Food Experts Name 16 Highly-Anticipated Carolinas Restaurants for 2023

In keeping with Eater tradition, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types, and bloggers. To kick it off in the Carolinas, Eater asked the group eight questions, ranging from the restaurants they frequented for takeout to the saddest surprises of the year. Responses are in no particular order, and readers are encouraged to leave answers in the comments.

Q. What restaurant or restaurant-related debut are you most excited for in 2023?

Erin Perkins, editor Eater Carolinas
I’m looking forward to seeing what the Michael Mina group does with the all-day Italian establishment Sorelle (88 Broad Street, Charleston). What’s not to love about a two-story restaurant with multiple bars, a market, and a pizza counter, in addition to a grand dining room with traditional Italian fare?

Kay West, Eater Carolinas contributor, covering Asheville
Ashleigh Shanti has been teasing her legion of fans and followers with Good Hot Fish (Asheville). pop-ups since leaving Benne over two years ago. Fingers crossed, 2023 will be the year she opens the door to her own place.

Stephanie Burnette, Eater Carolinas contributor
In order (of opening date), I’m excited about Sum Bar (307 East Washington Street) in Greenville, Colectivo (2901 Maybank Highway) on Johns Island, the Dragon Room (803 Gervais Street) in Columbia, the Bellwether (941 South Main Street) in Greenville’s West End, and Leonard’s Peach in Aiken.

Jason B James, photographer and Eater Carolinas contributor
I am excited to see what Elliot Moss has in store for Regina’s (1400 Patton Avenue, Asheville).

Matthew Lardie, Eater Carolinas contributor, covering NC
I have a soft spot for Croatia so I’m excited about Scott Crawford’s new Brodeto (618 North Person Street) in Raleigh’s Iron Works district. Also looking forward to new, as-yet-unnamed restaurants and bars coming to East Durham, but I’ve been sworn to secrecy so far.

Hanna Raskin, editor and publisher of The Food Section
I’m still catching up on 2022: Most excited to finally eat at Neng Jr.’s (701 Haywood Road, Asheville).

Eric Ginsburg, Eater Carolinas contributor, covering NC
Zweli’s Ekhaya (300 Blackwell Street) in Durham, Leroy’s Taco Shop (900 Park Offices Drive, Research Triangle) at Boxyard RTP, Passage Seafood in Charlotte, and Brodeto (618 North Person Street) in Raleigh.

Barbara Skidmore, Eater Carolinas contributor, covering SC and Savannah
Wildflower Cafe (207 West York Street, Savannah) from the owners of Farm and Common Thread in partnership with the Telfair Museum in Savannah, Georgia. I’m excited to see a new lunch-only option in Savannah and love the combination of the history and art of the Telfair Museum and what I am sure will be a unique cafe option.

Mike Ledford, photographer and Eater Carolinas contributor
Ma’am Saab (251 Meeting Street, Charleston). As a wise man once said, the waiting is the hardest part.

Jenn Rice, Eater Carolinas contributor, covering NC
Obviously, the Cheese Shop — a magical cut-to-order cheese shop opening inside Glasshalfull in Carborro in the new year. More on that soon. And Ekhaya (300 Blackwell Street) in Durham — it’s going to be such a unique addition to Durham’s adventurous food community.

Marion Sullivan, food editor Charleston Magazine
Jackrabbit Filly’s King BBQ (2029 Carver Avenue, North Charleston)

Nikki Miller-Ka, Eater Carolinas contributor, covering NC
Ashleigh Shanti’s Good Hot Fish (Asheville). Great fish houses are hard to come by, and I know hers will be great.

Cele and Lynn Seldon, Seldon Ink
Jones Oyster Co. in Greenville, South Carolinas. Scott Crawford’s new Croatian/Adriatic spot, Brodeto (618 North Person Street), in the Raleigh Iron Works