Coffee enthusiasts unite! We feature some of the best coffee shops in Charlotte!
Charlotte, North Carolina’s bustling metropolis, offers an excellent coffee scene that spans from cozy cafes tucked away in historic mills to trendy coffee shops offering up innovative brews; every coffee connoisseur will find something satisfying in Charlotte! So grab a mug and let’s embark on this caffeine-fueled journey as we discover 15 must-visit shops here in this post!
1. Archive CLT and Julia’s Cafe & Books: Blend of Coffee and Literature
No better combination exists than reading your favorite novel while sipping delicious coffee at Archive CLT and Julia’s Cafe & Books in Charlotte. Both unique coffee shops feature carefully curated collections of books while serving delicious lattes; Julia’s Cafe & Books provides the cozy ambiance and supports Habitat for Humanity, while Archive CLT showcases a black Ephemera Collection while serving Foxy Brown Latte featuring beans from By Any Beans Necessary Coffee Company locally roasted beans!
2. Bakeries and Coffee: A Pastry Match Made in Pastry Heaven
Charlotte offers an abundance of bakeries that serve delectable pastries complemented by an excellent coffee selection, from Amelie’s French Bakery, Chez Marie Cafe Patisserie, and Tous Les Jours to Sunflour Baking Company with delectable cupcakes and vegan options including French press coffee or exclusive blends – for nostalgic coffee-doughnut duo experiences, visit Reigning Donuts or Pepperbox Doughnuts, each providing housemade treats paired with batch brewed beverages!
3. Historic Mills Made Into Coffee Destinations
Charlotte’s historic mills have undergone an amazing transformation into lively dining and drinking destinations that always include coffee as part of their offering. At Optimist Hall you will find Undercurrent Coffee and Not Just Coffee serving locally-roasted beans to please your palate; while Hex Coffee at Camp North End provides unique bakery pop-up experiences on weekends. These historic mills provide the ideal atmosphere for enjoying coffee while learning more about Charlotte’s rich history!
4. Coffee Along the LYNX Light Rail
Exploring Charlotte’s vibrant neighborhoods by rail is made simple with the LYNX Light Rail, and most stops offer convenient coffee stops that are within a short walking distance from each stop. Begin your adventure at Sumaq Coffee near Archdale station; head toward University for Madison Perk Coffee Bar near South Boulevard & Seneca Place station; in Uptown visit Not Just Coffee’s flagship location within The Market at Seventh Street (near The Seventh Street Station) or visit UNC Charlotte where Thoughtful Cup provides on-campus shop serving students, faculty and the greater community alike – or stop into UNC Charlotte campus where Thoughtful Cup offers mural-clad on-campus shop serving students, faculty and the wider community alike!
5. Breweries Explore Coffee Culture
Charlotte’s craft beer scene is well-established, but did you know that Charlotte breweries have also begun exploring coffee culture? Salud Beer Shop doubles up as both an award-winning establishment and coffee shop during the day; providing visitors with a unique experience when searching for their next drink. Suffolk Punch Brewing, Resident Culture Brewing, and Wooden Robot Brewery all boast coffee bars so that patrons can satisfy both caffeine needs while drinking their craft beers! These establishments cater to coffee enthusiasts who appreciate both brewing and roasting techniques alike!
6. Coffee with a Cause
Coffee can be an immensely powerful force for positive change, and several Charlotte coffee shops are using coffee as an opportunity for social impact. Bitty & Beau’s and Backdrop Coffee stand out as notable examples, employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in an inclusive work environment and offering supportive employment packages; Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee provides Rwandan farmers essential necessities such as healthcare, clean water access, and education access while Community Matters Cafe at Charlotte Rescue Mission provides life skills programs designed specifically to graduates of their recovery program – these coffee shops serve more than great cups of Joe; they serve hope and empowerment!
7. Pioneers of the Third Wave Coffee Movement
Charlotte owes its vibrant coffee culture much to its pioneers who helped form its flourishing third-wave movement. Summit Coffee opened its first storefront in 1998 and since has spread out into multiple markets; Smelly Cat Coffee House & Roastery became a beloved institution among coffee enthusiasts while Central Coffee has served up quality brews since 2009. Not Just Coffee started small as one shopfront with only two employees before eventually expanding to multiple locations around Charlotte neighborhoods.
8. From Carts to Brick-and-Mortar Locations: Evoke Coffee and Wildroots Coffee Collective
Evoke Coffee and Wildroots Coffee Collective began as mobile operations brewing great coffee while cultivating loyal followings. Now with physical locations of their own serving signature beverages in cozy settings. Both companies stand as testaments of community spirit and their love of great beverages like espresso.
9. Pair Coffee and Wine Together Perfectly: An Inspirational Pairing Idea
Charlotte offers the ideal environment for anyone interested in both coffee and wine to combine their two passions in harmony. Stable Hand, known for their selection of natural and orange wines, serves Hex Coffee beans alongside their carefully chosen wines; The Hobbyist Cafe & Wine Bar and Vibe Cafe and Wine Bar both feature coffee barside in their wine shops; Rhino Market and Lincoln’s Haberdashery offer sandwiches while simultaneously featuring wine collections with their selection. Rosie’s Coffee & Wine Garden in McGill Rose Garden allows visitors to sip coffee among gorgeous flowers while The Artisan’s Palate provides locally roasted coffee alongside its other offerings – perfect!
10. Local Roasters with Coffee Shops
Charlotte is blessed to have several local roasters that not only supply beans to other businesses but also operate their own shops. Enderly Coffee earned itself a loyal fan following and opened a Tuckaseegee Road shop after becoming popular; Queen City Grounds serves Nightflyer Roastworks along with other locally produced beans at multiple Uptown locations; Night Swim serves its own Nightflyer Roastworks brand among several Uptown cafes; its sister company Not Just Coffee offers LoSo-based cafes as well. These shops showcase the art of roasting and brewing to deliver customers the freshest and most flavorful cups possible!
11. Coffee and Cats Make the Ideal Match
Charlotte offers feline enthusiasts several coffee shops that feature felines as part of your experience, offering unique encounters. Mac Tabby Cat Cafe, Daily Mews Cat Cafe, and Cool Beans Cat Cafe provide this opportunity; meeting cats while sipping delicious beverages. If one catches your fancy while exploring these unique experiences then there’s also the possibility to adopt and bring home.
12. Neighborhood Coffee Shops: Where Community and Caffeine Meet
Neighborhood coffee shops serve as gathering spots, where residents gather to catch up, hold meetings or just simply enjoy a cup of java. Coco and the Director offer comfortable stadium-style seating to offer a cozy ambiance while sipping on their specialty beverage of choice. In Plaza Midwood, Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters provides two floors of space with patio access perfect for people-watching; Crown Station Coffee House & Pub was established for just this purpose while Dilworth Coffee can be found within Belk at SouthPark Mall or Dunx can be found within Park Road Shopping Center Blackhawk Hardware to offer seamless experience while shopping/cup of java experiences all in one convenient environment.
13. Drive-Thru Coffee Shops: When Convenience Meets Craft
Charlotte offers more than its fair share of drive-thru coffee spots; CupLux Coffee Drive-Thru stands out as an oasis with its craft coffee offerings, elevating commuter and traveler experience along Freedom Drive. Burr & Berry in LoSo offers specialty beverages through both drive-thru windows as well as walk-up windows allowing customers to easily grab a beverage when on the move.
14. Coffee Beyond Charlotte: Exploring Surrounding Cities
Charlotte’s coffee culture transcends its borders with nearby cities offering warm and welcoming coffee shops like Brakeman’s Coffee & Supply in Matthews providing charm to its historic downtown district, Mugshots Coffee and Tea at Belmont Specialty Foods, and Catawba Coffee at Mount Holly offering cozy spaces where coffee fans can unwind over a cup. Lowell’s Fryeday Coffee Roasters has its own beans to roast up into delicious coffees; The Percantile and Creamery in Concord serve both coffee and ice cream from 1920s style shop; Knowledge Perk Coffee Company just across the South Carolina border boasts two locations selling house-roasted house-roaster beans from Lowell!
15. Coffee Pop-ups and Events: An Encouraging Viewpoint
At times, Charlotte offers unexpected coffee experiences through unexpected encounters. Detour Coffee Bar can be found around town daily; Donut I Love You and Black Powder Coffee offer their delicious offerings to events and businesses for caffeinated additions; Coordinates Coffee, Third Eye Coffee, Drip Joint, and Mud + McQueen all provide unique pop-up experiences; The Pour Farmer also appears regularly at Waxhaw Farmers Markets to start every weekend off right with coffee bliss!
No matter your coffee preference or level of expertise, Charlotte offers an abundance of flavors, atmospheres, and experiences for every coffee connoisseur and everyday Joe alike. From cozy bookstores to historic mills; neighborhood gems to drive-thru convenience – there’s sure to be one just perfect for every preference in Charlotte’s vibrant coffee scene – take some time and discover its many flavors today!