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I was visiting family in Durham for thanksgiving, and when I said I wanted to go to a coffee shop during the weekend, Cocoa Cinnamon was the top recommendation by our hosts! It was a great recommendation at that. I got the RWAAQ, which is a "A date latte with cardamom, cinnamon & roasted pecans topped w/ cinnamon dusted pecans." Very interesting and very yummy! I give Cocoa Cinnamon brownie points for having the coolest and most creative drinks. I wanted to give them all a try to see what the flavors were like! Also, if you come to this location, you must get the churros!! My family was saying that they were the best churros we've all ever had. They are perfectly fried and coated in sugar - yummmmm! The inside of Cocoa Cinnamon is very cute. The area around it seems like it could be a little iffy, but there wasn't much foot traffic in the morning, so it stayed pretty calm and quiet.
We went in for a quick coffee. The place is so cute. Spacious. Lots of people inside on their laptops as it is close to Duke University. The service was excellent. It was our first time there and she was patient and explained the menu. This was a traditional coffee spot so none of the chain menu options. We loved the coffee. Would definitely go again. We did see them serving churros with various toppings but didn't try any.
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.
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.
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
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]
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
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.
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 ...
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!
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!
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!
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.
I will definitely be returning to this coffee shop. The customer service was excellent. There is plenty of seating. There is also outside seating for when the weather is warmer. I had a matcha latte which was pretty tasty. While there, I saw the churros and they looked like something I need in my life. Definitely trying those next. read more
4 years ago
3 years ago
Really nice seasonal drinks. Beautiful atmosphere. Churros are a must. Always a good stop when in Durham! read more
2 years ago
Beautiful spot from the natural light to the murals and bright community style tables. My kids loved watching the hot churros come out of the fryer and get dusted. The ice cream churro sandwich with rainbow sprinkles was so legit. Despite a 25 min wait, it was a great spot on a rainy day. It's cool that each store has its own vibe. A mother daughter duo was cross stitching over sipping chocolate. Great spot to meet a friend and treat yourself read more
2 years ago
A truly unique spot in Durham! We visited while staying in town for the weekend and loved the artsy ambiance. Coffee is amazing and make sure to try the churros. We got the raspberry ones and they did not disappoint! read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
I love Cocoa Cinnamon and can't recommend it enough. The coffee and churros are amazing, and the atmosphere is perfect for doing work, reading a book, or meeting up with friends. Pen, one of the baristas, has made an effort to remember my name and coffee order and is always so friendly! If you're ever in the area or live near by, Cocoa Cinnamon is a must! It has become one of my favorites since I've moved to the area. read more
4 years ago
If I lived closer to Durham this place would be my go-to study spot! With huge windows at the entrance, there is so much natural light that fills the room. I love the long tables which allows much more seating so I don't have to worry about not having a seat. My friend came to solely watch Netflix and they can say that the Wifi works super well. Moving onto their churros... They are so so good! You can order different flavors including cinnamon and sugar (my favorite) and a orange zest. They also recommend chocolate to dip the churros in but I prefer them without! I love a warm and fresh churro and that's exactly what Cocoa Cinnamon provided! read more
I spent a few hours here and enjoyed it. Both the food and staff are wonderful. I had a Moka and a cinnamon churro- both very tasty. The only drawback is the seating is a bit strange- long shared tables. However overall I would say this is a great place to visit if you are craving something chocolate or sweet. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
8 years ago
I like the concept of Cocoa Cinnamon. A local, friendly coffee shop that embraces the neighborhood it's in. This newer location in Lakewood has signs in both Spanish and English, as well as churros with four different sugar options, including cardamom and orange! I stopped in to hang out with some friends on a Saturday afternoon. The place was really busy! The parking lot was almost completely full and the line took probably 20 minutes, minimum, to get through. But there was plenty of seating and the drinks came out quickly. I shared an order of 4 churros with my table, and had a peppermint tea. The people I was with ordered lattes and were happy to see macadamia nut milk and oat milk were non-dairy options! The tables are really pretty and fun, covered in a flower pattern. Some of the tables are long and there was clearly a group having a meeting of some sort there. In general, I wouldn't stop in here if I was in a hurry- leave that to Starbucks (which is classified as fast food, I recently learned). I would definitely be prepared to wait in line. And I would definitely always order some churros! read more
3 years ago
7 years ago
Favorite coffee shop in Durham! Love that there's plenty of parking here too. Favorite item was the cinnamon chocolate! They have delicious pastries too! Everytime I come here though, I have trouble finding seating, so maybe I need to tweak the time I visit when it's not prime coffee time. read more
I am absolutely infatuated with Cocoa Cinnamon. The menu is delightful - full of interesting flavor combos that I haven't seen anywhere else in Chapel Hill and Durham. Reading the menu, you learn about or are able to honor people, icons, terms, and items of historical and cultural significance. The atmosphere is great - very open with lots of tables. Outlets are few and far between, but strangers will share tables and willingly snake their cords around chairs for each other. I didn't have churros but I will next time! I had a cranberry scone that was fluffy as a cloud. Will be back for my next productive coffee shop work day! read more
4 years ago
3 years ago
Fresh Churros. I am not huge on churros but these were fresh made, crispy crunchy, flavorful and not oily. We got one of each, all tasted great, I actually liked the plain sugar the best. They had cinnamon, orange sugar, and cardamon. Loved their Chai Latte too. I liked that it's not too sweet. Good mix of chai, vanilla, and honey. Great environment and decor. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
7 years ago
Hands-down my favorite coffee shop and study space in Durham! Cocoa Cinnamon has been featured in a number of food magazines and blogs and for good reason. The coffee is strong, drink options innovative and unique, and space warm and inviting. Each of the three Cocoa Cinnamon locations has a unique menu and vibe. Personally, I like this location best for studying and working, especially in groups, as it has the largest available indoor table seating, as compared to couches and outdoor options available at other locations, and many available electrical outlets. All locations have wifi, but of note, wifi at this location is available from 7:30am until 10:00pm weekdays and only after 5pm on weekends. Cocoa Cinnamon also features some astounding art from around the world, adding to the ambiance. I once happened to be here when an artist was putting up her work -- she had traveled all the way from Japan to feature her unique wood block carvings and paintings in Durham in Cocoa Cinnamon among other local venues. Regarding drinks and food, you really can't go wrong. The baristas are knowledgeable and can help you pick out a coffee, latte, old-world hot chocolate, or tea, and I'd say that just for good measure, one should always get a churro to pair. ;) Of note, they only sell churros at this location! For a solid quick coffee stop, a beautiful latte, or just a nice place to catch up on some work, Cocoa Cinnamon is a gem in Durham. read more
4 years ago
Loved the experience. They work very hard in this place. Every time I go the churros are hot and made on the spot, it's always clean and welcoming. There's always something new to try on the drink menu as well. read more
5 years ago
The churro situation here is awesome! They make them while you watch. The roasting operation is pretty good. We buy beans there. The complaint I had is that our coffees we ordered were barely hot and mine had a lot of grounds in it. read more
5 years ago
2 years ago
4 years ago
Lemon-lavender sugar on the churros was my favorite! Amazing selection of in-house roasted coffee beans too. Will definitely be back. read more
7 years ago
I was kinda nervous to go to this location because I read that it's normally packed with students that judge people that bring kids. It's kinda true haha! They stare and stuff when you walk in and sit down, but I decided not to let it bother me. The inside is so beautiful and colorful. I love the colorful tables. The food and drinks were great too. I got a churro with cardamom and Chocolate Helado Mexican, basically an iced hot chocolate with cinnamon. The churro was warm and crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. I wish I would have gotten a drizzle of something. The employee wasn't very warm towards us. Maybe because I asked a question about the Shop Durham Card and she had to explain they changed the deal? I probably would go back again since there are a lot of non coffee options here and it's good for the price. read more
6 years ago
Drink menu has expanded! And so have the desserts! This place keeps getting better and better They had limited drinks at this location, but they've added some of the original location staples and some new ones! Pictured here: the Al Khawarizmi (named after a famous, ancient mathematician) read more
4 years ago
A must try if you are in the area! I always come by and I always invite friends when I'm here. 10/10 The churros are best when they're hot! read more
4 years ago
2 years ago
My Yelp elite sister Zainab and I are obsessed with all the Cocoa Cinnamon locations. This one is great because they have churros! There's plenty of tables and outlets to allow for a good sit down and work session if that's what you need. Equally good for a catch up date with a friend or whatever you need. In the background, there are excellent coffee shop versions of your favorite songs playing. The folks working here are the friendliest. And let's not forget how colorful this coffee shop is! I could go on forever about their drinks - they have the Al Khwarizmi and La Frida, which are personal favorites and a testament to the inclusivity valued by the place. Makes me wish I lived in the Research Triangle so I could come out here to work on days off! read more
6 years ago
Are you a hot chocolate purist? Look no further and head straight to cocoa cinnamon. This is truly one of the very few places where I have seen serious hot chocolate options in the menu. And, worry not, it tastes EXACTLY how it is supposed to! A single sip will make you realize the quality of chocolates they use to prepare it. They have vegan hot chocolate as well as non-dairy options. My first visit to the Chapel Hill road location was very impressive. Mind you, this is the only location where they serve fresh hot churros. Located in a very quaint neighborhood in Durham, this is yet another local gem. I must say that the main reason for my visit was to get my churro fix and hot chocolate and I was so satisfied with it. The staffs here are so sweet and one of the baristas was so helpful in making me understand the hot chocolate ingredients and how it is made. And, she even made a unicorn latte art on my husband's latte. He mentioned that it tasted great too! I ordered a vegan hot chocolate-churros combo. They basically have 4 different sugars you can coat the churros in and I got them all. My favorite was the cardamom sugar. The hot chocolate was perfect quantity and the sweetness was apt for my liking. This is a great spot for co-working. I will definitely be back sometime soon for more churros and hot chocolate. read more
6 years ago
More info about Cocoa Cinnamon
2013 Chapel Hill Rd
Durham, NC 27707
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http://www.cocoacinnamon.com
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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.
