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Cocoa Cinnamon

4.3 (209 reviews)
ModerateCoffee & Tea
Closed 7:30 am - 7:00 pm

Cocoa Cinnamon Photos

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COCOA CINNAMON ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed
Good for working
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Cocoa Cinnamon

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Spinach Pinwheel
Kassim C.

What I recommend: The homemade churros and the spinach pinwheel Cocoa Cinnamon is one of my favorite spots for a quick breakfast on the weekends. Be warned though, depending on the time, it can get pretty packed. It's a cozy café where they roast their own beans and serve some of the best coffee in town. Grab a big cup, find a seat, and just enjoy the laid-back vibe. You can't come here without trying their homemade churros. They're always made to order and come in unique flavors like passion fruit, mango, or the classic cinnamon sugar. The spinach pinwheel is another favorite of mine, but it goes fast, so get there early if you want one. Overall, Cocoa Cinnamon is a great casual spot to chat, relax, and enjoy something sweet. You might not leave completely full, but you'll definitely leave happy.

Morros de Torros
Zac G.

Cocoa Cinnamon is the storefront for Little Waves Coffee Roasters, and if it were just a coffee shop, it would be worth visiting on that basis alone. The roastery received international recognition, and having previously picked up a bag of their beans from a Greensboro shop, I can say that it's well-deserved. Cocoa Cinnamon gives you a chance to experience Little Waves in everything from a cup of joe to an espresso drink to a "wonder drink" with house made syrups and infusions. Unfortunately, I had already reached my coffee limit for the day at the time of my visit (which didn't stop me from snagging a bag of Royal 7 to take home). Fortunately, there is another very good reason to check out Coca Cinnamon: homemade churros. You can get them by themselves, in a pack, ala mode, or dipped in chocolate. Or, you can do what my wife and I did and split a Morros de Torros. This insane concoction features a churro dusted with your choice of sugars topped with vanilla ice cream and a chocolate and condensed milk drizzle. Made fresh to order, it was worth every cent of its $8 price tag. Seriously, it's hard to overstate how good this dessert was. The churro was hot, the chocolate sauce had real chocolate flavor, and the sugar blend imparted a bit of spice as well as sweet. As if you don't already have enough reasons to visit yet, Cocoa Cinnamon also offers fast service and an interesting ambiance that reflects the owner's Mexican roots. Whether you just want a cup of coffee or want to send your tastebuds on a strange and delightful trip, Cocoa Cinnamon has you covered.

Loop churro and hot chocolate
Sydney H.

I always love stopping by cocoa cinnamon when i'm in durham. I love all the outdoor seating they have because i love to bring my dog! I ordered inside and got a guadalajara hot chocolate and loop churro and it was perfect for a cool fall morning. Everything came out in about 10 mins. There was also plenty of indoor seating as well

Plain churros and latte at Cocoa Cinnamon in Durham
Bruce K.

We very much enjoyed our latte and four churros, skipping the sugar. Trust me, the sweet dough is plenty sweet and does not need to be rolled in cinnamon sugar or cardamom sugar very much unless you desperately need the sugar hit. The place was completely packed with laptoppers hard at work on a Saturday afternoon. Two or three were even doing Zoom bridges complete with headsets. Thankfully, two adults got up and departed just as our coffee was ready. Quality coffee and the churros were fabulous. Just plan to be standing. [Review 67 of 2025 - 4042 in North Carolina - 23635 overall]

Cordito Cubano & a seasonal drink
Savanna N.

Cute. Expensive but understandably. This isn't just another coffee shop, it's a coffee experience. Friendly and skilled staff. This is the second location I've been to and this one smells so goooood. Might be the in house churros, which come in 4 different flavors. My only complaint is the fact my glass had 2 pretty big chips in it and I had to be super cautious when drinking it. At this location I got a cortadito cubano and a seasonal "Until the End of the World" which futures a circular cardamom ice cube in a lowball glass accompanied with a beaker (?)((glass coffee pot?)) filled with a pour over concentrate from Rwanda. 10/10 on the flavor palette with that one. The cubano is a nice, warm and creamy balancing act when paired with my cold drink - yes I bought two coffees this menu is too interesting to not try more than one and my ADHD can handle it. Lots of culture in the building and lots to look at. If I lived here, I'd probably have this be my local coffee shop. There is beauty and warmth in this place. Oh, and did I mention in-house churros with FOUR different sugar flavors??? Might be getting some on my way out. TBD. Highly recommend this place for anyone traveling to the Durham area and there's multiple locations with the same warmth, just not the churro smell. Hehe

Orange and Cardamon Churros.  Iced Chai Latte and Lycee Lemonade
Andi W.

I love stopping by this place the staff is always nice and the food and drinks have so many elements that are made in house. The little one wanted churros and I knew exactly where to go to treat him to some. I had the cinnamon and cardamon and the orange flavor. Little man had the classic cinnamon ones and loved it. I got their Iced Chai Latte with blueberry and they made him a lycee lemonade that was soooo tasty.

Shanelle Y.

Visited this location for the first time on a Sunday afternoon. The coffee was delicious and came out quick. I usually can't finish a whole cup in one sitting and have to take it to go, but their autumn latte (with macadamia nut milk) was perfect and I had finished it in no time. Although the coffee itself was great, the service and ambiance could've been better. The employees were brusque and in general, I don't enjoy being approached and asked for money by strangers, but especially not when I'm trying to talk with a friend and enjoy a drink inside of a coffee shop ...

Why not??
Mari B.

I rarely give 5 stars BUT it all worked here! The staff, coffee, churros & ambiance were outstanding! The place makes you feel like you are in Mexico! Lots of seating available. Staff is fantastic! Cortado was perfect and the Frida latte was really good! The churros are the best part! You can watch someone make them and they have filled or unfilled with dipping sauces. We opted unfilled with cajeta and it was perfect! Definitely stop by for a coffee and churros if you're around!

Inside
Kori M.

Such a unique coffee shop! We loved the artwork and cozy vibe. The staff are super friendly and knowledgeable about all the direct drinks. We ended up ordering cinnamon sugar churros which were perfectly crispy and amazing. The Grenada drinking chocolate was so delicious that we couldn't stop inhaling the incredibly rich and chocolately aroma. We even kept sniffing the empty cup after finishing it. Absolutely loved this cafe and will be back!

Ami A.

What a great coffee shop and bakery! Long tables with bright Mexican oil cloth created a warm and fun vibe. Had a delicious harvest latter and harvest churros! A perfect treat!

Menu
Andrea A.

Classic Durham coffee shop and study spot! I got the Ashkal Halwa: Sweet Shapes (or Rosswater Bliss Latte); while it was tasty and I appreciated the ground pistachios, I was a bit disappointed as I could barely make out the rose water flavor. Had to get some churros of course. These were lovely snacks, fresh, crunchy on the outside, and pillowy on the inside with the perfect amount of sweetness. I could really appreciate the Cinnamon and Cardamom flavors, but can't say the same about the seasonal Orange flavor. Service was fast. Ambiance is good, there is a ton of space. However, on the weekends, it is bustling so expect lots of noise. Also, there aren't a ton of outlets. 7/10 would recommend! Will definitely come back to try other coffee options.

Tonny Y.

Love the feel of the space. Nice and open, there's also an outdoor space and lots of seating. The staff is wonderful. The drinks are pretty good, I got the matcha latte and the matcha was pretty strong. The chai latte was also delicious and it overly sweet. The churros though - yummy yummy!

Vanilla Latte & Frida Kahlo Latte

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8 months ago

Says dogs allowed on yelp but they will make you leave if you come inside with one. Good coffee.

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Ask the Community - Cocoa Cinnamon

Are dogs allowed inside?

Patio only, since food prep takes place inside (service animals are of course an exception).

What are the hours that they serve churros?

Their churros are made to order. They serve churros only at the Lakewood location.

Does this location serve tea?

Yes they do

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - Cocoa Cinnamon

And what's not to love about this coffee place?; Cuban cortado, churros, and free compost.

Mentioned in 64 reviews

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The Bean Flower

The Bean Flower

4.6
(23 reviews)
2.2 mi

So I'm absolutely in love with Bean Flower- not only do they have the best drink and unique Asian…read moredessert menu, they also have the cutest arrangement of stickers, art, pottery, and other knock knacks from local Asian-owned small businesses in the area. Love the vibes when you come in- it's a very hang-out friendly, sit-down and talk, can sit around and read with some background noise kind of vibe. They do have I think 1-2 small tables in the back! Really love the staff here, they gave really great recs and are so incredibly personable. I'm not kidding when I say that Bean Flower is constantly on my mind. It was Lunar New Year time around when me and my friend came! They gave us the CUTEST red envelopes with our order with a Bean Flower sticker. Absolutely in love- y'all come get your boba and desserts! We got their Thai tea and assam milk tea this time- I'm definitely coming back for their desserts to try next time too! I wish I had more money to buy all the art they had as well.

Went back with my family and tried a few other things, still an 8.5/10 would recommend (service &…read moreambiance are ofc chef's kiss): - Matcha Milk Tea with Ube Syrup and Boba: Ube was more distinguishable prior to mixing up the drink, but the matcha itself was tasty and that perfect vibrant green. - Viet Chai with Boba: Too strong for me, but my sister liked it! All the spices were interesting though, and the boba was nicely chewy. - Dou Hua (Chinese homemade silken tofu pudding in brown sugar ginger syrup): Not too sweet, clear ginger taste, fun texture.

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Thai tea
Thai tea
The Bean Flower
Seating area

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Seating area
Joe Van Gogh

Joe Van Gogh

4.8
(8 reviews)
2.1 mi

I have mixed feelings about JVG. I really enjoy their small shops, which are nice spots to work and…read morecatch up on email while having a good coffee or espresso and a sandwich. Overall, the espresso drinks I've had have been consistent. Nothing extraordinary, but good. Their breakfast sandwiches and burritos are quite tasty and are always on my short list for ordering. Between a coffee and a modest burrito, you're looking at $13. (Welcome to 2025, right?) My main issue is their regular coffee. I've tried their cold brew, American over ice, and others, but no matter what I do, I can't get a good cup of coffee that's bold rather than medium or light. I've ordered something I'd enjoy three times, but for some reason, it's never tasted great, and I end up not finishing it. That's a problem when I'm paying $4 per coffee. So, if you prefer dark or bold coffee, I wouldn't recommend this chain or this location. Bean Trader does a better job. Overall, it's a solid shop and seems to be a local favorite, but for those of us craving a very dark brew, I'd suggest looking elsewhere.

I've only ever been to the Joe Van Gogh location on Broad Street, and I was excited to try this…read moreone. The entrance was pretty hard to find; it is actually at the back of the building, but if you drive all the way around you should see it. It was very quiet when I came in on a Wednesday morning and I was able to get a lot of work done. I was a little sad that they charged extra for nondairy milk here because they don't at the other location, but I suppose $.25 isn't bad considering other places charge a dollar. Aside from that, no complaints! The baristas were super friendly and my drink was ready in no time.

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Inside
Inside
Iced vanilla oat latte at their soft opening - lifewithhanny
Iced vanilla oat latte at their soft opening - lifewithhanny
Free samples!

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Free samples!
Aaktun Coffee & Bar

Aaktun Coffee & Bar

4.4
(167 reviews)
1.8 mi
$$

English: TL;DR: Beautiful atmosphere, fantastic coffee and…read morefood, thoughtful modern Latin flavors, amazing breakfast/dinner spot, and Fernando, the manager, is awesome. We've been to Aaktun in Durham multiple times for both breakfast and dinner, and it's honestly become one of our favorite spots. I'm Peruvian and grew up with Peruvian cuisine, so seeing lomo saltado -- a classic Peruvian dish -- on the menu immediately made me happy. Having also grown up in Mexico and lived in places like Miami, I really appreciate what they're doing with the menu: a modern, delicious take on Latin flavors that feels creative without losing what makes those cuisines special. The atmosphere is absolutely beautiful. You walk in thinking it's a stylish little coffee shop, then head toward the back and the whole place opens up -- gorgeous bar, tropical touches, cozy alcove seating, really cool vibe. One time we went with friends for a special dining experience they were offering, and it was excellent. The food, drinks, and whole experience were made even better by Fernando, the manager, who has always been incredibly warm, helpful, and accommodating. Highly recommend Aaktun for breakfast or dinner. Still haven't made it there for lunch somehow, but at this point we'd be shocked if it wasn't great too. Spanish: TL;DR: Lugar precioso, café y comida excelentes, sabores latinos con un toque moderno muy bien logrado, y Fernando, el gerente, es increíble. Ya hemos ido varias veces a Aaktun en Durham para desayuno y cena, y sinceramente se ha vuelto uno de nuestros lugares favoritos. Soy peruano y crecí con la cocina peruana, así que ver lomo saltado -- un plato clásico peruano -- en el menú me hizo muy feliz. Además, habiendo crecido en México y vivido en lugares como Miami, me encanta reconocer cómo integran sabores latinos con una propuesta moderna y de fusión. Se siente creativa, diferente y sobre todo riquísima. La atmósfera además es espectacular. Entras pensando que es una cafetería bonita y acogedora, pero luego caminas hacia atrás y el lugar se abre por completo: un bar hermoso, detalles tropicales, mesas tipo alcove... una vibra buenísima. Una vez fuimos con unos amigos para una experiencia especial de cena que estaban ofreciendo y la pasamos increíble. La comida, las bebidas y toda la experiencia fueron aún mejores gracias a Fernando, el gerente, que siempre ha sido súper amable, atento y servicial. Recomendamos muchísimo Aaktun para desayuno o cena. Todavía no hemos ido para almorzar, pero honestamente nos sorprendería mucho que no estuviera igual de bueno.

"Part Dos - Mostly great, with a few exceptions"…read more Food temp is major in my book. While many of the food options were hot, several were not, and I believe that impacted the overall dining experience. We ordered classic breakfast and jerk chicken lunch options. For drinks: Cappuccino and Mango Refreshers. The good: (1) Fried rice - which accompanied the jerk chicken (served hot). While simple, the slightly earthy and bitter (in the best way possible) from the braised/steamed baby bok choy perfectly accompanied the earthy mushroom, and complex soy inspired fried rice. So good - this could be a vegan or meat side entree unto itself - IMO. (2) Scrambled Eggs - If you enjoy large curds of gently scrambled eggs - this is for you. While we enjoyed the remaining options for portion size and flavor, we did note that the temperature was cool to mid - which impacted overall flavor. Jerk Chicken: we understand this is a jerk inspired interpretation. With that being said, the most interesting flavor was limited to the crispy skin. Perhaps the chicken was immersed in a salt brine and basted with a jerk flavoring? We loved the white (perhaps mayo based sauce), and accompanied pickled red onion. But baby, the food temp. Yucca fries - if you're unfamiliar - are the baby of a green plantain and white potatoes. While good, they were not hot. Maybe could have benefited from a unique sauce? Food service good. But the biggest miss was the cheese hash browns and Mango Refresher. Hash brown (cheese) room temp, and tough - Mango Refresher - too tart and not worth the cost. As far as ambience: Customers were Hip, sexy, multi ethnic , and included old and young. We loved our waiter. Overall, a little disappointing especially considering we loved our first coffee breakfast visit so much. Not sure if it was an off day or we just prefer other menu options. However, we'd definitely visit again! Brunch/lunch: 4.2

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Iced autumn blaze latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny
Iced autumn blaze latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny
Jerk chicken
Jerk chicken
Iced dulce de leche latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny

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Iced dulce de leche latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny
Yonderlust

Yonderlust

4.8
(18 reviews)
1.4 mi

Very cute new coffee shop! They have a small lot and plentiful Brightleaf parking across the street…read more(although you do have to pay for that lot, and they aren't able to validate since they aren't technically part of Brightleaf). I got an iced decaf americano with vanilla, which was delicious and came in a glass since they knew I was sticking around. They have a lot of seating and the whole place feels bright, airy, open and clean. They also have a cute store on the left hand side of the space that sells outdoor clothing, shoes and gear. A welcome addition to the area!

It took me more than a year of coming here to write a review for Yonderlust, mostly because I'm…read moresurprised by how much this place grew on me. Yonderlust is more than just a coffee shop--it's one of those spaces where you can easily spend an entire afternoon without realizing how much time has passed. It's a fantastic study and work spot: a mix of table sizes, plenty of outlets, and a relatively quiet, calm environment that makes it easy to settle in. It has solid coffee: Drinks here are consistently pretty good. I usually go for their Campfire Latte (a signature for a reason) or whatever seasonal syrup they're featuring, and their matcha latte is reliable too. It has actual, warm food: simple but satisfying sandwiches with enough variety to make for a perfect study snack or light lunch. I am often disappointed when coffee shops only offer cold pastries. It has entertainment: I love taking a quick study break to browse the shop's outdoor gear and clothing; it honestly feels a little like being transported to the West Coast for a moment (give me some Oregan vibes!). Service has always been quick and friendly. I wouldn't say any single thing here is the best in Durham--but together, it is special! There are many days when I find myself craving a few cozy hours at Yonderlust, followed by a quick dessert next door at Rose's.

Photos
Order and pickup counter, Dec 2025.
Order and pickup counter, Dec 2025.
Yonderlust
Iced black sesame oat latte - lifewithhanny

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Iced black sesame oat latte - lifewithhanny

Cocoa Cinnamon - coffee - Updated June 2026

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