Bean there, sipped that: A caffeinated tour of the best Charlotte coffee shops

Iced lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, seasonal drinks or maybe a shot of espresso — these are some of my go-to orders at coffee shops across Charlotte.

As one of my favorite pop girls, Sabrina Carpenter says, “That’s that me, espresso.” The best part? After three years of living here, I’ve discovered there’s no shortage of great spots, from old favorites to the newer shops popping up around town.

Countless cups later, jolts of energy and lingering taste of nutty, chocolatey or caramel notes, each coffee shop in every neighborhood has its own voice and personality. I love hearing the chatter of girls catching up, murmurs of note taking from a graphic designer and a tech bro in a 10 a.m. meeting asking everyone, “How was your weekend?”

I live for hearing the espresso machine churn out a caffeinated drink, hearing a familiar song by Faye Webster and Laufey or talking to baristas about stuff going on in the city. Regardless of the reason, I love community and I love coffee.

Consider this my love letter — written in espresso shots and milk foam.

Here’s a curated list of my personal picks. Full disclosure: I’m an avid almond milk drinker, so most of my orders feature a milk alternative.

Plaza Midwood

Location: 1217 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205

I frequent Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters, and for good reason. Parking (let alone finding a seat) can be tricky, but it’s worth it. I always try to sit inside in front of the coffee roaster itself. In the mornings, the aroma of freshly ground coffee fills the air as you sip whatever concoction you’ve ordered.

My go-to is a cappuccino with almond milk, extra hot — it takes me a while to finish a drink, and this keeps it warm.

If the weather’s mild, sit at the picnic tables or under the umbrellas. It’s perfect for people-watching since so many pedestrians pass through the area.

For food, don’t miss Giddy Goat’s croissants or quiche. The quiche is buttery and rich but light at the same time — one of my favorite refined breakfast foods.

NoDa

Location: 2100 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205

Choosing a favorite in NoDa was tough, but my heart says The Hobbyist. I discovered it shortly after moving here, after friends raved about its convenience and charm. I even considered moving up the street for it.

The Hobbyist has two moods, depending on the garage door: dark and moody, or bright and calm. Both suit the space perfectly. I love sitting at the bar rail, eavesdropping on the baristas’ lore and maybe even making a friend, since most patrons sit alone. If the garage door is open, sit by it to catch the sun’s warmth without overheating. Truly, I used to be a regular here.

Decorated with greenery I envy (I can barely keep one plant alive), it feels inviting. My usual order is a hot coffee with vanilla or an iced matcha with vanilla. I’ve debated with many friends about the best matcha in Charlotte — The Hobbyist always wins.

Uptown

Location: 210 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Parking in uptown gives me the heebie-jeebies, but I make an exception for Lottie’s Cafe. My first visit was during a monthly coffee set hosted by a local group called The 4C, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

I typically get the “Iced Airplane Latte,” a creamy Biscoff cookie butter iced latte. Sweet? Yes — but in all the right ways. Imagine a DJ playing your favorite song while people dance, chat and sip coffee at 11 a.m. on a Saturday — that’s Lottie’s vibe.

The space is bright, with just enough indoor and outdoor seating to enjoy the energy without feeling crowded. And the baristas are fun, too. I love watching them interact when they hear a song they like — they do a little two step and shuffle while making my order.

South End

Location: 125 Remount Rd B, Charlotte, NC 28203

Stable Hand is my top pick in South End. Unlike other crowded spots, it’s never congested — the perfect place to meet friends or even grab a quiet coffee before an interview.

Inside, the space feels modern, clean and straight to the point. My favorite thing about the space is how bright it is; regardless where you’re sitting, you’ll see and feel the sun peeking through.

I usually sit outside, letting the sun’s warmth soak in as I sip an iced vanilla matcha or try one of Stable Hand’s funky seasonal drinks. The seasonal menu is unlike most coffee shops. (No, seriously, last year it had a spiced plum syrup that was to die for!) But the matcha is always a perfect, vibrant green. Not in the mood for coffee? They serve beer and wine, too.

Stable Hand frequently collaborates with local businesses like Hello Uncle and Rowan Coffee.

Come in the morning, and pair your drink with the tofu scramble and add the Verdant sourdough to dip it in. It’s so hearty!

LoSo (if that’s what you want to call it)

Location: 4209 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28209

I first discovered Burr & Berry on TikTok earlier this year. Though originally from South Carolina, it now has locations in Lower South End and Matthews.

This is my favorite grab-and-go spot — the drive-thru makes it easy, and the baristas’ fun energy shines through in every cup. I rarely stick to one specific drink; I usually ask, “What’s the most popular right now?” and go with that.

Any iced drink comes with a chocolate-covered coffee bean, a small touch that makes the experience extra delightful. I especially love visiting during colder months so I can stay in my car while sipping my order.

Dilworth

Location: 2230 Park Rd #102, Charlotte, NC 28203

When I first moved to Charlotte, everyone told me to go visit Not Just Coffee, and they will still tell you that to this day. Whenever I have friends come down to visit me, I will always take them to Not Just Coffee, because, really, this place has it all. There are a lot of locations you can choose from, but I love the Dilworth one.

It’s incredibly cozy inside, but if you’re an outdoor person, the patio is also really nice to sit at. You can catch me on a Saturday morning with the line out the door, mostly because half of the customers are coming from an early morning cycling class at Sky Cycle (me) or yoga at Y2.

I normally get a vanilla latte, the Dukkah Avocado Toast, the breakfast sandwich or if it’s the afternoon, the tuna melt. Many coffee shops might have food items, but to me, NJC has the best. Guaranteed, there’s not an item you won’t like.

It isn’t just the coffee that warms you here — it’s also the people behind the counter. The staff greets you like an old friend.

Wesley Heights

Location: 919 Berryhill Rd #104, Charlotte, NC 28208

I think I’m a sucker for coffee shops with real food. Not the kind where someone reheats a pastry for you, but the kind with a kitchen where a burger is sizzling on the grill.

Platform Coffee is that place. You’ll want to order The Moonlight, its ube latte layered with coconut and ube-infused milk. Drink it iced, and, yes, you will finish this drink in two minutes — because it’s that good. Sometimes, I will add cold foam if I’m feeling fancy. This drink is also good as a matcha, as well. Come early to Platform Coffee because it does fill it up quickly. I love sitting by the roastery, it fills the space with such a strong aroma — it’s like getting an extra shot of espresso in your body.

I would say anything off Platform’s food menu would be the perfect pair, but I haven’t tried everything yet. Do get the breakfast burrito or the Railyard Burger if you’re coming closer to lunch time. You’ll leave here filled, warm and wanting to come back the next day if you live up the street like me.

University City

Location: 440 E McCullough Dr #210, Charlotte, NC 28262

Vavela Cafe opened this year, and it’s a spacious Turkish cafe that offers beautiful views, delicious desserts and plenty of food options.

But the real reason this spot is a standout for me is because everyone kept raving online about the pistachio latte. Listen, this is coming from someone who doesn’t like pistachio, but this drink surprised me. From the looks of it, I thought it was going to be super sweet, but it was right in the middle.

I usually pair my drink with, of course, the Dubai Chocolate Strawberry cup and an eclair. I’m a sucker for a sweet treat with coffee. My favorite thing about this café is that there’s always somewhere to sit. Cozy, green and inspiring, perfect for getting work done.

Ballantyne

Location: 15119 Bowl St #101, Charlotte, NC 28277

I was a little skeptical about Fly Kid Fly at first because a friend told me it could be hit or miss. But after my first few visits, I quickly realized it was a hidden gem.

The space is small, so it’s not my typical spot to work for hours, but the few times I’ve been, I’ve been able to claim a corner cubicle and loved it. The music here feels like it’s curated just for me, like someone peeked at my Spotify playlist.

Order the Cumulus: It’s an iced matcha with toasted coconut, blue spirulina, and a cloud of cream, agave and sea salt. If you’re not a coconut fan, skip it, but otherwise, this drink is a little work of art. I swear, I finished mine in under five minutes — it’s that soft, creamy and refreshing.

Optimist Park

Location: 1824 N Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206

There are several locations of Night Swim Coffee, but the Brevard Street location is by far my favorite of the bunch. It throws “For The Early Birds,” a Saturday morning daytime jam session with a local DJ. Along with listening to some good tunes, it has a killer matcha colada that tastes like you should be somewhere warm with your toes in the sand. Here’s what you should get: a bag of beans. I’m serious. Night Swim Coffee, in my opinion, has the best coffee beans. My go-to bags are Bahire, which are sourced from Burundi. These bags have a lighter, fruiter taste in comparison to Ultraviolet, another bag that I frequently buy.

Aside from buying beans, my go-to is a cortado with almond milk and — hear me out — quarter-sweet simple syrup. It’s still got that velvety strong taste but with a little extra sweetness.

Elizabeth

Location: 1609 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204

Technically a market, The People’s Market serves great coffee. It’s one of those places I kept seeing on TikTok and everyone kept hyping up — and rightfully so.

Locally, this place has the best chai lattes. Now, I only drink chai from October until spring rolls around because it’s the perfect fall drink in my opinion. I get mine hot, never iced. It warms the soul, truly. It’s never not too sweet, and the aromas really sell it for me. The velvety texture of the milk and the spices really makes me feel like I’m living in an episode of Gilmore Girls, although Luke’s would never serve chai. If The People’s Market has a seasonal chai latte, like the pumpkin chai latte, do it. It’ll really put you in the mood to jump in a pile of leaves.

If you’re going in the morning, grab yourself a breakfast burrito with it and sit outside on the patio, at a table closest to the street in a corner. Or if you want something hearty with it, get a side of grits and bacon.

Oakhurst

Location: 1133 N Wendover Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211

Tucked away off Independence and North Wendover Road, Julia’s Cafe and Books is easy to miss — but trust, you don’t want to miss this. The vibes inside are busy and bustling, but still quiet enough that it feels like you’ve stepped into a library that just happens to serve great coffee.

Julia’s is an extension of Habitat for Humanity ReStore of the Charlotte Region, so while you’re shopping, you can stop by the café and its used bookstore, which has an amazing, well-loved collection.

There’s a little bit of everything on the menu, plus some fun seasonals. But my go-to is always the cappuccino. The few times I’ve been, I’ve had it plain — just a classic cappuccino — and other times I’ve added flavor shots of toasted marshmallow or butter pecan. The cappuccino is this soft, foamy dream with smooth milk and that bold espresso kick running underneath. It’s organic, rich and the kind of drink that wakes you up and warms you up all at once. The coffee is not burnt, not bitter — just balanced.

I love sitting upstairs on the small second floor that gives off major loft vibes. If you’re nosy like me, it’s the perfect perch to people-watch and take in the cozy vibes below. But they also have nooks tucked throughout the bookstore, where each one feels like a secret spot waiting to be claimed.

Notable Mentions

Caffeto: A Colombian coffee bar, located on North Davidson Street. I went to Colombia last year and had my first bombon, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. The sweetened condensed milk and espresso combo is like having a dessert I could drink every day.

Undercurrent Coffee: It’s not on the menu currently, but seasonally, it does the best espresso and tonic water/soda combinations. If the drinks come back, get the Little Gay Tonic and the Dirty Shirley. They’re so different and refreshing.