Charlotte is a huge city filled with energy, culture, and entertainment. With so many things to do, it’s no wonder that coffee shops are abundant in this beautiful city. Being just a couple hours southwest of Charlotte, NC, we’re pretty familiar with the lively coffee scene and eager to share some of our favorite coffee shops in the Queen City. Whether you’re traveling there for a weekend getaway or are a local in need of a new coffee shop to try, this list is for you.
Our Top 5 Charlotte Coffee Shop Recommendations
While there are tons of fantastic coffee shops in Charlotte, we’ve picked our five favorite cafes to recommend (in no particular order). The next time you’re in Charlotte, be sure to pay these shops a visit.
What to Order at the Best Coffee Shops in Charlotte
The following Charlotte coffee shops are local faves that you absolutely have to check out when in Queen City. It was almost impossible to narrow down what to recommend for each shop. Don’t forget to ask baristas for specials or their recommendations on what to order.
1. Not Just Coffee
Photo credit: Not Just Coffee
Love people, not just coffee. That’s the motto of this community-centered cafe. With a commitment to excellence and a genuine enthusiasm for every cup and patron, Not Just Coffee is one of our favorite Charlotte coffee shops to visit. There’s always something going on at Not Just Coffee, from cuppings and classes to lowkey jazz concerts–though there’s plenty of time to relax with a cup of their delicious coffee, too.
Not Just Coffee partners with Homeland Creamery and Night Swim Coffee (also on this list) to create drinks brimming with rich flavors, from pour-overs to masterful espresso beverages. They have locations all around the Charlotte area, including 7th Street, Packard Place, Atherton Mill, and more, so you can get your Not Just Coffee fix almost anywhere in the Queen City.
What to Order: Try the Espresso Mule in the summertime. Refreshing, sweet, and a little spicy thanks to the ginger beer. You’ve never had anything like it!
2. Undercurrent
Photo credit: Undercurrent Coffee
Also serving Night Swim coffee, Undercurrent Coffee is all about sharing their coffee knowledge. At the Lab, Undercurrent holds classes for coffee enthusiasts of all skill levels so they can learn all there is to know about making great coffee. With their extremely talented staff and locally sourced ingredients, Undercurrent Coffee makes delicious handcrafted espresso beverages that Charlotte locals can’t get enough of.
Undercurrent is also known for their tasty food offerings. Choose from their delicious seasonal offerings, like their strawberry shortcake, or grab a breakfast sandwich made with locally sourced eggs.
What to Order: We hear Undercurrent has a mean affogato. Try it and let us know how it tastes!
Learn more: How to Make an Affogato Coffee Dessert at Home
3. Night Swim
Photo credit: Night Swim Coffee Roasters
Night Swim Coffee Roasters is the love child born from the partnership between Not Just Coffee and Undercurrent Coffee. Night Swim seeks to create beautiful coffee blends that are perfectly balanced and curated for specific purposes.
The Night Swim roastery itself is located in Charlotte along with an in-house cafe, though they have other cafe locations throughout the Charlotte area. If you want a delicious cup of thoughtfully roasted coffee, visit any of Night Swim’s beautiful locations.
What to Order: Visit the Night Swim Roastery and order any of their seasonal drips. You’re guaranteed to have one of the freshest and most balanced cups of coffee in Charlotte.
4. The Hobbyist
Photo credit: The Hobbyist
The Hobbyist is more than just a coffee shop… it has pretty much everything for everyone. Serving local coffee, beer, wine, and craft cocktails, the Hobbyist is the perfect place to get some work done in the morning and relax in the evening. Their space is beautiful and cozy, full of art, plants, and incredible vibes. The Hobbyist frequently hosts events and live music, making their cafe one of the best hangout spots in Charlotte.
What to Order: The Teddy Graham Mocha. Need we say more?
5. Hex Coffee
Hex Coffee // Photo credit: Unify Visual Marketing
Sleek, modern, and hip, Hex Coffee pairs exceptional coffee with superior style. But Hex is about more than just coffee; they’re all about showcasing the provenance of everything they create, including their incredible food and wine offerings. They embrace minimalism over at Hex but don’t think for a minute that this means their offerings are simple. On the contrary, each cup of coffee, each plate, and each glass of wine is unique and complex. No matter what you order here, your tastebuds will thank you.
What to Order: Their vanilla latte is a crowd favorite, made with their own proprietary blend and housemade Madagascar vanilla syrup.
The coffee community in Charlotte is extremely welcoming. Whether you make it to one of these coffee shops or find one on your own, you’re in for a treat. Let us know if there are any more Charlotte coffee shops to feature in this list!
If you ever find yourself in Greenville, SC, come visit one of our coffee shops in town. We’ve got something for everyone, from coffee novices to coffee connoisseurs. Not up for traveling? Not to worry. You can also enjoy Methodical with our fast and convenient coffee subscription box.
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