Culinary Dropout

Peggy Crane 4 months ago

I had been wanting to go here since they opened, but did not get there until this week. Our server, Isabel, was friendly, helpful, and always there when we needed her. We did not feel like we were in need of anything. Water was always filled and she kept us informed of timing and it was just easy. I love that it’s a scratch kitchen and they make everything there. The flavors were great and the choices were plentiful. We had a wonderful, leisurely lunch with really yummy drinks!

Mimi Eats a month ago

A perfect spot for creative cocktails and food 🍹🍣🥟🍳 Our bartender, Johnny, pointed us the right way and did not disappoint. The Crispy Spicy Tuna was a highlight — the rice was perfectly crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Whipped Feta & Tahini Dip paired with that pillowy bread -divine. The Wagyu Pig in a Blanket and Deviled Eggs were also solid choices. Cocktails! 🍹 Tried the Mexican Candy Shot, Evil jungle Princess, birdie juice, and Watermelon Spritzer — all worth ordering. Would definitely come back and recommend it to anyone looking for a good spot in Charlotte.

Brad Kosar 2 months ago

Great atmosphere. Good food. Amazing live music. Service left a lot to be desired. Nui made it clear on 5.2.2026 lunch that we were not an important table to him. The manager was nice and comped my Bloody Mary...it is a well made drink, just a little too sweet for my liking. I really wanted to give this place 5 stars because it had a great vibe and we enjoyed our food. It was my special lunch date with my daughter and it just didn't seem like the waiter wanted anything to do with us. My daughter kept asking where the waiter was and why he made us wait so long. Anyhow, we will return sometime and hopefully I can change this review to a 5 star.

Blackout The Rebel 3 months ago

Really enjoyed the overall experience of this place. I think one of the standout features to this place was the fact that they had live music. A woman was playing the guitar and singing some top hits of today which I thought was pretty unique. The food was exceptionally good. Their drink "campfire vibes" I think it was called was done perfectly. The ambiance of the establishment was very big and spacious. Our waitress was amazing. Her name was Jocelyn (apologize if I misspelled your name if you're reading this). Very attentive and nice. I definitely look forward to coming here again.

A Girl on Google Maps 3 months ago

I was nearby on business and hopped on Google Maps to explore new places to eat. When I called, Melissa (the hostess) was incredibly polite. I asked her what made their restaurant unique—and she made it sound so good, I was already intrigued. Then I spoke with Kate, their front-of-house manager, and she completely sealed the deal. She is truly the epitome of hospitality! They reserved me a table, and J Rob was my server—fantastic from start to finish. I ordered the crispy chicken katsu and it was perfection. They also brought out a sweet tea with a hint of passion fruit… so refreshing and delicious! To wrap things up, I had a taste of their monkey bread (definitely shareable!) with vanilla bean gelato. It takes a little time to prepare, but it is absolutely worth the wait. While my food was being prepared, I walked around to explore—and every employee I encountered was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely happy to answer questions. Teagan was especially nice! At one point, I even spotted a dish the events manager (Kathryn) was eating… wow that looked so good, and now I have to try that next time! If you work in the nearby offices, I highly recommend coming in to dine (this is a culinary adventure). They have the space for events, and everything comes from their scratch kitchen—which makes it even better. I took as many pics as possible. Parking tip: I parked on the street, but they validate for about 90 minutes in the Vantage Parking garage. I truly enjoyed my experience at Culinary Dropout and can’t wait to come back. PS I’ll definitely be sharing this spot with my neighbors in up in the town of Davidson—this is absolutely worth the short trip to Charlotte! Happy Exploring, Josephine Local 📍