Oh. My. Goodness, the Spicy Vegan Curry. You haven't lived until you have had that. The menu is tiny but you can't go wrong. Someone is always stopping by to check on how you are doing. The vibe inside is warm, casual yet grown and sexy, yet real chill. A mixed crowd of all ages and backgrounds. Why had I been sleeping on this place. I can't wait to go back. read more

See all

The place was clean, everyone friendly. Our waiter (Erik) was excellent. Described the menu. Helped guide us to make wonderful choices. Everything we ate and drank was superb. You must try the crusty bread in garlic olive oil and balsamic . Yum. read more

Really good food, really good service. I would highly recommend and will be back next time I'm in Charlotte read more

Culinary Dropout - Soft pretzel & provolone fondue, wagyu pigs in a blanket, spicy shrimp crispy rice - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

Best burger ever!!! Pigs in a blanket were worth the wait!! Great service.... Hang out or do work perfect place to do it!!

Underwhelming is what I would say our experience was. I had very high hopes it sounded like the food would be fantastic. We are foodies and love really eclectic menus, but unfortunately, it just didn't live up to our expectations when we first got there we had reservations the place was fairly empty and initially our reservations were for the patio area, but we opted to stay inside as there appeared to be several tables and, the person greeting us offered to let us sit inside if we chose to so we did. Another person chose to take us to a table, she took us to the very farthest away in the entire restaurant in a corner and we were all alone. Someone came to us, roughly 10 minutes after we had been seated and apologized for the wait and said they were trying to find our waitress. I'm guessing they had not assigned a waitress to that part of the restaurant as we were all alone over there. So they went ahead and took our drink orders and I ordered an appetizer. Then she came back and she said that they found our waitress and she would be coming shortly and she left. She did give us some silverware and I was unfolding my silverware and my fork still had old food on it. So when the gentleman came through and brought our appetizer I made him aware. He was mortified as he should've been and gave me new silverware thankfully, it was clean, but I think the whole night had just become not so pleasant We did get our food in a timely fashion. Our waitress Rachel was phenomenal. She tried really hard to make up for what was lacking during our experience. As far as the ambience of the restaurant, it's a huge restaurant. There are plenty of seats. I will say most of them were, not occupied when we were there. The food that we received when we did receive it was good however I just felt like it was going to be a more elevated experience than it was. I'm sorry I can't give this restaurant higher marks. read more

See all

Good live music, great pizza, cool vibe I would definitely recommend it service was also good.

The Ambiance was really great. I did make a reservation because it was the weekend right before Christmas. Now although it took a while to get our food (they were busy) the manager came to our table offered a com appetizer and was very apologetic about our wait for food. But, once we did get out for it was delicious & worth the wait!!! read more

Culinary Dropout - Menu - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

Omg! This place is a beautiful culinary experience in downtown Charlotte! We a er lucky enough to visit during restaurant week. The decor is well thought out and just beautiful! The food and service are equally amazing. When we first arrived at 4:15 it was pretty quiet. And we were surprised, but as it got later it picked up. A must try if ever in Charlotte read more

Our server was PHENOMENAL and absolutely made our experience! He presented menu options and confirmed options for two celiac people in the party! Food was fine, nothing spectacular but portion to cost I do not feel was adequate. Ambiance and atmosphere was very welcoming and fun! read more

We were there on a busy night and we had great drinks and appetizers. We had a slight challenge with the food and it could have negatively impacted the experience. Shawn was the manager and went over and beyond to make sure we were taken care of. Despite the hiccup, I would come back again and refer my friends. I have not had customer service like this in a long time and it made the night read more

Had an amazing time! Great atmosphere, music, and food! Definitely a cute place to dine or even just grab a few drinks with friends. read more

See all

Service was great. Very hip spot and the ambiance is great however, the fish was extremely dry and was hard to get down sadly. I was starving so of course I ate it but I did have high expectations when ordering it. The fish had a great crisp but being so thin, it really made the fish itself hard. Fries were great but for $20, I expected a lot more. Drinks were great and an amazing wine pour. Edit: Maura took GREAT care of us. She invited us out to try culinary dropout one more time and let me just say, amazing. We started with pretzel bites which were crispy and had the perfect "pop". Who doesn't want to dunk it in cheese too? Delish. The salmon was cooked to perfection, crispy Brussels sprouts and the risotto, to die for. My boyfriend loved his salad. Dessert was the banana bar which was intricate and a great way to finish dinner. Our server was incredible and prompt which made our experience even better. Thank you Maura for showing us the real Culinary Dropout! read more

See all

Everything was bad. I came on a day when there was only about 8 tables, one table indoor and about 6 or 7 outdoors. The hostess and the manger at the desk was not warm or friendly, never said hello never smiled, and never considered a kids menu or accommodation with my 4 year old. Service was below, every server did not look cleaned or groomed at all, I ordered 2 things only: pizza and the pretzels and only the pizza came out. The pizza was shared for two and still didn't eat most of it because it was not good. The sauce was watery and it made the dough mushy. It looks like a beautiful atmosphere but I wouldn't recommend due to simple things like a glass of Sheryl temple came with 3 ice cubes, and watered down. Never complained or showed any dislike while eating here, and still gave a regular tip. read more

Culinary Dropout - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

have heard many good things and finally got to go check it out! super great food & nice staff. great outdoor patio and dog friendly! read more

See all

I love this place! It's the perfect spot to watch sports while enjoying a classy yet lively atmosphere. The service was excellent, and the menu offers a great mix of fun options--some are familiar favorites, while others come with a creative twist. read more

Culinary Dropout - Smokehouse Hash, Wagyu Pigs In a Blanket, Bubbles & Mimosas - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The ambiance was perfect, fun, lively restaurant and bar, friendly staff, hustle and bustle but plenty of room to sit (indoor and out). Our server was friendly and accommodating. Great late lunch stop before a concert at the nearby stadium. Would definitely go back! read more

See all

Asia was amazing and provided the best service! Food and drinks are 10 out of 10. Definitely recommended the pork nachos

The food was absolutely delicious! We ordered a variety of dishes since the portions were on the smaller side. The ambiance was fantastic, especially with the live music setting the tone. Service was quick, and our server was warm and attentive. read more

Culinary Dropout - Roasted Salmon* - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

My best friend and I decided to stop by Culinary Dropout for a drink and a small appetizer to celebrate my birthday, while waiting for our reservation at Uptown Yolk (Which was SUPERB by the way). When we arrived, there were two hosts and a gentleman who seemed to be the manager, greeting everyone who walked in. They were all friendly at first, but things took a turn after we were seated outside. We requested to sit in the shade, and while the hostess assured us that we would be accommodated, we never received the shade we asked for. What truly prompted me to write this review was the lack of service we experienced. My friend and I sat for a while before realizing that we hadn't been attended to. We began observing the other tables around us and noticed that everyone else was being served--except us. We wanted to give the benefit of the doubt, so we waited to see if a newly seated table would be served before us--and they were! I was shocked and confused because I had never experienced something like this before. It made me wonder why we were being ignored. Did they assume we wouldn't tip? We actually love giving generous tips when the service is great! After seeing multiple tables being served while we continued to be overlooked, we decided to leave. The entire experience was so bewildering that it left us questioning ourselves, wondering if something was wrong with us. It was truly a wild and disheartening experience. Not sure if I want to come back. read more

Feta tahini dip was delicious but looked like half a serving. It was topped with strawberry slices which I found odd and served with thick Italian bread. The sparce serving was immediately noticed as soon as it was put on the table. Crispy brussels sprouts were not at all crispy since they were doused in a balsamic type dressing. The centers were so tough they were inedible. The popcorn shrimp saved the meal and were delicious. When they first tried to seat us, they wanted to put us next to six people at a table. That was about 10 inches away from them. We asked if they would kindly put us in a table where we're not so close to other people and it was like a deer and headlights. The hostess could not comprehend, even though we explained to her why we didn't want to sit on top of the other table. There were literally dozens of open tables. Overpriced and food is a huge disappointment. read more

Really delicious, very nicely balanced, and good portions!! The service was amazing and the restaurant is beautiful! read more

Culinary Dropout - Beer Battered Fish & Chips - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

We stopped in for restaurant week and had a reservation. They were not busy yet since it was early and they took a few minutes to get our table ready but we were seated shortly after our reservation time. The space is large and tables pretty close to one another but did not impact our experience. The service was slow at times or felt like too much time had passed to check in on us. We ordered a few apps which were our favorite part of the meal. We had the deviled eggs, Brussels and pretzel bites! All were amazing and I would definitely order again. The pretzels were ball shaped and so soft and fluffy. The cheese fondue was tasty as well. For our mains we had short rib, Cacio Pepe, and katsu sandwich. Everything was tasty and no complaints. The drinks were pricey for what they were. I would not recommend the espresso martini. It's made with cold brew and just lacked that classic espresso taste. Overall the dinner was a bit pricier than the quality but the atmosphere was fun and we had a nice time. read more

It was an amazing experience! From the delectable steak frites (I'd recommend a sprinkle of parmesan on the fries), to the flavorful wings and strong, tasty drinks, every bite and sip was a delight. We had the pepperoni and sausage detroit style pizza and it was definitely my favorite out of our whole order. It has a crunchy parmesan crust which we loved. The pretzels and fondue weren't my personal favorites, but the overall dining experience was fantastic. Our server was speedy and attentive. I'll definitely be returning! read more

Stop wasting time and go to Culinary Dropout. Like seriously, make a reservation right now. I'd been recommended Culinary Dropout so many times, and WOW do I get the hype. Every bite of food was delicious, the drinks were tasty, the ambiance is perfect. I can't say enough nice things, they're my new favorite restaurant! read more

Cullinary Dropout is a fun new entry to the Charlotte restaurant scene. You'll find the restaurant conveniently located on Tryon St in Southend just a short walk away from Uptown and at the base of one of the newer office buildings. This section of Southend that straddles the border of Uptown and will soon be a bridge between the two is growing like crazy and pretty soon will have a whole new look. Cullinary Dropout feels like a preview of what the future holds for the area. Recently I came in for my second visit for a duel birthday celebration with a group of 12 friends. For a party that size you have to call ahead instead of making reservations online but the call was quick and easy and I promptly got a text message confirming our reservation. The restaurant is huge and yet it still felt packed on Friday night. They had a live music act going but it wasn't overly loud so we could still enjoy dinner together and have conversation. We started with several appetizers, all received glowing reviews but the biggest hit was the pretzel fondu! For my entree I went with their turkey pastrami sandwich which came with Cole slaw, Swiss cheese, and was served on a pretzel roll. The sandwich was scrumptious and everyone else seemed to give their main courses two thumbs up as well. In addition to great food they have a solid drink program with both craft and domestic beers, a variety of wines, and a killer cocktail list. I also would be remiss to not mention that the service was fantastic. Our server did a wonderful job taking care of the table and even snapped a group photo for us afterwards. He was very hospitable and we never had to wait long whether it was for our food to come out or to place drink orders, he was on top of it. Sometimes new restaurants fail to live up to the hype but in this case the hype is warranted. Even if you aren't especially hungry and just looking for a drink they have a large bar with plenty of seats so stop on by! read more

Loved sitting outside, service was fast and attentive. That breakfast pizza was amazing! Will definitely be back to try other things. read more

Culinary Dropout - Dropout Classic Mule - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

Came October 25th, 7pm reservation with a group of friends. New place that opened in town and the vibes looked right. MAN, great choice. This will not be my last visit to Culinary Dropout (now CD). We arrived and were seated promptly, the place is massive, right on the corner of S Tryon & Carson, very easy to get to from light rail and paid parking nearby (probably free lots also but this is just info so you have it) Anyways, seated promptly, seating was pretty tight, there were other tables nearby and i mean NEARBY, but, it didn't affect me at all. The waiter was super friendly and first thing he did was explain the concept to us and got us menus and explained things in detail when we asked questions. (Photos of the menu and everything I got will be posted) We ordered a Make Your Own Meat/Cheese Board (try the Prosciutto devil eggs) Pretzels w/Provolone Fondue, a couple drinks (Old Fashioned, Two to Mango..) and I also ordered the house chips and onion rings (both were great, nothing super special about them). . The drinks were a great balance My meal was the Friend chicken (it took 20 minutes to come out and they tell you this upfront) i got 2 thighs and 2 legs, smashed potatos, mac n cheese and a homemade buttermilk buscuit (buttered inside also) - i had a few bites and took the rest to go because i had eaten so many apps. The entire meal was absolutely killer, the meat was tender and juicy, slightly salty but not overpowering, not overcooked. the potato smash was great also with the mac n cheese. I loved the biscuit the most. very moist. I definitely will be back to try more things. I spent about 85$ with 20% tip just for myself but i think my friends were about the same. Not a bad experience at all. I'm knocking one star because BABY IT WAS HOT in there, could have been a one off because it's NC and the weather changes by the minute here but, even in short sleeves i felt it to be a little stuffy throughout the meal. Also, very dim throughout the entire restaurant and I mean Hollister dim...one little light illuminated our table, during the day time im sure there isn't a problem but i would like to see it just a tad bit brighter across the entire place. my personal opinion. Anyways I wiould said this is a SonnY CertifiedEAT read more

See all

First time trying this spot. Everything on the menu looked amazing. Our server-can't remember her name was super nice. However the actual service left a lot to be desired. We started with the popcorn shrimp and couldn't even finish it all. Great portion. Server never came to check once we received but we were able to grab her about 15 mins later to order our main entrees. Salmon and fried chicken were delicious. A runner brought these out and literally didn't see our server again until I asked the hostess if she could grab her so I could have a drink refill. I get people get busy but when I look over and you're hanging out at the bar chatting with other servers and the bartender without ordering drinks-at least come over and ask how our meal is or check to see if I'd like a refill on my empty glass. Other than that, food was amazing. Wonderful location, nice vibes. Would definitely come back to try other meals but may need another server. Pretty sure the table beside us felt the same. read more

House made. Get used to the term cause it runs throughout the menu. Simple, yet tasty. My wife started with soft pretzels with a crazy good cheese sauce, then had the bacon ranch salad. I am a vegan, but wasn't interested in the curry dish, so instead I dinned on bread, olives, and a dipping sauce. I know that sounds plain and boring, but it was great. Attentive staff, quick seating. My only complaint was the music, just a bit too hip for this senior citizen. All in all, a great evening and we will be back for certain. read more

Great vibe, and the food was good for the most part but there were a few technical issues that could have been improved. For example the biscuit was amazing (at first) but then the more I got into it the more I realized the center was not cooked all the way through. My entree was also just OK. The vibe made up for everything else. read more

Great place to stop and have some food and drinks. Great and friendly staff with a great outdoor seating area when the good weather comes. The service was prompt and friendly and the ambience, vibe is as advertised. Great little spot to stop, worth it! read more

The food and service was very good! Highly recommend the fried chicken and the pretzel bites with fondue - they are so pillowy! The friend chicken has a thiccc battered coat too. The tahini feta dip was good - the veggies on top were so so good. (I did find a hair in it but they replaced the dish immediately!!!) the service was awesome and everything was quick. Side note - the restaurant was very very warm, everyone was fanning themselves but they opened the doors to the outside and that let some fresh air in! Highly recommend giving this place a try. read more

See all

So to start off my lady and I went here for Valentine's Day dinner. The reservations were great , 5:30PM but due to charlotte traffic we walked in a little late and they were still available for service, now the staff, they were kind, very helpful in time of need, our server was extremely helpful with the menu and choices he was well rounded, our only problem was identifying the staff lol they were all dressed casual, no uniform at all. I was convinced I could've walked in and walked straight to the back and nobody would recognize me as a staffer or a regular customer. The ambiance was smooth, lights dim for personal time and great entertain, I love a live music and they had two great singers for Valentine's Day. Now onto the fooooooodd lol I'll keep it simple.. starters were 8/10 we had the SPICY SHRIMP CRISPY RICE which was absolutely delicious and a side of CRUSTY BREAD, GARLIC OIL & BALSAMIC. Both were great starters. Our drinks of choice was there special HUG ME, CUTE STRANGER for Valentine's Day and ABANDONED CADILLAC, the drinks were 10/10 hats off to the bar tender he/she/they were absolutely amazing. Now onto the main course.. I had the PASTA BOLOGNESE, I'll rate it 4/10, I could've made that childish meal at home. You know that spaghettios commercial of the can that rolls down the street? Thats what rolled onto my plate, it was still good just childish to me and very much a snack , definitely not worth it $24 bucks. My lady had PEKING DUCK & SHRIMP FRIED RICE, she gave it a 3/10, it was extremely spicy to a point where she didn't finish her plate, just unwillingly planned to eat it later, definitely not worth $25 bucks, maybe ball park $18 worth of food I'll say from a good Thai spot. We finished off with desert with the MONKEY BREAD , it was absolutely delicious we gave it a 7/10 but it was a great way to end the dinner. Not to mention, when me and my date left she had forgot her food on the table in the to-go tray. I had literally walked her to her car around the corner before going back to try and get it, less than 5minutes they cleaned the table and threw away the food that she had barely ate BECAUSE it was too spicy. We were a little disappointed after that but nobody fault but ours leaving the food, just thought maybe after 5mins they'd keep it to the side or something, or maybe one of there casually dressed workers made sure he/she/they took it home after work, who knows. The overall experience we gave it a 6/10. Summary, the ambiance was great, the service was great, food was subpar in some areas, hated that they threw away our to go food without at least waiting I mean 5mins I wasn't even gone for 5mins. But the choice is yours if you decide to go, we probably would go back but only for drinks and appetizers. read more

It doesn't beat the OG one in Tucson but still a good place to get drinks and food. Beer cheese pretzels are the best and we should have gotten them this time. Got the fish and chips and they were average but the fries and pizza were great! So was the wedge salad but we recommend the ranch with it. I like blue cheese dressing but I didn't think theirs was good. You've GOT to try the mudslide cake with espresso drizzle. Wow. read more

Came across this on social media figured I'd try it out. I went ahead and made reservation on open table the same day. The ambiance from when you walk in to sitting down. A nice vibe and everyone seems friendly. Our waiter Kadin had asked if we've been there before. It was our first time and he explained a few popular dishes on the menu. He was polite and carries on great conversation. They also had live music. I definitely would recommend! 5 read more

See all

I had lunch at Culinary Dropout with some friends on 4/20. We sat outside on the large patio and it was really nice. I feel like the service has a few small issues. 3 of us arrived before my other guests and we ordered drinks. When the drinks came out, my other guests had arrived but the waitress didn't get their drink orders. She basically ignored them and left to take care of another table. The food took a long time to come out, which is ok, as we were chatting. When the food did come out, a couple of us ordered more drinks but the waitress never asked others if they wanted refills. The waitress was super sweet and was training someone else so she may have been distracted, but it was definitely noticed that she made that oversight twice. I thought my food was really good. I had the hash bowl. Others are the table seemed to like their food as well. Overall the place was ok. read more

Eli took care of my whole family on a challenging day. Good food, drinks pouring, and live music read more

See all

Service was excellent, ambiance was beautiful and the drinks were delicious! Would definitely recommend this place for drinks! read more

See all

Delicious, creative, lovely patio dining, and fantastic service. Decadent but not overpriced. read more

See all

We wanted to try something new, as we had out of town guests, so we chose Culinary Dropout. We went right at 10am when they opened. The vibe is so cool. The food was even better. The brunch was superb. The banana french toast was so dang good. Definitely suggest the pretzels with fondue and the slicer chef charcuterie board. I can't stop thinking about that meal! Service was great and she was a UNCC alumni just like us - go niners! read more

Culinary Dropout - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina