Nikko Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar, which has operated at 325 Arlington Ave. since 2007, temporarily closed on August 18 following a change in ownership and will return as Nikko Steakhouse. According to the Charlotte Business Journal and a recent post from MeetCLT, renovations are now underway at the 6,800-square-foot restaurant.
The new concept will expand beyond the restaurant’s longtime Japanese focus while keeping several elements that have made Nikko a familiar name in Charlotte. MeetCLT reports that Nikko Steakhouse will feature premium steaks, seafood, sushi, and traditional Japanese dishes, giving the restaurant a broader menu built around both steakhouse and Japanese offerings.
New owner Tyon D. Thompson told MeetCLT that the intention is not to completely reinvent Nikko, but rather to build on what has already made the restaurant popular. The transition comes after nearly 20 years at the Arlington Avenue location, where the restaurant established itself as a South End staple, according to the Charlotte Business Journal.
The restaurant has also received local recognition over the years. MeetCLT notes that Nikko was voted the No. 2 Japanese restaurant in Charlotte by Charlotte Observer readers and received bronze for Best Sushi in the 2025 Charlotte’s Best poll.
While renovations are already underway, neither source gives a confirmed reopening date for Nikko Steakhouse. For now, the South End space remains temporarily closed as the new ownership works on the next iteration of the longtime restaurant.
