Charlotte, North Carolina is a popular destination that attracts visitors from all across the country and the world. It’s a modern metropolis with prestigious universities and an amazing banking industry. The city continues to maintain its authentic down South charm. In addition to a rich history and vibrant culture, the “Queen City” is home to an exciting food scene full of incredible, diverse restaurants.
Here are some Black-owned restaurants in Charlotte, North Carolina to support during your visit. These restaurants range from multiple different cultures, cuisines, and food types for almost anything you could be craving while you are in town.
Cuzzo’s Cuisine
Having started as a food truck, Cuzzo’s Cuisine opened its first brick-and-mortar location in 2016. Offering Southern comfort food, the restaurant’s specialties are wings, fried fish and red velvet waffles. However, he restaurant’s claim to fame is its famous lobster mac and cheese.
Jinya Ramen Bar
Uptown Charlotte’s Jinya Ramen Bar offers a contemporary Japanese dining experience where the broth is king. Slow-cooked in-house for 20 hours, it is rich and flavorful. You can customize your made-to-order ramen with your preferred ingredients. While you’re there, you might also want to try a rice bowl, salad or one of the varieties of Japanese whiskey offered.
Quidley’s Delight
This Black-owned restaurant in Charlotte offers authentic Caribbean cuisine that many locals consider to be the best in the city. Quidley’s Delight’s menu boasts classic Jamaican dishes, like brown stew chicken, oxtails and curry goat, along with traditional sides, like cabbage and plantains. There also are seafood and vegetarian options, along with a variety of cakes and pastries, available.
Mert’s Heart & Soul
Since 1996, Mert’s Heart & Soul has been serving up delectable low-country and Gullah-inspired cuisine. It has been a Queen City staple ever since it opened. The restaurant appeared on the Food Network series “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and has welcomed prominent patrons, like former President Barack Obama, President Joe Biden and Kevin Hart. Try their shrimp Creole and catfish or red beans and rice with turkey kielbasa.
Day & Night Exotic Cereal Bar
As the first cereal bar in the city, this fun and unique dining experience offers the classic cereals you grew up eating and interesting varieties you won’t easily find in stores. Many of the cereals are exotic brands imported from other countries. The eatery’s specialty is its cereal shake bowls and cereal shakes.
Bobbee O’s BBQ
If you are craving some sweet and tangy BBQ, then Bobbee O’s BBQ is the perfect place. Head to Bobbee O’s for some smoked ribs, beef brisket, wings, pulled pork or chicken and more. Each item is covered in their finger-licking-good sauce. Homemade from scratch using high-quality ingredients, the restaurant promises the finest in Southern hospitality, delicious food, great music, impeccable service and country vibes.
Abugida Ethiopian Cafe & Restaurant
Experience a taste of the motherland at Abugida Ethiopian Cafe & Restaurant. Using authentic Ethiopian ingredients, like injera, mitmita, shiro, kibe and berbere, it is sure to be a tantalizing treat for the tastebuds. In addition to dishes made with beef, lamb and chicken, there also are plenty of vegetarian options to choose from.
Mr. Charles Chicken & Fish
Mr. Charles Chicken & Fish is the place to go in Charlotte when you’re craving Southern-style chicken and fish. Customers consistently rave about how fresh, juicy and well-seasoned the food is. The eatery’s chicken was named the best fried chicken in Charlotte by QCity Metro. The popular eatery also offers BBQ ribs, smothered pork chops, country-style steaks, burgers, cheesesteaks and more. There are two Mr. Charles Chicken & Fish locations: Cambridge Commons and Statesville.
Romeo’s Vegan Burgers
There are even vegan options for Black-owned restaurants in Charlotte. If you are vegan or just interested in trying plant-based food, check out Romeo’s Vegan Burgers. The restaurant serves vegan alternatives to classic favorites like cheese burgers through Beyond Meats and Impossible foods, as well as diner-style, but still vegan, fries and milkshakes. Try out their other plant-based and vegan menu items at their Charlotte location or catch their food truck.
Urban Sweets Co.
There always has to be room for desert, that includes on this list of Black-owned restaurants in Charlotte. Urban Sweets Co. is a Black woman owned ice cream shop that started as an ice cream cart around Charlotte and has now evolved into the city’s “sweetest sensation.” Head over to Urban Sweets Co. for ice cream, milkshakes, popsicles, sundaes, ice cream sandwiches and more. Or check out Sweetie, the shop’s ice cream cart that still makes its rounds in the city of Charlotte.