The Co-Op Gourmet Sandwiches

Upscale rooms & suites in a vintage-chic hotel with a high-end restaurant, a bar & a 24-hour gym. Set in a converted 1920s department store opposite the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, this refined hotel in the uptown district is a 6-minute walk from the Levine Museum of the New South, and 7 miles from Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Featuring art deco and mid-century furnishings, the vintage-chic rooms come with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, plus minibars and Nespresso machines. Some open onto an interior atrium. Suites add living areas and wet bars; upgraded suites have separate living rooms and balconies. Free evening drinks are served in a club lounge. There's also a lobby bar, a high-end restaurant and a 24-hour gym.

Shrine to stock-car drivers past & present, plus a museum with interactive exhibits & a theater.

At Papi Queso, this laid-back food truck turned staple in Optimist Hall serves up gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches loaded with creative toppings and sides like tomato soup.

Sophisticated, locally sourced international cooking in a simple strip-mall location.

Experience a stylish Southern spot where heirloom ingredients meet inventive dishes and attentive service, making for a memorable meal.

Boutique landmark with traditionally decorated rooms, a free shuttle & a fine-dining restaurant. This refined boutique hotel, dating from 1929, is one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Historic Hotels of America. It's a 2-minute walk from the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center and 9 minutes from Time Warner Cable Arena. Rooms offer 1920s ambiance, and include writing desks, armoires and marble bathrooms. Modern perks include flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, free Wi-Fi and Keurig coffeemakers. A penthouse suite adds double balconies. Room service is available. Free perks include an area shuttle and evening cookies. There's an upscale Southern restaurant, and a 24-hour business center. Meeting and event space is offered.

A charming counter-service joint in Charlotte, this spot serves tasty donuts and delightful chicken sandwiches with a cozy outdoor vibe.

Counter- is a high-concept gem where a 10-course tasting menu meets immersive storytelling and wine pairings, creating a truly unforgettable dining experience.

A brewery, coffee bar, American eatery & fermentation lab share their products all under one roof.

This industrial-style BBQ spot serves up hickory-smoked meats in a spacious, pub-loft vibe, perfect for enjoying classic comfort sides with friends.