Watch whitewater rafters risk their lives and explore trails at the US National Whitewater Center
Go brewery hopping in south end
Walk the Greenway
Grab a sandwich from rhino and go hike Crowders Mountain for lunch with a view
Explore vendors and grab lunch at Camp North End
Go have some fun at TopGolf
Grab lunch and walk around Optimist Hall in NoDa
Go to SkipTown even if you don’t have a dog
Take a photo at the hearts wall in South End
Walk the light rail in South End and stop by Suffolk Punch for coffee, lunch, or just a drink
South End
Restaurants
Rhino Market - Great for breakfast or lunch if you’re craving a sandwich. Do not sleep on the breakfast burrito (no salsa, sub hot sauce 🔥)
Eight & Sand Kitchen - All around fave for breakfast, lunch or coffee
Poppy’s Bagels - Easy spot for a hungover bagel and right next to Lauren’s old condo!
Central Coffee or Not Just Coffee - Charlotte cult favorites
Superica - Excellent for lunch or dinner
Indaco - Delicious for dinner in Atherton Mill
Barcelona Wine Bar - Great for apps and loitering in south end
Bardo - Considered one of the best restaurants in Charlotte
Hawkers - Grab a table on the walk-up patio and don’t forget to grab Jeni’s for dessert
Bars & Breweries
*Seoul Food Meat Co - Fun outdoor bar - order the wings. *Gene wishes this to be featured so I’ve added an asterisk.
Suffolk Punch - One of our go-to spots! Walk right up from the light rail. One of the best patios in Charlotte and they also have great food.
Elsewhere - Intimate cocktail bar tucked away in south end
Pins - Game bar on steroids
Wooden Robot - Gene’s favorite brewery
Ed’s Tavern - Divey bar with great outdoor patio, some games and TVs everywhere
Uptown
Halal Cart - Gene would like the people to know that this food truck is available for lunch, dinner, and late night. He believes it is a Charlotte staple.
Haymaker - Great spot right outside the stadium for apps and a delicious cocktail
Alexander Michael’s - Known as a go-to first date spot in Charlotte
Poplar - I love this restaurant so much I tried to make it work for our venue. No dice.
Reid’s fine foods - Always a crowd pleaser for lunch! Great sandwiches and salads.
Worth a drive
Noble Smoke - Gene’s nomination for best barbecue in Charlotte. This is sort of like small plates barbecue and it’s 100% worth the hype.
The Batchmaker - By far the best desserts I’ve ever had!
Ace No. 3 - Best burger in charlotte
Laurel Market - This wouldn’t be a list of favorites without Laurel Market. Also… this is not really in south end but it’s one of the best!
The Stanley - Cozy and delicious. Excellent dinner spot. Grab a cocktail at The Crunkleton next door.
Peppervine - Located in South Park, this is the restaurant Gene took Lauren right the night he proposed
Selwyn Pub - Great outdoor patio spot to watch sports and have a drink. Oh and their pizza is amazing.