Rush Espresso Cafe and Wine Bar

Their new location is a lot roomier with lots of seating options both indoor and outdoor.
I ordered the breakfast guacamole benedict and a cappuccino. The benedict was pretty tasty — there are 2 poached eggs on top of guacamole and spinach on sourdough with baby tomatoes on the side. The best part is when you break the egg and you soak up the yolk that runs down the side with the bread. It’s definitely pricey for the portion ($ 12) but it’s a good option for a healthy, light breakfast.
They bring your food out to you but they call your name once they make your coffee and you have to go to the counter and get it. Coffee tastes similar to what you would get in Europe, but sizes are smaller also.

The coffee was fantastic and the staff was great! We had the breakfast sandwiches which were really good as well.

Friendly service, good coffee, amazing hash browns. I like my coffee really hot. The americano tastes good but comes out warm. Thats my only complaint. The coffee itself tastes good and comes out at just the right temperature for me :) They also have a truly delicious set of baked goods. After a hike, or run, Rush is the perfect place to treat yourself :)

Love this place! Love the new location which is very roomy. Plenty of seating. Owner is friendly and talks to customers. Coffee is delish but one tip is: get the large. Its so good, you will want more. Open mic/​music on Saturday nights at 7pm. Best spot for coffee in area.

Very nice atmosphere, friendly service. Good place for a chat with friends or your significant other.

Loved this place. Tired the first time it opened. Great service and good to have something good and we need more options besides Starbucks and dunkin donuts.

Great coffee, very busy but cashier seem to keep things moving alone very quickly with a smile

There is not a better coffee place in Charlotte… quality and service is impeccable. Just wish there was one in the Promenade.

I went up the road to have breakfast and coffee at Rush Espresso. I’ve been to plenty of coffee shops/​breakfast café’s and this was by far the most friendliest place. You wouldn’t think a place located in Corporate park would be so friendly and comfortable, but it was. The owner pulled a chair from our table, sat down, and began to chat with us. He wanted to know where we were from, what brought us to Charlotte, and all about our coffee/​breakfast habits. It was really refreshing to see an owner of a coffee shop so engaged in his costumers, involved in the kitchen, and outgoing. I thought that was really classy.
I’m not only coming back because the owner was so nice, but the food was really good, too. Plus it was super cheap. I ordered their low fat yogurt granola & berry parfait.
My roommate and I split their ham and cheese croissant. It was melt in your mouth heavenly!
I also ordered a latte on the side and it was so good. They make their low fat milk so smooth and frothy. The espresso was strong and smooth!

Love this place for breakfast and some great coffee. Tonight we tried it for some wine and charcuterie which was good, not as great as it is for breakfast though, had some nice live music.

I’ve never been more impressed with an owner of a business. It shows! Amazing service — perfect lattes — food is prepared with excellence!

Rush espresso never fails to serve wonderful coffee and amazing food. The delicious cappuccinos always make my day. My real complaint is that they have a small, ugly, and uncomfortable restroom. At a coffee venue you should be able expect a pleasant restroom to use after your morning coffee. I might also add that the fake plants should be replace with real plants to add to the over all décor of the new location.

I wish I would have known about this place a long time ago. This is great coffee and desserts. I didn’t go to the old location but the new one is nice. Cute seating arrangement. Very good expresso

Wow! I am very impressed! I have client meetings at Starbucks 5 – 7 times a week. As much as I do enjoy Starbucks, Rush Espresso trumps Starbucks in all capacities. It is so nice to see an owner involved and engaged with ALL of the customers. You can tell he is truly HAPPY and that is contagious. I sat here waiting for my client for about 10 minutes and personally saw the owner talk to every single customer and knew almost everyone by name. I love to support local places wherever I go and will definitely be coming to Rush instead of Starbucks, every time I am in the Ballantyne area. Staff, service, quality and prices are impeccable. Even from the small things of having free water, to having a fun and different coffee sleeve. I will be back and highly recommend this place. Support local coffee shops and give this place a try!:)

So… Maybe I just got the wrong thing? But I got a salad, a large, with chicken. It was $ 10.75. It’s roughly the size of a side salad from Harris-​Teeter which would run me about $ 4.50. It’s also got gross brown lettuce in it, so I’ve got that to look forward to. Plus, the sign out front that says $ 5 Express Lunch should probably be taken down since there is no such thing as a $ 5 express lunch. The only thing on the lunch menu that’s $ 5 is a side salad, which I’m guessing would be maybe a cup of greens and a tomato? Not gonna lie, I’m crazy disappointed in this. Maybe their other stuff is better.

Edited review because Rush continues to be AWESOME after becoming a quasi-​regular there at the Ballantyne location.
The only downside is the wait on some days. Every selection I have tried from the breakfast and lunch menu is tasty.
The coffee options remind me of a high-​end Italian sidewalk café. Worth the drive. Full-​on five-​star experience.

Wish I knew this place was closing. Rode up. No longer there. And I was just here Sunday.

I must be on a quest to find the best cafés in Charlotte because I can’t stop checking out these places.
I got a caffe mocha with pumpkin syrup and it was absolutely delicious. They had a lot of syrup flavors like vanilla, peppermint, etc. When I went to check out, my total was only $ 1.90! Apparently they have happy hour everyday from 3 – 4 PM. Drinks are half off excluding those with ice cream and smoothies.
I was a little disappointed because my drink came in a to go cup when I said the order was for here, but the taste made up for it. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, plus strong wifi!
I will be back to try more of their drinks and maybe even some of the pastries too. Sorry Starbucks, I’m coming here now.

Went here for the first time this weekend after driving by. Very clean and the employees were nice. You order inside and they serve you, if you’re dining in. We sat on their patio due to the nice weather. The coffee was rich and bold, and the first refill was free. The breakfast was delicious and the servings were large for what you pay. I got eggs Benedict and fiancé got some sort of breakfast croissant sandwich. We both enjoyed our meals and coffee for $ 20.

I popped in to Rush this afternoon after a movie, majorly in need of a sweet treat and a pick me up. A Double Espresso Affogato was just the thing. I’ve been in to Rush a few times, but only just to grab some coffee to go. Today I actually sat down to savor my drink. As usual, the espresso was poured fresh and piping hot. Not sure what ice cream they use, but it was delicious — a perfect complement to mellow out the espresso. Great atmosphere and perfect spot for people watching! I will definitely continue to stop by when I’m in the neighborhood!

We have a rather ‘fancy’ fully automatic espresso/​latte/​cappuccino maker on our coffee bar at home, so I am not typically one who buys a coffee drink in my own neighborhood… so why do I find myself at Rush at least 1 morning a week and lately, a few times more than that?
The location is great!
The selections are lovely!
Inside and outside seating is a delight and the people around us are either quiet in their conversation or welcoming and inclusive if a tad louder.
Baristas are generally friendly and make a consistently fabulous drink!
I have had breakfast there, it was easily enough for lunch and took it into the office with me to enjoy part II later that same day. The lattes, my personal choice 99 times out of 100, are phenomenal and beautifully crafted!
I’ll also say I’ve not used any app ever that was so effortless to navigate than that of Rush! I would love for more to be done in this style!
GPS doesn’t want you to find this little hidden gem, so be persistent in your looking, though once found, you’ll wonder how you ever missed it. Located ‘inside’ the Ballantyne Village by Mellow Mushroom and Blue Tag, near the theatre area but on the first floor.
Single, unisex bathroom often has at least one waiting person, so hamster bladder clients (you know who you are) this is your warning to queue up earlier vs. later!
They have a half price happy hour in the afternoon and every 9 drinks nets you one free!
RUSH on in today!

Rush Espresso! Che bouno!
Love that they use Lavazza. My Café Latte was so delicious, smooth and creamy. Sorry Starbucks but this was awesome. Great house blend too!
When I ordered an éclair and apple turnover, I did not expect them on a plate with syrup drizzled and puffs of whipped cream = nice presentation. Great! The pastries were so good though, they could have easily stood on their own.
Looks like they have a full breakfast and lunch menu. Would have been a five star visit but service was less than friendly; the cashier barely interacted and seemed either sleepy or like he wanted to be somewhere else. The products here are excellent though.

I always enjoy having coffee when it’s not from the green lady people and Rush does an excellent double espresso. Just as good? The lemon cheese pastry with a side of sweetened cream cheese. Delicious!
I sat here at Rush for about an hour and used a good amount of their wifi while drinking my coffee and eating that pastry. Mostly decent music played and there were several interesting conversations going on that kept me entertained.
Cold morning, so the outside seats weren’t occupied and there were still a couple of two-​tops available inside. I liked this place!

Not living or working in Ballantyne, I don’t get by Rush often enough. But having been here a few times recently (twice in the last week alone!), I thought I should leave a glowing review.
Almond Chai Latte — get it! You won’t be disappointed. I finally found another coffee shop that makes them exactly the way I like them.
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the food options. The chef (can I call him that in a coffee house? I think he’s earned the title) even stopped by my table to ask what I thought of the sundried tomato melt — I assured him it was delicious & proved it by ordering it the next time I visited.
For a local shop with stellar coffee & food, I think the prices are reasonable.
Parking at Ballantyne Village continues to be a hassle through no fault of the store owners. (Google the drama about the former BV owner who kept the parking lots & won’t allow customers to park there…) Rush has been busy, so I’m very happy to see customers supporting the stores there.
If you’re uptown, check out their new location in Latta Arcade. I haven’t been by yet, but hope to trek a few city blocks from my office soon. I’m sure it will be worth it.

Still love it. Still a regular. But wanted to add that the food is AMAZING. I had the Power Rush the other day for breakfast. Delicious. Avocado, cheese, turkey. I actually might go get one today… Continuing my Rush love affair.

This place is adorable. I am a coffee addict and especially love a good locally owned shop. I came in here early before class to grab a quick study session. There are probably ten to twelve tables but they do have a wonderful outdoor seating area that is a pretty decent size.
They have great food and coffee (duh!) I came in and had the power bagel. I think it was called that. Anyways it had ham, Swiss, avavado, tomato, spinach, an cream cheese. What a great way to start the morning! I have had coffee wise two different drinks. The vanilla latte which was so amazing. They serve their coffee drinks in clear glass glasses and do a beautiful little design on top of the foam. I have also had the chai tea latte. I found the chai tea to be a little more sweet than I typically like it so I didn’t finish it. They have a choice of vanilla spice or regular spice and maybe I had the vanilla. The location is great and seems to be convenient to everything! Love this place and look forward to trying every drink they offer!