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!

Walked in and was immediately thanked and greeted by the chef and host. Ambiance is classic…read moreAmerican Italian restaurant, that is a blast from the past but super nostalgic. Enjoyed the vodka sauce penne, calamari, Sicilian pizza, and salad. The vodka sauce was the best I have had outside of NY, and NJ. The pizza had the best crust but the star was the tomato sauce, i dont know where they source the tomatoes but theyre so good. The calamari was plentiful, and crispy but very tender. Highly recommend this spot if you're looking for great food and service!

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.

If you're looking for a local spot that truly cares about great food and their customers, The…read moreCulture Shop is it. Last year, I had a sandwich in Spain that I haven't been able to stop thinking about. I've tried several places around Charlotte looking for something similar, but nothing came close. I reached out to The Culture Shop to see if they'd be willing to recreate it, and not only did they say yes, they turned it into their weekly special using local honey, locally sourced peppers, and local bread. The result completely exceeded my expectations. It captured everything I loved about the original while adding its own Charlotte twist. It was honestly one of the best sandwiches I've had. Beyond the food, the team is incredibly kind, welcoming, and excited about what they do. The shop itself is worth browsing too, with a menu full of creative sandwiches and delicious options, plus a thoughtfully curated selection of pantry items and specialty foods. It's rare to find a business that's this passionate, creative, and willing to go the extra mile for a customer. I'll definitely be back, and I can't recommend The Culture Shop enough!

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.

Ralph delivered a very nice service experience for lunch, and the food was delicious and fairly…read morepriced.

This was my first real dining restaurant in Charolette and it was amazing. Service from Tyler was…read moreperfect! We had the spaghetti with meatballs and the pasta vodka with chicken parm cutlet add on... 10/10 experience. Perfect for my and my girlfriend's anniversary.

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!

A wonderful neighborhood market combined with a record store. They have a handful of frozen and…read morefresh foods for immediate consumption. They also have chilled and shelf beer and wine. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I really appreciate the vibe of the place and the fact that they stand for equality and protecting human rights of all of our community members. During non Covid times, they have a bar you can sit at to have a pint or a glass of wine. I look forward to those days again so I can spend more time in this lovely place.

Consistently the best. We love everything on the menu…read more Always with the specials, the artichoke appetizer , the for ever martini with stuffed olives , wine selection , anything with mushrooms

Failed Expectations: A Brunch That Looked Better Than It Tasted…read more We were genuinely so excited for this brunch! It had been sitting on my Charlotte bucket list for ages, and we finally locked in reservations during my visit. First things first -- the space itself is adorable. Every detail feels intentional, from the spotless dining room to the perfectly set tables to the lighting that ties it all together. You could tell immediately that this place takes real pride in its presentation. It was warm and inviting from the second we walked through the door. The drinks were excellent, too. I especially loved the garnish spread for the water -- citrus of every variety, mint, cucumber -- such a small, thoughtful touch that instantly elevated the experience. Unfortunately, the food just didn't live up to the rest of the experience. We started with the roasted oysters, which came so heavily breaded that the actual oyster flavor got completely lost underneath. In hindsight, I should've just ordered them raw. The Eggs Inferno was next, and it fell flat across the board -- it needed salt, it needed acid, it needed some kind of richness to bring it to life. I wouldn't order it again. My friend's seasonal focaccia toast was equally underwhelming and forgettable. But then -- the fingerling potatoes. Honestly, I wish we'd just ordered three plates of those and called it a meal. Fluffy on the inside, perfectly crispy on the outside, and packed with flavor in every single bite. Hands down the highlight of brunch, and genuinely one of the best sides I've had in a while. Maybe dinner would tell a different story, but for brunch, I walked in expecting so much more than what we got.

an old school pizza diner type experience. This place reminds me of an 80s style restaurant with…read moredim lighting and wood paneling inside; very nostalgic. A place you would go after a baseball game or performance with the family. The pizza is a great value compared to the other fancier spots on central, and it's consistently tasty. They use a lot of cheese and really bury the toppings well in it, and the crust has an almost buttery and delightful texture when it's first delivered.

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.

Nothing like a weekend breakfast sandwich from Laurel Market. They are all delicious. Try them…read moreall. Even though they are busy, they always knock out your order quickly and accurately.

My first time at Bohemian did not disappoint! We went at 6:30 on a Saturday night and there were 3…read morebarstools and one table open. Super cute inside and everyone who works there was super friendly. We sat at the bar and had a great time. It was a little warm inside, which makes sense since they had the doors open but that was our only complaint. Cheese board was delicious! Caesar salad with salmon was okay, it was the saltiest salmon I have ever eaten, wouldn't order it again. Deviled eggs were yummy, but hard to eat and very messy since they are piled so high. The wine we had was really good too. Would get it again without a doubt Definitely would come back! We parked on the street, but there are a few spots around the building.

Bohemian Wine Bar has that effortlessly chic, intimate charm that makes you feel like you've…read morestepped into a tucked‑away European spot right in the middle of Charlotte. The ambiance is cozy and stylish, with soft lighting, curated décor, and a relaxed energy that makes it perfect for unwinding with friends or settling into a solo glass of wine. The wine selection is genuinely impressive -- thoughtful, diverse, and clearly curated by someone who knows what they're doing. The small bites pair beautifully with the wine, and everything feels intentional, from presentation to flavor. It's the kind of place where you can linger, talk, sip, and actually enjoy the moment.