10 foodie spots to visit for a delicious day in the Matthews area

Charlotte-area foodies on the lookout for a place to indulge in new cuisines, purchase fresh ingredients and craft a day filled with flavor can put Matthews on their list of go-to hot spots.

The charming suburb is home to a number of locally owned restaurants, markets and more where you can grab a craft coffee, savor a Lebanese lunch or stock up on imported Italian goods and handmade foods.

Whether you’re looking for a new breakfast spot or a fine dining dinner, you’ll want to take note of these spots Charlotte foodies won’t want to miss out on in Matthews.

Brakeman’s Coffee & Supply

Location: 225 N. Trade Street, Matthews, North Carolina, NC 28105

Brakeman’s pays homage to the railroad running through Matthews and is dedicated to “keeping Matthews slow” — after all, it’s the brakeman’s job to slow down the train. Try one of the craft coffee shop’s LoCoMocha drinks, an iced mocha with coconut milk, or the Queen Bee, an iced honey cinnamon latte with oat milk.

Enzo’s Market

Location: 4420 Potter Rd, Stallings, NC 28104

Rania Tigani and her husband, Greg, have continued to provide all the classic staples and house-made items that Enzo’s Market was known for under original Sicilian-born owner Enzo LoRe. Look for products imported directly from Italy, along with local favorites such as the thin Italian-style pinwheel sausage, broccoli rabe sausage and porcini mushroom and sundried tomato sausage.

Grand Asia Market

Location: 4400 Potter Rd, Stallings, NC 28104

Visit Grand Asia Market for specialty Asian products such as Chinese sausage, along with produce such as daikon, Chinese long beans and more. The bakery cases are filled with fresh pineapple buns and other sweet treats, and the seafood department is stocked with fish swimming in large tanks, along with live eel, frogs and other hard-to-find items.

Kabab-Je Rotisserie & Grille

Location: 2233 Matthews Township Pkwy, Matthews, NC 28105

Kabab-Je is known across the Charlotte area for its Lebanese take on Mediterranean food. Head there for a falafel plate, kibbeh or your choice of lamb, beef, shrimp, salmon, scallop or chicken kabobs. Before you go, make sure to grab a piece of baklava.

The Loyalist Market

Location: 435 N. Trade St. #102, Matthews, NC 28105

Charcuterie, cheese and sandwiches are what it’s all about at The Loyalist Market, which is also known for taking steps to take care of its staff. In 2021, the market raised prices on its prepared food by $1 per item solely to boost wages. “I want to be here, so I’m going to continue to take care of the people who help me realize my dreams,” owner Christopher Sottile said at the time.

Nonna Maria’s

Location: 2332 Matthews Township Pkwy., Matthews, NC 28105

The recently opened Nonna Maria’s Italian Deli & Market in Matthews offers a new spot to pick up fresh pasta, Italian deli meats, wine and more — including New York-style bagels. Owners Rich and Enza Pilla moved to Charlotte from New York and opened the store after searching for staples and comforts from back home.

Oaklore Distilling Co.

Location: 11136 Monroe Rd., Matthews, NC 28105

Oaklore Distilling Co., a distillery and tasting room in Matthews at the southernmost tip of the MoRA neighborhood, makes whiskeys with North Carolina grains. The distillery owned by Matt Simpkins and Thomas Bogan also makes craft spirits including gin, rum and vodka — and there’s a slushy machine behind the bar. Who can resist that?

Royal Cafe and Creperie

Location: 131 Matthews Station St, Matthews, NC 28105

For breakfast, lunch or a mid-day treat, Royal Cafe and Creperie is the place to be. You can go Greek with the Greek Isles (egg, feta, spinach, mushrooms, onions and Kalamata olives) — or go sweet with Bananas Foster (bananas, pecans, caramel sauce, cream cheese, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla ice cream). Gluten-free crepes are available, as well.

Santé

Location: 165 N. Trade St., Matthews, NC 28105

For fine dining in Matthews, make reservations at Santé. The French-inspired restaurant sources fresh ingredients straight from the Matthews Farmers’ Market and offers high-end options such as escargot, roasted duck breast and gnocchi with pork sausage, goat cheese and mushrooms in a truffle cream sauce to pair with a wine off its extensive list.

Thai Taste Matthews

Location: 131 Matthews Station St #1F, Matthews, NC 28105

Open in Matthews since 2005 (and in Charlotte since 1988), Thai Taste is renown for its authentic Thai food. Stop in for lunch or dinner for a heaping portion of Pad Thai, or go for the Gaeng Panang, Panang curry in coconut gravy with lemongrass, peas, carrot, snow peas, mushroom, chili and basil leaves.

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