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Deck and Dine the Halls!

How to Holiday in Uptown: 30 Places to Eat Before the Show, Parade or Lights

On Thanksgiving Eve, the first order of business is finding your spot on Tryon Street. The second is deciding where everyone’s going to eat. Whether you’re bringing the whole family to the parade, dressing up for The Nutcracker or taking the kids skating at Truist Field, a meal nearby makes it easy to turn one holiday tradition into a full day or night out.

Start with what’s on your calendar, then pick a table nearby. Here are 30 Uptown Charlotte dining spots to build your holiday plans around.

Dinner before the parade or a show on North Tryon

The Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade returns to Tryon Street on November 25, kicking off a season of outings at Belk Theater, Booth Playhouse and Carolina Theatre. If you’re taking the family to Charlotte Ballet’s Nutcracker or meeting friends for a Christmas movie at the Carolina, book an early table and give yourself time to walk to the theater. On parade night, leave a little extra time to find your viewing spot.

  1. The Asbury | 237 N. Tryon St. Modern Southern cooking inside The Dunhill Hotel, across from Carolina Theatre.
  2. 204 North Kitchen & Cocktails | 204 N. Tryon St. Dinner and cocktails right on the parade route.
  3. Aria Tuscan Grill | 100 N. Tryon St. Tuscan cooking for a sit-down dinner near Belk Theater.
  4. Church and Union | 127 N. Tryon St. A dinner spot close to both Belk Theater and Booth Playhouse.
  5. Luce | 214 N. Tryon St. Italian dining a short walk from Carolina Theatre.
  6. The Capital Grille | 201 N. Tryon St. A classic steakhouse for a holiday dinner worth dressing up for.
  7. Forchetta | 230 N. College St. Italian fare a block off Tryon, convenient for a movie or concert at the Carolina.
  8. Sea Level NC | 129 E. 5th St. Oysters and seafood just off Tryon Street.
  9. Stoke | 100 W. Trade St. Dinner near Trade and Tryon before you head out to watch the parade.
  10. Portofino’s Italian Restaurant | 101 N. Tryon St. A casual Italian option near Blumenthal Arts.

Make a night of it near Knight Theater

If your tickets say Knight Theater, build your evening around South Tryon. The Charlotte Symphony’s Cirque de Noël and Holiday Pops are both on the December calendar. Meet friends for oysters or share a few small plates before the show. For a daytime outing, pair a visit to the Mint Museum Uptown with lunch or Sunday jazz brunch.

  1. Mariposa | 500 S. Tryon St. Globally inspired small plates and Sunday jazz brunch inside the Mint Museum Uptown.
  2. Fin & Fino | 135 Levine Avenue of the Arts. Seafood and cocktails near Knight Theater.
  3. Bernardin’s | 435 S. Tryon St. Contemporary American cooking with seafood, lamb and beef for a special occasion.
  4. Eddie V’s Prime Seafood | 301 S. Tryon St. Seafood and steaks for a dress-up dinner before a concert.
  5. La Belle Helene | 300 S. Tryon St. French brasserie fare for a leisurely dinner before the show.
  6. Mimosa Grill | 327 S. Tryon St. A spot for holiday lunch with friends or an early dinner before the symphony.
  7. Chima Steakhouse | 139 S. Tryon St. Brazilian rodízio for a group dinner.
  8. Dean’s Italian Steakhouse | 128 E. Brooklyn Village Ave. An Italian steakhouse for a holiday date night.
  9. Caroline’s Oyster Bar | 120 E. Brooklyn Village Ave. Oysters and seafood for a pre-show dinner.
  10. Brown Bag Seafood Co. | 601 S. Tryon St. A casual seafood lunch near the museums.

Grab a bite between Discovery Place and the holiday lights

Some of the best holiday plans start with pizza and end with snow tubing. Grab a bite before Light the Knights at Truist Field, or take the family to The Market at 7th Street after a morning at Discovery Place Science so everyone can choose their own lunch. If the night’s still young after the lights, make dessert your last stop.

  1. Angeline’s | 303 S. Church St. Italian cooking with Southern ingredients before an evening at Truist Field.
  2. MICO | 201 W. Trade St. Dinner at the Grand Bohemian before heading to the ballpark.
  3. Mellow Mushroom | 255 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Pizza before skating or snow tubing at Light the Knights.
  4. Pie in the Sky Pizza | 124 Brevard Court. A quick pizza stop on the way to Truist Field.
  5. Bisonte Pizza Co. | 710 W. Trade St. A casual pizza option on Uptown’s west side.
  6. The Market at 7th Street | 224 E. 7th St. A food hall for an easy lunch after Discovery Place.
  7. Mert’s Heart and Soul | 214 N. College St. Southern comfort food for a family lunch or dinner.
  8. Alexander Michael’s | 401 W. 9th St. A Fourth Ward neighborhood tavern for a relaxed dinner after exploring Uptown.
  9. Sapienza | 620 N. Church St. A casual pizza stop in Fourth Ward.
  10. Crave Dessert Bar | 500 W. 5th St., Suite 120. Dessert and cocktails after the lights or a show.

If you’re working around a curtain time, reserve your table when you book your tickets and let the restaurant know when you need to leave. Check holiday hours before you go, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more places to eat and drink, explore the Uptown Charlotte dining directory.