Smelly Cat Coffee House & Roastery in Charlotte

I had high hopes for this place. I just couldn’t understand it. We had reservations to eat inside. We had no idea where to go. The doors were locked. We saw a woman carrying a tablet who took another table of people inside, so we thought we just had to wait for her to come back out to seat us. She never did. We went up to a window to ask what we needed to do. That guy told us to go up to the other window, skip the line, and tell them we had a reservation. I did that. The person at that window said we needed to wait in line, order our food, and then we’d be let inside. What was the point of having a reservation if we had to be in the same line as everyone else? When we finally got inside, my friend received her food and coffee, and I didn’t receive mine. My friend sat there not eating until an employee walked by and asked why she wasn’t enjoying her food. That was the only reason I ever even got my food. The breakfast burrito was tiny, but the coffee was good. We walked down the street and got Reigning Doughnuts immediately afterward because we were still hungry. All in all, it was a disappointing stop. Love the coffee mural on the side of the building though!

I have been a customer for years, I buy their beans and have been getting breakfast and coffee at least 2× a week for years. The product is good but customer service and the odeko online ordering was a little less than successful today. I placed an order 25 minutes ago and am still waiting. Cant talk to anyone as the windows closed and no updates. I understand there are staffing shortages but please update the app accordingly and provide realistic expectations. I waited way too long and got the wrong items. They still have the best coffee in town

The Smelly Cat Coffee House was highly rated, so my crew and I went out of our way to visit. I ordered an espresso in a ceramic cup and two pour overs to go. After 20 or so minutes and the other folks getting their drink (at various times), I inquired on my drinks. The espresso was sitting in a paper cup waiting to come out with the pour overs that were still not done. When I reminded them that the espresso was supposed be in a ceramic cup, the took the old espresso and dumped it in a ceramic cup. It was cold and no good- a waste of money. The pour overs were just okay. I was super bummed. It did not live up to the hype.

One of the best coffeehouses in Charlotte. Always get friendly service. Love their breakfast biscuits!

Got their frappe with vanilla. So good!! Liked it better than the Starbucks bottled frappuccinos. Will be returning for

This place looked amazing online but was a little underwhelming, sadly. The place is still beautiful, and the employees are incredibly kind. The parking is non-existent, the setup is inconvenient, which if the coffee was amazing I would completely look over. I drink black coffee and dark roasts are my go to, but I think there was something not right with this coffee. There was something about it that was bitter/almost burnt, that left a bad aftertaste after each sip. The breakfast options are a great idea, I do wish there were options for adding something spicy, different sauces, etc. As far as I could tell there weren’t any listed on the board.

Great coffee, friendly staff. This place always makes my day a bit better

$6.25 for that. This was the most pitiful thing I had ever seen and don’t know how a company could actually serve this. We actually had to make more food after spending $30 on two of these and two coffees. Just ridiculous, do better.

Stopped for a quick coffee on my way out of town. I much prefer local business over chains and the evil Bucks. Found this spot on Google and figured I’d give it a shot. Meh. Disappointing considering the reviews I’d read. Got a coffee and a breakfast burrito and found both decidedly average at best. It may have its perks but the coffee wasn’t one in my opinion.

This place is my favorite coffee shop in Charlotte. Im always impressed with the quality of the drinks and the swiftness of the staff. A very friendly staff as well. Unfortunately today 9/1/22 there was a middle aged woman taking orders and her presence seemed to bog down their whole operation. Every person who ordered was handed shots of coffee to try, which was a nice sentiment, but certainly increased wait times. I love coming to this place, but one disruptive element certainly threw off the shops flow today.

Nice location, friendly staff and good espresso! Definitely helped with a hangover 😄

Finally got a chance to try Smelly Cat and it did not disappoint!! I got the Ethiopian cold brew which was fantastic. My parents got herbal teas. I didn’t get to try any of the food as we had just come back from Amelie’s so I can’t speak to that.Service was very friendly, helpful with suggestions, and patient with decisions even though they were busy.They had ample outdoor seating which was really nice but I couldn’t tell what was going on with the indoor seating. The door to the inside looked to be locked and there was a sign saying that anyone who wanted in could get assistance from the barista. Maybe still a covid thing? Anyway, can’t speak to the inside aesthetic either but I will definitely be back for more Ethiopian cold brew!

Got an oat milk latte with spiced brown sugar, delicious. Just strong enough and sweet enough. I also got a few of the roasted beans, so far I’ve only tried the Ethiopian Yirgachefe (I may or may not have spelled that correctly). This one has been great

If you have never been here before, beware that its not set up like a regular coffee shop. I came on a Sunday and couldnt figure out how to get inside the cafe as the front door was locked. I walked around the building and the side window was closed too. I saw other people sitting outside and had to ASK how I can order coffee: you have to "ring the doorbell" at the side window, place your order, and ask them to unlock the door so you can sit inside. Aside from that, the coffee itself was great.

omg! i got an iced dirty chai and it was so good! i never write reviews but it was just so great i had to write one! a bit pricy but worth it imo

They were hesitant to let us (4 adults & 2 babies on a very hot dayinside due to limited seating. We all bought coffee and pastries. No baby changing setup in bathrooms. All in all, cramped hipster coffee joint if that’s your thing. Not family friendly. Excited to try their coffee in other spots that are more open & welcoming.

Waited at the window for ten minutes to order due to “an iPad issue.” Then ordered two drinks at the first window and went over to the second to pick them up. They had only made us one, so we asked for the second. The server stared at us blankly like he had stopped functioning, literally saying nothing. After awkward silence, we asked again and were told we’d have to get back in line—which was 16 people long at this point due to the “iPad issue”—and order again. No thanks.To make sure we hadn’t paid for the second drink, I asked for a receipt. He said he could only text or email it, so I gave my phone number. Realizing that he was only pretending to take down the number, probably assuming I’d be walking away, I told him I’d wait at the window until it came through. Then, he got a pen and asked for the number again. What respectable service. 👏🏼The one drink was good, so I’ll give them a second star for that, but the service is clearly lacking.

The coffee was excellent. They roast the coffee and I had a cold brew, which totally hit the spot. We had an egg, sausage & chees on a biscuit as well as a protein bowl. We both thought the food was really good. Well worth the visit

Best cup of cappuccino I’ve had in Charlotte so far! Friendly service as well.

The breakfast bowls are excellent. The folks behind the counter are always welcoming and lovely. Excited to have this as my neighborhood coffee shop

I am giving this place one star because zero is not an option. The girl taking orders told party they didnt do iced coffee, we had to get cold brew which was terribly bitter. But moments later someone behind us ordered iced coffee. I ordered a breakfast burritoIt was cold, under cooked and I didnt get the hot sauce I asked for with it. They served two people in line behind us before I had to go up and ask where mine was and why other people who ordered after me were being served. Terrible place, terrible service, terrible coffee.

The coffee was very good. I had the Ethiopian (both hot and cold brew)! I had the bacon, egg cheese on a toasted plain bagel. It was very good, aa well. The atmosphere was great! Positive vibes.

My wife and I visited just after 12 noon on Sunday. They were quite busy with constant in person orders and pick up orders. They were pretty quick to fill orders. The shop has a great atmosphere both inside and out. Plenty of people hanging out in the patio areas, which were on the front, side and in the back under a big tree. My wife had a chai tea which was ok but didnt have the kick she was expecting for a chai. I had a mocha frappe which was good but the roasted coffee flavor was very strong making it unbalanced. I had hoped they had some sugar free offerings in their syrups, but the only thing they had were some sugar free teas. We also had a piece of zucchini bread which was pretty good. Overall Id give it a 3.5.

I was in town for a couple of days and wanted coffee before starting our adventure for the day. We got 2 breakfast items and 2 coffees. (25$ btwGot the coffees right away and it was BAD. It was very bitter and we didn’t even get half way through before throwing them away. They made us step aside for the food so that they can serve the customers behind us in line. Well we waited… and waited… and there was no indication our food was done other than the fact that people that stood behind us in line were getting their complete order and no one ever said anything to us. We went back to barista at the window that had our food sitting behind her the entire time!! Halfway back to the car we realized we were missing half of the order so we had to walk all the way back (parking was full so we were 2 blocks away.luckily the quiche was actually pretty tasty so they mildly redeemed themselves. Over all, not a great experience. This is a place where if you judge it by it’s cover it should be good but in reality the looks surpass the quality. Go to Amelie’s instead.

They have a 5 star rating for a reason, this roaster/restaurant is top notch. Between the excellent service and amazing coffee, this is a place to go to. I was privileged enough to meet the owner who is extremely kind and knowledgeable about her products. If youre looking for a cute spot to work or grab a quick bite to eat, this is your spot.

Mainstay in Noda and perfect place to hangout in the morning. Service is very slow though, they should expedite pouring someone a simple coffee instead of waiting for all the food orders ahead.

I come here every morning for coffee and breakfast! Very tasty and good customizablity!

Second time here over my weekend trip to Charlotte. If you are in/around/near NODA you have to at least get a coffee. Almost everything on the menu is made in house, from the coffee roasting to the baked goods. Everything I had was delicious and the staff was inviting and welcoming. They even asked how our latte was when we went to order seconds. Also if you are visiting with a dog there is a side window to order and plenty of outdoor seating. Thank you so much for the amazing food and vibe! Definitely a highlight of our stay in Charlotte.

Wonderful, welcoming and cozy atmosphere. Do not come in if youre in a rush ... This is not Starbucks. Its designed to be an experience. Take a break and truly savor. They have the best blueberry muffin Ive ever eaten. The sausage egg and cheese burrito was excellent. My husband enjoyed the Vietnamese iced coffee with a splash of caramel. I swoon for the dirty chai latte. Width stopping by if youre in the area. Will definitely be back!

Can I say it??? Ima say it…. This coffee is the best coffee I have had🙌🏾 sooooooo good and strong. This is my second time coming and I can finally leave a review. I had to wait until the second visit because the first was just too good to be true! I couldn’t even get a good picture of my Spiced Brown sugar oat milk latte. I blinked and it was gone😂

One of the best coffee shops in Charlotte. Italian sizes and coffee with extra mess. Once the inside is open is also a great spot to sit and relax. They also have a limited alcoholic menu that varies from Beer to cocktails.

Traveling into town for my first time and couldn’t resist this place by name only. 4 minutes from my Airbnb and great staff, atmosphere and neighborhood!! Highly recommended :)

The coffee at Smelly Cat is smooth, strong, and tasty housemade syrups. This has been my favorite coffee shop for years.

We totally had to visit smelly cat based off local reviews and appreciated the friendly service! Really convenient location in a fun corner of Charlotte. Loved the cool eclectic decor and seating outside for some fresh air! Thankful for some actually really good decaf!

Best walk up breakfast place, we came back twice on our trip to NoDa. Plenty of first come seating around the building also

Love this place! Been here a few times and now its my go to coffee spot. Asked for recommendations and the staff was super friendly and knowledgeable, made me feel welcome. Theyre environmentally friendly and dont give straws (except metal/silicone ones you can purchase for $2and the patio is dog friendly. I always ask for a pupiccino and put a cookie in it. Outdoor seating is enough to appease the crowds and the wait time is minimal, not to mention theres free wifi. I recommend looking at their specialty menu, the alcoholic drinks are awesome! Didnt even taste too strong like other drinks Ive tried. The parking is usually ok but keep in mind they close kinda early and will close off the parking lot by 5pm. Overall great spot for some affordable tasty coffee.

Absolutely my number 1 cafe in charlotte.Super friendly staff and very good coffee with some food options. Love the vibes!

Love the play on the TV show Friends. They have many coffee options as well as choices with liquor in them, great cure for any hangover! There is a cute seating area outside as well and it was a great place to relax for a little bit. Staff was friendly.

Great coffee, friendly staff, LOVELY outdoor seating areas in a cute part of town. Post-Demic this is highly recommend.During COVID, you should be aware they do not enforce their "masks required" policy. Heres a man who waited in line, ordered, and was served, with no mask.

Small and unique. Had a good pour over and enjoywdlled sitting out front. They are lacking much indoor seating but the neighborhood is nice and fun, so sitting outside is enjoyable.They offer some food, plenty of coffee options, and some alcohol. Great, fun, local coffee shop experience.

Fast service, friendly employees, and the caramel latte was so good! The space is very small but there is outdoor seating which worked out fine. Parking is a bit of a hassle to find be there is a public parking deck a block away.

While visiting from NY, I was very impressed by this place. A friends theme coffee shop with a modern interior to keep you interested. From “private sitting areas” that are divided by doors, to the unique paintings & decorations made it an amazing adventure to hang out with someone & talk whilst drinking some very good coffee.Would highly return 10/10P.S. Shoutout to whomever thought it was a good idea to write the name of the restaurant on the sidewalk cement.

Their hot coco and vanilla lattes are delicious. They also came out and brought us a puppachino. Really nice staff.

Small yet inviting! I love spaces that have a bar you for you to sit and work at!!They have a wonderful variety of cold brews and different coffee drinks. The outdoor seating is perfect for grabbing coffee and quick breakfast with a friend.I’ll definitely be coming back!

Cute local coffee house in the NoDa area of Charlotte. We only tried coffee but I found out that they do sandwiches and pastries too but a small bar for alcohol beverages too.The frappe was delicious and served quickly.

Been going to Smelly Cat for over a decade. Love the coffee. Loved the old vibe. LOVE the new vibe! So excited to see such a wonderful business grow and succeed! Highly recommend for meetings and solo sessions.

Had the Cuban & the Vegan BarThe coffee was really bold I loved it! The vegan bar was delicious!!Only thing is that I was talking with the barista when I was making my order and I told her I love expresso but its over too quickly I was asking how much coffee oz. comes in the espresso and in the Cuban... but she never mentioned the Cortadito... Wish she would of suggested a Cortadito.. Could of saved $3 of I would of ordered it originally instead of the cuban. I bought one after I finished the Cuban & the vegan bar. Other than that love the vibe! Its nice and cozy in here!

This place is BUSY. They certainly shouldn’t have much trouble making money considering the number of people they have in this small establishment. Still plenty of seating considering the outside patio area, but since I sat outside I could easily watch the ongoing traffic throughout the area. I’m not sure how the previous reviews had much time to have a bad interaction with any of the employees because we ordered and moved out of the way before there was much time for interaction. I had a Mocha and my friend had vanilla latte, both tasted good.

We checked out this place on our way out if Charlotte. Its wonderfully cozy and the coffee is great. My vanilla latte was perfect and i was told that the hot chocolate was good too. Nice, quick service too.

Love the front cafe window seating. Place is cozy inside, but there is also much outside seating. There is cool standing bar to have a quick shot of espresso. Ready made meals and yummy treats. I had a mocha Frappuccino with 2 shots and whip cream. Ive never had a drink like this stay frozen for so long. Took me almost an hour finish it and it stayed frozen the whole time! I would definitely return here.