Smelly Cat Coffee House & Roastery

We were looking for a new coffee and breakfast place in CLT so we decided to give Smelly Cat Coffee House & Roastery a try. It was a great choice! We arrived and tried to place our order via the website but it was not cooperating. So we had to go to the register to place our order. The gentleman helping us was awesome and got us taken care of. We went with a Vanilla Brown Sugar Spice Latte, Breakfast Bowl and Sausage Egg & Cheese Burrito. Everything was great and we would definitely come again!

It's a very popular place amongst locals. Coffee is great, both cold and hot (surprised by this, typically Carolina folks are not strong in hot espresso drinks). Few things to improve: cleaner instructions for how to order for inside and outside seating, and dedicated space for customers with dogs.

We are in Charlotte for a convention and we have went to Smelly Cat two days in a row for amazing coffee! Cold brew is on point and also had a dirty chai this morning that totally hit the spot. Their biscuits are also very tasty and the service is great!

This is my new go to spot! Drinks are reasonably priced and delicious, atmosphere is cozy and funky (there’s a dog-friendly outdoor patio as well), and the employees are friendly. Also - I don’t believe they charge extra for almond or oat milk. This is a great spot to do work, read, meet up with friends, etc. The music is great and not too loud (though I don’t take meetings here). It’s not a huge place, so I could see there being some difficulty finding a table on a busy Saturday. Lovely local business to support. Recommend the iced chai latte, matcha latte, and dirty chai. Will be coming back often :)

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!

SO friendly and SO good!! This was my first time coming here and I didn’t quite know how the process worked with pick up and ordering but I came with my dog so I sat outside on their patio. Multiple employees came and brought a “pup cup” unprompted, lots of pets, and even brought a water refill for the dog! I felt very welcomed and so did the pup. One employee even brought my coffee out to me when it was ready, rather than having me go up to the window. So kind!

Smelly cat I love you! 🫵 Ambiance was perfect. Sunday morning and 2000s hits playing. I had the sausage egg and cheese biscuit with the toasted coconut latte. They were both solid, very impressed with the latte flavor. The biscuit itself was a perfect buttermilk biscuit. The aura of the staff was so off the charts I just sat in blissful smiles. Thank you :) The parking lot was a little bit of a Tetris puzzle but it could also just be user error.

Walked in and was immediately welcomed by the nice barista who walked me through the ordering process (it’s a little different here than most coffee shops) and felt like a personal experience where they actually care about your experience. My cafe au lait was awesome and the latte art was beautiful even with cinnamon and oatmilk, ordered an egg and cheese biscuit which was great except the egg was a little tough. Overall very nice experience and good products for the decent price

Update: I gad an in issue with some under roasted beans but they resolved it. Previously I had a gard time contacting their customer service email but that appears to be fixed also. Im looking forward to continue ordering my beans here

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!

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.

i was there on tuesday when i overheard the manager yelling at her employee from the kitchen. the girl who was i believe in her twenties left sobbing and talking about how the owner made extremely rude comments to her and screamed at her to leave over her outfit or she was gonna call the police.... seems like they dont treat the employees well or care to interact with customers in the store as i was never greeted when i came in nor offered to have my order taken. the owner was a short lady with blonde hair and she just seems not so nice one bit! i would reccomend any other coffee shop in the area if you are looking for some peace and quiet considering the owner seems to just come in and cause problems and than leave.

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.

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.

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.

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

Cute, hipster coffee place with a lot of different options. I got the Vietnamese coffee cold brew and could not finish it. Although I enjoyed it and really wanted to, it was so strong! Not a complaint. Although we came in shortly before closing, the staff was super friendly and helpful!

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.

Charming cozy Café with fun, decor. Great drinks. Staff was very friendly. I went on a really rainy yucky day and it started the day off on a good step.

Covid is no longer. I don't like that I had to place my order outside on the computer, wait in the cold and be charged an automatic tip when I did half the work myself. Never have I paid $8 for a small mocha. Friendly service and nice coffee though.

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.

We always stop in when we're in NoDa. Great coffee. Baristas are friendly and knowledgeable about the coffee. Cute T-shirts. Nice vibe!

I love Smelly Cat Cafe! It's a cute spot with options of coffee, tea, and pastries. The parking is non-existent, the service is fine, and the ambiance is a cute quirky cafe.

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!

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!

Smelly Cat has one of the vibes that's not easily pinned down. The ambiance is certainly hipster, but the interior is beautiful. Unlike most coffee shops, they tightly regulate the tables, and you must check in at the pick-up window if you want to come inside. I've never understood the logic, but hey, who am I? On the side of the building, they have two windows and an outdoor patio. The furthest window is for pick-up orders, and the closer window is for placing orders and requesting inside seating. Every time I've come here, the staff's service is just okay, not rude but not enthusiastic, which probably also makes the vibe unclear. The food has always been good, and they are a great place to grab a quick bite. Everything I've eaten I've thoroughly enjoyed. I especially like their bagels and their homemade lemon herb schmear. Their drinks are delicious. Always well executed and never disappoints. They are also on the Odeko App so that you can order ahead. My order is always ready for pick up when promised.

Cute cafe in Noda, staff is friendly, atmosphere is cool. It is a bit overpriced, wait was long, and the set up is a little confusing. All in all, not a bad place for breakfast/coffee

Smelly cat cafe is a fun spot in the NoDa area of Charlotte. We visited on a Monday and most other shops in the neighborhood were closed. I got the Dirty Chai Frappe and it was delicious! It was iced which was perfect for a hot day.

We ordered a bagel sandwich, everything bagel with plain cream cheese, zucchini bread and blueberry muffin as well as cafe au lait with housemaid caramel syrup. Everything was really good. Bagels were not overloaded with cream cheese which was perfect. Food didn't take long to prepare and receive. Would definitely return. Unfortunately, we were just visiting.

Pretty good! Came on a Monday morning and it was not busy. Got a chai and 3 iced coffees, which were very strong. Found it odd that the door to the place was locked and we had to knock/ask to be let in (wanted to wait in the AC while our drinks were made). iPads kept glitching out as we tried to order, but that seemed to be the only way to place the order. Had to add everything to the cart a couple of times.

This place ain't big as a minute and it seems you have to order your drink from an outside but we found the gent inside to be the most helpful with our coffee bean questions. We are enjoying his recommendation on dark brew for our homemade lattes. If you want to dine in they have to let you in as most of the seating is outside.

We both loved our coffees here! I got a brown sugar latte and my boyfriend got a toasted coconut one. His was definitely better than mine, but both were solid. I also got a breakfast sandwich on sourdough that I enjoyed thoroughly. Happy to find a coffee shop with smooth but solid espresso and not to sweet syrups!

Food was great, wait was worth it. Kids liked it. The area was ok, but not as nice as uptown.

Everyone needs to know about this cafe. In my 3 days visiting Charlotte, this has been the best discovery of the trip. Located in NoDA, the location is accessible, vibe is cool (seems like a fave for locals as well as tourists), seating is sufficient (there are chairs, benches under a tree and along the perimeter). Selections for coffee are unique, individual quiches have warm flaky crusts and are of great flavor combinations and baked treats are freshly made and delicious. I ordered the balsamic mushroom quiche, the zucchini bread and honey lavender latte. My friend ordered the Gilroy quiche. Smelly Cat coffee house is truly a gem.

We were on vacation in the area and came here based on the amount of yelp reviews. There's a small parking lot. You order at an outdoor window. The guy who helped us didn't really talk to it was kind of awkward. We ordered an ice vanilla latte and a hot vanilla latte. You sit outside where there is tables and chairs but it is extremely hot do we we're uncomfortable. We got our order at another window and it was only 10 minutes so not bad. I love trying local coffee shops and I e been to do many in different states. Unfortunately the coffee itself was extremely bitter and was not sweet at all I even tried my husbands hot coffee and it was the same. I ordered something sweet . I was sad because I literally took two drinks and the drink was completely full and I had to toss it because it was not good. We literally wasted $15.

Smelly Cat Coffee is a fun option if you are over in the NoDA area. The coffee is on the smokier side. It wasn't necessarily my preference for roast but still a good cup of coffee. I really like their ethos around sustainability. The inside is really cute and great for studying. The baristas were nice at suggesting syrup flavors when I asked.

This place is incredible! Tucked away in Noda, the vibe is quaint & adorable. The coffee (cold brew is strong!) so keep that in mind. I added syrup & a ton of milk and it was still too much for me, but good flavors all around still! The barista was very friendly and accommodating... I can be a pain with my coffee orders. It's a bit pricey, with my 16oz with reg milk coming in at $6. For reference on my menu pic, I went 8/30.

Such a cool cafe to chill in and enjoy some tasty beverages. I really love the chai latte and today decided to go for a dirty chai. It was bolder as I expected, but I still enjoyed it very much. It's been awhile since I've indulged in a milkshake here and I'm adding that to the list for next time. I also tried a breakfast sandwich, something I've ordered time and time again. Except I usually order the breakfast burrito and today I got a biscuit. It was good, but a tad salty for my taste and I didn't love the egg. It's ok because I still love Smelly Cat and I can't wait to return. They always have swag available for purchase as well as a variety of snacks. The staff and owner are super sweet, real down to earth and make you feel right at home. Parking can be tough, but circle around, somebody will leave eventually!

The interior of this place is enough for me to come again. You feel like you're sitting in a cozy warm cup of coffee and they are playing some awesome tunes! It's a great local coffee and not too acidic. Fun concept of walking up and ordering at the outside window. They have a small parking lot and there's street parking.

Always always always my favorite coffee shop! And their breakfast is delicious! Such a nice area to sit outside and always so many dogs and people there!

Enjoyed the BEST chai latte and moist zucchini bread at a lovely outdoor table. The blooming zinnias, singing birds, and shady trees made this such a nice morning. Short walk from the 36th Street lynx light rail station.

The Cortado coffee was delicious. Bagel with lochs and cream cheese fresh and loaded up. Huge sandwich that could be shared by two people. Great ambiance inside. Only small critique is I would have preferred a glass or mug for my coffee instead of paper cup. Otherwise excellent experience.

Great coffee here. Good service and there's a private parking lot. I also had an egg and cheese biscuit, which I wouldn't necessarily recommend. The egg seems like a premade warmed up egg, and not freshly made. The biscuit itself was actually good though. The coffee is the star.

Tasty coffee and great outside sitting area to enjoy. Service is quick. Parking is limited and we have to park little bit far from cafe if we come on busy days.

I love smelly cat, but they keep making choices that make the dining experience worse. they've now added QR codes to order from the table, another way to cut out any level of personal experience. i like the staff here, i enjoy coming every week, but the more "automated" this place becomes, the less it feels like a sweet local place. i beg yall to bring back in person ordering, no more qr codes and no more kiosks. BTW - QR code doesn't even work.

I love this place! The food is always house made and fantastic. Even the syrups are house made=none of that artificial garbage. And their Biscuits and Zucchini Bread? They are the best I have ever had from a restaurant! Drinks here are fantastic-I especially like the fresh roasted flavors of their coffee drinks.-specifically their Lattes. The bathroom is always clean when I have been. Staff are friendly,efficient and well informed.

Coffee is good. I had order cold Brew coffee and the coffee is strong and delicious.also the server are friendly and will make sure your coffee is on point

I didn't even know there was a cafe called Smelly Cat in Charlotte. Stumbled upon this gem after driving into Noda in hopes of a quick coffee run before going to Haberdish for brunch. The line on a Saturday morning at 10 am was kinda long, which only meant that this place was worth it! I ordered a vanilla iced latte which took 10 minutes to make due to all the people in front of me (which was a bummer). But after I got my coffee, it was all worth it. Delicious. I noticed that they had some breakfast items, so I would definitely come back and try those items.

Love that they have an outdoor order window and patio to bring the puppies. Their homemade syrups are bomb! We got a vanilla hot latte and the Vietnamese cold brew While both were good the latte was spectacular! That vanilla syrup is delicious.

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 a breakfast bagel and a warm chai! Delicious chai!! It was chilly and the chai was very well balanced. We did sit outside and enjoy our breakfast, but with the cold we ate very quickly. I can see how this is very popular during warmer weather, such a perfect place to catch up with friends. The food was ready pretty quick, not a long wait at all!

This coffee shop has a prime location with its own parking lot. Due to the pandemic, dining indoors isn't available but they have plenty of outdoor seatings. I went when the weather was horribly hot and humid. They have couple of seats that gets the wind from outdoor fans. Can't stay too long in that heat but with the fan, it was helpful still not for more than 30 min. I had their cafe au Lait and their zucchini bread. They have multiple milk options and the non-fat which isn't listed on their outdoor menu. The coffee quality was nice and paired so well with the bread. You can see actual slices of the zucchini instead of just specks. My friend got an iced dirty chai and it was delicious as well. Overall for $13 of pastry and morning coffee in a quaint area, it was a 5 star experience and taste.

Simply the best coffee and pup cups in the neighborhood. Friendly service every time. Love to take the pup for a walk here and sit on the cute patio. My favorite...and Jubilee agrees.

Decent coffee. Not a ton of flavors offered, was hoping for more seasonal offerings. Price is a little steep for what you get but it is an ok value.

Great little trendy spot to relax and chill. Nice atmosphere and the food is pretty good as well as the coffee.

We always try to visit when coming to Charlotte. Today was the day. I got a Iced Pumpkin Spice and it did not disappoint. Great service and atmosphere.

Sad day indeed...after years of coming here I'm gonna find another place. I'm tired of having to ring a button to get let inside, the coffee is now bitter and not smooth like it used to be, there are also many new places around here that I'm gonna try and see if I can just walk in, order, and have a good cup of coffee...even the parking lot here has changed so parking now sucks...