Brian Nagele
Charlotte is a fantastic city with so many things to do. There are endless opportunities to have a great time, from the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra to the Carolina Panthers. One particularly enticing prospect for a good time in Charlotte is to host a large gathering at one of Charlotte’s exquisite private dining restaurants.
I’ve had some memorable meals for holiday parties, birthdays, and work events at places like Mimosa Grill and The King’s Kitchen. Have you hosted a private event yet? If not, then you’re missing out on one of the best ways to experience everything that makes Charlotte so unique.
So, if you’re thinking of hosting your next work holiday party or special occasion soon, check out my list of the 15 best restaurants for private dining in Charlotte!
The Capital Grille
201 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: 704-348-1400
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From indulgent fare to the unforgettable ambiance, The Capital Grille offers world-class food and wine from genuine hospitality. You can take comfort in their spacious private dining rooms and elegant decor when hosting or attending an event here. You’ll find Capital Grille Charlotte down the street from the Old Settlers Cemetery in the downtown area.
Have you ever eaten a cooked steak? It’s charred on the outside but sizzle-roasted on the inside to lock in flavor and juices. That’s what they have at The Capital Grille. After such a hearty meal, I like to polish it off with one of Capital Grille’s delectable desserts, like the classic crème brûlée or coconut cream pie.
Dressler’s
1100 Metropolitan Ave #125, Charlotte, NC 28204
Phone: 704-909-6295
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Dressler’s at The Metropolitan is the perfect location to host your next intimate soiree. Between its two private dining spaces, coupled with access to Dressler’s Restaurant’s expansive patio nestled along the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, you and up to 75 of your friends can enjoy a slice of Charlotte heaven.
Dressler’s offers two preset menu options to choose from for your private dining needs. The first menu gives three courses while the second provides four courses. A few of my personal favorites I’ve tried during a holiday party included the Maryland lump crab cakes and the Mom’s carrot cake.
Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
101 S Tryon St Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28280
Phone: 704-333-5262
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Located near the Omni Charlotte Hotel and Northeastern University, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood is the perfect choice for your private dining needs.
Their semi-private and private rooms will accommodate up to 20 guests and come with exceptional Private Dining Managers to curate the experience to your specifications. However, even in the private dining rooms, you can expect a relaxed yet upscale environment.
As far as the food is concerned, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood offers flaky filets of tuna nigiri and mouth-watering appetizers like Louisiana crawfish tails served in a ponzu sauce. If you’re looking for a more casual meal, I suggest the Maine lobster tail tacos; they’re divine.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
210 E Trade St Suite C-110, Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: 704-333-4266
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Going to Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Bar for your holiday party, corporate event, or other special occasions means transforming the event into an upscale affair.
The restaurant offers elegant private rooms complete with festive decor for holidays or audio and visual presentation equipment for business gatherings. You’ll find Fleming’s down the street from the Spectrum Center.
With every dish made-to-order and fresh from the market involved, you’ll never have been disappointed by what Fleming’s has served up. However, if you’re looking for recommendations, I usually go for the chickpea and eggplant croquette.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
4725 Piedmont Row Dr. Suite 170, Charlotte, NC 28210
Phone: 704-552-5502
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This upscale restaurant in Charlotte’s South Park neighborhood provides an unforgettable dining experience with great views and excellent steaks. Reserve your seating for the second-story mezzanine bar or the intimate private wine cellar if you’re planning an event.
You will not only enjoy impeccable service but fine meals too. The Double Eagle shares delicious bites of hearty, flavorful food with you for lunch, brunch, and dinner. I highly recommend the petite lobster tail trio, the Shanghai-style calamari, and chateau mashed potatoes.
The Palm – Charlotte
6705-B, Phillips Pl Ct, Charlotte, NC 28210
Phone: 704-552-7256
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The Palm franchise has been exceeding expectations since 1926. Located in Charlotte’s Sharon Woods neighborhood next door to the Hampton Hotel, The Palm Charlotte will create the perfect event specifically for you, whether for a rehearsal dinner or business luncheon presentation.
The restaurant boasts spacious, elegant private rooms with personal event managers to customize the atmosphere and experience to your liking.
The Palm has lunch, dinner, drinks, and happy hour menus for you to peruse, including a variety of meals, such as burgers, seafood, Italian classics, salads, and side. When I ate there not too long ago, I got the Gigi salad and a side of black truffle gnocchi and highly recommended it to everyone I know planning to visit.
Gallery Restaurant
10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28277
Phone: 704-248-4100
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Gallery Restaurant serves up progressive new American fare on beautiful plates in a casual setting flanked by a captivating art exhibit from Awaken Gallery. The restaurant offers private rooms that can seat up to 16 guests, ideal for a large yet intimate holiday party or get-together for private dining.
You’ll find the Gallery Restaurant within the Ballantyne Hotel in the Ballantyne neighborhood just outside Charlotte’s city perimeter.
Whether for breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch, or dinner, Gallery Restaurant offers up something delicious. Because they go the distance when it comes to outstanding service and fine dining, they also offer quality craft cocktails that will make your meal all the more enjoyable.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Multiple locations
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Are you hosting a private event where you want everyone to go home happy? Then Ruth’s Chris Steak House in either Charlotte’s Uptown or South Park neighborhood is the right place for your next affair. The warm hospitality and excellent service fit any occasion and guarantee that every guest will enjoy themselves through and through – from the first bite to the last call.
Ruth’s Chris Steaks has perfected its menu, featuring the freshest quality steaks around. For private events, the franchise offers either signature selections or all-inclusive experiences for both lunch and dinner.
I attended a friend’s birthday party at Ruth’s Chris Steak House a little ways back and swore by the king salmon filet and served garlic sauteed spinach and lemon butter.
Mimosa Grill
327 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: 704-343-0700
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Are you looking for a spot to get together with old friends or new faces? Maybe both? You might want to consider Mimosa Grill, just shy of Romare Bearden Park. Their private dining room can seat up to 36 people, offering enough space for guests to enjoy their great food, service, and company comfortably.
Mimosa Grill’s menu has something for everyone, using only the freshest ingredients that come straight from farm to fork. I highly recommend planning your event for brunch. Mimosa Grill’s mimosa omelet, signature smashed browns, and a classic bellini is always my go-to order.
Sullivan’s Steakhouse
1928 South Blvd Suite 200 Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28203
Phone: 704-335-8228
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At Sullivan’s Steakhouse, our goal is to make every event fantastic, no matter how big or small, with personalized attention from dedicated private dining coordinators who will plan your event down to the last detail. You can find Sullivan’s Steakhouse in the Steel Yard Complex of Charlotte’s historic South End.
Sullivan’s Steakhouse offers fresh seafood, hand-cut steaks, and signature cocktails to top off any occasion. For appetizers, my favorites have been the beef wellington bites and cheesesteak egg rolls. For entrees, I recommend either the roasted lamb chops or George’s bank seared sea scallops.
Aria Tuscan Grill
100 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: 704-376-8880
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Aria Tuscan Grill is your favorite Italian restaurant brought to life. Located in the heart of Charlotte near the Spectrum Centre, Aria Tuscan Grill captures the flavors of old-world Tuscany in an updated, modern Italian setting with booth, bar, and private dining seating.
The restaurant will captivate your taste buds with fresh, innovative dishes from Tuscany’s countryside as well as mouthwatering desserts.
For private dining or large parties, you can choose pre-fixed menus with various innovative dishes. If you’re looking for some suggestions, I suggest the la scala three-course plated menu, featuring some of my favorite dishes, such as the Adriatic style sauteed shrimp, caramelized gnocchi, and shaved kale salad.
Fahrenheit Charlotte
222 S Caldwell St 21st Floor, Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: 980-237-6718
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Attached to the Hyatt Place Hotel and located above the Skye Condominium in the heart of Downtown Charlotte, Fahrenheit Charlotte is the ideal place for all of your private dining needs. The semi-private and private rooms offer uncompromised views of Queen City and come equipped with audio and visual presentation services for business needs.
Fahrenheit offers a menu of unique dishes. No matter how many tastes you share, you will never say “no” to trying one more glass of wine or biting off a little bit more dessert. When planning your special occasion, you have to try the banana pudding stuffed skillet cookie, American wagyu short rib steamed buns and miso halibut.
Fin & Fino
135 Levine Avenue of the Arts #100, Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: 704-800-5680
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Set sail to a fantastic time with your friends, family, or co-workers at Fin & Fino, a premier seafood restaurant near the Bank of America Stadium in downtown Charlotte. Just pick one of two spaces, each providing up to 40 seats, or book them both for 80 guests. Either way, you’ll taste seafood dishes taken from seafaring cultures on both sides of the Atlantic.
For your private dining event, you can choose from a cocktail party and plated lunch or dinner menus, but I recommend going for what Fin & Fino calls “The Treatment.” This dining option puts the menu in the hands of the expert chefs in the kitchen. They curate dishes from on and off the traditional menu that are sure to delight.
The King’s Kitchen
129 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: 704-375-1990
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The King’s Kitchen opened to deliver southern hospitality and southern-inspired cuisine with a fantastic cause. They are raising funds for non-profit partners who work tirelessly to help children and families do more.
The centrally located restaurant offers a homely environment that can easily accommodate large parties for special occasions when you call ahead to plan.
The restaurant features Southern-inspired dishes made from locally grown foods and ingredients, such as sumptuous deviled eggs, fried catfish, braised pot roast, and shrimp and grits.
BLT Steak
110 N College St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: 704-972-4380
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From the minute you step into BLT Steak, you feel like an old friend. Classically designed with modern accents to create a warm atmosphere, it’s perfect for business or pleasure. Explore what sets BLT Steak apart from the rest with its combination of bistro ambiance and urban culinary style.
When it comes to special occasions, BLT Steak in Downtown Charlotte offers spacious private and semi-private dining rooms for up to 22 seated guests or 125 standing. With private dining, BLT Steak offers various preset menu options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
For breakfast, I suggest option one for a few quick hand-held bites. For lunch, you might want to try option two for the filet mignon entree. Similarly, I recommend option two for dinner too, for the tuna tartar salad.
Whether you want to impress a client or just want some quality time with your family and friends, there is something for everyone on this list of the 15 best restaurants for private dining in Charlotte.
We hope these suggestions help you find a fantastic place to enjoy your special occasion! However, if you need more Charlotte restaurant recommendations, check out our article about Charlotte restaurants for unforgettable experiences.
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
