The Lights Cafe
Review! Charlotte, North Carolina // New American Restaurant // Quality
The ELEVATOR PITCH
Note: there was a change in ownership midway through 2023, so the first pictures are from our initial visit in July 2023 prior to the ownership change. Later there’s a clearly defined section where we visited again in November 2023 after the ownership change, with our thoughts of the difference included!
These days, there are so many different definitions of good-for-you. So-and-so’s study says veganism is the way, the truth, and the life; Dr. Someone is talking about paleo and keto being the best thing for your gut and heart; then there are articles on how we need to be low-fat (but skim milk is lame and basically just 99% water) and low-sugar (but it can’t be zero calorie sweeteners like Monk Fruit, because that’ll increase the risk for cancer) and dairy-free (but have you SEEN the ingredient lists for those alternative milks?! Is it really better to be drinking guar gum?)… just what is a person to do?
Well, maybe the answer is just to eat everything in tasteful moderation. And to visit The Lights Café. They’re the type of good-for-you that aims for ingredient lists where you don't need a PhD in chemistry to understand, menu items where each component is a loyal member of the organic + grass-fed + pasture-raised club, and flavors that walk the walk and don't just talk the talk. (For example, that olive oil cake with mascarpone filling? She's vanilla cheesy sandwiched between lemony moist, truly worth the hype.)
The next time you need a before 3:00 PM meal destination with friends or just a quality food experience, know that The Lights Café is ready to step up to bat and serve up a homerun.
We went again in November 2023 and there seemed to have been a change in ownership since June 2023—more Hispanic influences on the menu (i.e., Cuban sandwich available).
Reviews on the munchies pictured above:
The Cuban sandwich: was very different from others I’ve had in America (in the best way possible); the meat is less fatty, the bread is very flat and almost wafer-like (which is more traditional). Our personal preference, it could’ve used more mustard and pickles, but it overall was a lovely sandwich. (rating: 9/10)
The Chicken sandwich: a good amount of grilled chicken, but the tomatoes and onions could’ve been cut thinner; the predominant flavor profile was the dressing, which made it feel like a salad between a baguette. (rating: 5/10)
Pain au chocolat: a little too flat and dry for my taste, but most definitely crispy on the outside (rating: 3/10)
The Butter Croissant: more body & structure than the pain au chocolat (clear in the photos), but still too dry for my taste (rating: 4/10)
We also reordered the dishes we tried prior to the ownership change to compare…
Reviews on the munchies pictured above:
Olive Oil Cake: the cake is denser and more crumbly, and the cream was thicker than before; but the entire slice was still just as delicately sweet with the lemon flavor shining through. I loved the touch of “crunch” on the crust! (rating: 7/10, the one before: 9.5/10)
Berry Smoothie: texture and flavor tasted exactly the same (rating: 10/10)
Waffle with Berries: instead of buckwheat flour, they use brown rice flour, which makes the texture slightly more fluffy and light. The dollop of sweetened cream on top is a lovely touch with the berries and syrup. While it’s different from before, I’d say it’s just as tasty, if not more tasty, than prior! (rating: 8/10)
Potato Hash: I’m a bratwurst/protein gal, so the egg and bratwurst were my favorite out of this skillet. The potatoes, carrots, and broccolini were very al dente (I would’ve preferred softer/more caramelized) and not very flavorful without the hot sauce (which really zings). Overall, very similar to the one I ordered prior, and I’m realizing the second time around it’s not my favorite dish here (rating: 6/10)
The final verdict?
The Lights Cafe, while having changed ownership midway through 2023, still has held its original caliber of ingredients, food, and service (albeit with minor nuanced differences). They not only have maintained the level of quality from before, but have even added a couple of their own things to the menu (cue The Cuban Sandwich). I would still wholeheartedly recommend this place for a healthy, hearty breakfast/lunch spot!
the RÉSUMÉ
address // 16631 Lancaster Hwy #107, Charlotte, NC 28277
operations // every day, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
logistics // ample parking in the lot out front
vibes // more of a gathering space than a working space. We spotted one person quietly reading, but all other parties were a cacophony of conversation.
amenities //
two bathrooms, with changing stations available
public WiFi available, but must ask for the password
menu // they source everything locally to North Carolina & sustainably
beverages ($3.50 - $7.00): coffee, espresso, tea + matcha + chai, cocoa; juice + spritz + smoothies
baked goods ($5.00 -$8.00): muffins, scones, cookies, brownies, olive oil cake(!!), etc.
viennoiserie ($4.00 - $5.00): butter croissant, pain au chocolat (all house made, however, they were both very tough and dry; better to eat dunking in a hot beverage than on its own)
breakfast mains ($10.00 - $15.00): they run the entire breakfast gamut: from acai bowls to porridge, toast to hashes, waffles to French toast, your favorite has to be included!
lunch appetizers ($5.00 - $12.00): classic chips + dips and nibbles
lunch mains ($16.00 - $24.00): sandwiches, quinoa/rice bowls
recs // the smoothie has great texture: no ice chunks, thick but still straw-qualified; and the bratwurst here has SO MUCH flavor!
site // The Lights Cafe
~ cath!!
This is close to my hair salon.. 💇♀️ Will be adding a stop-in, if only for an olive oil cake slice 👊🏼
sad to hear the pastries were not to par with the rest of the menu!