We’re making our list of which restaurants we think could be Michelin-rated. | Photo via Field Day Marketing
Attention, Queen City foodies. Charlotte-area restaurants could be MICHELIN-recognized for the first time ever. The MICHELIN Guide is expanding to the Carolinas and the American South to highlight Southern cuisine.
The announcement sparked excitement in Charlotte’s culinary community and we’ve heard from several chefs and restaurateurs on how the Guide’s expansion could soon bring global recognition to the Queen City’s food scene.
“MICHELIN coming to the Carolinas is a wake-up call and a gift,” said Chef Dave Feimster, Director of Operations at Fahrenheit.
“The guide will be amazing for the city — the level of artisans, craftsmen, and women in this city is something the country and world need to know about,” shared Andres Kaifer, Executive Chef and Owner of Customshop.
The MICHELIN Guide’s anonymous inspectors are already in the field, making dining reservations and scouting for unique and diverse culinary gems throughout the region.
Lake Norman Chamber: Business AfterHours | 5:30-7 p.m. | The Harp and Crown LKN, Cornelius | Cost of purchase | Connect with old (and new) friends over crafted drinks.
The McElroys: The Adventure Zone | 7 p.m. | Ovens Auditorium | $50+ | Experience a light-hearted evening seeing these comedic storytellers in a skit show.
McCormick & Schmick’s + The Prisoner Wine Dinner | 7-10 p.m. | McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks | $150 | Savor a five-course meal paired with wines courtesy of The Prisoner Wine Company.
Friday, April 4
Carolina BBQ Festival | Friday, April 4-Saturday, April 5 | 6 p.m. | Victoria Yards | $35+ | Get ready for a finger-licking blast tasting mouthwatering barbecue from the Carolinas’ best pitmasters.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Sacramento Kings | 7 p.m. | Spectrum Center | $18+ | Root for Buzz City as the team fights to win without one of their best point guards.
Vintage Circus: 2025 Bechtler Gala | 7:30 p.m. | Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | $250 | Prepare to be dazzled during this fundraiser featuring vintage circus performances and carnival fun.
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 | April 4-5 | 7:30 p.m. | Knight Theater | $46+ | Witness an epic performance honoring the composer’s timeless masterpiece.
Wine & Food Festival: Charlotte Ballantyne | 12-5 p.m. | Ballantyne’s Backyard | $58+ | Take your taste buds on a journey tasting samplings with over 100 international and local wines, craft beers, and craft spirits.
Harlem Globetrotters | 2 p.m. | Ovens Auditorium | $49+ | Prepare to be amazed and laugh when the iconic entertainers of basketball take the court.
Stress-free veterinary experiences from start to finish? There’s an app for that. | Photos courtesy Arevalo & Co.
Great veterinary care should be simple and stress-free, but finding the right care for your beloved pets when they need it can be ruff.That’s where Petfolk comes in.
Petfolk was founded by experienced vets to simplify + modernize care, offering convenient care tailored to your pet’s needs. Whether it’s routine wellness or more specialized visits, they’ve got you covered.
Their network of services provides everything from primary and virtual visits to urgent care.
Fear Free Certified vets at Petfolk’s five Charlotte-area clinics are determined to provide a paws-itive experience for you + your pet. Each clinic is designed to allow you to stay by your pet’s side, just like your furry friend would do for you.
Ground has broken on a 4.5-acre park at the site of the former Eastland Mall. The upcoming Eastland Park looks to bring playgrounds, nature trails, and a dog park when it’s finished in late 2026. (Charlotte Magazine)
Announced
Tickets are now on sale for the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway. Every $100 ticket sold helps ensure that families helped by St. Jude never have to worry about a medical bill, plus one lucky drawer will win a beautiful new house in the Charlotte area valued at $610,000.
Real Estate
The Court Arcade building at 725 E. Trade St. has been sold to real estate investment trust, Digital Realty Trust, Inc. for $9.5 million. The Uptown office was constructed in the 1920s and occupied by several law firms and the headquarters for the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Travel
Heading to the airport? Starting today, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is relocating rideshares to the inner lane of the upper-level Departures area for drop-offs and pick-ups to improve traffic flow and free up curb space. Get a lay of the land before flying out.
Community
Welcome home, Humpty. The town of Cornelius restored a beloved statue of nursery rhyme character Humpty Dumpty in front of Cornelius Elementary School. Humpty went missing in 2023, but a sculpture replacement was made possible by a local fundraising effort, raising $2,700.
Watch
Get a sneak peek of upcoming Broadway shows coming to Charlotte with Blumenthal Arts’ and former WBTV host Kristen Miranda. The hour-long special “Blumenthal Arts Presents: From Broadway to Charlotte” is coming to WBTV on April 14 at 3 p.m. (WBTV)
Feel Good
A North Lincoln High School teacher is WCNC’s “Hyundai Hometown Hero.” Alonzo Custer, who serves as a coach and mentor, was surprised with a new 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe for his work. Custer encouraged everyone to “find their passion” in life and “stick to it.” (WCNC)
Listen
What’s the Panthers off-season vibe check look like? Go beyond the field for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Try This
A day at Biltmore Estate®. Spend your morning wandering the gardens, and the afternoon with a glass of crisp white wine in the Tasting Room. See how you can get $90 off an Annual Pass for a limited time.*
Eat
Take your tastebuds on an adventure through James Beard-nominated restaurants, craft breweries, and award-winning distilleries in Winston-Salem. See what else is on the menu and start planning your trip.*
$10,000. If you owe this much in personal debt, this company can reach out to credit card companies + potentially reduce it. See how it works.*
Tech
Invest in award-winning AI-powered marketing technology. With 12+ years of research behind them, RAD Intel is backed by Adobe and Fidelity and trusted by Hasbro, Skechers, and Sweetgreen. Join 6,000+ investors and get $0.55 per share (before prices change next Thursday, April 10).†*
Category
Transit
🚘 Parking wars
Parking in the Dowd YMCA parking lot can be a challenge during weekday evenings. | Image via Google Maps
May the odds be ever in your favor. Competing for parking spaces in some of Charlotte’s busiest places can feel like “The Hunger Games.”
Here are just a few places that often challenge Charlotteans when it comes to parking + some tips to make your parking experience a tad less stressful.
The Dowd YMCA, South End
Be prepared for limited parking options on weekday afternoons between 3-7 p.m. as many people hit the gym after work + expect to join a line of cars circling to find an empty spot.
Possible solution: There’s a free parking garage for YMCA members at the corner of South Caldwell Street and Lexington Avenue.
Panera Bread, SouthPark
Grabbing lunch at Panera or swinging by AT&T? This tiny lot fills up quickly in the afternoon + that hairpin turn doesn’t make it any easier.
Possible solution: Guests can find a free garage nearby at South Executive Park Drive.
Chic drawstring denim pants. The roomy, straight-leg design keeps these jeans comfortable and casual, while the drawstring cinch ensures they fit snugly around your waist. Bonus: Shop this Madewell version.
I’m all too familiar with the rush hour traffic jam at the Dowd YMCA. Heading straight for the parking garage across the street often ends up taking less time than circling the lot multiple times. Plus, it never hurts to get a few extra steps.
