“Where should we go for date night?”
My wife and I were debating where to eat. I started thinking about a restaurant finder that would take the kind of evening we wanted into account.
Our story · Charlotte, NC
Why I built
the finder.
I wanted an easier way to choose where to eat in Charlotte.
It started with a date-night conversation with my wife and a piece of news from Plaza Midwood.
Read the story
A restaurant finder for Charlotte.
How it began
Two things happened in 24 hours.
A national chain was moving in.
Within that same 24-hour stretch, I heard about local restaurants pushing back after news of a national chain moving into Plaza Midwood.
It made me think about how restaurants get noticed. National chains have plenty of ways to get our attention. I wanted Charlotte’s local restaurants to have a better chance of being considered when we choose where to eat.
Why it matters
Help more people
choose local.
I built The Dining Compass to put Charlotte’s local restaurants in front of people looking for somewhere to eat. I hope it helps more Charlotteans give a local place a try.
I’d love for one of those places to become your regular spot.
Using the finder
A way to narrow
down the options.
The finder starts with your plans. It helps you compare restaurants by what they serve and which occasions they suit, with practical details to help you plan a visit.
When we find a recent, independent article about a visit, we include it so you can read someone else’s experience before you decide.
How the finder worksRestaurant details
+Read the menu and check the price range.
Your preferences
↓Choose the kind of meal you want and where you want to go.
A shorter list to choose from.
Find somewhere to eat
What are you planning?
Choose an occasion to see restaurants that might work.
Date night
See date-night restaurants Find a place you both want to try.
Compare date-night options and check the menus before you book a table.
Try the finder
Ready to choose
where to eat?
Use the restaurant finder Have a restaurant to suggest? Send it our way.