Cabarrus Arena & Events Center – Dining

From weddings to wrestling matches to business meetings, Cabarrus Arena & Events Center in Concord, North Carolina, is ready for anything.

No matter what brings you to the venue, you’ll need to find a place to eat. Cabarrus Arena & Events Center is located right near Concord’s charming downtown area, which is home to plenty of enjoyable eateries. The following dining guide consists of eight recommendations, all less than 15 minutes from Cabarrus Arena & Events Center.

2 Gals Kitchen

2 Gals Kitchen is a quaint, independently owned restaurant 11 minutes from Cabarrus Arena & Events Center. The owners of this charming cafe, Belinda and Mary, shared a dream of opening a sandwich shop with delicious food and a comfortable atmosphere. They definitely succeeded, as 2 Gals Kitchen features a menu packed with delicious sandwiches and a welcoming vibe.

Options include a veggie delight sandwich, a classic club, and a simple ham and Swiss on a croissant. You can also mix and match your own sandwich to make it vegetarian, vegan, or paleo-friendly. 2 Gals Kitchen also features plenty of burgers and salads. This charming cafe is a great choice for lunch when you’re visiting Cabarrus Arena & Events Center.

Union Street Bistro

An upscale option in Concord is Union Street Bistro, a restaurant with rustic Italian decor. It’s ideal for special occasions like date night or a birthday dinner, as it’s comfortable yet refined.

Indulge in some of Union Street Bistro’s expertly crafted dishes that are sure to impress. Menu items include a chicken Florentine panini, cedar-plank-grilled salmon, and Mediterranean baked shrimp.

In addition to a dining room that seats 80, Union Street Bistro features a 30-seat bar. The bar is the perfect place for small groups or couples to enjoy appetizers, such as crab fritters and fried green tomatoes, with a glass of wine.

Ellie’s Coffee Shoppe

Locals recommend Ellie’s Coffee Shoppe for a satisfying, home-cooked breakfast. Ellie’s is an eclectic eatery with brightly painted walls, quirky decor, and a welcoming atmosphere.

There you can dig into a hearty breakfast or read the paper while sipping on their widely recommended cappuccino. Their diverse menu features green chicken tamales, omelets, French toast, soups, wraps, a breakfast platter, and a breakfast panini. For a casual breakfast while visiting Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, head over to Ellie’s, located just 11 minutes away.

Gianni’s Trattoria

Delicious Italian food awaits you at Gianni’s Trattoria, located in Concord’s historic downtown, 11 minutes from Cabarrus Arena & Events Center. Gianni’s Trattoria is a comfortable restaurant where friends and family can mingle over a delicious dinner. The staff welcomes customers and treats them as though they’re part of their big Italian family. Gianni’s Trattoria has established themselves as part of the community by buying produce locally, and celebrates their Italian heritage by importing certain ingredients straight from Italy.

Enjoy a glass of Italian wine while you look over your various options. Freshly made dishes include eggplant rollatini, fusilli alla vodka, an open-faced braised pot roast, or a pastrami melt. One of their most outstanding dishes is the pan-seared sea scallops and gulf shrimp. This dish includes wild mushrooms, pancetta, and scallions in a rich gorgonzola- and Parmesan-infused cream sauce. To finish it off, the dish is dusted with toasted breadcrumbs and shaved white Belgian chocolate. Every bite is indulgent.

The Grill At 11 Union

While in town to visit Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, you may find yourself in the mood for some classic American comfort food. 11 minutes away is The Grill At 11 Union, a great lunch destination that’s sure to satisfy your comfort food itch.

The Grill At 11 Union is reminiscent of a simple, 1950s-style diner with black and white checkered floors, wooden tables, and a straightforward menu. Choose from classic dishes like burgers, sandwiches, a fried shrimp sub, homemade potato chips, onion rings, and corn nuggets.

The Grill At 11 Union makes all their food fresh, and prices everything reasonably. So feel free to fill up on some American favorites at this local, family-friendly eatery.

Havana Carolina Restaurant & Bar

Take a trip to Cuba by visiting Havana Carolina Restaurant & Bar. This restaurant, a colorful and delicious celebration of Cuban culture, is 12 minutes away from Cabarrus Arena & Events Center. Havana Carolina Restaurant & Bar is a family-owned business that reflects their commitment to enjoying meals together. It’s an important part of the owners’ value system, and so that familial vibe carries through to the customers.

Their food isn’t strictly Cuban, by the way, as it’s infused with elements of Spanish, African, French, Arabic, Chinese, and Portuguese cuisine. Try their sweet plantains, fried chicken rolls with shredded beef, pork chops, empanadas, or, of course, a classic Cuban sandwich. Experience Cuban cuisine and family values at Havana Carolina!

Mekong Thai Restaurant & Bar

Mekong Thai Restaurant & Bar is a casual Thai restaurant with an incredibly friendly and welcoming staff that truly cares about each and every customer’s experience. Get comfortable and enjoy classic Thai dishes like shrimp pad Thai and curry with a drink from their full-sized bar. In addition, Mekong’s menu includes options for vegans and vegetarians.

Locals say that a meal at Mekong Thai is consistently enjoyable, satisfying, and affordable. The restaurant is only 12 minutes from Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, making it a great option for lunch or dinner.

Local 25

Local 25, located 12 minutes from Cabarrus Arena & Events, is a family-owned eatery that’s perfect for groups. The restaurant’s slogan, “Good food, good drinks, and good times,” is a promise the owners Bailey, Amy, and Makayla Daniels deliver on. The restaurant’s dim lighting creates a comfortable, subdued atmosphere and lets the hanging string lights really shine. Local 25’s simple decor features muted colors, modern light fixtures above the bar, and a large mural in the back of the dining room celebrating this family-owned restaurant.

In terms of food, the Daniels family owns their own small farm, so they know the importance of sourcing produce from local farmers, ranchers, and fishermen. The restaurant doesn’t even contain a microwave; a testament to how fresh their food truly is. Stop in to Local 25 to enjoy their signature fried Brussels sprouts appetizer or some roasted beet tacos.

While all their food is fresh and delicious, their made-to-order Union Street Burger is what really stands out. This burger is almost a foot tall because it’s stuffed with onion rings. The rest of the dining room is sure to be jealous when this behemoth burger is brought to your table!

No matter what kind of meal you’re looking for, the recommendations above should give you an idea of where to start. These restaurants are all located in the downtown Concord area, so even more options await you farther out. While you’re bound to see a fantastic event at Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, you’re just as likely to enjoy an outstanding meal nearby.