Casual eats on south Lake Norman?

trflgrl

Active Member
Jun 23, 2014
982
Middle Tennessee
Boat Info
1989 Sundancer 300
Engines
Twin 350 Merc/Alpha 1 Gen 1; Quicksilver 4.0 gen
May have a chance for a quick buzz by Lake Norman (by land) on way from Hickory to Huntersville/Birkdale area....what's your favorite beverage/dinner spot on the water? Prefer casual vibe/pricing with a menu that goes beyond fried bar food.

TIA!!
 
North Harbor Club in Davidson off of Exit 30. Rusty Rudder or Port City Club in Cornelius off of Exit 28. All are good but North Harbor Club is the easiest on/off the highway (you can see it from I77).
 
^^^ Plus 1 for North Harbor. Haven't been to Rusty Rudder or Port City. Boathouse on RT.150 at the bridge exit 36. There are 3 more restaurants near there too. Names have changed.
 
another vote for the 'North Harbor Club'......it has a great atmosphere and good menu and the food is excellent....it is a little on the pricey side but IMHO it is worth the extra cost.....

there are several other 'bar and grills' on the lake as well and most have decent food.....

cliff
 
Thanks, all!

This trip has been cut short but I'll be back a couple more times so will put these on my list and watch for more posts from other locals.
 
Thanks, all!

This trip has been cut short but I'll be back a couple more times so will put these on my list and watch for more posts from other locals.

bummer.....Lake Norman is a very nice lake..... if you get a chance on one of your trips you should take time to cruise the lake...I am sure one of us that boat on LKN could show you around......

cliff
 
Dates for next trips are solidifying...including arriving ON July 4th to be at a client site the next day.

I have a college buddy slightly southwest of Charlotte proper so may connect with her and her family if they don't have other plans already, but what's the western/southern Lake Norman waterfront situation like for fireworks/BBQs, etc.?

I haven't booked my flight yet so can flex if there are not-to-be-missed daytime activities, too. Would appreciate local expertise on logistics to avoid getting mired in traffic, parking, or other craziness being unfamiliar with the area.

Most especially, are there any places I should avoid? I have CMA Fest and Bonnaroo strong on my mind since they're gearing up here right now. Both clog the airport, one clogs our whole downtown area, and the other clogs the interstate southeast of here.

TIA!!
 
the western side of the lake is MUCH easier to travel on by land. Hwy 16 goes the full length of the lake on the western side so you can reach marinas and restaurants on that side of the lake pretty easy. Traffic is rarely heavy on Hwy 16. Interstate 77 runs the length of the eastern side of the lake but it gets VERY congested at times.

The southern part of the lake is the busiest since it is the closest to Charlotte and has several marinas.


My suggestion would be to stay on the western side of the lake especially since it is a holiday and boat and car traffic will be heavy.

The North Harbor Club we mentioned before is on the south end of the lake and you can usually get to it on I77 fairly easily. The traffic normally starts to get congested farther north on I77. Hwy 73 connects Hwy 16 and I77 on the south end of the lake. You could get to the western side of the lake after eating at the club by taking Hwy 73.

There are several restaurants on the northwest side of the lake. Several are off of Hwy 150 which connects Hwy 16 and I77 on the north end of the lake.

There are a few large fireworks displays on the 4th. One of the largest is at the golf resort owned by Donald Trump. It is located on the eastern side of the lake but the fireworks can be seen from a long way off. This is also where several NASCAR drivers live so it is a high end area.

The upper eastern side of the lake will be the busiest. This includes the cities of Mooresville and Cornelius and Huntersville.

Let us know when you confirm your plans and maybe some of us can meet up with you.

cliff
 
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North Harbor Club and Port City are both nice places with good food IMO (never been to the Rusty Rudder myself). AFAIK there are only 2 waterfront/boat access restaurants on the west side of the Lake - The Landing and the BoatHouse Grill. The BoatHouse Grill is right off 150 and the Landing is a bit south of that off slanting bridge road. Both places are in the middle to north portion of the lake
 
North Harbor Club and Port City are both nice places with good food IMO (never been to the Rusty Rudder myself). AFAIK there are only 2 waterfront/boat access restaurants on the west side of the Lake - The Landing and the BoatHouse Grill. The BoatHouse Grill is right off 150 and the Landing is a bit south of that off slanting bridge road. Both places are in the middle to north portion of the lake

actually there are 3 more restaurants on the water side by side on the other side of the Hwy 150 bridge from the Boat House Grill......they are 'Blue Parrot' and 'Beach House' and 'River City'.....there used to be a restaurant at Queen's Landing but I'm not sure if it is still open....this is my 'neck of the woods' since we keep our boat at the Boat Rack Marina.....

cliff
 
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Cliff,

I haven't been on the other side of the 150 bridge in my 330DA. What is the clearance like?

thanks,

Jim
 
Cliff,

I haven't been on the other side of the 150 bridge in my 330DA. What is the clearance like?

thanks,

Jim

I think you will be OK Jim.....I have not been under the bridge in my boat either since they finished repairing the bridge but I did go under it on a friends 34' Cruisers Yacht and there were no clearance issues....there is a section of the bridge that has a higher clearance than the rest.....

cliff
 
Yeah, no issues getting under 150 bridge - just lower your antenna (ask me how I know that). The sections to the far right and left are higher. You guys need to head up there - a lot of less crowded lake north of 150. You can run a small boat all the way to I-40 (we did that last fall) and even your boats no water concerns until you get to Buffalo Shoals Bridge.


  • I-40 Bridge – Catawba River – over 10′ 0″
  • Highway 70 Bridge – Catawba River – over 10′ 0″
  • Railroad Bridge – Catawba River – over 10′ 0″
  • Railroad Bridge – Buffalo Creek – 3′ 0″
  • Buffalo Shoals Rd. Bridge – Catawba River – over 10′ 0″
  • State Rd. 1832 – Balls Creek – 5′ 6″
  • Windermere Island Bridge – Catawba River – over 10′ 0″
  • Mollys Backbone Rd. Bridge – Terrapin Creek – 2′ 0″
  • State Park Rd. Bridge – Hicks Creek – 3′ 0″
  • Perth Rd. Bridge – Rocky Creek – 3′ 0″
  • Perth Rd. Bridge – Cornelius Creek – 5 ‘3″
  • Cornelius Rd. Bridge -Cornelius Creek – 4 ‘0″
  • Highway 150 Bridge – Catawba River – 8′ 5″ & 11′ 1″
  • Highway 150 Bridge – Mountain Creek – 5′ 9″
  • Highway 150 Bridge – Reed Creek (LKN Marina) – 5′ 9″
  • Mount Pleasant Rd. Bridge – Mountain Creek – 5′ 5″
  • Railroad Bridge – Mountain Creek – 6′ 3″
  • Slanting Bridge Rd. – Mountain Creek – over 10′ 0″
  • Governors Island Rd. Bridge – East of Burton Creek – 7′ 10″
  • Williamson Rd. Bridge – Reeds Creek – 6′ 0″
  • I – 77 Bridge – Reeds Creek – 10′ 3″
 
And it's JimT for the win with the Port City Club recommendation! DEEEEEElicious! Enjoyed the covered patio this evening, but with such a great variety on the menu my eyes were too big for my stomach....so I'll be enjoying mahi tacos for breakfast!

But I guess my post never posted, so I flew solo and didn't get to know any of you CSR friends. I'm still eyeing the west side for a future adventure, Cliff....though after doing a little more research, the Prickly Pear also looks very enticing!
 
Went to the Blue Parrot for the first time yesterday. My first time under the 150 bridge in the 330DA. Piece of cake but I am always nervous when there is no posting on the overhead height. I'm used to the ICW where bridge heights are marked.
Enjoyed the Parrot. Had a few cocktails then headed back south. I would expect dock parking is hard to get there on weekends.
 
we went by the BP yesterday on our way to the State Park to anchor out and watch the Panther game.....there were boats circling around waiting to get a dock slip at the BP.....

cliff
 

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