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    Smelly Cat Coffee

    4.3 (668 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Smelly Cat Coffee Photos

    Business Info

    SMELLY CAT COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Trendy
    Casual
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Smelly Cat Coffee

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    Deedrah B.

    Came here a while back for a quick cup to catch up with a couple friends. It's a small but cute space, not really enough seating though and a little slow on the service side. Lucked out with one of the last parking spots though. I had a black coffee an breakfast sandwich. All in all, decent shop with a little room for improvement. @azfitfoodfun

    Eric D.

    Smelly Cat was one of my favorite coffee shops I've tried. The Americano I had was tasty--smooth, strong, and well-balanced. Definitely one of the better ones I've had in a while. The vibe here is great too--relaxed, welcoming, and the kind of spot you want to hang out for a bit. Ordering was super easy with the kiosk system, which made things quick and hassle-free. Parking is available, but the lot can be a little tight. Cheers

    Rosa O.

    Had a bit of a mixed experience. First, the good: I ordered a toasted coconut latte, and it was delicious. The syrup is made in-house, and it absolutely came through. rich, smooth, and coconutty in all the right ways. Now, the not-so-great: the bathrooms were out of order, and I had no idea until it was almost too late. I had to literally dash out of there to find a restroom nearby, which is not the experience you want when you're trying to enjoy a cozy coffee moment. I really wish there had been signage at the outdoor ordering station, or literally ANYTHING to give me a heads up before placing an order. All in all, the coffee was a win, but a little better communication would've gone a long way in making the visit more comfortable.

    Sarah B.

    My husband and I love coming here for our Sunday morning coffee! My favorite part? The 16 Oz mugs! What can I say, I like big coffee mugs. Super simple to order at the screen or QR code at the tables. It does get busy and seating is limited so we like being early. Cozy 90s vibes inside, it does remind me of Friends. The zucchini bread is a delicious treat!

    Jennifer N.

    Coffee Shop No. 481 Smelly Cat Coffeehouse Charolette, NC March 13, 2025 We were driving through Charolette, NC and Smelly Cat Coffee House popped up on my Google search. With a name like this I couldn't resist stopping. The cafe has plenty of outdoor seating with a counter out on their patio to order your food if you don't want to step inside the cafe. The inside of the cafe has more seating. One of the first things to catch my attention was the use of old paint chipped doors to create individual spaces for customers. The baristas were very friendly and helpful. I caught one of them napping in front of the mural on the side of the building. Don't worry she knows I took a picture of her. My cortado was delicious. Enjoying life one cortado at a time!

    Jessie K.

    Such a quaint cafe! I like how you can stop by their pickup window, which is outside, to grab and go. Inside, there are a few tables but not many. However, the decor is cute: vintage doors repurposed as dividers between tables for some privacy that can serve as a little work space.

    Random cans and corn in the planters
    Stephanie R.

    We took a detour out of our way to try this place out after seeing such high ratings. Driving there took us through rough roads loaded with construction and closed roads. The parking lot for the coffee shop is very small with tight spaces. We walked up to a window where you have to hit a doorbell to alert people inside you are ready to order. Food and drinks come out of another window further down. We ordered a couple lattes (one regular, one lavender), the lavender one wasn't bad but the regular latte was pretty terrible, definitely a disappointment. We also ordered a bagel with cream cheese and a sausage egg & cheese biscuit, the breakfast sandwich was okay, but the bagel was pretty flavorless and had very little cream cheese, very disappointing compared to other shops we tried in the area. The front door has a sign which indicates you need to ask at the window if you want to dine inside, then they will come and let you in. I did go inside and check it out. They had some cool decor but was pretty small inside, dark, with limited seating. I was also a little confused by the small liquor bar inside which seemed very out of place. I was interested in grabbing a tshirt for a friend of mine until they informed me they were $27 each, just seems a bit over priced. Overall, we weren't impressed with our visit unfortunately, but others obviously enjoy it so maybe we just didn't get the best experience.

    Update: I tried again to see that they did indeed remedy the situation! They now have a 20-30 minute wait sign where you pickup your coffee. You find out the wait after you order. It's a nice touch.

    a menu for a cafe
    Jeanne-Marie D.

    Located on a side street in the NoDa neighborhood, this spot has got to have some of the best coffee I've ever had. I've tried my fair share of local roasters/coffee brewers, and what's offered here is so incredibly fresh. I got an iced latte with skim milk and vanilla flavoring and it was just fantastic--not bitter at all, simply perfect. I didn't have the opportunity to try any food but I would definitely go back for that. You order from a window outside (not sure if you can go inside) and there's a few tables provided to park at. It's clearly a popular spot because there was a short line to order. Would definitely recommend this spot to any coffee fanatics out there!

    Inside looking at the window you order at.
    Elise S.

    Out of town-er that saw this place on a map and had to check it out. Coffee was splendid and the breakfast options were ok. The vibes are artsy and give small town cafe/bar. I watched cheers while enjoying my latte. HOWEVER, it is somewhat off putting at first due to the way they run the shop. When you walk up, you have to put in your order via iPad outside. They have outside tables but if you want to sit inside you then have to ring a bell to be let inside the shop.The door is locked otherwise. If not they hand out orders through a window. Everyone was nice and we didn't wait too long for food or coffee. But they were busy and it seems counterproductive to have to stop what you're doing to let people in. I'm sure there's a reason, but that's just my first impression.

    Will R.

    Overall, ok and a good location set up for coffee when walking through Noda. A plus was their own parking lot so it was very easy to get in. I ordered an Americano, while the flavor was decent and not overly bitter/sour, it was too scorching hot for me. It took a long while to cool down enough to enjoy. Outside of that, service and staff seemed very friendly and nice. Indoors is locked and you order from the outside window. You can go in but have to ask them and they unlock for you.

    Sarah E.

    What a cute little coffee house in Charlotte. We stopped by because of the name but we were pleasantly surprised at the high quality of coffee and homemade breakfast quiche and pastries. Definitely stop by if you're in the area or stopping for the night!

    Guess you can't sit in til you decide what you want outside in the cold and pay...

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    1 year ago

    Good WiFi crappy ordering system great dirty chai. No gluten free tortilla options so only GF food is a $16 breakfast bowl

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    6 months ago

    Really good coffee shop if you're looking for a nice up of coffee and a snack. Perfect place for a catchup with a friend.

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    11 months ago

    Smallest breakfast burrito ever! And for $10 after tax, I won't be returning for breakfast.

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    Ask the Community - Smelly Cat Coffee

    Do you still have the toasted coconut syrup?

    they do but they changed the recipe and it tastes like soap now!

    Are all the ingredients used to make the food organic?

    No.

    Can I buy your in-house roasted beans at the store? Or do I have to order it on your website for pickup?

    Yes you can buy our in-house roasted beans in our cafe. Orders are taken on our wood patio through our window. While you order, let the barista know you would like to go inside the cafe (front door stays locked). We will let you in so you can… 

    Do they have oat milk?

    Yes we do, as well as almond.

    Is the patio covered in case of rain?

    There is a side patio that is under a roof but it might be just a trellis and not a full roof. So maybe

    I hate to ask...but are there cats there? I'm allergic...

    The name is a reference to the tv show FRIENDS; no cats but people do bring their dogs outside on the patio!

    View All 7 Questions

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    HEX Coffee Kitchen & Natural Wines

    4.3
    (106 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    Yuminess: 9/10 Allergy Safety: 9/10…read more Price: 9/10 Atmosphere: 9/10 ‍Service: 9/10 Overall: Food and drinks are full of flavor with allergy-friendly options (always a win), and price feels reasonable for the portion sizes. Atmosphere is modern, but can definitely get a bit loud and service is super kind. Will definitely return! In-depth: I went with a friend and we were both pleasantly surprised by the portion sizes. While price was typical for trendy places, they didn't skimp out on the food! My friend got the avocado toast which was huge (and good), and my miso waffle was reasonably sized. Taste was great as well, although the miso waffle was a little too sweet, and they had quite a few GF options and were willing to accommodate allergies. The atmosphere is vedy modern, but it can definitely get a bit loud in there. Also, table seating is somewhat limited, but they do have a room with big stairs you can sit on instead. Overall I definitely recommend and I will be returning when in the area!

    Hex Coffee has a really cool vibe and is a great spot to work for a bit, especially being in the…read morehistoric Camp North End area with restaurants and other things to do nearby. The espresso was very tasty, and their espresso machine setup is genuinely fun to see. I also tried the tamago sando, which is a Japanese-inspired egg salad sandwich on Hawaiian shokupan. It was flavorful and pretty good overall, but $13 for an egg sandwich is a little hard to justify. The coffee is also on the pricier side, so this feels more like a treat than an everyday stop. That said, the staff was super nice, the ambiance is great, and it's definitely worth checking out if you want a cool coffee shop to work from or hang out in.

    Photos
    Iced vanilla latte
    Iced vanilla latte
    Filter Coffee
    Filter Coffee
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    The Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters

    The Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters

    4.5
    (218 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $

    The Giddy Goat is an absolute standout local coffee spot in Charlotte…read more Hands down, this is the best nitro cold brew coffee I've ever had--so good that I ended up ordering a second one. You can actually watch the nitro percolating and settling in the glass when it's poured, which is such a treat. To go with the coffee, I ordered the breakfast burrito and a chocolate pastry. The burrito was delicious and generous in size, served with a salsa that brought a great kick without being overbearing. The chocolate pastry was fresh, flaky, and hit the spot. Service from the staff on the first floor was attentive and helpful, and the space has a solid energy to it. Parking is tight (the lot only holds a handful of cars), and while the noise level is moderate, it's nothing a good pair of headphones can't handle if you're looking to get some focus work done. Wish I were a local so I could make this a regular routine. 5 stars!

    This place was busy. The entire time we were here, it was non-stop, the order line was long and the…read morewait area was packed. Irene, who took our order, was very sweet. They offer a lot of drinks and food and have lots of seating. The outdoor area was beautiful and relaxing-ish (they can't help the cars driving by). I ordered a zucchini quiche and nitro coffee, my SO ordered drip, cortado, and empanadas (Patagonia, spinach, and breakfast). I thought the cortado was delicious. The drip was very weak and the nitro bitter. The quiche was just slightly over salted. I liked the spinach empanada, but found it heavy on the salt too. The Patagonia was pretty delicious and had great flavor. When I took a bite of the breakfast empanada, I couldn't name any of the ingredients in the filling. Overall, gave me the caffeine boost and sustenance I needed, but I probably wouldn't return.

    Photos
    Giddy goat branded, merch, and packaged coffee beans
    Giddy goat branded, merch, and packaged coffee beans
    The Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters
    Coffee on patio

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    Coffee on patio
    Haberdish

    Haberdish

    4.3
    (1.8k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    We got on the walk-in list 30 minutes before arriving, but when we got there, the host told us it…read morewould still be about an hour wait. There were several "reserved" tables that remained empty until after we had finished eating, so I think the restaurant could benefit from a better reservation system with more accurate buffer times to accommodate walk-in guests. To avoid the wait, we decided to sit at the bar, and I'm glad we did because the food was amazing. The fried chicken and waffles were perfectly seasoned, and the waffle had a unique texture and flavor that reminded me of a combination of a traditional waffle and a soft pretzel. The cheesy potato cake was absolutely delicious. The fruit bowl was also good, but I wish they had been a little more generous with the blueberry pudding. The shrimp and grits came with large tomatoes, which may not be for everyone, and my friend felt the dish was lacking grits overall. She didn't feel like she got her money's worth. Would I go back? Absolutely. My meal was delicious, and I can't wait to return and try more of their homemade, fresh dishes. I also think it's great that they partner with local farmers to help curate their menu.

    Haberdish gives a change up with the smoked chicken. Everywhere in Charlotte you can have fried…read morechicken; the smoked chicken was moist to perfection and served with the Alabama white sauce. To heighten your experience, I would def recommend the cannabis infused drinks. Pretty tasty with a subtle buzz. Service was not only great but Haberdish is also kid friendly. Parking was free at the hub on 36th street, which is a short walk from Davidson st and Haberdish.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Fried Chicken (Whole)
    Fried Chicken (Whole)
    Leafy Greens Salad and Prosecco

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    Leafy Greens Salad and Prosecco

    Smelly Cat Coffee - coffee - Updated August 2026

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