So refreshing to have something like Rada in Charlotte. My husband and I enjoyed celebrating our anniversary here! I felt like I was in SF or DC. Every dish we said “wow, this is so unique… these flavors…” etc etc. Each dish was carefully prepared and thought through. We did 2 small plates, 2 mediums, and a large, and it was plentyyy of food. The tri-tip… no words! The ravioli with fresh tomatoes… divine.
Eclectic environment, yet cozy and welcoming. We loved that every runner was different, it felt like we met the entire restaurant in just an hour and a half.
As a small biz owner, I applaud the owners and managers behind here. It takes a ton of guts and courage to open a restaurant, and they did so with gusto. I look forward to supporting however I can. Congrats team!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Annemarie Heise
I got sick and needed to cancel the reservation 10 hours ahead of schedule. Contacted the restaurant and still they charged me 50.00 cancel fee.
David Hood
Lovely spot for a relaxing Sunday Dinner
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shaun Seth
Terrific across the board. Creative dishes, very nice wine program, service was terrific, and vibe was spot on. Highly recommend, it won’t disappoint.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kotryna Jankunaite
Since it opened earlier this year, Rada quickly became our favorite restaurant in Charlotte. The food and atmosphere is incredible and unique, plus they have hands down the best martinis and clams in Charlotte. Coming from Brooklyn this is exactly what this city needed!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christeen B
Ok look none of the dishes were bad but none were great either. Way overpriced for the quality and portion. At a minimum they should serve grassfed butter with the bread instead of what tasted like land o lakes.
Let’s start with the vibes, they should have hired an interior designer. The place has this simple/ coastal vibe with no art, which does not match the menu or the food. The food again nothing memorable for $216 for 2 people, I would expect to be absolutely blown away. The cabbage was probably the best thing but too vinegary. The $69 veal lacked flavor. The ricotta balls tasted like falafel. The bone marrow, had no bone marrow.
There was also no diversity in staff or clients in this restaurant. Would not return to this place.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
e h
This restaurant is spectacular for Charlotte. Having lived in Boston, LA, DC, and Paris, with extensive travel to other major cities - THIS is what Charlotte needed. It gives West Village, neighborhood bistro vibes. It is something sophisticated, yet versatile. You can go on a Wednesday night for a casual dinner with your partner, or dress up and use it to celebrate a special occasion. Both are equally appropriate.
The food is interesting, and while they don’t reinvent the wheel, it’s all done well. And I love that it rotates. Some favorites I’ve hard -
Strip loin with au poivre sauce. Absolute perfection. Seems expensive at face value, until you realize it’s 2 pounds! Priced on par, by weight, with a porterhouse at a steakhouse. And yet it’s better than what I’ve had at any steakhouse in Charlotte.
The meatball skewers were loaded with flavor, and a nice heat from the harissa.
The Gildas are a MUST. So good. I’ll eat 3 every time I go. Not normally a huge anchovy person, but these have such a wonderful flavor.
The veal tonne is so flavorful and delicious. Classic with a modern presentation.
The celery salad is awesome! Needed a quick mix at the table so you’d get the sauce/dressing with every bite, but awesome. The hazelnut gave it a really nice depth.
Agnolotti - just say yes.
And if they have the veal Milanese, give it a try. With brown butter and breadcrumbs that they make from their house-made bread, it’s quite nice.
As for drinks, the wine list is very much a IYKYK style, with bottles that offer a great value. The cocktails are some of my favorite in town too - if you like a dirty martini, there’s no better martini in CLT than the San Sebastian. Made with a basque pepper brine instead of olive juice, such a fantastic riff.
And then there’s the service. Incredibly attentive and professional. Even when they know your name and the answer, they’re going to ask your party if everyone has dined there before - they don’t want to assume you’ve given the rundown to other members in your party, and want to offer an overview. The staff knows the menu inside out, and will get as nerdy and technical as you want about flavors and preparation of dishes, or they’ll keep it high level with “I like X from each section of the menu”.
It’s quickly become one of my favorite places and I wish we had more places like this in CLT - rather than the mediocre, “me to”, hugely commercial spots that all make the same thing. Rada is a breathe of fresh air to this city.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anna Schoeck
Exactly what Charlotte needs. We loved Rada! Perfect vibes for a dinner with a really fun and creative menu. Our waiter was amazing and the rest of the staff was also attentive. Expect to order a few plates to share. The martinis were great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mohan Mistry
Excellent food great atmosphere and very welcoming!!
Had an awesome birthday celebration, food and service were impeccable and the cocktails outstanding. Love this new spot
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Meg Kimmel
Love Rada! An intimate, friendly atmosphere with a surprising menu—which I understand changes depending on what fresh local food’ is available. There’s a potato dish to die for—order it early. Plus several fabulous martinis (we tried just one but word is they’re all good). Rada is a treat but worth it x 10. Planning my next visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paula Killian
Lovely intimate atmosphere, warm knowledgeable staff and an exciting menu
Dined here in March with family. The tuna carpaccio, celery salad, and pasta were out of this world delicious, service was complete but effortless. The bar room is quiet and feels private. Pescatarians will be happy. Good people watching. Do recommend.
So refreshing to have something like Rada in Charlotte. My husband and I enjoyed celebrating our anniversary here! I felt like I was in SF or DC. Every dish we said “wow, this is so unique… these flavors…” etc etc. Each dish was carefully prepared and thought through. We did 2 small plates, 2 mediums, and a large, and it was plentyyy of food. The tri-tip… no words! The ravioli with fresh tomatoes… divine.
Eclectic environment, yet cozy and welcoming. We loved that every runner was different, it felt like we met the entire restaurant in just an hour and a half.
As a small biz owner, I applaud the owners and managers behind here. It takes a ton of guts and courage to open a restaurant, and they did so with gusto. I look forward to supporting however I can. Congrats team!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I got sick and needed to cancel the reservation 10 hours ahead of schedule. Contacted the restaurant and still they charged me 50.00 cancel fee.
Lovely spot for a relaxing Sunday Dinner
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Terrific across the board. Creative dishes, very nice wine program, service was terrific, and vibe was spot on. Highly recommend, it won’t disappoint.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Since it opened earlier this year, Rada quickly became our favorite restaurant in Charlotte. The food and atmosphere is incredible and unique, plus they have hands down the best martinis and clams in Charlotte. Coming from Brooklyn this is exactly what this city needed!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ok look none of the dishes were bad but none were great either. Way overpriced for the quality and portion. At a minimum they should serve grassfed butter with the bread instead of what tasted like land o lakes.
Let’s start with the vibes, they should have hired an interior designer. The place has this simple/ coastal vibe with no art, which does not match the menu or the food. The food again nothing memorable for $216 for 2 people, I would expect to be absolutely blown away. The cabbage was probably the best thing but too vinegary. The $69 veal lacked flavor. The ricotta balls tasted like falafel. The bone marrow, had no bone marrow.
There was also no diversity in staff or clients in this restaurant. Would not return to this place.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
This restaurant is spectacular for Charlotte. Having lived in Boston, LA, DC, and Paris, with extensive travel to other major cities - THIS is what Charlotte needed. It gives West Village, neighborhood bistro vibes. It is something sophisticated, yet versatile. You can go on a Wednesday night for a casual dinner with your partner, or dress up and use it to celebrate a special occasion. Both are equally appropriate.
The food is interesting, and while they don’t reinvent the wheel, it’s all done well. And I love that it rotates. Some favorites I’ve hard -
Strip loin with au poivre sauce. Absolute perfection. Seems expensive at face value, until you realize it’s 2 pounds! Priced on par, by weight, with a porterhouse at a steakhouse. And yet it’s better than what I’ve had at any steakhouse in Charlotte.
The meatball skewers were loaded with flavor, and a nice heat from the harissa.
The Gildas are a MUST. So good. I’ll eat 3 every time I go. Not normally a huge anchovy person, but these have such a wonderful flavor.
The veal tonne is so flavorful and delicious. Classic with a modern presentation.
The celery salad is awesome! Needed a quick mix at the table so you’d get the sauce/dressing with every bite, but awesome. The hazelnut gave it a really nice depth.
Agnolotti - just say yes.
And if they have the veal Milanese, give it a try. With brown butter and breadcrumbs that they make from their house-made bread, it’s quite nice.
As for drinks, the wine list is very much a IYKYK style, with bottles that offer a great value. The cocktails are some of my favorite in town too - if you like a dirty martini, there’s no better martini in CLT than the San Sebastian. Made with a basque pepper brine instead of olive juice, such a fantastic riff.
And then there’s the service. Incredibly attentive and professional. Even when they know your name and the answer, they’re going to ask your party if everyone has dined there before - they don’t want to assume you’ve given the rundown to other members in your party, and want to offer an overview. The staff knows the menu inside out, and will get as nerdy and technical as you want about flavors and preparation of dishes, or they’ll keep it high level with “I like X from each section of the menu”.
It’s quickly become one of my favorite places and I wish we had more places like this in CLT - rather than the mediocre, “me to”, hugely commercial spots that all make the same thing. Rada is a breathe of fresh air to this city.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Exactly what Charlotte needs. We loved Rada! Perfect vibes for a dinner with a really fun and creative menu. Our waiter was amazing and the rest of the staff was also attentive. Expect to order a few plates to share. The martinis were great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent food great atmosphere and very welcoming!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Flawless
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Had an awesome birthday celebration, food and service were impeccable and the cocktails outstanding. Love this new spot
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love Rada! An intimate, friendly atmosphere with a surprising menu—which I understand changes depending on what fresh local food’ is available. There’s a potato dish to die for—order it early. Plus several fabulous martinis (we tried just one but word is they’re all good). Rada is a treat but worth it x 10. Planning my next visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lovely intimate atmosphere, warm knowledgeable staff and an exciting menu
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Creative menu, 5-star service. Attractive decor. We’ll definitely return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dined here in March with family. The tuna carpaccio, celery salad, and pasta were out of this world delicious, service was complete but effortless. The bar room is quiet and feels private. Pescatarians will be happy. Good people watching. Do recommend.
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