The restaurant and bar scene is something that the Queen City is known to do well in. We have much to look forward to in 2023 as new restaurants and bars plan to open. Some will be brand new while others will be blasts from the past. We can expect some known names such as the Atlanta famed Slutty Vegan and Soul Gastrolounge formerly known in Plaza Midwood. Keep an eye on Camp North End, as they are the prime location for several new spots coming to the Queen City. Here is a list of 10 anticipated restaurant & bars coming to the Queen City this year, 2023!
Change Please Cafe: A cafe/nonprofit where 100% of coffee sales are used to support people experiencing homelessness. Expect coffee plus a food menu with flatbreads, breakfast empanadas and croissants. Change Please Cafe will be located inside the Innovation Barn in the Belmont neighborhood at 932 Seigle Avenue. Opening January 31st.
RSVP South End: A one-stop shop with four different event spaces in one located @ 230 Fairwood Avenue. The acronym for RSVP is a description of each space: rooftop, stage, veranda and parlor. The nightlife experience will house two rooftops, a bar, lounge and club. Each space has a different mood that allows you to feel like you are in an entirely separate venue. Drinks and food options will vary depending on the space. They are planning to open by the end of January 2023 but this date is subject to change.
LaBARatory: A new brewery located across the Cross Charlotte Trail at the Urban Mill District Market in Optimist Park @ 2315 North Davidson Street. LaBARatory is the latest brainchild of Chun and his wife Lisa Kamura, who have had a busy 2022 with BIT by Seoul Food and Seoul Food Meat Co. The brewery will also be a Soju distillery selling Korean vodka, which is a clear alcoholic beverage with 20-25% ABV. LaBARatory will also have an observation deck, stairs and a slide. They plan to open early 2023, no exact date given.
Azul Tacos and Beer: A fast-casual authentic Mexican street food restaurant with a modern vibe located @ 2122 Thrift Road Unit A. Expect tacos, burritos, tortas, mulatas and ceviche to be served in the 2,700-square-foot space on Thrift Road. You can also buy a pack of their handmade tortillas and a few pounds of meat to make something at home. Drink options will be mostly based around Mezcal and tequila. They will also offer agua frescas (a water and fruit drink) and Mexican soda. Azul is expected to open early 2023, no exact date given.
Phat Burrito: Nearly five years after it closed, the landmark South End burrito joint Phat Burrito is reopening in a new neighborhood @ 1537 Camden Road. The same oversized burritos. The 2,600-square-foot corner space is a bit bigger than the original, but owner Michael Cox says he hopes to capture the same vibe inside. Phat plans to open beginning of 2023 in LoSo Village near the corner of South and Clanton.
Hippin Hops Brewery: Georgia’s first Black-owned brewery is expanding to Charlotte @ 2509 North Davidson Street. The brewery will have indoor and outdoor space, totaling 3,900 square feet. It will also serve gourmet burgers. They plan to open March 2023.
Seemingly Overzealous: A dairy-free ice cream shop opening at Camp North End. Seemingly Overzealous will offer the classics, plus unique flavors like blood orange carrot ginger, matcha with honey and lemon and peanut butter and jelly. Flavors that aren’t dairy-free will be explicitly marked. They plan to open spring 2023.
The Teal Turnip: The restaurant is the brainchild of chefs Taylor Kastl and Steve McGinley, the team behind Tayste Catering. It will open in the Oakhurst Shopping Center @ 1640 Oakhurst Commons Drive Suite 105. The menu will feature a lot of small plates with “adventurous menu items.” You will also find non-traditional ingredients like beef tongue, beef cheeks and liver mousses in the mix. The menu will be hyper-seasonal, which means it’ll change often and there’ll be rotating daily specials. As for drinks, you will find a selection of wine and signature cocktails as well. They plan to open spring 2023.
Midnight Diner: The South End comfort food restaurant will relocate to Uptown. The diner will relocate to Trade Street across from the Spectrum Center with free parking. The opening date or timeline is still to be determined for 2023. The previous location at 1111 South Tryon Street will be replaced with a two-tower mixed-use development. Site work on the project begins this year.
Passage Seafood: Connected to the Abyss, a modern, fish-focused eatery will serve seasonal Atlantic seafood, oysters, raw fish, vegetable dishes and whole fish charcuterie. It’s a 2,000-square-foot space with 50 indoor seats and 38 outdoor spots. “We want it to be one of the best seafood restaurants in the country,” chef Greg Collier says. Opening 2023 in Camp North End.
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