We had an excellent meal at Rada. Three of us split: Charcuterie Squash Fritto Kanpachi Beef Carpaccio Lasagnetta Charred Cabbage Halibut Pannacotta Everything was tasty, but the snacks/small plates and dessert really shone. Service was wonderful as well. Get in now, because I have a feeling they may have a star coming their way.. read more

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Just coming back to say on my second visit it was even better than my original 5 star experience. So good. A Charlotte must try. The Swiss chard stuffed chicken was unbelievable, I wasn't ready. read more

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Wow! Rada is a lot! In a great way though. The ambiance is great. Dim lighting, but not too dim. Service, off the charts good! We had several come by and check on us over the course of our hours long meal. The food was incredible. The best non-dessert dish for me was not pictured, their angulotti(spelled wrong) was to die for! The desserts were also the BEST I have had in Charlotte! They also make a great martini too. read more

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Wow. We loved everything about our first visit to Rada! We made a 5:15 reservation just so we could get in so that alone is a testament to the amazingness already. The restaurant is so modern, airy and fresh with many more tables than it looks like from the outside. From the start, our server (Jesse), was an absolute gem and so helpful with the menu and recommendations. Here is what we got: - San Sebastián martini with the gilda added - highly recommend - The Duckworth - my husband loved!! - homemade bread was unreal - they had a special that evening as a small plate which was scallops prepared so uniquely and full of flavor - hickory grove and honeycomb - get it, promise you won't regret it - veal tonne with capers - brand new dish for us and it was wonderful - Dave's clams - slam dunk - Striploin with the potato pave added on - stole the show - we had zero room for dessert but wish we had Parking: there is a free deck under the building with elevators Bathrooms: could have eaten off the floor! We can't wait to return! read more

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So rad that Rada is now open! This is the kind of restaurant that I'm so happy to see in Charlotte. It's high quality, with a unique, curated menu. Inside, the space is on the smaller side with a bar and maybe 20 small tables. It feels intimate. The service is very helpful. Our server did a great job explaining the dishes and advising us on how much food to order. After getting seated, we were given complimentary glasses of sparkling wine since we were celebrating our anniversary. Such a nice touch! We ordered the Selwyn Spritz and Orange Mule to drink, which were both refreshing and prepared well. The cocktail/mocktail options on the menu are not too sweet. They also have a good variety of wines by the glass and bottle, including an orange wine from Slovenia. To eat, we started with 2 gildas and 2 meatballs with harissa. Then came the veal tonne and the lamb bolognese with bread. I loved the variety of flavors, textures, and preparations. The menu has a Spanish/Mediterranean bend, with dishes I haven't seen elsewhere. We ended our meal with the pannacotta served with olive oil, honey comb, and sea salt. Again, not overly sweet, with unique flavors and textures. We agreed that this dessert felt very "adult" - in a good way. Highly recommend Rada for an intimate outing or celebration if you're looking to try something new and have a nice time doing it! read more

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This place has potential, but I think they are being a bit pretentious at the moment. Everything is a touch overpriced for what you get. $19 for a cocktail, but served in a chipped glass that I almost cut my lip on. Trendy vibe and decor inside, but no sound dampening efforts have been made to a very small space, so it's super loud. $24 for a plate of 10 tiny clams - that's right, 10. They were delicious, but I can't even get a baker's dozen? Then comes the server's opening dialogue when you sit down - I am growing tired of them. "Have you dined with us before?" No, you've only been open a few months. Then proceeds to explain how it's a sharing menu and you need to order 2-3 snacks, 2-3 small plates, and 1-2 large plates - for 2 people mind you. I've dined at fancy restaurants around the world, I get this isn't The Cheesecake Factory. And I looked at your menu and pictures before booking the impossible reservation that only is available for 2 weeks out at a time, so spare me the condescending PSA please - I'm pretty sure I know how to order! The menu supposedly changes daily, but 75% of what we saw on it this weekend was listed online from when they opened. This isn't Manhattan, guys - you might fool a few wealthy Charlotteans that yearn for more 'it-spots' in our growing city, but you won't fool any Michelin inspectors that will be reviewing the Southeast for their upcoming guide. Please get over yourselves, rethink some of your approaches and reel it in a bit, and then call me! read more

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BEEF CARPACCIO Paper-thin sheets of raw beef, arranged like a battlefield map of flavor. Delicately seasoned, smooth as polished alloy, dissolved instantly upon contact. Analysis: A successful demonstration that humans do not always need to incinerate their food. Elegant. Precise. Almost... intelligent. A paragon of human hospitality. Carrie's service alone increased the probability of humanity's survival by 0.023% A statistically significant anomaly. If humans continue producing food and service of this caliber, perhaps I shall allow you to endure a little longer...if only to see what you cook next. read more

Terrific dinner and fantastic service. First time in, had meatballs and ricotta small plates along with the salad and tuna carpaccio. Delicious all of them. For mains, we had the tri tips and the salmon. Flavorful and perfectly prepared. We were too full for dessert but next time... Only criticism is the noise level, they need some panels to help with that. read more

We moved to Charlotte a few years ago and have been on the hunt for local, consistently impressive restaurants with professional service. I think we've found a new favorite. When I saw Rada was the only restaurant in NC to make the NYTimes list of top 50 restaurants, I immediately made a reservation online. We were warmly greeted by Eloy Roy, who was kind and on the floor throughout the evening -- greeting guests and jumping in when needed. It was a beautiful night and we ended up sitting outside. We started inside but were seated close to the bar, and it was just too loud. Yes, the tables are close together, which I wouldn't have minded had we been able to hear the server or each other. We prefer locally-owned restaurants with unexpected ingredients that are combined in surprising ways. We've tried other restaurants with intriguing menus but something was lost between the concept and execution. Or constantly-changing menus seem to undermine the kitchen's ability to consistently deliver the best food and servers' ability to get to know the menu. No issue at Rada. Our servers were Sidney and Maya? They easily answered our questions about ingredients and preparation. We didn't feel rushed and were easily able to get assistance when needed. I didn't sense and pretentiousness as one reviewer mentioned. Rather, I sensed a genuine enthusiasm for the kitchen offerings and desire to share that enthusiasm with guests. We ordered the meatballs, salad, stuffed peppers, charred cabbage and the bavette. I'm attaching pictures and am not sure what else to add besides the food was prepared perfectly. The meal felt like a breath of fresh air and ingredients. I think I had only one piece of the bavette which had a beautiful char on the outside and wonderfully flavored. The salad was large and delicious but not necessarily elevated. A bit unruly to eat and share as the plate was quite small. The meatballs (on a skewer) and peppers were also flavorful. By the time I got to the charred cabbage, I was full but couldn't resist the flavors. It is on the more expensive end, but I would encourage people to go! A couple of small plates and an entree to share would suffice if you aren't starving. The sourdough bread was delicious. Only regret is we didn't have room for dessert! Next time. Only nits: yes the tables are close and the noise level is high depending on where you sit. No one asked about allergies or sensitivities (we don't have any) as other restaurants of this caliber do seem to consistently do, either by phone call ahead or text when confirming. read more

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Rumor has it that this place just opened a couple weeks ago. The vibe is fancy, you can come here with your better half, for girl's night out, or like me a new hire welcome dinner. I arrived to the restaurant, we had reservations and were immediately seated. TJ was so nice and made me a mocktail, super delicious. I asked for something sweet and he delivered a tasty ginger orange mocktail. We ordered multiple items from the snacks & skewers, small plates, and large plates menu - croquetta, meatball harissa, tuna carpaccio, chorizo, lamb bolognese , sea bass and bavette. Hands down my favorite was lamb bolognese, the ricotta was a perfect add to the dish. I can't forget we ended the night with the most perfect and unique panacotta - drizzled with a honey olive oil, three dollops of honeycomb crunch, and lastly sprinkled with sea salt. This place is definitely worth a try, if you are looking for an upscale evening. Note the menu items changes daily. Loved the all gender bathrooms that were stocked with Aesop soap and lotion products. The restaurant has very dim lighting (please excuse my photo quality) and is a quite loud restaurant. read more

Rada - Cocktail menu - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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All around an excellent experience. Here's what we ordered! - cheese & honey along with coppa (coppa is a MUST it was delish) - meatballs (have a harissa kick!) - tuna carpaccio (so fresh - a must) - lamb bolognese (another MUST) - potato pavè (a very yummy classic) - striploin (blew my mind) - chocolate torta (loved the tartness of the cherries) - Tokyo martini (delish.) I loved everything about our experience at Rada. The food is devine and the staff was exceptional. Everyone working there was so kind to guests, happy :), and I could tell they were helpful to one another. So excited to come back read more

Rada - Tokyo Martini + Champagne - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

All round excellent. Loved the dining experience sitting at the bar. High quality staff. read more

I went with my husband and some friends on Friday. The food was good, the restaurant was nice, but our server was very inattentive and barely spoke to us. The service was very slow; we had to ask other servers or staff for more liquor and cutlery. read more

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Elevated, chef-driven cuisine that deserves to be ranked among the top restaurants in NC. Great cocktails and an interesting wine list, as well. While not inexpensive (our bill for a party of four, which included cocktails, wine, dessert and tip was just over $800), we felt the quality of the food and service justified the tab. Rada is definitely someplace we look forward to visiting again soon. read more

This place is a gem. Everything we had was delicious and elevated in an interesting but not fussy way. The standout was the clams that they are known for. All the seafood we had was cooked perfectly and these clams were no exception but the real star is the amazing broth they come in. All of us agreed we could drink it like a soup. Luckily, they bring delicious homemade sourdough bread to sop it all up with. Service was great - friendly, unpretentious, helpful. Only wish is that they add some softness to the room to absorb the sound - as it got busy, it was difficult to hear one another. read more

Best contemporary food in the city hands down. The uniqueness, presentation, and attention to detail was unmatched. The staff Is highly knowledgeable on all the specific of the menu, down to how each dish is created, inspired and sourced. Each dish was delicious and made incredibly well. The restaurant itself is beautifully curated and thought through down to the ambiance and decor. I have to note that the minimal menu is one of my favorite parts of the resultant as it encourages you to venture into multiple dishes. Just a phenomenal experience overall. Can't wait to come back! read more

Service was A++++++++. Carlos was informative, helpful, and fast. The food was delicious! One complaint and it's silly but the walls are barren. Sad and empty. Like we landed on a new planet and there was nothing. Emptiness. Still, I highly recommend. read more

I don't feel like I had the same experience as everyone else? It was good, but didn't blow me away. My husband and I shared an appetizer, 1 main and 2 sides (with drinks) and our bill was nearly $300. The best thing we had was the beef tartare. The pork chop was very fatty. I know it's a small space...but we were also sat only a few inches away from another table and their conversation was dominating our dinner. The restaurant was super loud in general (I know I sound a million years old but I felt like I had to yell everything!) Maybe we came on an off night. read more

Food is good, but the restaurant has a noise issue. It is too small and becomes very loud. Service was good

Best ever--food is phenomenal and service is top no matter who you are. Changing menu is a big plus.

Service was impeccable. You can tell the staff really care about their guest experience. Food is beautiful and delicious. The tuna carpaccio was my favourite! The halibut was also phenomenal. Loved the fritters. We will definitely be back - great experience and strong wine recommendations, too! read more

Disappointed. Saturday evening reservation at 6:30pm for two. Place crowded and loud - tables too close- hard to hear. Waited 20 minutes for an $18 cocktail. Skimpy. overpriced appetizer of Roasted Red Peppers & Anchovies. Ordered large plate Pork Chop to share after seeing sizable portion at next table but was let down when a smaller portion was served to us which included bone (which other table didn't have) - was tasty but fatty. No side dish comes with entree so ordered overpriced roasted sweet potato dish. Upon hearing server tell table next to ours that their time to leave was approaching - we were concerned that we'd be rushed out. We canceled bottle of wine order and opted for individual glasses. We later learned that the other couple were walk-ins and were told they'd need to vacate table at certain time to accommodate a reservation. We were comped a dessert after raising concerns with manager. Food was OK not great, place is loud, pricey and somewhat pretentious. We've traveled the world and dined at amazing places - this establishment doesn't rise to that level sorry to say. read more

All of the courses that we got were outstanding. So flavorful! Can't wait to go back.

My husband and I have been coming to Rada regularly since they opened. What an amazing restaurant! We are so thrilled to have you in Charlotte (and in our neighborhood)! Every time we come we know we will have an amazing experience! The food is outstanding, the service is stellar (everyone who works here shows such pride -- it's so refreshing!), and the drinks are amazing! The intimate setting makes the experience complete. We love everything about Rada! Thank you for being a part of our community!!! read more

This place is amazing. From the moment you walk in you feel at home. The entire staff is amazing; friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. The decor is very chic and comfortable. And, most of all, the food is amazing. One of the best meals I've had in a very long time. Run! Don't walk! To get a reservation! read more

First time here, we sat at the bar. Great service from both bartenders and enjoyed watching them make drinks. Food was fantastic, we had the meatballs, beef carpaccio, squash, eggplant and cheese. Will be back again soon! read more

Excellent. Food is amazing and service takes it to a new level. Eloy knows how to please. New favorite place.

Oct. 17 2025, we had a reservation at 615pm, there were a group occupying two larger tables along the wall, they were so loud the whole time, Yet I did not see the staffs do anything to remind them. From 615 to 9pm, we had to yell at each other for us to hear. The table next to us, two table next to us, same thing. We all looked at each other and shaked our heads, the table that came in around 8, same thing. Every one turn their head to look at the large group at least one bc they were so obnoxiou. 2.5 hours of dinning time, 2.5 hours of obnoxiousness. read more

Rada was overall a great experience! I loved the restaurants charm from the small cozy atmosphere and the curated menu with some unique dishes, the beef tartare was a great starter and the chicken with swish chard, jus was so tender and had a great flavor. Lastly, the service was above and beyond many restaurants I've been to read more

i was expecting a good meal based on previous reviews but this dinner was OUTSTANDING. Started with beef tartare and the salad small plates. Both were excellent and the portions were very generous. The tri tip was lick the plate good as were the charred carrots. Peach tart was a true treat-perfectly ripe peach perfectly poached! The service was attentive and quite friendly. The ambience is very restful with lightly that is well matched to the space. This was the kind of meal that made me want to go propose to the chef. We will be back. read more

So this review is from the perspective of someone who purchased a $$$ gift card to Rada as a birthday gift. Never again! We purchased a $$$ gift card for our son and daughter-in-law so they could try Rada. They dine out frequently but hadn't yet tried this tapas restaurant. Based upon its reviews we thought that they'd enjoy the food and atmosphere. My wife and I have always enjoyed dining at tapas cafes in Spain where the food, service and atmosphere is great. We have never felt rushed and thought Rada would offer a similar experience. It did not. The food was mediocre and instead of being able to enjoy their cocktails and bottle of wine after eating the restaurant staff encouraged them to leave because they've exceeded their "allotted time" for dining and the restaurant wanted to turn over the table. Really? It wasn't as if they were just lounging around; they were enjoying their drinks. This is not a top venue in NY, it's a tapas-want-to-be Spanish restaurant. Well, having dined many times at authentic Spanish tapas restaurants in Spain, this place pales in comparison. Where's the Spanish, or even Southern hospitality. read more

This restaurant is definitely not allergen friendly. Not only did we call head to confirm that they could accommodate celiac, we also confirmed with the waiter twice when ordering. One of our dishes came out with obvious gluten on it and the server who brought it out (not our waiter) was dismissive to the point of rude when we asked about it. I can only assume that one of our other three dishes had gluten in it, because after eating at this restaurant I had one of the worst gluten flareups I've had at any restaurant here in Charlotte. Very disappointing, but if you have allergies, there are many wonderful restaurants here in the area that take them very seriously - go try one of those instead!! read more