Charlotte, N.C., might be best known for NASCAR and banking—and possibly barbecue, too. And while there’s no denying the city’s love for fast cars and finance, Charlotte also has an appetite for new restaurants, global cuisines and modern dining experiences. This can be credited to broader consumer shifts, as well as influx of new residents.

Smaller, independent concepts are also finding their footing in the Queen City, with menus that reflect its increasingly diverse communities. Having grown up not far from Charlotte, I was curious as to whether this purported culinary evolution had merit. From diving into a rainbow of dumplings to sipping fancy tea in an old farmhouse to alighting on authentic yet laid-back pasta, I can now say with confidence that Charlotte’s F&B scene is indeed on the up and up.

Feeling a bit of wanderlust? Our Flavor Postcard series spotlights markets around the world for culinary inspiration.