Lakou

Authentic Haitian food right here in Charlotte!! Food was delicious!! It was the real deal. I drove over an hour and I have no regrets!! Highly recommend!! And

If you're looking for an amazing spot to experience authentic Haitian cuisine, look no further than Lakou in Charlotte, North Carolina. From the moment I walked in, the service was exceptional--friendly, welcoming, and attentive.I ordered the Haitian black rice with fried chicken, green plantains, and a side of their macaroni, plus two chicken patties. Everything was bursting with flavor and perfectly seasoned. The black rice was rich and delicious, the fried chicken crispy yet tender, and the plantains added a wonderful balance to the meal. The macaroni? Absolutely cheesy and comforting! And don't get me started on the chicken patties--flaky, savory perfection.Lakou also offers catering services, which is a huge bonus for anyone looking to bring a taste of Haitian culture to an event. This is more than just a restaurant; it's an invitation to broaden your culinary horizons. I'll definitely be back soon and highly recommend it to anyone looking to enjoy bold, authentic flavors in a warm, inviting atmosphere.If you're craving delicious food or looking to experience Haitian culture, Lakou is the perfect spot. I can't wait to come back and try more of their incredible dishes. Highly recommend!

Hours as of 8/3 are Noon to 10pm. Lakou Haitian Restaurant on Graham Street. To my knowledge it is the only Haitian restaurant in Charlotte. It's mostly a takeout place but there are 2 booths that can fit 4 people and 3 small tables that can fit a few people. You order at the cash register and then seat yourself or wait. I ordered the fried red snapper, a friend ordered the stewed red snapper. I liked hers better because it was nice and moist with lots of flavor from the red sauce. Mine was still very good, and she preferred mine. We had the passion fruit lemonade and it was so good my friend got a second one.Be prepared to wait awhile for your food. We put in our order at 2:10pm. He said it would take about 20 minutes; however, we received our food at 2:50pm.Our fish came with either rice and beans or black rice and either green plantains or sweet plantains. I got the rice and beans. My Jamaican friend said the taste was similar to her country. Another friend ordered the Griot, which is cubed and fried seasoned pork over black rice. I really liked the black rice, but the pork was a bit dry. They did give some small containers of sauce with it. The metal containers make it easy to reheat your food at home. Kudos for that.Another friend got their fried chicken and said it was ok. We all agreed the snapper was the way to go.Additionally, I ordered Haitian Mac & Cheese and really loved it. It was creamy and different. It sort of reminded me of an Italian vodka sauce. To go, I ordered 2 beef and 2 fish patties. Hubby loves beef pies and I've never seen fish patties, so of course I had to try them. The beef pies were really good. Highly recommend those flakey crusted beef patties with wonderful seasonings. The fish patties' seasonings were very unique. Maybe the flavor of cloves ?We likely would have ordered dessert if they had anything other than coconut rum cake, but I don't like coconut. This place is difficult to find. It's on Graham Street 1 mile from 85 away from Downtown next to a Food Lion in a Strip Mall. There's no actual sign on the building except for a banner near the door. A nail salon is next door on the other side.

Got to check out this spot with some friends last week and was genuinely excited! I'm a huge fan of Haitian food and haven't had it much in Charlotte so I was glad to try Lakou.The restaurant is in a plaza with a Food Lion and a few other stores.There's plenty of parking. It was a little tricky to find at first glance because they don't have a sign on the building like the other business around them. They do have a larger hanging sign in front of the door which helps.I would describe this place as a pick up spot only. Yes, they have a few tables and chairs inside but there is no waitstaff. I ordered a passionfruit lemonade, sweet plantains, pikliz and Haitian mac n cheese. My food was DELICIOUS! Truly. If I were hungrier I would've ordered more.The reason for the "just ok" rating was due to things I'm sure can be remedied for future guests. The young lady taking orders wasn't the nicest person. They had a bit of a line when we ordered so I understand, but please be kind to people patroning your business. It took a good while for us to get our food, and that is perfectly okay. But it literally took 30 mins or more to even get my drink. I got that well after my food. I had to ask about it, so I'm guessing it was just forgotten. All that aside, I would eat here again, but I would call my order in well in advance and expect to pick it up and go. Great food, just hope the service gets a little better moving forward. Definitely recommend for the food!!

I'm a Caribbean girl from the North. It is hard to get good authentic Caribbean food outside of NYC or South Florida - so I normally don't even bother. I took a chance on Lakou and didn't regret it. The store is nothing fancy, but was clean and simple. The gentleman that took my order was pleasant, and helpful in choosing what to order. I ordered the oxtail with rice and peas, and griot with black rice, and side of macaroni pie. Everything is so delicious, fresh, and flavorful. I will be back to try their legume which sounds amazing. I recommend Lakou for delicious Caribbean food in Charlotte.

Coming from Miami I was excited when they opened and the food was authentic and delicious.

I was greeted by a sweet young lady when I arrived around 1245ish. She took my order and confirmed that everything is made fresh to order, which I was happy to hear. I ordered the oxtail plate with the black mushroom Haitian rice and peas and sweet plantain. A order of griot (fried pork) The coconut cakeThe soursop lemonade My total cost was almost $60...I was not satisfied with the food at all. And I hate to give this type of report because I'm Haitian and I saw all the hype on this restaurant and had really high expectations, and I was really excited to support the business. And like I said the young lady was really nice, so the 3 stars are for the service alone.The rice was too grainy, and tasted nothing like the traditional diri ak djon djon that I'm used to, it was also very bland and had no flavor. The oxtail was not as tender and was salty, and again was not prepared the traditional Haitian way (which is fine, but maybe say Caribbean food instead of Haitian food). And I know people prepare food differently depending on what part of the country they're from, but the base is about the same regardless of that. The griot was cold, and they piled a bunch of raw onions on top which gave it a really off putting smell, and again it lacked flavor... The cake had good flavor, but was strangely hard and stale. I basically threw everything away. The saving grace was the Soursop lemonade, it was delicious, not too sweet, and the perfect balance of sweet and sour. They should bottle that up and sell it by the gallon! It could have been an off day, but that was enough for me to not have to come back to find out for the food. However if I'm ever in the area I will stop in for the Soursop lemonade for sure. This is constructive feedback, I think this family is super nice and hope for nothing but success for this new business.

Love Haitian food, and had a friend who recommended this place to me. It's not too far from my house so I was excited to try it one Sunday after church. It's in a shopping center with food lion, and a nail salon. I wasn't sure where the location was at due to signage until you walk upon the side walk. The place isn't much of a sit down place most people got their food to go or called it on. They do have like 2 booths and a few tables to sit at. When I walked in, I wasn't really greeted just a you want to order? It was a young girl so I was giving her grace. The menu was at the front and was just a laminated copy of the menu. The prices aren't bad at all. I decided to get a soursop lemonade which was delicious and my friend got the passion fruit lemonade which I had to ask about her drink bc she was waiting on it. We got the snappers (one friend, the other stewed) with black rice (mushroom rice), sweet plantains and mac & cheese. The snapper was very flavorful but the stewed was a little too spicy for me. It was hard to enjoy bc it was that spicy. However I did what I could. The rice was amazing, the plantains were excellent. I realized after several other orders I never got my mac &cheese and had to ask about it. The young lady went and checked on it and brought it out immediately. It was pretty good. We did sit and eat our food although no one else did. Overall it's a great place to eat and i'd order again but probably carry out. I do appreciate the sign that specifies the daughter doesn't speak creole but her parents do, to be patient with them, etc.If you love Haitian food, def a must try!!

Best oxtails in Charlotte in my opinion and I have tried just about all the places that sell them. The black rice is also amazing and the pikliz, which I add to my oxtails and even eat plain. Haitian Mac and cheese is also great.

Food was delicious. I have been there a few times. Price is decent. Their griot is the best with black rice.Every one should check this restaurant when you are in Charlotte.