Raleigh, NC, is a city like no other, blending the perks of big-city living with the warmth of a small town. It’s a place rich in culture, style, history—and most importantly, incredible coffee! While Starbucks has its place, Raleigh’s local coffee scene offers something truly special. Many Raleigh coffee shops transform into local lunch destinations by day and craft beer havens by night, with some also doubling as boutique shops showcasing local artists’ work. Explore our guide to the best coffee shops in Raleigh!
- 42 & Lawrence
- Cup A Joe
- The Morning Times
- The Mill
- Bittersweet
- Heirloom Brewshop
- Common Grounds Coffee House & Desserts
- Sola Coffee Cafe
- Sir Walter Coffee
- Full Bloom
- Benelux Coffee
- Jubala Coffee
- Lucky Tree
- BREW Coffee Bar
- Thanks A Latte
- The Third Place
- Lucettegrace
- Idle Hour Coffee
- Drift Coffee + Kitchen Raleigh
- The Optimist Raleigh
1| 42 & Lawrence | 134 East Martin St.
Hours: Sunday — Thursday 7 am to 5:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 7 am to 7 pm
Best Drink: Nitro Cold Brew
42 & Lawrence is a local coffee shop with local faces surrounded by a European vibe. Guests will find bowler hats hanging from a tin ceiling that serve as lighting. There is indoor and outdoor seating available. 42 & Lawrence offers a seasonal menu plus cold brews, lattes, coffee sodas, and teas. Visiting Raleigh with a pet? 42 & Lawrence is dog friendly.
2| Cup A Joe | 3100 Hillsborough St.
Hours: Daily 6 am — 7 pm
Best Drink: Iced Grande Crowbar (a Wired Wednesday special!)
Cup A Joe is all about beverages, offering coffee, milkshakes, lattes, teas, and more. They also sell whole beans by the pound. Their daily specials make them one of Raleigh’s best coffee shops, a meeting place for friends, study partners, dates, and more since 1991. In addition to stellar coffee and baked goods, Cup A Joe also features local artwork for sale. Be sure to check their website for daily specials like Smoothie Tuesday, Fusion Friday, and Wired Wednesday!
3| The Morning Times | 10 E Hargett St.
Hours: Sunday — Thursday 7 am to 6 pm, Friday and Saturday 7 am to 8 pm
Best Drink: Homemade Chai Latte
The Morning Times is a classic Raleigh coffee bar with an artsy vibe and delicious food. They have indoor and outdoor seating with an art gallery upstairs where guests can relax in cozy chairs. Their food menu features items like corned beef & hash, sweet chicken biscuits, breakfast biscuits and more, with plenty of offerings for vegetarians, like soy sausage and mock chicken. Don’t miss out on their homemade bagels! The Morning Times features a gallery upstairs that displays local artist work for sale.
4| The Mill | 146 S Main St.
Hours: Sunday 9 am — 6 pm, Monday 9 am — 8 pm, Tuesday through Thursday 9 am — 10 pm, Friday and Saturday 9 am — 11:30 pm
Best Drink: White Raspberry Latte
The Mill proudly serves locally roasted coffee by Joe Van Gogh. This spacious two-story coffee shop in Raleigh provides guests with seating options for private conversations or large groups. Offering specialties like a crème brûlée latte, a mocha chai, and flavored steamers, The Mill provides a range of options for everyone from black coffee aficionados to fans of the Frappathingy (blended espresso drink with vanilla ice cream and syrups of your choice). The Mill turns into a craft beer bar after dark, showcasing local brews on tap.
5| Bittersweet | 16 E. Martin St.
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday 4 pm — 11 pm, Friday 4 pm— Midnight, Sunday 2 pm — 10 pm, Closed Monday and Tuesday
Best Drink: Apple Butter Gin & Jam
Bittersweet is the only place you’ll find that serves coffee, cocktails, and coffee cocktails all day in Raleigh. Don’t forget to enjoy a delicious treat with whatever beverage you choose! Bittersweet offers daily specials like a scone, muffin, and quiche of the day. There are also house-baked pastries available. Try fun cocktails like the Blair Witch Tea Party with Cardinal barrel-rested gin, black tea, honey, pineapple, lemon, and cayenne with a spiced rim. Bittersweet also features non-alcoholic beverages like a Sporty Spice, ginger beer with persimmon, maple, lime, and allspice. Enjoy a drink on the go at their walk-up window or take a seat on their outdoor patio.
We all love a delicious cup of coffee in the mornings.
But if the sun has fallen, don’t miss out on Raleigh’s Vibrant Nightlife and Show-Stopping Breweries!
Now, back to the delicious coffee you came here to find.
6| Heirloom Brewshop | 219 S West St.
Hours: Monday and Tuesday 8 am — 6 pm, Wednesday through Sunday 8 am — 4 pm and 5 pm — 9 pm | Kitchen closed Monday and Tuesday
Best Drink: Japanese-style Flash Iced Coffee
Heirloom Brewshop is Asian-inspired from its from its food and beverages to its decor. Heirloom serves Little Waves Coffee sourced out of Kenya, Mexico, Brazil, and Columbia. All of their syrups and flavors are homemade in house. Their teas and sake are from Asia and their craft beers are all local. Beyond breakfast, there are lunch and dessert menus available, plus retail offerings like hoodies, t-shirts, journals and pens, spices, and hot sauces.
7| Common Grounds Coffee House & Desserts | 219 N Salem St.
Hours: Sunday through Thursday 7 am — 6 pm, Friday and Saturday 7 am — 8 pm
Best Drink: Turtle Latte
Common Grounds Coffee House & Desserts is just that, an awesome Raleigh coffee shop serving delicious desserts. Their flavor selections for your coffee are endless with not only classics like hazelnut and vanilla but also specials like pomegranate and lavender. Besides their unique decor, Common Grounds is known for their huge selection of one-of-a-kind coffee mugs for sale. They have indoor and outdoor seating. Be sure to check out their website to see what local musicians are playing and seasonal events are being hosted.
8| Sola Coffee Cafe | 7705 Lead Mine Rd.
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 7 am — 3 pm, closed Sunday and Monday
Best Drink: Jeanne Capp (single origin espresso, honey, and oat milk)
Sola Coffee Cafe takes coffee shop to the next level. Using only local and fresh organic ingredients, Sola serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have indoor and outdoor seating with a pet-friendly patio. Sola’s homemade mini doughnuts and incredible toast creations are among the best brunch offerings in Raleigh. While you are there, be sure to take a photo in front of their famous “I Believe in Raleigh” mural.
9| Sir Walter Coffee | 145 E Davie St. and 555 Fayetteville St., Suite 110
145 E. Davie St. Hours: Monday 7 am — 6 pm, Tuesday through Thursday 7 am — 8 pm, Friday and Saturday 7 am — 10 pm
555 Fayetteville St. Hours: Sunday and Monday 7 am —8pm, Tuesday through Thursday 7 am — 10 pm, Friday and Saturday 7 am — Noon
Best Drink: The Walter Raleigh (cold brew, mocha, and simple syrup topped with vanilla cream)
Sir Walter Coffee is known for more than just their logo featuring Sir Walter Raleigh for whom Raleigh, NC is named. Their slogan, Coffee+Craft+Comfort speaks true to what you’ll find when you step into this Raleigh coffee shop. The orange and grey furniture and unique artwork create a retro atmosphere. Sir Walter offers delicious foods including breakfast sandwiches, Anything Toast, pastries from Blue Ox Bakery, a brisket burnt ends baked potato, and more. There is also an amazing selection of specialty coffee cocktails to choose from. Sir Walter Coffee sells their beans by the pound so you can take the deliciousness home with you.
10| Full Bloom | 141 W Main St.
Hours: Tuesday through Friday 8 am — 6 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8 am — 3 pm, closed Monday
Best Drink: Honey Vanilla Cappuccino with NC Honey
Full Bloom is known for their handcrafted roasted coffee beans and signature cold brew, Black Gold, which can be purchased in bulk or by the cup. They also serve delicious artisan sandwiches for breakfast and scrumptious treats like signature cupcakes from local bakeries. All of Full Bloom’s ingredients are fresh and locally sourced, with an emphasis on supporting local in as many ways as possible. Full Bloom even serves local craft beer on tap for lunch and dinner time.
11| Benelux Cafe | 402 Oberlin Rd. Suite 118
Hours: Monday through Friday 7 am — 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8 am — 6 pm
Best Drink: Anything alongside a Blue Bee Brussels Waffle
Benelux Cafe was inspired by a trip to Belgium. The star of their menu is the Brussels-style waffles. Benelux also proudly serves coffee roasted in-house in small batches. Guests can purchase their Raleigh Roasted Coffee by the pound or by the cup. Be sure to check out the giant mural made out of coffee beans! Benelux is located in the Shops at Village District.
12| Jubala Coffee | 8450 Honeycutt Rd., 2100 Hillsborough St., and 200 Park at N. Hills St.
8450 Honeycutt Rd. Hours: Monday through Friday 7 am — 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8 am — 5 pm
2100 Hillsborough St. Hours: Monday through Friday 7 am — 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8 am — 5 pm
200 Park at N. Hills St. Hours: Daily 7 am — 7 pm
Jubala Coffee serves delicious coffee prepared any way you’d like: pour-over, espresso, in a tonic, and iced flash coffee. Their breakfast menu features sweet biscuits with endless toppings, waffles with sweet toppings, yogurt, fruit, and sandwiches. Jubala’s owner is all about community and proudly serves locally sourced Counter Culture Coffee from right here in Raleigh.
13| Lucky Tree | 3801 Hillsborough St.
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 7am-6pm, Fri. 7am-8pm, Sat.&Sun. 8am-8pm
Best Drink: Honey Latte w/ Almond Milk
Lucky Tree is owned and operated by twin sisters and was inspired by their childhood treehouse. Lucky Tree is more than just a coffee shop; they make a point to support all things local. Twice a month they host Free The Mic, an open mic night for singers, rappers, poets, musicians, and artists. The coffee shop also features and sells artwork and handmade items from more than 50 local artists. Lucky Tree offers vegan and wheat-free options so that everyone in your group can find something delicious.
14| BREW Coffee Bar | 2310 Bale St. Suite 106
Hours: Monday through Friday 7 am — 6 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8 am — 6 pm
Best Drink: Classic Pour-Over Coffee
BREW Coffee Bar is what a classic Raleigh coffee shop, known best for their pour-over coffees with tasty notes of chocolate and malt. In addition to the staples, BREW also has seasonal menus and a retail shop with coffee and teas available. You can even get their cold brew and famous lattes by the 1/2 gallon! Be sure to try their breakfast treats including bagels, sandwiches, and pastries. BREW also has a location nearby in Cary, NC at 122 E. Chatham St.
15| Thanks A Latte | 1118 Kentworth Dr.
Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 — 6 pm, Saturday 8 am — 5 pm, Sunday 1 pm — 5 pm
Best Drink: Charleston Latte
Thanks A Latte is a family-owned boutique and coffee shop run by a mother/daughter team. This place is every woman’s dream – coffee and shopping. Thanks A Latte serves delicious coffee and tea creations, hot or iced. You can also purchase a large mason jar of your favorite latte to take home for later.
16| The Third Place | 1811 Glenwood Ave.
Hours: Monday through Thursday 7 am — Noon, Friday through Sunday 7 am — 2 pm
Best Drink: Macchiato w/ Almond Milk
From their coffee to their decor, The Third Place is one-of-a-kind. Known for oriental rugs and high-back red chairs, The Third Place features local art and antiques for sale throughout their shop. You won’t be able to miss the eclectic glass lanterns hanging from an antique tin ceiling. But let’s not forget their fresh and local ingredients. The Third Place serves Larry’s Coffee and offers breakfast items including bagels, sandwiches, muffins, and pastries.
Fun Raleigh fact: David Benson, the owner of The Third Place, is the artist who created the iconic acorn that drops in Raleigh on New Year’s Eve!
17| Lucettegrace | 235 Salisbury St.
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 am — 4 pm, Saturday and Sunday 9 am — 4 pm
Best Drink: Lucettegrace Iced Coffee
Lucettegrace is named for the owner’s two daughters. More than just a coffee shop, Lucettegrace is a contemporary patisserie in downtown Raleigh mimicking a French bakery. With classic pastry styles informed by the uniqueness of Raleigh, the desserts and pastries created by the owner/pastry chef are just as beautiful as they are delicious. All ingredients are locally sourced. Don’t miss out on the chance to try one of their show-stopping macarons!
18| Idle Hour Coffee | 1818 Oberlin Rd. #103
Hours: Monday through Friday 7 am — 5 pm, Saturday 7 am — 6 pm, Sunday 8 am — 6 pm
Best Drink: Vietnamese Coffee
Idle Hour Coffee features amazing pastries and desserts like Matcha Cheesecake with pistachio cookies. All of the pastries at this Raleigh coffee shop are made from scratch or by local vendors. Not only are these desserts delicious but also beautiful to look at. With indoor and outdoor seating, pull up a cozy chair and try the highly recommended Banh Mi sandwich.
19 | Drift Cafe Ridgewood | 3510 Wade Ave.
Hours: Daily 7 am — 5 pm, kitchen closes at 3 pm
Best Drink: Holistic Chai Latte
This Wilmington-based cafe is making waves in Raleigh. Drift Cafe is one of Raleigh’s newest coffee shops, located in Ridgewood Shopping Center. With traditional coffee offerings like lattes, flash brewed ice coffee, cappuccino, and other coffee drinks in addition to matcha, teas, beer, wine, and cocktails, Drift is a hot spot for gatherings in Raleigh. Their kitchen is also famed for delicious dishes like acai bowls, fluffy stacks of sweet and savory pancakes, avocado toast, sandwiches and wraps, and more.
Heading to Chapel Hill during your Raleigh trip? Drift Cafe also has a Chapel Hill location at 111 Elliott Rd in Village Plaza.
20 | The Optimist Raleigh | 1000 Brookside Dr. #109
Hours: Monday through Saturday 7 am — 6 pm, Sunday 8 am — 6 pm
Best Drink: Talk to the Palm (latte with espresso and toasted coconut)
This neighborhood coffee house in Raleigh is proud to serve some of the best coffee, pastries, and baked goods that the City of Oaks has locally available. The Optimist is also a top spot for Raleigh brunch, serving their brunch menu from open to 2 pm daily with signature offerings like a McOptimist (their take on a McDonald’s McGriddle: an english muffin with eggs, cheddar, and maple syrup) plus oatmeal, a brunch club, yogurt parfaits, and other tasty handhelds. On the coffee side, guests can expect fun signature and seasonal drinks like Peariana Grande, an espresso tonic with pear and apricot juice, and Short Stack, a latte with espresso, maple, black walnut, and your choice of milk. The Optimist also offers classic pour-over coffees, lattes, cortados, iced coffee, and cold brew with a variety of homemade flavor syrups and milk options.
Ready to transition from coffee hours to beer time? Check out The Optimist’s beer and wine menu, or try a mimosa flight!
Exploring the best coffee shops in Raleigh has given us a better picture of just how unique the city of Raleigh is. Raleigh is homemade, locally-sourced, and community-driven, from its coffee shops to its business owners.
We hope this ultimate guide to the best coffee shops has been helpful. No matter what coffee shop you choose, choose local. We can’t wait to share our favorites with you during your next stay at StateView Hotel.