October Restaurant Openings, Closings & More Food News You Need to Know

A Euro-inspired Wine Lounge, Charlotte Restaurant named one of NYT Best Restaurants in America, QC’s First Beer Hall, $10 Espresso Martinis (and you can add a custom picture on them!), Taylor Swift Brunch, Craft Beer Week, Cheese Night, Pumpkin Milkshakes, BBQ Fest, and much more.

You all know the drill… your guide to October Eats is hot off the press and ready for you to enjoy. Bon appétit.

New & Now Open

Distro Beer Hub, South End

Charlotte’s first ever beer hall is officially open and bringing a one-of-a-kind craft beer destination to Charlotte’s South End. Come enjoy some of Charlotte’s best breweries, craft cocktails, and a diverse food selection,

Sala, Myers Park

Aptly named Sala (meaning “lounge” in Italian) the intimate, Euro-inspired, wine and cocktail bar is right next door to Moffett’s sister concept, Stagioni. You can expect European wines, cocktails, and light bites at Charlotte’s newest neighborhood lounge.

Whataburger, Albemarle Road

The long awaited opening of NC’s first ever Whataburger location has finally arrived… bringing with it the classic orange and white alongside their famous hamburgers.

Plaza Beer Garden, Uptown

Set in the open-air plaza at 325 S. Tryon Street, Plaza Beer Garden was brought to life by Resident Culture® and Mimosa Grill, creating a pop-up garden perfect for your next after-work drink or weekend hangout. The garden features live music, bites from Mimosa Grill, fresh Resident Culture draught pours, and a few surprises sprinkled in. And come on, just look at that pretzel…

Closed or Closing

• The Eagle, South End

Charlotte Restaurants & Eateries Coming Soon

Oaklore Bar & Bottle Shop, South End – Opening early October

South End’s newest bar and bottle shop is set to open this month, crafted cocktails with unique flavors will be the staples of this one-of-a-kind bar.

PopUp Bagels, Ballantyne – October 17

Hot out of the oven – PopUp Bagels long awaited opening is almost here, with their grand opening slated for October 17th, at the Ballantyne Bowl. Those classic hot bagels and delicious schmears are arriving in the QC in just a few short weeks and we could not be more excited.

Laurel Park, SouthPark – October, Official Opening Date Coming Soon

Exciting news – SouthPark is gaining a new restaurant! Opening in the former Village Tavern space, Laurel Park is blending the old with the new with a fresh New-American cuisine while still honoring the previous tavern’s legacy. Menu highlights will include everything from a French Toast Bake to Fried Green Tomato Caprese, where you can expect lunch and dinner served daily, with brunch on the weekends.

Dozo, Dilworth  – Mid-late October

DŌZO Japanese American Kitchen is leaving its Wesley Heights to open its own full-service restaurant and bar. The new East Boulevard location – formerly Fern, Flavors from the Garden space – will feature all your favorite menu items plus new additions, lunch and dinner service, and a full bar program with an extensive sake list and Japanese whiskeys.

Improper Pig, Plaza Midwood – Fall 2025

Set to open late this fall, the Improper Pig is bringing more than just a new location to their brand… they’re bringing new flavors, a new vibe, and a new home base to Plaza Midwood. The saucy smokehouse joint so many of us love is rebranding with a new twist: American BBQ with a side of Asian flair. More info to come.

Yugenn, South End – October

Yugenn’s sisterly sushi concept is arriving in South End, brought to us by the sisters behind the Sake Express brand. Sushi lovers can expect traditional rolls, contemporary Japanese dishes, and a full bar.

Sip & Cinder, Waxhaw – October

Sip & Cinder is bringing a cocktail-forward barbecue concept to the surrounding Charlotte area, setting up shop in Waxhaw, NC. The restaurant will focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and upscale dining.

Foodie Events & News To Know

Sea Level NC – Charity Cocktails, Oyster Happy Hours, Espresso Martinis, and Playbills

October Rising Tide Cocktail and Give Back

In an effort to support local non profits, Sea Level is giving back with their October Rising Tide Cocktail. When the featured cocktail is purchased, $2 of each one sold is donated to a nonprofit empowering women and children through education, health, residential care, and supportive services. The delicious (and charitable) drink is made with Mezcal, Kalamansi lime juice, cucumber, ginger, jalapeño, agave, and Electricdust.

Oyster Happy Hour
Enjoy $1.50 house oysters Monday through Friday from 2 – 6 pm

Espresso Martinis
Enjoy $10 Espresso Martinis every Monday, all day long. Plus, you can add a custom image for just $2 extra!

Wicked at Blumenthal
Through October 25th, for any Guests attending Wicked at the Blumenthal who dine at Sea Level NC before/after and order an Espresso Martini or Banana pudding, receive a complimentary Wicked-inspired print when they show their ticket/playbill. 

The Waterman – Oyster Happy Hour, $25 Bottles of Wine, Shrimp and Mango Ceviche

Specials:

• Monday through Friday: Join for Oyster Happy Hour from 2-7pm for $1.5 House Oysters (typically the Sea Level Salt). Dine in only.
• Monday through Friday: $11 lunch special on featured sandwiches from 11am-2pm: The Sedgefield Burger, Salmon BLT, Hot Chicken Sandwich, Shrimp Po’ Boy, Fisherman’s Pick
• Tuesdays: $25 all bottles of wine: Red, White, or Sparkling
• Thursdays: $4 Select Drafts all day long

New Menu Items:

• Shrimp & Mango Ceviche: poached shrimp, mango salsa, red onion, lime, aji amarillo, corn tortilla chips
• Salmon Spinach Salad: blackened salmon, spinach, romaine, strawberries, grape tomatoes, toasted pecans, cotija, maple vinaigrette
• Maine Sea Scallops: seared scallops, creamy herbed rice, Parmesan cheese
• Smoke Jack (cocktail): High Tide Hospitality Jack Daniels Whiskey barrel pick, demerara, Crude Orange and Fig Bitters, orange peel, housemade brandied cherry, table-side smoke presentation

Ace No. 3 – Half Off Shakes, New Burger, and Pumpkin Shake

Specials:

Monday through Friday: Join us for half off shakes from 2-4pm. Boozees not included. Dine in only.

New Menu Items:

• The Varsity: two fresh 1/4lb patties, two slices American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, house pickles, diced onions, ketchup, mustard, brioche bun
• Pumpkin Shake – a vanilla soft serve base with pumpkin syrup
• Pumpkin Spice Boozee – an “adult” milkshake with a vanilla soft serve base, pumpkin syrup, and a shot of Sailor Jerry 

Taylor Swift Sycamore Brunch

October 4, 2025 | 10 am – 1 pm

In case you missed it, Taylor Swift’s newest album (The Life of a Showgirl) comes out on October 3rd, so Sycamore is celebrating with brunch on October 4th. Your ticket includes all-you-can-eat brunch + bottomless mimosas, and of course, a DJ spinning the new Taylor Swift album all brunch long.

Far Niente Wine Dinner at Napa on Providence

October 15th, 2025 | 6:30 PM | $150pp

Every bottle tells a story… Enjoy a dinner without a care, as so nicely put by Far Niente (whose name literally translates to “without a care”. Book here.

Rada – Featured on NYT Best Restaurants List

Rada, a Myers Park eatery, just made national foodie news after appearing on the New York Times’ 2025 Best Restaurants in America List. The relatively new Charlotte restaurant is known for its unique and interesting dishes, alongside whispers of some of the best cocktails in Charlotte.

Puerta Now Serving Lunch

Adding to their brunch and dinner menus, Puerta is now serving lunch M-Fri from 11 am – 3 pm. Some menu highlights include Pork Belly Chicharon, Surf & Turf Fajitas, Quesadillas, and Coconut Panna Cotta – just to name a few.