With fall comes a rise in the desire for warm drinks, like coffee and seasonal beverages. And there’s no shortage of options in Charlotte.
Though large chain coffee shops may be your go-to, there are a number of locally-owned coffee shops where you can get your morning brew. Many offer space to sit and work; some even serve food and dessert options.
QCity Metro has compiled a list of shops to visit this season:
Archive CLT – 2023 Beatties Ford Road, Suite D
At this West End shop, you can sip coffee while you enjoy some Black cultural archives, from magazines to vinyl records. Archive also sells baked goods and offers space to work and connect.
Coco and the Director – 100 W. Trade Street
Located in the heart of Uptown, this stylish cafe offers gourmet coffee. The shop offers sandwiches and desserts, including its popular banana bread cronuts. It also serves as a working space with plenty of seating options to meet or get work done.
Community Matters Cafe – 821 W. First Street
This non-profit restaurant also serves breakfasts, sandwiches & salads amid warehouse-style decor and outdoor seating near Bank of America stadium. The menu offers desserts, including the signature Morning Bun, a sugar-crusted flaky pastry with cinnamon sugar filling and orange zest.
Crane Coffee – 550 South Caldwell Street
Crane Coffee is all about saving the planet, serving handcrafted coffee with organic ingredients in compostable cups and lids made from plant material. A customer favorite drink is the sea salted caramel latte. They also serve made-from-scratch bagels and breakfast bites.
CRTV Lab Coffee – 2400 Greenland Avenue
Located in the basement of Shiloh Baptist Church, CRTV Lab Coffee has pastries, coffee and specialty drinks. The site also serves as a co-working space for local creatives and entrepreneurs.
CupLux Coffee Drive-Thru – 3115 Freedom Drive
Get your coffee without leaving the comfort of your vehicle. CupLux offers several unique menu options, headlined by the customer favorites caramel latte, the cold brew slushie and the iced lemon loaf.
Detour Coffeebar – mobile
This mobile coffee truck serves locally roasted coffee and other drinks throughout Charlotte. The truck has a seasonal menu, which includes its white mocha and pumpkin spice lattes. Detour also offers smoothies and pastries.
Evoke Coffee Company – 1519 Central Avenue
Evoke is a pop-up coffee shop located inside BeSocial. Evoke is known for unique beverages, like the Cold Fashioned, a strong expresso drink with a sweet and smoky profile. The shop also hosts special events, like its evening open discussion series.
Gotcha Matcha – 222 West Boulevard, Suite S112
This newly opened pop-up shop in South End offers coffee, matcha, tea and baked goods. One of the house favorites is the cinnamon roll.
My Story Cafe – 120 Brevard Court, Suite A
Located in Uptown, My Story Café is where patrons can find the perfect spot to cozy up and grab a book from the community library. The shop is also known for its boba tea and fresh fruit teas.
Not Just Coffee – multiple locations throughout Charlotte
This cafe has multiple locations across Charlotte and offers a variety of coffee drinks, including expresso mules and honey lavender lattes. Menu options vary by location, and customers can purchase coffee grounds to brew at home.
Smelly Cat Cafe – 514 E. 36th Street
This longtime favorite in Noda offers coffee, tea, baked goods and desserts. Smelly Cat offers daily coffee specials and homemade syrups, including spiced brown sugar. There’s also outdoor seating.
