We know you’ve all been waiting in major anticipation of the Pancake’s Top 25 Charlotte restaurant ranking to drop like it was the latest Star Wars, or, for you Bravo fans, Southern Charm season four million. We had to let 2019 come to an almost-close to give you our 25 best restaurants of the year.
Let's review the rules. First, we only ranked restaurants located in Charlotte proper. This means no Kindred, no places in Gastonia, etc. If you’re looking into Israel from Jordan, you are not in the promised land. Secondly, we didn’t rank any chains with locations outside of Charlotte. This means no Indaco, Hawkers, etc., but somewhere like Yafo can make the list because they only have Charlotte locations. Finally, we had to have eaten at the restaurant. We still haven’t been to Barrington’s, so unfortunately it’s still not going to make the list this year. Maybe we’ll eat there in 2020, who knows?
Without further ado, we present Scallionpancake's Best Charlotte Restaurants of the Year:
1. Bardo
Congratulations to Bardo, which is still the best restaurant in Charlotte, and nowhere else comes close. It remains the only restaurant in town to receive a coveted Michigan Pug. Everything on Mike Noll’s menu is excellent, and Amanda Britton’s cocktails are perfection. Also, how about 20% off on Mondays and Tuesdays at the bar? See you pancakes there.
2. The Stanley
The Stanley moves up to #2 on the list for 2019. Everything on the Verica’s menu is stellar, but if you haven’t tried their burger, which is hands down the best in Charlotte, then you haven’t lived. We are also very hype about Alex’s special brunch donut.
3. Haberdish
Haberdish is Jeff Tonidandel & Jamie Brown’s love note to Charlotte, and it serves up the best quintessential “Charlotte” food around. If we’re taking an out of town guest to one restaurant to give them a feel for Charlotte’s food scene, this is it. Of course, don’t you dare sleep on brunch or Colleen Hughes’ magical cocktails.
4. Peppervine
A newcomer to the Charlotte scene, Anita & Bill Greene (of Banner Elk’s Artisanal) opened up Peppervine in the spring and it has quickly become one of the best restaurants in Charlotte. Pimento cheese biscuits? Yes, please. Vadouvan Cauliflower? Meet you there in ten minutes.
Soul has a special place in our hearts. It’s where we had our first date. It’s where we fell in love with peacocks as wall decor. It has everything, from sushi to pork belly tacos, and they pull every dish off spectacularly. The most fun hang in Charlotte, and still one of the best restaurants in town. Make sure you order something off the daily special menu!
6. Dot Dot Dot
Chef Daniel Wheeler took over the helm at this Park Road speakeasy, and the food has never been better. Chef Wheeler does a great job of gently introducing you to unique meats such rabbit and foie gras.
7. Uptown Yolk
Greg Collier moved his breakfast joint from Rock Hill to 7th Street Market, and dear lord baby Jesus is it incredible. Chef Collier’s Tennessee fries are the best potatoes in town, and where else can you eat James Beard nominated food out of a tin foil bowl?
10. The Porter’s House
We’re always wary of steak places, but Chef Rob Clement is putting his mark on this Ballantyne chophouse. Get a steak for sure, but don’t sleep on his delicious smoked pasta, pimento cheese beignets, and creative ice cream flavors.
Chef Shortino did it again when he opened up Lincoln’s Haberdashery in early 2018. It’s one of the coolest hangouts in town, and everything on the menu is good. Our go-to is the 13th: house-made mozzarella, La Quercia prosciutto, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil.
12. 300 East
Ashley Boyd handed over the pastry duties to Laney Jahkel-Parish at the beginning of the year to focus on improving the savory side of the menu. The desserts are as top notch as ever, and the main menu improves every day. A classic Charlotte institution which is reinventing itself as we speak.
13. Sweet Lew’s BBQ
I judge a BBQ place based on its brisket, and Sweet Lew’s has the best brisket in town. This hole-in-the-wall, get-it-until-it’s sold-out joint has the best smoked meats you’ll find in Charlotte. Also, if you see bacon on the menu as a special, get it. It’s fantastic.
14. Crepe Cellar
Another gem from Jamie Brown and Jeff Tonidandel, Crepe Cellar serves up consistently delicious scratch-made dishes including pasta, burrata, ice cream, and more. It’s not just crepes at this NoDa staple (however, you should order Crêpes Suzette for good measure).
15. Yafo Kitchen
This isn’t your typical fast casual restaurant. Israeli Chef Shai Fargian makes everything from scratch with so much love, from the laffah bread to the chicken schnitzel. His Israeli hot chicken sandwich took Charlotte by storm and put any talk of “chicken sandwich wars” to rest for once and for all.
16. Lang Van
Lang Van is Charlotte’s best Vietnamese restaurant. The service is incredible. We’ve gone six months without eating here and they still remember our orders. The menu is huge, but there’s not a misstep in the bunch. Every order is a good one.
17. OmAGGIO
Daniel Siragusa has poured his heart and soul into this Midtown eatery, and his passion is evident in every bite. Our lives were forever changed by the pepperoni pizza with honey and espresso, not to mention the chestnut soup, tiramisu, garlic rolls…need we say more?
18. Fig Tree
The Fig Tree is a traditional yet solid choice for fine dining in the QC. We are particularly fond of Molly Coen’s inventive dessert offerings. The ambiance is romantic and the service is top-notch.
19. Flour Shop
The best pasta in Charlotte is at Flour Shop. Go sit at their gigantic bar and watch the chefs do their thing. Their house-made focaccia and burrata is a must order.
20. The Asbury
Putting Yvonne’s hatred of The Dunhill aside, The Asbury always has unique and fun plays on traditional southern cooking. They also have an excellent brunch and the second best burger in Charlotte after The Stanely. It’s our family’s go-to before a Panthers game.
21. Noble Smoke
Politics aside, we really dig the food at Noble Smoke. The ribs are incredible, and there’s no stopping the fried hand pies. We also think their selection of sides is standout, even though the brisket is still a second place finish to our sweet, Sweet Lew’s.
22. Angeline’s
Angeline’s has become our favorite upscale Uptown spot this year. From the pasta to whipped ricotta, we’ve never been disappointed. This is also a great pre-Panther’s game option.
24. Flip-A-Lo’s
Flip-a-Lo’s is a hidden gem tucked away in an unassuming strip mall. With their homemade dough for breadsticks and buffalo pizza sticks and fresh-not-frozen wings, there’s no better caloric splurge in Charlotte.
25. Laurel market
Laurel Market has the Charlotte breakfast sandwich game wrapped up, and they are all between 4-6 dollars. We especially love the Mercado, which is bacon, egg, and pepper jack cheese with spicy chipotle spread.