by TM Petaccia

Folks in the restaurant industry know good food, so we want to know where they eat when they’re not cooking. In this series, we ask a local chef, bartender, restaurateur, or food artisan to share their favorite restaurants in town and what they order there.

This week, we interview Faith Morley, pastry chef at the recently awarded one-star Michelin restaurant Counter- and 2023 UPPY Pastry Chef of the Year. “I pull inspiration from memories and experiences, and then I do something that people are familiar with, but also putting my own twist on it, flipping it on its head,” she says in a previous interview. When she’s not creating new, inspiring desserts, Morley explores the full range of Charlotte restaurants, listing these six as her favorite go-tos:

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Customshop, Elizabeth
Elevated, locally-sourced international fare with Cuban influences owned by 2025 UPPY Chef of the Year Andres Kaifer
Morley’s order: Tartare, crudo, empanadas, any pasta, flan, espresso martini
Morley’s take: “One of my fiancé and I’s favorite spots to go for a date night, with friends, or just because there is a new menu item. The cocktail program is fantastic, as well as the service team. We love that the menu is focused on seasonality, supporting local farms, and always changing. The food showcases thoughtfulness and connects the influence of Chef Andres’ culture throughout the menu. This is one of the only places in town I will never skip dessert.”

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Clark’s Snack Bar, Plaza Midwood
From the original owner of The Good Wurst, breakfast and sandwich shop
Morley’s order: Bacon, egg, and cheese on a kaiser roll; tater tots
Morley’s take: “Clark’s is fantastic to grab fast-casual delicious food. Solid every time, and the staff is very friendly. I live for their bacon, egg, and cheese. Being from New York, it’s hard to find a classic bacon, egg, and cheese, and theirs hits close to home. Throw a few tots on the sandwich too.”

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Dōzo, Dilworth (opening soon, moving from Wesley Heights)
Classic Japanese cuisine taking advantage of seasonal harvests
Morley’s order: Miso soup, crab fried rice, sashimi
Morley’s take: “Love the food at Dōzo. It’s flavorful and comforting. The quality of the seafood is always so fresh, and the sashimi is super tasty. The miso soup cures me.”

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El Veneno, Food Truck
2025 UPPY Food Truck of the Year, authentic Mexican street food
Morley’s order: Breakfast tacos, lengua tacos
Morley’s take: “Kimmy (Bazan) is a total badass. Her food is authentic and packed with flavor.”

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Rada, Myers Park
High-concept shared plates concept blending contemporary American cooking with Spanish, Italian, and Basque influences
Morley’s order: Harissa meatballs, mezcal sour
Morley’s take: “I love sitting at the bar here. Grabbing all the small plates and sharing with whomever I’m with is the way to go.”

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Villani’s Bakery, Plaza Midwood
All-day classic bakery and coffee takeout spot
Morley’s order: Chocolate cake, brownies, toasted everything bialy with a side of cream cheese, quad caramel latte
Morley’s take: “Whenever I’m out and about on a day off running errands, I always stop at Villani’s for a quick snack or bialy to get my day started.”

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See where other Charlotte chefs and industry pros eat

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