The Best Cafes And Coffee Shops In Charlotte North Carolina

Coffee in Charlotte is a big deal, which you might expect for the second-largest financial center in America behind New York City. And like NYC, Charlotte doesn’t sleep, so a high volume of quality coffee shops and cafes occupy the city. Whether you need to pick up a quick cup to go, want to sit down and relax for a few hours, or plan to pair your coffee with some fresh-made pastries, the Queen City has a coffee experience for you. Keep reading to discover the best cafes and coffee shops in Charlotte.

Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe

Bakery, Cafe, French, Dessert, Pastries, Soup

Perhaps the most beautiful coffee shop in Charlotte, Amelie’s has luxe chandeliers and an old-world mansion vibe that has caught the Queen City by storm – they’re 50,000-fans-strong on Facebook. The menu includes French cafe classics such as croissants, quiches and macaroons, plus seasonal bouchee, tartines and baguettes with jam, butter, or spreadable cheese.

Smelly Cat Coffeehouse

Cafe, Coffee, Tea

For a more industrial atmosphere, head to the home of NoDa Roasters, Smelly Cat Coffehouse. Worn red brick walls, exposed piping and checked red-and-black flooring complete the look, but of course the star is the caffeine in the form of pour-overs, cold brews and espresso drinks. A small breakfast menu includes biscuits, burritos, quiches and casseroles on the cheap.

Rush Espresso

Cafe, Charcuterie, Cheesemonger, Cocktail Bar, Wine Bar, Contemporary, Coffee, Wine

Some of the best coffee spots double as wine bars, and Charlotte’s version of this business mash-up is Rush Espresso. The chic farmhouse aesthetic – think wine crates and rustic metal bar chairs painted turquoise – makes this location a fun place to catch live music or take a salsa class, and they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Rush also operates two other locations in Charlotte, a grab-and-go coffee shop and a cafe in the business district.

Not Just Coffee

Cafe, Tea Room, Healthy, Coffee, Tea

With five Charlotte locations, Not Just Coffee attracts coffee nerds who appreciate that pouring an excellent cup of joe takes time. They also feature coffee experts for classes, hands-on brewing sessions, and cuppings. Pair your coffee of choice with fun toasts, such as fig and goat cheese or seasonal fruit and mascarpone.

Dilworth Coffee

Cafe

Another spot that loves to geek out over nature’s energy boost, Dilworth Coffee hosts SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) classes and workshops for beginning, intermediate and advanced baristas. At-home coffee brewers aren’t left out as Dilworth provides brewing guides for several brewing methods on their website. With 50+ exclusive, single-origin, certified organic coffees available, pick up some bags to take home or you can order your favorite online.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.