Charlotte is an odd city. It’s full of stunning, incredibly expensive restaurant buildouts that somehow manage to feel corporate, sterile, and overpriced. There isn’t a natural sense of place here, which means you have to work a lot harder to find the soul.

But that doesn’t mean Charlotte is a bad city—you just need a better filter to navigate the city. Beneath the glossy surface, the real gems are there if you know where to look. This guide bypasses the over-hyped traps to bring you the spots actually worth your time and money: the best restaurants in the city, the hidden holes-in-the-wall, the master bakeries, and the bars making flawless craft cocktails. Consider this your road map to enjoying Charlotte.