Charlotte, North Carolina is a popular destination that attracts visitors from all across the country and the world. It’s a modern metropolis with prestigious universities and an amazing banking industry. The city continues to maintain its authentic down South charm. In addition to a rich history and vibrant culture, Queen City is home to an exciting food scene full of incredible, diverse restaurants.
Here are some Black-owned restaurants in Charlotte, North Carolina to support during your visit. These restaurants range in cultures, cuisines, and food types for almost anything you could be craving while you are in town.
Cuzzo’s Cuisine
Having started as a food truck, Cuzzo’s Cuisine opened its first brick-and-mortar location in 2016. Offering Southern comfort food, the restaurant’s specialties are wings, fried fish, and red velvet waffles. However, the restaurant’s claim to fame is its famous lobster mac and cheese.
- Location: Multiple Locations
- Type of Cuisine: Comfort Food
- Menu Spotlight: Cuzzo’s Combo Meal
- Before You Go: Cuzzo’s now has a location in the Charlotte Premium Outlet Food Court.
Jinya Ramen Bar
Uptown Charlotte’s Jinya Ramen Bar offers a contemporary Japanese dining experience where the broth is king. You can customize your made-to-order ramen with your preferred ingredients. While you’re there, you might also want to try a rice bowl, salad, or one of the varieties of Japanese whiskey offered.
- Location: Charlotte
- Type of Cuisine: Asian
- Menu Spotlight: Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen
- Before You Go: The broth at Jinya is slow-cooked for 20 hours to get the perfect flavor.
Quidley’s Delight
This Black-owned restaurant in Charlotte offers authentic Caribbean cuisine that many locals consider the best in the city. Quidley’s Delight’s menu boasts classic Jamaican dishes like brown stew chicken, oxtails, and curry goat, along with traditional sides, like cabbage and plantains. There also are seafood and vegetarian options, along with a variety of cakes and pastries, available.
- Location: Charlotte
- Type of Cuisine: Jamaican
- Menu Spotlight: Coco Bread
- Before You Go: This restaurant is closed on Mondays.
Mert’s Heart & Soul
Mert’s Heart & Soul has been serving up delectable low-country and Gullah-inspired cuisine since 1996. It has been a Queen City staple ever since it opened. The restaurant appeared on the Food Network series “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and has welcomed prominent patrons, like former President Barack Obama, President Joe Biden, and Kevin Hart. Try their shrimp creole and catfish or red beans and rice with turkey kielbasa.
- Location: Charlotte
- Type of Cuisine: Soul Food
- Menu Spotlight: Soul Rolls
- Before You Go: Mert’s Gullah-inspired food has become a staple for tourists and locals in Charlotte.
Day and Night Exotic Cereal Bar
As the first cereal bar in the city, this fun and unique dining experience offers the classic cereals you grew up eating and interesting varieties you won’t easily find in stores. Many of the cereals are exotic brands imported from other countries. The eatery’s specialty is its cereal shake bowls and cereal shakes.
- Location: Charlotte
- Type of Cuisine: Cereal Bar
- Menu Spotlight: Mucha Lucha
- Before You Go: Day and Night is temporarily closed as they move to a new location.
Bobbee O’s BBQ
If you are craving some sweet and tangy BBQ, then Bobbee O’s BBQ is the perfect place. Head to Bobbee O’s for some smoked ribs, beef brisket, wings, pulled pork or chicken, and more. Each item is covered in their finger-licking-good sauce. Homemade from scratch using high-quality ingredients, the restaurant promises the finest in Southern hospitality, delicious food, great music, impeccable service, and country vibes.
- Location: Charlotte
- Type of Cuisine: Barbecue
- Menu Spotlight: Baby Back Ribs
- Before You Go: This restaurant is open every day for lunch and dinner so travelers can get barbecue anytime.
Abugida Ethiopian Cafe & Restaurant
Experience a taste of the motherland at Abugida Ethiopian Cafe & Restaurant. Using authentic Ethiopian ingredients, like injera, mitmita, shiro, kibe, and berbere, it is sure to be a tantalizing treat for the tastebuds. In addition to dishes made with beef, lamb, and chicken, there also are plenty of vegetarian options to choose from.
- Location: Charlotte
- Type of Cuisine: Ethiopian
- Menu Spotlight: Zelzel Wet
- Before You Go: Abugida is closed on Mondays.
Mr. Charles Chicken & Fish
Mr. Charles Chicken & Fish is the place to go in Charlotte when you’re craving Southern-style chicken and fish. Customers consistently rave about how fresh, juicy, and well-seasoned the food is. The eatery’s chicken was named the best-fried chicken in Charlotte by QCity Metro. The popular eatery also offers BBQ ribs, smothered pork chops, country-style steaks, burgers, cheesesteaks and more. There are two Mr. Charles Chicken & Fish locations: Cambridge Commons and Statesville.
- Location: Charlotte
- Type of Cuisine: Soul Food
- Menu Spotlight: Croaker Entree
- Before You Go: Mr. Charles Chicken & Fish has five locations across Charlotte.
Romeo’s Vegan Burgers
If you are vegan or just interested in trying plant-based food, check out Romeo’s Vegan Burgers. The restaurant serves vegan alternatives to classic favorites like cheeseburgers through Beyond Meats and Impossible Foods, as well as diner-style, but still vegan, fries and milkshakes. Try out their other plant-based and vegan menu items at their Charlotte location or catch their food truck.
- Location: Charlotte
- Type of Cuisine: Vegan
- Menu Spotlight: Where Art Thou Romeo Burger
- Before You Go: Romeo’s has a few locations in North Carolina including one in Asheville and Greensboro.
Nana’s Morrison’s Soul Food
For even more soul food goodness, travelers should head to Nana Morrison’s Soul Food. They have everything a soul food lover could ever desire. From fried chicken and oven-baked macaroni and cheese to smothered meats and sweet potato pie, Nana’s has it all.
- Location: Charlotte
- Type of Cuisine: Bakery & Comfort Food
- Menu Spotlight: Marinated Pepper Steak
- Before You Go: BW now serves select breakfast favorites.
These 10 Black-owned restaurants in Charlotte are sure to fill your bellies and your soul. Be sure to stop by and visit them the next time you’re in town looking for something delicious to savor.
