Romantic Restaurants in Charlotte, North Carolina

1. Enjoy fresh baked breads from their own bakery at The King's Kitchen & Bakery

The King's Kitchen & Bakery, located in a spacious and bright location on West Trade Street, is unique on so many levels. First, it is non-profit. The owners donate the profits to the local ministry to feed the poor and homeless. They also offer a training and employment program for those who are otherwise unemployable.

They believe that helping people should start with helping them regain dignity and allowing them to believe in themselves. The Kitchen works with a number of local farmers and food growers, meaning they support the local economy and get super fresh, seasonal and local ingredients in the process. Then, there is the menu, a collection of amazing Southern favorites cooked to perfection. Their sandwiches, made with fresh baked breads from their own bakery, are world class.

Address: 129 W Trade St., Charlotte, NC, Phone: 704-375-1990

2. Order your favorites with a twist at Pinky's Westside Grill

Seeing a colorful VW on the roof of the former auto shop that is now Pinky's Westside Grill should tell you right away that things are quite unique there. Vibrant red walls and eclectic décor suit the VW, and the food is just as striking. And with celebrated Chef Greg Auten in command, that is no surprise. Claiming to be a “lowbrow diner,” Pinky’s is incredibly appealing. It serves quite a range of everyone’s favorites, but with a twist.

You will find burgers with crunchy peanut butter, vegetarian hot dogs, and Pimp’n Fries served with their signature pimiento cheese. Just browsing through the menu will make you smile and put you in a good mood even before you get to eat. You can also get bottomless coffee and free refills on most sodas.

Address: 1600 W.Morehead St., Charlotte, North Carolina, Phone: 704-332-0402

3. Enjoy great steak at Oak Steakhouse

Oak Steakhouse is an upscale restaurant in Charlotte's SouthPark neighborhood, offering a modern twist on the conventional American steakhouse concept. The restaurant serves farm-fresh certified Angus beef entrees, including fine filet mignons, prime ribeyes, and dry-aged New York strip steaks. Other land and sea entrees include signature Oak burgers, grilled salmon, and lobster carbonara. A bar menu serves up appetizers during happy hour, alongside an extensive list of fine Californian and European wines, artisan boutique wines, regional craft brews, and seasonal cocktails.

Address: 4777 Sharon Road, Suite 125, Charlotte, NC 28210, Phone: 704-954-8900

4. Have a romantic dinner at The Fig Tree

Located in the charming 1913 Craftsman-style bungalow called Lucas House, The Fig Tree has five distinct dining rooms with several fireplaces and elegant furnishing. They also offer romantic outdoor seating on the patio and veranda, which overlook the signature fig trees.

The elegant decor creates a perfect backdrop to fine dining with Italian and French influences, but the cuisine is still firmly based in Carolina tradition and fresh, seasonal produce. Chef Greg Zanitsch is a master of blending textures, flavors, and ingredients using traditional culinary techniques to produce some outstanding dishes.

His Carolina version of Fois Gras is particularly memorable: he serves it pan-seared with cornbread pudding, blackberry gastrique, and bacon praline. The Fig Tree has an award-winning and extensive wine list with vintages from all over the world.

Address: 1601 E 7th Street, Charlotte, North Carolina, Phone: 704-332-3322

5. Taste amazing Peruvian cuisine at Viva Chicken

Peruvian rotisserie chicken is a great way to get introduced to Peruvian cuisine. Free-range chicken is marinated for about 24 hours with a special Viva Chicken mix of exotic spices and herbs and then roasted slowly on a spit rotating over an open charcoal fire. Viva Chicken serves their delicious chicken with a range of Peruvian sides such as Cilantro Infused Rice or fried yuka, along with their special sauces, either hot or mild.

They offer a range of other Peruvian dishes you might want to try to get a good idea of the flavors typical of this small Latin American country. Try their signature juices such as Maracuya, which is Peruvian Passion Fruit Punch. Viva Chicken now has two locations in Charlotte, and both are doing brisk business in bright, clean spaces, one on Elizabeth Avenue and the other at Toringdon.

Address: 1617 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte, North Carolina, Phone: 980-335-0176

6. Try the pulled pork at Midwood Smokehouse

When you give an experienced pit master like Matt Barry a custom wood-burning computer controlled smoker, you can expect some spectacular meats. Midwood Smokehouse serves everything from true Texas style briskets to tender and juicy Carolina pulled pork. The smoker chugs along 24 hours a day using only real hardwood hickory logs, and what comes out is tender and bursting with flavor.

They even smoke their veggies. Midwood Smokehouse has a spacious dining room with a lovely rooftop deck in Charlotte’s Plaza-Midwood neighborhood and another location in South Charlotte near Ballantine. They have some great sides and salads to go with their fabulous meats, and the full bar has a nice selection of craft beers. If you have any space left, try their banana pudding.

Address: 1401 Central Ave. Suite 101, Charlotte, North Carolina, Phone: 704-295-4BBQ