“Anytime I am in the vicinity of Brakeman’s, no matter if I need it or not, it’s coffee time. It’s a quaint little home that they turned into a full-fledged business. The concept is locomotives, so the interior exposed brick, hard metal accent pieces, and even names of beverages all point in the same direction. The customer service is incredible and usually has the same faces, so getting to know the staff on a first name basis is very common. The bakery they contract with is a local non-profit and puts out amazing products. They also have other food related items for purchase for convenience. Where it all matters, because upscale coffee shops are white noise these days, the beans and roast are impeccable. I’ve tried a little bit of everything on their menu and the espresso is very high level. I highly recommend the Ticket to London. Pricing is on-point and reasonable considering the quality of product and location of business. What I really enjoyed, just as much as the rest of the aforementioned aspects, was the customer demographic. You get a variety of everyone in there, but yet it doesn’t feel overcrowded, overhyped, or commercialized. It’s just a good local spot with great coffee and top shelf staff. I highly recommend. Rating A“
“I was immediately greeted with a friendly welcome. The hostest explained the entire menu to me, including the drinks and beans where their coffee was sourced. This was my first time ever having a crepe. I ordered the eggs Benedict and English toffee coffee. The service was great. Overall a great place to eat. Would like to go back and try their bananas fosters.Vegetarian options: One of first questions I was asked was dietary restrictions and there are lots of plates listed as vegan.Kid-friendliness: As I was eating plenty of moms came in with their children. They were all well behaved.Wheelchair accessibility: Location is on the first floor so it is wheelchair accessible.“
“AWESOME! The coffee is good & the breve is better . OMG! I was not expecting the breve to be soooo delicious. Hats off the older lady who made my Breve is Sunday morning. Also grab a Strawberry Lemonade Probiotic water! Good good! I will return when I visit again.“
“We were checking out the Matthews area, and was looking for a local spot to have lunch on a Saturday. We found this great cafe! It is counter service style, so you order your food, pay at the counter, then your food comes to where you're seated. We got there at a busy time, right at the start of the lunch rush, so there weren't many available tables. As we were ready to sit (there were 3 of us) a small table opened. This place has bench seating, high top tables, large buffet tables, and couches with end tables too. Anything you might like to feel comfortable, the Collective Cafe has it. Food comes fast here! And looks and tastes great! We got the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich side of steak fries, the Smoky Chipotle Chicken Panini side of fruit, and the BLT side of roasted sweet potatoes. All delicious! Food was hot and fresh and came out very fast. Great on a busy Saturday. Also, their bathrooms are very clean. I know this can be important to many guests, so I thought I would mention it here. Great little find on the way to downtown Matthews. If you are heading to the area, stop here and grab a bite first!“
“Erin absolutely ROCKS! Service was fast and consistent. She was funny and friendly but still seemed to do the same for all her other tables. I'm not a rich person. So me and my friends try to find good places that have good food and don't break the bank. Especially LOCAL businesses. Food was really good and not crazy expensive. Kitchen was a little slow. If they could get that fixed they'd be the only place we'd go. But like I mentioned, service was fantastic. This place is really what all restaurants should try to be like. (And sit in Erin's section lol)“
“This place is an amazing. It's a small place on Monroe Rd, but they have a BIG IMPACT. The food is great. I typically get the eel and they have about 4 eel options. The wasabi is great. I feel right at home and the people working here are always the nicest. If you're looking for good sushi, here you have it. ✌?“
“There is a young lady there name Weng. She helped me with an order that I made online supposed to pick up in another location, the cashier was about to charge me again for a new order but she stood up and saw my frustration and helped me to switch my order in this location. Sweet girl. God bless her.“
“My daughter in law, Melody as soon I arrived in Monroe, NC, the next day we go to Charlotte and visit Vicente Bakery. Herman, customer service is five star, food wise, every croissant is made perfectly flakiestly deliciously, breakfast sándwiches to the top, coffees…..all around service, atmosphere, everything about this place makes us go back for the day and also the chance to bring their goodies to my family back in Florida. Gracias, Vicente Bakery! Highly recommended….You guys are super awesome!????????????? Dietary restrictions: Gluten free items.Kid-friendliness: My grandchildren loved to go to Vicente and have breakfast.“
“I've been wanting to try this place for so long! (I'm usually a famous toastery kinda girl lol)I am sold ! The million dollar bacon? Worth at least 2 million! The Hawaiian French toast.... so good! Luis our server gave excellent suggestions and was very patient with my husband's picky requests (much for patient that myself lol) . We will definitely be back to eat again!“
“Authentic Brazilian food! Everything I tried was delicious and I found the flavors I had been craving for years! The staff is super friendly and the atmosphere is incredible. For those not familiar with Brazilian food, you must try the coxinha with catupiry and the empada -beyond amazing!“
“There is ample seating outside as well. We love that you can see the greenery outside.I had the steel cut oatmeal and a bowl of fruit. My husband had the french toast plate with 2 over easy eggs. Everything was absolutely delicious. Everything was fresh. Our server, Sean was exceptional.Overall this was an awesome experience.I also got a veggie burger with greens to go.I am looking forward to returning soon.“
“We absolutely love having an organic coffee shop around the corner from us! We always stock up on their whole been coffee to have a home. It's incredibly delicious! We tried both varieties and both are super! The family that owns it are the nicest and most welcoming people. I love all the little touches they have especially the coloring pages for the kids. Wish them all the best success!!“
“The Panini's are awesome, bread is baked locally and you can tell the quality is excellent. The owner and young lady serving were very sweet and helpful. Some cool imported Italian products to choose from as well. Well worth the visit. Will be back.“
“We had a great time at Mac Tabby Cat Cafe. The cats were fun and interactive and the staff was super welcoming and friendly. We will be going back! Just wish there was a location a little closer to us - Matthews, NC would be a great spot for expansion!“
“We had a party of 5 at the Artisan’s Palette last night and had a fantastic experience. We were seated right away and, despite an extremely busy dining room, our server came to our table right away and had our drinks to the table before we knew it. The margarita, wines, and mocktails were all so delicious. Dinner was top notch. We started with the seasonal kalettes and followed with burrata salad (loved this), wine-poached pear salad, shrimp and artichoke salad, olive tapenade (a personal favorite), skillet spoonbread, butternut squash and curried pear soup (smooth and a little spicy), the NY strip and the lamb shank vindaloo. All amazing dishes. The chef visited our table at least three times and was delightful. You can tell that her heart and soul goes into this place and its dishes. We finished with a tour of the art gallery and the back garden area. I can’t wait to go back. THANK YOU, Artisan’s Palette!“
“Ruby Sunshine is my FAVORITE brunch spot in Charlotte!! Tasha was my waitress today and the service was so amazing!! She checked on us many times to make sure we had what we needed. I'll be back and hope I have Tasha as a waitress. Best experience today.“
“Stumbled across this little gem today, while needing a new environment for working from home. I spent several hours here working, and will definitely be back. The staff was very warm, the food and coffee were delicious and reasonably priced, and the atmosphere was lovely. Lots of space, very bright, and even a patio. It’s easy to find with plenty of parking. I’m already looking forward to going again!“
“Great idea for a restaurant that should be fully supported by the community, with decent food and nice atmosphere, but with slow service during busy lunch times (that can be excused as most of the staff are from the rescue mission). I had the New Orleans chicken sandwich with a side of home fries. The sandwich was huge, but was not sauced as expected, since the order was mixed up and they had put the sauce on the side. The staff is being trained so we know going in that service may be slow. Other orders like the French toast were delicious. I will be back to support this restaurant with their hopeful message.“
“Tasty sandwiches in a simple clean decor. Arbol sandwiches were well seasoned, used tasty ingredients AND good bread (a great sandwich of never complete without tasty bread no matter how good are the other ingredients). Arbol is a good destination for a tasty quick sandwich and a quick break from your busy day.“
“We had our daughter’s 9th birthday party here and it was so much fun! The staff is super nice, very helpful and supportive! The space is small but the staff made sure that did not hinder the fun and everyone had a seat if needed. I absolutely loved and most importantly so did my kid and her friends. I heard from so many of the parents how much fun they had. Definitely a must for cat lovers!“
“I don’t usually leave reviews, but today was our first time at QCG, and I am so excited to have found this place!! My husband and I have been vegetarian for years but finally moved towards a vegan diet only a few months ago, and finding filling vegan food on the go has been the biggest challenge by far! When I saw the number of vegan options on QCG’s menu, it seemed too good to be true. I ordered three different breakfast sandwiches so my husband, toddlers, and I could try a variety, and they were all delicious! Better tasting and more unique than any non-vegan breakfast sandwiches I’ve had. I’m sure we’ll be back very soon, and next time, I want to try their coffee as well!QCG, thank you for having so many options for us!“
“I adore this eclectic little gem in Mint Hill, NC! The Gluten Free Waffles with egg or chicken salads are my go-to for lunch! This place is also a hub for non-profits, being a non-profit organization that helps the community by providing a range of needs! There's a tiny food closet on the porch, which they try to keep full of allergy-friendly foods as well as toiletry items.“
“This is an amazing find in Charlotte.Congratulations Maria!!!The Croissant's are excellent!!Looking forward to trying the tarts next....In which I did, "the Lemon meringue Tart" It maybe one of the best things I ever ate!!! Amazing!The macchiato was excellent.The atmosphere is perfect!“
“Loved my time at Hex. The baristas were very friendly and the menu was straightforward. My brother got a nat wine and a standard latte, I got an iced cortado. Both coffee drinks were smooth and delicious. Food menu looks hip and Japanese - compelling but wasn’t hungry at the time. Interior vibes are modern / industrial, simultaneously encouraging getting work done & socializing.Will definitely come back for the food options the next time I’m in the area!Parking: Plenty“
“Discovered the place while driving through the city, very happy with the choice. Finally got to have great coffee on my week long trip, thank you so much! Pastry was delicious especially the pecan pie, I regret choosing a small one, I should have gotten the larger one. ?“
“Visited in March of 2024. Gelato, filthy fries, and the soup of the day. Flavors and textures were on point.Such an array of gelato to choose from. Just visit, see, and taste it all.Since I was billed for TOGO packaging, I wish the soup was in one bowl and not two.Would recommend!“
“The food here was delicious and a very diverse menu. My bf and I stumbled upon this place by chance. We were trying to decide between this place and another. So glad we chose this one. I had the 4 side vegetable plate and he had the fried white fish. When I say everything was great, I mean everything. We had no complaints and will definitely be back soon. Great southern food at a great price.“
“This quiet cafe is a gem in the rough. I ordered a cappuccino and cinnamon muffin which came to about $12 with a modest tip. I'd expect to pay around $14 at the most for coffee for two. Orders are done on the front counter (no kiosk), seating is plentiful and there's even a digital fireplace for a toasty get together! This quiet cafe feels like home though home also has a cortado on the menu;) (if I had to nitpick).P.S. The owner is really genuine and makes you feel like family rather than a customer.Coffee✓ Conversation✓ Community✓Don't sleep on this cozy cafe!“
“I don't know how this place has changed 50 thousand times, but BR cafe feels like it just belongs here and it always has. When you walk through the former grocery store doors, you're in that hole-in-the wall restaurant where you just fit in... maybe not physically (it's super small inside), but it's a great place. The staff is nice and fun even if they don't speak a lot of English. Brazilian shows are on the TV, and there are lots of interesting snacks you can pick up if you want to try something new.As for the food... I really don't know what kind of magic they have in that tiny kitchen, but I've never had a breakfast sandwich or orange juice taste that fresh and delicious. It's eggs, yall.... why was it so good??!? On a previous trip I ordered the the hand pies. They were much larger than Mexican, etc. empanadas, and the crust was really light and flaky. Everything else I tried out of my friend's to go box was tasty, as well. I am very much looking forward and trying more things on future visits.This neighborhood has slowly and organically grown into a nice little spot with all kinds of restaurants and food shops from various nations. BR Cafe immediately became one of my favorites. I think about that juice every day. Highly recommended.“
“Loved the plants as soon as we walked in early on a Saturday morning. The owner was very nice, friendly, and patient. My daughter could not make up her mind what kind of boba tea to get so having patience was greatly appreciated. The drinks were delicious. Thank you.“
“Stopped in after church on Easter Sunday & surprised by a not so busy location. This gem was worth the stop. Our server, Veronica was great ! Her personality made it easy to have a short conversation and definitely added to our great experience here. Food came out quickly, hot & ready to eat. Would definitely recommend this location to others.Thank you!Parking: Plaza of multiple locations shared parking“
“My new favorite breakfast/brunch spot! The food is so delicious and great quality ingredients. I got the mini latkes with tomato jam, breakfast bowl and grits. Will be dreaming of the tomato jam lol. Customer service is welcoming, helpful, and patient even with a line out the door. I can't wait to go back already.“
“I stopped in here after traveling by many times and never stopping. One day, I was running too late to go to another coffee shop, so I decided to stop by, and now this is my favorite coffee shop. The ambiance is minimalist and modern with a Nordic aesthetic. The staff is super sweet and hip, which adds to the overall vibe. Every time I get a hot, oat milk matcha latte with maple cardamom syrup. It is the perfect ease into your morning and tastes like a warm hug. I also LOVE their food. The tomato feta quiche is out of this world, as is the bacon, egg, and cheese on everything bagel. Both were suggested to me by the barista and were spot-on. The flavors are divine. The other thing that the baristas introduced me to was the Odeko app, which is the order-ahead platform they use that caters to increasing patronage at local coffee shops. Brilliant! Great spot tucked near Optimist Park and easily accessible at the 25th Street Light Rail stop.“
“Like its South Blvd location this joint creates an excellent variety of banh mi. I had the pork and it was very tasty. The fried tofu is fried perfectly. Not at all greasy. The seating area only has four tables. Also serves up soup and noodles. Everything is very reasonably priced for the area. Sanitation score was 97.5 and service was friendly and attentive.“
Bakery • $$
“Edit: We love the birthday cakes here! Tge tuxedo cake is our absolute favourite.The store manager was very receptive and helpful in resolving the mixup described below and expedited a new cake for us on the house.I placed an order online using Toast - the recommended service - and they gave the WRONG cake (even though we called ahead to check if it was prepared)! We ordered a chocolate cake (tuxedo) but were given a vanilla salted caramel cake. We are all so disappointed when we checked at home. We really enjoyed the chocolate cake the last time we got it and were looking forward to it.“
Coffee Shops • $$
“I really liked this cafe in North Charlotte, so I was super-psyched to learn that a second location of this cafe opened on Pineville-Matthews Road! The place itself turned out to be much nicer and bigger than anticipated...with plenty of comfy seatings. They also played metro lounge overhead music (Loved!). BTW, the counter service was great...and the foods came out pretty quickly! I ordered their Bulgogi Bahn Mi, which came with a ton of Kimchi (on a lightly toasted buns!)...and Popcorn Chicken...and both were amazing! Loved every bite of both!! The pictures really don't do justice to just how delish these were! The Food Blogger in me was disappointed in the cheap paper and plastic presentation, but the deliciousness kind of made up for it on this occasion. I can go on, but I'll keep this one somewhat short (for once lol!), and just say that I'm a fan, and that I'll most definitely be back for more!“
“Holy cow their food is good! I don’t know what they are called and have never eaten Brazilian food, but will have it again. Each pastry had a unique flavor. We especially like the one with sesame seeds on top, it has a rich ground beef, ham, cheese and spice mixture in the middle. The staff couldn’t have been lovelier. Great place!“
“Had a delicious experience with this location, loved wandering the hall and seeing all the options. But this store called to me with its delicious flavors and friendly staff. Can’t say enough how nice this quick interaction with the crew was, and how delicious and light the Gelato was!“
“The food here is create, and unique. You can really expand your palate with the traditional Serbian dishes of which I haven’t seen a bad one yet. The pizza is amazing, and the staff is friendly and attentive. Every time I’ve gone, it’s been a wonderful experience.“
“Amazing local coffee shop in Dilworth. Great coffee and snacks to enjoy while you work. Get there early if you are looking to have a meeting as seating can be hard to find. Love it in the spring/summer/fall as the outdoor patio is perfect seating.“
“Eating here is an experience! But you pay for it in the prices of dessert, drinks and other food items. Desserts were delicious and the entire time we were there we were discovering new pieces of art like hot air balloon, quirky chairs to a replica piece of the Eiffel Tower.“
“Great coffee shop in the middle of Noda. Full breakfast menu, some good sandwiches. Excellent biscuits. Coffee is top notch as well. Excellent service and there’s some good seating inside as well as outside on their patio or around some local trees.“
“The coffee was great and I walked around in here and checked out there stuff too.Its for a very good cause and they also take donations here too.Come down and try the coffee.I never knew this place was here.The lady here was very friendly. Stop by guys“
“I went in as a Temp worker. While there I can say the atmosphere, and staff management/leadership was a pleasure to work with. I would love the opportunity to work with the Cafe again, as well as encourage anyone whom has a chance to do so to go for it. Awesome place, awesome people, awesome team....“
“Absolutely love this place. We live close by so this is our favorite spot for breakfast! Food is always amazing, atmosphere is absolutely cute and what I love the most is service.Wes was our server today. We have seen him around many times and today we figure he has been working here for 4+ years! Wes is very pleasant, patience and kind!Very happy we decided to come here. Not much left as the picture shows lol“