Parking made easy: 20 Charlotte restaurants with prime spots to beat the cold weather
While driving in Charlotte has its challenges, it’s only half the battle. Once you reach your destination, the real struggle begins: securing a parking spot. You may have found yourself in a crowded parking lot, fighting over a limited number of spots or endlessly circling for street parking, getting further and further away from your destination.
Add in any element of weather (rain, low temperatures or the unlikely, but not unheard, of snowfall) and you’ve got anxiety-inducing, road-rage-triggering conditions.
As temperatures in Charlotte continue to dip, allow us to offset the stress of parking by creating a list of local spots with easy-access lots.
With this list of restaurants you won’t have to worry about long walks to your destination, inclement weather or parking-lot battle fields. Many of them exist within shopping centers or are stand-alone establishments.
The Artisan’s Palate
Location: 1218 E 36th St A, Charlotte, NC 28205
The Artisan’s Palate is not just a restaurant. The hybrid space serves as a cafe during the day, a cocktail lounge at night and an art gallery pretty much all the time. Located in NoDa, the unique space seeks to feature local artists through its in-house art gallery, while also tantalizing the senses with a locally-sourced, globally-inspired food menu.
Instagram: @theartisanspalate
Azul Tacos & Beer
Location: 2122 Thrift Rd A, Charlotte, NC 28208
Located in the Wesley Heights neighborhood, Azul Tacos & Beer is an authentic counter-service Mexican restaurant that serves everything from mouth-watering micheladas and margaritas to Mexican street corn, tortas, burritos and street-style tacos. Azul’s name, which translates to “blue” in English, comes from its handmade tortillas, made with blue heirloom corn straight from Mexico. The restaurant has an attached parking lot, making parking a breeze.
Instagram: @azultacosandbeer
Bryant Seafood Fresh Market
Location: 3509 David Cox Rd B, Charlotte, NC 28269
Nestled in a shopping plaza (with ample parking spots, I promise), you’ll find Bryant Seafood Fresh Market, a family-run spot that serves fresh seafood plates made to order. This is a takeout-friendly spot: There are a couple of tables inside, but they are mainly used by customers waiting for to-go orders. If you’re in the mood for Southern-style, crispy fried flounder, catfish, croaker, haddock or whiting, Bryant Seafood is the place to go. Sides include classic comfort foods like hushpuppies, mac and cheese, baked beans, coleslaw and green beans.
Instagram: @bryantseafoodmarket
Comet Grill
Location: 2224 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Comet Grill is the ultimate neighborhood bar. Located in the Dilworth Crossing Shopping Center, right next to the Food Lion, this local grill has been serving the people of Charlotte since 1996. The menu features classic bar favorites, including burgers, sandwiches, wings and tasty fried fare like crispy fried pickles. Comet Grill also has weekly live music, with the lineup monthly on Instagram.
Instagram: @cometgrill
Deejai Thai Restaurant
Location: 613 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207
Originally opened in 2009, Deejai Thai Restaurant is my go-to spot for Thai food. It’s one of the few places in Charlotte that serves Khao Soi, a Northern Thai dish made up of coconut curry, egg noodles, your choice of protein, and pickled mustard greens, topped with crispy, deep-fried noodles. It’s amazing. Beyond my beloved Khao Soi, Deejai offers other classic Thai favorites and sushi. Its parking lot is medium-sized, but I’ve never had any issues finding a spot.
Instagram: @deejaithaicharlotte
El Puro
Location: 5033 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Located in a shopping plaza on South Boulevard, you’ll find El Puro, a family-run restaurant offering a fresh take on classic Cuban cuisine. I’ve mentioned it before, but restaurants tucked away in shopping plazas often serve the best food. And El Puro is a perfect example of this. With classic Cuban dishes like ropa vieja (shredded brisket in a creole sauce), empanadas, croquetas and, of course, a classic Cuban sandwich, El Puro brings traditional Latin fare to South Boulevard.
Instagram: @elpurocubanrestaurant
Flour Shop
Location: 530 A Brandywine Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209
Picture it: An open kitchen, chefs tossing fresh-made pasta in colorful sauces on the stove and the smell of garlic and fresh bread wafting through the air. At Flour Shop, the flavors are always fresh. Located in the back of the Park Road Shopping Center, Flour Shop is an accessible spot for dinner almost any night of the week, though you may need reservations on the weekends.
The many restaurants that reside within the historic Park Road Shop Center all share one thing in common: great parking. The shopping center is home to diverse spots including Amelie’s French Bakery, the speakeasy Dot Dot Dot, the quaint English pub Sir Edmund Halley’s, the beloved barbecue joint Midwood Smokehouse and the authentic Italian eatery Osteria LuCa.
The front-side of the Park Road Shopping Center can often be busier than the back. But, not to worry. There’s always a parking spot available. Especially if you avoid “rush hour” times (6 p.m. can get a little hectic).
Instagram: @flourshopclt
The Good Wurst Company
Location: 3001 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
From scratch-made sausages to smoked meats, brats, and Montreal-style bagels (think smaller, sweeter and crispier than New York-style bagels), The Good Wurst Company is all about savory, meat-forward sandwiches. Hungover on a Sunday? Take a drive down Central Avenue and park in the back of The Good Wurst. A good old-fashioned breakfast sandwich with pastrami, egg and cheese will heal you right up.
Instagram: @thegoodwurst
Inizio Pizza Napoletana
Location: 2230 Park Rd #101, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 10620 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Location: 16627 Birkdale Commons Pkwy, Huntersville, NC 28078
Location: 816 Brayden Pkwy, Fort Mill, SC 29708
Inizio is a Neapolitan-style pizzeria serving up an array of artisanal pies. With a 90-second bake at 900 degrees, the pizzas come out piping hot and decidedly delicious. Inizio has three locations across Charlotte and one in Fort Mill, all of which have excellent parking options.
Instagram: @iniziopizza
[EAT LIKE A PRO: A notable Charlotte chef ate pizza for 24 days straight. Where did they go?]
Legion Brewing — Morehead location
Location: 2013 W Morehead St Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28208
Legion Brewing has long been a staple in Charlotte’s craft beer scene. With a motto of “friends and beer,” it’s the type of brewery that exudes a campfire sort of warmth. While Legion has a few locations across the city, for the best parking practices, I recommend trying Legion’s West Morehead location. The parking lot is large, and there’s always empty spots available.
Instagram: @legionbrewing
L’Ostrica
Location: 4701 Park Rd D, Charlotte, NC 28209
L’Ostrica brings chef-driven, yet approachable dining to the Montford neighborhood. The restaurant offers a tasting menu that highlights the flavors of the season in its main dining room. However, if you’re just looking for a bite to eat, guests can venture to the bar and patio area for L’Ostrica’s a la carte menu, which offers light entrees, snacks, cocktails and wine. Free parking is available in the attached parking deck.
Instagram: @lostrica_clt
Musashi
Location: 10110 Johnston Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210
For traditional Japanese cuisine, Musashi is a must-visit. Not only is the food amazing, but so is the interior. The restaurant is decidedly small, a pleasant change of scenery for Charlotte, where large, echoey restaurants have become so commonplace. Like many of the establishments on this list, Musashi is also located in a shopping center.
The Palm Restaurant
Location: 6705-B, Phillips Pl Ct, Charlotte, NC 28210
White linen tablecloths, prime cuts of steak and seafood that melts in your mouth — when you dine at The Palm, expect an experience. If you’re looking for an elevated evening with steakhouse vibes, definitely visit this locale. It has date night written all over it. There are valet stands outside the restaurant and ample self-parking options as well.
Instagram: @palmrestaurant
Peppervine
Location: 4620 Piedmont Row Dr Suite 170B, Charlotte, NC 28210
Nestled in the SouthPark neighborhood you’ll find Peppervine, an independently owned restaurant serving artistic, locally sourced small plates. Peppervine offers guests an upscale dining experience, a worldly selection of fine wine and free garage parking. The food is forward-thinking, sophisticated and, most importantly, good.
Instagram: @peppervineclt
Pho Hoa
Location: 3000 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Pho is the ultimate comfort food. It’s the perfect meal to heal a pesky head cold, if you’ve had too much to drink the night before, or to warm yourself up on a winter’s day. Bone broth is a cure all and nothing will change my mind on that.
Pho Hoa, located off of Central Avenue in the same plaza as Cold Blooded and Bizarre, has long been a staple in my house. The mid-sized parking lot almost always has a spot and is easy to navigate.
Pinky’s Westside Grill
Location: 1600 W Morehead St, Charlotte, NC 28208
Location: 9818 Gilead Rd STE 101B, Huntersville, NC 28078
Pinky’s Westside Grill has long been a Charlotte staple. And, with a big gravel lot in the back of its Morehead Street location, parking is hassle-free. It has been visited by the likes of Guy Fieri for his Food Network shows “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and, more recently, “Triple D Nation.” Pinky’s Huntersville location is equally approachable. Its spacious parking guarantees you’ll always find a spot, making every visit stress-free.
One of my favorite aspects of Pinky’s is its wide variety of vegetarian options. The grill offers a surprising amount of veggie and vegan friendly plates like veggie chili, veggie hot dogs and falafel pita wraps.
Instagram: @pinkyswestsidegrill
Pizza Baby West
Location: 2135 Thrift Rd #101, Charlotte, NC 28208
Pizza Baby owners chef Trey Wilson and Steven De Falco know good pizza. The restaurant offers guests a contemporary take on the classic New York-style pie. Using a 48-hour cold fermentation process to create the perfect dough, along with locally sourced ingredients and timeless, old-world techniques, the duo has mastered the art of pizza making.
Pizza Baby has established itself at two bilateral locations across Charlotte: Pizza Baby West and Pizza Baby East. Between the two locations, parking at Pizza Baby West, located in the Wesley Heights neighborhood, is easier, without a doubt.
Instagram: @eatpizzababy
Thai House
Location: 110 S Sharon Amity Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Location: 8706 Pineville-Matthews Rd #160, Charlotte, NC 28226
Location: 230 E W.T. Harris Blvd B9, Charlotte, NC 28262
Thai House has been serving the people of Charlotte traditional Thai food for over 30 years. The inside of Thai House is vibrant, with Thai music floating through the speakers. Thai artwork covers the walls, with intricate wood sculptures thoughtfully placed throughout. Owner Kaye Chanasar’s dedication to bringing the Thai experience to Charlotte is not lost on restaurant goers. With three locations, all with solid parking options, Thai House is always ready to welcome hungry Charlotteans.
Instagram: @thaihouse_charlotte
Three Amigos Mexican Grill & Cantina
Location: 2917 Central Ave A, Charlotte, NC 28205
Best known for its delicious enchiladas and sweet, tangy margaritas — guaranteed to warm you up on even the coldest of days — Three Amigos is a Mexican restaurant that has been serving authentic, regional cuisine since 2010. Located on Central Avenue, Three Amigos is another small, but mighty restaurant, serving up bold flavors and classic Mexican dishes we all know and love.
Instagram: @threeamigosclt
The Tipsy Burro Saloon & Cantina
Location: 2711 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205
Owned by brothers Brian and Mark Wilson of Thirsty Beaver fame, The Tipsy Burro is the duo’s family-friendly restaurant alternative. The cantina serves margaritas, burritos, tacos and its famous “Frito pie,” which is an amalgamation of Fritos topped with chili, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce and cream cheese — you know, all the good stuff.
The Tipsy Burro is home to live music, trivia on Wednesdays and a large parking lot that never completely fills up.
Instagram: @tipsyburro
