Their are hidden gems located in the cities surrounding Charlotte. The featured city in this blog is Belmont. Belmont is a waterside suburb of Gaston County which offers a blend of small town charm and modern convenience about 12 miles west of Uptown. From local eats to charming bars to botanical gardens, here is a list of 10 ways to spend some time away from Charlotte.
Eat farm to table @ Heirloom located 33 Greenway Street. Expect locally-sourced, fine dining in the heart of downtown Belmont. Heirloom is the sister restaurant to Honeycomb Cafe. You can check out their recently launched spring dinner menu here. Reservations are strongly suggested. They are open for business Tuesday-Saturday 4PM-9:30PM and closed Sunday and Monday.
Go for brunch at Honeycomb Cafe located at 31 North Main Street. The locally-sourced brunch and lunch spot can fill up fast, so it’s recommended to snag a reservation in advance. If you are a mimosa fan, Honeycomb offers pitchers for $30. Honeycomb is owned by Patrick Murphy, the chef who also owns nearby Heirloom, mentioned above. They are open Wednesday-Friday 9AM-2PM, Saturday-Sunday 8AM-2PM, and are closed Monday and Tuesday.
Grab a cup of coffee at The Wandering Cup located at 900 South Fork Village Drive within minutes from downtown Belmont. The locally-owned coffee shop has an expansive drink menu and light bites like baked goods and quiche. With plenty of seating, it’s a peaceful remote working spot, as well. They are open Monday-Tuesday 7AM-2PM, Wednesday-Friday 7AM-5PM, Saturday 8AM-5PM, and are closed on Sunday.
In the mood to shop? Check out Piccolo Antique Mall at 134 North Main Street for unique finds. You could easily spend half the day in Piccolo alone. The mall is over 22,000 square feet and filled with everything from collectibles to vintage finds to home décor and clothing. New arrivals arrive daily. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday 10AM-6PM; Saturday 10AM-6PM and Sunday 1PM-5PM.
Sharpen your wardrobe at Gigi’s Consignment Boutique located at 24 North Main Street. Gigi’s calls themselves a blended consignment shop. On one side of the store, you’ll find new boutique clothing and accessories, while the other half is upscale consignment. You’ll also find furniture and home décor located in the rear of the store. They are open Tuesday-Saturday 10AM-6PM and are closed on Sunday and Monday.
Take a walk through Stowe Park located at 24 South Main Street. Running along Main Street in downtown, Stowe Park boasts popular amenities like a walking path, playground and picnic shelters, making it a go-to for soaking up some sun on a spring or summer day. As a bonus, go across the street and pick up some coffee and snacks from The Everyday Market for a park picnic.
Explore rooftop dining at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen located at 36 North Main Street. The southern comfort food spot is owned by The Jonas Family (yes, as in The Jonas Brothers), who has family ties to Belmont. Grab some appetizers and a cocktail on the rooftop, or dine inside alongside live music. They are open Tuesday-Thursday 11AM-2PM and 4PM-9PM; Friday 11AM-2PM and 4PM-10PM; Saturday 11AM-10PM; Sunday 10AM-3PM. They are closed on Monday.
Drink award winning local rum at Muddy River Distillery located at 1500 River Drive. You may have seen Muddy River’s rums on cocktail menus around Charlotte, but the distillery lives in Belmont. It is the oldest legal rum distillery in the Carolinas. Tours are available on Saturdays at 1PM, 2PM and 3PM.
Get made-to-order cinnamon rolls at Cinnaholic located in Belmont Town Center at 915 South Point Road Suite F. The gourmet cinnamon roll chain has a cult-like following, and it’s pretty easy to see why. You can create a customizable cinnamon roll (they’re all 100% vegan) or pick one of their signatures. They are open everyday 10AM-7PM.
Indulge in craft cocktails at The Bottle Tree located at 102 Davis Street. You can opt for a full dining experience and stay for dinner. The Bottle Tree sits on a midcentury ranch and calls itself “unpretentious fine dining.” With a menu of craft cocktails and globally-inspired dishes, this local hotspot tends to fill up fast. It is recommended to secure a reservation. You will also find Smoke Queen, a BBQ food truck, on the back patio (no reservation is needed to eat there). The Bottle Tree is open Tuesday-Saturday 5PM-9PM, Sunday 10AM-2PM, and are closed Monday.
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