Here Are 7 Unique Coffee Shops In Charlotte With Java To Die For

If you live in the Queen City, you know you don't have to settle for the same old coffee every day. Charlotte has many unique coffee shops that serve fresh, ground coffee at a moment's notice. These coffee shops and cafes often feature great java, an inviting atmosphere, and friendly staff ready to make sure you get your caffeine fix when you need it. Check out our favorite places for coffee in the QC, and add these to your list if you're looking for a new shop to try.

1. Trade and Lore

Trade and Lore opened up this year in Noda in the Salud Cerveceria and Taproom. Located on the second floor of Salud, Trade and Lore has received great reviews already by residents in Noda and other Charlotteans. NoDa's Trade and Lore is the second shop for owners Lindsey Pitman and Sarah Winkler as their first was opened in Asheville, NC. When you enter Trade and Lore you'll step into a cool and modern space with warm friendly faces behind the counter. Trade and Lore is an awesome place to spend the day if you are looking for a place to settle in and get some work done.

3306 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205

2. Not Just Coffee

Not Just Coffee is a Charlotte staple located in the 7th Street Market near Uptown. Not Just Coffee specializes in serving customers a flavorful, aromatic pour over coffee that will suit any coffee lover. Not Just Coffee prides itself on the pour over method because slow, mannered, and low-tech and in their opinion the best way to serve coffee.

Not Just Coffee has four other locations in addition to it's flagship 7th Street location and each one offers an open, light environment that is always packed and a great place to meet new people, do some work, or just sit back and observe. A no-frills coffee shop, this is the place to visit if you are just looking for a good ol' cup of Joe.

7th Street Location: 224 E 7th S.t, Charlotte, NC 28202

Packard Place Location: 222 S Church St., Charlotte, NC 28202

Atherton Mills Location: 2000 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203

Tabor/Soco Gallery: 421 Providence Rd., Charlotte, NC 28207

Dilworth Crossing: 2230 Park Rd., Charlotte, NC 28203

3. Nova's Bakery

Nova's Bakery is a small little bakery in Charlotte with two locations —

one in Plaza Midwood and the other on South Blvd. A family run bakery, Nova's Bakery was opened by the Novakovic family who immigrated to the U.S. from Belgrade, Serbia. They opened their first bakery on South Boulevard in 1996 with the expectation of only doing a wholesale business, but the support of the local community was so great, and customers who came in loved the coffee and freshly baked goods so much that they were persuaded to make their location a little store front and from there, the rest is history. Nova's serves fresh coffee daily and has a self-serve bar with mild, medium, and dark roast always available for customers to grab a cup. They always offer a flavored coffee that changes daily and they also make specialty drinks like lattes, espresso, and cappuccinos behind the counter. An assortment of pastries, scones, and freshly baked bread fills the glass cases at the counter. This little bakery is the perfect place to stop in for a coffee and a treat on your way into the office.

South Blvd. Location: 1515 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203

Plaza Midwood Location: 1511 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205

Farmer's Market Location: 1801 Yorkmont Rd., Charlotte, NC 28217

Matthews Mint Hill Location: 3565 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd., Charlotte, NC 28105

Rock Hill Location: 1108 Cherry Rd., Rock Hill, SC 29732

4. Amelie's French Bakery

Amelie's French Bakery is a local favorite for great coffee and amazing sweets. Their flagship location is in the NoDa arts district, which may have been the influence behind Amelie's eclectic environment. A large open space full of plush, colorful, chairs, sofas, and ottomans Amelie's has created a relaxed, colorful environment for those who plan to spend the day working, reading, or surfing the net. Amelie's serves up fresh, bold coffees daily and guests often complement their cup of coffee with one of the amazing bakery treats in the glass case. The salted caramel brownie is our favorite, but colorful macaroons, savory pies, and beautiful tarts give visitors plenty of options to pair with their coffee. If you haven't yet been into an Amelie's, you must check it out this weekend. This funky coffee shop will quickly become one of your favorites.

NoDa Location: 2424 N. Davidson St., Charlotte, NC 28205

Uptown Location: 380 S. College St., Charlotte, NC 28202

Caramel Commons Location: 7715 Pineville Matthews Rd., Charlotte, NC 28226

Park Rd. Location: 4321 Park Rd., Charlotte, NC 28209

5. Smelly Cat Coffee and Roastery

Smelly Cat Coffeehouse and Roastery has been located in the heart of NoDa neighborhood for the past 16 years. A hip little local spot, this coffee shop is a daily stop for many NoDa residents. Smelly Cat's recipe for success is acting on their passion for local art and the authentic NoDa community while serving the best cup of Java in town. This coffee shop is a regular gathering spot for many of those who live in NoDa and any given day you may walk by the coffee shop and see a full patio of people chatting and enjoying their drinks. Smelly Cat is the definition of local neighborhood coffee shop and is a must-try if you are ever in the NoDa area.

514 E. 36th St., Charlotte, NC 28205

6. Central Coffee Co.

Central Coffee Co. is another Charlotte staple located in the Plaza Midwood area. Opened in 2009, this coffee shop used to be the location of an old convenience store in the neighborhood. The outside may not look like much, but when you walk into the shop you'll find a warm, inviting environment with brick walls and a large community fireplace. Central Coffee Co. offers customers any type of tea or coffee drink they could imagine, and their specialty is the Central Shorty - a 6 oz. latte made with 2 oz. of espresso, a shot of vanilla and topped with steamed milk. Central Coffee Co. just recently opened a new location in South End as well, so make sure you get out and try this coffee shop today.

Plaza Midwood Location: 719 Louise Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204

South End Location: 1700 Camden Rd., Charlotte, NC 28203

7. Sunflower Baking Company

Sunflour Baking Company is a sunny bakery in Charlotte that serves amazing coffee with gourmet breakfast sandwiches. This place is a local favorite if you are looking to get a good cup of Joe with a warm biscuit or cinnamon roll on the side. Serving organic coffee and tea, Sunflour Baking Company offers customers all the traditional coffee favorites as well as a great list of flavored teas for those non-coffee drinkers. The white tea is one of our favorites, with peaches and citrus flavors or. The herbal teas are the perfect warm up on a cold day. Sunflour Baking Company is famous for their homemade Southern Cheddar Biscuits, so if you are looking for a new breakfast spot to try, head out to Sunflour and enjoy!

Elizabeth Location: 2001 E 7th St., Charlotte, NC 28204

Dilworth Location: 220 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203

Where's your favorite place to grab a cup of Joe in Charlotte? Let us know in the comments. Happy sipping!