Amélie's Uptown | French Bakery & Cafe

"Amélie’s—all its locations—are beloved in Charlotte and this one, open 24 hours a day, is the original. Outside, a gate with love locks and a metal Eiffel Tower sculpture set the mood; inside the vibe is Parisian-meets-punk. Quirky chandeliers and old masters–style paintings tweaked with cartoons set an Alice in Wonderland–like feel. It's warm and funky—just the kind of place where you can sit with a latte and ponder the world for an entire afternoon." - Nancy DePalma

"Drop in for a hot cup of coffee or a bite to eat at this whimsical space (counter service makes it snappy). Named for the 2001 romantic comedy Amélie, this bakery is one of the most interesting coffee shops in town thanks to its clutter of mismatched tables, overstuffed chairs and that huge, faux tree hanging from the ceiling in the corner. Light meals include salads, sandwiches and soups (the signature soup with spinach, asparagus and leek is heaven), and a must-have pastry item is one of those cute macarons in the bakery case." - Katie Toussaint

"The original location in the NoDa arts district is open 24 hours, but really all five Charlotte-area iterations of Amélie’s are cheerfully cluttered with the same kind of quirky decor — imagine faux trees dangling from the ceiling, mismatched tables and overstuffed chairs, striped wallpaper, odd framed photos, candelabras and beyond. The bakery offerings can’t be ignored — from the eclairs to the fruit tarts — and the coffee menu written in French spills over with everything from frothy cappuccinos to drip coffees. Don’t overlook heartier options like salads, soups and sandwiches either." - Katie Toussaint