You can have delicious food at the lunch spots in Charlotte, including burgers, sandwiches, salads, tacos, pizza, and much more.
Charlotte is a great city to visit and while you’re exploring the city, there are many amazing places you can go to for lunch. From Southern classics to Mediterranean dishes to French fare, the restaurants in the city serve food for everyone’s liking. Also, at some of these places, you can get great drinks, including local craft beer and many types of wine.
If you’re not sure where to get food, I got you covered! In this guide, you can find a large variety of incredible places for lunch in Charlotte.
Best Lunch Spots in Charlotte
The King’s Kitchen
The King’s Kitchen is a non-profit restaurant that was established in 2010 that you can find in Charlotte’s Uptown. At this restaurant, you can enjoy delicious Southern-inspired dishes that are made with ingredients from the Carolinas.
All the proceeds from the restaurant go to feeding the poor in the Charlotte region.
The restaurant is open for lunch on all days of the week except for Sundays.
The lunch menu of The King’s Kitchen includes various starters, salads, sandwiches, and Southern classics.
One of the best sandwiches to get at the restaurant is the “Tomato Sandwich”, which is made with bacon onion jam, lettuce, heirloom tomatoes, and Duke’s Mayo.
Another great dish on the menu is the “Pan Seared Rainbow Trout”.
Keep in mind that the menu changes often, depending on the season and the availability of local ingredients.
The lunch menu of the restaurant also includes many different types of red, white, and sparkling wine options.
Address: 129 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202
The Jimmy
The Jimmy, which you can find at 2839 Selwyn Avenue, is a restaurant where you can get all kinds of delicious food options with flavors from Italy and France.
On the lunch menu, you can find all kinds of pizza, panini sandwiches, salads, and pasta dishes.
A great pasta dish is the “Tagliatelle”, which is made with roasted mushrooms and Parmigiano.
There are five different types of pizza to choose from. One of the most delicious ones is the Salsiccia, which is made with homemade fennel sausage, red onion, arugula, and ricotta.
A delicious panini sandwich is the “Tomato & Burrata”, which is made with burrata, tomato, basil, arugula, and vincotto.
In addition to great food, the lunch menu of The Jimmy also includes many drink options, including all kinds of wines, cocktails, and beer. The beers that you can choose from include local craft beer options.
The Jimmy is also one of the best places for brunch in Charlotte.
Address: 2839 Selwyn Ave, Charlotte, NC 28209
Mariposa
Mariposa is a restaurant that is located at the Mint Museum in Charlotte’s Uptown, which is one of the best museums in Charlotte.
Mariposa is an amazing place for lunch in Charlotte and the restaurant focuses on “mezze”, which is a concept of small dishes that are meant to be shared by everyone at the table from the Mediterranean and North Africa.
One of the best “mezze” is the “Street Corn Fritters”, which are made with sweet corn, lime creme, cotija, smoked paprika, and cilantro.
The lunch menu includes different types of mains.
For example, you can get the “Lamb Burger”, which comes with shaved white onion, sundried tomato jam, arugula, smoked gouda, and tzatziki, and it is served with house-made fries.
Another great main to get is the “Mediterranean Avocado Bowl”, which is made with sumac onion, feta, roasted tomato, Thassos olives, tzatziki, and quinoa.
The dishes that you can enjoy at Mariposa can be paired with unique wines and cocktails. There are wine options from all around the world.
The interior design of the restaurant and the view that you can get while enjoying lunch, make the restaurant even better.
Address: 500 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Haymaker
Haymaker is a restaurant where you can get delicious food made with local and seasonal ingredients. You can have lunch at this restaurant from Monday through Friday between 11 AM and 2 PM. The restaurant is located on South Poplar Street and has a laid-back atmosphere.
There are several delicious sandwiches to get for lunch. For example, a great one is the “Fried Green Tomato BLT”, which is made with pimento cheese and Chesire smoked bacon.
Another great option on the lunch menu is the “Smash Burger”, which is made with a double patty, house pickles, a burger sauce, and white American cheese.
You can also get the “Wilted Lettuce” salad, which consists of field lettuces, red onion, cornbread crumbles, hot bacon, and sorghum mustard vin.
Address: 225 S Poplar St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Mimosa Grill
Mimosa Grill is a restaurant in Uptown Charlotte that is situated at 327 South Tryon Street. At this place, you can get delicious Southern dishes for lunch from Monday through Friday.
The lunch menu includes various handhelds, bowls, plates, starters, and desserts.
A great option on the menu is the “Smoked Salmon Burger”, which is made with zucchini, charred scallion aioli, shaved red onion, and relish lettuce. It is served with fries.
One of the best plates is the “Artichoke-Pesto Pasta”, which is made with house pesto, fusilli, and parmesan cheese.
The “Chocolate Strawberry Cake” is a great dessert to get. It is made with chocolate mousse, scratch-made strawberry jam, and freeze-dried strawberries.
You can also have one of the lunch specials. Each day of the week, there’s a different special. For example, on Mondays, you can get delicious shrimp & grits, and on Fridays, you can get great fish & chips.
Address: 327 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Kid Cashew
Kid Cashew is a restaurant with three locations in three states. One of the locations of the restaurant is located in Charlotte, at 1608 East Boulevard.
You can have a large variety of dishes for lunch at this restaurant.
For example, you can get one of the delicious homemade spreads that come with a choice of pita, or carrots and celery. The spreads that you can choose from are hummus, tzatziki, and spicy feta.
The menu also includes various salads, small plates, grilled dishes, burgers, and other options.
One of the best dishes is the wild-caught salmon, which is served with tri-color quinoa and cucumber salsa.
The “Rotisserie Lamb Gyro”, which is made with herb-marinated lamb, tomato, lettuce, tzatziki, and onion, served on a toasted pita, is a great option to get as well.
The lunch menu of Kid Cashew also includes various plant-based options, so this is also one of the best lunch spots in Charlotte if you’re vegan.
Address: 1608 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Duckworth’s
Duckworth’s is a restaurant that was established in 2004. It is locally owned and operated, and you can get many different types of dishes for lunch at the restaurant. It is also one of the best places for burgers in Charlotte.
There are four Duckworth’s locations in the city of Charlotte.
Whether you want to have pizza, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, salads, or something else, that’s possible at Duckworth’s.
There are different types of flatbreads that you can get at the restaurant. One of the best ones is the “Buffalo Chicken”, which is made with Buffalo wing sauce, chicken, cheese, and ranch.
A great wrap to get for lunch is the “Bacon Chicken Wrap”. This wrap is made with applewood smoked bacon, grilled chicken, a cheese blend of cheddar and mozzarella, lettuce, and ranch.
If you want to have a burger, you can choose one of the craft burgers or create one yourself by choosing all the toppings that you like. One of the best craft burgers is “The Impossible Burger”, which is made with a plant-based patty, tomato, onion, and lettuce.
In addition to delicious food options, it is possible to get all kinds of beers at Duckworth’s, including ales, lagers, and IPAs.
Address: 330 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
La Belle Helene
La Belle Helene is a French brasserie that you can find in Charlotte’s Uptown at 300 South Tryon Street. At this place, you can enjoy a delicious contemporary take on French classics.
You can have lunch at La Belle Helene from Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 3 PM.
The lunch menu includes various entrees, starters, salads, and side dishes that are delicious.
One of the best entrees is the “Classique Burger”, which is made with onion, white American cheese, royale sauce, tomato, and lettuce. It is served with fries.
The “Carolina Trout Almondine”, which comes with haricot verts, shallot confit, and toasted almond, is a great option on the menu as well.
One of the best salads to get at La Belle Helene is the “Salade Royale Niçoise”, which is made with quinoa, avocado, olives, egg, herb-crusted tuna, farro, local greens, and miso vinaigrette.
Address: 300 S Tryon St Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28202
STIR Charlotte
STIR Charlotte is a restaurant where you can get delicious dishes that are completely made from fresh, using fresh and local ingredients. You can find the restaurant in Charlotte’s South End.
It is possible to get lunch at STIR Charlotte on weekdays from 11 AM to 4 PM.
On the lunch menu, there are soups, salads, oysters, burgers, and many other options.
The “STIR Steakhouse Burger” is a delicious dish to get. It is made with a filet and sirloin fresh ground blend, spiced pickle aioli, shredded lettuce, house pickles, and other ingredients.
You can also get the “Blackened Fish Tacos”, which are made with charred salsa, pickled onions, pico de Gallo, Catija cheese, crema, and cilantro slaw.
If you like oysters, you can get the “Specialty Oysters”, which are served fresh daily.
Address: 1422 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Essex
Essex is a great lunch spot in Charlotte on South Tryon Street. You can get dishes with flavors from around the world at Essex. The restaurant is open for lunch from Monday through Friday.
The lunch menu includes a variety of dishes, including sandwiches, tacos, flatbreads, and bistro plates.
One of the best flatbreads to get is the “Mortadella & Arugula”, which is made with fig jam, mozzarella, red onion, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic reduction.
Another delicious item on the menu is the “Pimento Cheeseburger”, which comes with crispy onions and pimento cheese.
One of the best bistro plates is the “Butter Chicken”, which is chicken that is marinated in Indian spices with a herb tomato sauce, and a choice of garlic naan or rice.
Address: 101 S Tryon St #14, Charlotte, NC 28280
McKoy’s Smokehouse and Saloon
McKoy’s Smokehouse and Saloon is a family-owned BBQ restaurant that you can find at 3630 Old Pineville Road in Charlotte. The restaurant was founded in 2006.
At this place, you can get delicious dishes made with family recipes and fresh, local ingredients.
The lunch menu of the restaurant includes various sandwiches and wraps. For example, you can get the “Chicken Breast Sandwich”, which is made with blackened, grilled, or fried chicken, lettuce, mayo, tomato, and onion.
The BBQ burrito is a great option on the menu as well. This is a flour tortilla with a choice of meat, cheddar cheese, pinto beans, Monterey jack cheese, and red onion. It is topped with a spicy BBQ sauce, sour cream, and lettuce.
You can get many other types of dishes for lunch, such as the “Shrimp Platter”, which comes with a large portion of blackened, fried, or grilled shrimp, served with cocktail sauce.
Address: 4630 Old Pineville Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Ed’s Tavern
Ed’s Tavern is a locally owned and operated neighborhood bar and grill with a large patio and a covered bar where you can get delicious food for lunch. You can find the restaurant at 2200 Park Road.
You can choose from many different types of burgers when you have lunch at this place.
One of the best ones is the “Classic Cheeseburger”, which is topped with cheddar cheese.
The “Flamin’ Jalapeño Burger”, which comes with fried jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, and sriracha, is a great option on the menu as well.
You can also get wings in many different types of flavors at Ed’s Tavern.
In addition to great food, you can also choose from many different types of local and regional craft beer.
Address: 2200 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Dean’s Italian Steakhouse
Dean’s Italian Steakhouse is a restaurant where you can get prime steak, homemade pasta, seafood, and other dishes. The restaurant is situated in Charlotte’s Uptown, and it is possible to have lunch at the restaurant on weekdays.
You can get different types of steak for lunch at the restaurant.
In addition to that, one of the best dishes on the best pasta dishes on the menu is the “Truffled Bucatini”, which is made with garlic herb butter, truffle, and Grana Padano.
The “Brush Creek Ranch Wagyu Burger”, which is served with grilled onions, tomato jam, and provolone, is also a great option to get.
There are also different types of classic Neapolitan pizza to choose from, including the “Prosciutto” pizza. This one comes with baby arugula and lemon.
Address: 600 S College St, Charlotte, NC 28202
The Bella Ciao
The Bella Ciao is a casual restaurant that is situated on South Tryon Street where you can get delicious and high-quality Italian food for lunch. You can have lunch at this restaurant every day of the week.
From homemade pasta dishes to soups, there’s much to choose from at The Bella Ciao. It’s also one of the best places for pizza in Charlotte.
One of the best pizzas that you can get for lunch at the restaurant is the “Pesto Spinachi”, which is made with spinach, pesto cream, diced marinated tomatoes, and mozzarella.
The “Four Cheese”, which is a pizza that is made with mozzarella, gouda, parmesan, cheddar, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning, is also delicious.
There are different types of “Lunch Pasta” dishes, which are smaller portioned pastas. One of the most delicious ones is the “Arrabiata”, which is made with a spicy marinara sauce, garlic, onion, and basil.
Address: 201 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
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Lunch in Charlotte Tips
When deciding where to go for lunch in Charlotte, you should keep in mind that some of the restaurants that I mentioned in this article serve lunch every day of the week, while others only serve it on specific days of the week, such as only on weekdays.
Also, some of the restaurants that I mentioned have specials on specific days of the week. I recommend finding out which specials there are when choosing when you want to have lunch.
Charlotte Lunch Spots Map
I hope I helped you decide where to get food. As you see, there are many great lunch spots in Charlotte, NC!