McNinch House Restaurant

Posted: 04.10.2025 | Updated: 04.10.2025

The McNinch House Restaurant, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, is known for its exquisite gourmet dining. But, also, for being one of the city’s most haunted locations. After being purchased in 1905 by Samuel S. McNinch, the mayor of Charlotte, the home held an air of elegance. But, it also holds a tragic history, cementing its status as a hotspot for ghostly encounters. 

The McNinch House Restaurant’ unique blend of history and mystery makes it one of North Carolina’s most haunted place.

To explore more of the state’s chilling tales, book a Asheville Ghost tour and uncover the sinister secrets of the Tar Heel State. 

Who Haunts the McNinch House Restaurant? 

The spirit of Mattie McNinch haunts the McNinch House. Mattie was Samuel’s daughter whose untimely death left a lasting imprint on the property. Visitors and staff have reported encounters with her ghost. Her spirit comes alongside other unexplained occurrences tied to the home’s storied past. 

History of the McNinch House Restaurant

The home was originally constructed by Vinton Liddell in 1891. However, by 1907 it was occupied by the McNinch Family. The MicNinch’s left a lasting impact on Charlotte’s political and social landscape. 

Samuel served as the mayor of Charlotte from 1905 to 1907 and even hosted President William Howard Taft during his visit to celebrate the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. 

But, the McNinch family’s influence extended beyond politics. Their home became a hub for social gatherings and community events. Over time, the mansion’s grandeur and historical significance have been preserved, making it a cherished landmark in the city.

Then Ellen Davis purchased the infamous property in 197 and  transformed the home into a restaurant. Davis maintained its intricate woodwork, stained glass windows, and Victorian charm to keep its historical essence intact. The restaurant officially opened in 1989 and offered a unique dining experience, blending gourmet cuisine with elegant ambience. 

The restaurant quickly gained recognition for its multi-course tasting menus, even earning AAA’s Four Diamond rating for 16 consecutive years. All in all, the success of the restaurant’s culinary aspect was complemented by the mansion’s haunted reputation. 

Today, the restaurant remains a testament to Charlotte’s rich heritage. Guests can dine in the grandeur of a Gilded Age home and possibly experience the lingering presence of its storied past. Thanks to its blend of historical charm and exceptional cuisine, the restaurant continues to be a popular venue for special occasions. 

Hauntings of The McNinch House Restaurant

The McNinch House’s haunted reputation is deeply intertwined with its history. Aside from the elegant architecture and impressive culinary reputation, the mansion is famously known for its ghostly encounters, each of which has its own unique story to tell. 

From the tragic tale of Mattie McNinch to other unexplained phenomena, the restaurant’s haunted reputation draws both curiosity and fear from those who dare to explore its halls.

The Tragic Tale of Mattie McNinch

The haunting of the restaurant is centered on Mattie McNinch, the daughter of Samuel McNinch, who died prematurely in the early 20th century. Despite the lack of reliable records, local legend suggests Mattie’s passing was sudden and emotionally devastating. Many believe her death was linked to illness or an accident. 

The death of his daughter forced Samuel to abandon the elegant mansion, leaving behind furniture, personal belongings, and even Mattie’s toys to sit and gather dust for decades. Samuel’s abrupt departure, along with unresolved sorrow, is said to create a lingering imprint on the property.

Shortly after the home was renovated into a restaurant, the staff began to report unexplained phenomena closely tied to Mattie’s presence. Reports of cold drafts sweep through the front sitting room, her favorite area, even on warm days.

 Furthermore, kitchen staff have reported disappearing pantry items, such as silverware or ingredients, only to be found in odd locations. These items often reappear on top of chandeliers or tucked into antique cabinets. 

Those dining in the restaurant occasionally hear faint laughter or the rustle of a child’s dress. Others have claimed to glimpse a young girl in Victorian-era clothing peering from upstairs windows or quickly vanishing around corners. The random occurrences have firmly cemented Mattie’s reputation as the restaurant’s most active spirit. 

The Phantom in the Sitting Room

One of the McNinch Houses’ original rooms, the front sitting room, is considered the epicenter of ghostly activity. Guests who visit the sitting room describe an oppressive heaviness in the air, as if a presence is occupying the space. 

The room’s antique furnishing amplifies the ambiance thanks to its velvet settee, mahogany side table, and gilded mirror. Guests have reported hearing faint whispers despite no visible source exiting, and others claim the mirror reflects shadowy movements behind them when the room is empty. 

One eerie account involves a couple celebrating their anniversary. They observed a translucent figure of a young girl curled in a corner chair, fixated on the fireplace. But once approached, the apparition dissolved quickly into mist. 

Staff members noted the scent of lavender perfume when cleaning after hours –Mattie’s favorite scent Mattie. The sitting room’s unsettling energy has led many to believe Mattie’s spirit remains tethered to this space, where she may have spent quiet moments in life, now replaying fragments of her past in death.

Echoes of Samuel McNinch

While his daughter Mattie is known to be more active, Samuel McNinch, Charlotte’s former mayor, and the home’s original owner, is rumored to linger in the mansion’s study. The study is where Samuel once conducted business and political affairs. The room still retains his oak desk, leather-bound ledgers, and a collection of inkwells. 

The inkwells have been reported to tip over for no apparent reason, spilling no liquid but leaving behind the scent of iron-gall ink. The antique books occasionally slide off shelves, seemingly disturbed by an unseen hand. 

In addition to the inkwells and antique books, the most distinct sign of Samuel’s presence is the aroma of cigar smoke. Despite the restaurant’s no-smoking policy, the smoke continues to waft throughout the room. The cigar aroma coincides with concrete historical accounts of Samuel’s habit of smoking cigars while reviewing city documents.

Many speculate the spirit of Samuel McNinch oversees the home’s legacy, helping to ensure its preservation as a symbol of Charlotte’s Gilded Age. While the sightings of Samuel are rare, his minor influence, such as the creak of a floorboard or rustle of parchment, hints at a patriarch guarding the family’s storied past. 

Haunted Asheville

The McNinch House Restaurant offers a unique blend of culinary excellence and haunted history. Whether it may be Mattie’s mournful spirit joining your dinner party or the faint aroma of cigars through the study, the restaurant offers an unforgettable experience where the line between past and present blurs. 

For those eager to explore more of North Carolina’s most haunted places, book a Asheville ghosts tou! Uncover tales of spectral bootleggers, haunted theaters, and other chilling sites. Step into the Queen City’s shadowy past—where every corner holds a story waiting to be told. 

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Sources:

1. https://www.mcninchhouserestaurant.com/
2. https://www.cmstory.org/exhibits/robinson-spangler-north-carolina-room-image-collection-hornets-nest/mayor-samuel-sylvanus
3. https://qclife.wbtv.com/2023/06/13/charlottes-historical-mcninch-house-honor-late-founder/
4. http://landmarkscommission.org/2016/12/15/mcninch-house/
5. https://www.ourstate.com/mcninch-house-restaurant-charlotte/
6. https://southcharlotte.macaronikid.com/articles/66f5b4e0dca3635514244c4b/spooky-spots-in-north-and-south-carolina