Restaurants in Charlotte are finally starting to recover from the days of closures and pivots created by the pandemic. New eateries are opening up en masse for the first time since 2019. Excited to get out and try some of the new comers? You should be. Here are just a few of our favorite new restaurants that opened in 2021.
Supperland
This buzzy Southern-style steakhouse has rapidly become a Charlotte favorite. Set up in a former church complete with restored pews and floors and dishes made to evoke potlucks of old, Supperland is as much about the ambiance as the food. There’s a main dining room, large patio, garden and a separate speakeasy. Side dishes are modern riffs on old classics like mac and cheese with miso and broccoli with bone marrow butter. There’s even an ambrosia salad with marshmallows. The highlight is the wood-grilled entrees. The 14-foot grill burns hickory and oak, infusing meats, fish and vegetables with smoky goodness.
The Jimmy
Just a few blocks from Cielo, The Jimmy is an excellent new spot for wood-fired pizzas and handmade pastas. Pizza dough is fermented for 48 hours to create a light, airy crust and toppings and other ingredients are locally sourced. Salads and grilled meats are also given careful treatment and worth a try if you are not up for pizza and pasta. Check the website for daily specials.
El Puro
“Puro” is the Cuban version of “Papa,” and this family created El Puro to honor their deceased patriarch. The menu features all the traditional Cuban classics including an excellent Masitas de la Loma. The seasoned slow-cooked chunks of pork shoulder are served atop a smoking roasting box. The dining room is colorful and warm and features a large bar (with lots of rum choices of course) and stage for regular live music.
See all that Charlotte has to offer on the Cielo blog.