Undercurrent Coffee at Optimist Hall is a cafe in South End, Charlotte.
Undercurrent Coffee runs the Optimist Hall coffee counter on the first floor, with a single-origin filter programme and the food-hall's broader menu.
Must order: A filter coffee and a Suarez Bakery pastry from down the hall.
Tip: The food-hall's vendor list is huge; pair Undercurrent's coffee with lunch from Bao and Broth or Botiwalla.
Address: 1115 N Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Pure Intentions Coffee on Choate Circle is the organic-leaning Charlotte roaster's cafe and roastery since 2011, with single-origin filter and a small bench.
Signature drink: Single-origin filter
Order: A single-origin filter and a bag of whole-bean to take home.
Tip: The retail roastery has tour days; check the operator site for the schedule.
Not Just Coffee at Atherton Mill is the South End flagship of Charlotte's specialty coffee brand, set inside a converted textile mill on South Boulevard.
Signature drink: Filter coffee
Order: A pour-over filter and a slice of bake from the case.
Tip: The mill conversion gives ample table space for work; weekday mornings are the quietest.
Pure Intentions Coffee on Choate Circle is the organic-leaning Charlotte roaster's cafe and roastery since 2011, with single-origin filter and a small bench.
Signature drink: Single-origin filter
Order: A single-origin filter and a bag of whole-bean to take home.
Tip: The retail roastery has tour days; check the operator site for the schedule.
Stoke at the Charlotte Marriott City Center on West Trade is the uptown breakfast and morning-coffee room, with wood-fired plates and a chef-driven approach.
Signature drink: Espresso and breakfast plate
Order: The breakfast plate and a strong espresso.
Tip: Breakfast is the strongest service. Reserve through the hotel or walk in early.
Not Just Coffee at Atherton Mill is the South End flagship of Charlotte's specialty coffee brand, set inside a converted textile mill on South Boulevard.
Signature drink: Filter coffee
Order: A pour-over filter and a slice of bake from the case.
Tip: The mill conversion gives ample table space for work; weekday mornings are the quietest.
The Providence Road branch of Not Just Coffee is the Myers Park neighbourhood cafe, with a smaller footprint and the full Not Just Coffee filter and espresso.
Signature drink: Espresso
Order: An espresso and the coffee of the day; pastries rotate.
Tip: Closed Sunday. Park on the side street; the lot is tight.
Not Just Coffee on Park Road sits at the edge of Dilworth, a neighbourhood cafe with the brand's filter and espresso menu and a small patio for warmer days.
Signature drink: Cortado
Order: A cortado and the breakfast pastry of the day.
Tip: Easier to grab a seat than the Atherton Mill flagship. Bicycle racks out front.
Central Coffee Co. on Louise Avenue is the family-run Plaza Midwood neighbourhood cafe since 2009, a regular spot for laptops, conversations and morning.
Signature drink: Drip coffee
Order: A drip coffee and a baked good from the case.
Tip: Two outdoor benches out front, plus a small bookable backroom for groups.
