Time to catch up: Here are a few new items on the shopping and dining scene in Charlotte
by SouthPark Magazine staff
eat + drink
Mimosa Grill and Resident Culture Brewing opened the Plaza Beer Garden at 325 S. Tryon St. in uptown. A limited food menu from Mimosa includes brats, Bavarian pretzels, Horace’s Nashville hot chicken wings and wines by the glass. RC will offer eight beers on tap. The beer garden is open Thursday-Friday 4-9 p.m., Saturday noon-6 p.m. and Sunday noon-4 p.m., weather permitting.
French restaurant Coquette will relocate to the former Essex Bar & Bistro space at uptown’s One South in early 2026.
Improper Pig will open a new flagship location in Plaza Midwood, in the former Pizza Peel on Central Avenue. As part of a brand refresh, the barbecue chain will also debut new vegetarian and Asian-inspired menu items.
Orrman’s Cheese Shop will open a second location at the Selwyn Shops in Myers Park in spring 2026. NYC’s
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream opened its first Charlotte scoop shop in Plaza Midwood at 1711 Commonwealth Ave. Flavors include Mango Sticky Rice, Sicilian Pistachio, Earl Grey Tea and Praline Butter Cake. Sundaes, milkshakes, ice cream sandwiches and floats round out the menu. The shop is open daily.
Myers Park has a new neighborhood spot to unwind. Well-known chef and restaurateur Bruce Moffett just opened Sala, a European-inspired cocktail lounge next door to his popular Italian spot, Stagioni. Sounds like an easy way to make a night of dinner and drinks.
Plaza Beer Garden
Coquette
explore
Golf-entertainment complex Tap In opened at 225 Clanton Road in LoSo. The 10,000-square-foot space has a sports bar, golf simulators, and a 500-square-foot putting green. Reservations can be made at playtapin.com.
CAMP opened at SouthPark Mall. Part kids’ activity space, part retail store, CAMP offers themed experiences with a 3,000-square-foot “Canteen” selling toys, clothing, accessories and more. The store debuts with Gabby’s Dollhouse x CAMP, an immersive play experience where guests can dance, mix potions, and take a magical rainbow slide into an underwater world.
shout-outs
Cat Carter, co-owner of L’Ostrica, was selected as one of 21 members of the James Beard Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership fall cohort. The 11-week program is aimed at ensuring the success of women-owned businesses and fostering a network of U.S. female entrepreneurs.
Tennis great Martina Navratilova joined Carolina Ascent FC as a minority owner. The women’s professional soccer team opened its second season in September. SP
Photographs by LunahZon Photography courtesy Orrman’s Cheese Shop, courtesy Coquette/yellow duck marketing, courtesy Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, Plaza Beer Garden and CAMP Canteen
