For you coffee drinkers looking for a frothy take on your regular cup of Joe, Monday, November 8 is National Cappuccino Day! For the masses who need to imbibe this lifeblood to get their day started, perhaps a nice cup of steamed milk, espresso and foam is in order.

The modern cup of cappuccino first appeared in Northern Italy in the 1930s. Originally, it was made with whipped cream and cinnamon and was known as “Kapuziner.” The concoction first appeared in Viennese coffee houses in the 1700s. Outside Vienna, it was known as “Viennese coffee.” When the espresso machine made its debut, espresso was used and the cappuccino was born.

While others may not think of cappuccino making as an art form, we do. Baristas the world over (and across the Queen City) present their customers with temporary masterpieces made of foam and cream every day. Plus, let’s face it, without the caffeine kick coffee and espresso drinks provide, many creatives would cease to function.

To honor this caffeinated “holiday,” we turned to our friend, Brandon Roffis of Charlotte Coffee Maps, to lead the way to great local coffee. Get your brew on and head out to one or more of his five faves:

Mugs Coffee

Photo Credit: @ohhhmygut

Instagram: @mugsofcharlotte
Location: South Charlotte (5126 Park Rd, Ste 1D, Charlotte, NC 28209)

“Mugs is a fun shop in south Charlotte. A rotating mix of art feeds an eclectic vibe. With a ton of seating inside, it’s a great place to grab a cup and knock out some work away from home.”

Dyad

Instagram: @dyadcoffee
Location: West Charlotte/Enderly Park (2928 Rozzelles Ferry Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208)

“Boasting Figure 8 coffee from Austin, Texas and bringing a unique flair to the Charlotte coffee scene, Dyad captures my elder emo heart with one my favorite slogans: ‘Have a day.’ The walk-up window is super-convenient. and the shop fits its location inside Nave, a retail location for artistic decor and craftwork for the home.”

EastSide Local

Instagram: @esleatery
Location: East Charlotte (3102 Eastway Drive, Charlotte, NC 28205)

“Vegan/vegetarian-focused shop tucked away in the Eastway Crossing shopping center. Covered outdoor seating is perfect for enjoying a nice day while providing an escape from the elements.”

Deli Street Charlotte

Instagram: @delistclt
Location: Plaza Midwood (2801 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205)

“Deli, cafe and bottle shop on the outskirts of Plaza Midwood off Central Ave. Lots of options for breakfast and lunch, including vegetarian sandwiches. Option to add CBD oil to all coffee drinks, as well.”

Detour Coffeebar

Instagram: @detourcoffeebar
Location: All over Charlotte

“A mobile coffee shop bouncing all over Charlotte. Weekly schedule updates make it easy to find, and they have lots of options (including non-coffee caffeine).”

Need more coffee?

For more great coffee finds, follow @cltcoffeemap and go along for Brandon Roffis’ ride to find the best and most interesting places to get your favorite brew. Did we miss your favorite spot? “Espresso” your opinion, and let us know.