Favorites After a Year in the Queen City

Audrey
Jan 12, 2023
3 min read

My last college exam was on December 7, 2021. Just a few hours later, I packed up my little black Mazda and headed to the uptown apartment that I shared with my boyfriend, Nathan. Less than a week later, we made the short trip back down to Columbia for my graduation ceremony. It was a crazy few weeks as I finished college, moved cities, started my first full-time job and essentially changed my whole life in less than a month.

I won't lie, it took me a while to adjust. I had been comfortable not using a GPS to get around town for so long, I knew my favorite spots like the back of my hand and all my friends lived within a 10 minute drive. I realized quickly that making more friends required more effort and that a bigger city meant bigger expenses — everywhere from my rent to the occasional take-out dinner. For the first few months, I stuck to my comfort zones and watched my budget closely. We made our apartment super cozy and developed a regular routine of meals to cook at home. Little by little, I tried to feel less like a tourist in an unfamiliar place.

As things became more familiar, I ventured out a bit more. I had a salary for the first time in my life, which meant that I had more freedom to find spots for sushi or unique cocktails. Regardless, my mind was still stuck on a college girl budget, so I sought out places that fit within those parameters and got slightly more expensive treats just every so often. Since last year, I've become more comfortable with the idea of investing money into quality time and food, and it's allowed me to find some really neat places around Charlotte. I'm still aware of how much I spend on dinner or a night out, so I tend to favor places that are a little easier on the wallet. That way, I can go out more often. There's still so much for me to try around the city, but I came up with a list of my favorites (in order) from my first year here:

1. Lenny Boy Brewing Company

If you know me, you know I love Lenny Boy. The first beer I ever actually enjoyed was a sour, and Lenny Boy was the first brewery I went to that had more than one sour to choose from. They also have craft kombucha, which makes it fun and inclusive even if you're not in the mood to get boozy. Bonus points for their great outdoor space and their weekly yoga classes.

2. Livy's Neapolitan Pizzeria

One of Nathan's favorite meals to take out is pizza, and

we tried a handful of places to be our "go-to" shortly after arriving in Charlotte. Livy's has, hands down, the best crust in my opinion, and the specialty pizzas don't miss. It's convenient for take-out, but it's also located in Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts, so you can enjoy a beer with your pizza if you stick around.

3. Amelie's French Bakery

I'm a sucker for any baked good, and Amelie's has dozens for me to drool over. Their eclectic, Paris-inspired décor is so fun, and their danishes are scrumptious. I've gone for many brunches and dessert cravings, and there's still so much of their menu I haven't tried. I'd recommend the chicken salad for sure.

3. Giddy Goat Coffee

Giddy Goat has some of the best coffee in the city, probably because they roast their own beans. I'm not sure what they do differently, but even their plain drip coffee has great flavor. If you go, don't you dare miss out on the empanadas — they're all delicious.

4. Mai Japanese Restaurant

Mai is now my go-to take-out spot. It's yummy, casual and

budget-friendly. There are lots of fantastic sushi places to go around the city, but not many where you can get enough to feel full for $15 like you can here.

5. Idlewild

Admittedly, I've only been here once. I stumbled upon Idlewild as I was exploring Charlotte soon after moving here, and it was such a unique experience. They didn't have a cocktail menu for me to browse, but instead the bartender asked my preferences and curated something especially for me. All cocktails were $15 (unless you specified a particular liquor), and the ambience was so cozy and sexy. I went by myself and sat at the bar, but I'd make a reservation if there's more than one in your party.