Amelie's has been part of my Charlotte story since the very beginning. When I first moved here, I'd go to the original NoDa location late at night to get work done or meet up with friends. It was one of the only places open late that wasn't a bar, and it became this kind of Charlotte institution, you know? A place where you could always count on finding good coffee, good pastries, and a quirky, welcoming atmosphere.
Now that I have Jamie, Amelie's has taken on a new role in my life, and the Park Road location has become our spot for meeting up with other moms and toddlers.
Getting There
The Park Road location is tucked into the backlot of Park Road Shopping Center at 4321 Park Road, Charlotte. There's free parking right in the lot, and there's a handicap-accessible entrance, which is perfect for strollers. We didn't bring ours on our recent visit, but my friend did, and she had no trouble getting in.
What's There
Amelie's menu is extensive. When you walk in, you order at the counter, and you're immediately hit with this incredible display of pastries. We're talking macarons, croissants, danishes, muffins, tarts, cakes, eclairs, and basically anything else you could possibly crave. But it's not just sweets. They also have savory breakfast items like quiches and breakfast sandwiches, plus a full lunch menu with sandwiches and tartines (those open-faced French sandwiches on baguettes). And of course, they have a full coffee and tea menu, plus sodas and other drinks.
The vibe at Amelie's is hard to describe but easy to love. It's eclectic, whimsical, colorful, and kind of feels like a flea market collided with a Parisian cafe. The decor is all over the place in the best way possible. There are chandeliers, quirky art, funny paintings, vintage finds, and just a ton of visual interest everywhere you look. Jamie was completely captivated by it all during our visit.
Our Experience
We went on MLK Day with a couple of my mom friends and our babies. We had a four-month-old, a 14-month-old, and Jamie at 16 months, so we had a nice little age spectrum going. The space is big, so even though it was busy, we had no trouble finding a table. There are plenty of high chairs, which is always a relief when you're wrangling toddlers.
I ordered a croissant for myself and a blueberry muffin for Jamie. My friends got a quiche and a sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit sandwich, which looked amazing. Everything was fresh and delicious, exactly what you'd expect from Amelie's.
After we got our food, we sat down and Jamie dug into his muffin while we chatted. The atmosphere at Amelie's is lively. It's not loud, exactly, but there's a buzz of conversation and activity. People are coming and going, the staff is clearing tables and checking in to make sure everyone has what they need. It's family-friendly without being a kids-only space, which I really appreciate.
At one point, Jamie wanted to get down and run around a bit. I was a little worried because, you know, toddler in a restaurant. But honestly, nobody cared. There were other families there with kids, and everyone was just chill about it. Jamie was running back and forth between tables (I corralled him when he got too close to people or was in the way), and people were smiling at him and waving. He was having the best time looking at all the colorful art on the walls and squealing with excitement. At one point he was literally screaming because he was so happy, and no one batted an eye. That's the kind of place Amelie's is.
The Charlotte Connection
Amelie's was founded in 2008 when the first location opened in NoDa, Charlotte's historic arts district. Since then, it's expanded to multiple locations throughout Charlotte, plus spots in Rock Hill and beyond. The original NoDa location is still open 24/7, which is pretty iconic. Each location has its own personality and decor, all curated with that same quirky, eclectic charm.
For me, Amelie's has been there through every chapter of my Charlotte life. I used to go to the uptown location with a friend after work, and we'd split brie and baguette with a glass of wine. One of my friends had her baby shower at the new NoDa location, which was adorable. And now I'm bringing Jamie to the Park Road location for casual weekday breakfasts with other moms.
The Park Road Park Connection
One of the best things about the Park Road Amelie's is its proximity to Park Road Park. We originally planned to walk up to the park after breakfast, but it was covered in frost and ice that morning, so we skipped it. But on a normal day, it's the perfect combo: grab breakfast at Amelie's, let the kids run around and eat their muffins, then walk up the road to the playground. It's our typical outing when we have a free morning.
The Details
Address: 4321 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 8am-11pm, Sunday 8am-8pm
Phone: (704) 405-0570
Price Range: Pastries and treats run $2-$6, breakfast sandwiches and lunch items are around $8-$12, coffee drinks $3-$6
Best For: Families, solo workers needing a change of scenery, anyone craving French pastries and good coffee
What to Know: Plenty of seating, high chairs available, handicap-accessible entrance, family-friendly atmosphere
Why We Love It: The food is consistently good, the space is beautiful and fun to look at, the staff is attentive, and it's just a welcoming, relaxed place to hang out with kids or friends. Plus, the history and charm of Amelie's makes it feel like a true Charlotte experience.
