Smelly Cat Coffee
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Stopped by Smelly Cat Coffee while in NC and lucked out with finding parking, which was a nice start. I was just popping in to grab a coffee to go. The name immediately made me think of Friends, so I was expecting a bit more of that quirky, cozy vibe. Still really cute inside. The space itself is pretty small and felt a bit packed when I went in. I wasn't totally sure where to order at first and had to walk further in to find the register, which was slightly confusing. The staff interaction was fine, not bad, just neutral. I tried making a little conversation while deciding what to order, and while nothing stood out, the barista was helpful when I asked for recommendations. They do have some cool drink options, and when I asked what people usually order that isn't too sweet and similar to one I was thinking of, I was pointed toward the special espresso cortadito with almond milk. It came in a small cup, but was perfect for being on the go. The flavor was good, smooth, and gave me a nice little pick-me-up. Overall, it was a solid coffee stop but didn't quite blow me away. If you're nearby and need a quick caffeine fix, it does the job.
Came here a while back for a quick cup to catch up with a couple friends. It's a small but cute space, not really enough seating though and a little slow on the service side. Lucked out with one of the last parking spots though. I had a black coffee an breakfast sandwich. All in all, decent shop with a little room for improvement. @azfitfoodfun
Smelly Cat was one of my favorite coffee shops I've tried. The Americano I had was tasty--smooth, strong, and well-balanced. Definitely one of the better ones I've had in a while. The vibe here is great too--relaxed, welcoming, and the kind of spot you want to hang out for a bit. Ordering was super easy with the kiosk system, which made things quick and hassle-free. Parking is available, but the lot can be a little tight. Cheers
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.
My husband and I love coming here for our Sunday morning coffee! My favorite part? The 16 Oz mugs! What can I say, I like big coffee mugs. Super simple to order at the screen or QR code at the tables. It does get busy and seating is limited so we like being early. Cozy 90s vibes inside, it does remind me of Friends. The zucchini bread is a delicious treat!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
2 months ago
Cold brew with sweetened condensed milk was tart, sweet, and refreshing on a hot day. They provide samples which is very kind and generous. Not much seating inside and some outside, I would recommend getting it to go and walking the neighborhood. read more
Smelly Cat Cafe is an independent coffee shop in Noda. It is easy to place your order via a tablet or on your phone and pick up at a window. There is seating inside and outside. They roast the coffee beans in house and make the syrups used in the drinks. We had their NoDa Nights Espresso in an Iced Latte The coffee has won awards an did not disappoint. It was rich, sweet and well balanced. They also serve breakfast burritos and biscuits. I have been to Smelly Cat several times and am never disappointed. read more
My fiancé and I decided to go on a long walk today so we could finally try Smelly Cat Coffee! We ordered the following items using the outdoor tablet: sausage and egg breakfast burrito, bacon and egg breakfast burrito, iced ceremonial matcha latte unsweet (with cinnamon topping, toasted coconut syrup, and oat milk), and Vietnamese cold brew (with whole milk). I was pleasantly surprised by the items we ordered! We grabbed our food and drinks from the pick-up window and enjoyed the outdoor seating. Also, the iced matcha latte was the perfect shade of green. We didn't take pictures of the burritos, but they were a little smaller than I expected for the price, which cost between $8.25-$8.45. I can't really speak to the service because we ordered through the tablet and had minimal interactions with the baristas. However, I'm looking forward to coming back here to check out the indoor area, which we didn't really explore this time around. Smelly Cat Coffee is also conveniently located near a light rail station, if you ever decide to check this place out! read more
9 months ago
Stopped by Smelly Cat Coffee while in NC and lucked out with finding parking, which was a nice start. I was just popping in to grab a coffee to go. The name immediately made me think of Friends, so I was expecting a bit more of that quirky, cozy vibe. Still really cute inside. The space itself is pretty small and felt a bit packed when I went in. I wasn't totally sure where to order at first and had to walk further in to find the register, which was slightly confusing. The staff interaction was fine, not bad, just neutral. I tried making a little conversation while deciding what to order, and while nothing stood out, the barista was helpful when I asked for recommendations. They do have some cool drink options, and when I asked what people usually order that isn't too sweet and similar to one I was thinking of, I was pointed toward the special espresso cortadito with almond milk. It came in a small cup, but was perfect for being on the go. The flavor was good, smooth, and gave me a nice little pick-me-up. Overall, it was a solid coffee stop but didn't quite blow me away. If you're nearby and need a quick caffeine fix, it does the job. read more
1 year ago
Came here a while back for a quick cup to catch up with a couple friends. It's a small but cute space, not really enough seating though and a little slow on the service side. Lucked out with one of the last parking spots though. I had a black coffee an breakfast sandwich. All in all, decent shop with a little room for improvement. @azfitfoodfun read more
Smelly Cat was one of my favorite coffee shops I've tried. The Americano I had was tasty--smooth, strong, and well-balanced. Definitely one of the better ones I've had in a while. The vibe here is great too--relaxed, welcoming, and the kind of spot you want to hang out for a bit. Ordering was super easy with the kiosk system, which made things quick and hassle-free. Parking is available, but the lot can be a little tight. Cheers read more
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. read more
1 month ago
2 months ago
9 months ago
My husband and I love coming here for our Sunday morning coffee! My favorite part? The 16 Oz mugs! What can I say, I like big coffee mugs. Super simple to order at the screen or QR code at the tables. It does get busy and seating is limited so we like being early. Cozy 90s vibes inside, it does remind me of Friends. The zucchini bread is a delicious treat! read more
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. read more
1 year ago
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! read more
3 years ago
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. read more
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. read more
9 months ago
3 years ago
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! read more
1 year ago
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. read more
Business owner information
Cathy T.
Thank you Bryan for your updates. We read and take in to…
11 months ago
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. read more
3 years ago
1 year ago
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! read more
1 year ago
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! read more
4 years ago
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. read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
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. read more
1 year ago
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! read more
8 months ago
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. read more
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! read more
4 years ago
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. read more
2 years ago
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. read more
1 year ago
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More info about Smelly Cat Coffee
514 E 36th St
Charlotte, NC 28205
NoDa
Directions
(704) 374-9656
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.smellycatcoffee.com/
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Ask the Community - Smelly Cat Coffee
Do you still have the toasted coconut syrup?
they do but they changed the recipe and it tastes like soap now!
Can I buy your in-house roasted beans at the store? Or do I have to order it on your website for pickup?
Yes you can buy our in-house roasted beans in our cafe. Orders are taken on our wood patio through our window. While you order, let the barista know you would like to go inside the cafe (front door stays locked). We will let you in so you can…
Is the patio covered in case of rain?
There is a side patio that is under a roof but it might be just a trellis and not a full roof. So maybe
I hate to ask...but are there cats there? I'm allergic...
The name is a reference to the tv show FRIENDS; no cats but people do bring their dogs outside on the patio!
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