"I'm so happy they've returned--Soul is truly top tier. The new space is much larger yet still just as sexy and inviting. It was great to see so many familiar faces on the staff; that alone speaks volumes about the business. Now, the main event: the food and the vibe are unmatched in the area. The short rib taco literally melts in your mouth, and whoever came up with adding a piece of watermelon deserves a raise. The Queen Charlotte roll remains my go-to, without question. If you haven't tried it yet, you need to get there ASAP"

"What a great feeling to have Soul back! We made a reservation 2 weeks in advance, seats fill up quickly. Once we arrived I was impressed - huge building and big free parking lot. The entrance is a little bit hidden on the side. We don’t had a wait time and were able to choose between in and outside seating. We came with our one year old and unfortunately, no high chairs were available. The service was great, food came out fast and delicious! Must try - pork belly tacos, sushi & the flatbread was amazing. We visited the last time in 2022 and so glad to be able to go again and have the same atmosphere and great food!!"

"My wife and I were absolutely thrilled to see the doors of Soul open again. It's safe to say this spot was sorely missed! We were so happy to see that many of our beloved menu items made a triumphant return. We kicked things off with the Fried Goat Cheese and the Fried Meatballs, and let me tell you, both were mind-blowingly flavorful—the perfect warm-up. From there, we dove into a feast: tender Shrimp Dumplings, rich Veal Short Ribs, the addictive Soul Fries, and the unique Philly Roll. Seriously, every single plate was a winner (and yes, we managed to squeeze in some edamame, too!). A pro-tip for first-timers: Since it's tapas, order in waves. You're going to want to try everything, but trust me, you'll need the table space! Everything comes out fresh and hot when it's ready, so embrace the delicious chaos. The vibe was just as good as the food. The house music was pumping, the lights were perfectly dimmed, and everyone—from the patrons to the super-friendly staff—was genuinely vibing. The DJ kept the energy high all night. A huge shout-out to the manager who stopped by for a nice, organic chat, and especially to our amazing server, Bri (hope I spelled that right!). She was attentive, efficient, and played along perfectly with my special request: embarrassing my wife for her birthday! The look on her face when Bri brought out the decadent Chocolate Bread Pudding with Caramel Ice Cream (complete with a candle!) was priceless. We'll absolutely be back. So happy to have Soul back in our lives!"

"We were finally able to check out Soul 2.0 on a Saturday night, with a RSVP via Tock... Unlike the smaller original location, the new place is very lofty, with plenty of chairs (and a few swanky booths). Right away, I preferred this new Soul over the old...primarily because of the generous space (which may mean shorter wait list and easier RSVP's?), and easy parking. Not only spacious, the ambiance was posh, yet relaxing at the same time. Like the original location, the place was darkly lit, and had a clubby vibe. The sound system was superb, featuring this relaxing House-lounge type music. We tried the Ahi Tuna Skewers...and they were surprisingly good! Not only beautifully presented and delicious, these skewers were so plentiful. We nearly got full with just this one dish! We also enjoyed their tasty Brussels Sprouts as a side, and this sensational sushi roll (Midnight Tokyo?). Then of course, we both ordered their signature Pork Belly Tacos. Like anyone who's tried this, we're a fan of this fun fusion creation. I was even impressed with their cocktail, "Nick Cave Suit"...so rich, smooth and strong! My husband and I agreed that everything we tried was remarkably good...as in AMAZING. Even the service was on point. Our waiter was a pro...as he made everything seem effortless! In a way, not too surprising that this new Soul continues to be one of the best restaurants in Charlotte. THE only downside (for me) is that it's still located so far away from where we live. No matter, I'm sure we'll be returning. So glad this place is back...and hopefully here to stay!"

"11/5/2025, if there was a 10 star option I would choose that. This place has the food and vibe!! I have been waiting for this place to open back up! It's been a long time waiting and of course it did not disappoint!!! Our server was awesome as well. I ordered a little bit of a lot! Truffle fries, avocado stack, shrimp ceveiche, pork belly tacos, and the Asian shortrib. Everything was delicious but I will say the short rib was not my favorite but wanted to try something new. For dessert I ordered The baklava ice cream and it was phenomenal!! I forgot to order the tuna tacos!! Next time I will try some of their sushi rolls! My bill total was $93 + $20 tip. I did not order any alcoholic drinks, just had the famous cucumber water. Soul Gastrolounge is a place I always recommend to locals and visitors! The food, service, and atmosphere are great!! I highly recommend stopping here for dinner!! It will be packed on the weekend! I will say I miss the old location off Central Ave but they did an awesome job replicating the vibe of the original location. Welcome back Soul Gastrolounge!! You definitely hit some souls with this food and vibe!!"