The Most Haunted Restaurants in Charlotte

Posted: 02.28.2025 | Updated: 02.28.2025

The dining options in Charlotte range from the most exquisite establishments to small community pubs and everything imaginable in between. But with so many of these locations operating out of renovated old residential homes and neighborhood markets, many patrons find themselves dining with the spirits of the dead.

Are you ready for the most spine-tingling experience the Queen City has to offer? Book your next ghost tour with Queen City Ghosts today and prepare for a haunting good time!

What is the Most Haunted Restaurant in Charlotte?

It can be hard to pinpoint which restaurant in Charlotte is considered the most haunted. Could it be one of the old Irish pubs where voices can be heard at night? Or perhaps it’s the lively New Orleans theme restaurant where even the dead can’t resist the gumbo.

Ri Ra Irish Pub

Located inside one of Uptown Charlotte’s second-oldest buildings is a cozy establishment known as Ri Ra Irish Pub. While it may have a traditional and inviting ambience, this local favorite is also home to many dark entities.

A textile mill once stood where the pub is located now. And the local patrons and staff members at Ri Ra believe some of the textile workers from years ago remain at the bar today. 

Several employees refuse to work in the upstairs section. And there is only a brave few who will volunteer to close the pub all on their own at night.

Two of the most popular ghosts seen at Ri Ra include a man with a distinctive handlebar mustache who frequents the bar upstairs. He has been known to disappear if curious folks ask him too many questions. 

The other spirit seen often is a young lady dressed in Victorian apparel. It is believed she is responsible for writing various letters on the brick walls of the pub’s entryway. The writing on the wall seems to magically reappear every time it is removed.

The ghosts at Ri Ra Irish Pub are all considered friendly, but that doesn’t diminish how creepy it can be when unexplainable activity occurs. The ghosts will usually only reveal themselves to the staff members; however, frequent patrons of the pub have also experienced some strange occurrences, such as cold spots throughout the building.

Caswell Station

Elizabeth’s Caswell Station is an eclectic neighborhood pub and grill that features delicious New American cuisine and a cozy atmosphere that’s warm and inviting. But it’s not hard to be shaken from the laid-back attitude when the haunting begins inside this older building with creaky floors and electrical interferences.

Before it became Caswell Station, the establishment was known as Kennedy’s Premium Bar. In 2011, the owner and several staff members consulted with a ghost expert about the strange occurrences taking place there. Employees had reported hearing unusual noises when no one was around and even interference with their radios, causing them to turn on and off without warning.

A local reporter joined the expert as they investigated the restaurant. The expert reported that he heard a noise that was very similar to a woman sighing. The reporter, however, never heard a thing.

Cajun Queen

Cajun Queen is a New Orleans-style establishment located on the same street as Caswell Station. This restaurant, which features live jazz music throughout the week, is well-known by locals for serving up the best gumbo in town. It is also known for frequent encounters with the former owner of the home, who has been dead for decades.

This 100-year-old building was once a private residence, and there are many locals who believe the spirit of the lady who lived there in the past now haunts this Charlotte landmark. 

Several have mentioned seeing the apparition of a lady wandering around the bar. There are some who believe she haunts the building and is angry because her home was converted into a bar. However, there are others who think that the lonely spirit is just looking for someone to buy her a drink.

Alexander Michael’s

Alexander Michael’s restaurant has served up delicious food and beverages to the residents of Charlotte for more than three decades. But the building itself has been around much longer than that. 

It was originally the home of the Crowell-Berryhill Store back in 1897. The building not only has a lot of historic value, but it is also home to many of Charlotte’s urban legends.

It is believed that there is a “lonely local” who haunts the restaurant. Staff members who stay after business hours to clean up for the night have seen the apparition of an unknown figure sitting at a booth.

Some say that it is the former owner, Mr. Berryhill, who haunts the restaurant. Over the years, there have been reports of people hearing disembodied voices calling out random names, and some have mentioned feeling as if they had been touched when no one was around.

Stagioni

Stagioni is one of Charlotte’s finest Italian restaurants, featuring exquisite style and authentic pasta dishes. It is yet another restaurant on the list that was once a private residence many years ago.

In the early 1900s, the historic building was the home to local socialite Blanche Reynolds. Blanche was well known for having a vivacious sense of humor and throwing lavish parties. At that time, her home was known by the locals as The Villa, and it definitely stood up to its prestigious moniker.

Stagioni’s officially opened as a restaurant in 1926, and the owners continue to pay homage to Blanche’s high standard of hospitality and grand theatrics. But do they do it to honor her memory or to keep her spirit satisfied?

In 2016, Stagioni’s Chef Drew Dodd was interviewed by a local magazine about the hauntings occurring there. He told them about one encounter he experienced at night while working alone in the kitchen. He placed a notepad on the counter, in the center, far enough away from the edge. 

When he turned away, he heard a loud smack. The notepad had flown off the counter and landed several feet away from where he was sitting. The chef and others who work there are convinced the entity haunting the restaurant is Blanche, possibly stopping by to check up on her old residence and ensure it is living up to her standards.

Connolly’s

Connolly’s on 5^th has been a local favorite for creamy pints and a friendly atmosphere since they opened in 2001. One of several Irish pubs in the area, Connolly’s is a fun daytime hangout as well as a lively nighttime spot. The establishment airs all GAA championship games for patrons and offers space for private parties. But sometimes an uninvited guest makes her way into the crowd.

After exercising a few strange occurrences at the pub, staff members reached out to a haunting expert, who concluded that their suspicions were true and they had a ghost at the pub. 

The staff members have lovingly named the spirit Nelly, and ever since they gave her a name, there have been fewer strange encounters. It seems that, although sometimes mischievous, Nelly is a friendly ghost just wanting to enjoy the company of the living.

McNinch House Restaurant

The McNinch House Restaurant is a sophisticated establishment within a historic building dating back to the 19^th century. This restaurant features Victorian-style decor and antique furnishings, making it one of Charlotte’s best fine dining options. 

If you want to escape the modern world for a while and step back in time, The McNinch House is the place to be. But patrons sometimes receive more than they bargained for while dining at this haunted location.

Those who visit the McNinch House frequently are likely to see firsthand what sets this restaurant apart from all the rest. Visitors have noticed flickering lights and old floorboards creaking when no one is around. 

Some have even reported seeing an older woman, a former resident of the building, peering out of one of the upstairs windows. It is a sight that can be unsettling, especially as you dine among impressive candelabras paired with lavish table settings inspired by traditions from centuries ago.

Haunted Charlotte

The city of Charlotte is rich with history, dating back to the early days of settlement in the United States. Whether you want to visit to learn more about its past or discover more about popular urban legends, there is so much to see and explore while you are there.

To experience the very best ghost tour experience in North Carolina, be sure to book your tour with us at Queen City Ghosts today!

You can follow our blog for more information about the haunted history of Charlotte or treat yourself to the latest spooky tales about haunted locations throughout the country by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Sources:

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