Nestled between Charlotte and Union County, Matthews is a charming city that boasts a rich history and an incredible food scene. We have a wide variety of farm-to-table restaurants, cozy cafés, bustling food trucks, and locally-owned restaurants. So, what are the best restaurants in Matthews, NC, to take your child with braces?
Connolly Orthodontics is family-owned, and we think we have the inside scoop on the best places to eat in Matthews — with braces and without! Check out our favorite braces-friendly eats in Matthews, NC, and let us know who you think we should add to the list.
Matthews offers so many awesome food options. But with imaginative menu options centered around its namesake dish, I Heart Mac & Cheese brings comfort food to a new level. There are so many unique, delicious, and braces-friendly options to choose from!
The Classic Mac & Cheese is a must-try with its creamy, rich sauce and tender pasta. The Chicken Parm Mac & Cheese is another standout, combining the comforting flavors of macaroni and cheese with succulent chicken parm. (Yum!)
If you're up for a truly indulgent treat, you have to try the 'Best of Both Worlds' grilled cheese sandwich, stuffed generously with their signature mac & cheese.
Can you eat pizza with braces? Yes! You absolutely can.
And Primavera Pizza, a mom-and-pop pizza joint in Matthews, will forever have our hearts. This family-run establishment is our go-to choice for staff meetings.
Here are Connolly Orthodontics' top 3 pizza picks:
The frozen treats at VeloPops offer a sweet respite for patients dealing with sore teeth from braces or Invisalign. Eating cold treats like ice cream, frozen yogurt, or popsicles requires minimal chewing and can help ease any soreness with braces.
We sampled the Watermelon Basil, Cherry Lime, and Lemon Cream Pop, and we can confirm each one was delicious!
Stacks Kitchen is a family-owned restaurant famous for its breakfast and lunch in Matthews, NC. Fresh from a cross-country run and ravenous, Ellie was more than happy to participate in a hearty morning feast. (Sawyer and Wilson, pictured below, also begged to join the official Connolly Orthodontics taste test.)
We stand behind the fact that everything on their menu is awesome — but these are the best breakfast items to order with braces:
All these are super good, super filling, and easy to eat with braces.
Grace O’Malley’s Irish Public House has an awesome outdoor patio in the heart of downtown Matthews.
Grace O’Malley’s Irish Public House checks every box for us — taste, ambiance, service, and easy-to-find favorites for the whole family, including kids with braces.
As a family-owned orthodontic office, we love supporting other local businesses. Are your favorite restaurants in Matthews, NC, featured here? Let us know who we missed! We're always on the hunt for good food in Matthews, NC.
Do you live in the greater Charlotte area and wonder if braces are right for you or your child? Schedule a free consultation with Connolly Orthodontics. We’re here to point you in the right direction.