Raleigh, NC is like no other city you will ever visit. It gives you the advantages of a big city with the comfort of small-town living. Raleigh is full of culture, style, history, and best of all AMAZING coffee! Now, we aren’t knocking on Starbucks, but Raleigh is home to some of the best local coffee shops! Some of them even turn into delicious lunch spots in the afternoon and craft beer bars at night. Many others also double as a boutique gift shops featuring the work of local artists.
But this list is about coffee! We wanted to create an all-inclusive list of coffee shops in Raleigh. So no matter what part of town you are in, what environment you are in the mood for, or what side dish you’d like with your coffee, we have the details you need!
Check out our Ultimate Guide for the Best Coffee Shops in Raleigh, NC.
- 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
1| 42 & Lawrence | 134 East Martin St.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7am-4pm, Sat.&Sun. 8am-4pm
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 kombucha on tap.
2| Cup A Joe | (1) 2109 Avent Ferry Rd Suite 142 & (2) 3100 Hillsborough St.
Hours: (1) Mon.-Fr. 7am-4pm, Sat.& Sun. 9am-4pm (2) Daily 6am-7pm
Best Drink: Iced Grande Crowbar
Cup A Joe is all about the beverages offering coffee, milkshakes, lattes, teas, and more. They also sell whole beans by the pound. Be sure to check the website for daily specials. At each location, Cup A Joe features the artwork of different local artists every 3 months.
3| The Morning Times | 10 E Hargett St.
Hours: Daily 7am-6pm
Best Drink: Homemade Chai Latte
The Morning Times is a classic 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 biscuit, and a breakfast quesadilla. And don’t forget the homemade bagels! Lunch and children’s menus are also available; cocktails and craft beers served during lunch and dinner hours.
4| The Mill | 146 S Main St.
Hours: Sun.-Wed. 9am-6pm, Thurs.-Sat. 9am-10pm
Best Drink: White Raspberry Latte
The Mill proudly serves locally roasted coffee by Joe Van Gogh. This spacious two-story building provides it’s guests with seating options for private conversations or large groups. Did we mention they turn into a craft beer bar at night serving 20 local brews on tap? The Mill offers weekly specials on all drinks.
5| Bittersweet | 16 E. Martin St.
Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 2-10pm, Fri.&Sat. 2-11pm, Closed Mondays
Best Drink: Black and Coke
Bittersweet is the only place you’ll find that serves coffee, cocktails, and coffee cocktails all day. Don’t forget to enjoy a delicious treat with whatever beverage you choose. Bittersweet offers daily specials like the scone, muffin, and quiche of the day. There are also house-baked pastries available. The seasonal and year-round menus are made of all-natural and local ingredients. 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: Daily 8am-6pm
Best Drink: Anything paired with the Mochi Doughnuts
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. Try the Curry Tofu Gravy + Biscuit to see just how deliciously Asia meets the South. But beyond breakfast, there are lunch, dinner, and dessert menus available.
7| Common Grounds Coffee House & Desserts | 219 N Salem St.
Hours: Mon.- Wed. 7am-7pm, Thurs.-Sat. 7am-8pm, Sun. 7am-6pm
Best Drink: Gunpowder Pearl Green Tea
Common Grounds Coffee House & Desserts is just that, an awesome 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 its 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: Mon.-Sat. 7am-3pm
Best Drink: Iced Coffee w/ Maple Cinnamon Syrup
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 like nothing you have ever seen or tasted. They even have ready-to-bake take-home pizzas. While you are there, be sure to take a photo in front of their “I Believe in Raleigh” mural.
9| Sir Walter Coffee | 145 E Davie St.
Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 7am-8pm, Fri.&Sat. 7am-9pm
Best Drink: Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Sir Walter Coffee is known for more than just their logo featuring the face of Sir Walter Raleigh for whom Raleigh, NC is named. Their slogan is Coffee+Caft+Comfort and that is just what you will find when you step inside. The orange and grey furniture and unique artwork create a retro atmosphere. Sir Walter offers delicious foods including a waffle bar, bacon & cheese croissants, biscuits, bagels, and burritos. 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: Tues.-Sat. 8am-7pm, Sun. 10am-4pm
Full Bloom is known for its handcrafted roasted coffee beans and signature cold brew, Honey Brew, which can both be purchased in bulk or by the cup. They also serve delicious artisan sandwiches for breakfast and scrumptious treats like bacon maple cupcakes from local businesses. All of their ingredients are fresh and locally sourced. Full Bloom even serves local craft beer on tap for your lunch or dinner time beverages.
11| Benelux Coffee | 402 Oberlin Rd. Suite 118
Hours: Daily 7am-7pm
Best Drink: Anything paired with the Waffles
Benelux Coffee 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 also has a location in the Alexander Family YMCA.
12| Jubala Coffee | 8450 Honeycutt Rd. & 2100 Hillsborough St.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7am-5pm, Sat.&Sun. 8am-5pm
Jubala Coffee serves delicious coffee prepared any way you’d like – pour-over, espresso, or french press. Their breakfast menu features sweet biscuits with endless toppings, liege waffles with sweet toppings, yogurt, fruit, and sandwiches. Jubala’s owner is all about community and proudly serves locally sourced Counter Culture Coffee.
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. Their menu is completely wheat free and many vegan options are available.
14| BREW Coffee Bar | 2411 Crabtree Blvd. & 2310 Bale St. Suite 106
Hours: Daily 8am-3pm
Best Drink: Classic Pour-Over Coffee
BREW Coffee Bar is what you would call a classic coffee shop, known best for its pour-over coffee. In addition to the staples, they also have a seasonal menu and a retail shop with coffee and teas available. Be sure to try their breakfast treats including bagels, sandwiches, and pastries. BREW also has a location in Cary, NC.
15| Thanks A Latte | 1118 Kentworth Dr.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:30am-6pm, Sat. 8am-5pm
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: Daily 7am-Noon
Best Drink: Macchiato w/ Almond Milk
From its coffee to its decor, The Third Place is one-of-a-kind. Known for their oriental rugs and high-back red chair, 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. Be sure to try their Salmonwich.
17| Lucettegrace | 235 Salisbury St.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8am-4pm, Sat.&Sun. 9am-4pm
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 mimicking a French bakery. 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 forget to try one of the show-stopping macarons.
18| Idle Hour Coffee | 1818 Oberlin Rd. #103
Hours: Daily 7am-7pm
Best Drink: Vietnamese Coffee
The newest coffee shop in Raleigh is Idle Hour Coffee. This coffee bar features amazing pastries and desserts like Matcha Cheesecake with pistachio cookies. All of their pastries 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.
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. And we can’t wait to share our favorites with you during your next stay at StateView Hotel.