While not the big, lovely bakery/cafe near NoDa, this smaller shop in the downtown offers a lovely retreat from the chain coffee shops littering Charlotte. Cushy chairs, artsy decorations and a cozy atmosphere made this one of my favorite places in the city to slip away to between sessions while I was in town for a conference. Although Amelie's is a bit pricey and cursed with spotty wifi, the food and drink are amazing. The macaroons are a must try and I'd recommend enjoying them with a hot chai. Get your drink to go and then wander over to some of the museums nearby when you don't feel like sitting anymore.