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Hours
Tue
5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Wed
5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Thu
5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Fri
5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat
5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
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Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.0
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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PRICE RANGE
$50.00 – $80.00
CUISINES
French, European
Meals
Dinner
features
Is this an European restaurant?
Details
About
Few restaurants in Charlotte come packed with as much history as McNinch House has. The circa 1892 Queen Anne style home of Victorian-era Charlotte Mayor Sam McNinch has served as the McNinch House Restaurant since 1989. In 2020, The McNinch House was Charlotte’s only restaurant to be awarded Four Diamond status by AAA – the 23rd consecutive year that the venerable Fourth Ward restaurant has been honored by AAA. The McNinch House Restaurant is the perfect place for your anniversaries, birthdays, or any time you need to make it memorable. We also host special events, and are perfect for private, corporate, and executive dining. Contact us today.
PRICE RANGE
$50.00 – $80.00
CUISINES
French, European
Meals
Dinner
FEATURES
Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Valet Parking, Serves Alcohol, Table Service
Contribute
4.0
130 reviews
Excellent
77
Very good
20
Average
15
Poor
5
Terrible
13
Steve L
Charlotte36 contributions
Jun 2022 • none
We celebrated our 25th anniversary at McNinch House and it was perfect. They added some menu choices to accommodate my shellfish allergy, and they made our night feel very special. The food, the service and the setting were all amazing. My wife did the wine pairings with her meal and was very pleased with the whole experience (good wine and interesting background about the choices). It was expensive but exactly what we were looking for to celebrate a special occasion.
Written June 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce B
Denver2063 contributions
Mar 2022 • couples
Started out on a 72° evening on the front porch with a champagne. Welcomed to a stately dressed table for 5. Amuse bouche starter of french baguette with smoked salmon, cream cheese and capers. Selected premier dining with two openers, entreé and dessert with matched wine selections by the sommelier. The tuna tartare was fresh and complemented with avocado puree smear and concentrated balsamic drizzle. Wine was a vouvray. The arugula salad with champagne vinaigrette was cold served with a chilled antique salad fork. Accompanied with a nice charbon. Intermezzo of a peach sorbet in a raspberry sugar rimmed antique serving dish. Main was 3 lamb chops and a 3" portion of loin all mid-rare on a round of mushroom risotto with prepared mushrooms encircled with a lamb jus. Wine was a inky black cabernet. Get the add on fois gras perfectly seared and ask for an accompanying sauternes. Dessert was a luscious vanilla creme bruleé. Wine was an appropriate berry rich red. Sommelier and staff were a highlight and assured a GRAND experience.
Worth a visit and especially for a milestone occasion.
Written March 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SirJ!
51 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
My wife and I recently enjoyed a rare evening out alone to dine at the McNinch House Restaurant in Uptown. We’ve dined at the McNinch House a handful of times over the years, and it’s always a great and unique experience. The restaurant is aptly located in a beautifully and meticulously restored Victorian house in Uptown, Charlotte. The interior of the restaurant is lavish and reminiscent of a very well-appointed Victorian mansion. Upon being greeted, we were ushered to the parlor where we were each promptly offered a glass of sparkling wine to settle in and get comfortable. After sipping on our sparkling and chatting for a bit, our waiter invited us to adjourn to our table. The dining rooms are a few rooms in the house featuring high ceilings, beautiful chandeliers, and lavish appointments throughout (during our visit, the restaurant was also beautifully decorated for the Holidays). We were escorted to our linen clad table which was set with a full complement of beautiful crystal glasses, fine china, and formal Victorian-themed flatware. Our formally dressed waiter (who also serves as the sommelier) who has worked at McNinch House for many years was gregarious, engaging, knowledgeable, and welcoming. The menu includes a choice of four or six courses selected a la carte from the restaurant’s concise but smart menu, or a five course Chef’s tasting menu. All three menu options also offer the option of wine pairings. We elected the six course menu selecting a la carte. Before the menu proper started, we were treated to an amuse bouche – a tasty crisp topped with brie cheese and cranberry compote – very seasonally appropriate and delicious. The menu proper that I selected consisted of the She Crab soup served with cracked black pepper and drizzled with sherry (delicious and flavorful), the pork belly served with a cherry reduction (perfectly cooked pork belly – a slight crispness, not fatty or chewy at all – in a savory and tasty reduction sauce), the crab cake (lots of succulent lump crab served with a nice remoulade), the venison (tender, cooked perfectly, and served with a delicious demi glaze), the cheese plate (an assortment of three cheeses served with accoutrements – good, but not my favorite selection of cheeses, in particular the cheese studded with apricot), and then the chocolate crème brûlée for dessert (excellent). My wife and I enjoyed a cocktail and then Champagne with our meal. In sum, the McNinch House is more than a meal; it’s a great experience from the rarified atmosphere, the format of the meal, and the tremendous service. Highly recommended for a special night out to enjoy great fine dining.
Written December 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven H
2 contributions
Aug 2022 • none
Service was good. and wine steward was very helpful as well. My wife and I were both served inadequately/ poorly prepared entrées. The restaurant charges premium prices but delivers just so-so cuisine . Big disappointment.....
Date of visit 8-11-22
Written November 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlene M
5 contributions
Oct 2023 • business
I visited the Mcninch house along with 2 of my my colleagues for an annual business dinner. Our experience exceeded my expectations immensely. The dinner was savory, the atmosphere exquisite, and the staff were pleasant and knowledgeable. After dinner we lounged on the porch with a couple of glasses of wine and enjoyed the night life scenery. Could not have been more pleased. That you McNinch staff for a wonderful experience.
Written October 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RAFincher
Clover553 contributions
Oct 2021 • couples
Second visit. Food superb. Wine list, just ok. Did a wine pairing. Service excellent, dessert choices limited. Cheesecake was certainly not up to New York standards. Enjoyable experience but, as they say in the South, “they proud of themselves “. In other words about 25% more expensive than it should have been.
Written October 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shelleywalsh
4 contributions
Feb 2022 • none
I made a reservation at the McNinch House, weeks in advance, for my boyfriend and I to celebrate our first Valentines Day together. We have never been and even though it is quite pricey, we agreed for our first V-Day together, we could splurge a little. They have three separate menus; 3-Course, 4-Course and 5-Course. We opted for the 3-Course, which was going to be $120 per person.
Over the course of the last couple of weeks, The McNinch House asked me to confirm my reservation "multiple" times. I, of course, did so each time. Last night, THREE days before our Valentines reservation, I received a voicemail from the McNinch House, telling me that they have changed the menu options and are now only offering the 5-Course menu at $220 PER PERSON and was I still interested. WTF?! This is the most unprofessional, underhanded and unethical BAIT -N-SWITCH I have ever seen...and THREE days before Valentines Day. Inexcusable. They clearly have a waiting list of enough guests willing to pay the $220 per person rate, so they wanted us out. $440 for dinner for two, plus tax and tip? Are you freakin' kidding me? We could fly to Nashville, have dinner and fly back for that price!
They offered no apology for ruining our plans, no concessions made, just an email confirming our cancelled reservation. Thanks McNinch House...we will never set foot in your establishment and I will make it my personal mission to share my story on every social media website, so this does not happen to another couple.
Written February 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jody Smith
Charlotte331 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
This is not only a fabulous meal but a tremendous experience. Nestled in a Victorian-Era home in fourth ward. A beautiful home enamored with meticulously detailed craftsmanship, furniture and decorations. The house and décor alone are an unprecedented marvel.
Now for the main event, the food. We opted for the four course meal with the wine pairing. I highly recommend the wine pairing. If not for the compliment of flavors for the conversation and experience from their wine expert. A knowledgeable and very friendly gentleman.
The food was out of this world. It is a seasonal menu and can change regularly. I started with the lobster bisque then shrimp and gouda tart slice for openers. The main course were the scallops, mmmmmmmm, then polished off with chocolate mousse. Everything was not only cooked to perfection but perfectly combined with wine pairings and flavors that consumed my taste buds. Nothing was remotely less than stellar at McNinch House.
Written December 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RAFincher
Clover553 contributions
Mar 2021 • couples
First visit. Five Star. All the amenities of a great restaurant. Excellent wine pairings. Only suggestion- expand menu to include another red meat choice
Written March 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James M
8 contributions
Mar 2020 • couples
The staff will do everything to make it worth every cent. Loved every moment of this experience. The sommelier is truly an expert!
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynn M
8 contributions
Sep 2019 • friends
I was in town for a conference & several acquaintances recommended this dining experience. The staff did not fail to impress. We were treated to a delightful evening and excellent dinner. The crab cakes are delicious! Wonderful ambiance is found within the 18 century home. Ten stars for the samanyu! He provided perfect wine pairings with dinner! Truly a wonderful experience!
Written September 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben O
Bismarck1 contribution
Jun 2019 • couples
My fiance and I had dinner at McNinch House. Don't let the pictures fool you. Every dish was one note in color and flavor. Had the same sad garnish on 3 of the 5 dishes. Nothing popped. Nothing fresh. They did fill us with wine. Maybe they just hope to get you drunk so that you don't realize you spent 500 on a dinner that you could have cooked yourself with blue apron.
Written June 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JG H
McDonough9 contributions
Mar 2019 • couples
Had a birthday celebration at my favorite restaurant and it did not disappoint! Drove all the way from south of Atlanta to dine here. The ambiance is wonderful, the food delicious and the service impeccable. We enjoyed our discussions with the sommelier and once again learned something. Pricy? Yes, but for a special occasion, so worth it!
Written March 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TrvlNDuo
216 contributions
Jun 2018 • couples
We had waited too long to enjoy this splurge. My husband brought me here for my birthday. The food was adequate, but in all honesty, I am not sure what the fuss is about. I found the service to be pretentious even though they were clearly understaffed. The hostess served half our meal. There were only two other tables and yet our food managed to come out tepid. The house does have a romantic feel, but the staff took away any romance with the attitude. There is no reason to dine at a place like this when Charlotte has so many fabulous options. I was very disappointed. I am in the service industry and I don’t know if this restaurant was having an off night or if they have just outlived the hype; but I see no reason to return.
Written January 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paulenich
New York City1300 contributions
Dec 2018 • couples
Came here with a Groupon. 5 course meal was scrumptious! Atmosphere fantastic. Service impeccable! The meal consisted of a small salmon appetizer. Followed by scallops. Then onto salmon. Followed by the main entree filet mignon. Topped off by a desert that was irresistible. Although the bill was quite high it was well worth the cost with the wine tasting that was brought to you after every serving by our wine steward Anthony Wesley.
Written December 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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