Lucky Tree is one of the best places in Raleigh to grab a cup of coffee, enjoy a pastry, and truly…read morerelax. With bar-top seating, couches, tables, and chairs, it offers a welcoming environment to work, study, or find a bit of end-of-day calm. This place also holds personal nostalgia for me. I recently released my book Purple Rose: The Stars Carry Her Name -- Letters from Me to Her, a collection written for a woman I love living in Raleigh, and I was able to write some of those love letters and poems right here in this lovely café. Lucky Tree regularly hosts open mic nights for musicians and poetry-focused events, and the owners are deeply involved in the local arts scene. Through these events, I've met artists, authors, and incredible people--and I've even shared my own work from my above mentioned book here. Overall, this is a truly unique and beautiful shop. The food is always fresh, the staff is vibrant, polite, and genuinely helpful, and the atmosphere shifts naturally from lively to quiet and relaxing depending on the events taking place. Top-tier shop and easily one of my favorite coffee spots in Raleigh. And yes--the coffee is really good.

I decided to try this out for a quick coffee stop while in town for a conference. The service was…read morefriendly and quick! I tried the breakfast bagel bites, which were soft and warm. I loved the cheese on top! I was not a huge fan of the flavor the almond flour gave them but it was not overpowering. I would probably get them again! They had a lot of options as far as specialty lattes but I am glad I went with the Vanilla Maple. I was worried that the maple flavor would be too much but it complimented the vanilla well. The inside was VERY well decorated, and I would've loved to stay and do a little computer work! I could see myself coming by and sitting down for a quick brunch, meeting up with friends, or staying for a work session.

I fell in love with Thousand Hills the moment I walked in. The decor is so beautiful and there are…read moreso many comfy places to sit as well as tables inside and outside. It's located alongside the leasing office for the apartment complex. The service is great. There were two young ladies working and they were both friendly. I arrived around 4:30 on a beautiful Saturday afternoon and ordered a muffin and a decaf latte since it was so late (for me to drink caffeine). The cranberry lemon muffin was absolutely perfect, so much flavor, so fresh & moist. The Salted Brown Butter Latte was the best. From the first sip to the last drop, I loved it. I sat on a small section of a very comfortable couch with pillows and all. I later sat out front on one of the benches. They also have a patio seating out back. I can't wait to go back to Thousand Hills!!

We happened upon this coffee shop on a day trip to the triangle area. Parking is very limited near…read morethe coffee shop. It's a very busy place. Inside there was seating and space for whatever you're looking for. Chairs, sofas, meeting spaces, and outdoor seating. It's a large coffee shop. We waited in line and ordered our coffees. A few minutes later we received our beverages. We found a couple chairs with a small table in between. The table was dirty so I asked for a towel or rag to clean the table with. I received confused looks from the two employees that were standing behind the counter. They didn't have a rag to clean with so they told me to use wet napkins to clean the table. The response wasn't what I expected, but I got the impression the employees don't clean this establishment. They had no idea what to do. Kind of strange. I used water and a pile of napkins to clean everything off onto the floor. Other than that, the coffee and atmosphere were good. Not sure we'll return. It is a cool place though.

Incredible coffee, and I loved the aesthetic! I got the strawberry creme latte (hot version), and…read moreit was fantastic! My partner got the iced version--which was somehow even better than the warm version. I don't like my coffee drinks too sweet, and they struck exactly the right balance. It tasted like there was real strawberry (and not just a super-sweet syrup). Unlike many coffee shops, they gave us a number to bring to our table, so we didn't need to stand around and wait for our coffee to be ready. Instead, they brought it to our table for us. This was such a nice touch! There's a good amount of seating inside, but we sat outside since it was such a nice day. Can't wait to go back & try an iced americano or drip coffee to try out some of their different roasts.

Where to begin with iris coffee lab? The ordering experience was streamlined, and there was ample…read moreindoor and outdoor seating. Unfortunately, this is probably because the chairs were the equivalent of sitting on a guitar pick. The rest of the decor similarly resembled a mid-century modern insane asylum. All this is child's play compared to the drinks. I was hoping they would redeem the experience. I was rooting for you, iris coffee lab. The matcha left me wanting more. I couldn't taste even a whisper of matcha flavoring, and the price was laughable for a glass of green milk. When my flat white arrived, I felt that twinkle return to my eye. Sadly, about 3 sips later, as I neared the end of my beverage I was shocked to discover a texture component I was not expecting. After a lot of contemplation, I have decided I am not a fan of coffee grounds swirling around my mouth. The customers are hip and trendy, the employees exceedingly friendly and speedy, the drinks bespoke and innovative, but I think we need to cut out the frills and go back to the basics. Why play 3D chess when you've yet to master tic tac toe? I think the experience was net neutral, but for how steep the pricing is, I feel it's my duty to let the world know what they're getting into.

Stopped in for an afternoon cappuccino with low-fat milk (there were several options offered), and…read morereally enjoyed the yummy capp and the atmosphere!

What a great coffee shop find! The service, vision, and mission are wonderful. If you didn't know,…read morethe mission of Esteamed is to empower and ensure people whom have disabilities are able to still find job opportunities and experiences. Not only is they vision amazing, but their coffee was great. It was piping hot, came with the whipped cream, and the aroma of the chai tea latte was nutty and spiced. It was perfectly balanced and not overly sweetened! Would definitely come again!

I finally checked out Drift Cafe and it's definitely one of those spots that feels like a mini…read moreescape in the middle of Raleigh. The space is super light, airy, and gives off that laid-back coastal vibe that makes you want to stay a while. The menu leans into that "wellness but still indulgent" balance. everything I tasted was fresh and thoughtfully made. The coffee was a standout too, smooth and not overly sweet, which I personally loved. A lot of people come here for the breakfast burritos, pancakes, and specialty lattes, so it's a solid brunch option if you want something a little elevated from the usual rotation. Service was friendly and pretty quick, even when it got busy, which I appreciated. It does get packed, especially on weekends, so just be ready for a bit of a wait.

Super cute place with plenty of parking options and gender neutral bathrooms. 10am on a Friday and…read moreit was packed. Conveniently with one table open. Drinks: I ordered a matcha latte, iced with oat milk. I knew it was a mistake as I watched them make it and the match came out of a squeeze bottle. My mom ordered hot black coffee, claiming it tasted burnt and was undrinkable. Mains: I ordered the strawberries & cream pancakes which came with three extremely tiny pancakes, that tasted like whole wheat. The "fresh jam" was overly sugared and had a smoothie like consistency. For $16 I was hungry and disappointed. My mom ordered the grain and egg bowl, wait it was underwhelming. Shocked there are so many positive reviews.

The perfect coffee roaster might actually exist -- and it might be Black & White Coffee Roasters in…read moredowntown Raleigh. I'm a big fan of lighter-roasted, funky, expressive coffees, and Black & White absolutely delivers. Their roasting style leans into vibrant, fruit-forward profiles, and they do it with confidence. The downtown Raleigh location is fantastic too. It's right in the middle of everything, making it a great stop for a date night, meeting up with friends, or just dropping in for a quick but exceptional cup. Their seasonal menu was small but mighty -- just a couple of options -- but the kind where every drink looks so good you wish they'd never rotate them off the menu. I started with the orange cardamom flat white, and it was perfect in every way. Beautifully presented and incredibly balanced. The espresso, milk, orange, and cardamom all complemented each other without any one flavor taking over. It was nuanced, aromatic, and just a joy to drink. For my second drink, I ordered a Rodrigo Sanchez pour-over, a co-fermented Colombian coffee labeled with passion fruit notes. It was everything I want from a pour-over -- bright, juicy, and expressive, with the kind of sweet stone fruit and berry notes that make light-roasted coffee so exciting. Black & White continues to prove why they're one of the most respected specialty roasters around. If you love adventurous coffee with huge flavor and careful execution, this place is an absolute must-visit.

Great coffee! And love the dark/milk chocolate bars!! I have coffee beans I can drink at home too…read more I've never had time to sit in the outdoor garden but am looking forward to doing so now that spring is arriving.

The same ownership as Benchwarmer Bagels. They really know bread. I got here at almost closing…read moretime, and I wish that I had come earlier because almost everything was sold out. I got: 1. A bialy (bee-AH-lee) is a traditional Polish-Jewish bread roll, similar to a bagel but with key differences: it is baked, not boiled, has a dimpled center filled with onion bits and poppy seeds, and is generally softer and less dense. Originating in Białystok, Poland, these rolls are traditionally served plain or toasted with toppings like butter or schmear. 2. Rye shortbread. Not too sweet. Just perfection! 3. Bran biscotti. I like the idea of a high-fiber bran biscotti over a refined flour one. 4. Buchi Tepache. I got the mango-pineapple flavor. This is a local NC brand. It's a mildly fermented drink that originated in Mexico. I got the ingredients from their website (drinkbuchi.com): Organic Tibicos (Water, Organic Fair Trade Certified™* Cane Sugar, Organic Kefir Culture), Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic Mango Puree, Organic Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Organic Whole Lemon Puree, Organic Mango Natural Flavor, Organic Pineapple Natural Flavor, Organic Monk Fruit Extract. 5. The baguette. Unlike a refined flour white bread baguette at La Farm Bakery, this one is made of a red wheat flour. Turkey Red flour is an heirloom, organic hard red winter wheat brought to Kansas in 1873 by Mennonite immigrants. Prized for its rich, nutty flavor and superior baking qualities, it is often used for artisan bread, sourdough, and pasta due to its unique, sometimes more digestible, gluten profile. It is commonly stone-ground and available from local Kansas millers. 6. The star of the show was the Everything Croissant. Like the Everything Bagel but soft and buttery. Topped with all the sesame seeds and seasonings with a cream cheese interior. So good! I do plan on returning!

We went this morning excitement so glad to say that this all of my expectations. I had the pear jam…read morepastry, my partner had a ham and cheese croissant and our little one had the cinnamon roll. They have fresh milk for sale from dairy farm in Juliet, nc, the coffees are incredible! It was super busy so you have to wait a little for a table, but the pastries are so incredible that it's worth the wait! The ambience feels like an industrial bakery, but it's inviting and cozy. You can tell. It's a wonderful neighborhood spot where people meet up every day. It's definitely recommend it if you're not yet visited. And if you're looking for a place to get your fresh bread weekly then I highly suggest this space.

I was in the area and decided to finally go to Brew, as I rarely am in downtown Cary! I'm so glad I…read moredid. It took some time to find parking as the surrounding parking lots were full, but I found street parking around the corner. The ambiance is warm and cozy. Brew and the Cary Theater share common space, so you can enter from either entrance. The service is awesome, I was waited on right away and the barista was helpful with suggestions. I ordered a cookie butter latte and an oatmeal raisin cookie w/ walnuts. Both were absolutely delicious, a great combo. When I finished my latte, I dipped my cookie in the cup to get the last of the foam...so good. The baked goods are from Ninth Street Bakery in Durham. How amazing local supporting local. I sat at the bar area. I loved that there were hooks underneath for your belongings, you don't see that everywhere. They have the high top areas, along with a few tables and chairs. I'm so glad I was able to finally experience Brew, looking forward to going back.

BREW was such a great spot to get work done. They have an upstairs space and of course downstairs…read more A good number of options and the service was really good. I'll definitely be back.

Chapel of Bones is where I wanted to hang out in my 20s so it is great I have it now!…read more Their goth prom has been a blast, we have seen so many DJs they're always fun! Whether it is dancing, hanging out or just mingling it is such a great time.. I love that they don't just have alcohol, their coffee is so good! They do have a draft NA beer which is very difficult to find so that is awesome! The employees I have interacted with have all been great with making recommendations or letting me know what they have! If you are looking for a fun time check out their website to see what events they have coming up!

Mocha was good. Not bitter. Hot chocolate could have been stronger with more chocolate…read more Tried this place on a whim as I just wanted some non-Starbucks coffee yumminess. When we pulled up, I truly thought we were at a biker bar or something. lol but my adventure side said "try it". So we did. Definitely a very uniquely decorated place for sure. Would have made my church-going mama blush. lol Service was friendly and prompt. Can't say we would return as it's not "my cup of tea" kindly place lol, but I encourage others to try.

I stopped here to have a coffee, a snack, and do some work on my computer . Maggie and Emma were…read morebehind the counter and were alot of to talk. When employees enjoy their job and like the place their place of work it lifts up the atmosphere and recreates a fantastic experience for the guests. I had a delicious warmed up chocolate chip brownie with an excellent espresso. The menu had many tempting items that i hope to experience soon.Overall great place to stop by and get some great food and relax.

Came for an end of day coffee and blueberry muffin. The taste of the muffin was decent with good…read moreamount of blueberries throughout. I had a cold brew coffee which I thought was pretty tasty and I enjoyed. The sun makes the location less enjoyable in the evening because the sun beams on you. Otherwise it's a nice location that's centrally located. The person was nice when I had no idea what I wanted to order.