Night Swim’s Oakhurst location is a great spot to sit outside on a beautiful day. | Photo via @nightswimcoffee
For richer or pour over, Charlotte’s coffee shops are what keep us going in the morning.
The Queen City has no shortage of masterful baristas, aromatic roasts, and foamy lattes. But if you’re having trouble deciding on a spot, gather some brews clues with our guide to some of the best coffee shops in Charlotte.
Roasts to boast
Night Swim | We recommend stopping by the roastery & cafe location at 4500 Old Pineville Rd. to try Night Swim’s popular roasts.
Get there quick and snag a spot on this couch for the coziest vibes imaginable.
Julia’s Café and Books | Another bookstore coffee spot, Julia’s offers a cozy, quiet space to read and write. Bonus: The cafe benefits the Charlotte region’s Habitat for Humanity.
On-the-go joe
Summit Coffee, multiple locations | With five Charlotte locations, this coffee shop is perfect for commuters across the city looking to get their coffee fix.
Sumaq Coffee’s food is great, but its space is also beautiful and filled with plants.
Sumaq Coffee | Share a cup of coffee with friends while dining on dishes like Dulce de Leche Bread or the Wasi House, which features chicken, bacon, caramelized pineapple, cheese, and pepper sauce.
Small Business Summit: Scaling Smart | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | South Piedmont Community College OCH Campus | Free | Learn and grow by connecting with fellow small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Cast Iron Grilling | 6-9 p.m. | Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen | $90 | Learn to cook cornbread, chicken, veggies, and dessert in a cast iron skillet.
Friday, June 13
Family Fun Night | 4-7 p.m. | 11920 Joleen Ct., Huntersville | Free | Bring the family for live music, food trucks, a petting zoo, a bounce house, and a giant slide.
Low Country Boil | 6 p.m. | State of Confusion | Cost of purchase | Get a taste of Charleston with a menu serving shrimp, crab, and all the fixin’s, plus drink specials and live music.
Belmont Abbey Bluegrass/Folk Jam | 7-9 p.m. | Belmont Abbey College | Free | Listen, dance a jig, and take the chance to play gospel, country, and Irish tunes.
Saturday, June 14
2nd Annual Equal Footing 5K | 8:30-11 a.m. | Marvin Efird Park | $30 | Lace up your shoes to run or walk, with proceeds benefiting summer sports for kids living with disabilities.
Grill and Grow Together Block Party | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Opportunity House, Concord | Free | Join the community over lunch, face painting, games and raffles, live music, and more.
Sips for Scholars | 7-11 p.m. | NASCAR Hall of Fame | $100+ | You won’t want to miss this heart-filled gala celebrating young cancer survivors in the Carolinas.
Celebrate the opening of McColl Park on Saturday, June 21 from 12 to 4 p.m. The free event will have live music, art installations, entertainment, food, and refreshments. Charlotte’s newest public park at Independence Square honors former Bank of America Chairman and CEO Hugh L. McColl Jr.
Eat
Harper’s Cafe is now open in Pineville. Sound familiar? It’s an iteration of the former Harper’s Restaurant in SouthPark that closed last year. Serving breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday, guests can order favorites like chicken supremes and Betty’s pimento cheese.
Pets
Raise the woof. Molly’s Dog Care South End plans to debut this summer. Located just a short walk from Bank of America Stadium, the pet service will offer daycare, boarding, and grooming services.
Coming Soon
Ready for some fun? The family experience store CAMP is coming to SouthPark Mall. Guests can look forward to in-store experiences, like playhouse games and activities, plus, the hottest toys all in one place. An opening date remains TBA.
Development
Spectrum Center is getting more upgrades, thanks to Charlotte City Council recently approving $275 million in improvements. The funds look to upgrade the arena’s entry areas, safety and security systems, and bathrooms to meet NBA requirements. The council is slated to vote on Monday, June 23. (Queen City News)
Outdoors
Charlotte’s tree canopy is shrinking, according to the city’s urban forester. Byhow much? The canopy covering the city’s land area could drop from 47.3% to 41% by 2050. Data is being collected for ways to save the Queen City’s trees, like removing invasive tree species, with a vote on a plan expected next year. (WFAE)
Health
Planning a boat trip? Health officials found elevated levels of E. Coli in several popular Carolina waters during recent testing, and recommend visitors avoid swimming. These spots include the Baltimore Access along the South Fork River near Cramerton and at Rock Creek along the Catawba River near Great Falls. (WCNC)
Feel Good
Charlotte Hornets’ forward Grant Williams is teaming up with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library for a summer reading series. The “Summer Break: Ready, Set, Read!” initiative is a free program that logs children’s reading time, offering challenges and prizes all summer long. (WCNC)
Sports
Games 1 and 2 of the Calder Cup Finals featuring the Charlotte Checkers will be played at Bojangles Coliseum on Friday, June 13 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 15 at 4 p.m. Can’t go? The games will air on WCNC Charlotte’s 36.2 channel, which should be listed on your TV Guide as the True Crime Network. (WCNC)
Listen
Carolina’s mandatory minicamp kicked off with unexpected fireworks. Go beyond the war room for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Real Estate
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Read
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Finance
If “Yellowstone” taught us anything, it’s to protect what’s yours. With gold projected to hit $4,000 an ounce by 2026, a gold IRA is a tax-advantaged way to saddle up for uncertain times.†*
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The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Speaking of great coffee spots in Charlotte, Sumaq Coffee serves my all-time favorite sandwich option in the Queen City. Make sure you try the mouthwatering Wasi House. I also find some extra creative inspiration writing beneath their unique indoor tree setup.
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