Charlotte, North Carolina, October 27, 2025
News Summary
Charlotte, North Carolina, boasts an exciting and diverse coffee scene, featuring unique cafés and shops that cater to a range of tastes. From Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters to Lottie’s Cafe and the newly opened Vavela Cafe, there’s something for everyone. Each location offers a unique atmosphere and signature drinks, making them ideal spots for both relaxation and social interaction. The vibrant coffee culture in Charlotte reflects the community’s passion for excellent brews and bringing people together.
Charlotte, North Carolina is home to an ever-evolving coffee scene that captivates local residents and visitors alike. With a range of coffee shops across the city, each offers unique atmospheres and specialized drinks. From cozy cafés to grab-and-go spots, the options are diverse, catering to varied preferences. Here’s a roundup of top picks that highlight Charlotte’s vibrant coffee culture.
Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters, located at 1217 The Plaza, is a favorite spot featuring a signature cappuccino made with almond milk served extra hot. This café is particularly known for its rich quiche and buttery croissants, making it ideal for a leisurely morning of people-watching, especially from its outdoor seating.
Another favorite, The Hobbyist, can be found at 2100 N Davidson St, where visitors enjoy a dark and moody atmosphere or a bright, calm setting depending on the time of day. The café is renowned for its hot coffee with vanilla and a highly debated iced matcha with vanilla, considered by many to be the best in Charlotte.
For those seeking a lively vibe, Lottie’s Cafe at 210 E Trade St is a must-visit. Famous for its innovative “Iced Airplane Latte” crafted with Biscoff cookie butter, this café frequently features live music and encourages warm interactions among the staff and visitors alike.
Stable Hand, located at 4209 South Blvd, offers a spacious and bright environment perfect for relaxation. Its seasonal menu includes unique beverages, such as one with spiced plum syrup, alongside hearty food options like tofu scramble and Verdant sourdough.
Burr & Berry, a perfect grab-and-go spot at 2230 Park Rd #102, features a drive-thru and is known for its fun atmosphere and energetic baristas. Customers receiving iced drinks can enjoy an extra touch of chocolate-covered coffee beans on the side.
Not Just Coffee (NJC) provides a cozy atmosphere that appeals to early morning cyclists and yoga practitioners. Located at 919 Berryhill Rd, NJC offers a variety of breakfast options along with its popular vanilla lattes.
Platform Coffee at 440 E McCullough Dr is famous for its Moonlight ube latte and a robust food menu. Given its popularity, it’s advised to arrive early as seating fills quickly, especially to try their breakfast burrito and Railyard Burger.
A newly opened gem in Charlotte is Vavela Cafe at 15119 Bowl St, which features a spacious layout and a special pistachio latte. The café pairs desserts perfectly with its coffee offerings and is gaining traction among locals.
Fly Kid Fly at 1824 N Brevard St is a small yet vibrant space that focuses on curated music and artistic drink options, including an iced matcha with toasted coconut. Night Swim Coffee, located at 1609 Elizabeth Ave, offers daytime jam sessions with local DJs and is known for its matcha colada.
The People’s Market at 1133 N Wendover Rd is popular for its seasonal chai lattes and offers breakfast burritos and grits as pairings. Julia’s Cafe and Books, placed at 644 N Church St, provides a cozy reading atmosphere alongside a vast coffee menu, including unique cappuccinos with specialized flavor shots like toasted marshmallow.
Located on North Davidson Street, Caffeto is a Colombian coffee bar celebrated for its bombons, while Undercurrent Coffee is acknowledged for its seasonal espresso and tonic offerings.
This diverse selection of coffee shops illustrates the rich café culture thriving within Charlotte, reflecting the community’s passion for coffee and its ability to bring people together.
FAQ
What is Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters known for?
Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters is located at 1217 The Plaza and is known for its signature cappuccino with almond milk, extra hot, and its buttery and rich quiche and croissants.
Where is The Hobbyist located and what do they serve?
The Hobbyist is situated at 2100 N Davidson St and offers a dark and moody atmosphere, as well as hot coffee with vanilla and iced matcha with vanilla, which is highly debated to be the best matcha in Charlotte.
What is Lottie’s Cafe famous for?
Lottie’s Cafe, located at 210 E Trade St, is famous for the “Iced Airplane Latte” made with Biscoff cookie butter.
What can visitors expect at Night Swim Coffee?
Night Swim Coffee, located at 1609 Elizabeth Ave, hosts daytime jam sessions with local DJs and has a popular matcha colada.
What offerings does Julia’s Cafe and Books have?
Julia’s Cafe and Books is tucked away at 644 N Church St and features a vast coffee menu, providing a cozy place for cappuccinos with flavor shots like toasted marshmallow.
Key Features of Charlotte’s Coffee Shops
| Coffee Shop | Location | Signature Drink | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters | 1217 The Plaza | Cappuccino with almond milk | Rich quiche and croissants |
| The Hobbyist | 2100 N Davidson St | Iced matcha with vanilla | Dark and moody atmosphere |
| Lottie’s Cafe | 210 E Trade St | Iced Airplane Latte | Live music atmosphere |
| Stable Hand | 4209 South Blvd | Spiced plum syrup drink | Spacious environment |
| Burr & Berry | 2230 Park Rd #102 | Variety of iced drinks | Drive-thru feature |
| Not Just Coffee (NJC) | 919 Berryhill Rd | Vanilla latte | Cozy ambiance popular with cyclists |
| Platform Coffee | 440 E McCullough Dr | Moonlight ube latte | Filled quickly, hearty food menu |
| Vavela Cafe | 15119 Bowl St | Pistachio latte | Spacious seating |
| Fly Kid Fly | 1824 N Brevard St | Iced matcha with toasted coconut | Curated music |
| Night Swim Coffee | 1609 Elizabeth Ave | Matcha colada | Daytime jam sessions |
| The People’s Market | 1133 N Wendover Rd | Seasonal chai lattes | Breakfast burritos |
| Julia’s Cafe and Books | 644 N Church St | Cappuccinos with flavor shots | Cozy reading environment |
| Caffeto | Located on North Davidson St | Bombons | Focus on Colombian coffee |
| Undercurrent Coffee | Not specified | Seasonal espresso and tonic drinks | Unique seasonal offerings |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
North Carolina Proposes ‘Raise Up’ as State Hip-Hop Song
Charlotte Welcomes New Cocktail Menu Celebrating Local Culture
Wildroots Coffee Launches Watermelon Seed Milk MILKish
Proposed Tariffs on Brazilian Coffee Imports Cause Concern in Charlotte
Charlotte Welcomes New Ice Cream Shops This Spring and Summer
Norms Vintage Market Draws Record Crowds at UNC Charlotte
Night Swim Coffee Opens New Location in Southend
Charlotte: A Hub of Culture, Community, and Culinary Delights
Charlotte’s DopeBrunch: A New Daytime Social Phenomenon
Completion of Linea Apartment Tower in Charlotte’s South End
Additional Resources
- Charlotte Observer: Top Coffee Shops in Charlotte
- Wikipedia: Coffee
- Axios: Middle Eastern Coffee Shops in Charlotte
- Google Search: Charlotte coffee shops
- News Observer: Coffee Culture in North Carolina
- Google Scholar: Coffee Culture Charlotte
- Charlotte Parent: Kid-Friendly Coffee Shops in Charlotte
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Coffee Shops
- What Now: Levant Café
- Google News: Charlotte coffee
Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
