The Kindred family is a North Carolina powerhouse with their latest debut, Milkbread, having a round-the-building line upon opening day. If you haven’t been to their Lake Cornelius location, we’d highly recommend you give them a try if you’re into the retro vibes of days of sailors and Southern seafood.
The restaurant, Hello, Sailor, sits pretty alongside Lake Norman in Cornelius, a city that’s popular among Charlotteans who are looking for some weekend recreational fun. Hello, Sailor borrows from the Carolina traditional fish camps, where the fish is fried to perfection and paired with huspuppies and sweet tea.
Here, you can get hushpuppies with yuzu koshu honey butter or beef fat fries to complement plates of crispy flounder, fried popcorn shrimp and fries, and blackened catfish. Savor your sweet tooth with a key lime pie or soft serve vanilla cone, then wash it all down with an aperol spritz or beer.
Enjoy a seat outside by the water underneath striped umbrellas or enjoy the ambience that’s a bit midcentury and echoes the boho chic style of Palm Springs, according to Katy Kindred who designed the space.
Whether you’re passing through on your way to Asheville or spending the weekend by the lake, Hello, Sailor is a must-stop spot on your list.
Where: 20210 Henderson Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031