The Most Scrumptious Tapas/Small Plates in Charlotte

Portrait Gallery Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.1 (168) • $$

"I am ashamed to say I'm a Matthews native and still live here and I literally had NO clue this was a restaurant lol. But in any case now that I know, best believe me I will be back. The outside is the small town charm of Matthews, but the inside is modern big city vibes. It is absolutely beautiful in there. Service was great and food and drinks amazing. I went on a Tuesday with a huge group of Facebook Group friends and we had a ball. We got the whole dining area reserved for us and in spite of a large crowd, the two waitresses were awesome. On Tuesdays cocktails are half off so I got the margarita and it was delish.For food I got the truffle fries and short rib sliders. Both were phenomenal! I couldn't even eat it all lol because even though small plates, I felt they both were filling. This place is great for a date night, hanging with the girls or even going solo to hang out at the bar. I can't wait to get back! Only thing that could make this place better is some live acoustic music sometimes, it would set the ambience off even more. Spoke with the owner and he said they do cocktail classes as well, they don't have them listed on the website but working on it, but said can email them for the info. I certainly will! lol"

Barcelona Wine Bar Charlotte

★★★★☆ 4.4 (726) • $$$

"I debated giving 3 vs 4 stars for this review. Pay attention to the reviews mentioning how LOUD it is inside. I love the interior BUT I felt like I was at a nightclub rather than a restaurant. We were only there for 45 minutes and were more than ready to get our check. There is a fine line with having the music loud enough to feel festive/lively versus making you feel like you should be on the dance floor instead of eating. IMO Barcelona crossed the line to dance club. I'm putting this first because it really (negatively) impacts the experience.The food was really good. We went for restaurant week but when we saw how limited the menu was for that and that ice cream was the dessert, we ordered off the regular menu. We had the olives and giardiniera, potato tortilla, broccolini, meat paella and cheesecake (to go). Drink choices were the red sangria and some non alcoholic beer. We had to ask for bread twice but it's restaurant week and they were slammed. We were glad that they still had some because it was delicious!We each had different favorites. I felt the paella was too greasy but it was my husband's favorite. It comes with a sauce but I didn't see the need for the sauce.My favorites were the broccolini, cheesecake and THE SANGRIA!!! The sangria was the best I've had...not sweet!! Love love love. The cheesecake won me over. My first thought was how tiny of a slice it was and that I would not order it again BUT then I tasted it and I will be ordering it again! Note that my husband found the spice level too much for the giardiniera . If you are a spice wimp, skip it. I loved it! It was fresh tasting and for non olive lovers, the other items in it don't taste like olives so you can still enjoy it.We parked in the garage across the street and it cost $10. We will be back for the amazing cocktails and food but only when we can sit outside at the patios. The blaring techno music wasn't the vibe we were looking for at dinner."

Spice

★★★★☆ 4.1 (103)

"Spice in Charlotte, NC, is an absolute gem! From the moment you step inside, the ambiance exudes a moody, classy vibe, setting the perfect tone for an unforgettable dining experience. The music is on point--lively and engaging, yet not so loud that you can't enjoy a conversation, which is always a win.The staff is another highlight. Everyone is not only beautiful and handsome but also impeccably dressed, adding to the upscale feel of the restaurant. Their professionalism shines through, with attentive service that makes you feel like you're being treated to something truly special.And let's talk about the food--simply phenomenal! Each dish is packed with unique and delicious flavors that keep you coming back for more. From start to finish, it's clear that the chefs at Spice have mastered the art of flavor.I will definitely be returning for another round of great food, excellent service, and an overall fantastic dining experience. If you're in Charlotte, Spice is a must-visit!"

Fine & Fettle

★★★★☆ 3.6 (96) • $$

"Cute breakfast spot in the Canopy by Hilton. Very contemporary. Had some coffee and a scone. The restaurant provides sitdown service as well as a grab and go bar. It's very well lit, making it very easy to do a little work. They also offered dinner. Positive experience. They are not open for lunch."

Chapter 6

★★★★★ 4.5 (79)

"I recently had dinner at Chapter 6 on a weekday night around 6 pm, and the atmosphere was upscale business casual. It wasn't too busy yet, so we were able to snag a table easily. The waitress was welcoming and took time to explain the menu options. The food itself was fantastic, though it did feel a bit on the pricey side for what you get. The standout dishes were definitely the short ribs (we ordered the small for $36, which was perfect for 2 people), which were tender and full of flavor, and the whipped ricotta! The gnocchi lamb was also delicious, although the gnocchi itself was on the mushier side. However, as the restaurant filled up, the service slowed considerably, and it took what felt like 15 minutes to get the check, which was a bit frustrating. Despite the slow service towards the end, I'd still recommend Chapter 6 as a great date night spot. The food quality and ambiance make it a solid choice for a special evening out and there were a few unique dishes definitely worth trying!"

Kodiak

★★★★☆ 3.6 (14)

"Best cocktail lounge ever! Dropped in on Thursday. It was sing along night. They had a very talented singer, Eddie, and the crowd was all joining in. Towards the end a patron got up a performed the most beautiful opera. Wine and cocktails were perfect. The charcuterie board was delicious. The vibe and decorations are super cool. There is plenty of seating so bring a group! I live in Charlotte but will definitely make the drive to come back. Super cool spot! Best night out!"

W XYZ Bar

★★★★☆ 3.7 (23) • $$

"The bar has a clean modern vibe and is dog friendly. I guess if you can't go out without your dog, you have a great place to hang out. If you are able to go out without your dog, watch your step, you do not want to step on Fido's tail :-).The patio is nice, but it was a cool night with only 1 of the 4 heaters on."

SIP Whiskey & Wine Bar

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (220) • $$

"The elevator was broken so 3 flights of stairs isn't a huge deal but it looked like it was deterring other people from following us down the hallway to the stairwell. The climb was so worth it that we went back two more times during our weekend getaway from Atlanta! The bartenders were all so kind and professional, and the ambiance is seriously awesome. The bathrooms were clean, and the whole vibe was just fun and youthful (I'm only the former.)"

Mariposa

★★★★☆ 4.4 (202) • $$$

"I love that Charlotte has this place. Nestled in the museum on the edge of downtown, Mariposa truly is a butterfly. The menu is limited but curated with so much intention. I loved everything I ordered. The arepas were delicate but very flavorful, I adored my Bellini and my pancakes were so fluffy. I didnt try my Husband's burger but he had no complaints. This definitely on my Charlotte Brunch list for sure."

Oak Steakhouse

★★★★☆ 4.1 (332) • $$$

"Was able to attend an event here and had a solid overall experience. Considering the full private room, the servers did a great job of getting orders and serving food fast and efficiently, and without making mistakes (which was impressive as people came in at different times). I got a ceasar salad, shared a steak and salmon plate with my fiance, and tried the chocolate tarte and dulce de leche blondie for dessert. The highlights for me were the steak and salmon, which were both perfectly cooked. the steak literally melted in my mouth. The chocolate tarte was also delicious. However, the ceasar salad was a little boring, and the sides for the main plates were just mashed potatoes and literally three asparagus all piled together. That being said, if you're looking for a really good steak, you'll get one here. And while I didn't get to try a cocktail this trip, the menu options looked awesome and I would definitely come back for a nice drink."

Kream Tapas Bar and Grill

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (23)

"My wife & I really enjoyed the food and the service was polite and on point .. this is a place I will definitely recommend to so many. So if you are reading this. Go"

Good Food on Montford

★★★★☆ 4.3 (990) • $$

"Currently my favorite restaurant in Charlotte. Every dish is unique and just so good. It's busy because it's good. I love this place."

Beaudevin

★★★★☆ 3.6 (362) • $$

"It's not Vino Volo, I'll tell you that. It took forever to get seated, even though I was staring at a few empty tables. Then, you had to use their website to view the menu so it was hard to flip from wines to food to other stuff. Finally, the waiter brought a menu over, but I had to "hurry" (his word) as it was the one from the counter that potential customers can look at. I almost walked out at that point.It IS a peaceful retreat from the rest of the crazy airport noise and traffic. However, the service was lacking and wine selection wasn't all that enticing. The main reason I won't return is the lack of any kind of wine flights. Or maybe they did and I missed them."

The Bohemian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 (49)

"Had the German schnitzel minus the sauerkraut which i dont care for! Was a little overcooked. Lovely old home in residential district,"

Oak & Honey

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (49) • $$

"Came in with some friends to grab some drinks and a little snack before we went off to grab dinner. My friend had recently just visited Oak & Honey - she noticed that the menu had changed (which we confirmed and it did!) They have a new chef!My friends got the blood Orange spirtz and I got the Honey I'll Be Home Late. Both drinks were good, but they went down pretty fast! I am curious to try their margarita sometime.It's a very beautiful restaurant/bar. I love the seating and the decor on the inside. It seems like a great place to get the girls together to have some drinks. The bartenders were very nice and friendly! You can sit anywhere you want and you order up at the bar. I think this place is in a great location & would come back again to try some of their food. We did get the truffle fries with the aioli dip - delicious but definitely pricey! You will spend a chunk of change!"

Dahlia's

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (11)

"The drinks are certainly unique ... but almost to a fault. While I appreciate the creativity and diversity on the menu at Dahlia's , I think incorporating some more traditional options could really elevate this place and make it even more appealing."

Notions

★★★★★ 4.5 (72)

"We have dined here twice and both meals were very good! A little room for improvement, but definitely worth future visits!!Their outdoor dining is very pleasant on a mild evening. Last night I had the filet with potatoes and brussel sprouts, same thing I had on my previous visit and it is a 10 out of 10! Flavor, portion and cost! Excellent!! My wife had the sliders for her meal and the first time we had them they were very juicy and flavorful, last night they were dried out and ended up as part of our dogs meal for the evening. Also, their fries are just frozen crinkle fries, would have figured something a little more from a nicer restaurant. We shared a cobb salad to start with blue cheese dressing and it was good, but not great. Needed something else for texture and lacked flavor. Our service was good and we thought our server did a great job!! The food runner fromThe kitchen had the personality of sandpaper... maybe she wasn't having a good evening? But in a customer facing role I think you need to be a little happier and not rude. They forgot my wifes fries and when she mentioned this to the food runner she argued that it hadn't been rung up instead of saying something like let me check on that. Then our server walked up and she kind of argued with him in front of us. That probably should've been a back of restaurant discussion and not arguing with the customer. All that being said! We like it here and WILL return!! We may skip the cobb and sliders, but the filet is excellent!! And good ambience!!To those about to dine, I salute you!!"

Swordfish Cocktail Club

★★★★☆ 4.4 (61) • $$

"Well deserved 5 star review...which I rarely give. My husband and I stopped in for drinks after dinner one evening. They identify as a pre-prohibition speakeasy. It's small, intimate and well appointed with a gorgeous bar. The menu is seasonal and features small plates, desserts, classic (era-appropriate) drinks, and house drinks - modern take on the classics. Sit at the bar the first time you visit to watch the bar tenders work their magic. They have all sorts of bottles with syrups and essences and even use real egg white for frothy drinks. If you are looking for super sweet martinis or other drinks, this is not the place for you. They don't make anything super sweet and will tell you as much. Try their version of an espresso drink - which actually contains espresso and is definitely unique. The French75 is divine. Although we didn't have any, the small plates looked amazing. I'm excited to go back and try them. The creme brûlée is fantastic and perfect for sharing. The service was flawless and the bar tenders are very knowledgeable and enjoy sharing. Hint: For $8, you can "add a round for the kitchen staff" to your tab in support. This place is a hidden gem in downtown Greenville - I'm hoping it stays that way!"

Fercott Fermentables

★★★★★ 5 (10) • $

"This quiet little place is awesome. Great beers and ciders. Delicious cheese boards. The owners are amazing and privately owned"

The Bohemian: A Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 4.4 (113) • $$

"We're just drinking this afternoon as I welcome some out of town friends to Charlotte. We landed at the Bohemian and enjoyed a couple glasses of wine while sitting on the very comfy sofa and chatting for about two hours.Great service and the young lady who was pouring was knowledgeable and helpful with what's available. We had already enjoyed a late brunch so we skipped over the charcuterie plates and looking back, I wish I had not said no. The photos look amazing![Round number review 300 of 2024 - 3556 in North Carolina - 21334 overall.]"

Queen City Craft and Gourmet

★★★★☆ 4.4 (302) • $$

"Excellent Food, Service , Craft Beer, Wine, Ports and Liquor! They have wonderful owners who work here everyday with their team! Great Location!"

Dilworth Tasting Room

★★★★☆ 4.3 (372) • $$

"This is the OG location as the server put it and I've passed it so many times but never visited. This spot is very quaint and intimate and romantic. It can be a girls night out or a hot date and night cap. Ordered the olives and chips and everything is shareable over either wine or cocktails. They have been around a long time so the ambiance and service reflects that. We were immediately greeted and did not need reservations this particular evening so we were seated immediately. Spacious so you're not in your neighbors convo. Will return for sure."

White Rabbit Cocktail Parlour

★★★★★ 5 (3)

"You'll not find another place like this in Salisbury - a '20s speakeasy style ambiance, staff in period dress (cutest flapper in town), and fantastic food and drink. Chef Alex is always coming up with something creative and new, and I can't wait to try more of the menu. The bar has a deep selection of bourbons as well as some other spirits that are not likely to be found elsewhere. I am also told they will be hosting individual liquor lockers, so I can bring my own personal bottle of Fernet. (Apparently nobody in this town has heard of the Amaro category, so I'm not even sure if the local ABC store carries it...)Edit: thanks for the correction!"

SupperClub SouthEnd

★★★★☆ 4.1 (46) • $$

"Unfortunately I thought the frittata had made to order options in addition to their seasonal. They didn't and the seasonal had mushrooms and I have a mushroom allergy. My eggs Benedict the poached egg was overcooked and not runny. Everything else was just okay not great. My husband said the filet skewers were hit and miss with cook times but some were delicious. Definitely would try the dinner again but will skip the brunch."

Folia

★★★★☆ 4.4 (28)

"First of all let me start with how absolutely cute it is in here!! The ambiance is made for plant lovers. There's just something about live plants that just set the mood & I love the earthy vibe. The bar was a whole vibe too! This was the perfect afternoon dinner spot after having dinner on our anniversary. I was excited to find out they had an espresso martini on the menu bc that was exactly what I wanted. Turns out it was a great choice! It was the perfect amount of espresso and cream with a couple coffee beans as garnish to make it cute! We let them know at the door it was our anniversary and they gave us a table marker that said Happy Anniversary! Overall, a great experience and I'll definitely be back soon!"

PARA

★★★★☆ 3.8 (133)

"I really enjoyed this place! I was visiting a friend in Charlotte, and this place was what she recommended we go to and get some food. We went around 10pm or 11pm, and the music was very very loud, but honestly we did not mind at all because we were really enjoying it. Also, we sat outside on the patio, so it wasn't as loud out there. Our server was great at giving recommendations for drinks and food. I asked if they had non-alcoholic cocktails, and she recommended an amazing strawberry one. I ordered the caesar salad with salmon and it was so good. They have great salmon - I would recommend it. Bar food is usually not so great every time but this place is the exception. I did not try any of their other things, but hopefully I am back in Charlotte soon so I can visit again."

Kid Cashew

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

"I'm not sure what has taken me so long to write this review as we have been coming to Kid Cashew for a couple of years now, with our most recent visit, a couple weeks ago.What we love:*Baked Spinach and Feta Dip*Meatball Trio*Cast Iron Mac and Cheese*Lamb Burger*Rotisserie Chicken*Croque-Madame Sandwich - only offered at brunchWhat we dislike:*Service is and always has been chaotic with food. We always order a lot, and meals and shareable plates always comes sporadically. Since I usually go with my husband, it's not the biggest deal since we eat off of all the plates. However, to have one meal come, then eventually another, then eventually another, and so on, it's just feels chaotic with all of the constant interruptions. We ordered 7 items this last visit, and it was 7 interruptions within a 10-15 minute window. If they could fix this to serve everything together, or have most everything served together, I would be happy to give Kid Cashew 5 stars.*Prices on website are outdated and incorrect. For example, one item we ordered is $8.95 on the website, but the price at the restaurant is $11.95. I definitely recommend Kid Cashew as they have some excellent food options. Just know to go early, as it can get very busy quickly. As a plus, they are dog friendly on the patio!"

Vintage Wine Lounge

★★★★☆ 3.6 (13) • $$

"So another laid back night sipping wine at Vintage. Dan the bartender.......or should I write Winetender? Hmmmmm...somethign to ponder, but they have changed up their beer selection and they carry some good wines too.A very nice addition to our ward."

Mambo Grill & Tapas

★★★★☆ 4.4 (236) • $$

"We have frequented Mambo since they opened in their first location. We haved moved to another state but always make sure to visit while in town. They offer a full bar. Their mojitos are a favorite!The staff and owners are amazing. A family dining feeling. The smells are mouth watering. You can't go wrong with ropa vieja. It is like a stew your Grandma would serve you. My absolute FAVORITE is yuca con mojo. The yuca texture is just right, not mushy. The mojo flavor and fresh garlic; chef's kiss. A must try when in Salisbury."

Cool Fish LKN

★★★★☆ 3.8 (177) • $$

"Everything we tried was great. I had pork belly bao & two kinds of nigiri. (My friend had spring rolls & fish tacos.) $6 prosecco on draft! Next time we plan to order the Korean short ribs. The table next to us had them: they came out on a sizzling platter, & looked/smelled DIVINE!Also plan to try the potstickers next time: duck & cream cheese, say WHAT?!?!?"

Lake Norman Cottage

★★★★☆ 4.3 (44) • $$

"This is now our "go to" place after boating for a nice glass of wine and snacks! Cozy, comfortable, and warm, it just feels so nice sitting inside the cottage sipping a glass of wine with family and friends! We are already looking forward to our visit next summer! And a shout out to Theresa, she was just great, helping us with seating, wine, and just general hospitality!"

The One Tapas & Bar

★★★★★ 4.8 (93)

"This restaurant was unexpectedly amazing!! I'm traveling from Los Angeles (and I almost never leave Yelp reviews), and I didn't expect to have such great food! Great service also! We sat at the bar and could see the chef preparing our food, it was cool!Crispy pork belly, mussels, oxtail empanadas, braised lamb shank and sangria"

Wine Maestro

★★★★☆ 4.2 (36)

"I had a wonderful time this afternoon at Wine Maestro. My husband and I had a very relaxing afternoon, with their $10 wine flight, a couple of appetizers, followed up by a glass of wine. We sat inside (they have comfy chairs!) although they also have outdoor seating. I want to come back at twilight so I can appreciate the atmosphere outside with the lights they have up.I will definitely be coming back. If you are looking for a place to chill and have a glass of wine (or beer,) I would definitely tell you to go here. Get hungry? Have some small plates or sushi is just 2 doors down."

W XYZ Bar

★★★☆☆ 3 (4)

"Amazing atmosphere. Live music was amazing. Great selection of wine and cocktails. Thursday night outing with the hubby! We ordered wings that were okay. I also ordered a margarita. Food and drinks were fairly priced. Service was a somewhat slow because there were only two servers at the bar."

Emmet's Social Table

★★★★☆ 4.3 (378) • $$

"The Caesar salad is maybe half bag chopped romaine, 5 cherry tomatoes, 5 croutons, 2 tbsp dressing on side with mayo texture-I didn't care for it. It's on a plate that's too small so it spills all over the table. For $9.00 without protein. I ordered the salmon protein with it but that never came so I can't review that. Just go to Food Lion and buy a bag of lettuce basically same thing. Pretty disappointing.I gave it three stars instead of 1 because a year ago I went with a group of friends and everyone had something warm and enjoyed their meal. So hot items are good just pass on this sad excuse for a Caesar salad."