Need an extra pick me up? We get it. Good news—Charlotte has plenty of amazing coffee shops all over the city. Below you’ll find a few of our favorite spots to get espresso, iced coffees and more.

Eight & Sand

Hop off the light rail at New Bern station in South End and you’ll be right at the front door of Eight & Sand. Some of their coffee syrups change seasonally, but you can’t go wrong with the classic vanilla, mocha, caramel options. They also have Nitro Oat Milk Lattes on draft if you’re not into dairy. If you’re having brunch with your friends and coffee just isn’t enough, lucky for you, Eight & Sand also has cocktails.

Suffolk Punch

Suffolk Punch is a full bar and restaurant, but their coffee menu deserves a spotlight. The best part of the Suffolk Punch coffee bar is the seasonal specials. During the fall, swing by and try their Campfire Latte, a chocolate latte with torched marshmallow and graham cracker crumble, or the Pumpkin Pie Latte, a creamy latte with brown sugar cinnamon & pumpkin pie whip on top. During the winter months, try the Winter Wonderland Latte. It’s full of white chocolate, espresso and peppermint-infused whipped cream. Yeah, we weren’t kidding about their seasonal specials. 

Queen City Grounds

Now with two locations in Charlotte, Queen City Grounds is another delicious spot for coffee in Charlotte. They have almond, oat and soy milk for non-dairy options. We recommend the Flat White and the Golden Chai Latte. One thing we love about Queen City Grounds is their smoothie and lemonade options, making it a perfect place to take your friends and family members who don’t drink coffee. 

Sunflour Baking Company

You’ve probably already heard about the cheddar biscuits at Sunflour Baking Company, but don’t sleep on their coffee. They make their own chocolate, vanilla, caramel and seasonal syrups in-house daily. Try the Dirty Mocha if you like dark chocolate flavors in your coffee. If you’re more of a tea person, Sunflour has an assortment of black, white, green and herbal teas. Don’t forget to grab a pastry before you leave.

Amelie's French Bakery & Cafe

The eclectic furniture is enough to lure you into Amelie’s, but the coffee will definitely make you stay. Sadly, the Amelie’s location in Uptown closed because of COVID-19. So be sure to stop by their NoDa and Ballantyne spots and support your local baristas. Our two favorite drinks are the Salted Caramel Brownie Cafe Mocha (we know—it’s amazing) and the Cafe Marcotter.

Cuplux

Cuplux is a one-of-a-kind coffee spot in Charlotte. It’s only a drive-thru shop, there is no inside seating. They’re known for their Cold Brew Slushies—the perfect summer treat for coffee lovers. There are two flavor options for the Cold Brew Slushie, you can get vanilla or honey & oates. Cuplux claims its White Mocha is “the greatest White Mocha ever,” so you should probably swing by and find out for yourself.

Cafe Moka

If you’re in South Charlotte, you have to try Cafe Moka in the Waverly shopping center. The extensive coffee menu includes Espresso Cubano and Cafe con Leche, if you’re looking for a traditional coffee experience. Their indulgent lattes are absolutely delicious, our favorites are the Cinnamon Peak Latte and the Toffee Crunch Latte.

Not Just Coffee

Not Just Coffee now has six locations in Charlotte, so chances are there is one near you. We love how Nott Just Coffee is dedicated to cultivating a community supportive of ethical and locally-driven business. They partner with Homeland Creamery and Counter Culture Coffee to craft flavorful brews, each made with precision and care.

Crema Expresso

If you visit Crema Espresso on East Boulevard, you’ll feel right at home. It’s super cozy, and with their full menu you can enjoy a tasty meal while you’re there. Our favorite choice is the Honeybun Latte, which tastes like cinnamon, honey and happiness. Before you leave, you have to try the Affogato, which is two shots of espresso over ice cream.