Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Charlie & Debbie

The Bowl At Ballantyne Officially Opens First New Restaurant With Eclectic Lineup To Follow

Author Debbie Nance

This up and coming development is something we’ve kept a watch on for a while now. And, The Bowl At Ballantyne is welcoming new restaurants with openings coming quickly.

What Is The Bowl At Ballantyne?

So, what is the Bowl At Ballantyne? For those of you unfamiliar with the space, I think you’ll love what you see.

The Bowl At Ballantyne is described on their Facebook page as ‘a scenic dining and retail experience for all to enjoy in the heart of South Charlotte.’ The location is convenient on Johnston Rd. near I-485. And, the recently opened ‘Amp’ event venue is adjacent.

The Amp is a really cool spot to see a concert. We went last Fall for The Eli Young Band. The space welcomed families and visitors of all ages. They hosted food trucks for a bite and beverage. And, it was great fun.

But now, with all the adjacent restaurants opening it will be so fun to grab dinner and head to a show or just hang out. So, here’s what’s opening at The Bowl At Ballantyne.

New Restaurants Opening At The Bowl At Ballantyne

Flower Child, a popular spot in South End opened May 21. Flower Child offers scratch made fresh salads, bowls and entrees that are healthy and innovative…’healthy food for a happy world.’

Bowl At Ballantyne Flower Child Opens
Debbie Nance

Next, another South End Charlotte favorite, North Italia, plans an opening day of May 29 at The Bowl At Ballantyne. They’ll be serving up seasonally inspired menus. And, of course, people go to North Italia for the Italian classics offered with a modern twist.

Then, The Bowl At Ballantyne welcomes Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. June 1. Anyone who has spent any time in and around the Charlotte area knows this legendary spot. We’ve had many Sunday Fun Days at Old Meck.

Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Bowl At Ballantyne
Debbie Nance

The Biergarten is a perfect spot to unwind with a brew and some delicious food offered there. It’s Charlotte’s oldest standing independent brewery, serving the Carolinas since 2009, according to their site.

And, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Hawker’s Asian Street Food. This spot rocks in South End. It’s a favorite of my 22 year old son. And, this mama loves it, too!

hawker's the bowl at ballantyne
Debbie Nance

This place has the most amazing flavorful dishes. One of our go to faves are the Seoul Hot Chicken Baos and Sichuan Wontons. Hawker’s opens at The Bowl At Ballantyne later this fall or early next year.

hawker's the bowl at ballantyne
Debbie Nance

An Instagram post from The Bowl indicates Hawker’s will be a two story rooftop location with karaoke nooks and open air bars.

And, we could go on and on with more openings because it’s so exciting. But, in a nutshell watch for this new hot area to add The Salty Donut, Bossy Beulah’s Chicken, Harriet’s Hamburgers, Rooster’s Wood Fired Kitchen , Postino Wine Cafe and so much more.

We’ll monitor opening dates as they become available. And, check the Bowl website for more, too!

Debbie Nance is the afternoon co-host along with her husband on "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has been with the station for 18 years. Debbie is a CMA Award winner for Radio Personality of the Year. And, she has worked in radio for 40 years. Before her current afternoon position, Debbie spent more than a decade as co-host on morning shows in several markets across the Southeast. As a content creator for Country 1037, Debbie writes articles about food, new restaurants in the Carolinas and travel experiences.

13 Hidden Gem Restaurants In The Charlotte North Carolina Area

There is no shortage of fantastic restaurants in Charlotte. And it seems more are opening by the day. Many of these high-profile spots are delicious and we’ve told you about plenty of them. But now it’s time to delve into some different restaurants. Not necessarily the newest or the trendiest, but definitely some of the best. Many of these places you’ve probably driven past hundreds of times and maybe never given a second thought. Or perhaps you’ve thought “We should try that sometime” and just never have. These are what we like to call hidden gem restaurants and there are numerous in Charlotte and the surrounding area. Some are Charlotte institutions, some are on the newer side.

To create this list, I added some of my personal favorites as well as consulted with friends and family on some places they thought fit this description. These hidden gem restaurants in Charlotte offer a wide variety of cuisine from Italian, the Mexican, to Greek, Asian, and just good ole homestyle cooking. A few things are for certain after looking at all these restaurants, I’m now hungry, and it will be a while before I say “I don’t know where I want to eat”. And if you know me, that’s my daily struggle if I don’t pack a lunch. So enjoy browsing through these hidden gems and let us know if you think they are indeed underrated. Have a favorite you think we should have included on this list? Let us know and who knows maybe we will do round two!

  • The Mad Greek

    Located on South Blvd, The Mad Greek is your go to for authentic Greek Cuisine including pitas, salads, platters, and speaking from personal experience those fries are to die for.

    Menu

  • Johnny Tomatos


    When you want authentic New York style pizza served at the highest quality look no further than Johnny Tomatoes in Indian Trail. And while you should absolutely get the pizza, calzones, pasta, salads, and sandwiches are also on the menu.

    Menu

  • The Degenerate

    Bring your friends when you visit this not talked about enough tapas restaurant in NoDa. Small plates include duck, steak, lettuce wrap tacos, mussels, and more. Make sure to save room for the churros for dessert.

    Menu

     

  • Sir Edmond Halley's

    You may not even know Sir Edmond Halley’s is at the back of Park Road Shopping Center. But when a British friend takes you there you know this British Pub is good. Obviously, try the fish and chips, there’s also shepherd’s pie, or more American favorites as well.

    Menu

  • Lupie's Cafe

    Burgers, southern favorites, wings, and soups including some incredible chili are some of what you’ll find on this true hidden gem’s website. Lupie’s may not look like much on the outside, but there’s a reason locals love it and keep returning.

    Menu

  • Maxwells Tavern

    Elevated tavern food, an inviting atmosphere and incredible cocktails come highly recommended to me at Maxwell’s Tavern in historic downtown Waxhaw. I’ve been told it’s well worth the drive!

    Menu

  • New Zealand Cafe

    Consistently ranked some of the best sushi in Charlotte, you may wonder how New Zealand Cafe can be a hidden gem. There are still so many people who don’t know about this affordable, small family-owned restaurant. Not a sushi fan? Everything on the menu is delicious! Get there early though as it’s a small place and usually has a wait.

    Menu

  • Johnny Burrito

    This quick-service Mexican spot is located beneath the Two Wells Fargo building. While people say the lunch lines get long, they move quickly. But if you’re not apart of the uptown office crowd chances are you didn’t know it existed. Try the “best burrito in Charlotte” or the tamales.

    Menu

  • The Roasting Company

    One of the only hidden gems with multiple locations, The Roasting Company or RoCo does comfort food right. Rotisserie Chicken, classic southern sides, salads, wraps, and Tex Mex favorites make up the menu.

    Menu

  • Greens Lunch

    Despite recent false rumors they were closing their doors Green’s Lunch, Charlotte’s oldest restaurant is still alive and well. I’m told it’s some of the best hot dogs in the city, though I’m more of a burger person. If you don’t work uptown try to catch them on a Panther’s game day!

    Menu

  • Main Street Bistro

    This downtown Monroe staple comes highly recommended and after looking at photos on their website, I’ll be visiting soon. They often host wine-pairing dinners and after a quick glance at the menu the blackened chicken alfredo and crab stuffed shrimp appear to be standouts!

    Menu

  • Lang Van

    At what point does the most commonly labeled underrated restaurant or other similar titles, no longer fall into that category? Lang Van a longstanding authentic Vietnamese restaurant on Shamrock Drive is often raved about but still somehow considered “hidden”. Maybe it shouldn’t be on this list, but it also felt like a crime to exclude it.

    Menu

  • Azteca

    Azteca has a few Charlotte area locations but I’m focusing on the Woodlawn location. Connected to a Days Inn, it probably isn’t the first place you’d stumble upon and think to visit. But once you do, you’ll realize it’s some of the best, most authentic Mexican food in the area. And they even focus on the ambiance with a mariachi band frequently playing around the restaurant.

    Menu

Get The Country 103.7 All Access Newsletter Delivered To Your Inbox

Enjoy the latest country music, entertainment, and local stories, plus exclusive contests, games, and more!

*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Debbie Nance
Category:
Tags:
,,,

More Active Living

Load More