If you’re ever traveling between Charlotte and Greensboro and looking for something different for lunch, may I suggest the Florence Wine and Beer Garden in Mooresville? Not far off of Routes I-85 and I-77, Florence Wine and Beer Garden is a pretty unique offering for a meal and worth the detour off the highway. Here’s what to expect when you visit!
Florence Wine and Beer Garden, Mooresville – Location, Interior
Located next to a residential area in booming Mooresville, you’ll stumble upon an industrial park that used to be Merino Mill (now Mooresville Mill) Florence Wine and Beer sits adjacent to the main building in a large brick structure next to a retaining pond. Hop outside and you’ll be greeted by a bright yellow Vespa motor scooter along with a large patio full of 4-tops.
Pass through the entrance door and you’ll find yourself immediately in the order area. Florence Wine and Beer offers a small menu of focaccia, salads, pastas, and mains. It’s a short and tight menu with most of the Italian basics and probably designed for their quick-serve setup. Order up some eats or beverages, grab a number and head on back to the dining area to find a table!
While the entrance and order area of Florence Wine and Beer feels a bit unimpressive, you’ll be blown away by what’s around the corner. Given this building used to be a powerhouse, you’ll find two main dining rooms at Florence Beer and Wine. 40′ ceilings, weathered brick and exposed steel work define the open space. Large arched wall openings and windows allow a lot of sunlight to pour inside. US and Italian flags sit right outside the windows giving you a pop of color outside.
You’ll find the main bar in the first dining room, while the second dining room has a retail wine area. Large communal tables are scattered throughout the space, perfect for a large group or party. And don’t forget, there’s plenty of outdoor seating for good weather days.
Florence Wine and Beer Garden, Mooresville – Menu, Food
So how’s the food here? I would call it classic rustic Italian, nothing too fancy. The focaccia is served with some marinara sauce and balsamic vinegar, quite nice. And my sea bass was nicely seared and plated with some fettucine alfredo, a simple but satisfying meal. The menu is mostly in the $15 to $40 range and solid overall, you do pay a bit for the view and surroundings!
Florence Wine and Beer Garden, Mooresville – Service, Conclusion
Service at Florence Wine and Beer Garden was friendly and prompt. The staff and owners are definitely excited about what they have to offer. While the interior is super interesting, out back they also have a large courtyard area with greenery and Italian murals. To the side you’ll find more outdoor seating overlooking the cooling pond which has been spruced up with fountains, nice!
Overall I really enjoyed my visit to the Florence Wine and Beer Garden. It’s a unique spot offering up a lovely environment to quaff down a beer or sip on a glass of wine. The space is large and sprawling, giving you plenty of options to hang out with friends and family. You really can’t go wrong with a visit so just set your GPS to Florence Wine and Beer Garden! That short jaunt off the highway may just transport you to the lush gardens of Italy…
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