Charlotte might not scream Hollywood, but its restaurant scene boasts plenty of star power.
Professional athletes, musicians and other familiar names are heavily involved in the Queen City’s dining scene, putting their own spin on everything from burgers and barbecue to brunch and beer.
Here are the Charlotte-area restaurants with famous names behind them:
Location: 6100 Fairview Rd #100, Charlotte, NC 28210
Founded by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, Bobby’s Burgers serves burgers made with certified Angus beef, like the BBQ Smokehouse Burger, made with bacon, American cheese, buttermilk onion rings and chipotle BBQ sauce. Its corporate headquarters is located in Charlotte, too.
Bobby’s Burgers has a Bacon Crunchburger, shown here with french fries and a pistachio shake. “Well, my favorite is a Bacon Crunchburger — and the people that know, know the pistachio shake is the best,” Bobby Flay told CharlotteFive.
Location: 1942 E. 7th St., Suite 106, Charlotte, NC 28204
Elizabeth’s Catalina Kitchen and Bar is owned and operated by Ditka Restaurant Group, founded by NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka. Dinner options include oysters, burgers, lobster rolls, steak frites and filet mignon, along with daily drink specials, like $10 Tito’s martinis on Mondays and $5 draft beers on Thursdays.
The New England Lobster & Shrimp Roll at Catalina Kitchen & Bar.
Location: 127 N. Tryon St., Suite 8, Charlotte, NC 28202
“Top Chef” alum Jamie Lynch was part of the group that started 5Church, which later became Church and Union. The uptown eatery elevates classic American comfort food with dishes like Nola Shrimp, Chef Jamie’s Lamb Burger and CU Meatloaf, made with onion mashed potato, baby carrot, mushroom duxelles and grain mustard demi.
Church and Union’s Holy $h!t Breakfast includes doughnuts, eggs, biscuits, bacon and fried chicken with jam, butter and honey.
Location: Eleven Lakes Brewing, 10228 Bailey Road, Suite 201, Cornelius, NC 28031
Located inside Eleven Lakes Brewing, the bar owned by NASCAR racing great Michael Waltrip features flagship beers, including Bristol Sunshine Tangerine Ale, Talladega Light and The Big One, along with specialty, seasonal and limited-release brews. Guests can also expect major race watch parties and exclusive bar merchandise.
MWB flagship beers, including Talladega Light lager, Bristol Sunshine Tangerine Ale and The Big One, are on tap at the new Michael Waltrip Signature Bar in Cornelius, NC.
Location: 36 N. Main St., Belmont, NC 28012
Nellie’s Southern Kitchen is owned and operated by Kevin Jonas Sr. and his wife, Denise — the parents of the Jonas Brothers. The restaurant serves Southern comfort food for dinner and brunch, with options including fried chicken, meatloaf, and chicken and dumplings, plus shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, French toast and steak and eggs.
Nellie’s Southern Kitchen at 36 N. Main St. in Belmont
Location: 700 Atando Ave., Charlotte, NC 28206
Rapper DaBaby opened No Knife Chicken & Waffles to a large crowd earlier this month. A variety of dessert-flavored waffles, seafood, wings and egg rolls round out the entrees, while sides include collard greens, mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole and peach cobbler.
The strawberry shortcake waffle at No Knife Chicken & Waffles.
Location: Charlotte Douglas International Airport, 5501 Josh Birmingham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28208
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar opened Sammy’s Beach Bar last June. The menu features tacos, nachos, breakfast burritos and BBQ “Sam Wiches,” plus cocktails made with Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum and Santo Tequila.
Rock and roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar.
Location: The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte, 201 E. Trade St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Restaurateur, author and Food Network personality Ayesha Curry celebrated the grand opening of Sweet July Cafe earlier this year. The menu blends coffee shop favorites with Caribbean-inspired flavors, featuring dishes like breakfast pitas filled with prosciutto and pesto or spinach and mushrooms; and pita foldies stuffed with wagyu beef, ahi tuna, Caribbean chicken or falafel. Her NBA superstar husband, Stephen, also plans to open a cocktail bar later this year.
Cookies at Sweet July Cafe in The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte.
Location: 430 W. 4th St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Owned by former Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, Ten58 Sports Bar & Lounge is an uptown spot built around gameday experiences and Davis’ football career. The menu features pub-style American fare such as wings, nachos, tacos, crab cakes and Carolina crawfish dip, while the bar serves cocktails, beer and liquor.
Thomas Davis, Sr. greets fans as he joins Cam Newton at the airing of Newton’s podcast “4th & 1” during the Roaring Riot tailgate before the Wild Card playoff game in Charlotte on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
Location: Charlotte Douglas International Airport, 5501 Josh Birmingham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28208
NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Whisky River operates airport locations across the Southeast, including at Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The honky-tonk-inspired restaurant showcases Southern-leaning bar food such as wings, burgers, pulled pork, chili and barbecue, along with cocktails and other drinks.
Courtesy of HMS Host
Whisky River
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Dining and Cooking