listnorthcarolinabusinesses

These picks are based on our BOB Awards and our 50 Best Restaurants list.

Dilworth Tasting Room’s Seared Salmon is covered in a spiced honey glaze. Photo by Peter Taylor.

Dilworth Tasting Room SouthPark

Owner and sommelier Jaffer Kovic, who renovated the old Dilworth Billiards space on East Tremont Avenue in 2016, opened the second DTR in February 2021 in what was Corkbuzz’s spot in Sharon Square in SouthPark. It has a more expansive interior, with a patio in front instead of a cozy nook in back, but the focus remains on “low-production” wines; the list of bottles alone takes up eight pages in a leather-bound binder, always a good sign. 4905 Ashley Park Lane, Ste. J, 980-938-4959

Order This: The Seared Salmon ($27), with a spiced honey glaze atop a generous side of vegetable fried rice.

Good Food on Montford
1701 Montford Dr.
704-525-0881
Bruce Moffett’s small-plates bistro unites a variety of influences and flavors onto one menu, and each dish is worth ordering.
Try This: Pommes Frites (fries topped with truffle oil, parmesan, and herbs)

Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen
6601 Morrison Blvd. (additional location in uptown)
704-366-8688
Chef Jim Noble’s menu features gussied-up, Southern-tinged American and European peasant fare, like hand-tossed pizzas and roasted chicken.
Get This To Go: Roasted Chicken Pizza

Chef Michael Chanthavong’s Spicy Wagyu Buns. Photo by Peter Taylor.

Mizu
3100 Apex Drive, 9th Floor of the Hyatt Centric SouthPark
704-981-9299
Mizu, which translates to “water” in Japanese, is the rooftop restaurant and bar SouthPark didn’t know it needed. Since it opened in late August, it’s been nearly impossible to snag a Saturday night dinner reservation. Chef Michael Chanthavong (formerly of O-Ku) serves a seafood-focused menu that uses a centuries-old Japanese barbecue method. Grab a seat at the chef’s counter to watch the Robata grill sizzle with lobster, duck breast, and charred vegetables.
Order This: Splurge on the Robata-Grilled Lobster Tail ($30).

Dogwood Southern Table & Bar
4905 Ashley Park Ln.
704-910-4919
Ingredients are fresh and cocktails are innovative at this spot, a sister to Dressler’s.
Try This: Crab Hushpuppies

Taqueria Mal Pan
4625 Piedmont Row Drive, Ste. 115D
980-298-6138
Owner Andre Lomeli brings a Mexican and West Coast-inspired menu from his former restaurant in San Diego; his tacos, burritos, and enchiladas have the pizzazz of a food truck’s and the flavors of his native Yucatan Peninsula. The blue corn tortillas loaded with shredded chicken punch up a typical Taco Tuesday.
Try this: The torta de cochinita pibil, a traditional Mexican sandwich, is stuffed with braised pork, black beans, queso, guacamole, and all sorts of sauces and spices you probably wouldn’t think to put on a fluffy white roll.

Photo by Peter Taylor

Steak 48
4425 Sharon Rd.
980-580-4848
Steak 48 had a buzzy December opening at Apex SouthPark, and this upscale steakhouse with locations in Phoenix, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Houston is worth the hype.
Try This: Bone-In Ribeye topped with black truffle sautéed Maine lobster

Little Mama’s Italian
4521 Sharon Rd. 
980-209-0323
Think of this eatery as the prequel to Mama Ricotta’s, with family recipes and scratch-made pastas and mozzarella. Settle into one of the dining rooms with a plate of pappardelle or cozy up at the “Mozz Bar” and watch the chefs at work.
Try This: Penne alla Vodka

Peppervine
4620 Piedmont Row Dr., Ste. 170B
980-283-2333
Chef Bill Greene serves a rotation of artistic small plates with unexpected pairings like lamb belly with kimchi porridge, or smoked butternut squash with miso.
Get This To Go: Signature Yeast Rolls

Flour Shop
530 Brandywine Rd.
980-299-3754
Watch your pasta get prepared in the open kitchen. Chef Trey Wilson’s shared plates are great for larger groups, but if you don’t want to share, get the lamb Bolognese.
Try This: Rigatoni with Veal Bolognese

Barrington’s
7822 Fairview Rd.
704-364-5755
Bruce Moffett’s first restaurant is one of the best in town, with a classic menu and stellar service.
Get This To Go: Roasted Chicken, Family-Style

Dot Dot Dot
4237 Park Rd., Ste. B
704-817-3710
Stefan Huebner’s creative cocktails may be the main attraction at this members-only speakeasy, but the sweet potato gnocchi with bourbon glaze will convince you to stay for dinner.
Get This To Go: Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit + the Cheese & Charcuterie platter

Louisiana BBQ Shrimp with red beans and rice. Photo by Peter Taylor.

Southern Pecan
6705 Phillips Place Ct., Ste. C
704-749-2949
The team behind Café Monte serves Gulf Coast-inspired cuisine like pecan fried catfish, Louisiana barbecue shrimp, and oyster po’ boys.
Try This: Roasted Corn Cakes