Diners' Choice: American restaurants in Charlotte

OpenTable

Updated 05 May 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall 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!

The 220 Café

4.9

4.9 (448)

$30 and under

American

Statesville

About the restaurant

The 220 Café is a Contemporary American Cuisine restaurant, located in the historic district of downtown Statesville, NC.

The 220 Café provides a fine dining experience and atmosphere for all of our guests. With a combination of class and elegance, the 220 Café also exudes a “stop by anytime” welcome to the restaurant.

Top review

MaureenVIP

Dined on 15 Apr 2025

I had a lovely lunch with my girlfriend while at 220 Cafe. Great food and service!! A great location to Wine & Dine at lunch and or dinner!!

Barrister's at The Esquire Hotel

4.8

4.8 (186)

$30 and under

American

Gastonia

About the restaurant

Welcome to Barrister's at The Esquire Hotel! Located on the ground level of the restored Lawyer's Building, we strive to deliver a balance of Southern classics and soon to be new favorites. Custom cocktails and an adventurous wine list round out the options. Dine in doors beneath a 2 story vaulted ceiling or outdoors on our dreamy canopied patio. Join us where the past meets the present in Downtown Gastonia!

Top review

Kendrick

Dined 2 days ago

Great place for a night out for great food. The service was excellent along with the food and atmosphere. We will definitely be back.

Red Rocks Cafe - Charlotte

4.8

4.8 (3268)

$30 and under

American

SouthPark

About the restaurant

Red Rocks Café is a locally owned and operated, unique American Restaurant. We have operated in the greater Charlotte, NC area since 1992. We currently operate two units. The Original Red Rocks is in the Southpark area of Charlotte at the Strawberry Hill Shopping Center, and the newer unit, opened in 2003 is at Birkdale Village in Huntersville, NC. We offer a very diverse menu of appetizers, salads, pasta, steaks, seafood, chicken, and sandwiches. Our wine and dessert offerings are world class. We are unique in that we have something for everyone. No one is excluded due to price or category of food. At Red Rocks you can choose to “eat” or “dine.” Our mission is to professionally and efficiently operate a clean, upscale, restaurant that consistently offers great food and beverage at a reasonable cost. We invite you to visit Red Rocks Café for a great experience.

Top review

TomVIP

Dined 1 day ago

We enjoyed Mothers Day brunch on the porch. The service was attentive, not overbearing and not invisible. The food was delicious as usual. John Love is a great host. We highly recommend Red Rocks.

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The Foundry at Trilogy® Lake Norman

4.8

4.8 (1228)

$30 and under

American

Denver

About the restaurant

At The Foundry, we forge exceptional food and drink every day. The culinary team takes raw ingredients and crafts beautifully finished, bespoke plates, perfect for casual lunch or an anniversary dinner. Featuring local and regional house-crafted selections, the restaurant emphasizes healthy, freshly made and flavorful fare with a Southern twist, all pairing deliciously well with the Club’s signature drink, the Back Porch Sweet Tea. The experience at The Foundry is centered on three tried-and-true food and beverage tenets: it’s socially driven, locally inspired, and stylishly crafted.

Top review

Michael

Dined 4 days ago

Overall experience was very good. Meatball Appetizer was excellent. Stir fry main course was ok. Chocolate cake dessert was very good. Staff service was outstanding.

The Garrison

4.7

4.7 (530)

$30 and under

American

Pineville

About the restaurant

Reservations recommended! If you are not able to get a reservation on Open Table, or if you need specific seating accommodations, please call us at the restaurant! We accommodate call-ins and walk-ins.

Nestled in a historic downtown Pineville building that dates back to the 1890s, The Garrison is a 2-story restaurant featuring indoor and outdoor seating, a full-service classic cocktail bar, upstairs dining, and modern American cuisine as well as upscale bar bites. Think - the best burger in town, 24-hour brined chicken wings, a ribeye steak sandwich, chops, fresh local seafood, and more.

Our vision is to be the heartbeat of this growing Pineville community where friends and family gather to celebrate and share in the moments we all enjoy so much.

Top review

Todd

Dined 3 days ago

We’ve been to The Garrison several times and have never had a bad experience. Great food. Great staff. Great place. Highly recommended.

Vintage House - Hickory

4.8

4.8 (328)

$31 to $50

American

Hickory

About the restaurant

The Vintage House is the leading fine-dining establishment in the local area. Serving elevated American Bistro classics in Hickory's Historic Abernathy home which was built in 1915.

Top review

JamesVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent! Such a pleasure to dine there. Thank you to Holden!

Kounter

4.7

4.7 (1423)

$31 to $50

American

Rock Hill, South Carolina

About the restaurant

A new restaurant by Rock Hill native Chef Rob Masone!

Top review

Stephen

Dined 1 day ago

Great dinner with lots of history, service and food was fantastic, a hidden gem in downtown Rock Hill.

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Rusty Bucket - South Park

4.6

4.6 (415)

$30 and under

American

SouthPark

About the restaurant

Rusty Bucket is a casual neighborhood tavern serving the highest quality food and beverage in a “come as you are” setting. Scratch kitchens, fresh cocktails, and the perfect pour are our craft. Our associates are welcoming, and our hospitality naturally makes us the local hub where friends and family frequently gather to share in a good time.

Top review

Sujata

Dined on 5 Apr 2025

Very pleasant, the hostess was extremely gracious

The Local Room

4.5

4.5 (694)

$30 and under

American

Concord

About the restaurant

The Local Room sets the standard for restaurants in the area and is the favorite location for any occasion. From business meetings, family celebrations, date nights and friendly hangouts, we are the catch all destination to provide any occasion with the perfect setting to gather with friends and family. Our location has the space to accommodate many different needs. We intend to continually grow our family and become yours. We are the place to come and enjoy a quality meal in a fun environment. Our food is professionally prepared with quality ingredients. The flavors are bold and unique. We demonstrate a certain passion for our craft while taking pride in the taste and presentation of our food and cocktails. We have a preciseness for execution and exacting our standards. The Local Room is where the locals go. You are all locals to us. Welcome!!!

Top review

Jacob

Dined 1 day ago

Great restaurant with excellent food, friendly staff and nice music. I can recommend the restaurant to anyone that want experience a neat and well managed place.

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Ruth's Chris Steak House - Charlotte - SouthPark

4.5

4.5 (4609)

$30 and under

American

SouthPark

About the restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House is a premier dining establishment renowned for its specialty in serving USDA Prime steaks. Each steak is expertly prepared and served sizzling on a 500-degree plate, ensuring a delicious and unforgettable dining experience. Our steak house is conveniently located within walking distance from the SouthPark Mall in Symphony Park and a short drive from the Quail Hollow Golf Club and the Mint Museum. Ruth's Chris SouthPark has been named the 2024 OpenTable Diner's Choice Winner, a true testament to its unwavering commitment to exceptional quality and service. Whether you're a steak aficionado or simply looking for a remarkable dining experience, we invite you to join us and indulge in our award-winning cuisine.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

Loved the service, food was immaculate and the energy in the establishment was outstanding.

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