8 Best Waterfront Restaurants on Lake Norman
Last Updated on December 1, 2023 by Boatsetter Team
Lake Norman is nestled about 20 miles north of Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the ideal location for a quick getaway. Various charming communities around the lake offer visitors plenty to do — like historic main streets, charming local stores, and amazing foodie-boater spots. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite waterfront restaurants on Lake Norman for you:
- Apps & Taps
- Eddie’s on Lake Norman
- Havana 33
- Hello Sailor
- North Harbor Club
- Port City Club
- Landing Restaurant
- Toucan’s Lakefront
Ready to go? Lake Norman boats start at $47/hr
1. Apps & Taps
Apps & Taps is the place to go for amazing smoked wings and BBQ ribs. The menu at Apps & Taps offers appetizers, sandwiches, pizza, and tacos.
Popular menu items include fried pickles, BBQ pork nachos, crab cake sandwiches, and margarita chicken. Look around you when there, the decor is made from boats!
- Address: 18665 Harborside Dr, Cornelius, NC 28031
- Hours: Mon-Sun 11am-10pm
- Reservations: Yes, required.
- Type of food: Bar & barbeque
- Dockage available: Yes
2. Eddie’s on Lake Norman
Eddie’s on Lake Norman is a family-friendly restaurant serving quality food at great prices. Several of the restaurant’s recipes are Italian recipes passed down for generations!
Popular menu items here include crab meat nachos, bacon-wrapped scallops, house-made meatballs, smokehouse burgers, eggplant rollatini, and chicken Roma.
- Address: 643 Williamson Rd, Mooresville, NC 28117
- Hours: Tues-Thurs, Sun 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
- Reservations: Yes, required.
- Type of food: Italian American
- Dockage available: Yes
3. Havana 33
Dock your boat here for Carribean food, a taste of Cuba on the lake. Enjoy a specialty cocktail and the Miami-style decor. The menu at Havana 33 offers everything from sandwiches to appetizers and entrees to desserts.
Popular menu items include the sandwich Cubano, empanada espinaca, lobster croquetas, Cuban egg rolls, and masa frita.
- Address: 18665 Harborside Dr, Cornelius, NC 28031
- Hours: Tues-Thurs, Sun 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm
- Reservations: Yes, required.
- Type of food: Cuban cuisine
- Dockage available: Yes
4. Hello Sailor
Savor the beautiful views of Lake Norman from a table at Hello Sailor. This restaurant is upscale so you may want to bring an extra pair of clothes.
Chef specialties include a double patty skillet burger, crispy catfish with beef fat fries, Mahi, and seared cauliflower steak.
- Address: 18665 Harborside Dr, Cornelius, NC 28031
- Hours: Mon-Sun 11am-9pm
- Reservations: Yes, required.
- Type of food: Southern-leaning, seafood
- Dockage available: Yes
5. North Harbor Club
North Harbor Club is a regatta-themed restaurant that local and visiting boaters flock to. After exploring Lake Norman, dock your boat at this restaurant for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
Popular menu items are herb-seared ahi tuna salad, Caprese chicken sandwich, and the seared salmon ranchero bowl, including their amazing gluten-free items.
- Address: 100 N Harbor Pl, Davidson, NC 28036
- Hours: Mon-Thurs, Sun 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-9:30pm
- Reservations: Yes, required.
- Type of food: New American, fine-dining, gluten-free
- Dockage available: Yes
6. Port City Club
Port City Club is a top-ranked waterfront restaurant with comfortable seating and savory food. It’s no surprise that all of North Carolina loves it here. Here food is made from scratch using farm-fresh vegetables, and seafood imported from Charleston, South Carolina.
Popular menu items at Port City Club include crab cakes, BBQ chicken flatbread, lobster & shrimp rolls, bison burgers, and eggplant parm.
- Address: 18665 Harborside Dr, Cornelius, NC 28031
- Hours: Mon-Thurs 4pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-10pm; Sun 11:30am-9pm
- Reservations: Yes, required.
- Type of food: Seafood, vegetarian, traditional American
- Dockage available: Yes
7. Landing Restaurant
Since Landing Restaurant opened its doors in 1993, it has quickly become one of the most popular restaurants on Lake Norman. Its tiki Bar is a fun spot full of sun-kissed boaters. If you’re with young children, you could always send them to the game room here!
Popular menu items include pasta alfredo, cod dinner, and chicken cordon blue sandwich.
- Address: 4491 Slanting Bridge Rd, Sherrills Ford, NC 28673
- Hours: Wed- Thurs 4 pm-9pm; Fri- Sun 11am- 10pm
- Reservations: No
- Type of food: American, pub, pizza, seafood
- Dockage available: Yes
8. Toucan’s Lakefront
Toucan’s Lakefront has such a laid-back, beachy vibe you might forget you’re on a lake! Boat here with friends and family to eat good and bob your head to live music by local musicians.
You’ll find a couple of your favorite Mexican dishes on the menu, as well as shrimp fajita, crab legs, and a tsunami grouper sandwich.
- Address: 167 Pinnacle Ln, Mooresville, NC 28117
- Hours: Tues- Thurs, Sun 11am- 9pm; Fri- Sat 11am- 10pm
- Reservations: No
- Type of food: American, bar, seafood, Mexican
- Dockage available: Yes
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