The roasters writing the coffee scene in Charlotte: who they are, where they source from and where to drink it.
The roasters writing the coffee scene in Charlotte. who they are, where they source from, and where to drink the result.
HEX Coffee Roasters at Camp North End is the Charlotte specialty roaster with a flagship cafe that turns into a natural-wine room in the evening on Camp Road.
Tip: Filter is the strongest programme; the espresso bar runs through the morning. Natural wine is the evening switch.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
Pure Intentions Coffee on Choate Circle is the organic-leaning Charlotte coffee roaster since 2011, with a small retail cafe and a wholesale programme.
Tip: Whole-bean retail is the consistent strength; the cafe hours are limited.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Honduras, Peru
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
Not Just Coffee is the Charlotte specialty roaster with three city cafes, anchored by the Atherton Mill flagship in South End and a roasting programme since.
Tip: Buy beans at Atherton Mill. The Providence Road and Park Road branches share the same roast list.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Brazil
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
Undercurrent Coffee runs the Optimist Hall coffee programme on the first floor with single-origin filter and a small whole-bean retail counter for the food.
Tip: Pair an Undercurrent filter with lunch from Bao and Broth or Botiwalla inside Optimist Hall.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Kenya
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
Central Coffee Co. on Louise Avenue is the family-run Plaza Midwood coffeehouse and small-batch roaster since 2009, with retail beans and an espresso bar.
Tip: The cafe is small; mornings get full. Bag sales hold up the wholesale programme.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Brazil
How they serve: Espresso, Drip, Whole bean retail