Breakfast might be the most important meal of the day, and everyone knows coffee is what makes that meal. These best coffee shops in Charlotte pour a cup worth starting the day with.
The attention to detail found in the city’s coffee shops and their championing of independent roasters makes it a coffee-lover’s dream.
Best coffee shops in Charlotte
How do these rankings work?
1. Undercurrent Coffee
Anyone looking for a shop that takes coffee more seriously than Undercurrent would be hard-pressed. Set in a sleek shop with the decor to mirror the ocean’s shades of blue, the coffee shop only uses sustainably and ethically sourced products and beans. The espresso is smooth and their lattes are rich.
For those who want to dive more deeply into the world of coffee, the shop also holds a lab where classes, workshops and certifying courses take place.
2. The Suffolk Punch
The Suffolk Punch is a stylish café-bar and culinary café that combines the best of all three. This stop makes everything from drip coffee to coffee cocktails and more thanks to their in-house fermentation lab. It’s location along the Charlotte Rail Trail also makes it a fun stop along a walk or bike ride. If you go, sit outside on nice afternoons and try the daily coffee cocktail.
3. CupLux Coffee Drive-Thru
This lowkey purple and grey drive-thru only is actually one of the best coffee stops in Charlotte. Their coffee is strong but not bitter, and lattes are handcrafted and come in a variety of staple and seasonal flavours. Order a fresh pastry or breakfast sandwich to tie the whole meal together.
Try a cold brew slushie such as the Electric Lemon Cold Brew Slushie, which is made with cold brew, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup infused with jalapeño.
4. Mitty’s Cannabis Cafe
Located just inside Vigor health spa, Mitty’s Cafe infuses coffees, teas and smoothies with CBD oil. There’s plenty of outdoor seating for sipping, and guests can pick up CBD oil gummies and honey among other products before heading off again.
5. Julia’s Cafe&Books
Is there anything cosier than drinking a coffee or tea in a bookstore? Julia’s is a used bookstore and café that benefits Habitat for Humanity too. Take a seat in the loft with a great book and order the honey lavender latte. Don’t forget to browse and pick up a book or two on the way out as well.
6. Mac Tabby Cat Cafe
This cool and eclectic coffee shop has a separate room filled with adoptable cats that patrons can cosy up with. The coffee is great and the menu is expansive. In addition to cold brew, espresso drinks and drip coffee, the cafe also serves beer, wine, fruit-infused drinks, kombucha and another take on a CBD oil drink.
Keep in mind that this shop is only for people over the age of seven (soz, kids!) and don’t bring your own cat, for reasons that should be obvious.
7. Queen City Grounds
This coffee shop is great for those on the move looking for a quite bite and a solid cup of coffee or an espresso drink. The shop offers pour overs, specialty lattes and more in a relaxed, airy space with plenty of room.
