Stopped by Waterbean Coffee in Pineville for a quick coffee break on our drive back to Tennessee,…read moreand I'm glad we did! The first thing that caught my attention was the beautifully designed interior. The café has a cozy, modern vibe that's perfect for relaxing or catching up with friends over coffee. We ordered a couple of lattes, and both were rich, smooth, and well balanced. They also have a nice selection of bakery items, so we couldn't resist trying a muffin and a slice of cake. Both were fresh, delicious, and paired perfectly with our drinks. Even though it was just a quick stop, the quality of the coffee, the tasty pastries, and the welcoming atmosphere left a great impression. It's the kind of coffee shop that makes you want to stay a little longer. We'll definitely be stopping by again the next time we're passing through Pineville!

A morning of errands turned into a small pocket of calm, so I stopped in for a little me time and…read moretreated myself to an absolutely perfect cortado, the kind that arrives in a proper cup with the right balance of richness and warmth that makes you slow down whether you meant to or not. They have wifi here and I had my laptop with me, so I powered on and checked in on work for a bit which mostly meant sipping coffee, watching people come and go, and sending just enough emails to look like I was being productive while enjoying the quiet rhythm of the place. Parking was tighter than usual today because some construction had blocked off the street spaces and the adjacent lot was completely full, so I ended up across the street in a municipal lot which worked out fine. Pineville almost always has parking somewhere if you're willing to shift over a block or two, and today was no exception even with the congestion. [Review 268 of 2026 - 4579 in North Carolina - 25457 overall]

Summit Coffee has become one of those reliably excellent stops for me, and this visit to the…read moreBallantyne location fit the pattern perfectly. I've been to several of their locations around the Charlotte area and they all share the same strengths: consistently great coffee, friendly baristas, and a calm, grounded atmosphere that makes even a quick stop feel like a small reset in the day. This particular shop isn't large, and the laptop crowd has definitely discovered it. There are only a handful of tables, so I felt genuinely lucky to land the last open one and settle in with my cortado. The drink was exactly what I expect from Summit every time, rich and balanced and served with the kind of quiet confidence that comes from a place that knows what it's doing. I opened the laptop, got a bit of work done, and enjoyed the rhythm of the room as people drifted in and out. And when the cortado was gone, so was I. It's the kind of space where I felt a gentle responsibility to make room for the next person once I've had your moment, especially on a busy morning. Even with its small footprint, it remains one of the most dependable coffee experiences in the area, and I always leave feeling like the stop was worth it. If you've tried their other locations, this one will feel familiar in the best way. If you haven't, it's a great introduction to what Summit does so well. [Review 267 of 2026 - 4578 in North Carolina - 25456 overall]

Stopped by Summer Coffee in Ballantyne and the two baristas working were super sweet and…read moreenergetic--I really appreciated their vibe and customer service. We ordered a mocha and a latte with oat milk. I had mine with vanilla and caramel, and even added extra simple syrup. Unfortunately, the drinks just didn't stand out. I found myself sipping more for the caffeine than the flavor, and by the end, I couldn't really remember the taste. I was hoping to recreate that rich, memorable coffee experience I've had in Asheville, but this didn't quite hit the same. That said, I do appreciate the atmosphere and the friendly service, so I'd be open to giving it another try in the future.

This location is inside of Carolina Place mall. I love to…read moretry different coffe shops. I had never heard of mean mug but thought it had and inviting name and decided to try. This was on a Sunday, the mall opens at noon and we walked in around 1230. No one was in the shop. We were greeted immediately asked questions about a couple items on the menu. I decided on the dirty chai with turmeric and honey. After I placed my order I had a chance to take in the ambiance. The store was dirty. The bakery display case looked like it had not been cleaned. There were pastry crumbs all over and the pastries did not look fresh. The tables had not been wiped down and covered in crumbs. I was surprised because it was early and no one was in the store prior to our arrival. As far as the dirty chai, I don't recommend. That particular combination does not mix well. I would be willing to try a different location and drink options, but I would not go back to this one.

We actually were intrigued by the cheerwine latte since we are big fans of cheerwine. The barista…read morewas really friendly about it and made good recommendations on getting it iced and it actually did taste like cheerwine. If you like the soda, you should give it a try.

Honey Cow inside Alley 51 is such a fun find! The croffles (yes, a funky name) are SO good--crispy,…read moresweet, and topped however you like. Don't let the name fool you, you'll be hooked after one bite. The boba tea was good too, though the pearls were a little softer than what I'm used to at Mi Guo in Pineville. This is a great kid-free date night dessert spot, but also perfect for bringing the kids later since there's plenty to do and eat in Alley 51. The staff was friendly and welcoming. Definitely worth checking out!

First time here…read more Went with the Peach Mango Green Tea and it was really good. Good flavor, boba was delicious and the right amount of ice. Give it a try.

This past weekend had the opportunity to visit Amelie's and what a cute spot....loved the ambiance…read more Besides all the wonderful treats here, it is a very quaint place. I loved the decor and the staff was great as well. We stopped here after dinner on our way back to the convention we were attending. I got some treats to enjoy back at the hotel...I ordered the Biscoff cheesecake, lemon bar, pecan and key lime tart....all were delightful by the way! You have to make this a stop if you are in the neighborhood!

Went for a little birthday celebration as a brunch and coffee but my opinion has charged a lot on…read morethis place. I've been here for coffee and pastries before but it was many years ago and I was not originally paying For a place that charges hearty prices for everything I find it astounding that we have to order at a counter, AND put away our own plates afterwards. It also makes no sense to me that we had to wait for our coffee at the counter but our food is already brought to us at our table. It's not even the employees faults- it's the design of the restaurant process. The food tasted good but almost everyone (7 people) said some aspect of it was cold and should have been at least warm. Both French toasts? Cold. Croissant sandwich? Cold. Either way, I wouldn't come back for food specifically to eat. The employees were all helpful but definitely understaffed on a weekend in my opinion. They did the best they could and were nice. In my opinion after a handful of years- the decor seems tacky. It all is mismatched and just looks beat up- not vintage or antique so that it seems kinda random. I feel like in 2015 this style or idea was popular and kitschy but now ...maybe I've just grown up The pastries were good but also super expensive. So choose wisely!

Really great, local café that I will absolutely be adding to my regular coffee shop + bakery…read morerotation. Plentiful parking out front. Good amount of seating inside (mostly 2-seaters; one larger table reserved for bigger groups). Helpful and friendly staff who were amazing with my little one. You have to try a slice of the basque cheesecake. The plain slice (with no whipped cream or fruit topping) is not overly sweet and the perfect amount of "burnt" & creamy. We also tried the madeleines, which - as the café's name suggests - were on point. And the garlic bagel is a garlic + cream cheese lover's dream. The iced dalgona latte was such a treat. Sweet with a creamy foam and topped with crunchy cookies - very well balanced and delightful to drink. The prices reflect the care and high quality of the products. Come support this amazing local spot and enjoy their unique, thoughtful offerings!

I brought my daughter to Littl Madeleine's for breakfast, and we had a really nice experience. I…read morehad the most beautiful lavender blue matcha, and my daughter enjoyed the honey passion fruit ade. She got their garlic bagel--the only type of bagel they offer - and it was generously stuffed with delicious, aromatic garlic. She enjoyed it! The café is decorated charmingly, with little Madeleine cookie designs stamped throughout the space. They have a small section with some gift items for sale. They also sell Madeleine cookies, of course, though we didn't get any. The service was given with genuine smiles. The prices were normal - not a deal but not over-the-top. We enjoyed our breakfast and will happily come back!

I really do love Super G Mart. I frequent both locations -- the one on Independence and the newer,…read morelarger store in Pineville -- and this one feels like a destination in itself, especially with the huge food court. As a transplant to Charlotte for work, I'm always searching for the ingredients and flavors I grew up with, and this place delivers. From the fresh seafood counter -- where you'll find beautiful tiger prawns -- to the endless rows of fish sauce, oyster sauce, and every variety of soy sauce imaginable (sweet, dark, mushroom, Japanese), the selection is impressive. The aisles are thoughtfully organized by cuisine and region, which makes navigating the store surprisingly easy, even if you're new to Asian markets. The frozen section alone is worth the trip. If you're looking for dumplings -- Chinese, Japanese, Korean, even Nepalese -- they've got you covered. And don't sleep on the handmade crepe cakes in the freezer. Yes, they're about $25, but they're stunning and absolutely delicious. Honestly, they rival the famous crepe cakes from Lady M in the San Francisco Bay Area, where those cakes can easily run over $100. At this price point, it feels like a steal -- and you'll definitely impress your guests. The produce section is another highlight. The ginger is incredibly fresh, and the variety is fantastic -- from gai lan and sweet chives to cebollitas (Mexican green onions) and crisp green beans. It's a true sensory experience for anyone who loves to cook. This isn't a trendy, boutique grocery store, and that's exactly the charm. It's old-school, practical, and stocked with the essentials. Toward the back right corner, you'll find pallets of noodles in every style -- Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean -- everything you could possibly need for home cooking. The butcher and fishmonger are also available to help, which adds a nice personal touch to the shopping experience. There's also a bakery inside with beautiful fruit-and-cream cakes -- the kind you'll recognize if you've ever celebrated in an Asian household. Light, fresh, and not overly sweet. And if you're a coffee lover, keep an eye out for Café du Monde coffee -- it's usually several dollars cheaper here than at typical grocery stores. A few friendly tips: * Go with a plan -- this place can be overwhelming in the best way. * Don't bring a big entourage unless they're ready to explore. * And if you visit the Pineville location, go hungry -- the food court alone is worth the trip. Both locations are fantastic, but the Pineville store is newer, larger, and especially fun to explore. Shop curious, cook boldly, and enjoy the adventure.

Love this place. My go to for the bakery, TOUS. Croissants are great and love their cloud cakes…read more The market is great for those hard to find international options. Had a friend originally from Columbia come for a visit and he loved all the items they had from when he was a kid. We actually had to send him home with an extra duffle bag to get all his goodies home. As a fun activity we did a fruit taste test and all of it was delicious. Love discovering new things. If you are looking for Ramen of all kinds, this is also your spot. Lots of options. Love discovering new things at Super G.

Dre was great! We came in an hour before it closed with 3 kids and 4 adults. She was sooo patient…read morewith all the cranky kids and the way she described the food really showed her professionalism and her knowledge in the menu! Highly recommend her as a server!

Flipside Café has officially earned a spot in my rotation…read more I've been four times recently after a friend insisted I try it, and now I get the hype. The food is incredible--fresh veggies, flavorful dishes, and ingredients that taste like someone in the kitchen actually cares.Service is consistently excellent, even when they're slammed (and trust me, they're always busy).Pro tip: parties of 3+ should call ahead. It's worth the planning.