RankNC – Discover North Carolina's Best: Reviews, Rankings & Insights

Search
Close this search box.

Best Lunch In Charlotte, NC

Best Lunch in Charlotte, NC - The Kings Kitchen
The Kings Kitchen

Disclosure: If you make a purchase through our links we may be compensated at no cost to you.

Embark on a culinary journey through the best lunch in Charlotte, NC, and discover the city’s top lunch spots, where delicious fare, inviting atmospheres, and outstanding service await.

From casual eateries to upscale restaurants, Charlotte’s dining scene offers something for every palate and preference.

In Uptown Charlotte, Reid’s Fine Foods beckons with gourmet sandwiches, salads, and soups made from the finest ingredients, perfect for a quick and satisfying lunch.

Meanwhile, Rhino Market & Deli in the Wesley Heights neighborhood delights patrons with hearty sandwiches and craft beers in a laid-back setting.

Southern-Inspired Lunch

 

For Southern-inspired comfort food with a purpose, head to The King’s Kitchen & Bakery in Uptown Charlotte, a nonprofit restaurant serving classic Southern dishes with a modern twist.

In the trendy NoDa neighborhood, Haberdish offers elevated Southern cuisine in a stylish setting, perfect for a leisurely lunch.

Barbecue lovers won’t miss Midwood Smokehouse in Plaza Midwood, where slow-smoked meats and classic sides promise a hearty and satisfying meal.

For fresh and flavorful Mediterranean cuisine, Yafo Kitchen in Dilworth serves up build-your-own bowls, salads, and wraps inspired by the flavors of the Middle East.

Globally-Inspired Lunch

 

Whether you’re craving Peruvian rotisserie chicken at Viva Chicken in the Park Road Shopping Center or Southern comfort food with a creative twist at Tupelo Honey in the South End neighborhood, Charlotte’s lunch spots offer diverse options to satisfy every appetite.

Indulge in French-inspired pastries and sandwiches at Amélie’s French Bakery & Café in Uptown Charlotte or savor authentic Mexican cuisine at Viva Tequis in East Charlotte. With so many delicious choices, Charlotte’s lunch scene is sure to impress.

RankNC's Top Picks

From casual eateries and trendy cafes to upscale restaurants and hidden gems, Charlotte’s dining scene has something for everyone.

Whether grabbing a quick bite during your lunch break or enjoying a leisurely meal with friends, these restaurants promise a satisfying and memorable dining experience showcasing the best of Queen City’s culinary offerings.

1. The King’s Kitchen & Bakery

Uptown Charlotte

Enjoy Southern-inspired comfort food at The King’s Kitchen & Bakery in Uptown Charlotte. This nonprofit restaurant and bakery serves up a menu of classic Southern dishes with a modern twist, including fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and meatloaf.   Enjoy freshly baked bread, pastries, and desserts made in-house daily, making it the perfect spot for a satisfying lunch with a purpose.

Best Lunch in Charlotte, NC - The Kings Kitchen Wrap
The Kings Kitchen

2. Rhino Market & Deli

Wesley Heights Neighborhood

Savor hearty sandwiches and craft beers at Rhino Market & Deli in the Wesley Heights neighborhood. This beloved neighborhood spot offers a menu of creative deli sandwiches, salads, and snacks.  You’ll love the rotating selection of craft beers on tap and in bottles, providing a laid-back atmosphere and delicious fare that’s perfect for a casual lunch with friends.

3. Reid’s Fine Foods

Uptown Charlotte

Treat yourself to gourmet sandwiches, salads, and soups at Reid’s Fine Foods in Uptown Charlotte. This upscale market and cafe offers a selection of made-to-order deli sandwiches, fresh salads, and house-made soups. You’ll also get a curated assortment of artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, and gourmet pantry items, making it the perfect spot for a quick and delicious lunch.

4. Haberdish

NoDa Neighborhood

Indulge in Southern comfort food with a modern twist at Haberdish in the NoDa neighborhood. This trendy eatery specializes in elevated Southern cuisine, including fried chicken, biscuits, and creative cocktails. Relax in a stylish and welcoming setting, perfect for a leisurely lunch with friends or colleagues.

5. Midwood Smokehouse

Plaza Midwood Neighborhood

Feast on authentic barbecue at Midwood Smokehouse in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood. This beloved barbecue joint offers a menu of slow-smoked meats, including brisket, ribs, and pulled pork.  You’ll get classic sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, and baked beans.  This adds up to a hearty and satisfying lunch that’s sure to please barbecue lovers.

Best Lunch in Charlotte, NC - Midwood Smokehouse
Midwood Smokehouse

6. Yafo Kitchen

Dilworth Neighborhood

Savor fresh and flavorful Mediterranean cuisine at Yafo Kitchen in the Dilworth neighborhood. This fast-casual eatery offers a menu of build-your-own bowls, salads, and wraps inspired by the flavors of the Middle East.   In addition, you’ll get house-made dips, spreads, and sides, providing a healthy and delicious lunch option that’s perfect for dining in or taking out.

7. Viva Chicken

Park Road Shopping Center

Treat your taste buds to Peruvian rotisserie chicken at Viva Chicken in the Park Road Shopping Center. This popular eatery offers a menu of flavorful and succulent chicken dishes, along with fresh salads, sandwiches, and sides.  Enjoy vibrant flavors of Peru, providing a delicious and satisfying lunch that’s perfect for dining in or taking out.

8. Tupelo Honey

South End Neighborhood

Indulge in Southern comfort food with a creative twist at Tupelo Honey in the South End neighborhood. This eclectic eatery offers a menu of scratch-made dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. You’ll also enjoy the fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and sweet potato pancakes.  Top it off with craft cocktails and local beers, providing a unique and flavorful lunch experience that’s sure to impress.

9. Amélie’s French Bakery & Café

Uptown Charlotte

Transport yourself to Paris at Amélie’s French Bakery & Café in Uptown Charlotte. This charming bakery and cafe offers a selection of French-inspired pastries, sandwiches, and salads. Coffee-lovers will enjoy the artisanal coffees and teas, providing a cozy and inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for a leisurely lunch or afternoon pick-me-up.

10. Viva Tequis

East Charlotte

Savor authentic Mexican cuisine at Viva Tequis in East Charlotte. This family-owned restaurant offers a menu of traditional Mexican dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. They also offer house-made salsas and sides, providing a delicious and affordable lunch option for dining in or taking out.

Best Lunch in Charlotte, NC - Viva Tequis Taqueria And Cantina
Viva Tequis Taqueria And Cantina

Conclusion

The best lunch in Charlotte, NC, offers many options that cater to every taste and craving. From Southern comfort food and barbecue to Mediterranean cuisine and French pastries, you’ll have many options.

Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, these top lunch restaurants in Charlotte promise a satisfying and memorable dining experience .

So, gather your friends, coworkers, or loved ones and head to one of these delicious destinations for a midday meal to remember.

Picture of The Doirons

The Doirons

Our mission is to get you to encounter the unlimited potential that North Carolina has to offer and experience it to the fullest. RankNC is designed to be a source of research, inspiration, and ideas for those who refuse to settle for anything less than an extraordinary time. On this website, we will openly and passionately share the very best that NC has to offer as my family and I continue to discover this beautiful state.
Editorial Process:


Experts make our reviews before being written and come from real-world experience and research. Read our editorial process here.

Some links in this article may be affiliate links, which can compensate us at no cost to you if you purchase from our partners. We’ve personally researched, used, and stand behind these products. You can read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy.

Charlotte, NC Quick Links
Scroll to Top