Downtown Concord, NC · Union Street Walking Guide

Come Hungry.

Cuban soul food. Scratch brunch. NY pizza. Comfort food institutions. Steakhouse. Vietnamese. Mexican. Craft beer. Downtown Concord NC has a restaurant for every appetite — all within a few blocks of each other.

10+
Sit-Down Restaurants
6
Blocks to Explore
3
SEU Block Anchors
1
Perfect Day
Where to Eat Shop & Explore
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Where to Eat

Pick a Table. Any Table.

Every one of these is a short walk from wherever you park. Downtown Concord NC has more culinary range than most people expect — and every restaurant is locally owned.

⭐ 2026 Community Favorite
☕ Scratch Kitchen · Breakfast · Brunch · Lunch

Union Street Café

11 Union St S, Suite 100 · SEU Block · (704) 787-8334

A scratch kitchen that quickly became the heart of the SEU block. Chef Owner David Sargent turns out hearty, creative breakfast and brunch plates — jalapeño cheddar grits, chicken & waffles, breakfast burritos, burgers — all made from scratch, all worth the trip. The kind of café where the chef stops by your table. Warm, welcoming, and exactly what downtown needed. Tuesday through Sunday.

Steps Away Havana Carolina · Cabarrus Creamery · Chocolatier Barrucand · Ellis Fine Jewelers · Mullis Music
SEU Block · 11 Union St S unionstreetcafenc.com →
🇨🇺 Cuban Restaurant · Full Bar · Live Music

Havana Carolina Restaurant & Bar

11 Union St S, Suite 108 · SEU Block · (704) 743-4995

Downtown Concord's Cuban soul. Family-owned and operated, Havana Carolina brings authentic Cuban cuisine, tropical cocktails, and live Latin music to the heart of Union Street. Dishes inspired by family recipes — Ropa Vieja, Vaca Frita, Cuban sandwiches, tostones — in a warm, glamorous setting that genuinely transports you. Live music on select nights. Lunch through late night, Tuesday through Sunday.

Steps Away Union Street Café · Cabarrus Creamery · Mullis Music · Concord Trading Post · Ellis Fine Jewelers
SEU Block · 11 Union St S havanacarolina.com →
🥩 Steakhouse · Coming Soon

Mestiza Steakhouse

16 Union St S · SEU Block

Moving into the iconic corner space long held by Gianni's Trattoria — a landmark location on the SEU block. Mestiza Steakhouse brings a high-quality steak program to downtown Concord, with a menu centered on premium cuts and classic sides alongside breakfast and lunch service. A significant new chapter for an already strong dining block.

Steps Away Union Street Café · Havana Carolina · Chocolatier Barrucand · Cabarrus Creamery · Ellis Fine Jewelers
SEU Block · 16 Union St S Coming Soon
🍕 NY Pizza

Hawthorne's NY Pizza

25 Union St N · Northwest Block

A downtown Concord anchor. New York-style pizza right on Union Street — big slices, great atmosphere, and a prime spot in the middle of the Northwest Block's energy. The kind of place that's always busy because it's always good. Drift Salon, B&K Tea, Wicked Wife Designs and The Chop Box all share the block.

Steps Away Drift Salon · B & K Tea Café · The Chop Box · Wicked Wife Designs · Shoebeedoo
Northwest Block Visit Website →
🍜 Vietnamese · Sushi

The Chop Box

9 Union St N · Northwest Block

Vietnamese pho, sushi rolls, and Asian-inspired dishes in a sit-down setting on the Northwest Block. A neighborhood staple that brings real culinary range to Union Street — satisfying for lunch or dinner, and always a reliable choice when you want something different.

Steps Away Wicked Wife Designs · Old & Odd Curiosities · Shoebeedoo · The Bead Lady · Drift Salon
Northwest Block Visit Website →
🌮 Mexican

Charros Mexican Restaurant

48 Union St S · Southwest Block

Authentic Mexican dining with full table service on the southwest end of Union Street. Great margaritas, generous portions, and a festive atmosphere that rounds out a strong lineup of southwest block restaurants. Charros and 2 Gal's Kitchen anchor the south end of the district together.

Steps Away Luxury Salon Suites · Two Scoops Creamery · 2 Gal's Kitchen · The Lenz Studio
Southwest Block On Union St S
🌭 Hot Dogs · Pretzels · Downtown Original

Not Just Franks

72 Union St S · Southwest Block · (704) 245-4563

All-beef hot dogs loaded your way — All The Way, Sweet Carolina, Chicago Frank, Chipotle — plus fresh-baked soft pretzels and freshly squeezed lemonade. Across from the Cabarrus County Courthouse, Not Just Franks is the kind of no-frills downtown lunch spot that locals swear by and visitors remember. Simple, good, affordable, and completely its own thing. Monday through Friday, 11am–3pm.

Steps Away The Lenz Studio · 2 Gal's Kitchen · Two Scoops Creamery · Luxury Salon Suites · Purple Star Signs
Southwest Block · 72 Union St S notjustfranks.com →
🥘 American · Downtown Institution

2 Gal's Kitchen

80 Union St S · Southwest Block

A downtown Concord anchor and a genuine institution. 2 Gal's Kitchen has been feeding the community with comfort food done right — the Reuben, specialty burgers, homemade ranch — in a warm, welcoming environment that feels like it belongs here. Because it does. The kind of place that makes downtown feel like home. Closed Monday and Sunday.

Steps Away Luxury Salon Suites · Two Scoops Creamery · The Lenz Studio · Purple Star Signs
Southwest Block Visit Website →
🥪 Sandwiches · Brunch · Church Block

Pump Social

24 Church St NE · Church Block

A uniquely Concord experience — creative sandwiches and weekend brunch served inside a beautifully converted gas station on Church Street. Outdoor seating, great energy, and a menu that consistently delivers. Pump Social is the kind of place that makes you feel good about your town. A must on any downtown visit.

Steps Away Dive Bar · Benny DaCorsa's Pizza · What-A-Burger #2
Church Block Visit Website →
🍕 Pizza · Church Block

Benny DaCorsa's Pizza

30 Church St S · Church Block

Pizza done with character on Church Street. Sit down, order a pie, stay awhile. The Church Block has its own distinct energy — Pump Social, Dive Bar, What-A-Burger, and Benny DaCorsa's create a cluster that makes the block a destination in itself.

Steps Away Pump Social · Dive Bar · What-A-Burger #2
Church Block Visit Website →
🍔 Burgers · Concord Legend

What-A-Burger #2

34 Church St S · Church Block

Not the chain — this is the original North Carolina What-A-Burger, a Concord institution with decades of history. Old-school drive-in style burgers that have fed generations of locals. Casual, quick, satisfying, and completely irreplaceable. If you haven't been, you don't know Concord.

Steps Away Pump Social · Benny DaCorsa's · Dive Bar
Church Block Visit Website →
🍺 Taproom · Food · District Exchange

First-N-Flights Taproom & Lounge

22 Union St N, Suite 107 · District Exchange

Craft beers on tap with food inside District Exchange on the Northeast Block. A laid-back lounge atmosphere that pairs naturally with an evening in the building — Crane Coffee, Vintage Vibes Vinyl, Buzz City Games, and the boutiques all share the same address. The kind of spot that turns a quick stop into a long night.

Steps Away Crane Coffee Co. · Vintage Vibes Vinyl · Buzz City Games · Decadence Popcorn
Northeast Block · District Exchange Visit Website →
While You're There

Bites, Brews & Sweet Treats

Not every stop needs to be a sit-down meal. These spots are perfect before, after, or in between — and every one is part of what makes downtown Concord NC worth the trip.

☕
Union Street Café
11 Union St S · SEU Block
Scratch Kitchen · Brunch
☕
Crane Coffee Company
22 Union St N · District Exchange
Coffee · Café
🧋
B & K Tea Café
17 Union St N · Northwest Block
Bubble Tea · Café
🥐
Barley Jean's Bakery
22 Union St N, Suite 101
Bakery · Pastries
🍫
Chocolatier Barrucand
1 Union St S · SEU Block
Artisan Chocolate
🍦
Cabarrus Creamery
21 Union St S · SEU Block
Ice Cream
🍨
Two Scoops Creamery
66 Union St S · Southwest Block
Ice Cream
🍿
Decadence Popcorn
22 Union St N, Suite 111
Gourmet Popcorn
🍷
Cellar Door Wine Shop
2 Union St S · Southwest Block
Wine · Bottle Shop
🍻
Concord Trading Post
41 Union St S · SEU Block
Craft Beer · Bottle Shop
🫙
Borinquen Kombucha
82 Spring St SW · Market Block
Kombucha
🍵
SereniTea Emporium
20 Spring St SW · Market Block
Tea · Wellness
🐱
Mac Tabby Cat Café
25 Market St SW · Market Block
Cat Café · Coffee
🎱
Dive Bar
14 Church St S · Church Block
Bar · Drinks
🕹️
Basement Arcade Bar
14 Union St S · Southwest Block
Arcade · Bar
Shop & Explore

Before Dinner. After Lunch. Anytime.

Every restaurant in downtown Concord is steps from something worth browsing. The variety here — jewelry, books, boutiques, salons, music, art — is what makes a meal into a full day.

💎Jewelry
✂️Salons & Beauty
📚Books, Gifts & Finds
🛍️Boutiques
Plan Your Visit

Make a Whole Day of It

Everything below is walkable from one parking spot. This is the kind of downtown that rewards slowing down.

☕
Morning
Start at Union Street Café

Begin the day at Union Street Café at 11 Union St S — scratch kitchen breakfast, jalapeño grits, chicken & waffles, fresh coffee. The SEU block anchor that sets the tone for the whole day. Or start at Crane Coffee Company at District Exchange with a pastry from Barley Jean's Bakery next door.

🛍️
Mid-Morning
Browse the Blocks

Walk the Northwest Block — Old & Odd Curiosities, Wicked Wife Designs, Shoebeedoo, The Bead Lady. Head up to District Exchange for Vintage Vibes Vinyl, Herana, and the boutiques on the second floor.

🍕
Lunch
Pick Your Block

Hawthorne's NY Pizza on the Northwest Block, Press & Porter on the Southwest, or Pump Social on Church Street for brunch. All within a few blocks of each other — all worth it.

💎
Afternoon
The SEU Block

Walk down to Chocolatier Barrucand and Ellis Fine Jewelers. Browse MacPherson's Diamonds on Cabarrus. Stop into Mullis Music at 31 Union St S. Grab a scoop at Cabarrus Creamery before the evening begins.

🇨🇺
Dinner
Havana Carolina for the Evening

End the day at Havana Carolina Restaurant & Bar at 11 Union St S Suite 108 — Ropa Vieja, tropical cocktails, and live music on select nights. Or head to 2 Gal's Kitchen for comfort food done right. Finish with a scoop at Two Scoops Creamery on the way out.

Good to Know

Quick Answers

What restaurants are in downtown Concord NC?
Downtown Concord NC has an exceptional dining scene all within walking distance. The SEU block anchors are Union Street Café at 11 Union St S Suite 100 for scratch breakfast and brunch, Havana Carolina Restaurant & Bar at Suite 108 for authentic Cuban cuisine and live music, and Mestiza Steakhouse coming soon to 16 Union St S. Hawthorne's NY Pizza anchors the Northwest Block. 2 Gal's Kitchen and Charros Mexican Restaurant anchor the Southwest Block. Pump Social, Benny DaCorsa's Pizza, and What-A-Burger #2 are on Church Street. Concord Trading Post at 41 Union St S is the craft beer destination on the SEU block.
Where can I get breakfast or brunch in downtown Concord NC?
Union Street Café at 11 Union St S Suite 100 is downtown Concord's scratch kitchen brunch anchor — open Tuesday through Sunday with jalapeño cheddar grits, chicken & waffles, breakfast burritos, and burgers all made from scratch. Pump Social on Church Street also offers weekend brunch in a converted gas station setting. Both are walkable from free downtown parking.
Is there Cuban food in downtown Concord NC?
Yes — Havana Carolina Restaurant & Bar at 11 Union St S Suite 108 is downtown Concord's Cuban anchor. Family-owned, with authentic Cuban dishes inspired by family recipes, tropical cocktails, a full bar, and live music on select nights. Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch through late night.
Is downtown Concord NC walkable?
Completely. Park once and walk to everything. The entire dining district — from Hawthorne's NY Pizza on the Northwest Block, through Union Street Café and Havana Carolina on the SEU block, down to 2 Gal's Kitchen on the Southwest Block, plus the Church Block restaurants — is under half a mile end to end. Free parking throughout the district.