Who doesn't love Brakeman's IYKYN The absolute best Coffee shop in Charlotte. You can't beat the coffee, the team- always good vibes only & service with a smile Do yourself a favor and Pull-Up read more

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I absolutely love this wonderful little coffee shop in downtown Matthews. Their brew is tasty, prices are reasonable, and the adorable setting offers some wonderful places inside and out to curl up with a book, a laptop and a cup of Joe. In warm weather, grab a spot at one of the outdoor tables, and in winter, find a spot on the covered patio or a cozy nook inside. Brakeman's also serves muffins, pastries and iced drinks, and the service is friendly and efficient. But be warned -- this popular spot gets extremely busy, especially on Saturday mornings. So come early, claim your spot and discover one of the best spots in town for a hot cup of coffee! read more

This is a good coffee spot! Service was extremely quick and kind, and the atmosphere is charming. Inside is a cozy vibe while outside is quaint (make sure to check out the backyard, LOVED sitting out there). The only reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is that while the coffee was good, it wasn't great. It felt a little watered down (flavor-wise) compared to other spots. Additionally, they don't have recycling available from what I saw. It would be nice if they did considering they sell glass bottles and use plenty of plastic. Also, keep in mind that during peak hours the line is out the door. read more

Brakeman's Coffee & Supply - Mocha latte (iced) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

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I don't get to Matthews very often, but I was wandering around today and trying out a few new grocery stores for the weekly shop. Somewhere between comparing produce sections and debating which store had the better bakery, I felt the familiar need for coffee and decided to stop at Brakeman's Coffee & Supply for a cortado. It turned out to be exactly the kind of local spot that makes these little detours worthwhile. The shop is a converted home, and you can feel that history in the layout. There are all these neat little nooks and corners where you can settle in for a while, whether you're on the wifi or actually having a real conversation with another human being. My cortado was excellent, rich and balanced and served just the way I like it (other than paper cup), and it set the tone for a surprisingly productive stretch of time. I ended up spending about two hours here, writing reviews, refining the shopping list, and enjoying the quiet rhythm of the place. The wifi is incredibly fast, the seating in this small parlor room was comfortable, and the whole environment encourages you to stay longer than you planned. It's the kind of coffee shop where you could easily lose an entire morning without meaning to, and I mean that in the best possible way. [Review 155 of 2026 - 4545 in North Carolina - 25345 overall] read more

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As a Matthews resident I love Brakeman's! The staff is so kind and they are constantly slammed at peak times. They are so fast and efficient all day everyday. My favorite is their queen bee iced coffee - if you want to stay and sit you just have to get there at the right time because they are always busy read more

One of the best coffee places in Matthews. Not too acidic or too sour, not too weak or too strong. Service is excellent. Only downside is that it can feel cramped and feel small when it gets busy. 10/10 would recommend read more

I came here with a couple friends a few weeks ago for a quick coffee and catchup. It's a really cute spot with both indoor and outdoor seating. Parking is tough but I lucked out with a spot on the street. There was a pretty long line but it moved fast. I saw they had gelato on the menu and was excited to get a scoop because it was pretty hot out, but unfortunately they said they didn't have any so the menu wasn't updated. I ended up getting an iced coffee and a couple chocolate caramels. read more

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Awesome coffee totally worth the wait If there is a line it moves very quickly staff was lovely read more

It was charming I will give Brakemans Coffee that. The website was deceiving. I was looking for the fresh aroma of a variety of baked goods and coffee. Also, my speciality latte I wanted was not available. What a bummer! I settled on a pistacchio butterscotch latte instead. I also got a green tea and a coffee muffin to go. I wanted a danish or something. The coffee muffin was one of 3 selection at 7 am in the morning. How come? It was the morning and there shouldve been a wide varities. Im glad I came, saw and conquered. Brakemans is on my short bucket list while I visited my brother in NC. Maybe next time, there will be more than 3 pastries to try? read more

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Came in around 11 and the place was busy. Nevertheless, the service was quick and the baked goods were delicious. The ambiance is relaxing with earthy colors and low volume music. Perfect place to take a team's meeting or get some work done. Highly recommend. read more

Brakeman's Coffee & Supply - Small interior seating room. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

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This is a treasure spot, I love their cozy feel in each room and outside. The coffees are delicious including the matcha also. The service is quick and friendly. Prices as great. I love it here. read more

Brakeman's Coffee & Supply - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

This place is too cool! I was waiting next door for my pizza and decided to venture off and grab a cup of coffee. As soon as I walked in, I fell in love this place. It's so charming! It seemed like everyone was working remote and using it as a coworking place. There's plenty of tables and chairs available. There's seating out front, inside and in the back. I decided to order their seasonal almond joy latte. My boyfriend ordered their slow berry latte. It didn't take long for the drinks to come out. The almond joy latte tastes exactly like an almond joy. I could taste the almond, coconut and chocolate. My boyfriend really enjoyed his drink. I'd definitely recommend and revisit. read more

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WOW! Brakeman's Coffee & Supply. I have a lot of good things to say but, if I may be so bold, a few areas for improvement I'd like to point out, too. Let's start with the pros. I have never been dissatisfied with any drink I've gotten here (chai, tea, latte, steamer). They all came out quickly given the length of the line and were tasty! Yum, yum, yum. The lattes are a little milkier than I would like, but not everyone can handle their caffeine like me. Still, something to be aware of if you're particular. The baristas are always SO friendly, and they don't compromise on this even when there's a line, but they are still efficient, speedy, and streamlined. The layout is also just darling, and aesthetically the place looks good. The one thing I cannot stand for are these horribly unergonomic chairs. Brakeman's is not the only establishment that has these chairs and every time I'm left thinking "Why? Just why?" They are unanimously agreed upon to be so uncomfortable, and looking around people seem that way, too. You either have to sit super far forwards or completely sideways to avoid the metal bars cutting into your bum. Not fun, especially after sitting in it for more than a few minutes. The establishment warrants doing work here, so people wanting to do so for a few hours flock to the converted church pew: the only semi-comfortable seating option. Sadly, this accounts for just four seats, so it becomes a bit of a turf war, which I hate to see happen regarding such a Godly seating option. My only other note is this name... "Brakeman's Coffee & SUPPLY?" What are these so-called supplies? A Brakeman's mug or tee? Seems like a stretch to me, but maybe it's just due to by superior mastery of the English language that I find fault with this. An alternative explanation is that I am simply not seeing where the coffee supplies are, which is equally, if not more, possible. Keep up the fantastic work, but maybe look into slowly changing the seating options. And please, Brakeman's Coffee & Supply, do not get discouraged by my suggestions. It is only because I want to maximize your potential that I say such things. - Shannon McGuire read more

I'm a sucker for cute coffee shops and this is definitely one of them. I loved seeing the decor inside they had an old School coffee machine and they also have walking upstairs was a neat experience. They also had an area for the kids to draw with chalk and play board games which is wonderful and a seating from front to back of this shop was incredible! It was definitely busy when we came but I understand why this is such a great place to read or get work done and just enjoy a nice drink and great atmosphere. Now we did have a couple issues with our coffee orders, the Queen bee lacked flavor and so did the Queen of hearts it didn't taste like anything special. The matcha however was good and then espresso muffin was a no go unfortunately it was dry. But I would come back to try something else for sure. read more

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Brakeman's is probably one of the most talked about coffee joints in the Charlotte area, and it has long been on my list to try, but the first time I tried to come in I found out they aren't open on Sunday. Good to know! I came back on a beautiful Saturday morning, and man it was packed! Like there was a line out the door. I knew it was popular but I didn't realize the extent. The shop is located inside an old home, and has a cozy feel. But with the long line, major crowd, and large amounts of loud children, it wasn't really the relaxing coffee shop I typically enjoy. The coffee I had was very good, but if this type of crowd is typical, I will probably elect to go somewhere else where it is a bit more peaceful. I would never discourage anyone from going in to try for themselves, but I doubt I will be a regular. read more

When visiting downtown Matthews over the summer, we started our day at Brakeman's! Honestly, it was the perfect start to our day. I love an iced coffee so I got the iced queen bee latte and coffee cake and it was the fuel I needed to start my day! I will say the space is crowded on Saturday morning so expect a crowd and a wait. The baristas were friendly and efficient, which was nice since it was so busy. Brakeman's will always be a must when visiting Matthew's for the day! read more

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I love Brakeman's! Every Saturday there is a line out the door. One of my favorite things to do this summer has been to grab coffee from Brakeman's and walk across the street to the farmer's market. What a fun activity! They have a delicious selection of iced coffee while featuring seasonal menu items as well. Most recently, I tried a chocolate muffin and it was absolutely out of this world good. The muffin was so chocolatey and moist I couldn't stop eating it. It paired perfectly with my iced coconut vanilla latte. Wow. Try Brakeman's ASAP! read more

Brakeman's Coffee & Supply - Chocolate muffin was delicious! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

This was our first stop to get some fuel for a little foodie tour in downtown Matthews. I love the flavors that they have for their coffee and the seasonal menu had many creative options. They had some yummy looking muffins and we tried a few of those as well. There was a line out the door so no when you go there might be a bit of a wait. They're seating inside and outside if you can find a table. read more

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Brakeman's offers a range of specialty coffees with an impressive variety of seasonal flavors. The quality of coffee is good, and it's a pleasant spot for a caffeine fix.They also have a selection of pastries that are pretty average. Service is fast and friendly. The interior is nice and cozy, making it an inviting place to enjoy your coffee. However, it's worth noting that finding available seats can be a challenge any day of the week. Many people come here to work, which can be a drawback if you're hoping to enjoy coffee with a pastry inside. There's a small possibility of finding seating, so keep that in mind. If you're interested in coffee-related merch or packaged coffee to enjoy at home, you can find it here. They offer a selection of cute merchandise like hats, totes, and thermo cups, and coffee beans for purchase. read more

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Very cute coffee shop with plenty of seating! My only knock is that the WiFi was pretty bad so I wasn't able to work there as I would've hoped. Staff is super friendly too! read more

Do you like a smooth sweet but not too over the top coffee? Brakeman's Honey Bee Latte is for you! I am sure their other drinks are fab but this is the drink I purchased a minimum of 5 times in my weekend sun the greater Charlotte area. Even when the place was busy, the baristas kept their positive and upbeat attitudes about them. It made the experience that much better. Plus, you have cute items and decor to view if you have to wait for your coffee which doesn't happen often given how quick the baristas are. read more

Brakeman's Coffee & Supply - Coffee in front of their wall - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

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Great spot to grab a coffee with friends! Sit inside or out! Get a daily special, cold brew. Or a strong drip! read more

The coffee is very good! Sadly, I've been trying to make more coffee at home but when I'm itching for a good coffee (that I didn't make) I go here! Probably my favorite coffee place in Matthew's! The inside is cozy and you'll find a lot of people working here as well as chatting with friends. I recently found out that they have a punch card which I will now be utilizing when I go! They also have a lot of art for sale on all the walls which is a good place to look for a gift! read more

As a resident of Matthews, I am very proud of this establishment in the heart of downtown. There is an energy that is contagious here that spreads to the rest of North Trade Street. The place is always busy but not too crowded. I was able to find a table and stay focused on a 2-hour Teams call for work while inside. The hot Chai Latte is warm and cinnamony, perfect for a regular Tuesday morning, and comes out in just a few minutes. Parking behind the building is always an issue but there are plenty of free street spots and nearby lots around the town hall. Overall, an excellent place to spend a morning. read more

The coffee is outstanding. But the Jen Z staff and owner are a little bit pretentious and not very accommodating. My 75 year-old father-in-law and I went in there to order a couple of coffees, we waited in line for the standard amount of time like anyone else, and when we tried to pay with a $50 bill, the kid at the counter literally looked at us like we sold contraband on a corner. Although our bill was only something like 12 bucks, he said he couldn't take it. That he might not have the change in the drawer & then a girl behind the counter chimed in we've gotten a lot of counterfeits. So we don't take $50 bills. I mean, which one was it we don't have the change or we don't take the 50s? Look, I can't really speak for their experience, but in that area, I don't see the idea of a lot of customers in an upper echelon area like that coming in with counterfeits. Then the owner got very indignant, and further complained about taking cash. The coffee there is phenomenal. I guess just make sure you have fives and tens, who knows if they'll ever turn down 20s. read more

The perfect coffeehouse environment! We enjoyed our latte & chai - they easily customized them. If I lived in N.C., Charlotte area this would be a go to place to relax, work, anmeet up with friends. My second time back in the area and had to return. Enjoyed it as much as the first time. Loved my Vermont Maple latte. I like that they don't charge extra for half-and-half. A welcome surprise. read more

Brakeman's Coffee & Supply - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

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Because I like to stay on a positive note, go to Starbucks. Muffin - dry. Tried two different types. Coffee- not good enough to not throw out read more

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The service and coffee are excellent, with the menu items being creative & consistently solid every time I've visited. The quality of their espresso has continuously improved over the years, and the shop has become a mainstay of Matthews, NC. The vibe inside is great- reminiscent of Matthew's history as a former railroad hub. read more

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I saw a friend post about their seasonal Cookie Butter Chai and drove here to get one two days later. I actually had a gift card too so it was the perfect opportunity to use it. They were super friendly and when we had 29 cents left after our gift card, they just said not to worry about it. Our drinks were ready quickly and were the perfect temperature to drink right away--very warm, but not burn your tongue hot. There was a perfectly delicious hint of cookie butter and the chai was delicious. It wasn't the overly sweet stuff you find at a lot of places. You'll find a spicy, flavorful chai here. I'll definitely stop by again sometime! read more

Brakeman's Coffee & Supply - Cookie Butter Chai (seasonal) | Instagram: @telephonesmoothie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

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Coffee is good, but found plastic in my apple muffin, possibly a fingernail. Was originally supposed to get the chocolate muffin, but they gave it to another customer that came after us so we ended up getting the apple one instead. The worker looked like she didn't want to be there. Wasn't the most pleasant experience. read more

Brakeman's Coffee & Supply - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

Cute coffee shop, way bigger than it looks. Outside seating in front & a porch in back as well as seating inside. Was there on a Thursday morning & it was busy, lots of people working on their laptops as well as people just enjoying their coffee. I got a cappuccino & it was very good, I'm still wishing I would have tried their frozen espresso pops, damn, such a great idea & I bet it's so good and refreshing. The place is cute & homey and the staff was nice & friendly. read more

Brakeman's Coffee & Supply - Cappuccino - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

I love this local coffee spot. The service is always top notch. With a huge array of different flavors of coffees and teas, you may have a hard time choosing. Lots of different seating options. Front sunroom, outdoor back or front seating, private little nooks throughout to catch up with a friend, read a book or get caught up on some work. read more

Another rare 5 star review given from my stingy self. If you haven't read any of my other reviews, here's my disclaimer. Everyone starts off with 3 stars and this is a good score! I believe in keeping it fair and rating everyone equally on the following: courtesy of staff, taste of the menu, cleanliness, accommodations. So what's another coffee house a suburb of Charlotte, NC right? If you happen to be here in Matthews, NC stop by Brakeman's! Let's get to some details before you go... Parking: Depending on where you're coming from Brakeman's will come into view very last minute. From the front of the place there limited space but drive to the back and there is plenty of parking. In fact, if you never park in the back you might miss seeing their outdoor patio area covered in trees and the fountain. Seating: This is probably my favorite feature of the place. It's like a country cottage with corners and rooms transformed into comfy, intimate areas. Every corner is different- from classic leather chairs to cafe tables and metal bistro chairs...to benches. And every area is decorated with something explore. If you go past the register, look to the left and you'll see a small nook and the original stairs going up (when it was a house). This area was filled with local art (for sale) and 2 small tables. Perfect and tucked away from the busy traffic. Just enough background noise you would hear in any coffee house. Taste: I ordered something traditional because the basics of coffee have to be perfect to own a coffee house right? So I got a 16oz iced latte with 1 pump of vanilla. The coffee was delicious and strong- without being overly acidic. It balanced well with the Spiced Zucchini Muffin I also ordered (locally made I believe). Accommodations: gender neutral bathroom. They also have indoor and outdoor seating. Wifi also available! There were plenty of people with laptops up hanging out. I'll certainly be back to hang out longer. Courtesy: The young gentleman that took my order was very courteous and friendly. He was confident about my questions and relaxed. There's certainly a relaxed vibe. Maybe it was the soft jazz playing in the background. I'll back here for sure. Thanks you Brakeman's for a delicious experience! read more

Brakeman's Coffee & Supply - Staircase nook - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

I usually get Iced Vanila Latte and Great Pumpkin Latte(seasonal menu) with Oatmilk. Today, I got the Iced Slow-Berry Matcha Latte with Oatmilk. WOW! It's fresh and tasty :) The Berry flavor and Matcha tea taste go well together and the Berry flavor is not too strong, so it does not lose the Matcha tea taste. And I highly recommend Great Pumpkin Latte for everyone who likes Pumpkin :) read more

Brakeman's Coffee & Supply - Iced Slow-Berry Matcha Latte with Oatmilk :) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

I'm sure the popularity of the location is why it is always so crowded. The ambiance is pleasant but we just don't find the crowded space suits our needs. read more

Great coffee, great atmosphere, and awesome service. Definitely stop by the coffee shop next time you are in and around Matthews.

It's always a delight when I can immediately take a sip of my chai latte without burning my tongue. That, and when I use a gift card to purchase said chai latte and have less than a dollar left to pay and I'm told to not worry about it. And at Brakeman's, that's the kind of service you can expect. read more

Brakeman's Coffee & Supply - Chai latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

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This is my favorite local coffee shop! This location is great, the interior is quaint and cute. There are so many nooks to unwind, work or play. They also have a seasonal menu that changes and I absolutely love the staff. They are always so patient and kind even with a fast moving line to the door. Highly recommend to anyone. Lavender latte is my go to. read more

Brakeman's Coffee & Supply - Seasonal menu drink- Candied Almond - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Matthews, North Carolina

Came in for a quick caffeine pick-me-up one afternoon when wandering through downtown Matthews after grabbing some beers nearby. I had been wanting to check this place out for awhile since I'd seen it because it looked so cute, and quaint, and like it would be make a nice cuppa joe. Alas! I came in and it was pretty busy, waited in the long line, and the staff was really nice, making jokes and greeting people warmly as they walked up to order and calling out the drinks that were ready. I ordered a simple espresso as I figured a place like this would make a great one. Sadly, that was not my experience. My espresso was way too acidic to the point of being almost undrinkable and it was a little burnt. Not sure if they were just having an off day or if I got some leftover espresso from a previous order or what the deal was, but for the price and atmo and other reviews, I expected so much better and was so disappointed! Needless to say, I don't see myself coming back, at least not for awhile to get both the figurative & literal "bad taste out of my mouth". 1-star for the coffee but 4 stars for the service and decor. However, being the coffee junkie that I am, I should never like a coffee place's service & decor way better than their actual coffee (insert sad face here) read more

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Amazing! If anyone ever visits Downtown Matthews, this is a must-try coffee spot. It's built inside a good sized house, and everyone there is so kind and fun to talk to. There's a lot of seating on the inside, and the decorations really sell the atmosphere. The coffee is super affordable and made with love. Will definitely be coming back! read more