The 20 Best Coffee Shops in Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the South. Perhaps this is because U.S. News and World Reports currently ranks Charlotte as one of the best places to live in the United States. The number of coffee shops in this charming southern city has increased as Charlotte has expanded. 

Moreover, Charlotte is a sprawling city with a wide variety of neighborhoods, and nearly every neighborhood has its favorite coffee shop. Although we could not include every Charlotte neighborhood favorite, we have compiled a list of twenty of the best coffee shops near Uptown, Plaza Midwood, Matthews, and other neighborhoods.

We evaluated the best coffee shops in the Queen City using a specific set of criteria. Our criteria included the quality and taste of the coffee, customer reviews, the unique ambiance of the coffee shop, menu offerings, and the shop's overall uniqueness. When evaluating coffee quality, we considered three key factors: the coffee's distinctive flavor, its body or mouthfeel, and its finish or aftertaste.

We took into account whether the coffee is sourced locally, as well as seating and WIFI options since many people work or study in coffee shops. After considering all of this, we have compiled a list of some of the best coffee shops in the Queen City. The places on our list excel in most or all of these areas. So, where will you go for your next coffee run?

Amelie's French Bakery

136 East 36th Street, 28206

Since its opening in 2008, Amelie's French Bakery quickly became one of the most popular coffee shops and hang-out spots in Charlotte. Today, there are four Amelie's bakeries, with three of them located in Charlotte and one in Rock Hill. Each location has its own unique and funky vibe and décor, all inspired by French culture. They offer a wide variety of coffees, flavored drinks, and delicious pastries, with the Tiramisu Torte and Salted Caramel Brownie being two of their best items to pair with coffee.

Brakeman's Coffee and Supply

225 N Trade Street, Matthews, 28105

Brakeman's Coffee is a cozy coffeehouse situated in the heart of Matthews, which is a suburb of Charlotte. The coffee shop's name pays tribute to Matthews's history as a railroad town. Brakeman's serves HÆRFEST coffee and offers special drinks based on the season, including the Lavender Latte and Ticket to London drink. They also have shakes and smoothies on their menu. If the coffee shop is crowded, which is a common occurrence, there is a relaxing back patio area that is perfect for warmer weather.

Central Coffee Company

719 Louise Avenue, Charlotte, 28204

Central Coffee Company, a small family-owned coffee shop located off Central Avenue, serves great handcrafted coffee drinks. While this small shop has a city vibe, it also has a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Moreover, this coffee shop offers free WIFI, making it a perfect place to work or take a break, especially since it stays open until 6 PM. In addition to coffee drinks, they offer a selection of teas, pastries, and breakfast items. Regulars highly recommend their zucchini bread.

Community Matters Cafe

125 Remount Road, 28203

Community Matters Cafe is a full-service cafe operated by the Charlotte Rescue Mission. They serve food and offer a wide range of coffee drinks at their coffee shop. This cafe is an excellent spot for getting some work done while enjoying a cup of coffee in Uptown.

In addition to being a great spot, Community Matters Café also gives back to the community. It was voted one of the best restaurants in Charlotte in 2019 and featured in Yelp's Charlotte Top 100. Moreover, it currently has a Yelp rating of 4.7 out of five.

Crossroads Coffee House

112 North Broome Street, Waxhaw, 28173

Crossroads Coffee House is a charming coffee shop located in the Waxhaw area just outside of Charlotte. The coffee shop is housed in a converted old house, giving it a cozy ambiance. They offer a wide range of latte flavors, and it is also a great place to purchase coffee beans. Moreover, this shop offers a large coffee menu with roughly sixty flavors and a hundred syrups available. You can rely on their knowledgeable staff to make adjustments to your drink to suit your preferences.

CupLux Coffee Drive-Thru

3115 Freedom Drive, 28208

This drive-thru coffee shop located on Freedom Drive in Charlotte is a hidden gem that you do not want to miss. If you are looking for a sweet and delicious beverage, their Honey and Oats Latte is a must-try. Additionally, they offer a variety of tasty smoothies, with the Blueberries and Cream and the Mango Ginger Detox being some of our favorites. Moreover, they are open seven days a week from 6 AM to 3 PM so you can enjoy their coffee any day of the week.

Deli St.

2801 Central Avenue, 28205

Deli Street is a hip shop located in the trendy Plaza Midwood neighborhood in Charlotte. It opened its doors in 2018 and offers a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, making it an ideal destination for everyone. In addition to its food menu, it also has a full coffee bar, making it a great spot for coffee lovers to enjoy a cup of their favorite beverage.

The shop boasts a large espresso drink menu, and the prices are quite reasonable. Additionally, Deli Street offers a range of healthy and delicious smoothies. These include the Coco-Banana Shake and the Vampire Juice smoothie, which is made of carrots, oranges, beets, celery, chia, and water.

Dilworth Coffee

3016 Weddington Road, Matthews, 28105

This coffee shop, located in Matthews, is a hidden gem. They offer a selection of specialty coffees. We highly recommend trying the White Chocolate Mocha while you are there. Additionally, they have a wide variety of pastries to choose from. It is a small and quiet place that offers free Wi-Fi and plenty of power outlets and tables. The bottom line is if you need a peaceful place to work or study, Dilworth Coffee is the perfect spot.

The Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters

1217 The Plaza, 28205

The Giddy Goat, located in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood, is a great spot for coffee and pastries. They offer an impressive pastry case with treats like their Guava and Goat Cheese croissant or Mocha Cold Brew Cake. In addition, they have a range of delicious empanadas to try, including Patagonia, caprese, and breakfast empanadas. What is more, this is a zero-waste shop, with all of their drinkware, plates, and utensils being compostable and recyclable. Finally, the café provides plenty of both outdoor and indoor seating.

Hex Coffee

201 Camp Road, Unit 101, 28206

In 2015, three friends named Chandler Wrenn, Tanner Morita, and John Michael Cord launched a local pop-up called HEX Coffee. Today, HEX Coffee Roasters is situated in a spacious warehouse near the water tower in the trendy Camp North End area. The coffee bar and open cafe space can seat up to 40 people indoors, and they also have additional outdoor seating.

It is worth noting that HEX Coffee doesn't serve a traditional café menu. Instead, they offer Japanese-inspired cuisine, which pays homage to co-owner Tanner Morita's Japanese-Hawaiian roots. Along with coffee, they also have an exclusive selection of wines. They are open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8 am to 3 pm.

Julia's Café & Books

1133 N Wendover Road, Charlotte, 28211

Julia's Café and Books is named after one of Charlotte's pioneering public servants, Julia Maulden. All of the proceeds go to help Charlotte's Habitat for Humanity. It is a small coffee shop and bookstore located on the side of Charlotte's Restore. This cozy café offers an impressive number of coffee drinks and a great selection of used books.

If you are looking for a good deal, books with green dots are priced at $5.98 each or 3 for $15, books with red dots are priced at $3.98 each or 3 for $10, and mass-market paperbacks are priced at $1.25 each or 6 for $6. Whether you are stopping by after your Restore trip or just browsing the bookstore, Julia's Café and Books is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a refreshing cup of coffee.

Matcha Café Maiko

8128 Providence Road, Ste 900, 28277

This coffee shop is located in the Arboretum and provides a unique experience for coffee enthusiasts. The café serves a wide variety of matcha-based drinks, including matcha lattes, iced matcha, shaved ice matcha, and more. Their homemade menu features floats, frappes, lattes, parfaits, and award-winning soft-serve ice cream, all served in freshly made waffle cones. Moreover, their chocolate walnut cookie is a must-try. Matcha Café Maiko uses premium Uji matcha from Kyoto's Harima Garden.

Night Swim Coffee

4500 Old Pineville Road, 28217

Night Swim Coffee has four locations in the Charlotte area, with its flagship store situated in the South End neighborhood. The coffee shop is owned and operated by James and Miracle Yoder from Not Just Coffee and Todd and Erin Huber from Undercurrent Coffee. Some of the menu highlights include their three-dollar twelve-ounce Japanese iced coffee and their $5 latte. In addition, they serve delicious breakfast sandwiches, and you can also purchase Night Swim Coffee beans to take home.

Not Just Coffee

2230 Park Road Charlotte, 28203

Not Just Coffee is a coffee shop chain with multiple locations in Charlotte, including Dilworth and Atherton Mill. It was established in 2011 and has since gained a reputation for serving some of the best coffee in the city. Although the menu may vary by location, all of their shops offer a full-service espresso and coffee menu, as well as a selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. They also serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with daily specials on both food and drinks. On Yelp, many customers have given them rave reviews for their excellent coffee and service.

Royal Café and Creperie

131 Matthews Station Street, Matthews, 28105

Elena and Alexis, a mother-and-daughter team, founded this creperie in Matthews that not only serves delicious crepes but also offers a remarkable selection of tea and coffee drinks. The Royal Creperie has been featured in Our State magazine and WBTV's Morning Break show. Moreover, this eatery has been voted the thirteenth-best restaurant in the entire Charlotte Metro area.

Their coffee menu changes often because they offer a variety of seasonal drinks, such as their Lavender Fields Latte and the Honeybun Latte. We recommend pairing one of their coffee drinks with their equally delicious Bavarian Crème Crepe or the Royal Trinity Crepe.

Smelly Cat Coffeehouse

514 East 36th Street, 28205

Smelly Cat Coffeehouse has been serving tasty coffee since 2012 in the North Davidson area of Charlotte, which the locals call NoDa. This coffee shop has a unique and charming vibe that matches the area it is located in. Additionally, they have a spacious outdoor patio where you can enjoy your freshly brewed coffee. You can also purchase their roasted beans, such as the Black Cat Medium Dark Roast and the Triple Threat Medium Roast, and enjoy some Smelly Cat Coffee at home.

The Stable Hand

125 Remount Road, 28203

The Stable Hand offers coffee, beer, natural wines, and food in a great location to work remotely for the day because there are plenty of tables, chairs, and plugins for your laptops. You will need plenty of time to drink this cafe's extra-large coffee drinks. Furthermore, we recommend trying their Oat Milk Latte, Matcha Latte, and Peppermint Mocha.

Summit Coffee

4625 Piedmont Row Drive, Ste 115C, 28210

This coffee shop in South Park is located in a charming, walkable plaza that is perfect for Instagram-worthy pictures. The shop has a great atmosphere and plenty of seating options, both inside and outside. Apart from a wide range of coffee drinks, this café also serves light food and beer on tap. Although parking can be a bit tricky, it is an excellent spot to unwind or work since you can enjoy their free Wi-Fi.

Undercurrent Coffee

2012 Commonwealth Avenue, 28205

Undercurrent Coffee currently has five locations in Charlotte where they serve Onyx Coffee Lab, which is a coffee brand roasted in the Ozarks. All of their locations get high marks from customers for their service, ambiance, and the quality of the coffee drinks. In addition to their drinks, enjoy a poppy seed bagel or a birthday cake cookie.

Verb Coffee

1592 Concord Pkwy N, Concord, 28025

Verb Coffee in Concord is a cozy coffee shop that serves globally sourced and locally roasted coffee. Despite having limited seating options, this coffee shop offers both indoor and outdoor seating and a beautiful, light-filled space. Customers not only appreciate the coffee and house-made pastries but also the friendly vibe and great service provided by the staff. Overall, Verb Coffee is a must-visit spot for coffee lovers in Concord.

In Summary

The city of Charlotte has expanded, and with it, the number of impressive coffee shops has grown. These coffee shops cater to every type of coffee and tea lover, and many of them offer delicious food options alongside their amazing coffee drinks. No matter where you live in Charlotte, you can find a great coffee shop in almost every neighborhood, whether you plan to relax and enjoy a latte or power through your remote work day with a caffeine rush. We encourage you to check out some of the recommendations on this list for your next coffee fix.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com.