Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Community Matters Cafe

    4.6 (186 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 2:00 pm

    Order Community Matters Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Community Matters Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    COMMUNITY MATTERS CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    More like Community Matters Cafe

    Recommended Reviews - Community Matters Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Sandwich
    Christa C.

    Absolutely delicious breakfast! Conveniently located close to the airport so I'm looking forward to stopping in next time I fly out of Charlotte! The service was amazing. I had a really good iced coffee drink, and the food was delicious! Huge portion size.

    Americano
    Ryan F.

    Do yourself a favor and do not pass on CMC for your morning needs. CMC has a homestyle city feel where you're sharing drinks with the people who are in the know. CMC has good coffee m, grandma's muffins and a homestyle breakfast if you choose.

    Iced Honey Bee Latte
    Cayla M.

    This is absolutely one of my favorite places in Charlotte. Read the mission before you go if you haven't. The food is delicious and the staff is so, so kind. Can't wait to go back.

    Cajun Sausage Skillet and Cinnamon Bun Mocha
    James K.

    Super cute cafe with great servers and even better food. Coffee selection was fun and it was all very delicious, also so nice to know that the workers here are paid a real wage and the mission of the cafe is for a great cause, will be back MANY more times!!

    Work area
    Christin N.

    Came here to work and have breakfast. Great Atmosphere for a meeting or just to work out of the office. They also have a large area that's more restaurant style. So half coffee shop area and half restaurant. Good Coffee Fantastic Ricotta Toast Bread was super fresh, ricotta was so creamy, tomatoes so fresh and sweet and some daps of pesto! Just suggest some pillows on your bench pews as you can sit and get comfortable without them because you dip back. Missing 1 Star just because service wasn't 5 stars. Just not friendly or welcoming when ordering. Also when wish coffee was a little stronger. Next time I will need to add a shit of expresso to get a stronger flavor of coffee.

    José A.

    I love this place. Period! Community Matters Cafe is more than a place to dine, it's a life skills program for individuals who deserve a second chance in life. The service is great, the entire place is clean and the ambiance is welcoming and professional. Side note, I have come here several times, and I have seen quite a few local celebrities and top corporate individuals. There is a coffee shop on the side with a diverse and delicious options of coffee drinks. While this wonderful place does not offer quite the culinary experience, the menu does offer a few delicious options for your typical American food. I still give them 5 stars. This is a standalone building located in uptown Charlotte with a beautiful view of Bank of America stadium. It's a great set up for a nice photo. There is plenty of free parking in its own lot. Overall, 100% recommended!

    Hania A.

    So I might have had high expectations for this place, not sure, but it was not all that it was made out to be. Service was just ok, started out good but after we got our food no one checked on us. I needed ketchup and hot sauce, but I didn't see our waiter again until we were ready to leave. Food was not good anyhow, my bread was burnt and overall came out cold. I got the BLT and it was probably one of the worst I've ever had (not sure how you can mess that up). And the Brussel sprouts side was just ok, couldn't finish it. Lastly, I tried a frozen frappe and it was not good either. THE ONLY THING I really liked about this spot is their mission (my 2 stars was for that). Probably won't be visiting again for any food or drinks though.

    ProsperiTEA
    De'Anna W.

    A great find. Loved everything here. The food, drinks, staff, space and concept all were amazing. I tried the ProsperiTEA...it's their version of a Starbucks medicine but 10x's better. To eat I stayed basic and got scrambled eggs, grits, potatoes and toast. Random praise but that toast is delicious. I put the fresh raspberry jam on it and it was oddly my favorite part of the meal. Staff was very nice. Our waitress was new but if she didn't know the answer to something she had no issue asking for help. I didn't finish my food and she made a little joke like I'll come back after you eat some more and it made me smile. It was like a mother/grandmother telling you to eat up. I love the layout. There is so much space here and I definitely will be coming back with my laptop one day to hang out.

    Alexandra M.

    Community Matters is one of my favorite coffee shop stops in Charlotte. They have both take away and a full service restaurant and are always buzzing with customers. I usually get a seasonal latte or vanilla latte which is always delicious. Today I tried the breakfast sandwich with turkey sausage and it was also great! The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming and a great place to enjoy breakfast or work for the day. They also are an extension of the Charlotte Rescue Mission which helps people struggling with addiction in our community. Will always come here when I can!

    Raquel S.

    Came here for a coffee meeting recently and was pleasantly surprised. The space is pretty big and it was bustling with people on a Wednesday morning having meetings or getting some work done. The energy was great! I didn't eat breakfast but I enjoyed a really good gingerbread latte. Located near uptown and lots of free parking in their parking lot.

    Winter salad
    Apryl A.

    I've been a handful of times with colleagues for lunch because the food and service is always amazing. Love their creative salads each season!

    London Fog and Hot Chocolate
    Tyler G.

    Come for delicious food and stay for the mission. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. All of his suggestions were 5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed the hot chocolate and London fog 5/5. Egg sandwich and side (cheddar grits) 4/5 Everything was good, but I needed something to tie the sandwich together. It was a bit dry. I added jelly to the sandwich (not included).

    S'mores seasonal drink
    Ashley F.

    I love this place! It literally can do no wrong in my book. My bestie and I came by to grab brunch and coffee. I ordered the s'mores hot chocolate seasonal drink. It was sooooo damn good! Such a delicious and nostalgic drink. I also decided to try the pumpkin ricotta toast and unfortunately I hated it lol. I love all things pumpkin but this dish was missing something. It wasn't even necessarily nasty, it just needed something bad. I took about 2 bites and was done with it. But my my my my, the Johnny cakes came through and saved the day! I subbed the pork for turkey sausage and WOW! This dish is phenomenal. It's like my new fav breakfast item! Such a tasty meal with so many different flavor profiles happening. I mean I don't think I took a breath while eating this. Amazing! Service at CMC is always awesome as well! Great times!

    Pulled Pork Johnny Cake

    See all

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryan F.
    3
    52
    60

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Service was a little slow, but the serve was really nice. The pancakes were amazing!!!!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 16
    Thanks 0
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ali P.
    0
    17
    31

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ken F.
    87
    10
    0

    1 year ago

    The steel oats are the best I've ever had! Love Anthony as a server!! And love Will the manager!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex W.
    33
    141
    249

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Monica S.
    1
    83
    179

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Laura W.
    7
    16
    110

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Community Matters Cafe

    Are dogs welcomed outside?

    Yes, we bring ours every time we go. They are great about bringing a dog bowl of water out before you even have to ask. The area is covered, so that helps keep it a little cooler for them too

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Breakfast & Brunch 9,721 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Amélie's French Bakery & Café - Macarons

    Amélie's French Bakery & Café

    4.2(885 reviews)
    0.7 miUptown
    $$

    I loved the experience of this place. It was quaint and loved the ambiance of it all. We stopped…read morethrough after dinner up the street and I got a few treats to enjoy back at the hotel. I ordered the Biscoff cheesecake, a lemon bar, pecan and keylime tart....all delightful by the way. Definitely will come back the next time in town....you have to stop in if you are in the neighborhood!

    Review for Amélie's French Bakery & Café…read more As a transplant from the West Coast--specifically San Francisco, where high-quality bakeries and true French pâtisseries are plentiful--I was genuinely excited to try Amélie's after moving to Charlotte. Unfortunately, my experience was disappointing, and after giving it more than one chance, it's simply not a place I plan to return to. The concept feels more like a themed destination than a serious bakery. The interior is whimsical and eye-catching, with decorative elements like a faux Eiffel Tower, which clearly appeals to visitors looking for a fun atmosphere. However, if you've spent time in authentic French cafés or bistros, you know the real charm is understated elegance--wood, mirrors, tile, and craftsmanship. This felt more theatrical than authentic. Where it fell short for me was the food. For a place calling itself a French bakery and pâtisserie, the absence of classic laminated pastries was surprising. I was expecting staples like Napoleons, kouign-amann, or beautifully executed croissants. What I found instead were pastries that looked average and lacked the refinement and technique you'd expect from a true pâtisserie. On my visits, I tried: * A leek soup that was supposed to be cream-based but tasted thin and under-seasoned--more like warm vegetable water than a properly developed soup. * A baguette sandwich with fig, Brie, and apple that sounded promising but was poorly executed. The bread was overly hard, and the balance of ingredients felt off, making the sandwich less enjoyable than expected. I gave Amélie's two chances, hoping the second visit would change my impression. It didn't. To be fair, the café clearly has a loyal following and works well as a social or casual gathering spot. But if you're specifically looking for high-quality French pastries or refined bakery craftsmanship, there are stronger options in the Charlotte area. Personally, I'd recommend: * Renaissance Patisserie for more traditional European-style pastries * Paris Baguette at Rea Farms for consistency and better execution * Or trusted local favorites closer to home Bottom line: Fun atmosphere, but the food didn't meet expectations for a French bakery. After multiple visits, it's a pass for me.

    Photos
    Amélie's French Bakery & Café - Line to order

    Line to order

    Amélie's French Bakery & Café - Samoa tart

    Samoa tart

    Amélie's French Bakery & Café - A different section upstairs

    See all

    A different section upstairs

    Lottie's Cafe - Beattie's Bagel

    Lottie's Cafe

    4.4(102 reviews)
    0.8 miUptown

    TLDR: Cafe vibes that are good for if you are planning on hanging out in the cafe, bad if you are…read moretrying to get your food and go. The atmosphere was nice, it has the "work on your laptop or catch up with friends" cafe vibe. Somewhere you can hang for several hours and sip and coffee as you work/talk. I don't think I was the target demographic for this cafe sadly. I ordered a BE&C on a bagel. I originally had planned to go to a more "bagel-focused" shop, but they were closed. That's where I feel I was not the target demographic; I was looking to just order a bagel on my morning commute. I should have noticed the atmosphere/vibe of the cafe and realized that this was not going to be fast. It ended up taking over 30 minutes from the time I paid to the time I got my food (genuinely, I looked at the time my credit card was swiped and compared it to the time it was when I got my food). Now, I will say, if I had ordered coffee and brought a book, the wait probably wouldn't have been too much of a bother. The staff was really friendly, and the bathrooms were also very clean! The bagel was not my favorite bagel, but it was on par for a non-bagel-focused coffee shop. It wasn't bad by any means, but I would not order it if you were wanting "real" bagel. Edit: owner made a good point regarding the wait and was correct that I did not notice the disclaimer regarding the wait! I updated the rating to reflect my newer perspective.

    Warm apple fritter. Maybe not what you would have thought when walking in, but they warm it up and…read moreserve it on a plate with just the right amount of small apple chunks in it! Mouth watering to say the least. The avocado toast was good and fulfilling. I wouldn't say great but along with a solid cappuccino it was good.

    Photos
    Lottie's Cafe
    Lottie's Cafe - Shrimp and Grits (coming soon)

    Shrimp and Grits (coming soon)

    Lottie's Cafe - Biscoff latte

    See all

    Biscoff latte

    Coco and the Director - Cronut

    Coco and the Director

    4.2(341 reviews)
    0.7 miUptown, Fourth Ward
    $

    Matcha latte and Cronut…read more Coco and the Director is my go-to coffee stop in Uptown--especially when I'm craving a cronut. The cronuts are the real star here. They sell out quickly, so the move is to get there early and grab one while it's still warm. Trust me, if you're going to get one, get two. The café sits inside the lobby level of the Charlotte Marriott City Center, which makes it easy to access if you're already walking around Uptown. If you're doing a quick drive-by, just be friendly with the valet--tip them and pop inside to grab your coffee and pastry. They offer a full coffee program with plenty of alternative milk options (oat milk is my current go-to). I also appreciate the little details like turbinado sugar, bamboo stir sticks, and recyclable cups, which give the place a sustainable touch. The space itself is really stylish and comfortable. There's even a small amphitheater-style seating area, making it a cool spot to hang out, meet friends, or get some work done for a while. Insider tip: Go early for the cronuts--they disappear fast. Overall, it's a fun Uptown café with great coffee, a beautiful space to work or relax, and one of the best cronut stops in the area.

    This place is beautiful! It has an amazing atmosphere. It's so relaxing and cozy. I came because of…read morethe seating. I didn't even realize it was attached to a hotel. The baristas were very friendly and patient and the service was fast. We sat in a little living room at first, them moved to a table, and finally took advantage of the stair seats. The coffee was pretty good, nothing extraordinary, but it did the job. The croissant was flaky, buttery, and delicious. We never made it back, but I'm glad I got to pop in for a bit. Not even one coffee pic?!??

    Photos
    Coco and the Director - Seating upstairs at Coco and the Director, Charlotte

    Seating upstairs at Coco and the Director, Charlotte

    Coco and the Director - Coco and the Director, Charlotte

    Coco and the Director, Charlotte

    Coco and the Director - Matcha  latte

    See all

    Matcha latte

    Wildroots Coffee - Lavender vanilla latte

    Wildroots Coffee

    4.5(59 reviews)
    0.9 miDilworth

    Third time was a charm for us. We were striking out with coffee shops. We had great service and…read moremediocre coffee then terrible coffee and ok service. And finally, we found Wildroots. The location is on the lower floor of an office building. It has an adorable retro/vintage 70s Flower Child vibe. The ambiance was relaxing and inviting. Now on to the matters of caffeine. The espresso was perfect. Something we had not had since our arrival. Cortado was great, drip coffee was great, and their latte.... Let me tell you about their latte. I had a carrot cake with cream cheese cold foam. I asked for half the syrup. It was delicious, perfection, amazing. One day I had it hot, the next I had it iced, both were incredible. If I were guaranteed not to go into a sugar spiral, I would drink the cold foam straight. Now I'm preparing to go back tomorrow. Update: We came back two more times before we left NC. No regrets! We finally found an amazing coffee shop and that was important. Also, they make a fantastic Cloud Matcha AND they often watermelon seed milk aka MILKish. This is a game changer. The milk was tasty, with the tiniest but of sweetness, but no sugar or carbs. I don't know how they did it, but I'm here for it and on a mission to find MILKish here!

    My updated review for the second time stopping in!…read more 10 out of 10 out of 10!!! I absolutely love this place especially this location! It's easy to park (they even validate your parking for 90 mins or so!), they have seasonal drinks that are actually good and the food is great for a coffee shop! I got the That's Amore and avocado toast this visit. The last time I got the breakfast sandwich! The avocado toast is topped with olive oil, which makes it so delicious! It's beautifully decorated, the seating is comfortable and the staff is very helpful especially when it comes to recommendations! If you can't find seating there is more seating toward the bathrooms and it's nice because they are booths! It's my understanding they make some of their syrups which I love because you know they are fresh, and to me that means they take pride in the quality of their drinks. It's worth a stop if you are in the area!

    Photos
    Wildroots Coffee - Crème brûlée matcha

    Crème brûlée matcha

    Wildroots Coffee - Photo from the corner

    Photo from the corner

    Wildroots Coffee - Candy Cane Forest

    See all

    Candy Cane Forest

    Vicente - Breakfast Sando

    Vicente

    4.6(131 reviews)
    1.9 miSouth End
    $$

    As a San Francisco Bay Area foodie who recently relocated to Charlotte, I keep a running list of…read morebakeries to explore--especially anywhere that might carry a proper kouign-amann (that glorious Breton pastry that is basically my kryptonite). That search led me to Vicente in South End, and I'm happy to say it absolutely earned its spot on my list. The kouign-amann here was slightly lighter and a bit less dense and buttery than the ones I remember from the Bay Area, but it still hit all the right notes--caramelized edges, flaky layers, and just enough indulgence to satisfy the craving. When you find one in Charlotte, you take note. I also ordered a frangipane (marzipan) croissant, which is always one of my go-to pastries when it's done well. This one delivered--rich, nutty, and comforting without being overly sweet. I'm not much of a chocolate pastry person, so I tend to gravitate toward custard- or almond-filled items, and this bakery clearly understands how to execute those classics. The space itself is beautiful--clean glass storefront, modern aesthetic, and a welcoming feel from the moment you walk in. It's attached to a large apartment complex with underground parking, which makes it surprisingly easy to access. Very walkable, very convenient, and refreshingly low-stress compared to some of the trendier spots. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the prices felt reasonable for the quality. One small wish: I'd love to see a late-day pastry special or a loyalty program. I'm the kind of regular who will absolutely show up more often if there's an incentive--and let's be honest, pastries are hard to resist when there's a little nudge. I'll definitely be back, especially if they start experimenting with more creative flavors. A kouign-amann with poached fruit--nectarine, mango, or passionfruit--would have me running back through the door. And candidly, I'm grateful Charlotte's pastry scene is still growing. It means there's room for bakeries like this to shine and keep raising the bar. As someone who loves good food, I'm always rooting for local bakers and artisans to succeed. Bottom line: A beautiful neighborhood bakery with solid execution, friendly service, and a kouign-amann worth the trip. I'll be back--and I'm keeping an eye on that pastry case.

    Vicente is GOATed. I go there almost every Saturday for amazing pastries and breakfast sandwiches…read more I'm hesitant to leave a review because I don't want the line to get any longer. No better way to kick off your day than with a stop here. You are immediately hit with a heavenly aroma the second you walk in the door!

    Photos
    Vicente - Inside

    Inside

    Vicente - Classic Croissant

    Classic Croissant

    Vicente - Hazelnut Tart

    See all

    Hazelnut Tart

    Community Matters Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...