always, laid back but, CLassy establishment with AWESOME LIVE MUSIC. Fodd omiss delicious

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Experience

VIP Exerience Party of 2

Experience

VIP Experience party of 4

Experience

VIP Experience party of 5

Havana Carolina Restaurant and Bar

4.8

4.8 (158)

$30 and under

Cuban

Concord

About the restaurant

Havana Carolina Restaurant offers a little taste of Cuba presented in a lively-classic setting with Happy Hours and live music. The Cuban Paradise focus on customer satisfaction.

Our distinctive Cuban cuisine is a fusion of many varied elements of Native American Taino, Spanish, African, French, Arabic, Chinese and Portuguese spices and food techniques. Our blend of Caribbean ingredients is added to elevate each unique dish to a different level. The most important ingredient in each recipe is “love”.
Havana Carolina Restaurant & Bar is Cuban family-owned and operated. It flaunts the endeavor, the courage and the strength of those who look for success in new places. At Havana Carolina, we focus on creating a unique dining experience which allows each one of our customers to travel in time and spend a day in our old and glamorous Cuba. This “Cuban Paradise” is not just a restaurant or a business, it’s an experience and a feeling. It’s Cuba in its essence.

Top review

Christy

Dined on May 10, 2025

Always an amazing experience! Feels like we are on vacation !

Cajun Queen

4.6

4.6 (2783)

$31 to $50

Cajun

Elizabeth

About the restaurant

Home to the flavorsome platters of South Louisiana, Cajun Queen is a converted home restaurant, the architecture of which dates back to the vintage early 18th century. A nostalgic iteration of the 1980's New Orleans greets the visiting patrons, with purple, green and golden themed décor priming the interiors at Cajun Queen. The dining experience is equally comfortable, and customers can cine in the living room, expanded restroom, sunroom or wrought iron rooftop terrace. From crawfish to seafood, gumbo to steak—the servings at Cajun Queen are a concoction of culinary choices. Fried shrimp, etouffee, blackened chicken breast, bayou platter, ribeye steak and frenbch cut pork chop are often the most ladled platters which customers like to order. Wine servings prime the bar area to complement the authentic Cajun flavors.

Top review

Paige

Dined 5 days ago

The food was amazing as always and the service was quick and friendly! We love Cajun Queen!

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Popular dish

New Orleans BBQ Shrimp

4.6

4.6 (49)

$31 to $50

American

Charlotte

About the restaurant

Discover the vibrant atmosphere of Uptown Charlotte at BAR ONE Lounge, where delicious food, expertly crafted classic cocktails and live entertainment create an unforgettable experience. BAR ONE Lounge in Uptown brings an elevated dining experience to a dynamic new space inside Packard Place. Indulge in a menu full of bold flavors, innovative small plates and signature cocktails all thoughtfully curated to complement the weekend entertainment - IVAN KANE'S FORTY DEUCE LIVE BURLESQUE show: Friday and Saturday 8PM & 10PM.

After work, a special occasion or simply looking for a Night Less Ordinary, BAR ONE Lounge is the ultimate destination for unparalleled dining and nightlife in Uptown.

VALIDATED PARKING & UBER SAFE DRIVING REIMBURSEMENT Available.

Top review

Theresa

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

This was so amazing to the food from the entertainment!

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Experience

Dinner & Burlesque (Friday & Saturday)

El Puro Cuban Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (1314)

$50 and over

Cuban

South Charlotte

About the restaurant

Inspired by the elegance and the history of pre-revolutionary Cuba in the 1950s

Heated Patio Coming Soon!!

Top review

Sara

Dined 2 days ago

Ropa Vieja(shredded beef) is the Cuban Dish. It was delicious, soft, juicy, and the flavor were all there. If you want cuban food go here!!!!

One Sixty Cocktails & Kitchen

4.4

4.4 (80)

$31 to $50

American

Steele Creek

About the restaurant

OneSixty offers an elevated restaurant and lounge experience perfect for celebrations, date nights, or simply a night out. Our distinctive ambiance sets the stage for enjoying small plates, signature cocktails, and bottle service. Nightly DJs to highlight your experience.

Please contact 980-416-0262 for reservations larger than 6 people.

Top review

tomika

Dined 7 days ago

Great vibes, food and drinks! Half price lemon drops are a plus.

LulaBelle's Restaurant & Lounge

4.2

4.2 (419)

$31 to $50

Soul food

Charlotte

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Chris

Dined 5 days ago

The server and staff were very pleasant and professional. Hookah was delightful, food was delicious (I just wish the mimosa and grits trio flights were available), and music was good. We will be back!

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Experience

Tequila Tuesday's

OROSOKO Sound Bar

4.2

4.2 (70)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Charlotte

About the restaurant

Welcome to OROSOKO Sound Bar, a South End restaurant and cocktail lounge featuring a unique East vs. West menu, exquisite sound, comfortable acoustics and a team of gracious hosts, passionate in delivering inspired hospitality. This cocktail, or “listening”, lounge offers a unique setting to enjoy craft cocktails and relaxed fine dining from renowned Chef Jay Pound, while immersed in the curated sounds of a skilled DJ on our world-class audio system. There simply is nothing like it.

Indulge in our beautifully crafted signature cocktails, while savoring Asian and Latin inspired tapas-style shareables in a natural environment that exudes sophistication, comfort and luxury. At Orosoko, we pride ourselves on delivering a first-class, welcoming atmosphere that is stylish, but never pretentious.

**We are currently operating under our Summer Hours schedule and will be closed on Mon/Tue until Labor Day, 9/1/25. Open Wed-Sat, starting at 6:00pm, and on Sundays for brunch 12-4pm.**

Top review

Ryan

Dined on Jun 28, 2025

Amazing experience! Will definitely come back again

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Experience

Large Party Reservations

Experience

Shiki Booth Experience (Weekday)

Experience

Shiki Booth Experience (Fri-Sat)

Teranga City Restaurant & Lounge - Charlotte

4.1

4.1 (20)

$30 and under

American

Charlotte

About the restaurant

Discover Teranga City, a vibrant West African-American lounge where culture, flavor, and rhythm collide in the best way. This unique spot blends the rich traditions of West Africa with modern American flair, offering a warm, inviting atmosphere perfect for relaxing or celebrating. Indulge in a fusion of bold, authentic West African flavors and classic American-style dishes, all crafted to delight your taste buds. Sip on handcrafted cocktails, groove to the soulful beats of Afrobeat, hip-hop, and jazz, and soak in the stylish lounge vibe. Whether you're here for a night out, a casual hangout, or just to explore something new, Teranga City is your gateway to a cultural experience that’s as delicious as it is unforgettable. Come for the vibe, stay for the culture, and leave with a full heart (and stomach)!

Top review

Ebonne

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

10000/10 our waiter Moe was excellent. Very professional and attentive. The food was amazing especially the salmon and grits with the Cajun sauce.

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