
Iced latte from Artisan's Palate. Photo: Emma Way/Axios
Whether you’re working from home or back in the office — or you’re looking for your next job opportunity — coffee is a must.
Here are the best coffee shops to work from, or simply the best spots to refuel during your work day.
(Note: Coffee shops are listed below in no specific order. This is not a ranking. During the coronavirus pandemic, offerings may vary so call a shop ahead of time for details. This guide was last updated on April 11, 2021.)
(1) The Hobbyist
This new-ish Villa Heights coffee and bottle shop has a great bar to work on your laptop and sip a pour-over coffee. Plus, there’s plenty of comfy seating and patio space even while operating at reduced capacity.
Neighborhood: Villa Heights

The Hobbyist sells half-gallon jugs of cold brew for $17-$25.
(2) Queen City Grounds
Located on the ground floor of the Skyhouse’s north tower in Uptown’s Fourth Ward, Queen City Grounds offers locally made pastries, a menu by FüD, and an in-house roaster called Nightflyer Roastworks. Queen City Grounds also opened a second location on the ground floor of Broadstone Queen City apartments in South End.
Neighborhood: Fourth Ward, South End

Cronut from Queen City Grounds
(3) Lincoln’s Haberdashery
The South End urban market from the mind behind Futo Buta has sandwiches (breakfast and otherwise), a huge pastry case, plenty of coffee, and a large selection of alcoholic beverages for when you need that extra push at 5 p.m.
Neighborhood: South End

Upper seating nook at Lincoln’s Haberdashery
(4) Central Coffee South End
You’ll have to fight for space at the quaint original location in Plaza Midwood, but here you’ll find expanded seating, fast internet, and the same legendary quiche you know and love.
Neighborhood: South End

Quiche from Central Coffee
(5) Not Just Coffee Jay Street
This is where you go when you want to work from a coffee shop but don’t want to hear the person beside you slurping down their drink. It has plenty of seating, nicely spread throughout the huuuge facility. Not Just Coffee Dilworth and Atherton are cozier options with the same delicious coffee.
Neighborhood: Wesley Heights
(6) Amélie’s NoDa
The original space is open 24/7 and filled with eclectic decor, Amélie’s signature style.
Neighborhood: NoDa/Villa Heights.

Famous salted caramel brownie at Amelie’s
(7) Waterbean Coffee
Located in the former Parliament Coffee space on the first floor of the 300 South Tryon Building (also home to the likes of Angeline’s, Merchant and Trade and La Belle Helene) in Uptown, the local coffee shop chain offers five types of espresso. Waterbean also has a location on the other end of Uptown on North Tryon.
Neighborhood: Uptown

An iced latte from Waterbean. (Photo courtesy Waterbean)
(8) Stable Hand
This new South End spot opened right before the pandemic and offers HEX Coffee, craft beer, natural wines and an underrated food menu.
Neighborhood: South End
(9) Brakeman’s Coffee & Supply
Maybe you live in Matthews, or maybe you need a break from the hustle and bustle of Charlotte, either way, Brakeman’s is a cozy spot with delicious coffee and bakery items. And the patio is a prime spot for warmer days.
Neighborhood: Matthews

Related Agenda guide: 21 things to do, eat, and drink in Matthews, 25 minutes from Uptown
(10) Suffolk Punch
The coffee shop-restaurant-brewery-fermentation lab hybrid has become a South End staple that’s designed to be conducive to the flow of one’s day, transitioning seamlessly from a breakfast and coffee stop to lunch and eventually dinner with a full menu of beer and cocktails. And with USB ports scattered throughout and free wifi in the industrial chic space, it’s perfect for a remote worker.
Neighborhood: South End

Related Agenda guide: Complete list and map of breweries in Charlotte
(11) Undercurrent Coffee
Ideal for the person who tends to work through meal times, you can have your cup of coffee in the morning then stroll the food hall for a lunch break — then get right back to work if needed. It’s fun and efficient. Undercurrent’s Plaza Midwood location is great for working, too, with a ton of cozy nooks to set up in.
Neighborhood: Optimist Park, Plaza Midwood
(12) CupLux
OK technically this isn’t a coffee shop where you can get work done because its a drive-thru, but if you’re just looking for quick pick-me-up, this is your spot. Pro tip: On hot days, go for the cold brew slushie.
Neighborhood: Enderly Park
(13) Community Matters Cafe
This spacious coffeehouse and café has plenty of space (and outlets) to work inside and outside. Plus, every dollar spent here is doing some good for the community. The café is an extension program for the local nonprofit Charlotte Rescue Mission.
Neighborhood: Third Ward
(14) Common Market South End
The beloved icon is back in a new location with its signature bar-market-deli-coffee shop feel and two-and-a-half stories to hang out or work in.
Neighborhood: South End
Related story: Now Open: 5 quick things to know about the new Common Market South End

Big fan of these four bucket chairs on the way up the stairs at Common Market South End
(15) Coco and the Director
This coffee shop at the Marriott in Uptown has creative tiered lounge seating and a mezzanine level where you can escape for more focus.
Neighborhood: Uptown
(16) Crema Espresso
You’ll see regulars coming in for their usual all morning long, but the cozy Dilworth spot is never too crowded. They have coffee, crepes, and bakery items, and wine when the time’s right.
Neighborhood: Dilworth
(17) Enderly Coffee Co.
Sit by a window at this quiet west Charlotte coffee shop and get ready for a productive work day. Bonus: Enderly has an excellent fall spice latte.
Neighborhood: Enderly Park

Enderly’s iced fall spice latte — because even though it’s fall, we’re still in the South.
(18) Artisan’s Palate
This NoDa spot is a mix between a coffee shop, bar, restaurant and art gallery with indoor/outdoor dining and a peaceful secret garden-like patio in the back.
Neighborhood: NoDa

Caramel iced latte
(19) Salud Cerveceria
Tucked away above Salud’s bottle shop is a quiet coffee shop by day and lively beer bar by night with live music, shuffleboard and large community tables designed for conversation.
Pro tip: Salud also has some of the best pizza in the city so come hungry. [Full Axios guide: 9 Charlotte breweries for pizza lovers]
Neighborhood: NoDa
Looking for more Charlotte food and drink guides? Here’s a complete list of Agenda guides including best burgers, best bars, best new restaurants, best weekly specials, best pizza, best sushi, best cocktail bars, top restaurants, and best brunch.