The Lights Cafe

This place is a delight!! The food is amazingly fresh and light on the stomach. I walked away feeling so full but not heavy at all. Every single bite was a bit of “wow” on the taste buds. Luis is a fun character and Liz is such a sweetheart. I felt like a regular walking in! We stop in here every Sunday after the Elevation Church service. If you’re one for oatmeal gotta try the Oat Porridge. Their Açaí Bowl I’d indulge so quickly and forget it’s to share lol! The best Chai latte in town hot or on ice! The spice really kicks in to remind you it’s Chai :)

My wife and I stopped by on a Saturday morning for breakfast at The Lights Cafe. We were seated right away and our service was outstanding the entire time. The gentleman who was helping us seemed to be the owner and we loved how he interacted with everyone there. We went with Burrata Toast, Egg Combo and an order of Sweet Potato Fries. Everything we ate was amazing and the portion sizes were great. We will definitely be back again and would highly recommend The Lights Cafe!

The Lights Cafe I was early to my tax appointment and stopped for a coffee and breakfast. Immediately upon entry Luis treated me like family or a close friend, even with it being my first time there. He also treated the other guests in the same way. The location is warm, clean and inviting. All the tables are preset for enjoyment. After telling Luis I wanted a Latte and healthy breakfast he Recomended a Cuban roast and the Avocado Toast on vegan bread to which I added a poached egg and bratwurst. OMG!!!!!! So GOOD!!!! Even the men’s room was clean. I’ve made plans to return this weekend. Update 7-12-2025 Another exceptional experience at The Lights Cafe. Driving an hour for breakfast is so worth the Cuban coffee, breakfast dishes and ambiance but what truly makes this location is the family, Luis and Lizette, that operates this wonderful establishment. The love that is put into every beverage and meal is felt making you feel like part of the family.

This place was a wonderful surprise. My wife has gluten and dairy allergies and there are lots of delicious options. I got the avocado toast with poached eggs and bacon. She got the breakfast tortilla and we shared the banana chocolate chip muffin. Fantastic. Everything was “made with love” according to the owner and I could taste it. He wa a wonderful guy as well. It was clear he loved his work. We definitely will go back.

This is a diamond in the rough, tucked into a shopping center with a grocery store and other ordinary businesses. The Lights has become a family favorite of ours for a special treat. The food, service and atmosphere are perfect. We feel transported every time we come here. The best sweet potato fries, Cuban sandwich and French toast around! 10/10 recommend!

We had an amazing experience at the Lights Cafe! It is now one of our favorite brunch places and will definitely be back. I am gluten free and they had plenty of options for me. The sausage was delicious, as well as the waffle and matcha.

Great experience! Our waiter, Luis, was super friendly and funny. We came on a Tuesday for brunch/lunch, and while the restaurant was nearly empty, the food and service were excellent, even better than my visit about three/four years ago under different ownership. The layout feels fresh, though it’s still a bit small. They have freshly made juice, coffee and the food were super delicious. The menu also offers great options for those with dietary restrictions. A pleasant surprise, definitely worth checking out!

Simple breakfast for two was $42.00 including tip. $17.00 for overcooked scrambled eggs, two pieces of bacon and undercooked pale waffle served on small salad plate. Eggs were not scrambled. They were served like a small overcooked omelet with nothing in it. Other breakfast, $15.00, was over med. eggs with brat and potatoes/peppers and one thick hard piece of bread. Second breakfast was ok but not good enough for a return visit. Everything is served on plastic plates, which no one minds, but not for a $42.00 breakfast. I should have known I was in trouble when wine bar had mood lights flashing on bottles of wine. If you are curious, try lunch because breakfast is sadly represented.

The Lights Cafe is a great little spot where the food truly shines. The **Cuban sandwich** was a very good, and will be back to try a few other items soon. Equally impressive was the service. The staff were prompt, courteous, and genuinely seemed to care. In short, give it a try.

Fantastic food. Avocado toast and breakfast sandwich with extra hem. Coffee is good.

I went here with my daughter a couple of weeks ago because she really loves the cafe and she wanted to treat me to a nice brunch. When we arrived, I noticed that the atmosphere is nice and quiet, the decor is simple but fitting. The service was very good with the waitstaff being prompt, professional and courteous. They really did go out of their way to make us comfortable and welcomed. So far so good but where I deduct stars is for the food which was mediocre because it lacked a robust flavor and the Brioche bread that comes with the Breakfast sandwich wasn't available but the staff did give a 10% discount due to the inconvenience. I really wanted to like this cafe but I really didn't like the food but everything else was perfect. This also is a nice place to sit, relax and enjoy the atmosphere. My daughter really loves the cafe, the food and ambiance so I would recommend.

I have been eyeing this place for a long time and I'm so glad we got to finally try it out! Everything was amazing from the friendly service, artisan inspired food and the cleanliness. Highly recommend this place, there is something for everyone! We got the Cuban, breakfast platter, fresh juice and olive oil cake.

Decided to try this after looking for a coffee shop with food near the ballantyne area. There's plenty of parking as it is in a plaza with other businesses including a Harris Teeter. We sat at a two top table against the wall and were promptly served. The coffee came out hot which I appreciated so it stayed hot while we ate and chatted. The food was slightly overpriced but tasty. My only other complaint was it got quite loud and the lights blinking around the counter were distracting. Otherwise, food and drink was good and I'd stop by again to try some of the baked goods.

Great!!! Love this establishment. Love to meet friends here for breakfast. Great service. Great food. Clean. Ample parking. I give it a 10. 2 thumbs up.

Amazing amazing food. Coffee and matcha were fresh a tasted amazing. The menu felt very thought out and nutritious. The owner came up to us and was so sweet. I believe it's hispanic owned which is a total plus to me. 10/10 recommend and will be back to try more menu items!

TLDR: Oh.my.gosh it's good! Coffee, food, staff are all amazing! Luis, the GM, is awesome!! Have you ever been to a restaurant and wanted to order everything on the menu because it sounded so good? That's exactly how I felt at The Lights!! Such good food and the staff are so sweet!! We wound up going for breakfast four days in a row on our vacation and it was consistently delicious! Luis, the GM, is one of the best I've seen! Watching how the staff interacts with each other, on both busy and slower visits, shows what a wonderful employee culture he's set for the restaurant. (I come form a restaurant background and notice things like that!) We tried a few of their coffees, French toast, bacon, avocado toast, açaí bowl, banana chocolate chip muffin, croissant and their olive oil cake and mascarpone cheese. All delicious. The açaí bowl was refreshing and the coconut tasted like so was really fresh! The croissant was as buttery and flakey as you'd expect but the real winner was that olive oil cake!! On my goodness - so simple, light and fluffy, not too sweet and just amazing! Pro tip- scoop some of the mascarpone into a hot coffee! Yum!!

Good clean food. My go to is the pesto rice, egg, hot sauce, radish , chèvre and kale. Then if I'm extra hungry I add the Spanish tortilla with their fresh OJ.

I walked in there for a coffee, and was convinced to try a cafecito (Cuban coffee), by the manager Luis, it was amazing. Luis mentioned, he was working on bringing a Cuban Sandwich to the menu and to come by. I had to try it. I can honestly say it's the best Cuban Sandwich I've had in Charlotte.

We love this little cafe. They have great coffee in the morning and also great food. Food service can be a little slow from time to time but the taste is worth it. Everyone is also so friendly.

Atmosphere is light but it's a small place. Servers are attentive and my breakfast sandwich was delicious! It would definitely add to their atmosphere if they had a few comfortable soft lounging sofa/chairs, but they only have small tables with chairs which are not comfortable.

This has quickly become my favorite cafe in Charlotte. I love their simple, healthy menu and the staff is so pleasant. They recently renovated the space as they prepare to serve as a wine bar in the evenings, and it's made the ambiance even nicer. Only thing that would make me like this place even more is if they did a special monthly dinner with rotating chefs or something. This area could really benefit from something fun like that!

I love this place! Found it since it was next to our chiropractor in the shopping center in ballentyne. Very friendly and efficient service. They have an array of different things on the menu, more on the healthy side which I love! I opted for a salad a smoothie, kale Caesar salad and a chocolate falls smoothie with added coffee shot. The kale Caesar had a vegan dressing which I appreciate since I'm lactose Intolerant. Both were tasty and light and I was ready for my day! I will definitely be back to try the rest of the menu which all sounded phenomenal. Looking forward to being back ASAP!

This place is amazing. The food, the coffee, the service. It reminds me of NYC in the best way.

El lugar es acogedor pequeño pero la comida muy rica. El servicio es bueno, son muy atentos. Me encanta el café!

We ate brunch here yesterday and it was so delicious that we came back for a second day! The oat porridge was creamy and tasty, the smoothies were fresh and the avocado toast was delicious. Highly recommend!

Stopped in for brunch and ordered a veggie omelet. It was so good I had to post a pic!

*(If I could I would give no stars at all)* We entered and were told there would be a 30 minute wait. This was no problem so we asked if we could order coffees and have them at the table outside. After paying for the coffees we waited outside at a table for 45 minutes for 2 coffees. This is also when our table was ready. (No big deal to have a table be ready 15 minutes after they say). Then we sat down and waited 25 more minutes and nobody brought us a menu so we went to the counter to ask. I was in line and the woman turned at first to me and then to the guy behind me and gladly took his bill and then after gave her attention to me. Then 10 minutes later someone finally came to our table and told us it was too backed up to order food and we couldn't put an order in for 1 more hour (after waiting 1 hour and 20 minutes already being told it would be 30 minutes). This was all with 4 tables being sat at in the restaurant. Then as I left I was stopped and asked if I wanted to pay for my coffee which was done 1 hour and 30 minutes earlier and I showed the proof. I have worked in the restaurant industry and have no issue with a wait, the issue was the misinformation up front leading to a wasted afternoon.

A copy of the Central Perk in Ballantyne. This is a very cute and niche place. The vibes here are definitely chill. The reason for my score and review was this placed was busier than a beehive. It took us about 15 minutes for a table. Not bad considering a busy Sunday. You could either wait in line or order from the table which was convenient since the line at the counter went to the door. If you're Into small compact over crowded spaces with Good and quality upscale food this is for you. Things it had but could use some Enhancement Ambiance - nice couches but unnecessary as this space could be used for a stand up bar Ordering was nice and fast but Food took forever. Speed of service we got our coffee 5 minutes after ordering but food took 25. We get it you're busy but a kitchen staff bigger than 2 is needed. All in all I hope this improves as they're located una. Good spot and the food was delicious.

I met some friends here for a birthday brunch. We ordered, ate, visited, & paid (tipping well!). But, as we were paying, my 5 month old baby needed to nurse. She had made zero noise, mind you, and was not an issue. But she was hungry. That, too, is a part of a normal breakfast & baby needs fed as well. I put a nursing cover on (that covers everything!) And began to let her have a quick bite. We were planning to leave in a few minutes but she was still eating at that moment. In a couple of minutes, a manager-type (I guess?) approached me and told me we needed to leave since they had a party of 7 waiting. Imagine someone asking you to leave while you were putting a spoonful of food in your child's mouth. It wouldn't happen. Yet, the baby was clearly on my chest, legs hanging out, eating. I thanked him and told him she was feeding on my chest, and as soon as she was done, I would leave. Which I did. Not trying to be problematic, but I can't help when my baby needs fed, and we *were* paying customers. It's not like we were soliciting or even loitering. I had tipped well, as did my friends, and we were still visiting & finishing up our meal/visit, baby included. What's worse, in my younger mom life, I would've been so mortified by someone implying I was putting them out by nursing, or acted as if a baby's food can be stopped & pushed out of the way whenever. I'm an older mom now though, and I finally realized a cover respects others feelings on the topic, while they can respect a baby's need to eat. Anyways, the food was fine, but not amazing. The atmosphere & tone toward nursing moms left a lot to be desired. Nursing moms eat, pay, and are customers too. Would be nice to be respected and give. the time you would give anyone else to finish their meal & visit.

I ordered the breakfast sandwich, scones, and the berry smoothie. I enjoyed all of the food. The sandwich was well seasoned and I love the slight bit of spiciness it had. The scones were delicious as well. I could eat a box of them honestly they were that good. The smoothie had the right balance of sweet and flavorful fruity blend. The service was good and friendly. Having a bit of a personal touch that many corporate stores lack these days. The ambiance was clean and relaxed. Especially with the open door and fresh air, it was very chill. Definitely would return.

This place is a trip. It came highly recommended by some local foodies and I am glad I came. The food is fresh as fresh gets and if you are a vegetarian, you have found a haven. Everything we had we great and we enjoyed every bite. Highly recommend using the sauces for the grain bowls and the sandwiches were slapping. I don't give a lot of five stars but this place earned it. Between food and preparation then presentation was next level. If you are in the are and looking for something fresh and delicious, stop in and thank me later. Fun fact. Kanye West visited this location.

Visited for the first time and it was amazing. Our server explained everything very well and was very attentive and friendly. Most of their ingredients are organic and/or locally sourced from farms. They make almond milk and coconut milk in house and everything is very fresh. Potato hash and açaí bowl both tasted excellent and so did golden milk. The portions were decent and it wasn't that expensive either. We would definitely recommend this place to everyone interested in healthy breakfast/brunch options.

When I walked in I wasn't expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere The menu is awesome; everything is fairly priced, and accessible for any dietary restrictions Last, but definitely not least, the service - the staff - are amazing Thank you, Dante for my salty cold brew

Such a good find in Charlotte this weekend! First off, the baristas/waiters were both professional and bubbly. They made SHWAE recommendations that did not disappoint. The açaí bowls were very tasty and filling. The mocha was also a big YES. Also, they make their almond butter and almond milk in house, and they are dank. I will say, they have pretty boujie food and it's not the cheapest, but it's worth the experience.

French toast and bacon were great. Coffee was a standout as well. Standard drip coffee much higher quality than a typical restaurant. It's on par with a dedicated coffee roaster. Served with hot frothed milk as well.

This place is great! Very healthy and delicious options. The service was also very upbeat and spot on. I ordered a chair tea latte and avocado toast. The chai was very well balanced. Not too spicy and very refreshing. My dad had a caramel latte and chocolate chip blueberry muffin and my mom had the bacon, eggs and toast. The bread was delicious. Also to note that it is in a plaza, so there is plenty of parking. It does get busy, so you may need to wait for a table. Highly recommend.

If you need a good healthy option this is your place, they have a wide variety of options. They also seem to willing to work with you if you have any items you need removed from your meal. I went in after lunch for a smoothie that would be filling and I decided on the Immune in Tune with the assistance of the lovely lady who was working the cash register. She explained it was one of her favorites and I later googled Sun Potion Ananandamide & found it is a type of cocoa. I've only went in once but I know I will be back. I will admit the smoothies are kind of expensive but they taste great and have real ingredients so most times that's worth paying for. I will update my review to add when I go into purchase food and some delicious coffee drinks but I am really excited to try another smoothie so the food might have to wait. ;)

AMAZING food and great service!! This was such a gem that we found near Charlotte. It feels like you're at a cozy little cafe in Europe! We will definitely come back here again!

It looks adorable, and i was excited to try. I ordered the caprese sandwich and it was served cold on stale bread. No sides or anything included. I ordered a cup of coffee that was also served cold. I only gave it two stars because the staff were very pleasant.

This was a spur of the moment stop! Normally, I research where id like to eat but we saw the sign driving home from church and made a u-turn. So glad we did! The menu was extensive and fresh! There was a option for everyone! We had the avocado toast, porridge, breakfast sandwich, and pancakes. They were a hit! Looking forward to going back and stocking up on some juice!

Want to eat health, grab a quick bite to eat, or enjoy a peaceful coffee? Look no further if you are in the area. I ordered a light acai bowl add almond butter to go and it was very different than any one I had ever had. It was fresh tasting and had a nice crunch to it. If you check into yelp you get a discount off your order which is an added plus!

Great spot, super-healthy foods all sourced naturally! The Avocado toast or salad is so fresh; smoothies amazing. They make their own Almond Milk! Acai bowls fabulous. Menu changed s little so I'm attaching newest menu photo!

Coffee press excellent Chocolate banana muffin delicious Sister smoothie bowl great but different Table are comfortable and very roomy inside Secure WIFI

Delightful little spot. We ordered brunch and the guacamole toast was the highlight. We will add The Lights Cage to our regular rotation as it's a nice place with friendly service.

This place is fantastic. It's an adorable cafe that you don't want to miss. You feel like you're stepping into a little European cafe. They have a ton of gluten free options for each meal type including açaí bowls, baked goods, savory bowls, waffles, and so much more. The coffee and drink options are also super expansive so you don't want to miss out. To top it off, the service is amazing and welcoming. Can't wait to go back.

Wonderful ambiance, friendly staff, and outstanding, wholesome healing food prepared with love. This place is not to be missed! Clean, fresh, special. Very nice wines and wine recommendations. The scones are the best I've ever had and the evening menu is light but yummy fare. GO!

Brunch with a friend today found this hidden treasure Fresh, organic and locally grown produce and they make their own almond milk, butter, sauces and pastries renovated inside, new signage going up, now you can dine in, added a food menu with several Healthy options!

Came here with my wife a few weeks ago... this place truly deserves a 5 star rating! Excellent, healthy food. Friendly and prompt service and a smooth ambiance that felt extremely comfortable.

We read the reviews for this location and was excited to try it. The food was precooked and just warmed up and the portions very small. It was $40.00 for two and all we had to drink was an orange juice and plain coffee. My husband ordered the waffle which also precooked and I ordered the frittata also precooked. The portion was tiny frittata was the size of a very small piece of pie and included nothing else. The waffle included 3 berries and a very small fig and it was about 4 inches in diameter. The coffee arrived just as we were leaving of which I would have enjoyed more if I had it at the beginning. Very disappointed in this place and it's a one and done for us.

One of my favorite healthy, clean-eating restaurants! Delicious food, super nice owner and staff! I could eat here every day. So many good food options. Love this place, but I overspend every time.

A bit on the pricey side, but well worth it. Their juices are sold in glass bottles, which you are encouraged to bring in to recycle. The place is relatively small, but makes the most of its space without feeling too crowded. The interior design is lovely here, and it's a great place to relax and grab a coffee while working remote.

I come here at least once a week now, and I cannot get enough of this place! I'm a creature of habit, and I mostly stick with my standard order of the moonrise kingdom. I have however tried a few of the smoothies and juices, and have never been disappointed. They have also recently updated / expanded their menu with more delicious sounding dishes - can't wait to try some of their new stuff!

Used to be a great place I wld order regularly But the quality of food and sizes has gone down and prices have all increased Not worth it anymore

Hummingbird sandwich to go - delightful. My only wish: that I'd asked them to cut it for me before I left - also, grab napkins because the delicious ingredients will spill out when you take a bite - but all you have to do is scoop up the rest and enjoy it. Overall, 10/10 sandwich with perfect bread. The flavor was fresh, light, but filling. one more time for the bread

It is a nice place to try vegan or gluten free options. The staff was kind and good-humored. We were happy with their food and service.

Great place for a healthy breakfast with a friendly crew and great atmosphere. Highly recommend!

It was my first visit. I ordered the Classic Avocado Toast and the Quinoa Kale. The Avocado Toast was the best Ive have ever had! So incredibly fresh taste and that seeded bread was amazing!!! The Salad don't get me wrong, still good, but there was barely any Quinoa or any other vegetable. Almost sprinkled on top. The employees were sweet, but when brining the food to the table didn't they didn't have a system on who ordered what. They walked around asking who ordered what. Although I was the first to order, the table next to me got my toast. No biggie. I still ate.

Went here with my daughter knowing nothing about the place. Looked and felt expensive, paid 40.00 for two of us. She had a smoothie bowl and latte I had frittata and capuccino. Now for the good part, food was delicious, coffees were real straight from Europe hand crafted goodness. The smoothie really was on another level and the frittata was generously sized with fresh vegetables. The baked goods looked fresh and tempting, will have to come back. I was pleasantly surprised to know everything was organic, and am willing to pay when a restaurant delivers!