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THE COFFEE CUP 914 S. Clarkson Street, 704-375-8855. Charlotte institution and Soul Food Central, serving the most mouth-watering Southern fare this side of Grandma's stove. $-$$
COSMOS CAFE 300 N. College Street, 704-372-3553. Popular spot, great for late-night, with a comfortably hip ambience, serving a wide variety of cuisine styles: sushi, tapas, pizza, Malaysian to Middle Eastern, you name it. Clever cuisine in a busy location. $$-$$$
FRENCH QUARTER ANNEX 317 S. Church Street, 704-377-1715. Deservedly popular restaurant serves a selection of Cajun and continental foods. $$
GREEN'S LUNCH 309 W. 4th Street, 704-332-1786. Longtime uptown favorite for one main reason: Hotdogs. If it's dogs you want, you'll be hard pressed to find better ones. $
GUS' SIR BEEF UPTOWN 324 S. Tryon Street, 704-347-5741. One of the city's most popular spots for homestyle meals, Gus's is known for "Fresh My Farm" vegetables cooked without grease. $
HARTIGAN'S IRISH PUB 601 S. Cedar Street, 704-347-1841. A friendly neighborhood bar dishing up sandwiches, salads, and traditional bar appetizers. All in the shadow of Ericsson Stadium. $$
LATORRE'S, LATIN-AMERICAN CUISINE 118 W. 5th Street, 704-377-4448. Featuring upscale Nuevo Latino dishes. Here you'll find a unique palette of flavors that are well-executed and served in large portions. Plus after 11pm Friday and Saturday they have a Salsa DJ and dancing into the night. $$$
LAVECCHIA'S SEAFOOD GRILLE 225 E. Sixth Street, 704-370-6776. A haven for seafood lovers. Well-prepared, inventive dishes. For fun try the three coast raw oyster sampler. Valet parking Wednesday through Saturday. $$$
MAMA RICOTTA'S 901 S. Kings Drive, 704-343-0148. Small but imaginative menu of pastas, antipasti and pizza. Authentic, creative dishes, good sauces, good prices, and a terrific lunch selection. $-$$
McNINCH HOUSE 511 N. Church Street, 704-332-6159. One-of-a-kind experience: 6-course gourmet meals served in a 100-year-old Victorian mansion in Fourth Ward. Exquisite. (Call days ahead for reservations). $$$$
MELTING POT Kings Court Plaza, Kings Drive, 704-334-4400. For those fond of fondues: cheese, beef, seafood, chicken, and, naturally, chocolate for dessert. $$$
MERT'S HEART AND SOUL 214 N. College Street, 704-342-4222. Owners James and Renee Bazzelle create delectable Low Country and Southern country dishes. Service is solicitous, art provocative, food down-home honest, and prices incredibly low. Open late weekends. $$
MORTON'S OF CHICAGO-THE STEAKHOUSE 227 W. Trade Street (Carillon Building), 704-333-2602. Well known for their steaks and elegance. Morton's has restaurants in 50 U.S. and international cities. Dinner only. $$$$
PALOMINO RESTAURANT ROTISSERIA BAR 525 N. Tryon Street, 704-373-9499. A Seattle-based chain which serves fresh and uncomplicated dishes in a warm, vibrant and inviting atmosphere. Delightful patio fountain. Complimentary dinner parking in adjoining parking deck. $$$
PHIL'S DELI 105 E. 5th Street, 704-347-0035. Authentic NYC-style deli (without NYC prices) with friendly service, fresh breads, and sumptuous cold cuts. $
THE PINE ROOM, RESTAURANT & BAR 121 W. Trade Street(Interstate Tower), 704-347-8947. Contemporary American cuisine. Restaurant in two parts: bar area opens on Trade Street, dinner in a beautifully appointed room. Validated parking. $-$$B, L, $$-$$$D
RED SEA RESTAURANT AND BAR 206 E. Independence Boulevard, 704-375-4999. Small, bare bones restaurant serving flavorful Ethiopian food. $$
SIMMONS FOURTH WARD RESAURANT 516 N. Graham Street, 704-334-6640. Classic Southern country recipes and hard to beat prices. Many downtowners come to sample Charlotte's heritage cuisine: smothered pork chops, mac & cheese, baked chicken with corn bread dressing, collard greens, barbecue ribs, candied yams, steamed cabbage and more. $$
SONOMA 129 W. Trade Street, 704-377-1333. Impeccable presentation and innovative recipes in a first-class atmosphere. Award winning wine list. $$-$$$
EAST CHARLOTTE
BRAZAS BRAZILIAN GRILL 4508 E. Independence Boulevard, 704-566-1009. Meat runners brandish towering skewers of meat and add to the Carnival-like atmosphere. The price is fixed and it's all you can eat from a cold and hot buffet. Meats are grilled over an imported rotisserie with 105 skewers. Many dishes are Brazilian specialties, others are just plain good. $$$
DIAMOND RESTAURANT 1901 Commonwealth Avenue, 704-375-8959. Good, solid homecooking with a down-home, almost small town touch. The food is fine, the iced tea is phenomenal, but the corn muffins are heaven. $
DIM SUM CHINESE RESTAURANT 2920-B Central Avenue, 704-569-1128. Serves both excellent "real" and Americanized Chinese food. Functional ambiance, but wonderful Dim Sum assortment. L$, D$$
GUS'S SIR BEEF 4101 Monroe Road, 704-377-3210. One of the city's most popular spots for homestyle meals, Gus's is known for "Fresh My Farm" vegetables cooked without grease. $
HOUSE OF CHINESE GOURMET 5608 E. Independence Boulevard, 704-563-8989. This friendly little place serves some dishes lacking in other Charlotte Chinese restaurants with helpful, friendly service. $-$$
HUONG VIET 4808 Central Avenue, 704-537-8475. This little hole-in-the-wall serves up delicate, balanced Vietnamese dishes. A little less hot than Thai, but no less interesting in the use of spices. $$
