These 9 Restaurants In Charlotte Don’t Look Like Much… But WOW, They’re Good

When it comes to selecting restaurants in Charlotte, sometimes you just need stick with your old standbys, no matter how they appear on the exterior. In a sea full of trendy new places, Charlotte also has some amazing hole-in-the wall restaurants that don’t look like much on the outside, but have won awards for their amazing food and atmosphere. These are our favorite hole-in-the wall restaurants in the QC, and once you try them, they’ll be yours too.

Daniel B./Yelp

Lang Van is a Vietnamese restaurant located in East Charlotte that you might not give a second thought to if you were to drive by. Although it doesn't look like much, Lang Van is definitely worth a stop for dinner or lunch.

Serving Charlotte, residents for more than 20 years, this restaurant has become somewhat of an icon and has won Charlotte Magazine's award for Best Vietnamese Restaurant in town for the past 7 years straight!

Patti P./Yelp

With the best Pho you will find in the Queen City, there's nothing better than the simmering hot broth served with rice noodles and thinly sliced steak that is added right before it is delivered to your table. The Pho comes with all the fixings of cilantro, jalapenos, and bean sprouts, as well as sriracha that you can add to your soup to make it just the way you like it.

Address: 3019 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215

Jamie B./Yelp

Jack Beagle's is a casual little spot in NoDa that is easy to just walk by if you are out and about in the neighborhood. Known for their fabulous bar food, Jack Beagle's is a great place American favorites like wings, burgers, fries and our fave - the Philly Cheesesteak.

Michelle M./Yelp

Jack Beagle's also is famous for their awesome mac n' cheese. Satisfy your cheese craving with the Jack Mac, a traditional mac n' cheese made with zesty Jack cheese, garlic, and elbow noodles, or try something new like the Mexi Mac with jalapenos and tomatillos or the Blue-Black Mac with blue cheese and black pepper. No matter what you're craving, you'll find something delicious at Jack Beagle's.

Address: 3213 N. Davidson St., Charlotte, NC 28205

Bruce K./Yelp

Sir Edmund Halley's is a popular British pub located in Park Road Shopping Center. This place can be hard to find, even if you are looking for it. You have to enter the pub from the backside of the shopping center, which isn't immediately expected if you haven't been here before. Although this place doesn't look like much from the street, the food here is amazing and features a traditional British fare.

Peter M./Yelp

Sir Edmund Halley's does have a beautiful back patio that is a great place to dine when the weather is nice, and you'll find many Charlotte soccer lovers here watching British football games on a regular basis.

You can find just about anything on the menu, from traditional Fish n' Chips to a classic American hamburger. If you haven't been to Sir Edmund Halley's yet, you must give it a try. The food is something you won't soon forget.

Address: 4151 Park Rd. A, Charlotte, NC 28209

Bruce K./Yelp

Vietnam Grille is a permanent staple on South Blvd. and is a great place to go for those traditional Vietnamese dishes you are craving. Dishes like Pho noodle bowls, rice dishes, and spring rolls are made fresh here and people love them.

Dion L./Yelp

There's a large selection of vegetarian, chicken, beef, and seafood entrees, and the variety of sauces here will make it hard to choose just one dish. Quick and easy to get in and out of, Vietnamese Grille is the perfect lunch time spot for an average weekday.

Address: 5615 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28217

The Mad Greek Cafe of Charlotte/Yelp

The Mad Greek Cafe is also on South Blvd. and has some of the best Greek dishes you will ever taste. The Mad Greek Cafe offers guests a casual, diner-style environment with awesome Greek plates.

Matt L./Yelp

If you like lamb, you must try a traditional Greek gyro, which is shaved lamb in a fluffy pita served with lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and tzatziki. If you're cutting the carbs, try the Gyro plate with all the fixin's of a gyro sandwich, but served with a side salad instead of fries. Either way this little Greek place will have you coming back for more.

Address: 5011 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28217

Brian A./Yelp

Brooks' Sandwich House literally looks like it could have been an old gas station. Very small and rustic, this shop isn't a place you would immediately think of visiting at first glance; however, this little walk-up shop has been serving the most delicious burgers and hot dogs to the Charlotte community for the past 40 years.

Nikki W./Yelp

With a very simple menu consisting of hot dogs, smoked sausage, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and BBQ sandwiches, this place serves food that will make your mouth water as soon as you get the bag in your hands. Order your burgers and dogs "all the way" - it'll be messy, but delicious!

Address: 2710 N Brevard St., Charlotte, NC 28205

Erik K./Yelp

Thai Taste is an unassuming little Thai place located on East Blvd. in Dilworth neighborhood. This restaurant has some of the best Thai dishes in Charlotte and is a local favorite.

Mariah B./Yelp

Each meal is served with a cup of soup and a spring roll, and you can choose how spicy you want them to make your meal based on a numbering system. No. 1 Spicy is not spicy at all and No. 5 Spicy is the most spicy you can get. From Pad Thai to curries, this restaurant is the place to try if you are looking for Thai.

Address: 324 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203

Ryan R./Yelp

Beef n' Bottle is a hole-in-the wall steak restaurant that actually is known to have some of the best steak dinners in Charlotte. Serving high-end steaks and seafood in a candlelit wood-paneled setting, this restaurant looks like it belongs in a Western movie, but is the place where Charlotteans go to celebrate special occasions.

Aaron M./Yelp

Each meal is served with a fresh garden salad, bread, and your choice of side. Beef n' Bottle has become one of the most popular high-end steak places in Charlotte, so make sure to try it on your next date night.

Address: 4538 South Blvd,. Charlotte, NC 28209

Bruce K./Yelp

Anita's Mexican Grill is a tiny little shop near the airport in West Charlotte. Serving authentic Mexican tacos and platters, Anita's is one of the best Mexican places you can visit in the QC.

Taryn R./Yelp

The restaurant only has a few tables and customers order at the counter. Carne asada tacos, carnitas, and fresh made salsas fill the menu and there is often a line out the door during the week, as businesspeople in the nearby office parks frequently head to Anita's at lunch time. If you want to try the best Mexican food in town, head over to Anita's for an awesome meal!

Address: 2904 Yorkmont Rd., Charlotte, NC 28208

Where’s your favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Charlotte? Tell us in the comments!

For more excellent restaurants around the QC, check out our list of the best BBQ joints in Charlotte or hit the road on our tasty Taco Trail!