Sponsored Content

These UNC Charlotte alumni are giving the city its flavor

Niner-owned restaurants + bars have helped put Charlotte on the map as a Carolina culinary hotspot.

Sponsored by
A plated dish from Pisco in front of a sign. A group of people partying in Pisco. Two ornate bull figurines.

Pisco isn’t Renzo Bellido’s first hospitality rodeo — he also helped establish the wildly popular Tequila House nightclub.

Photos provided by UNC Charlotte.

If you’ve spent any time chowing down in Charlotte, chances are you’ve dined somewhere founded by a former Niner.

UNC Charlotte alumni are known for cooking up some of the best spots in the city, providing authentic options that elevate our growing culinary scene.

🇵🇪 Meet Pisco Gastrolounge

One such rising star is Pisco Gastrolounge, the vibrant downtown destination captivating the city with its unique blend of Peruvian culture, cuisine, and nightlife. Founded by Renzo Bellido, a UNC Charlotte grad, Pisco Gastrolounge is more than just a destination for delicious food; it’s an immersive, multi-faceted experience.

By day, you’ll find a vast menu of authentic Peruvian dishes. By night, guests dance to salsa rhythms under the glow of llama-themed décor — a nod to Peru’s national symbol.

🥘 More Niner restaurants + bars

Bellido’s journey mirrors that of other UNC Charlotte grads (like this star Charlotte restaurateur) — a testament to how Niners are shaping Charlotte’s rich food scene, one delicious dish at a time.

See Niner eateries, breweries + more

More from CLTtoday
Dining in Charlotte is always a fresh experience, with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way. From a classic hamburger to fine dining, bookmark this page to keep in the know about all the new restaurants coming to town.
The express lanes are expected to stretch from Brookshire Freeway to the South Carolina line, with construction anticipated to start after 2030.
While the Queen City may not regularly see snow, we’re a short drive from spots to ski, snowboard, and tube this winter.
As snow fell Saturday, Jan. 31 and stayed through the weekend, you shared your snow day photos with us.
The annual Great Backyard Bird Count attracts more than one million people nationwide to help record the bird population.
The SouthPark brain health center is adding a new program designed to help people living with Parkinson’s stay active, steady, and supported.
It’s almost time for the biggest game of the year. We’re helping you plan it out.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that are worth planning ahead for.
The modern Mexican-inspired restaurant promises to deliver fresh flavors to Center City when it opens in early 2026.
The longstanding museum closed its temporary Uptown location in 2025 and will soon open a new two-building destination in South End.