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Best Restaurants for Lunch In The Charlotte Area

Best Restaurants for Lunch In The North Carolina Piedmont - 300 East
300 East

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Welcome to our guide to the best restaurants for lunch in the Charlotte area! Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, Charlotte offers a variety of dining options to satisfy your midday cravings.

Head to Mert’s Heart and Soul in Uptown Charlotte for a taste of Southern comfort food. This beloved eatery serves classic soul food dishes with a modern twist, including fried chicken, collard greens, shrimp, and grits. Don’t miss the famous bread pudding for dessert!

Health-conscious

 

If you’re in the mood for something healthy and fresh, Luna’s Living Kitchen is the place to be. Located in the South End neighborhood, this plant-based eatery offers a menu of vibrant and nourishing dishes made with organic, locally sourced ingredients. Try the raw tacos or the signature Living Burrito for a satisfying and nutritious meal.

Head to Rhino Market & Deli in the Wesley Heights neighborhood for a casual, laid-back atmosphere. This neighborhood market and deli offers a menu of sandwiches, salads, and soups made with high-quality ingredients. Choose from deli classics like the Turkey Avocado Club or the Italian Stallion sandwich.

Global Food

 

Head to Viva Chicken in the Elizabeth neighborhood to taste global flavors. This fast-casual Peruvian rotisserie joint offers a menu of flavorful and wholesome dishes, including rotisserie chicken, ceviche, and empanadas. Be sure to try the signature sauces for an extra kick of flavor.

Finally, head to Yafo Kitchen in South Park for a quick and satisfying lunch on the go. This Mediterranean fast-casual spot offers build-your-own bowls, salads, and wraps with your choice of protein, grains, and toppings. Don’t forget to add hummus and pita chips for the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

Whether you’re in the mood for Southern soul food, fresh and healthy fare, deli sandwiches, global cuisine, or Mediterranean flavors, the Charlotte area offers a variety of lunchtime options to suit every taste and preference. So grab a seat, relax, and enjoy a delicious meal in the Queen City!

RankNC's Top Picks

Satisfy your midday cravings with a delectable meal at one of the Charlotte area’s top restaurants for lunch.

From casual cafes serving artisan sandwiches to upscale bistros offering chef-driven specials, these dining establishments promise a delightful culinary experience that will fuel you for the rest of the day.

Whether grabbing a quick bite between meetings or enjoying a leisurely lunch with friends, these eateries will surely impress with their delicious fare and inviting atmospheres.

1. 300 East

Dilworth Neighborhood

Enjoy creative American cuisine in a relaxed setting at 300 East in the Dilworth neighborhood. This cozy restaurant offers a diverse menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, and entrees made with locally sourced ingredients and inventive flavor combinations, making it a favorite spot for lunch among locals and visitors alike.

Best Restaurants for Lunch In The Charlotte Area - 300 East - Lunch Plates
300 East - Lunch Plates

2. Amélie’s French Bakery & Café

NoDa Neighborhood

Transport yourself to Paris with a visit to Amélie’s French Bakery & Café in the vibrant NoDa neighborhood. This charming cafe offers a menu of French-inspired pastries, sandwiches, salads, quiches, and an assortment of artisanal coffees and teas, providing the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch or afternoon pick-me-up.

3. Earl’s Grocery

Elizabeth Neighborhood

Discover fresh flavors and gourmet ingredients at Earl’s Grocery in Elizabeth. This specialty market and cafe offers a menu of made-to-order sandwiches, salads, and soups, along with a curated selection of artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, and pantry staples, providing guests with a delicious and convenient lunch option.

4. Viva Chicken

South End Neighborhood

Savor the vibrant flavors of Peruvian cuisine at Viva Chicken in the South End neighborhood. This fast-casual restaurant specializes in rotisserie chicken marinated in Peruvian spices, along with various flavorful sides, salads, and sandwiches, offering a delicious and affordable lunch option for diners on the go.

5. Yafo Kitchen

Dilworth Neighborhood

Experience the bold flavors of the Middle East at Yafo Kitchen in the Dilworth neighborhood. This fast-casual eatery offers a menu of Mediterranean-inspired dishes, including build-your-own bowls, pita sandwiches, and salads, made with fresh ingredients and housemade sauces, providing guests with a flavorful and satisfying lunch option.

Best Restaurants for Lunch In The Charlotte Area - Yafo Kitchen
Yafo Kitchen

6. Rhino Market & Deli

Wesley Heights Neighborhood

Treat yourself to a gourmet deli experience at Rhino Market & Deli in the Wesley Heights neighborhood. This neighborhood market offers a menu of artisan sandwiches, salads, and soups made with high-quality ingredients, along with a selection of craft beers, wines, and specialty grocery items, making it a popular spot for lunch among locals and foodies.

7. Bahn Mi Brothers

Uptown Charlotte

Satisfy your craving for Vietnamese cuisine at Bahn Mi Brothers in Uptown Charlotte. This casual eatery specializes in banh mi sandwiches, pho noodle soups, and rice bowls made with authentic ingredients and bold flavors, providing diners with a delicious and affordable lunch option in the city’s heart.

8. Sunflour Baking Company

Elizabeth Neighborhood

Indulge in freshly baked goods and gourmet sandwiches at Sunflour Baking Company in the Elizabeth neighborhood. This beloved bakery and cafe offers a menu of made-from-scratch pastries, sandwiches, salads, and a selection of artisan coffees and teas, providing guests with a cozy and welcoming spot for lunch.

Best Restaurants for Lunch In The Charlotte Area - Sunflour Baking Company
Sunflour Baking Company

9. Living Kitchen

South End Neighborhood

Nourish your body with plant-based cuisine at Living Kitchen in the South End neighborhood. This health-conscious restaurant offers a menu of organic, vegan dishes made with seasonal produce and superfoods, including salads, bowls, wraps, and smoothies, providing diners with a nutritious and flavorful lunch option for both body and soul.

10. The Common Market

Plaza Midwood Neighborhood

Experience the eclectic charm of The Common Market in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood. This neighborhood market and deli offers a menu of sandwiches, salads, and wraps, along with a wide selection of craft beers, wines, and specialty grocery items, providing guests with a laid-back and inviting atmosphere for lunch.

Best Restaurants for Lunch In The Charlotte Area - The Common Market
The Common Market

Conclusion

The Charlotte area boasts diverse restaurants catering to every taste and craving, making finding the perfect spot for a satisfying lunch easy.

Whether you’re in the mood for gourmet sandwiches, international flavors, or healthy plant-based fare, these top restaurants for lunch in the Charlotte area promise a delicious and memorable dining experience that will leave you feeling nourished and refreshed for the rest of the day.

So, gather your friends or colleagues, and treat yourself to a midday feast at one of these fantastic eateries.

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