Food and Drink

What’s brewing in Charlotte’s evolving coffee culture? 10 things to know.

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

Charlotte’s coffee scene is changing, blending tradition and innovation.

Turkish and Yemeni cafes like Anatolia Cafe, Vavela Cafe, Haraz, and Qahwah House bring authentic global flavors and late-night gatherings to the city, emphasizing hospitality and community over quick service.

Local favorites like Backyard Brew in Dilworth surprise guests with unique custom drinks and a wall for customer doodles, while spots such as Eighty Eights Coffee Cocktails mix jazz, cocktails and daytime espresso near NoDa’s Independent Picture House.

Hidden gems, like Roasted Tinto inside a laundromat, offer Colombian pastries and a casual place to connect.

All around Charlotte, these cafes are fostering spaces that go beyond the drink to build connections and celebrate diverse cultures.

This Charlotte Observer photo from Dec. 1998 shows, from left, Angela Ingersoll,31, Jennifer Gruszecki, 28, and Laura McCarthy at Dilwroth Coffee House. The caption, calling them all members of Generation X, stated that the group was discussing their hopes and fears about the new years, as well as what they think about spiritual issues, politics and the state of the government. By PATRICK SCHNEIDER

NO. 1: ‘THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE BUZZ LEFT’: WHAT WERE ’90S COFFEEHOUSES LIKE IN CHARLOTTE?

By 1994, Charlotte was embracing its coffee culture. Where there were no coffeehouses five years prior, then there were dozens. Let’s look back. | Published September 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kayleigh Ruller

A strawberry matcha at Backyard Brew on East Boulevard. By Tonya Price

NO. 2: YOUR WEIRD ORDER COMES WITH A REMAKE GUARANTEE AT THIS CHARLOTTE CAFE

“Whatever kind of bizarre order you want to come up with, never, ever fear it. Order it.” Here’s an inside look at East Boulevard’s best kept secret. | Published July 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Samantha Husted

Caribou Coffee

NO. 3: AFTER LONG ABSENCE, POPULAR COFFEE CHAIN RETURNS TO LAKE NORMAN WITH NEW STORE

Caribou Coffee last operated a Lake Norman store two decades ago, in the Super Target-anchored Winslow Bay Commons retail center in Mooresville. Now, it’s back. | Published July 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

Eighty Eights Coffee & Cocktails is a new upscale coffee shop and jazz bar near NoDa in Charlotte. By Alex Cason

NO. 4: MUSIC LOUNGE IS A COFFEE HAVEN BY DAY, COCKTAIL AND JAZZ DESTINATION BY NIGHT.

A local bar for coffee, cocktails and jazz music called Eighty Eights Coffee + Cocktails is conveniently located near Independent Picture House in Charlotte. | Published September 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by CharlotteFive staff

A Dutch Bros Coffee is coming to Warner Robins.

NO. 5: CHARLOTTE’S COFFEE SCENE IS ABOUT TO GET HOTTER. ANOTHER WEST COAST CHAIN IS COMING

The rapidly expanding coffee chain competes with coffee giants like Starbucks and Dunkin. | Published December 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso

Traditional Turkish coffee is served at Haraz, a Yemeni coffee shop in Plaza Midwood. By Samantha Husted

NO. 6: YEMENI-OWNED COFFEE SHOPS ARE DIVERSIFYING CHARLOTTE’S COFFEE SCENE ONE LATTE AT A TIME

These spots serve as a gathering place with a bonus: sweet pistachio lattes, Dubai chocolates and milk cakes. | Published December 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Samantha Husted

The seating area is spacious and accented with greenery at Vavela Café.

NO. 7: NEW TURKISH COFFEE SHOP BRINGS LATE-NIGHT GATHERING SPOT, AUTHENTIC BREWS TO CHARLOTTE

The spacious cafe in University City uses a wood-fired roaster, giving its coffee a distinctive flavor. | Published March 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sunny Hubler

This Lake Norman Starbucks is a half-mile from a planned Starbucks drive-though location. By JOE MARUSAK

NO. 8: STARBUCKS PLANS LAKE NORMAN LOCATION RIGHT ACROSS THE ROAD FROM ITS LONGTIME RIVAL

Charlotte developer BV Belk owns the 0.88-acre drive-thru site directly across from the coffee chain’s smaller rival. | Published April 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

North Tryon Laundromat is a local, family-owned business in Charlotte run by Camilla Franco and her parents. By Courtesy of North Tryon Laundromat

NO. 9: NEW CHARLOTTE LAUNDROMAT IS HOME TO A HIDDEN GEM INSIDE — A BAKERY & CAFE

Yes, you read that right. Here’s where you can go to make laundry day a little bit sweeter. | Published April 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

Traditional Turkish coffee is bitter, earthy, slightly sweet and sure to wake you up. By Anatolia Cafe and Cuisine

NO. 10: TREND ALERT: TURKISH COFFEE CHARMS CHARLOTTE WITH ANCIENT FLAVORS, RICH CULTURE

The ancient traditions of Turkish coffee culture are brewing up community connections in Charlotte. | Published May 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Samantha Husted

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.