Your go-to guide to some of the best date night restaurants in Charlotte, North Carolina
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Romance at restaurants doesn’t have to come wrapped in softly spoken service, over-the-top menus, chairs delicately pulled out for you as you sit, or tables bathed in candlelight (though let’s be honest—we all look better in candlelight). It can be much more relaxed and natural than that: simply enjoying the highly personal nature of sharing a meal with someone, whether you’ve known them for a week or a decade.
While my goal is always to reduce spending at home in order to travel, Michael and I still like to indulge in a nice date night around Charlotte every so often. That doesn’t mean we’re regularly dropping $400 at a steakhouse. More often, it’s about finding places that feel special, serve great food, and offer a nice ambiance without breaking the bank. And once you start exploring beyond the cavernous dining rooms with zero sound treatment (which Charlotte unfortunately has plenty of), you won’t want to go back.
This post isn’t sponsored or produced in partnership with any of the restaurants listed here—just a mix of places I’ve either personally paid for or had the chance to experience as part of a media visit.
Today, I’m rounding up a few of our personal favorites, with the hope that they’ll become your personal favorites too.
A quick note: This list doesn’t include other regional favorites (say, Kindred up in Davidson, or Elk Ave Tavern in Rock Hill). And as much as I love an entire dinner centered around dunking things in cheese and chocolate, you won’t find chain restaurants here either.
Go ahead and fire off that text to ask if they’re free this week—you have date night plans.
WHERE TO GO FOR DATE NIGHT IN CHARLOTTE
Abugida Ethiopian Cafe & Restaurant
You’ll find that many of the restaurants on this list fall into the intimate category, but perhaps none of them embody that descriptor more than Abugida Ethiopian Cafe & Restaurant. After all, is there anything more intimate than sharing a meal with your hands?
This cozy gem on Central Avenue is easy to miss if you’re not paying attention—consider pulling it up on a map before heading over. While the restaurant’s interiors are more casual than others in this guide, that only helps keep the focus on your conversation and the meal in front of you.
So, what should you order? If you’re like me and tend to obsess over menus in advance, you might already have a game plan. If not, I highly recommend the Abugida Feast. It’s a colorful spread of chicken or beef wet served alongside gomen, potatoes and carrots, kik alecha, tekil gomen, and yemisir kik wat, all arranged on a bed of spongy injera. If those names have you scratching your head, don’t worry—Abugida provides a handy guide to Ethiopian dishes. Swiping bites with injera might take a little practice at first, but trying something new together is half the fun.
Bonus: many of Abugida’s dishes are (or can easily be made) vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free, making it a great option for dates with dietary restrictions.
→Abugida Ethiopian Cafe & Restaurant // 3007 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
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Restaurant Constance
Farm-to-table dining is a subtle way to show you care about where your food comes from—without needing to say it outright. At Restaurant Constance, you’ll find all the quality and intention behind that ethos, wrapped in a welcoming, low-key package.
The snug, ten-table dining room is modestly decorated, leaving it feeling wonderfully cozy and homey. This sentiment is echoed across the menu which changes with the season but is always filled with recognizable dishes with a creative and local flair. I hesitate to recommend any specific dish because, odds are, it’ll be gone by the time you visit—but the quality is consistent across the board.
While à la carte ordering is always an option, the best value comes on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, when a three-course prix fixe menu is available for just $65 per person. It’s a thoughtful way to enjoy a more elevated experience without overspending.
As for the service, the staff here are attentive, but never hovering (translation: your water glass will always be full, but you won’t feel stuck saying, “I’m still fine, thanks” over and over). But there are a couple of things you should be aware of when booking: a $25 deposit is collected at the time of reservation (don’t worry—it will be applied to your bill) and there is a 90-minute time limit to accommodate the evening’s seatings. If things are going well and you’re not ready to call it a night, have an after-dinner spot in mind. You can learn more about what to expect in my full review of Restaurant Constance.
→Restaurant Constance // 2200 Thrift Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
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Catalú
Okay, so it’s probably not a surprise that this list leans international. (What can I say? I’m a travel blogger…). But even if you’re not dreaming of Barcelona, a dinner at Catalú feels like a mini getaway.
Dining at this airy, light-filled spot along the light rail in South End is like a choose-your-own-adventure dining experience. Will you decide to share tapas (perhaps challenging each other to try something new!) or tuck into a big paella together? Either way, you’re in for a treat.
I almost always opt for the tapas route—it’s hard to resist a table brimming with bright ceviche, fiery patatas bravas, earthy beet salad (it’ll convert even the most beet-averse diner), herb-packed salmon, and slow-stewed chicken. The food here is full of surprises in the best way.
I find Catalú’s prices so reasonable for the quality, but if you and your date are down to dine early, all of the restaurant’s tapas are half-off between 4-6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. How sweet to have an incredible meal and an excuse to stroll off into the sunset afterward on the Rail Trail. Prefer to go big before you go home? Paella is half-off on Sundays, and each is the perfect size for two. You can find all of Catalú’s daily specials here.
→Catalú // 135 New Bern St, Charlotte, NC 28209
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Ever Andalo
A table for two at NoDa’s Ever Andalo is something to treasure, but a double date (above) makes this experience even better with more tastes to try. This gorgeous neighborhood Italian spot prides itself on its curated, homemade menu as well as its selection of wines and cocktails from or inspired by Italy. Laden with basil, even my margarita cocktail nodded to a classic margherita.
A meal here simply can’t begin without the focaccia and olive oil flight, which makes for the perfect icebreaker. Turn the description card over, and blind taste test your way through a trio of astonishingly different olive oils from across Italy to find your favorite, challenging each other to identify the flavor profiles in each pour.
As for entrees, the world is your… pasta (although, actually, there are oysters on the menu, if you’re in the mood). While traditional Italian meals call for a four-course progression from antipasti to dolci, I’ve yet to meet anyone who makes it through all of them. Most of us skip straight to pasta and dessert, and honestly? No regrets. Whether you’re craving something rich and creamy, fresh and vegetal, or tomato-forward and spicy, there’s something for every palate (even a pasta for my gluten-free friends!).
Thinking of dropping in last-minute? Check their website’s waitlist feature—if “join walk-in waitlist” isn’t showing on the reservations page, chances are a table’s available. Just a heads-up: if you do make a reservation, there’s a $3-per-person non-refundable fee that doesn’t go toward your bill. I’m not wild about that either, but if it means guaranteeing a seat and avoiding the dreaded “hangry” date… it might be worth it.
→Ever Andalo // 3116 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
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DŌZO Japanese American Kitchen
From the creators of the beloved food truck Katsu Kart comes a spot that signals you’re in the know: the intimate and effortlessly cool DŌZO Japanese American Kitchen. Tucked into an unassuming commercial kitchen on the westside, DŌZO—meaning “here you are” or “go ahead”—offers a cozy, twelve-seat experience with a focused menu of Japanese favorites.
In my house, “date day” is just as sacred as “date night,” and so far, our visits to DŌZO have only happened at midday—specifically for their fantastic bento lunch. The tonkatsu (pork cutlet) is a standout: golden and crispy on the outside, juicy within. If you eat meat, someone at your table has to order it. Promise me that.
With its laid-back vibe, quick service, and minimal seating, DŌZO makes for an easy pick during a casual, multi-stop day or night around Charlotte. Keep an eye on their Instagram for pop-ups and events—their dinner series is high on my list for a future celebration, even if it stretches my typical date night budget.
→DŌZO Japanese American Kitchen // 2200 Thrift Rd Suite 1, Charlotte, NC 28208
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Bentley’s Restaurant
Yes, there is a steakhouse on this list, just not one of the chains that probably first come to mind. Bentley’s Restaurant has been a Charlotte institution for more than twenty years, and it’s easy to see why it has become a weekly standing date night for many Charlotteans.
Located in SouthPark, Bentley’s keeps the charm of classic fine dining alive with a French-influenced menu and impeccable service—without ever feeling stuffy or overly formal. Here, you’ll find expertly prepared steak and seafood dishes, even some served with sauces finished tableside, a small touch that adds to the sense of occasion.
I promised early on that nothing in this guide would truly break the bank, and while the caviar prices at the top of the menu might make you momentarily question that claim, stay with me. Once you dig into the entrees—sides included!—you’ll see this is one of the best values for an elegant night out in Charlotte. Just go ahead and book the reservation, you can thank me later. Dive deeper into the Bentley’s experience and discover more neighborhood favorites in my Piedmont Town Center guide.
→Bentley’s Restaurant // 4620 Piedmont Row Dr #110, Charlotte, NC 28210
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OROSOKO Sound Bar
Have you also noticed an uptick in volume at restaurants? At a normal bar or restaurant, you’d probably respond with a strained yell of, “What did you say?” but South End’s OROSOKO Sound Bar has mastered the art of acoustics. Somehow, through what I can only assume is acoustic wizardry, you can enjoy the DJ’s stylish set and actually hear each other talk in the lounge dining area.
Start your meal with a beautifully prepared cocktail, and then fly on over to the menu of globally-influenced small plates. Continuing to buck tradition, the menu concept here is purposely anti-fusion. Ingredients are shared, but the menu is split cleanly in two: West and East, creating Latin and Asian inspired dishes from many of the same core ingredients. Depending on which side of the menu you’re looking at, blue crab gets rolled into a burrito or a spring roll, BBQ chicken gets folded into an empanada or tucked into a dumpling, and duck confit is nestled in a taco or slipped into a summer roll.
Heads-up: portions lean on the smaller side, so plan to order a few extra dishes to round out your meal. Luckily, the kitchen stays open until midnight on weekends—perfect for a laid-back, late-night date.
→OROSOKO Sound Bar // 130 W Bland St, Charlotte, NC 28203
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Sophia’s Lounge
Some dates are made for sinking into a velvet sofa, knees touching, cocktails in hand, feeling like the only two people in the room. If you’re thinking that kind of cozy, moody vibe is impossible to find in Uptown, allow me to present Sophia’s Lounge.
This sumptuous lounge in The Ivey’s Hotel is the ideal backdrop for a lingering evening out. You’ll find perfectly portioned small plates meant for sharing, a cocktail list that leans classic with creative twists, and the kind of attentive (but never intrusive) service that lets you feel taken care of.
If it were up to me, I’d stay all night—nibbling on their striking charcuterie board filled with locally sourced bites and sipping a Sophia’s Old Fashioned. That said, if your date night plans include a show at The Blumenthal, the theater is just around the corner—so you can linger right up until curtain. Learn more about Sophia’s Lounge—and maybe even extend your evening—with my review of The Ivey’s Hotel.
→Sophia’s Lounge // 127 N Tryon St Suite D, Charlotte, NC 28202
FINAL THOUGHTS ON DATE NIGHT DINING IN CHARLOTTE
Whether you’re planning a first date or a regular night out with your other half, Charlotte is full of places that make connecting easy—over good food, shared stories, and maybe a second round of drinks.
What I love most about going out for a date night meal here is how many places offer a warm and authentic experience without overcomplicating things. A captivating lunch with international flair. A stylish cocktail before a show. A late-night plate of something unexpected. You don’t have to go far or spend a fortune to make the evening memorable.
No matter your current dating situation, I hope this list inspires your next night (or day) out. And if you try somewhere new because of it, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Questions for you
Do you have a go-to spot for date night in Charlotte?
What is your favorite kind of restaurant vibe for date night?
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