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There is no reason to be undercaffeinated in Raleigh. The city is buzzing thanks to no shortage of great coffee shops. These ten spots offer excellent coffee and then some — whether it be a breakfast sandwich of your dreams, a sweet treat, or a comfy spot to post up and work.
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Coffee purists may bristle at the fact that this North Raleigh spot offers over 30 specialty lattes, but sometimes a Milky Way latte with dark chocolate, caramel, and vanilla is just what the doctor ordered. Wander next door to Wanderlust Books to browse while sipping. NoRa cohosts a silent book club with the bookstore every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, where patrons can snag $5 glasses of wine while reading from the cafe.
Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and a full coffee and cafe menu make this a top-notch spot to work — in the afternoons. Wifi isn’t available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays or at all on Saturdays, but don’t let that be a deterrent. The hot cinnamon sugar mini doughnuts are enough of a reason to pop in. The coffee menu doesn’t have any frills so you won’t find any out-of-the-box options at this cafe, just excellently made espresso-based drinks using beans from Counter Culture Coffee in Durham.
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There are three different locations of Jubala around Raleigh, but the North Hills location is the epicenter for those looking for a coffee and catch up. Free Espresso Fridays give patrons an opportunity to sample a different type of coffee each week and is a tradition the cafe has offered for over five years. Sip the draft vanilla oat latte if straight espresso isn’t appealing. Don’t leave without trying one of the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches atop a fluffy biscuit —sub pimento cheese in for the regular cheese option and say thanks later.
Transport straight to Bondi Beach with the latest location of this Wilmington-based chain. The light, bright, and airy decor makes for an Instagram-worthy backdrop for the drinks, like the Blue Cloud latte made with butterfly pea flowers and ginger mixed with oat milk. For a quick boost try the aptly named “magic” coffee, a double espresso with steamed milk. To fuel any upcoming Zoom calls try the crispy potato brekkie with crispy potatoes, bacon, avocado, and cheesy scrambled eggs, and leave room to try the famous Biscoff pancakes.
The Wi-Fi password to this Oakwood coffee shop might be “thisplacesucks,” but it’s the farthest thing from the truth. A strong internet connection, ample tables, and robust breakfast and lunch offerings make this an ideal place to settle in to work for the day. In the morning, sip on a seasonal latte while devouring a McOptimist breakfast sandwich, a riff on the classic McDonald’s McGriddle sandwich. For a change of scenery head to the expansive back patio and break out one of the many board games available.
(919) 896-8988
(919) 896-8988
This is the preeminent spot to grab a coffee and a sweet treat. Enjoy a classic espresso-based drink or cold brew on tap with the smorgasbord of treats on offer. Little Blue Bakehouse serves as an incubator of sorts for local bakers who rotate in and out. Grab a cookie croissant from Blue Ox Bakery or nibble on a kitchen sink cookie from Yellow Garden Bake Shop chock full of pretzels, peanut butter, and butterscotch chips. Every day is a new adventure for what the resident bakers are dishing out, but there’s never any shortage of scrumptious options on hand.
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The pink espresso machine is the first sign that this place is special. Heirloom is part coffee shop, part tea house, and part Laotian, Taiwanese, and Japanese restaurant. Kick off the morning with a latte made with the in-house brown sugar five-spice blend or a hojicha latte, a Japanese specialty made with roasted green tea and milk. Stick around for lunch for the Lao grilled chicken bowl. Dinner is also served Wednesday through Sunday nights, making this a spot that can be enjoyed any time of the day.
Sir Walter is the funky cool uncle in the neighborhood. The baristas like to have fun creating coffee concoctions, like the Fruity Pebble latte that’s espresso and oat milk infused with the namesake cereal. Expect to find standard espresso-based drinks and iced coffee options as well as an impressive espresso martini menu thanks to the full bar program. The music is always a bit louder than perhaps it should be for ideal working conditions so plan on taking a call elsewhere.
Stepping inside Videri is likely to make anyone drool — the smell of chocolate permeates every bit of space in this cafe that shares a space with the chocolate factory. Snag free chocolate when the factory is open (11 a.m. to 8 p.m. most days) for an extra boost while working. The cafe is a cozy space on the smaller side but there is a generous patio. To amp up the chocolate intake, indulge in an iced mocha or frozen hot chocolate. While there is a selection of pastries and sweet breakfast treats there aren’t any savory options on offer. Find the original Black & White cafe in Wake Forest or try the new airport location at RDU.
321 Coffee employs individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and each staff member radiates good vibes. The name 321 is a reference to Down Syndrome, which occurs when a person has three copies of the 21st chromosome. The downtown Raleigh location has a couple of spots to sit but it’s more of a grab-and-go situation. The coffee menu is straightforward and limited to a few options, like a classic latte or dirty chai, but there’s the option to zhuzh an order up by adding flavored syrup or whipped cream on top.
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Coffee purists may bristle at the fact that this North Raleigh spot offers over 30 specialty lattes, but sometimes a Milky Way latte with dark chocolate, caramel, and vanilla is just what the doctor ordered. Wander next door to Wanderlust Books to browse while sipping. NoRa cohosts a silent book club with the bookstore every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, where patrons can snag $5 glasses of wine while reading from the cafe.
Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and a full coffee and cafe menu make this a top-notch spot to work — in the afternoons. Wifi isn’t available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays or at all on Saturdays, but don’t let that be a deterrent. The hot cinnamon sugar mini doughnuts are enough of a reason to pop in. The coffee menu doesn’t have any frills so you won’t find any out-of-the-box options at this cafe, just excellently made espresso-based drinks using beans from Counter Culture Coffee in Durham.
There are three different locations of Jubala around Raleigh, but the North Hills location is the epicenter for those looking for a coffee and catch up. Free Espresso Fridays give patrons an opportunity to sample a different type of coffee each week and is a tradition the cafe has offered for over five years. Sip the draft vanilla oat latte if straight espresso isn’t appealing. Don’t leave without trying one of the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches atop a fluffy biscuit —sub pimento cheese in for the regular cheese option and say thanks later.
Transport straight to Bondi Beach with the latest location of this Wilmington-based chain. The light, bright, and airy decor makes for an Instagram-worthy backdrop for the drinks, like the Blue Cloud latte made with butterfly pea flowers and ginger mixed with oat milk. For a quick boost try the aptly named “magic” coffee, a double espresso with steamed milk. To fuel any upcoming Zoom calls try the crispy potato brekkie with crispy potatoes, bacon, avocado, and cheesy scrambled eggs, and leave room to try the famous Biscoff pancakes.
The Wi-Fi password to this Oakwood coffee shop might be “thisplacesucks,” but it’s the farthest thing from the truth. A strong internet connection, ample tables, and robust breakfast and lunch offerings make this an ideal place to settle in to work for the day. In the morning, sip on a seasonal latte while devouring a McOptimist breakfast sandwich, a riff on the classic McDonald’s McGriddle sandwich. For a change of scenery head to the expansive back patio and break out one of the many board games available.
This is the preeminent spot to grab a coffee and a sweet treat. Enjoy a classic espresso-based drink or cold brew on tap with the smorgasbord of treats on offer. Little Blue Bakehouse serves as an incubator of sorts for local bakers who rotate in and out. Grab a cookie croissant from Blue Ox Bakery or nibble on a kitchen sink cookie from Yellow Garden Bake Shop chock full of pretzels, peanut butter, and butterscotch chips. Every day is a new adventure for what the resident bakers are dishing out, but there’s never any shortage of scrumptious options on hand.
The pink espresso machine is the first sign that this place is special. Heirloom is part coffee shop, part tea house, and part Laotian, Taiwanese, and Japanese restaurant. Kick off the morning with a latte made with the in-house brown sugar five-spice blend or a hojicha latte, a Japanese specialty made with roasted green tea and milk. Stick around for lunch for the Lao grilled chicken bowl. Dinner is also served Wednesday through Sunday nights, making this a spot that can be enjoyed any time of the day.
Sir Walter is the funky cool uncle in the neighborhood. The baristas like to have fun creating coffee concoctions, like the Fruity Pebble latte that’s espresso and oat milk infused with the namesake cereal. Expect to find standard espresso-based drinks and iced coffee options as well as an impressive espresso martini menu thanks to the full bar program. The music is always a bit louder than perhaps it should be for ideal working conditions so plan on taking a call elsewhere.
Stepping inside Videri is likely to make anyone drool — the smell of chocolate permeates every bit of space in this cafe that shares a space with the chocolate factory. Snag free chocolate when the factory is open (11 a.m. to 8 p.m. most days) for an extra boost while working. The cafe is a cozy space on the smaller side but there is a generous patio. To amp up the chocolate intake, indulge in an iced mocha or frozen hot chocolate. While there is a selection of pastries and sweet breakfast treats there aren’t any savory options on offer. Find the original Black & White cafe in Wake Forest or try the new airport location at RDU.
321 Coffee employs individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and each staff member radiates good vibes. The name 321 is a reference to Down Syndrome, which occurs when a person has three copies of the 21st chromosome. The downtown Raleigh location has a couple of spots to sit but it’s more of a grab-and-go situation. The coffee menu is straightforward and limited to a few options, like a classic latte or dirty chai, but there’s the option to zhuzh an order up by adding flavored syrup or whipped cream on top.
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