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Home » Travel » North Carolina » Foodie Faves in Mooresville NC – Restaurants You’ll Love In and Around Race City USA

Foodie Faves in Mooresville NC – Restaurants You’ll Love In and Around Race City USA

By: Liz  /  Published: June 7, 2022  /  Updated: June 8, 2022  /   Leave a comment

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One of the best parts of traveling is eating, right? Absolutely! I found some of the best restaurants in Mooresville, NC, while visiting the area on a press trip, and I can’t keep them to myself.

So, here are some of my top picks. You’ll find a new favorite in Race City USA, whether you’re craving a big breakfast, light lunch, or a fancy dinner.

Note: All of the following Mooresville restaurants are independent eateries and offer some outdoor seating so you can enjoy the beautiful North Carolina skies.

Lancaster’s BBQ

515 Rinehardt Rd., Mooresville

Lancaster's BBQ

This Eastern NC-style barbeque restaurant in Mooresville (aka Race City, USA) is as famous for its NASCAR-themed decor as it is for its ‘cue. It’s a tasty addition to a race weekend itinerary and a fun place to take kids (there’s a bus to dine in and a game room).

dining room of Lancaster's

I took a seat on the bus, and my server brought a basket of freshly made hushpuppies to munch on while I decided what to order. I usually don’t like hushpuppies, but theirs are pretty good!

bus in Lancaster's BBQ
Lancaster's dining room

The pulled pork and ribs are solid bets at Lancaster’s, but I opted for the BBQ Chicken Salad in a fried flour tortilla shell. The salad was drizzled with a sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, and I devoured the entire thing. They also have salads with BBQ pork, fried chicken, and even teriyaki chicken.

BBQ chicken salad
Lancaster's hush puppies

Table 31

130 Landings Dr., Suite 103, Mooresville (LangTree Village)

Table 31

This casual American eatery is in Lake Norman’s hottest mixed-use waterfront development, and it’s a lovely respite from traffic and noise.

interior Table 31

I started with one of the signature cocktails – the Basil Gimlet, a perfect summer sip. Next, I chose the Parmesan Crusted Chicken with lemon butter, capers, & tomatoes with garlic sauteed broccolini for my entree.

Basil Gimlet

The lacy cheese crust was golden and crisp, the chicken was deliciously tender, and the lemony tang of the capers and butter sauce enhanced each bite perfectly. An excellent dish!

Parmesan Crusted Chicken at Table 31

Save room for dessert because the Oreo Ice Cream Sandwich is to die for. Cookies and cream ice cream rounds, topped with a bittersweet chocolate crust and then doused in a fudgy Belgian dark chocolate sauce. Lord, have mercy.

Oreo Ice Cream Sandwich at Table 31

After dinner, take a walk back into the development for a serene and lovely view of the upper and lower ponds.

walkway at Lang Tree Village
pond at Lang Tree Village
ponds at LangTree Village

Patisserie Cafe

Newest location: 631 Brawley School Rd. Suite 406 Mooresville
Original location: 627 North Main Street Mooresville

Patisserie Cafe

If you’re a salad junkie like I am, try the Santa Fe Grilled Chicken Salad with grilled chicken, Romaine lettuce, black beans, corns, tomatoes, red onions, tortilla strips, Monterey-Jack Cheddar cheese, and cilantro-lime dressing. It was far and away one of the best salads I’ve had in a long time. (Comes with or without toasties.)

Santa Fe Grilled Chicken Salad - Patisserie Cafe
kale, beet, baby spinach, avocado salad at Patisserie Cafe

They also have sandwiches, and breakfast is available all day. Take a peek in their bakery case and see if you can resist one of their macarons, cakes, or pastries.

bakery items at Patisserie Cafe

Jeffrey’s

117 Trade Court, Mooresville

Photo Credit: Jeffrey’s

Jeffrey’s is known for timeless, delicious New American food with a Southern twist. The ambiance indoors is lovely, but there’s also a covered patio available for outdoor dining.

Popular dishes include steak, shrimp and grits, fish and chips, chicken Caprese and blackened chicken pasta.

After hearing how popular, the blackened chicken pasta is—it’s been on the menu since day one—I couldn’t resist ordering that for my entree. The blackened seasoning is mixed in-house and has a unique mild (not spicy) flavor—absolutely delicious—and the creamy, cheesy fettuccine with spinach, tomato, and bacon was divine.

Blackened Chicken Pasta at Jeffrey's

SunUp Cafe

120 LangTree Village Dr., Mooresville

This popular, cheery breakfast and lunch cafe is in the same mixed-use development as Table 31. The inside is light, bright, and airy, and there are several outdoor tables as well. It happens to be across the street from the Aloft Mooresville where I stayed, so it was super convenient.

I walked in at 8 am when they opened and was the first customer, but it was nearly half full by the time I left!

Sun Up Cafe
inside Sun Up Cafe

Whether you’re a coffee, tea (me!), or mimosa sipper, they’ve got you covered, and the breakfast and sandwich options are plentiful.

I ordered an omelet with bacon, spinach, peppers, and cheddar, and it was both beautiful and incredibly delicious!

It came with a choice of sides—fried potatoes, hash browns, or grits—and I chose grits. I didn’t love the grits but boy, did I ever love that omelet! So if you’re an omelet person, you won’t be disappointed.

omelette at Sun Up Cafe

Food Halls in Charlotte

For a foodie adventure of another kind, jump in the car for the short 30-minute ride to Charlotte. Food halls are the hottest thing going right now, and Charlotte’s got a lot. (See how I used their slogan?)

There are some really innovative eats to please every palate, and each food hall has its own vibe, so try more than one!

Optimist Hall

1115 N. Brevard St. Charlotte

Optimist Hall

There just isn’t enough room in my belly for everything I want to try at Optimist Hall’s food stalls.

The diverse collection of food and beverage options is seemingly endless, and the space itself is light, bright, and welcoming. There are lots of cozy spots to gather with your friends both indoors and out.

Optimist Hall 3

If you’re looking for global or vegan cuisine, you’ll be thrilled with the food finds here—everything from dumplings, empanadas, and bao buns to fried chicken, tacos, and pizza.

Optimist Hall 9
Optimist Hall 2
Optimist Hall 11
Optimist Hall 10
Optimist Hall 7

I couldn’t resist trying one of the gooey grilled cheese sandwiches from Papi Queso—featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. I chose the Mac Melt with Bacon, and it was phenomenal!

Optimist Hall 4
Papi Queso Mac Melt with Bacon

If you’re in the mood for a cocktail or a beer, stop at Spindle Bar or Fonta Flora Brewery. And don’t miss Archer Paper Goods for a festive collection of all things pencil and paper.

Optimist Hall 5

Atherton Mill and Market

2000-2140 South Blvd. Charlotte

Atherton Mill
Atherton Mill 3

Atherton Mill is a premier retail and restaurant development in a re-purposed textile mill located in Charlotte’s buzzing South End area.

The history and architecture are worth the visit alone—interesting historical tidbits are posted throughout the hallways—but bring your wallet because the shops, i.e., Lululemon, Free People, Anthropologie, etc., and the eateries are oh so tempting.

Atherton Mill 5
Not Just Coffee
Atherton Mill 2
The Cocktailery
Atherton Mill 4
Savory Spice Shop

For more suggestions on other great Mooresville NC restaurants to try along with “Race City USA” itinerary assistance, connect with VisitMooresville.com

More Great Eats in North Carolina

  • Food Baby, Beer Belly in Burke County
  • Dang Good Dining in Duplin County
  • Pinehurst and Southern Pines Eateries
  • Banner Elk Bottles, Brews, and Chews

Related topics
North Carolina Travel

About Liz

Liz is a midwestern mom gone southern (accent in transition). She lives in North Carolina and loves cooking, baking, traveling, movies, crafts, hot and cold tea, wine, pizza and the occasional nap. She also revels in the fact she's a crazy cat lady.

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