Grey's Diner Revives Iconic Charlotte Spot on The Plaza

Grey's Diner and Community Kitchen, the reimagined version of Mattie's Diner, opened on The Plaza on Monday, April 27, 2026. The highly anticipated restaurant from chef Sam Diminich brings new life to one of Charlotte's most iconic diner spaces, with a menu that blends comfort food and locally sourced ingredients.

"Diners have always been about more than just food; they're where people connect," Diminich said. "Grey's is our way of bringing that feeling back."

Diminich is the James Beard-nominated chef behind Restaurant Constance and the Your Farm Your Table restaurant group. Restaurant Constance is Michelin-recognized and widely considered one of Charlotte's best. Grey's is named after Diminich's son, Allan Grey.

The menu features classic diner staples with a fine-dining touch. Highlights include short rib and eggs with "shorty gravy" ($24), fried chicken and biscuit with eggs, bacon, and cheddar ($15), overnight yeast waffles with apple butter ($12), fried flounder with hush puppies ($24), and "Big Sam's" lasagna ($22). The restaurant also offers a full lineup of vegan options, including black bean chilaquiles, vegan marshmallow French toast, and a plant-based Sloppy Joe.

The beverage program spans morning to night, with Enderly Coffee, fresh juices, cocktails, and nonalcoholic options. Desserts lean nostalgic with layer cakes, pies, and milkshakes.

Grey's leans into diner nostalgia with a few upgrades. The goal is to offer high-level hospitality in a space where you can grab a booth without a reservation. The restaurant features indoor and outdoor seating, garage doors for an open-air feel, antique jukeboxes, and a playlist designed to carry the energy from morning coffee to late-night meals.

Find Grey's at 3100 The Plaza, anchored by the same restored 1940s diner car that made Mattie's a local favorite. The restaurant is open daily from 7am to 10pm, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast runs until 11am on weekdays and 2pm on weekends.

The original owner, Matt King, purchased the diner shell from a used car lot in New Jersey in 2005 and brought it to Charlotte. Mattie's Diner closed in 2025, and the space has been highly anticipated for its revival ever since.