Best Restaurants in Belmont (2026)

Nellie's anchors Belmont's dinner scene with buttermilk fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and a bourbon pecan pie that finishes the meal right. The room runs an industrial-meets-farmhouse aesthetic and books private events, so the space handles everything from rehearsal dinners to a regular Friday night out. Live music is a consistent part of the experience, not an occasional add-on, which makes it the obvious pick when the occasion calls for more than just a plate.

The Lodge Tavern and Tap is the game-day room Belmont needed: casual, not deafeningly loud, and consistent on the burger. The Lodge Burger draws the most repeat mentions, built on fresh meat and executed simply. Wings are solid without standing out from the pack. It is a clean, friendly neighborhood bar with a staff that keeps things moving, and for the Gaston County sports crowd, that combination is enough.

The Honey Bourbon French Toast and the Cafe Benedict are the two dishes that put Honeycomb on the short list for weekend brunch in Belmont. The eggs Benedict earns specific praise for a fresh English muffin and well-executed hollandaise. The room is compact and fills up fast, so arriving early pays off. It operates as a daytime spot, equally good for a solo brunch or a low-key date, and the staff keeps the welcome warm from the moment tables turn over.

Sammy's leans Irish pub, but the wings are what keeps the room packed, especially on wing Wednesday when the crowd and the draft beer list both get a workout. The wings come out crispy, hot, and meaty, and the local draft selection pairs well with the Fish and Chips or a Reuben. The bar staff sets the tone, and regulars come back as much for the atmosphere as the food. Sammy's is a reliable neighborhood anchor with strong hospitality.

Simonetti's is counter-service, strip-mall, nothing fancy on arrival, and consistently turns out solid pizza for the Belmont crowd. The Margherita and Meat Lovers are the go-to pies, and the Chicken Parmigiana rounds out the Italian side of the menu. The white pizza skews more interesting than the standard cheese for those willing to vary the order. Takeout is popular here, and the setup is built for it: get in, order, and leave with dinner handled.

Primal Brewery is Belmont's downtown taproom, with a craft beer flight as the natural starting point and a short food menu built around a Brewery Burger and a Pulled Pork Sandwich. The IPA selection draws regulars, though hop-heads looking for DIPAs may find the range slightly narrow. The draw is really the room and the pace: an easy weekend afternoon spot that works for families and friend groups alike, especially when the downtown foot traffic is up.

Casa Vieja runs one of Belmont's most straightforward value propositions: Taco Tuesday at $1.50 a taco, available hard or soft shell with beef or chicken. The tortilla soup is a consistent highlight, and the chicken and steak tacos earn steady praise for quality. Birria runs milder than some prefer, but the tender meat compensates. Service gets called out as a consistent strength. For a casual family Mexican dinner at a price that makes sense, Casa Vieja is the move.

La Vaca covers the seafood side of the Mexican menu better than most Belmont spots, with fish tacos, grilled shrimp fajitas, and a carnitas burrito rounding out the options. The Mango Agua Fresca is the drink to order. The room has a reputation for friendly service and a welcoming atmosphere, though temperature-consistency on some dishes has drawn criticism. Worth a stop for the shrimp fajitas and the agua fresca, particularly for a casual lunch.

Joe's Touch of Italy has a long run as a Gaston County pizza staple, but recent visits have produced mixed results, with accounts of undercooked pies and a change in consistency since an apparent ownership transition. The staff remains accommodating on special requests, and the Chicken Parmigiana and Italian Sub still have fans. Anyone who remembers Joe's at its peak should go in with calibrated expectations; the potential is there, but the execution has been uneven.

New China is Belmont's no-frills Chinese takeout room, priced at the bottom of the guide and operating primarily as a counter and phone-order spot. General Tso's Chicken, sweet and sour chicken, lo mein, and chicken and broccoli are the reliable orders, and the kitchen moves fast. The gyoza gets a specific callout for freshness. It is not a sit-down destination, but for a quick, consistent carryout dinner at a price that does not require a second thought, New China fills the role.