I was also going to add, for those willing to venture outside of uptown a bit, here are some great places to check out as well:
Plaza Midwood Neighborhood (Central Avenue):
Soul Gastrolounge - Tiny and gets super busy but if you can get in, incredible food
Midwood Smokehouse - Pretty good BBQ options, including decent brisket
Zada Janes - Good breakfast/brunch spot
Resident Culture Brewing - New in the neighborhood. Head brewer is a Wake guy
The Diamond - Diner. Guys that used to run the Penguin now run the Diamond
Legion Brewing - Across from the Diamond, pretty cool little brewery with some food options
Peculiar Rabbit - Restaurant/Bar, has three floors, Roof has a good view of uptown
The Hop Shop - On Lavar Avenue off Central. Cool little beer shop with bar and games
Pint Central - Across from the Thirsty Beaver. Decent small plates usually. Good beer selection
The Thirsty Beaver - Legend. bar that refused to sell out. Now they are literally building an apartment building around the bar.
Three Amigos - Great Mexican place, but tiny inside. May not be worth the fight on a weekend.
Catawba Brewing - Technically this is in the Belmont Neighborhood, but it's close enough to Midwood. It's Catawba. You probably know it and either like it or don't. Great space and I actually like a lot of their beers.
NoDa area (North Davidson outside of uptown)
Crepe Cellar - Good spot, especially for dessert
Haberdish - I haven't been here yet but hear good things
Cabo Fish Taco - Everyone loves it. I like it but think it's overrated based on others thoughts
Jack Beagle's - One of my favorite dive bars. good bar food too, especially mac n cheese
Growler's Pub - Nothing special but a decent place to hang
Davidson Public House - Always has decent food and a good beer selection but I always think it feels like it would be more at home in Dilworth than in NoDa
Boudreuax's - Good cajun place. Bloody Mary bar at brunch.
Dog Bar - Had to throw this one in there cause, you know, dogs...
Salud - Another cool beer shop. has a deli next door and another space above it. Usually some cool stuff on tap there.
Noda Bodega - up 36th street. My favorite place in town to grab a sandwich to go. Space to eat there and they usually have 4-6 beers on tap too.
NoDa Brewing - Their new space off Tryon is really nice
Birdsong Brewing - Moved closer to uptown, right up North Davidson. Also worth a trip if you have time
Abari Game Bar - Exactly what it sounds like. Arcade games and a bar. Requires a one dollar membership
I'm sure I'll think of some more stuff...