The optimist is so so so cool! ESO was some of the best pasta I've had in a minute, we had a 6 hour…read morelayover and uber'd over. Absolutely worth it. I really don't think you can go wrong with any spot in this space, Botiwalla looks insanely packed so it must be super dank!

Finally got to checkout ESO with my youngest son and it did not disappoint. We ordered the…read morefettuccine with bolognese (a lil too salty for me), the Italian fried chicken (fav), the focaccia (2 orders bc it was that good), the penne ala vodka and some drinks. All in all, it's expensive. This haul was $80 (before tip). Note: pasta was perfectly made and cooked. Some of the best we've had in the states. Definitely going back to try the rest of the menu and always, always the Italian fried chicken!

Food is great and authentic Italian. Service is always consistently excellent. Very reasonable…read moreprices

I found myself over on Eastway (still not sure how I ended up there), spotted a Portofino's Italian…read moreRestaurant, and immediately thought--say less. The Uptown location has always been solid for me, so I knew I was in good hands. I had people coming over, so I went all in: * Calamari * Caesar salad * Bolognese * A full pizza * And yes... tiramisu to finish Everything delivered exactly what I wanted--reliable, comforting, well-executed Italian food. Nothing overly fussy, just done right. The pizza crust deserves a shoutout--crispy, flavorful, and holds up well. My only wish? This location offered pizza by the slice like Uptown, but you'll need to commit to the full pie here (which, honestly, isn't a bad thing). The tiramisu was also a win--light, balanced, and a perfect way to round things out. Other perks: * Easy parking (huge lot--no stress) * Friendly staff * Consistent pricing and value Bottom line: Portofino's is one of those dependable, no-drama spots you can count on. If you see one, it's a safe bet. Charlotte--stay hungry and keep eating your way through it.

The Culture Shop was SO GOOD!! Their sandwiches were amazing, and the vibes of the place were…read moreawesome. Great music playing, cute place, dog treats outside for pups, all around great. Want to come back for a glass of wine and a charcuterie board! Highly recommend the BLT grilled cheese

Such a cute local place. Visited for a book club meeting and it was the perfect place with plenty…read moreof outside picnic tables and ample street parking. A large menu overhead explains all the options and the women at the front counter was super nice. They were busy for a Sunday afternoon but once everything came out it was steaming hot and delicious. I got the ham and brie grilled cheese and there were a few bites of Dijon that about cleared my nose! The jam was an except addition.

Mano Bella is easy and delicious. The ease of ordering and navigating the menu makes it good choice…read moreon those days when you just want great food without thinking so hard about it. The staff are friendly, the portions are decent, and the pasta is fresh! Depending on the time of day you go, the ambiance can be pleasant or noisy and crowded, but they're located at the front of The Market at 7th Street so plan accordingly.

I highly recommend!…read more Last night I enjoyed dinner for one at Mani Bella Artisan Food. The service was friendly and explained there was only two staff members working and there was a 30min wait for food. I was in no rush and ordered a Hugo Spritz! Delicious, the staff did a phenomenal job. I ordered build my own pasta. You should too! Next time I want to try the fried mozzarella. this location is located in the market at seventh Street, which is a friendly family ambience, which I enjoy and I go regularly. I highly recommend you support this business and I hope you enjoy it as much as me.

Great food, large portions, and everyone was super nice. Waitress even gave us a dessert to-go as…read morewe were to fill to order one after dinner. Close to CLT airport so took an Uber over instead of waiting in the airport.

Always fabulous - never disappoints! Service, food and atmosphere are always wonderful!read more

So glad my friends in the CLT area live close to this spot. Perfect place to pick up a nice bottle…read moreof beer or wine, and they also have good local treats and snacks. I picked up a bottle of bubbly and couldn't resist a local made Kitchen Sink cookie. My friends picked up a couple six packs of local beers. Price wise, good value for money and the service is good too- no rush, but engaging with questions and recommendations if that's what you're looking for!

THEY DONT SELL LIQUOR. But this is my favorite go-to neighborhood spot. Such a cool and community…read morevibe. Honestly one of my favorites. they're the best

One of the best meals I have had in a long time. We were a large party of 10+. It is a relatively…read moresmall and quaint place but making reservations ahead of time was well worth it. The appetizer spread we ordered was lights out. We loved the burrata with focaccia bread. The fried artichokes were like nothing I ever had before. My entree itself was out of this world. I had the braised short rib and for side the fingerling potatoes. The potatoes were cooked to perfection with crisp and just an amazing punch of rosemary. The beef was out of this world. My only constructive feedback was my dessert was very petit. I ordered a scoop of the cookies and cream ice cream. It was delish and full of cookie taste but the size made me chuckle.

A delicious addition to the italian restaurant scene in Charlotte…read more The Calabrian chili pappardelle is perfectly al dente with a building heat from the chilis that complements the rich beef. While only the ricotta zeppoles are pictured, high praise is due to their brunch menu from what I've tried. Particularly, the ricotta pancakes (lemony and fluffy with delicious fruit compote) and the breakfast potato's. Would not recommend the kale salad (in dire need of the kale being massaged before serving), and the tuna crudo was lacking texture and acid.

One of the best pizzas you will find in Charlotte. A lot of restaurants talk all about the…read moreingredients on top of the pizza or what they put on or stuff into the crust. HOP actually has a good crust. you think you are going to leave the edges, but then you find yourself eating that too. Been Eating here for over 40 years. We also bring out of town guests here. they always love it. Family owned & operated.

I grew up going to House of Pizza and LOVED it. Even when we moved out of Charlotte, we still made…read moreour way back for their pizza. I've since moved away from the east coast but recently found myself back in Charlotte. First item on the to-do list? House of Pizza! They've renovated so the interior looked completely different. It's no longer dark and kind of separated, instead it's open and well lit. There's a separate side entrance for to-go orders, which has a short wall acting as a divider from the main dining room. The service was nice, not overly friendly but polite. I ordered my House Special pizza to go. The inside of the restaurant may have changed but the pizza was the same deliciousness that I grew up loving! If I could have brought 10 back home with me, I would have! I'll be back before too long and you best believe House of Pizza will be on my agenda every. single. time!!

Located right off busy Providence Road, Laurel Market is easy to miss as it is tucked around a…read morecorner and is a small and unassuming place. While it looks quiet from the outside, inside you will find a lot of hustle and bustle as hungry patrons line up to get their breakfast sandwiches, or their lunch depending on the time of day! The place is part neighborhood market, selling beer and wine along with snacks, and part deli serving made to order sandwiches, and salads, along with prepackaged sides and fixings like chicken or egg salad. I finally got a chance to come in around lunch time and was very exciting to dive into my turkey sandwich which came with bacon pepper Jack and a chipotle spread. It was delicious, just a perfect sandwich for lunch. Nothing fancy or over the top, and it was priced very reasonably which is hard to find these days. This place is a gem.

I found Laurel Market while in Charlotte. I was craving a sandwich and found this place. So glad I…read moredid! The food was delicious and they had some other neat items for sale in the store. I ordered the curry tuna sandwich. Very delicious! I definitely will be back.

Came back after a long time ! Still such a cool place. Lots if wine to choose from . Get a glass or…read morea bottle . Prices can be reasonable or high depending on what you want to spend. We had a nice bottle of Vinho verde to celebrate just having been in Portugal! It was delicious and crisp and light and only $28 a bottle ! Perfect Sunday afternoon drink. They also serve bar snacks and have a great outside covered patio are and a cozy inside . Loved the chill vibe and the atmosphere. Little wine haven in plaza midwood!

This was a lovely and cozy space. The ambiance felt relaxing and laid back. I especially love the…read morebar stools looking out the huge open window. I mean, the view is a parking lot, but with great weather, it's forgivable. The bar has a very vintage homey feel. Almost as if you could be sitting in a living room. They had a beautiful NA cab that was very enjoyable. I don't miss the alcohol feels, but I definitely miss a tasty cab. I love places like this and it's definitely a place I would gravitate towards if I lived here. I would absolutely return when I'm back in the area.