Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Charlotte

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Charlotte? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Napa at Stonecrest

4.6

4.6 (96)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Ballantyne

About the restaurant

At Napa Bistro & Wine Bar at Stonecrest, we're bringing the heart of California to Charlotte. Enjoy fresh, flavorful dishes made from scratch, paired with bold wines, all in a cozy atmosphere that feels like home. Just think of us as your friendly neighborhood restaurant, with a serious wine obsession. With small & large plate offerings, Napa Bistro & Wine Bar is perfect for a business luncheon, friends gathering for cocktails, or families craving brunch. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended. We look forward to your visit!

Top review

David

Dined 3 days ago

This was our second visit to the new Stonecrest location. Again, great meal and service.

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Experience

Christmas Eve Dinne

Experience

New Year's Eve Dinner

Customshop

4.8

4.8 (1776)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Elizabeth

About the restaurant

Customshop is a chef-driven restaurant that showcases local farms and purveyors in an effort to bring our guests the highest quality ingredients within our community. Executive Chef and Owner Andres Kaifer along with his team believe in crafting honest straightforward food with an elevated modern touch that delivers something truly unique. Weekly menu changes allow us to highlight the seasonality of food and the beauty of North Carolina produce, seafood, and specialty items. With stylistic inspiration from Spain, Italy, and France, our neighborhood restaurant aims to make everyone feel welcome. We are proud to offer a seasonal cocktail menu that also takes an ingredient-first approach and looks to mirror the creativity and ingenuity of our culinary team. Our wine list is curated around a balance of old-world staples as well as new and emerging producers pushing the envelope. We cannot wait to serve you on your next date night, post-work drinks with friends, or at a family celebration.

Top review

Steve

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing experience as always. Good, service, the whole thing. Best restaurant in Charlotte.

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Bernardin's Restaurant - Charlotte

4.7

4.7 (2835)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Uptown

About the restaurant

Bernardin's Fine Dining is renowned for its impeccable service, Elegant atmosphere and sophisticated, succulent Modern American Cuisine. Specializing in Seafood, Lamb, Steaks, Game Meats, Poultry and Pasta. Relax and enjoy soothing music, inviting accommodations, unbelievable entrees, specialty desserts and an extensive wine list. Serving the Triad of North Carolina since 1992, new to Uptown Charlotte. We are confident you will enjoy your dining experience.

Top review

TIMVIP

Dined today

Food was excellent, especially the sea bass and emu. The night we went, they were short staffed, but they were up front about it, and we weren't in any hurry. It took a while to get our initial drink order as a result, but the bartender did an amazing job. We have been many times, and always enjoy dining here.

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Popular dish

Grilled Emu

Peppervine

4.7

4.7 (2132)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

SouthPark

About the restaurant

Modern American Fine Dining meets elegance and innovation. General Manager/Wine Director Tommy Trull and Executive Chef Will Stephenson offer a memorable dining experience that blends comfort with sophistication, along with creative, locally sourced dishes with international influences, complemented by an extensive wine list (winner of Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence every year since 2021) and expertly crafted cocktails.

We blend formal and informal service to make every visit special. Whether you're celebrating a birthday with our complimentary key lime pie bar or enjoying a free glass of Cava for your anniversary, our team ensures personalized attention to every detail.

We also have monthly wine dinners, showcasing exquisite pairings and fine selections from around the world. With flexible seating options, including a cozy mezzanine and private dining room, we cater to all occasions. Reserve your table today and discover an exceptional dining experience at Peppervine.

Top review

JenniferVIP

Dined 4 days ago

We had a lovely dining experience here last night! The service, ambience and food are quite possibly the best in Charlotte. The attention to detail is certainly one of the best aspects of this restaurant. Noteworthy: pimento cheese scones and the house made pasta with bison bolognese. The wine list is outstanding. Highly recommend and looking forward to returning!

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Popular dish

Branzino

Popular dish

General Tsos Cauliflower

Popular dish

Pimento Cheese Scones

Napa on Providence

4.7

4.7 (3779)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Myers Park

About the restaurant

At Napa on Providence, we're bringing the heart of California to Charlotte. Enjoy fresh, flavorful dishes made from scratch, paired with bold wines, all in a cozy atmosphere that feels like home. Just think of us as your friendly neighborhood restaurant, with a serious wine obsession.

With small & large plate offerings, Napa on Providence is perfect for a business luncheon, friends gathering for cocktails, or families craving brunch. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended. We look forward to your visit!

Top review

GaryVIP

Dined 2 days ago

I had lunch at Napa Providence with a friend, and it was such a nice vibe. We sat out on the heated patio—such a great idea, especially when it’s chilly out. It felt super cozy, and we didn’t want to leave. Our server, Nick, was awesome. He was really on top of things, super helpful, and didn’t make us feel rushed at all—even though we ended up hanging out for a couple of hours just chatting. The food? So good. We both had the Napa salad, which is always light and fresh, and I couldn’t skip the French onion soup. It’s seriously become one of my go-tos. Perfect little bite when you’re not starving but want something warm and comforting.

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4.6

4.6 (3315)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Fort Mill, South Carolina

About the restaurant

At Napa Kingsley, we're bringing the heart of California to Fort Mill. Enjoy fresh, flavorful dishes made from scratch, paired with bold wines, all in a cozy atmosphere that feels like home. Just think of us as your friendly neighborhood restaurant, with a serious wine obsession.
We offer complimentary Valet with Validation Thursday, Friday & Saturday Evenings from 5-11pm. To access Valet you can enter on Textile Way off of SC-160 and make a right hand turn onto Broadcloth and valet is located across our restaurant on the right hand side.

Top review

Ida

Dined 2 days ago

Jessica was great! Her recommendations were spot on. The restaurant was nice, with large portions on most things. (Ex: The quiche and meatballs are hugh!) The food is fresh and well prepared. Well worth the visit. Get the bread!

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4.6

4.6 (1917)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Ballantyne

About the restaurant

Gallery Restaurant serves contemporary American fare for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Menus change seasonally to provide fresh regional ingredients. An exclusive art display from a local gallery establishes an authentic gallery feel. Enjoy an impressive wine selection honored as a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Gallery Bar offers a casual option for lunch and dinner and has an extensive Whiskey collection. Diners enjoy monthly culinary events and seasonal Al fresco dining. Private dining offers an elegant space for small social events and meetings up to 20 guests. Gallery Restaurant is located at The Ballantyne, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Charlotte on the corner of Johnston Road and Ballantyne Commons Parkway. Dress code is business casual or nice dress, no baseball caps please.

Top review

ChasaVIP

Dined 5 days ago

First time eating there in many years. Service was impeccable and the wait staff were on it, we went at an earlier time so not a lot of patrons yet. My only complaint was my filet was a tad overcooked and a little stringy.

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Experience

Christmas Pre Fix Menu

Experience

New Years Eve Pre Fix Menu

Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails

4.7

4.7 (434)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Southend

About the restaurant

Nestled next door to Craft Tasting Room and Growler shop in South End. The seasonal menus’ are inspired by the roots of the region and local farmers and committed to being 100% seed oil free. A locally owned gem for both Brunch and Dinner where health is the forefront our philosophy as a seed oil free restaurant that has a variety of menu items that are both gluten free and vegetarian. The restaurant is also known for innovative bar program led by Beverage Director Amanda Britton with cocktails featuring house made shrubs, sodas, barrel-aged cocktails, zero poof and curated wine list. The restaurants midcentury nostalgic rustic yet refined design finds the balance between nature and modern, featuring a moss wall, lime washed brick, a walnut live edge bar, 48 seat dining room and a 30 seat roof top deck.

Top review

Meredith

Dined 2 days ago

Delicious food! The steak frites was perfection! Company I was with had the Wagyu and Chicken, both loved them. The frites fried in beef tallow are AMAZING!!! Highly recommend!

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Experience

NEW YEARS EVE 4-COURSE DINNER 8:30 SEATING

Experience

Happy Snacks at Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails

Stoke

4.4

4.4 (940)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Uptown

About the restaurant

The warmth of wood-fired cooking complemented by meticulously sourced seasonal ingredients from Carolina farms and local partners. Simple, rustic yet refined flavors served in a gathering space with a laid back, neighborhood vibe.

Located within the Charlotte Marriott City Center. Please note Stoke Restaurant validates parking for restaurant guests who valet park at the Charlotte Marriott City Center. Please provide your receipt/valet ticket to the Host/Hostess.

Top review

Barbara

Dined on 1 Dec 2024

Our large group (12) had a great time at Stoke for a pre-Symphony meal. Good service. Good food. Good time.

Fish Market - Fort Mill

4.6

4.6 (1196)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Fort Mill, South Carolina

About the restaurant

A unique restaurant in a unique neighborhood. We serve the finest fresh seafood available in a comfortable, warm setting by a team of knowledgeable and attentive staff. Chef's signature menu features are inspired by fresh local produce and high quality ingredients. We also offer live Maine lobsters, chicken and steak, and a daily selection of desserts made in house.

Top review

Peter

Dined 2 days ago

Food and Service were outstanding. Very accommodating with last minute reservation change.

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