Essex Bar & Bistro

We go as much as we can. Every menu item is fantastic. Great lunch spot!

Reviewed on Google Maps

Great place for tapas-like dining. Inventive cocktails, good wine menu not so overpriced. Highly recommend. We had 4 different dishes that we 4 shared, Korean bbq shrimp tacos - excellent, surf and turf sushi roll - good, bbq sliders - great, dim sum - good. Wait staff (Justin) was great. I'd definitely go back when I'm in the downtown area. Kevin, the GM, is doing a great job. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

have only been for lunch but always a good experience! food is delicious - recommend the salmon - and service is on point. The patio when the weather is nice! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

The food is 5 stars the service was three. Hence 4 star rating. I must state that the food was out of this world. Crowded atmosphere and loud, but it was prime time on Saturday night. It had taken no less than 20 min to receive each drink we ordered. Was with a party of 10 and the food came one plate at a time at 10 min intervals. If it were not for how delicious the food was, I would of been very disappointed. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Great spot. Just start ordering and stop when you are full! Sushi rolls are fantastic. Super friendly bar staff and a cool vibe in a great space. Highly recommend.

Reviewed on Google Maps

My husband and I stopped in for a late night bite and a beer. They had Yuengling on tap--a plus. We opted to share the bacon-wrapped scallops. The server suggested the fingerling potatoes as our side. The plate only had 5 scallops--but they were huge--and cooked to perfection! The potatoes were also very tasty. Thoroughly enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the excellent food and drink. Nice to way to end an evening of exploring Broadway at the Beach. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

The wine selection is very good and they have decent wines that are not excruciatingly marked up. We did not ask but were put in a booth off to the side of the restaurant and it was the perfect spot for a date night. I highly recommend asking for a spot by the window or a booth. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Essex was delicious and is a great addition to the Square in Uptown the restaurant has a trendy and upscale ambiance, but everybody from the hostess to the waiter and manager were completely warm and inviting. My wife accidentally dropped her napkin and was going to pick it up when another waiter came up to our table and said they got her a new one because they saw it fall, just exemplifying how attentive the team is. Serving is set up for shared plates and we had a great time trying their Restaurant Week menu. The food was full of flavor, unique, and beautifully presented. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

This place is fantastic. It is located in the center of downtown Charlotte on Trade and Tryon. It has great ambiance. You can sit outside and listen to one of many musicians who may be on the corner performing jazz or blues. Or you can dine inside. I have been there on a date, then with family and friends and have never had a problem getting sorted (of course I made reservations a week I advance when my friends and I went). The Mother's Day brunch was the best that I have had. The Sunday brunch drink specials include mimosas, bellinis, and bloody Mary's for $4.00. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Ham and cheese board is great if you're just wanting a snack and wine. Perfect place to catch up with a friend by the bar. Not too busy right after work. Lunch is always busy. The Brussels salad is great, the trio dip is great (the yogurt dip is bland) ... honestly the food is great all around. Try any salad with a protein the shrimp pairs well with any of them! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Very cool place. Nice vibe. Great drink menu. Food was great. Spicy w lots of flavors. Tuna was excellent. The garlic nan is soft and yummy.Very loud but very good

Reviewed on Google Maps

First time here and 'd it! It's tapas but you can order three things shared between two people and feel full. The food was excellent! I think they prepare fresh on site. We enjoyed fish and chips, meatballs and the tacos. Save room for dessert! Excellent ! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

The food was great... had the ribeye medium rare and it was on point... seasoned well! Seemed as though the staff was short but they worked it out. Would definitely go back at a later time. Compliments to the Chef! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Love the food, wine list, and cocktails. The only reason I didn’t give 5 stars is because the staff needs a touch of polishing. I really think everyone should know and be familiar with the menu items especially if they are staple/unchanging items. I also think the staff really needs to be trained on how to present, open, and pour a bottle of wine. If you’re going to charge 1-200$ a bottle there is an etiquette that should be observed with that price point. Otherwise I absolutely love it here and love the changes that are made to the wine list and varying food features. Such a good ambience and the consistency in quality is nice as well. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

The staff could not have been nicer. The place was pretty slammed, as most of the spots within 10 blocks of the stadium were, but they were working just as hard as they could to serve us. It did take a good bit of time for our drinks. It seems there was only one bartender - and of course everyone there was ordering alcohol, so that is always an issue. You can always second guess a place and say they should have more staff working, but you never know how many might have called in sick, or just not shown up, so we tried to keep an open mind. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

A great small plate and tapas venue that will not disappoint. It offered Combination of international and American flavors as well as some internationals twists. The sushi menu offered a variety of unique and exotic options to choose from.The atmosphere was wonderful. The food was offered a variety of menu options for vegan and meat meat lovers . Service was prompt and Our waiter was awesome and very courteous. The prime rib ravioli is a must have. Located right in the central downtown on North Tryon street walking distance from the theater and all the local attractions. Easley put it on the top 10 restaurants to eat in Charlotte. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Delicious food. Went for brunch on a Saturday, no wait. Started to get busy around 1 as I was leaving. Reasonable prices for the servings they give. You will definitely get full. Servers were polite, friendly, and personable. Will be going back. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Food and staff was great I will be back again the bartender and host was very friendly. The shrimp & grits was amazing loved loved the ceviche it was so freaking good. You guys rock tell the cooks keep kicking ass and sending each dish out with love and freshness and bold flavors. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Love this place! Would never go anywhere else! The best food in Charlotte , the service and the food impeccable and the ambiance outstanding. The staff are professional, friendly and very attentive. Service is fantastic. Food is flavorful. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

We went there on St. Patties day evening for dinner w friends. We have great drinks ( I was pleasantly surprised they had my Gin that's hard to find, Blue Coat Gin) We ordered 12-13 plates each different and each delicious. As an Executive Chef of 28 years I'd have to say I was very impressed. Please give it a try you won't be sorry. Tell them Chef Thomas Nance sent ya. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

One of the first places I went to before I officially moved to Charlotte. The bartenders were and still are some really great people. Not only that but the food (and mimosas) are nothing short of fantastic. One of my favorite places overall (: never pass up a chance to try this place! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Our friend took us to this place and have to say this is a must go. Excellent food from all cultures. Start with some brussel sprouts, then some butter chicken, the steak and and the short rib ravioli. . I absolutely loved the ravioli and the butter chicken. Felt the steak was a little bit more salty than needed, but no complaints all over. For dessert oreded the mousse and it literally melted in the mouth.

The service was top notch and the host was very knowledgeable on the dishes.. The ambience is amazing and so is the music. Definitely will return if in the area.

And remember here it's all about sharing .!! :) You'd love it . More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

One of my favorite spots in the city for brunch. Lots of seating options, unique menu items and a great view of the city center.

Eating dinner inside has consistently been a different story. The inside lighting is very dark and can sometimes be hard to see. The music can be a bit loud, and service for inside seating has consistently been poor. I can't tell what the disconnect might be, but the whole experience for brunch has always been more positive. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I love the environment here! Large covered patio and lots of indoor seating. Great for intimate dinner dates or large group gatherings. Try one of their signature cocktails! Everything we eat here is amazing. They serve tapas style dishes so pick out a few different r plates and plan to share with friends! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Essex has become our new go-to when we want a nice meal with a lot of variety. My favorites are: Butter chicken, calamari, short rib sliders, short rib flat bread and the tuna tacos. The restaurant executes all of the varieties of food so well! He food is 100% five-star worthy. My only constructive feedback is that it’s always very chilly inside the restaurant and sometimes the music gets a little too loud for dinner at 7:30PM. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps