The only thing I’m mad about is that, as an avid latte drinker, I have lived near here for 5 years and haven’t walked into this coffee shop until this weekend. Our drinks took a bit of time, it was a busy Saturday morning, but well worth it. There’s plenty of outdoor seating so waiting was relaxing. We got an iced pumpkin spice and an iced brown sugar spice and both were so good and had a great balance of bitterness and sweetness. I love that they do house made syrups - and you can sample them which is so cool. We definitely found a new favorite spot!
Overview
Nestled in the heart of Charlotte, NC, Smelly Cat Coffee House & Roastery has earned its reputation as a cozy, vibrant spot for locals and visitors alike. Located at 514 E 36th St, Charlotte, NC 28205, this quaint coffee house serves up more than just a cup of joe - it’s a destination that blends great coffee with a welcoming atmosphere.
Upon stepping inside, you’re immediately met with the rich scent of freshly roasted beans, a signature aroma that’s hard to forget. Smelly Cat’s commitment to quality is evident in every sip of coffee. Their carefully curated menu offers a variety of espresso drinks, brewed coffee, and an array of pastries. If you’re in the mood for something special, their seasonal offerings are definitely worth trying. One standout is their signature iced latte, which has a smooth, creamy texture that perfectly balances the bold flavors of the espresso.
What makes Smelly Cat stand out isn’t just the coffee - it’s the experience. The baristas are skilled, personable, and always willing to offer recommendations based on your taste preferences. Whether you’re a regular or a first-timer, you’ll feel like part of the community. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with quirky décor and comfortable seating that encourages guests to relax and unwind. It’s a place where you can sip on your favorite brew while catching up on work or having a conversation with friends.
The cafe also offers a selection of baked goods that pair perfectly with any drink. Their homemade muffins and cookies are a crowd favorite, with flavors ranging from classic chocolate chip to more adventurous choices like lemon poppy seed. These treats are baked fresh daily, ensuring that every bite is a delight.
For those who prefer to stay a bit longer, Smelly Cat offers an impressive selection of locally sourced products, including unique gift items and coffee beans for purchase. Their beans are roasted in-house, ensuring that every bag is packed with the same fresh, bold flavors you experience at the café. Whether you want to take home a little piece of Smelly Cat or share the love with others, their coffee beans make for a great gift or personal indulgence.
The location itself is perfect for those looking to explore Charlotte. It’s a short distance from some of the city’s most popular spots, making it a great place to stop for a break while enjoying the neighborhood. The friendly vibe, combined with the high-quality drinks and food, creates a memorable experience that keeps customers coming back.
If you're looking for a place to grab a cup of coffee, do some people-watching, or catch up on some reading, Smelly Cat is the place to be. It has quickly become a local favorite for its combination of high-quality coffee, delicious pastries, and its friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Whether you're popping in for a quick pick-me-up or settling in for a longer stay, you’re sure to feel right at home.
And if you’re concerned about finding parking, no worries - Smelly Cat offers plenty of parking nearby, so you don’t have to stress about where to leave your car. Plus, with its welcoming ambiance and high-quality products, this is definitely a place worth visiting. So next time you’re in the area, be sure to stop by 514 E 36th St, Charlotte, NC, and treat yourself to a cup of coffee at Smelly Cat Coffee House & Roastery.
Good to know
From the business
âś“ Identifies as women-ownedService options
âś“ Outdoor seating âś“ On-site services âś“ Takeaway âś“ Dine-in âś“ DeliveryHighlights
âś“ Fast service âś“ Great coffee âś“ Great tea selection âś“ Serves local specialtyPopular for
âś“ Breakfast âś“ Solo dining âś“ Good for working on laptopAccessibility
âś“ Wheelchair-accessible car park âś“ Wheelchair-accessible entrance âś“ Wheelchair-accessible seating âś“ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
âś“ Alcohol âś“ Beer âś“ Cocktails âś“ Coffee âś“ Comfort food âś“ Quick bite âś“ WineDining options
âś“ Breakfast âś“ Dessert âś“ Seating âś“ Table serviceAmenities
âś“ Gender-neutral toilets âś“ Toilet âś“ Wi-Fi âś“ Wi-FiAtmosphere
âś“ Casual âś“ Cosy âś“ Quiet âś“ TrendyCrowd
âś“ Tourists âś“ University studentsPlanning
âś“ Accepts reservationsPayments
âś“ Credit cards âś“ Debit cards âś“ NFC mobile payments âś“ Credit cardsChildren
âś“ Good for kidsParking
âś“ Free of charge street parking âś“ Free parking lotPhotos
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Location
Reviews
- No ratings yet 996 reviews
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!
Smelly Cat Coffee in NoDa, Charlotte was a decent experience overall. The place bills itself as a café with your regular coffee menu, some food items and desserts. We visited on a Sunday morning and it wasn’t busy. For coffee, we got a dirty chai with toasted coconut syrup and an iced latte. The dirty chai was quite flavorful, and it was a great start to our day. The iced latte was bland, and they were kind enough to replace it for us with a chai. For food, we got an egg and cheese burrito, and a quiche. The burrito was quite one-dimensional: some scrambled eggs thrown in a burrito with some cheese without much flavor. The quiche tasted great—the vegan chorizo really came through in the taste. How to order: You walk up to a counter and place the order on a mini-screen. If you’ve any query about the food, you can ring the bell placed there and someone will attend to you. The seating is available both inside and outside. Parking nearby can be challenging but you should be able to find street parking with some effort. The staff tries their best and is kind and polite. The insides of the cafe seem quite hip keeping in spirit of NoDa with pictures of musicians on the walls. They’re open every day from 7am-2pm(true as of September 2025)
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.
Delicious house roasted coffee options and a full menu of drinks if coffee isn’t your thing! We tried four different options and all loved our drinks. It was a Sunday afternoon and packed, there is an outdoor space but when it’s chilly out not ideal. Indoors is cramped, gives the cozy coffee house vibe for sure but limited seating for anything other than a pair of friends.
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!
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.
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 :)