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About
Open Kitchen - Charlotte
Welcome to Open Kitchen - Charlotte, a delightful sanctuary for Italian cuisine located at 1318 W Morehead St, Charlotte, NC. Renowned for its comforting ambiance and vintage decor, this restaurant has been a cherished gem in the Queen City for years. With a warm, inviting atmosphere and a focus on genuine hospitality, Open Kitchen invites guests to enjoy authentic Italian dishes that feel like home.
The menu is a treasure trove of savory options, from the classic Italian Shrimp Cocktail to the hearty Lasagna that has won the hearts of many patrons. It’s a place where culinary passion shines through every item. Guests rave about the calamari, which provides a crispy, tender introduction to your meal, and the Minestrone Soup that warms the heart with its flavorful blend of vegetables and spices.
One of the standout dishes is the Chef's Cheese & Charcuterie, a beautifully curated platter that is perfect for sharing—or savoring solo. For pizza lovers, the Mama "K" Supreme is a must-try, featuring a delightful mix of meats and vegetables atop a perfectly baked crust. If you're feeling adventurous, the mixed Italian cuisine for two provides an entire feast, showcasing chicken livers, veal, chicken parmesan, and more, all draped in a luscious marinara sauce.
Customer reviews echo the sentiment of home-cooked meals made with love. Reviewers have praised the knowledgeable staff, who take the time to share the restaurant's long family history while guiding diners through the menu. One visitor, after enjoying the delicious chicken alfredo and large Caesar salad, expressed satisfaction with both the generous portions and the incredible taste—capping it off with a 10/10 recommendation.
At Open Kitchen, the combination of culinary excellence and an old-world charm makes it familiar yet unique. It’s the kind of place where Italian traditions are celebrated through food, creating a dining experience both memorable and delightful. So, if you find yourself in Charlotte, make sure to stop by and indulge in the rich flavors that this remarkable restaurant has to offer. You won't just dine; you’ll create lasting memories over a shared love of delicious Italian cuisine.
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“ 12/9/2020 Stopped here for lunch and was pleasantly surprised by how delicious the food was! This is a gem in Charlotte that has been around for a very long time! It has the vintage feel inside and wonderful staff and delicious food! I ordered the lasagna and minestrone soup and it also came with garlic bread! I would highly recommend stopping here for lunch or dinner! The food was fantastic and the service was as well! I look forward to coming back and sorry that it took me so long to try this place!! A true gem here in the queen city! ”
“ I went here with my husband and parents the other night. We loved everything about the restaurant. It had great food, the prices and portions were amazing, and the AC worked. (That was fantastic!) The calamari was delicious. I got the small Caesar salad along with the chicken alfredo, and my mom got the large Caesar salad. We enjoyed every bit of out dinner here and will definitely be back. :) 10/10 recommend ”
“ Wonderful little gem of a restaurant! My mom, aunt and I all visited while in town for a surgery. The old world feel and nostalgic atmosphere and decor took us all in before we even made it inside the restaurant! The food and service were both great and the staff was really friendly and took the time to answer menu questions, make suggestions and even talked to us about the long family history of the restaurant, which we all enjoyed! If I ever find myself back in Charlotte I will definitely make the effort to find my way back to eat here again! ”
“ Delicious, authentic Italian cuisine. My lasagna was as good as grandma's. It was a wonderful surprise for the chicken Parmesan to be GRILLED chicken, which made it even more delicious. The others wouldn't even share their Veal Barcelona. :( The only reason for 4* is that I would have loved some authentic Italian music to be playing in the background with white twinkling lights. Then I really would have felt at home! We'll be back. ”
“ Really enjoyed the spot! I highly recommend chicken or veal Barcelona and really go easy with the red sauce. The way they browned the butter with the noodles is phenomenal! You really get the feel of home cooked Italian food. It’s not often you find Italian food that taste like its cooked in a family kitchen. 10/10 would highly recommend if you’re craving Italian food that you can only get from a family kitchen. ”
“ Great evening here! We went on a Wednesday evening and didn't need reservations for just 2 of us. The food and service were wonderful. Bonus, it was half price bottle of wine night so you know we took advantage of that as well. Such a great restaurant with wonderful food. ”
“ We eat here every time we come to Charlotte. This awesome restaurant has been here over 70 years, and still seems to be a hidden gem. Located w/i 1-2 miles of the Panther Stadium and Uptown Charlotte. We’ve tried several things on the menu but our go-to’s are usually the same. Greek Salad, no olives. Medium is plenty for a meal, 11. Hubby gets Spaghetti & meatballs (9.50 4.50 for meatballs). Great Ranch dressing, 1000 Island , and homemade House dressing. Bread basket brought when server comes to take your order. Vegetarian options-Baked Ziti (14.50) and various pastas you can top with marinara. I’ve always wanted to try their Eggplant Parmigiana, but it’s made with meat sauce. Such a bummer! I usually order the .5 liter of wine (now it’s 20) instead of getting wine by the glass (7) . ”
“ Very nice and intimate place to dine. It’s great for couples and families. It’s low lit and the food is amazing! Tuesdays kids eats free and that’s always a plus! Our waitress Audrey was great! She made sure we had everything and was knowledgeable about the menu. We had to wait 10mins or so to be seated but It was definitely worth the wait! Parking was a hassle because it’s not too many places to park so try to get there before the dinner rush. But overall the meal was ! ”