Charlotte Date Ideas

Haymaker is a Southern-influenced farm-to-table offering from executive chef William Dissen, located in Uptown Charlotte near beautiful Romare Bearden Park. The LEED-certified restaurant is known for its unique seasonal fare showcasing the production bounty of Appalachia and the Piedmont region, supplied with daily farm-fresh deliveries and structuring its kitchen around a traditional brick hearth.

Address: Haymaker, 225 S Poplar St, Charlotte, NC 28202, Phone: 704-626-6116

Sea Level NC is the vision of seafood restaurateur Paul Manley, known for his work at various oyster bars throughout the Carolinas. The restaurant, which is located within Charlotte's Hearst Tower, is best known for serving up North Carolina's only farm-to-fork oyster on the half shell, served up as part of a sustainable fishing partnership. Excellent seafood offerings feature fare harvested from local North Carolina farms and coastal fishers, with only non-threatened species on the menu. Couples can choose from entrees such as fried North Carolina catfish, Thai-fried grilled salmon, and classic shrimp and grits or share plates of Calabash shrimp, Maine mussels, or squid chow chow with signature sweet-and-spicy sauce. Lobster rolls, catfish reubens, and shrimp po'boys are also available at lunch and dinner, complemented by an impressive draft list and high-quality cocktails and mocktails.

Address: 129 E 5th St, Charlotte, NC 28202, Phone: 704-412-2616

O-Ku Sushi is one of Charlotte's most popular sushi joints, located within the city's hip South End market destination Atherton Mill. The restaurant, which is inspired by sister facilities in Charleston, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C., showcases innovative twists on traditional Japanese fare, including dishes prepared with seafood sourced directly from Tokyo and Hawai'i's best fish markets. Selections from executive chef Michael Chanthavong include traditional maki, nigiri, and sashimi, served up alongside specialties such as duck confit buns, otoro or wagyu tartare, sashimi tacos, and Bang Island mussels prepared with spicy yuzu aioli. A Queen's Feast tasting menu highlights three-course chef's selections, paired with premium imported sakes and regional wine and beer selections. Complimentary valet parking is available for all guests.

2000 South Blvd #510, Charlotte, NC 28203, Phone: 704-594-1922

Clean Catch Fish Market is a full-service fish market and restaurant in Charlotte's hip Tranquil Court real estate development, located within upscale neighborhood Myers Park. The market, which is helmed by restaurateur Bill Ryan, serves up wild-caught fish sustainably sourced from North Carolina and around the world, including fish from prime areas such as Massachusetts, Alaska, New Zealand, and the Faroe Islands. Diners can choose from an impressive selection of daily fresh fish catches, served up alongside a full menu of sushi and sashimi and raw oyster bar selections served with mignonette and cocktail sauces. Prepared entrees include jumbo lump crab cakes, fish and shrimp taco kits, and Faroe Island salmon burgers, with organic and sustainable wines available to complement all entrees.

2820 Selwyn Ave, Charlotte, NC 28209, Phone: 704-333-1212

Lenny Boy Brewing Company is one of Charlotte's premiere microbreweries, originally opened in 2011 as a non-alcoholic kombucha production company in the city's historic South End district. Since 2013, the company has been the American Southeast's only certified organic kombucha producer, serving up delicious variants of the health-conscious probiotic drink, including flavors such as ginger, beet, strawberry, lavenderade, and blueberry yerba mate. That same year, the company also began producing their own alcoholic brews, including now-flagship ales such as their Citraphilia IPA, Life in the South Southern Lager, Ground Up Coffee Stout, and Dat Pale American Pale Ale.

3000 S. Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28217, Phone: 980-585-1728