Community Matters Cafe

While in the Charlotte area, I looked up places to eat breakfast and I came across this restaurant since it had pretty good reviews. When first coming in honestly I didn't feel welcomed from the young lady at the desk. She just asked where would I like to sit at. She didn't specify or tell me that one side is like self serve and the other side you will have a server/waiter, that would have been nice to know especially since it was my first time but I learned that information from asking another staff member at the coffee side once I realized which side I chose, while waiting to be waited on since I wasn't given a menu or anything. While sitting and watching I did notice how some others that came in were greeted by the same young lady at the door which is why I couldn't give 5 stars. However, to the good part. I'll upload a picture of what I ordered but I can honestly say these were the best cheese grits I ever tasted so far, I could eat it by itself! My food was a 4 1/2 and thats only because the potatoes tasted funny (sorry I can't explain this better) other than that my tea was good, and the rest of my food was good. I just wished the service, feeling more welcomed, just some type of advice/explanation kinda just something for someone that is new to the restaurant which I was sure to mention for that reason when coming in. So, hopefully that is better next time because I have to go back again for those grits. Hopefully, I can edit this review and/or update with a better experience. Food is good Atmosphere good Service needs improvement

The food, coffee, and people here are incredible! I met Will and his team and was blown away! Chef Shay and her crew made the most delicious food ever ! Sarah and Megan made sure everything was great for our shoot as well!

My wife and I had a great breakfast here. I had the crème brûlée French toast 😋. Definitely recommend. It would be a great dish to share. It was sweet. Overall the food, atmosphere, and staff were great! The best thing about this place is the help it provides to the recovering community is amazing. I wish I wasn’t terrible with names because our waitress was so awesome. She was very attentive and friendly we didn’t want for anything. Since it was our first time in she shared a little about her recovery and how this place helps with an easier transition back into the workforce.

From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and a welcoming atmosphere at Community Matters Cafe. The environment is beautiful and peaceful, and you can feel the love and compassion throughout the space. What truly made our experience exceptional was how the staff handled my son’s food allergy. The chef personally came to our table to speak with us and ensure his meal was safe—something that meant the world to us as parents. The level of care and attentiveness was above and beyond. The food was absolutely top-notch—fresh, flavorful, and made with heart. Their mission and what they stand for is inspiring, and it shines through in everything they do. We left with full bellies, big smiles, and some coffee to go! We can’t wait to come back and support this amazing place again.

Pretty big breakfast spot. Wasn’t super busy at 7am. Friendly staff. Simple but yummy food. Decent coffee. Big parking lot. Community focused.

Delicious! The two-egg breakfast came with impressive chosen sides - really fresh fruit and tasty yogurt! Everything tasted high-quality and thoughtfully prepared. The setting is beautiful, with a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Soon as I walked in I was greeted and seated 🪑, nice environment I mean the scenery was relaxed and welcoming. Now, the food was a little bland, I ordered the “Cajun Sausage Skillet” and was highly disappointed 😔, that dish should be changed to “ Home Fry Skillet”. It was literally around 5 thinly sliced sausage and the rest of the skillet was filled with home fries. It looked a little suspicious 🤨 with the egg covering the skillet as if trying to hide the fact they ran out of sausage or something I’m not sure 🤷🏾‍♂️. My advice, take the egg off and make sure you get sausage if you decide to get this dish. A little over priced for such simple meals.

Highly recommend! Delicious food in a bright and welcoming atmosphere. The whole staff were so friendly and polite! We brought our small baby and they were very kind and accommodating. The steak and eggs was the best I've ever eaten. We no longer live in Charlotte otherwise I would eat here all the time.

It's hard to find anything I don't like about Community Matters Cafe. I've eaten here few times -- it's always been grabbing a quick pastry, chai or something, but today I actually dined in. The summer menu is remarkable as it incorporates fresh, seasonal fruits, tender proteins and yummy veggies. I got the peach rib sandwich and it made my foot dance under the table. The Brussels were pretty dang good too. Service was great. Two people waited on us and both were friendly. What I love most about the ambience is how community-centered it really is. People come here to gather, work, and make connect and it's on display in every corner of the building. I also love thar there is free parking on site. It's a win/win.

This is an amazing place with wonderful food. The food is incredible, the prices are reasonable, and you are supporting a good cause! What more could you want? The food here is good - good, it's not just good because it's going to help the less fortunate, it would be amazing food, even if it were not! I walked here from my hotel in downtown Charlotte, and I'm so glad I did. Thanks for the recommendation Yelp Elite Deborah W! https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=BifmW6A70mvRDpPc-wIfmQ

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

I know it exists for a good cause but do not go expecting good food. I was excited to try this spot because of all the great reviews and was super disappointed. Everything we ordered was overcooked and dry (breakfast sandwich, side of sausage, BLT, and home fries). The service wasn't bad but it was incredibly slow. There were only 3 tables with customers and about a dozen employees but it took almost 25 minutes to get our food. When it finally arrived it was cold, in addition to having been horribly overcooked. The food was definitely not worth the wait. We're not super picky people but left most of it and sadly won't be back. Next time I want to support a good cause and am hungry, I'll make a donation on my way to a spot with better food and service.

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!

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!

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.

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

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!!

I didn't realize how close I was to this hidden gem! I will be going back. Got the vanilla chai latte and it was delicious, I was pleasantly surprised. It was hot and quickly made! I believe half the place is a restaurant (brunch spot) and the other half is a casual, work from home-esk, coffee shop. Will be trying the food next time I go!

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.

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!

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.

We frequently hear about the magic that can happen when passion & purpose collide, yet Community Matters Cafe shows it to us through their service & food. Guided by a mission of supporting graduates of Charlotte Rescue Mission's recovery & life skills programming, Community Matters Cafe delivers excellent service, within a warm environment--complete with very Instagram photo-worthy murals of inspirational quotes--and top-notch food. They've got a rotational menu that delivers through all seasons; my standard go-to dishes are the Kale Caesar & Brussels Sprouts. Check them out & support their mission today!

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.

The food was absolutely amazing, the coffee was delicious and service was great! Will be coming back! 10/10! The price was good as well! Absolutely loved the way the cafe looks and feels. Super open space and enough seats for everyone!

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).

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!

Community matters Café is an awesome coffee shop and restaurant for breakfast or lunch. The top area when you walk in is more of a coffee shop vibe where you can order a drink or some light pastry's from a counter. There's plenty of small tables, cozy seats, and a large communal table as well. If you ask to be seated, you'll be lead down a few steps to the "restaurant" side of the place where you'll have a server come take your order. The menu has plenty of standard breakfast options and a few more unique ones too like the pulled pork Johnny cakes which we tried. It was really unique and delicious, with a savory pancake topped with pulled pork, a sweet and spicy glaze, and a fried egg. We also got the fried chicken sandwich which was ok. I had it before and thought it was better so perhaps it was an off day. The French toast is also delicious and I wish we had order that again. I tried a seasonal peppermint mocha drink that was awesome. It was very sweet, but I expected that ordering a mocha. I loved that it was topped with whipped cream, crushed candy canes, and chocolate syrup. Very delicious. This place is awesome and I'll definitely be coming back!

One of my favorite coffee shops - I always get a caramel macchiato & some type of breakfast. Service is impeccable and always on point at this location. Inside the coffee shop, is also a full service restaurant. This place is perfect for working, a coffee date, lunch, or just because

The place its self is really nice inside, the staff was nice, a little odd but nice. We went for breakfast and the food was awful. It looked and sounded like it would be good. It was the w most bland, flavorless thing I've eaten. I had the egg sandwhich with home fries. The potatoes tasted like dirty fried potatoes. There want an ounce of seasoning on anything. The coffee is mid. I had a chai latte it was so weak. Don't recommend this place for breakfast

Gone twice in the past month. Everything was perfect the first time. The second time my pancake was cold and my toast was hard but they corrected everything Promptly. I would prefer a dedicated server but at least we can flag someone down to get the help that we need. I love the mission of this place and the food is delicious most of the time.

Visited Friday morning for brunch solo. Parking will not be an issue! They have a nice size parking lot - several spots were available even at 11 am. I ordered: $28.14 - Gingerbread Latte ($5) - Pulled Pork JohnnnyCake ($14) - Grits w/ cheese ($4) and Fresh Fruit ($3) The JonnyCake was good, however I was not a fan of the pulled pork. I would try this again but change the meat and ask for scrambled eggs. The grits were just missing something for me - maybe I should have put some pepper on it. My eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach - I took half the order home. I saw such a diverse crowd here (old and young) which was beautiful to see honestly. Several people utilized this location for networking/work opportunities - I would see laptops out on tables. As a result, it does get a little loud ... but who cares about that! I'd visit again!

Wow! I have had many breakfasts in Charlotte but this was hands down one of the best ever! Community Matters is such a lovely space, nicely decorated and the staff is super friendly. I had a chai which was amazing and eggs, grits, bacon and toast. Sounds simple but it was prepared so well and seasoned just right. I could just sit here all day and sip chai and read my book the atmosphere is perfect for it. My only regret is that they aren't open on weekends because I'd surely come here for breakfast and to try other items on their menu. Highly recommend and the purpose they serve in the community is an extra added bonus.

Absolutely love this place! The vibe is always so great. The staff here are so friendly and personable. I love the coffee and pastry selection. The location is great too with a lot of parking around. It is often busy, but I think that's a great sign!

Waited over an hour for our food and never received it, it wasn't even busy! We finally had to leave as we had tickets to an event. The whole process of how everything was handled and played out was ridiculous !

This place is the best! The atmosphere is amazing, the food is so yummy. I have been so many times in the past year and their summer corn salad so far is my FAVORITE! What really sets this place a part is it's mission! A Charlotte staple and must go! Also love the honey bee iced latte. Service is amazing also!

A friend and I stopped on our way from the airport - it was amazing service, great food and atmosphere! We'll definitely be back!

Woohoo, 3 day weekends mean that we can go to our favorite place! It was chilly out and we brought the pups, so I asked if we could turn on the heater. They were so good about it. I went with the pulled pork Johnny cake and swapped the sunny egg for scrambled . My husband got the deli rye with home fries. His sandwich was HUGE!! I had to laugh watching him try to stuff that in his mouth lol. He said he would absolutely order that again. They were so sweet and brought out a couple pupa chino's for our fur babies. The first time these guys have ever had them and they were in heaven. This place is totally deserving of their 5 star rating. Love them!

Great cafe for a great cause. Service was fantastic and really enjoyed everything we ordered.

Me and two of my friends decided to check out a new restaurant in Charlotte, NC. When we arrived at the restaurant we were greeted with a big smile and we loved the ambience of Community Matters Cafe. The menu was concise and simple with both Breakfast, Brunch, and Lunch options. I ordered the hot Cinnamon Bun Mocha and it was delicious! The cream on top was so good and it felt like I was having a dessert beverage. For Lunch I ordered the New Orleans Fried Chicken Sandwich with cheddar grits. I loved the cheesy grits and it was yummy. The chicken sandwich wasn't too spicy and it was straight fire! Overall, it was delicious and I totally recommend this restaurant if you are in the Uptown area of Charlotte, NC!

Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Isaiah 58: 8 History & Homage a Culinary Celebration of Black History Month I had the great honor of attending this event at Community Matters Cafe. This is a very special place , all of the servers are in a recovery program for addiction. They made the life changing decision to admit they needed help in recovery. Part of the process is a life skills program offered at Community Matters Cafe. As I ate the delicious food served by the hands of these overcomers, I couldn't help but wonder if our nation needed to confess and admit her need for recovery too. An example of one who has done this is Clinton Hughes please check out his story of overcoming addiction here : https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1188080471590919&id=570948789970760 He served us with excellence at this event and shared with me that it was his grandmother's prayers that kept him going. The food was amazing and world class. It was a feast made by several chefs and we were given gift bags with t -shirts that say, " to Restore Hope" on one side and , " Attitude of Gratitude," on the other. I'm very thankful and inspired to have a seat at this table of recovery. There's room for you too.

Hearty, friendly and the perfect cafe to gather and meet up with a friend. Place was very roomy and the friendly. I wish I could give five starts for the staff because everyone was so especially friendly. I'll give the food a 3-4. I had the Chorizo breakfast bowl. As good as it was it wasn't for my liking. I didn't pay attention to the grits inside listed. TBH I never had grits before let alone with Chorizo. I think it would of been perfect because it was packed with flavor, but it was a little salty. The ultimate save beside staff was the Cinnamon Bun Mocha!! This was F I R E (A SF Bay Area phrase for good). I'd come back for sure to say hello to Ms.Karen and Mr. James. My server was cool too, I just didn't catch his name.

The fall menu is to die for! I came this summer and thought it was just okay but returned because it is nearby and supports a good cause. The server was very attentive and even gave us half off the pickled plate as it came late and without the bread. The hostess was super friendly and accommodated the perfect seating for us.... But let me talk about the spiced lentils, perfectly cooked and flavored with dill on top of yogurt. Coming back this fall for sure! I also finished my sisters Brussels because it needed more!

My first time at Community Matter. The food was delicious, our waitress and all the staff was awesome, and the manager made you feel like you were visiting his home. We stayed a long while and he assured us no worries. The atmosphere was great and nice and spacious inside and it appeared to have lots of seating outside when it gets warmer. Will definitely be going back again very soon!

Community matters is a great café that has an even greater purpose! I walked in and immediately was greeted and loved the coffee shop that has a at home family feeling. I ordered the pulled pork Johnny cake and it was delicious. The pork was very seasoned and the cornmeal cake had more of a savory taste, I did request syrup for it, and that took the dish over the top!!! I cant wait to come back with my family and friends!!!

Just stopped in because it looked interesting. There is a limited menu with some pretty basic items. The staff seemed a little indifferent, but I am older and this is more like a trendy, younger type clientele. At least it was today. The coffee was ok and the atmosphere is very open and relaxed. If you are looking for a place to sit and nibble, sip on some drinks and just visit with friends, then this is it.

The food was great and the service was exceptional! Loved the atmosphere. Clean - industrial - modern decor and I love what it stands for!

What a fantastic place and even better cause. The staff is beaming, with beautiful smiles and great energy. The food really shows the love and preparation put into it. I am so happy to have finally gotten a chance to try this place, it has wonderful service, delicious food and drinks. Definitely a place I will be visiting more often. We got the pulled pork Johnny cakes, side of grits, fruit, and home fries and some teas and juice. We're so glad we decided to split the food because the portions are great, we felt very full afterwards. The Johnny cakes were something so different and every piece on there complimented so well. That ginger glaze/sauce, oh my goodness!! Drooling thinking about it again. The sides were all good as well, perfectly cooked and seasoned. Can't wait to try their other menu items.

Great food. Wonderful warm open space in former mill? Really good people. Especially Will! That dude is solid. Easiest parking in Uptown hands down BUT DO NOT PARK ACROSS THE STREET CAUSE CLT WILL TICKET YOU NO JOKE. You can check all the boxes on the menu- healthy AND yummy . The fact that it's a great cause helping folks demonstrate the great resilience given them by their Creator is the Cherry on top! Love YALL. P.S. ask about renting that room in back for a business breakfast cause it's quite reasonable per head. Or the whole floor for a big event. Everyone can get in and out quickly (except during Bank of America Stadium Events including concerts so heads up ).

I'm going to go ahead and say this is the most underrated brunch spot in Charlotte. It was on the Yelp Charlotte Top 100 list and Best New Restaurants list in 2019, so clearly Yelpers know about it. First off, I love that they're supporting Charlotte Rescue Mission. It's great to find restaurants with a great cause like this! Covid-19: you can order and pay online. Pickup your food inside when you get there. They have a lot of outdoor seating, but it was crowded. We found a picnic table in the parking lot with no one else around. We ordered the Pulled Pork Johnny Cake, Sugar Crusted French Toast, and the New Orleans Hot Chicken Sandwich with a side of Crispy Brussels Sprouts. Everything was fantastic. I think the french toast was my favorite and the best I've had. I love how crispy and caramelized the outside was and how light and fluffy the inside was. The Pulled Pork Johnny Cake was so unique. I loved the flavor of the corn based pancake and the pulled pork/egg was the perfect addition on top. The chicken sandwich was perfectly crispy and delicous. I will say it wasn't at all hot so the name was a bit of a misnomer to me, but we loved it nonetheless. We also got some pastries. We enjoyed the miso blondie, lemon cheesecake cookie sammie, and the molasses cookie sammie. The molasses cookie sammie was my favorite. The inside is beautiful too. It would be a great place to hang out and get work done post Covid. Don't make the mistake of sleeping on this place! Try them out for your next brunch.

Great place to eat and enjoy love the pancakes and the ham and cheese omelet great service

Delicious food for a great cause. The service was great and prices are fair. I got the breakfast sandwich and enjoyed it. The cheese grits are classic and always a good side if you are up for something heavy.

Food was okay. nothing to rave about. I got the skillet w/ sausage and home fries. All seemed kinda dry and bland, I didn't finish my plate. My mothers egg sandwich w/ brioche and sausage was dry too. Server did his best as it got a bit busy while we were there but he didn't seem to intrigued in helping us. My mother and I felt a little judged but that could just be me overthinking. The brussel sprouts were good but they should've chopped off more of the stem as they got a little hard to chew. Food was overhyped but they did have valentina hot sauce which was nice. It was also pretty dark inside. Ambiance was kinda depressing.

Community Matters Cafe Serves not only delicious food but also--as it's name suggests--its community! They serve their community by helping people suffering from addiction get back on their feet with recovery programs. And part of that mission includes serving delicious food such as the following that my wife and I shared: Sugar Crusted French Toast Pulled Pork Johnny Cake New Orleans Hot Chicken Sandwich Crispy Brussel Sprouts Miso Blondie Lemon Cheesecake Cookie Sammie Molasses Cookie Sammie I enjoyed everything and would gladly get it again.

First timer here! Been wanting to try it out. First off, plenty of parking right outside, huge plus considering location - there's a big parking lot fyi. This time went for coffee and bakery treats. I went a little crazy and purchased a morning bun, chocolate chip cookie, cashew brownie, and PB&J Blondie. A cold brew and a lavender latte. To be fair the treats were split among 3 lol. All of it was pretty good! I can't wait to come back and eat at the restaurant. All the foods sounds so good. I love that eating and drinking here comes with a good cause. It's big and spacey with lots of seating options, including patio seating (sun and shade). They also have a couple small business shops inside. This place is a real gem yall! Already ready to come back.

Community Matters Cafe is absolutely incredible. We are here at least once a week and it never disappoints. The people here are amazing and they really just make you feel like you're at home. You can't go wrong with the breakfast or the lunch focused options, both are amazing. My absolutely favorite is the ricotta toast but truly, you can never go wrong. Their coffee is really good too! Their lattes are very sweet so be ready but they are still very good. The honey bee latte is my absolute go-to and it is fabulous. They also have a great rewards program as well to check out! This place is so great as a cafe but their mission and impact on our community is irreplaceable. While you're here, definitely look into this amazing organization. Charlotte Rescue Mission is a vital part of our community and we are so blessed to have this extension of their work in our neighborhood.

I came here for a Yelp event. I got to know what they do and how much amazing things they do. Food was really good. Of course chicken burger and French toast are my favorite. I would love to come back for a full meal and try those again. Super friendly staff. Definitely recommend.

We waited for our food for an hour. During that time our server went to drop the check before we had even gotten our food, then realized we hadn't gotten our food and made a joke about it. We sat that whole time with empty waters, and finally had to ask for refills. When the food did finally come the bread/bun tasted stale, my food came out at before my partners, so i was mostly done by the time their came out, and my partners order was incorrect. I've worked in restaurants for years, but this was a rough experience. It could have been greatly helped by manager Involvement or more contentious service.