Best Cozy Restaurants in University City

32 restaurants available nearby

A photo of The Goodyear House restaurant

1. The Goodyear House

4.6

Exceptional(1540)

Price: Moderate

• Southern • NODA

Booked 51 times today

Welcome to The Goodyear House, nestled in the vibrant NODA neighborhood, just a stone’s throw away from Uptown. Led by the culinary prowess of Executive Chef Chris Coleman, a champion on Food Network’s Chopped, Beat Bobby Flay, and SuperChef, our restaurant promises an unforgettable dining experience. Indulge in our menu featuring casual elevated cuisine, expertly crafted to tantalize your taste buds. Whether you’re craving a hearty meal or a light bite, our diverse offerings cater to every palate. Relish the charming ambiance of our beautiful patio as you sip on handcrafted cocktails and savor delectable dishes. As part of NODA, the city’s premier arts and entertainment district, The Goodyear House invites you to immerse yourself in a culinary journey like no other. Book your table today and join us for an unforgettable dining experience.

A photo of The Cellar at Duckworth's restaurant

2. The Cellar at Duckworth's

4.8

Exceptional(2653)

Price: Expensive

• Gastro Pub • Uptown

Booked 72 times today

The Cellar at Duckworth’s combines gastropub fare from our chef-driven menu, with a tap list of specialty and rare beers served at appropriate temperatures to their styles, and signature cocktails that are hand crafted to order by our mixologists. Inspired by an era of time that’s long past, the underground space built originally in 1912, naturally has a speakeasy, prohibition-era feel with its original brick walls and exposed ceiling joists. Even our attentive staff dresses the part from the era. We hope to take you back in time for a bit while enjoying good food and drink with friends and family.

A photo of Napa on Providence restaurant

3. Napa on Providence

4.6

Exceptional(3788)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Myers Park

Booked 45 times today

At Napa on Providence, we're bringing the heart of California to Charlotte. Enjoy fresh, flavorful dishes made from scratch, paired with bold wines, all in a cozy atmosphere that feels like home. Just think of us as your friendly neighborhood restaurant, with a serious wine obsession. With small & large plate offerings, Napa on Providence is perfect for a business luncheon, friends gathering for cocktails, or families craving brunch. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended. We look forward to your visit!

4. Customshop

4.8

Exceptional(1778)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary American • Elizabeth

Booked 51 times today

Customshop is a chef-driven restaurant that showcases local farms and purveyors in an effort to bring our guests the highest quality ingredients within our community. Executive Chef and Owner Andres Kaifer along with his team believe in crafting honest straightforward food with an elevated modern touch that delivers something truly unique. Weekly menu changes allow us to highlight the seasonality of food and the beauty of North Carolina produce, seafood, and specialty items. With stylistic inspiration from Spain, Italy, and France, our neighborhood restaurant aims to make everyone feel welcome. We are proud to offer a seasonal cocktail menu that also takes an ingredient-first approach and looks to mirror the creativity and ingenuity of our culinary team. Our wine list is curated around a balance of old-world staples as well as new and emerging producers pushing the envelope. We cannot wait to serve you on your next date night, post-work drinks with friends, or at a family celebration.

5. Dolce Ristorante

4.8

Exceptional(1871)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Dilworth

Booked 19 times today

Dolce Ristorante in Charlotte is a classic Italian restaurant serving up family friendly favorites. The atmosphere at Dolce Ristorante is airy and bright with a deep Mediterranean feel complete with Italian style artwork. The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner with special cooking classes offered regularly. Whether you are looking for a pleasant lunch or a lively dinner, Dolce Ristorante has something on the menu to please every palate. Try the ravioli in a parmigiana cheese pink sauce, the Milanese breaded chicken with lemon dressing or the salmone fresh Atlantic salmon in a white wine sauce. Be sure to save room for the Italian cheese cake dessert.

A photo of Sea Grill Restaurant and Bar restaurant

6. Sea Grill Restaurant and Bar

4.7

Exceptional(189)

Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Charlotte

Booked 32 times today

Sea Grill is a new seafood fusion restaurant located in the heart of Charlotte the Queen City quarter, offering a diverse selection of fresh seafood and a tempting variety of meat dishes for meat lovers. Our chef expertly combines Asian, European, and American cuisines to cater to every guest's palate, ensuring a delightful dining experience.In addition to the delicious food, Sea Grill offers fine dining service in an attractive interior that complements the overall ambience of the restaurant. Whether you are a seafood lover, a meat enthusiast, or simply someone looking to try something new and exciting, Sea Grill is the perfect destination for a memorable meal. Come and indulge in our delectable dishes and experience the fusion of flavors that make Sea Grill a standout dining destination.

7. McNinch House

4.7

Exceptional(1116)

Price: Very Expensive

• Continental • Uptown

Booked 2 times today

The McNinch House is described as a charming, historic, and romantic spot perfect for special occasions. It's praised for its beautiful ambiance, with reviews mentioning its 'old world elegant' setting and 'quaint' atmosphere. The staff is also commended for being 'super accommodating' and 'friendly'. All of this, along with the excellent food and service, makes it a cozy and enjoyable dining experience.

A photo of Culinary Dropout - Charlotte restaurant

8. Culinary Dropout - Charlotte

4.5

Awesome(618)

Price: Moderate

• American • Southend

Booked 69 times today

Culinary Dropout serves classic meals done right. With crowd favorites like our pretzel bites and provolone fondue, 36-hour pork ribs, and our famous fried chicken drizzled with honey you’ll want to taste everything. Thirsty? Wash it all down with an ice-cold craft beer or a killer house-made cocktail. And don't forget to stick around for games and free live music with a laid-back vibe. Culinary Dropout is for anyone who loves damn good food and drinks. Hosting a private event? Culinary Dropout has three unique private dining rooms, perfect for any occasion!

9. Aura Rooftop

4.4

Awesome(353)

Price: Moderate

• Cocktail Bar • Uptown

Booked 9 times today

Ascend five stories high in the JW Charlotte to Aura Rooftop where a magical oasis awaits. Soak in premiere views of city and indulge in vibrant small plates with a signature botanical cocktail in hand. Experience magnetic vibes up high at one of Charlotte's best rooftop lounges! Monday to Friday - Open at 3:00 pmSaturday to Sunday - Open at 12 pm Weather permitting closing times 11 pm Mon-Sat and 9 pm on Sun.

10. STIR Charlotte

4.5

Awesome(1602)

Price: Moderate

• American • Southend

Booked 79 times today

STIR is the perfect restaurant to enjoy a night out, host clients, or sip a craft cocktail over a dozen oysters. Located in South End, the restaurant is an open-air concept with a large, heated outdoor patio. We are open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.Our cold bar and kitchen offers fresh oysters from North Carolina and beyond, traditional Mexican and Peruvian ceviche, and classic entrees and specials, all prepared from scratch.STIR is famous for craft cocktails. We freeze and carve 300-pound blocks of artisanal ice in-house, age certain cocktails in oak barrels for richer flavors, and place others on draft for crispness and carbonation. The result: categorically elevated cocktails. Our passion for fine spirits also compels us to find and share rare bottles, many of which are extremely difficult to procure.We welcome Charlotte to enjoy our unmatched cocktails, fresh seafood, and classic dishes in an atmosphere of genuine hospitality.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

T
Tracie
Charlotte •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
We recently dined at Napa on Providence to celebrate my daughters’ birthdays, and it was an unforgettable experience! The food was absolutely outstanding and incredibly fresh. I highly recommend starting with the Goat Cheese appetizer—it’s a must-try. The Mushroom Ravioli was divine, and the Beef Bourguignon was simply amazing. The staff took exceptional care of us throughout the meal, making the celebration even more special. We can’t wait to visit again! If I could give Napa more than 5 stars, I absolutely would. Highly recommend!
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Napa on ProvidencePrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Myers Park
•
4.6
C
Caroline
Charlotte •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Jordan was an excellent server. Very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. Atmosphere such a unique, fun experience. Food was chef’s kiss!
More info
The Cellar at Duckworth'sPrice: Expensive• Gastro Pub• Uptown
•
4.8
D
Danielle
Charlotte •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Most amazing food and service! Love how they change the menu up, but everything is always thoughtful and amazing!
More info
CustomshopPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary American• Elizabeth
•
4.8
E
Evelyn
Charlotte •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
I've been going to Dolce for 10 years, never had a bad meal or experience. Definitely two big thumbs up . Best Italian food in Charlotte
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Dolce RistorantePrice: Moderate• Italian• Dilworth
•
4.8
J
Jimmy
South Carolina •5 reviews
4.0
Dined on Dec 18, 2024
Staff was great. Truly great. The rooms are a little loud when multiple tables are set. The outside area looked very nice. The appetizers and salads were extremely good. We ordered the shrimp and grits and the burger with fries. The shrimp and grits were OK at best. We only ate half of the burgers. The fries were on point.
More info
The Goodyear HousePrice: Moderate• Southern• NODA
•
4.6

Best Cozy Restaurants in University City

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32 restaurants available nearby

1. The Goodyear House

2. The Cellar at Duckworth's

3. Napa on Providence

4. Customshop

5. Dolce Ristorante

6. Sea Grill Restaurant and Bar

7. McNinch House

8. Culinary Dropout - Charlotte

9. Aura Rooftop

10. STIR Charlotte

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