The Gilded Anchor, a new Southern barbecue and seafood restaurant from the Coastal Smoke Hospitality group, is set to open its doors in uptown Charlotte next month, bringing a unique "surf-and-turf" concept to the city's core.
The Gilded Anchor, opening in a prime uptown Charlotte location that has sat vacant for over a year, aims to bridge two of the South's most beloved food traditions: smoky, slow-cooked barbecue and fresh, coastal seafood. This new restaurant promises a dining experience that is both familiar and thrillingly new, and represents a significant vote of confidence in uptown's vitality, bringing new energy and foot traffic to the city's heart.
What We Know So Far
- The Gilded Anchor is a new restaurant concept that will blend traditional Southern barbecue with a seafood-forward menu, according to a press release from Coastal Smoke Hospitality.
- The project is led by restaurateurs Sarah Jenkins and David Chen, with Chef Marcus Thorne, formerly of Charleston's acclaimed "The Mariner's Table," heading the kitchen.
- The restaurant is located at 201 N. Tryon Street, in the former space of "Uptown Capital Bank," a location confirmed by both the restaurant group and a report in Charlotte Commercial Real Estate Today.
- A soft opening for reservations is planned for late October, with a grand opening celebration scheduled for the first week of November, according to a company statement.
- The menu will feature a raw bar, wood-fired seafood, and a selection of slow-smoked meats, including brisket and Carolina-style pulled pork, Chef Thorne confirmed in an interview with City & Local.
What's on the menu at Charlotte's new Southern seafood spot?
Head Chef Marcus Thorne describes The Gilded Anchor's concept not as fusion, but as a "culinary conversation" between the Carolina coast and the Piedmont's smokehouse traditions. "These are two pillars of Southern food," he explained, "They've always existed side-by-side, but we want to put them on the same plate, to show how they can elevate each other." This philosophy is evident throughout the ambitious menu.
Near the restaurant's entrance, a raw bar will offer a rotating selection of East Coast oysters, littleneck clams, and peel-and-eat shrimp, served with house-made cocktail sauce and tangy mignonette. Chef Thorne highlights "Smoked Oysters" as a signature offering, where freshly shucked oysters are lightly kissed with applewood smoke before serving, adding a unique layer of complexity and exemplifying The Gilded Anchor's barbecue-seafood blend.
Main courses are divided into "From the Sea" and "From the Land." "From the Sea" features Pan-Seared Grouper with local corn and butterbean succotash, and Wood-Fired Scallops over creamy grits risotto. "From the Land" offers a 14-hour slow-smoked brisket, sold by the half-pound, and vinegar-based pulled pork. Chef Thorne's signature "Pitmaster's Platter," a sharing board, includes brisket, pulled pork, smoked sausage, and a Smoked Lobster Tail, served with house-made pickles, slaw, and warm potato rolls.
Sides include a five-cheese macaroni and cheese with toasted breadcrumbs, collard greens braised with smoked turkey, and jalapeño-cheddar cornbread with honey butter. The bar program features classic Southern cocktails, a curated list of local craft beers from Charlotte-area breweries, and a wine list designed to pair with oysters to smoky brisket.
Where is the new uptown Charlotte restaurant located?
The Gilded Anchor occupies the grand, high-ceilinged space at 201 N. Tryon Street, formerly the flagship branch of Uptown Capital Bank. Co-owner Sarah Jenkins stated, "We wanted to be right in the center of the action. Uptown is the heartbeat of Charlotte, and we want The Gilded Anchor to be a place where the community gathers, whether it's for a business lunch, a celebratory dinner, or just cocktails after work."
The space preserves the building's historic character, including soaring ceilings and large, arched windows, while infusing a modern, coastal vibe. The design blends industrial elements like exposed brick and dark steel with deep blue banquettes, warm wood finishes, and custom lighting fixtures resembling old fishing nets. A massive, open kitchen will be the main dining room's centerpiece, allowing diners to watch the culinary team shuck oysters and work the wood-fired grill.
Michael Smith, president of the Uptown Charlotte Alliance, stated that The Gilded Anchor filling a prominent, street-level space is "a tremendous boost for the North Tryon corridor." He added it "activates a key corner" and "adds a unique and compelling dining option that will attract both residents and visitors, contributing to the continued vibrancy of our city center." The restaurant will also feature a dedicated private dining room for up to 40 guests and a small, seasonal patio.
When is the new Charlotte barbecue seafood restaurant opening?
Mark your calendars, because the wait is almost over. According to the official press release from Coastal Smoke Hospitality, The Gilded Anchor is planning a multi-phase opening to ensure a smooth launch. The process will begin with a "soft opening" period starting the last week of October. This phase will be by reservation only, allowing the kitchen and service teams to fine-tune their operations with a limited number of guests each night. It's a smart move that shows their commitment to getting every detail right before opening to the general public.
The official grand opening is slated for the first week of November. The restaurant plans to kick things off with a public celebration on Friday, November 5th, featuring the full menu, live music from a local jazz trio, and a ceremonial ribbon-cutting. Following the grand opening, The Gilded Anchor will be open for dinner seven nights a week, with plans to add lunch service and a weekend brunch in early 2025. This staggered approach allows them to build momentum and ensure they can deliver a top-notch experience from day one.
Behind the scenes, the team is already hard at work. A major hiring push is underway, with the goal of filling approximately 60 positions, from line cooks and servers to bartenders and hosts. This represents a significant number of new jobs for our local hospitality industry. Two hiring fairs are scheduled for the first two weeks of October, as the group looks to build a team that shares their passion for Southern hospitality. It’s another clear sign that this isn't just a restaurant opening; it's a meaningful investment in our city's people and its culinary future.
What We Know About Next Steps
For those of us eagerly awaiting a taste, the next few weeks are key. The restaurant group has laid out a clear timeline for the public. According to their official communications, hiring fairs for all front- and back-of-house positions are scheduled for the first two weeks of October at their uptown location. Details and application information are available on the Coastal Smoke Hospitality website.
The most anticipated date for diners is October 20th. On that day, the online reservation system will go live on The Gilded Anchor's website, allowing the public to book tables for the soft opening period and beyond. The team expects demand to be high, so I’d recommend setting a reminder. Finally, for a sneak peek, the restaurant plans to release its full, finalized menu to its email newsletter subscribers one week before the soft opening begins, a little reward for those who have been following the journey from the start.
