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July 2, 2020
No fireworks? No problem — you can still dine with a view
Let the bright city skyline light up your Fourth of July week
The view from Fahrenheit is one of the best in the city. Kristen Wile/UP
This is the week when we’d usually be sharing our favorite restaurants near Uptown’s fireworks display. With Covid-19 canceling most big celebrations, dinner and a fireworks show isn’t likely this year. Instead, grab a table at one of these restaurants with a view of Uptown and enjoy a light show of a different nature. —Kristen Wile
Haymaker
The sounds of the ballpark may be quiet this year, but the floor-to-ceiling windows at Haymaker give you a beautiful view of Romare Bearden Park with the city lights behind it. The restaurant serves local-focused Southern fare with attention to sustainability.
The Waterman Fish Bar
Sedgefield seafood restaurant The Waterman, a sister concept to Sea Level NC in Uptown, is just far enough from Uptown to give diners a good look at the city. Enjoy a meal on the restaurant’s rooftop bar, Topside, for one of the city’s most underrated restaurant views and a fresh tray of oysters on ice.
Fahrenheit
Fahrenheit has long held the title of the city’s most popular rooftop spot, and for good reason. Comfortable lounge seating and decorative fireplaces on the 21st floor of the Skye Condos building give chef Rocco Whalen’s Charlotte outpost a sexy vibe.
Optimist Hall
Bring a blanket, get food to-go from your favorite vendor in the food hall, and grab a spot outside on the grass and watch Uptown’s lights twinkle. Options stretch across global cuisine, including empanadas, sushi, ramen, pizza, and gelato.
Fin & Fino
Enjoy seafood and craft cocktails on a patio that looks out onto the Levine Avenue of the Arts. Just down the street, you’ll see the lights of Tryon Street reflecting onto the city’s famous Firebird statue, with the heart of Uptown just behind it.
Hello, Sailor
On the water in Cornelius, you’ll find owners Joe and Katy Kindred’s modern reimagining of a fish camp. You’ll also find a spacious patio with a view of boats meandering through Lake Norman’s smooth waters. If there’s anything close to the spray of a firework’s light through the sky, it’s the reflection of lights on ripples of water.
Soul Gastrolounge
One of Charlotte’s most popular restaurants also has Plaza Midwood’s best view now that Peculiar Rabbit has closed. Outdoor tables at the second-story restaurant give you a glimpse of the city’s brightest buildings — but get there early, as social distancing means fewer tables are available.
