Looking for the next new restaurant hitting the Queen City’s food scene? Check out these buzzy places to eat and drink in Charlotte — plus, what’s coming soon. Keep tabs on this list to stay ahead of the culinary curve. And don’t forget to bookmark it.
July Openings
Spaghett, 224 W. 10th St. | Italian
Savor fresh craft pastas — like bucatini or gnocchi — and cocktails within Charlotte’s historic Young Morrison House.
McHale’s Irish Pub, 3112 N. Davidson St. | Irish pub
Lovers of this returning pub can expect eight beers on tap, Irish whiskeys, and a mix of American and Irish cuisine like shepherd’s pie and fish and chips.
Milkshake Factory, 100 W. 3rd St., Ste. A | Ice cream
Satisfy your sweet tooth with thick milkshakes with made-from-scratch ice cream and chocolates. Pro tip: All the milkshakes can be made dairy-free.
Henrietta’s, 117 Southside Dr. | Italian
The restaurant from the team behind Rally features a menu designed by Customshop’s Andres Kaifer — expect to order carpaccio, burrata, ribeye, and pastas.
Gastonia Ghost Peppers vs. Charleston Dirty Birds | 6:30 p.m. | CaroMont Health Park, Gastonia | $13+ | The season started with a three-run blast this week — cheer on the Peppers to keep things spicy on the field.
“Beverly Hills Cop II” | 7-9 p.m. | Carolina Theatre | $16+ | Laugh during this action-comedy as Eddie Murphy’s character works to solve a crime in Los Angeles.
Adrian Crutchfield and CeeLo Green | 7:30 p.m. | The Carolina Theatre | $35+ | Saxophonist and Charlotte-native Adrian Crutchfield will bring a high-energy performance to Uptown with CeeLo Green.
Carolina Panthers vs. Cleveland Browns | 7 p.m. | Bank of America Stadium | $14+ | Football season begins at the Panthers Den when they face the Browns.
Saturday, Aug. 9
University Farmers Market | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | The Shoppes at University Place | Free+ | Replenish your kitchen with fresh veggies, meats, and cheeses from local vendors.
Collect-A-Con | Saturday, Aug. 9-Sunday, Aug. 10 | 10 a.m. | Charlotte Convention Center | $39+ | Meet celebrities and build your collection at the country’s largest trading card, anime, and pop culture convention.
Lite Brite Nite | 8 p.m. | Stage 1 at Blume Studios | Free with RSVP | Dance to jams by DJ Sparkle, see live glow art, and shop local vendors at this Pride kickoff celebration.
Sunday, Aug. 10
Forest Healing Hike | 9:30-11:30 a.m. | Reedy Creek Park | $10+ | Reconnect with nature and new friends during a morning hike.
A six-story, $20 million mixed-use condo building is coming to Cornelius. Cashmere Condominiums will be located on Jetton Road Extension + feature 14 living units and retail space on the first and second floors. A construction timeline remains TBA. (The Charlotte Observer)
Biz
PSA Airlines is looking to hire 107 people as its headquarters are expected to open in January. The company — which was based in Dayton, OH — will move into a 79,000-sqft space at Water Ridge Office Park near Charlotte Douglas International Airport. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Closing
Essex Bar & Bistro will close by the end of the month. The restaurant has been operating at the corner of Trade and Tryon streets in Uptown since January 2016. An exact closing date and future plans for the space are TBA. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Edu
YMCAs in Charlotte are getting ready to launch after-school programs as CMS schools are set to start on Monday, Aug. 25. The program runs Monday through Friday, from 2 to 6:30 p.m. and offers games, arts and crafts, and time outdoors. (WCNC)
Community
Symphony Park will be renamed TowneBank Symphony Park after the bank committed $1.5 million to support the transformation of the 7.4-acre park. Construction is expected to begin in late summer 2026 and be complete by mid-summer 2027.
Outdoors
Gaston County’s Catawba Lands Conservancy & Carolina Thread Trail was awarded $500,000 for construction and maintenance on the Spencer Mountain Trail. The funds are part of $25 million in grants as part of NC’s Great Trails State Program.
Try This
Miami’s Michelin-rated Chug’s Diner will take over Customshop on Sunday, Aug. 17. Diners will be able to savor bao croquetas, Cuban sandwiches, queso frito, and cast-iron pancakes. Reservations are not required.
Sports
US Bobsledder Emily Renna is keeping her skills sharp at the US Performance Center at UNC Charlotte ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics. The facility boasts equipment with real-time feedback on output, force, and speed — everything she needs to prepare for the major winter sporting event. (WCNC)
Listen
The Carolina Panthers and the Cleveland Browns took the practice field together ahead of their preseason game. How will this play out on game day? Go beyond the field for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Number
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The next time you’re walking along the SouthPark Loop, you’ll notice new art sculptures near SouthPark Regional Library. The fun-shaped sculptures by artist Mary Carter Taub are meant to inspire interaction and engagement.
To celebrate the addition along the 3-mile urban trail, a ribbon-cutting celebration is planned for Tuesday, Aug. 12. Plus, savor free ice cream from Golden Cow Creamery. Sounds like a sweet celebration.
A great maxi wrap dress that can see you through the transition from summer into fall. Choose your favorite print or floral and enjoy the airy, comfortable feel and flattering ruffle hem.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Growing up in Florida, I have always been a fan of seafood — my family even has photos of me at five years old, eating raw oysters. So, of course, I had to visit Caroline’s Oyster Bar in Uptown for their “one million shucked” celebration, which took place on National Oyster Day! My personal favorite was the grilled oysters with crab butter.
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