Diners' Choice: Neighbourhood gem restaurants in Charlotte

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

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

The Blue Taj

4.8

4.8 (799)

$30 and under

Indian

Ballantyne

About the restaurant

Located in Ballantyne Village, The Blue Taj is a groundbreaking restaurant serving Indian Cuisine and a much needed and welcome addition to Charlotte’s dining scene. The Décor at The Blue Taj is chic and modern, yet very cozy and eclectic. There are four themed dining areas to keep the excitement going for each time you visit. A chic wine cellar also graces the floor of the restaurant where vast and popular selections of wines are stored in a good temperature and humidity controlled environment. The Bubble Bar is open nightly to fix your craving for exciting combination of both signature and innovative cocktails and refreshingly sparkling and other popular wines by the glass. The Blue Taj is also a lunch destination in a very popular location. The ample selections of lunch offerings are sure to please business and mainstream diners alike. The Blue Taj is also available for private events and parties of various sizes.

Top review

Maryvip

Dined on Sep 9, 2024

The food was fantastic. This was our first time there and our waiter Andrew helped steer us to some good dishes. Very knowledgeable about the spice level.. definitely will be back.

Dolce Ristorante

4.8

4.8 (1821)

$30 and under

Italian

Dilworth

About the restaurant

Dolce Ristorante in Charlotte is a classic Italian restaurant serving up family friendly favorites. The atmosphere at Dolce Ristorante is airy and bright with a deep Mediterranean feel complete with Italian style artwork. The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner with special cooking classes offered regularly.

Whether you are looking for a pleasant lunch or a lively dinner, Dolce Ristorante has something on the menu to please every palate. Try the ravioli in a parmigiana cheese pink sauce, the Milanese breaded chicken with lemon dressing or the salmone fresh Atlantic salmon in a white wine sauce. Be sure to save room for the Italian cheese cake dessert.

Top review

Lori

Dined 5 days ago

Dolce is definitely an authentic Italian experience. Service is quality and the meals are delicious and served hot.

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4.8

4.8 (1304)

$31 to $50

American

Rock Hill

About the restaurant

A new restaurant by Rock Hill native Chef Rob Masone!

Top review

Amy

Dined 7 days ago

I went when Kounter first opened and to be honest I wasn't impressed. Fast forward 4 years and it was like a different experience. I never discount a place with just one visit (especially in their first few months). I'm so glad I tried again, I just wish I hadn't waited so long. I've been twice in the past 2 months and both times were wonderful! Skylar was our server last night and she was very friendly and attentive. I shared chicken sliders and Brussel Sprouts with a friend and they were fantastic and plenty! I can't wait to go again!

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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.

Pizza Baby East

4.8

4.8 (25)

$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

Rachel

Dined on Sep 6, 2024

Great food, great service! And love the location.

Gyu-Kaku - Charlotte

4.6

4.6 (543)

$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

Quentinvip

Dined on Sep 7, 2024

The all you can eat option is the best value. Plenty of quality meats and sides. You’ll leave here full

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Experience

Prix-Fixe Yakiniku Courses for Everyone!

Basil Thai Cuisine - Uptown Charlotte

4.6

4.6 (76)

$31 to $50

Thai

Uptown

About the restaurant

We invite you to celebrate refined Thai cuisine and an invigorating dining experience in the heart of Charleston, Mt Pleasant and Columbia, SC and Charlotte, NC.

Basil is the realization of the lifelong dream of Henry and Chai Eang, brothers who immigrated to the United States from turbulent 1970s Cambodia. From speaking not a word of English, to creating award-winning dining experiences throughout the Carolinas, the duo has married hard work with passion to bring authentic Thai cuisine to their new home.

Since opening the first Basil in Charleston to rave reviews, several trendy locations have followed over the last dozen years. Basil’s infectious atmosphere centers around a dynamic kitchen as the sound of heat to metal, blade to board and liquid to flame resonate throughout the restaurant. Each space stylishly appointed to reflect the culture and energy of the noteworthy Southern cities they inhabit.

Top review

IRISvip

Dined on Sep 7, 2024

It’s our fifth or sixth time here and we love it every time!! The Duck and Curries are amazing!!! Never disappoint..

Leroy Fox Cotswold

4.5

4.5 (119)

$30 and under

Regional American (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.

Tap & Vine - Quail Corners

4.3

4.3 (48)

$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

Frederick

Dined on Sep 1, 2024

All you can eat Crab legs on Sunday is a great value as well cooked. I had the carrot cake for dessert which is homemade. It was very rich and moist. Sophie was an excellent waitress who provided great history of the restaurant and encouraged us to come back for other items in the menu.

Frida's Mexican Cantina

4.1

4.1 (102)

$31 to $50

Mexican

South Charlotte

About the restaurant

Top review

Hannah

Dined 3 days ago

Love the vibe! Drinks and food were good. Awkward table placement in the back where I was seated and service longer than expected.

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