
Smelly Cat Coffee House & Roastery
A NoDa neighborhood staple since 2000, this coffeehouse roasts its own beans in a quirky, brick-walled space with a dog-friendly patio.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Smelly Cat Coffee House & Roastery

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A NoDa neighborhood staple since 2000, this coffeehouse roasts its own beans in a quirky, brick-walled space with a dog-friendly patio.
"This is my new go to spot! Drinks are reasonably priced and delicious, atmosphere is cozy and funky."
Try Signature Lattes
Sample unique in-house syrups like Spiced Brown Sugar Oat Milk or Dirty Chai.
Visit Off-Peak Hours
Avoid potential wait times by visiting during less busy periods.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Coffee Shop, Cafe
Price
$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Cozy, Artsy Ambiance
Quirky brick-walled space with eclectic art and unique tables, offering a cozy and romantic vibe.

Dog-Friendly Haven
Welcoming outdoor patio with ample seating, perfect for pet owners seeking a relaxed coffee break.

Artisan Coffee Roasts
Home-roasting ethically sourced beans for a delicious and conscientious cup of coffee.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Try Signature Lattes
Sample unique in-house syrups like Spiced Brown Sugar Oat Milk or Dirty Chai.
Visit Off-Peak Hours
Avoid potential wait times by visiting during less busy periods.
Outdoor Seating for Pets
Take advantage of the dog-friendly patio, especially convenient with walk-up window service.
Order with Confidence
Don't hesitate to ask staff for personalized recommendations.
Tips
from all over the internet
Try Signature Lattes
Sample unique in-house syrups like Spiced Brown Sugar Oat Milk or Dirty Chai.
Visit Off-Peak Hours
Avoid potential wait times by visiting during less busy periods.
Outdoor Seating for Pets
Take advantage of the dog-friendly patio, especially convenient with walk-up window service.
Order with Confidence
Don't hesitate to ask staff for personalized recommendations.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Smelly Cat Coffee House & Roastery is celebrated for its quirky, cozy ambiance and excellent house-roasted coffee. Many patrons love the friendly staff and dog-friendly patio, making it a repeat destination. Some minor issues include potential difficulty with online ordering and occasional parking challenges, but the overall experience is highly positive.
"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 :)"
Megan Bale
"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."
Logan Beltran
"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!"
Brandon S.
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The coffeehouse is named in reference to the popular TV show 'Friends,' inspired by a song sung by the character Phoebe.
Yes, they have a welcoming outdoor patio that is dog-friendly, and staff are known to provide 'pup cups.'
Yes, Smelly Cat Coffee House & Roastery roasts its own ethically sourced coffee beans.
Patrons recommend the Spiced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Latte, Dirty Chai Latte, Iced Chai Latte, and Matcha Latte.
They offer breakfast items like burritos, biscuits, and bowls, along with baked goods.
Yes, there is ample outdoor seating available on their patio.
The coffeehouse is typically open from 7 AM to 2 PM daily.
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For a more industrial atmosphere, head to the home of NoDa Roasters, Smelly Cat Coffehouse. Worn red brick walls, exposed piping and checked red-and-black flooring complete the look, but of course the star is the caffeine in the form of pour-overs, cold brews and espresso drinks. A small breakfast menu includes biscuits, burritos, quiches and casseroles on the cheap.
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This colorful and much-loved coffee shop has been a NoDa staple since it opened its doors in 2000. Roasting its own ethically sourced coffee means that patrons will have a delicious and conscientious cup with every visit. So grab a cup, a delicious pastry (scones, perhaps), and sit outside on the patio.
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Story behind the name: Sitcom fans of course will get the reference, but Smelly Cat Coffeehouse & Roastery is a nod to the hit TV show, “Friends.” The name for Charlotte’s longest-running coffeehouse was inspired by an infamous song by Lisa Kudrow’s character, Phoebe, that she performed outside the fictional coffee shop, CharlotteFive previously reported. The name of Smelly Cat Coffee House & Roastery, located in NoDa, was inspired by “Friends.” Alex Cason
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Idlewild's Vincent Chirico told us "the dim candlelit lighting, comfortable seating, and the overall romantic ambiance that a cocktail bar provides are why I believe we appeal to couples. We like to treat the guest as the star of the show, and that certainly contributes to a wonderful date night experience. Jeni’s Ice Creams is right across the way from us too - great for some ice cream after cocktails. Wooden Robot is across the street as well, with a lovely rooftop. And there’s a cat cafe on North Davidson Street if that’s your sort of thing.
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If you’re constantly missing the Central Perk pop ups in NYC (or, let’s be real, don’t have the patience to stand in line to make it inside), Smelly Cat Cafe is the next best thing. The place is, indeed, named in reference to Friends, so lovers of the sitcom might get a kick out of this joint. The coffeehouse and roastery has a ton of personality: exposed brick, artwork hung every which way you turn, tables encapsulated with old wooden doors instead of traditional booths, and more bring out its funk.
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As far as I could tell, there are no smelly cats at the Smelly Cat Coffeehouse & Roastery – but dogs were certainly welcome. The coffee shop is frequented by a younger crowd eager to explore the art galleries and restaurants of NoDa – the North Davidson neighborhood northeast of Uptown Charlotte. Outdoor seating was plentiful under the covered porch on the side of the rustic coffee shop – but I found a comfortable chair among many others under the shade of a giant tree.
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Smelly Cat, a cozy box at the heart of NoDa, has been around since 2000, long enough to wonder how many of its younger patrons get the Phoebe-on- Friends reference. Yet it’s survived as a neighborhood landmark even as NoDa has metamorphosed from hip and semi-dangerous to trendy and pricey; owner Cathy Tuman says it’s the longest-running locally owned coffee shop in the city. Smelly Cat, Courtesy, Chelsea Bren
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Smelly Cat Coffee House and Roastery is an eclectic and fun coffee shop in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood. The NoDa district is known for its vibrant arts community, where diversity and eclectic independently owned shops are celebrated. Since 1998, this locally owned roaster has been providing customers with an approachable and welcoming spot to enjoy a cup of Joe while you get some work done.
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The Friends-inspired coffee shop in Charlotte’s artsy NoDa neighborhood is an eclectic, local spot. You’ll find neighborhood residents stopping by on their way to work, turning the outdoor patio into a co-working space, or seeking an afternoon pick-me-up. Smelly Cat is Charlotte’s longest running coffee house and since 2012 the NoDa outfit has been roasting its own beans.
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Smelly Cat: The quirky name belies the serious approach to meticulously harvesting and roasting coffee, treating every cup as both an art and a science. Even if you’re not big on the beans, you should still stop by for a vegan cookie or bagel. Ask for help picking out the plant-based treats, since not everything here follows suit.
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According to CoffeeAffection, “ Smelly Cat Coffee is one of the most popular coffee shops in Charlotte, North Carolina. It roasts ethically-sourced beans in various profiles, so you can find something that you like no matter your preference. The café is coy and inviting, and people have been conversing in it for decades.
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According to CoffeeAffection, " Smelly Cat Coffee is one of the most popular coffee shops in Charlotte, North Carolina. It roasts ethically-sourced beans in various profiles, so you can find something that you like no matter your preference. The café is coy and inviting, and people have been conversing in it for decades.
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The Smelly Cat Coffee is one of the most popular coffee shops in Charlotte, North Carolina. It roasts ethically-sourced beans in various profiles, so you can find something that you like no matter your preference. The café is coy and inviting, and people have been conversing in it for decades.
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If this song comes to mind whenever you walk into this coffee shop, you are not alone. With its cat-inspired interior, this cafe in Charlotte, NC is perfectly quirky and cosy. Sip a latte, buy a bag of ethically sourced Ethiopian beans, and eat a bagel or quiche.
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The Smelly Cat Coffeehouse & Roastery is one of Charlotte’s award-winning local coffee houses in the NoDa neighborhood. Enjoy coffee, tea, baked delights and desserts in a brick-walled, eclectic setting. The place is open throughout the week from 7 AM to 2 PM.
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Another personal favorite spot is Smelly Cat Coffee over in NoDa!!. This place is definitely one-of-a-kind and should not be missed. They serve up some really great coffee including single origin pour overs or even cold brew if that’s what you’re into!
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NoDa’s resident coffee shop, Smelly Cat, has a strong reputation. While the café is small, it has a community-oriented atmosphere. Smelly Cat is right off 36th St. Station on the LYNX Blue Line and is open from 6:30 a.m.
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This café is artsy and electric while staying true to its neighborhood of NoDa. Customers can find comfortable seating both inside and outside to enjoy the several unique treats and drinks this amazing café offers.
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This longtime favorite in Noda offers coffee, tea, baked goods and desserts. Smelly Cat offers daily coffee specials and homemade syrups, including spiced brown sugar. There’s also outdoor seating.
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36th St. offers a fantastic selection of medium and dark roasts, complemented by delicious baked goods. It’s a great spot to grab a quick coffee and pastry or settle in for a relaxed afternoon.
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36th St. | Don’t let the name fool you — we love Smelly Cat’s medium and dark roasts + baked goods.
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