An insider’s guide to Dilworth: What to eat, drink and do
As Latta pushed the suburb’s expansion, upper-class houses rose on South Boulevard and East Boulevard, Latta Park was named on the east edge of the street grid and municipal fairgrounds stretched at the end of the trolley line on East Boulevard.
Today, Dilworth consists of a charming mix of apartments, eclectic houses, a bustling dining scene and clusters of boutique shops adjacent to higher-energy South End and Uptown.
Here’s what you should eat, drink and do in Charlotte’s original suburb.
Eat
Inizio Pizza Napoletana
2230 Park Road
Inizio is fanatic about making true Neapolitan-style pizzas, from cooking with an Italian-imported wood-fired oven that only requires 90 seconds to make the magic happen, to using dough made with “00” flour, to crafting pies with San Marzano tomatoes and real buffalo milk mozzarella.
Pro Tip: Look for the “leopardizing” on the crust of the pizzas (little black and crispy bubbles). That’s how you know it’s done right.
300 East
300 East Blvd.
Come for the darling patio or intimate indoor ambiance. Stay for this family-owned restaurant’s American-Eclectic cuisine for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Entrees have ranged from Chesapeake Style Lump Crab Cake, to Farro Sauté, to Wild Turkey Farms Braised Lamb & Mushroom Ragout.
Pro tip: Don’t skip dessert. Pastry chef Ashley Boyd adds plenty of imagination to her family’s business.
Kid Cashew
1608 East Blvd.
Stop in when you’re craving small plates to share for lunch or dinner, an elegant vibe on the inside or a patio with hanging plants on the outside. This wood-fired grill with a Mediterranean flair features menu items like Super Grains Salad, Mountain Trout and Homemade Spreads (tzatziki and hummus).
Pro tip: Order the highly talked about Goat’s Breast Milk from the cocktail list. It contains ouzo, amaretto, honey, lemon and mint.
The People’s Market
1315 East Blvd.
This vast, light-filled space acts as Dilworth’s neighborhood bodega, with made-to-order coffees, sandwiches and salads, plus an array of snack selections, wines and beers (retail bottles included).
Pro Tip: Try a SUMbucha kombucha flavor (crafted by a local couple) while you hang out.
Copper
311 East Blvd.
Make a date for higher-end Indian fare in this restaurant carved out of a restored, historic bungalow.
Pro tip: You’re going to want two orders of naan with that curry.
Thai Taste
324 East Blvd.
This is the place to grab amazing authentic Thai food for lunch or dinner, dine-in or takeout. Curries, stir fries and noodle dishes abound, with spicy levels of your preference (but Spicy Level 4 is the best).
Pro tip: Take a look at the Luke Kuechly shrine in the back.
Fran’s Filling Station
2410 Park Road
This is the place to get cozy with conversation and fresh, home-style dishes for lunch and dinner. Dig into Ribboned Tuscan Kale Salad, Fig, Goat Cheese & Brie Flatbread, a Hot Pastrami & Cheddar Burger and more.
Pro tip: You can frequently find the concept’s creator, Fran Scibelli, in her own restaurant. Say hello.
VIA CHARLOTTE FIVE
