Resolving to be more adventurous in the new year? Be sure to stop at these 12 new, must-try local eateries Charlotte got in 2018.
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12 New, Must-Try Local Eateries in Charlotte
From cheese boards to salmon burgers

Siggy's Good Food
The most cheerful new stop in the Belmont neighborhood, Siggy’s is brightened by natural light, plants and art, not to mention organic fresh ingredients with a Mediterranean flair. Don’t miss out on the gluten-free banana pancakes, vegetable frittata, and mint lemon spritzer on the brunch list.
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Haymaker
From Asheville chef William Dissen comes an Appalachian-focused menu Uptown. The establishment, named for farmers and celebrations, both of which can be known as haymakers, is a key stop for higher end Uptown dining. Start with the heirloom cornmeal hush puppies and end with the apple and parsnip cake.
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Bistro La Bon
Chic and flickering with candlelight, the second, smaller Bistro La Bon location has a similar, but slightly more limited version of the menu at the Plaza Midwood flagship spot. Be on the lookout for half-priced wine bottle specials, but come prepared to order the crispy Brussels sprouts with sweet corn velouté, plus the ahi tuna tartare atop a Himalayan salt slab.
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YUME Ramen Sushi & Bar
From light, vibrant sushi and sashimi to steaming bowls of ramen, Yume is a prime stop for warm and cold weather. Grab a signature cocktail at the bar (a wait is inevitable on the weekends, as is squeezing into street parking) and plan for a seaweed salad starter once the table is ready.
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Bardo Restaurant
An intimate space coupled with seasonal small plates, Bardo has quickly become praised for artistic creations from a limited list of offerings. It’s worth booking reservations in advance on Resy.
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Lincolns Haberdashery
This cozy, eclectic cafe is South End’s neighborhood stop for interesting wines by the bottle, cans of craft beer and kombucha, fresh-baked bread and bakery items, snacks (for dogs and cats, too), and a full menu of lunch and breakfast offerings. For something green, go for the avocado toast served atop a wooden paddle with bergamot EVOO, baby arugula and shaved onion; for a hefty sandwich, opt for the Banh Joe V with roasted pork loin, pickled carrot, jalapeno, cilantro, foie gras aioli, and cucumber.
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The Crunkleton
Opened just in time to enjoy during the holiday chaos, the private club has built quite the following behind its signature cocktails at its Chapel Hill location. The latest iteration, which just opened Dec. 20, also offers a food menu with an open-hearth cooking style complementing the drinks. Remember — no reservations are accepted here, just membership payments of $10 per person.
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Bang Bang Burgers
The South End version of this popular local burger joint first opened as a slider concept before quickly pivoting to become a second location for its original, full-size burger menu. Fast-casual and laid-back with cow-print booths and a VIP loft, Bang Bang #2 offers burger bowls from salmon burgers to black bean burgers, plus hefty options like the Hangover burger with cheddar, potato bacon hash, a fried egg, and Bang sauce.
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The Queen & Glass
This cocktail parlor slides re-imagined bar bites across the bar tops while patrons sip handcrafted cocktails with interesting ingredients (think muddled watermelon). The delicately crispy flatbreads are a must — the pesto and avocado rendition carries arugula and cilantro pesto, avocado, shaved red onion, sun-dried tomato, cotija cheese, and a sprinkling of toasted pine nuts. What to expect in 2019: the roll out of a monthly guest chef dinner series featuring cocktails by Bob Peters paired with courses crafted by a guest chef.
The Waterman
From the easygoing nautical decor theme to approachable seafood entrees like classic lobster rolls, fried shrimp platters with slaw and fries, and grilled salmon over salad, The Waterman feels like a relaxed escape from the city. A must: Start with the smoked trout paté with crackers.
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Mere's
While not a full-blown restaurant, this cute little wine shop in Dilworth styled after European fromageries hand makes extravagant cheese and charcuterie boards that are sure to satisfy. Shelves are filled with wines by the bottle (and no corkage fee), while the magic behind the counter pulls together boards from a selection of 50+ cheeses and a variety of charcuterie. There’s also a daily sandwich offering for those needing a heartier option.
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Flour Shop
The vision of Customshop’s chef Trey Wilson, Flour Shop offers a close-up of the kitchen. The snug dining room is built around the open kitchen, in fact, so guests can witness the wood-cooking, the pasta-making, the bread-baking, and more. What guests won’t see: the garden in Wilson’s backyard that supplies fresh ingredients to the menu. Shared plates range from carpaccio, to ricotta-stuffed ravioli, to garganelli with spicy pork sugo.
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