Restaurants Serving the Best Bites in Ballantyne, North Carolina

Ballantyne, North Carolina is home to the Ballantyne Village shopping center that encompases a number of shopping, retail, and dining locations. The neighborhood is located just 18 miles from Charlotte, so you can easily head over there whenever you’re in Ballantyne on a business trip or on vacation. 

And because there’s so much in Ballantyne, we’ve put together a list of the best restaurants in town -- from your classic American cuisine to Mexican, Indian, Italian, and Asian styles. There is something on this list for everyone! Be sure to check out one of these restaurants in Ballantyne and bask in the delicious flavor profiles they have to offer!

Have you ever wanted to send a personalized birthday or holiday gift right to someone’s cell phone? Well, now this possibility is a reality. With over thousands of locations in the United States to choose from, you can send that special someone an electronic gift card to their favorite restaurant, retailer, coffee shop, bakery, pet store, etc -- the options are endless. If they’re going on a business trip to a new city, surprise them with a giftcard to a new pub they’ve never been to! GiftYa makes gift sharing as easy as clicking a few buttons and sending off your hand-selected gift!

1. Gallery Restaurant Charlotte

Farm to table, New American fare, a stocked bar, outdoor seating, and more!

That burger is STACKED! And it looks so dang good! Image courtesy of The Ballantyne Charlotte Instagram page.

10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy | Charlotte | theballantynehotel.com

Gallery Restaurant is located inside the Ballantyne Hotel just outside of Charlotte. The culinary team at Gallery specializes in serving a progressive Southern approach to new American cuisine. They utilize modern culinary techniques with a commitment to using fresh, local ingredients. 

The Gallery Restaurant has a private dining room that can fit up to 16 people, so you can set up your party or hold a business dinner, and an outdoor terrace to enjoy that great North Carolina weather. The atmosphere and restaurant name goes hand in hand with the art collection that’s on display during the meal, so the ambience is off the charts.

Serving breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch and upscale dinner daily, along with a full bar and coordinating bar menu, Gallery Restaurant has a little something for anyone at any time of day. From breakfast items like Belgium Pearl Sugar Waffles, brunch items like the Acai Bowl and French Onion Soup, to lunch items like a Charcuterie Board, and dinner items like a 14OZ New York Strip! If you want to have your socks knocked off from an upscale atmosphere and one of a kind dining experience, keep Gallery on your list.

“Brunch was incredible. Our server, Sandra, was so attentive and knowledgeable. We had the crab cakes, meat and cheese board, chorizo hash, and omelette. They were all delicious. I loved that they had a good selection of cocktails, too. I definitely plan to return.” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

2. Zinicola

Classic Italian dishes stemming from direct Italian roots that are downright delicious!

Something new in every bite, that’s what a meal should be! Image courtesy of the Z I N I C O L A I T A L I A N Instagram page.

14835 Ballantyne Village Way Suite 140 | Charlotte | zinicolaitalian.com

Zinicola builds on the techniques and traditions from early familial Italian roots. This restaurant follows the seasons and uses the freshest ingredients to make their tasty food, as well as pasta from scratch! The staff at Zinicola wants every guest to feel welcomed in a warm and inviting atmosphere with exceptional service, mirroring that classic “Italian coming together and family dining experience.” And ever since its opening, they’ve kept their motto: “at our table, everyone is family” true.

Their menu boasts honest techniques with pure ingredients that create a soulful, yet authentic Italian eating experience. You will find a selection of starters, salads, entrees, and pizza alongside hearty and traditional homemade pasta dishes. When you visit, be sure to check out their selection of wines to compliment your meal and enjoy yourself after a long day of exploring Ballantyne!

“Delicious meal and excellent service. We started with a meat and cheese board as well as the Brussels, I had the special (a filet mignon), friends had chicken parm, pizzas and another newer menu item. Everything was wonderful!” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

3. Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse

Offering a Southern twist on the classic Philadelphia cheesesteak and more!

Get A GiftYa Gift Card Here

We chose this picture to highlight this restaurant in Ballantyne because it made our mouths water. Image courtesy of the Duckworth's Grill & Taphouse Instagram page.

14015 Conlan Cir | Charlotte | duckworths.com

The first Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse restaurant opened its doors in 2004 after the owners made a visit to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During this trip, the future owners indulged in the famed ‘Philly Cheesesteak’ sandwich for breakfast, lunch, and dinner three days in a row! Since there weren’t many cheesesteak places in Charlotte, the goal was to get a sense of how one is made back in Philly then bring this newfound knowledge to North Carolina and recreate it with their own twist! And they’ve certainly succeeded!

Now with five locations Duckworth’s has kept up their own philosophy of creating simple, non-pretentious menu items that taste great…especially when paired with beer. So when you visit Duckworth’s, you’ll have to try their take on a Philly Cheesesteak -- and try their other menu items like their Hand-Battered Chicken Tender Wings, Margherita Pizza, Buffalo Chicken Flatbread, Grilled Salmon and more!

“Great sanitation score! Good job. Nice atmosphere, pleasant & attentive waitress & the food was fresh, cooked perfect & was delicious. I had burger & fries & lemondrop martinis. Definitely will be back.” -Yelp Review

You can Purchase a GiftYa Gift Card to Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse here!

4. The Blue Taj

Elevated Indian fare in a chic modern space makes this a great spot on our list of restaurants in Ballantyne!

Buy A GiftYa Gift Card!

Grab your friends and family and take a bite into this deliciousness! Image courtesy of The Blue Taj Instagram page.

14815 Ballantyne Village Way Suite 170 | Charlotte | thebluetaj.com

Serving stellar Indian cuisine The Blue Taj has been welcomed into Charlotte’s top Indian food scene as its popularity has been growing every year since its opening. The Blue Taj offers a cozy, modern dining experience with themed dining areas -- including a state of the art chic wine cellar where wines are hand selected and held in-house in a temperature and humidity controlled environment, so it makes for the perfect bottle to pair with your Indian cuisine!

Offering both lunch and dinner with a variety of great bites, no matter what you get off the menu, it’s bound to be good, and since we can’t leave you with nothing, let’s give you a taste of the menu:

• For lunch you can have Mango-Chickpea Chaat which consists of potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and tangy Chaat sauce, Chili Chicken, Tikka Masala Sauce, and Honey-Ginger Masala Salmon!
• And for dinner you can try their Sesame-Chili Cauliflower Florets, Dhungaar Gosht Kabab which is smoked minced lamb rolls, and paired with a green apple-frisee salad, Coconut Vegetable Curry, and Duck Leg Roast.
• (Plus, no matter the menu you’ll have your choice of breads like Naan, Roti, Paratha, and more, and that’s what makes this a great restaurant in Ballantyne)!

“Blue Taj has some of the best Indian food ever!! Love their Chicken Tikka Masala and Naan. If you want to try their appetizers, I love their roasted Cauliflower  Great ambiance if you choose to dine in as well!” -Yelp Review

You can Purchase a GiftYa Gift Card to The Blue Taj here!

5. Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant

Bringing you authentic Mexican foods full of flavor at reasonable prices!

A plate load of options to take your pick from, what a delight! Image courtesy of the Zapatas Mexican Restaurant Ballantyne Facebook photo page.

15105 John J Delaney Dr | Charlotte | zapatasrestaurant.com

Serving Mexican cuisine for nearly 20 years, Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant has been around the block a time or two. The main goal of the owners was to offer unique and authentic Mexican cuisine at a reasonable prince in an uncommon dining atmosphere. And with their longevity behind their backs and multiple locations opening up, you can trust that a delicious bite is in store when you visit Zapatas!

Their menu offers a vast selection of notable Mexican dishes. They offer enchiladas, quesadillas, chimichangas, burritos, fajitas, tacos, chicken, beef, and seafood, among other appetizers, salads and soups. When you visit, you can be sure to find something to your fancy on their huge menu. Keep them in mind if you love Mexican!

“Very good selection of food, huge portions. Unlimited nachos and salsa, great service as they never say no to anything. The staff is very patient and we had a large group where they displayed an excellent level of service.” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

6. OGGI Ristorante Italiano

Family owned modern-day restaurant serving fresh Italian classics!

Layers of carb-y goodness is what makes for a great meal, there, we said it! Image courtesy of the OGGI Instagram page.

16646 Hawfield Way Dr | Charlotte | oggicharlotte.com

The staff and chefs at OGGI Ristorante Italiano are committed to creating beauty through food and their modern atmosphere. With focusing on ingredients that build amazing flavor profiles, every piece of food, from the first cut of an ingredient to cooking it at just the right temperature is served with love and care so you’re sure to appreciate every bite. 

Plus, they’re committed to making sure not just your stomach is full but that you feel like part of the community and the family that they have built since the opening of their restaurant. 

Offering lunch, dinner, and dessert, you will find a great selection of foods that will enchant you to try on their menus. For lunch you can try their bruschetta, house meatballs, ahi tuna tartare, or penne vodka, while the dinner menu has all of that and more! If you or someone you know enjoys those classic flavors of Italy, you will enjoy the food that OGGI Ristorante Italiano provides.

“Totally spontaneous stop to OGGI and we had a great time! We enjoyed sitting at the bar and had the bartender make a "bartenders choice" cocktail! It doesn't get much better than this! Thank you for your excellent customer service, we truly had a fantastic experience!” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

7. Jade Asian Fusion Sushi Bar

A broad menu of Asian dishes you all know well and love, plus amazing Sushi!

14815 Ballantyne Village Way | Charlotte | jade-ballantyne.com

Jade Asian Fusion Sushi Bar offers a broad Asian menu that features noodles, curries, and sushi. They offer handmade rolls, sashimi, and nigri. Rolls can be filled with a variety of fish, crab, and other seafood items. 

They also offer an extensive wine list as well as drafts, imports, and domestic beers. If you’re looking for an extensive Asian menu to fill your sushi cravings, make sure to add this place to your list!

“This is the best Sushi & Japanese restaurant I've been to in Charlotte. Everything is fresh, quality and great service! Great food, great service & atmosphere. Their sushi is the best I've ever had. It's my families go to for Japanese & Sushi.” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

8. Red Rocks Cafe: Strawberry Hill in South Park

Easy and fast in and out stop for all things casual New American foods!

Make Dining Easy With A GiftYa Gift Card!

When the flavor is literally pouring out of every bite…Image courtesy of the Red Rocks Cafe: South Park Instagram page.

4223 Providence Rd #8 | Charlotte | redrockscafe.com 

In 1992 the Red Rocks Café was founded with a mission, and that mission is to “professionally and effeincelty operate a clean, upscale restaurant” that is all about good food and drink at a reasonable cost, and now with three total locations, it has expanded its mission all around Charlotte, North Carolina. With their knowledgeable staff at the helm of each Red Rocks Café restaurant, any questions you may have will be answered with care and ease, especially when it comes to their food!

So now you know the motto, let’s get cooking with some food! On the menu you can have a choice between Parmesan Potato Cakes, Buffalo Wings, Bleu Cheese Wedge Salad, Cajun Ribeye, Filet & Coconut Shrimp, Sesame Tuna, Spinach And Walnut Ravioli, and more! So if any of that sounds good to you, then Red Rocks Café is the place for you!

“One of my favorite restaurants for a business lunch or quick meal when in Charlotte. The staff is always top notch, the food is very good, it is very clean and overall well managed. It is very nice to find a place like this that gets it right.” -Yelp Review

You can Purchase a GiftYa Gift Card to Red Rocks Café here!

9. Bad Daddy's Burger Grill

Hip and casual chain serving creative burgers with top tier gourmet toppings!

When you wake up craving something greasy and good…Image courtesy of the Bad Daddys Burger Bar Instagram page.

15105 John J Delaney Dr Ste A | Charlotte | 

With lines out the door and five star reviews back in 2007 when Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar first opened, the owners knew that this was going to be something special. And it sure is! They’ve been doing stuff different from any other restaurant from the very start, using only the freshest ingredients and creating combinations of food that no others have thought of before. So now you know the concept, let’s sit back and relax and talk about menu items!

Starters like Backyard BBQ Pork Nachos, and good ol’ Chicken Wings can be enjoyed before you get into the good stuff like their Bacon Cheeseburger On Steroids* which consists of monterey Jack cheese, three pieces of jalapeño bacon, three pieces of applewood smoked bacon, housemade bacon mayo, shredded iceberg lettuce, tomato, red onion & pickles all on your choice of patty with options like an angus patty, buffalo patty, fried chicken breast, grilled chicken breast, Impossible™ Burger Patty, and more! There’s of course more options of different styles of burgers, sandwiches, and other mouth-watering goodness!

“WOW!!! I went here for lunch and my meal was absolutely delicious.  I had the Pastrami burger. It was cooked to perfection. The tater tots were perfect crispy but not over cooked. I will definitely be back. No pictures as I finished the meal quickly.” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

10. Be's Noodles & Banh Mi

Simple, no-nonsense, ready to serve Vietnamese foods that will lead you wanting more!

11318 N Community House Rd | Charlotte | benoodlenc.com

If you’re looking for the ultimate spot to grab food that’s good, uber-casual, and fast, then look no more, because Be’s Noodles & Banh Mi is the place for you! Specializing in all things authentic Vietnamese food, and with two locations you can be rest-assured that they know what they’re doing!

Grab something off their “Popular Items'' selection like the Grilled Pork Banh Mi, Sliced Filet Mignon Pho, and their Spicy Beef Ndle. Or grab something else that’s just as good from any other selection on their menu like their Stir Fry Tofu & Veggie, Lemongrass Grilled Pork Vermicelli, or Chicken Curry for those who come in looking for a meal to fill them up!

“One of my favorite places to eat in Indian Trail. The food is fantastic! The place is spotless and the service is excellent. Can't say enough great things about this place. Go check it out if you haven't already!” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

On our list you will find American favorites, handmade Italian dishes, some of the best Indian cuisine, authentic Mexican, and Asian fusion bites. With this broad list, there is sure to be something to fit your food mood of the day, so the next time you find yourself in Ballantyne, be sure to give one of these places a try!