The outdoor seating alone should make this a 5-star review. And I'm close to granting one, but $3.12 feels a little steep for a 12-oz americano, and I don't like that they don't offer Equal or Splenda as sweeteners. Otherwise, this is a pretty cool place (at least on a nice day; the indoor seating is decent but less impressive). read more

As an ultimate latte-aholic, I am rarely more than blasé about this or that coffeehouse. It's all about the bean and machine for ultimate robust flavor delivery to the tastebuds, but baristas can enhance the experience. This place delivers on all fronts. However, I was disappointed that the espresso specialty drinks only come in 6 oz. or 12 oz. That makes sense, because it forces you to appreciate the delicate flavor blends and the coffee itself. However, I can do that with a 16 oz. or 20 oz., too - just saying. When walking to this coffee house, you will see an incredible array of outdoor seating to compete with any cafe. They don't serve cafe food though, so it is rather impressive! Dogs are welcome outside, but not inside. Step inside, and prepare to wait. There is a small seating area adjoining the main coffeehouse area, and, well, the line extended into that area. The aromas were enticing and exhilarating. The menu was the most comprehensive menu I have ever seen for a coffeehouse that is all coffeehouse, not coffeehouse-cafe. It was, again, impressive. It was intriguing to see so many wonderful flavor blends of syrups, spices and flavorings. This made the long wait line appreciated - how could I decide?! The addition of almond milk or soy milk is helpful, but the cost of it was a bit surprising. The prices here overall are reflective of the attention to the quality of the ingredients, creation, preparation and service. It is worth it. In addition, they have a few sweet treats that are pre-made, like chocolate bars and granola, tempting you as you stand in line. They also have baked goods from local artisans, including gluten-free and vegan items. The vegan gluten-free brownie may have been my favorite vegan gluten-free brownie, EVER. The size was perfectly aligned with the beverage sizes here at Cocoa Cinnamon. It's not always about quantity that makes for happiness. This place is coffeehouse utopia. Can we open one in DC? Thanks. read more

Love this coffee shop! My caramel latte was excellent, bold & flavorful. The ambience in the shop is really eclectic, laid back, and cool. The line was very long, but service was friendly and fast. Smaller indoor area, so seating may be scarce, but very comfortable. Also the outdoor seating is a nice setup and extension to the shop. Personally it's too cold for me to be outside, but they had a nice crowd out there. All in all great small shop with yummy desserts and fresh flavorful coffee. It's a must go in downtown! read more

Cocoa Cinnamon - Caramel lattes - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I always enjoy my experience when visiting this spot. I make a conscious effort to try a different flavor of the cafe' venue whenever I visit and I have yet to be disappointed. Although it can be a bit tight in space and get crowded rather quickly while awaiting your order, I must say that the atmosphere is laid back, eclectic, and comforting throughout. I must also say that the staff are always willing to take the time to educate you on their different concoctions and creations. As a side note...they also have outside seating which is great on those sunny days where you just want to sit outside and enjoy the days' breeze along with your caffe'. read more

With the weather finally becoming cheerful again, I ventured out to Cocoa Cinnamon, which was highly recommended to me by a group of super friendly guys at a bar. Near the American Tobacco Campus, this was a great location to catch up with friends on their outdoor patio area. If I were rating this solely on the ambiance, it'd be a 5! The drinks were good, although on the pricier side. I might be a bit of a coffee snob having worked at a coffee shop for a number of years, but I would have liked to see a little more effort with their latte art. I saw pictures of leaves, hearts, and swans on their website (and honestly, pretty standard latte fare anywhere that's not Starbucks/Peet's/Caribou), but got a glob of overly aerated milk. A little disappointing, but the espresso shots were pulled beautifully, so I didn't complain. Drinks rate at a 4. read more

Wonderful atmosphere - sustainable, reused, repurposed. The innovative options on the menu are endless. Four stars only because of the price of most of the specialty drinks are $5-6. However the best deal they have is drop back coffee in your own thermos for $2! I would come here every day. Reading outside is very nice. Bathroom is clean. The amount of pastries from local Guglhopf is nice. read more

Cocoa Cinnamon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I would come here more for the atmosphere and to hang out/catch up with friends than for the actual beverages. The Dr. Durham latte has received some rave reviews so I was excited to try it. Unfortunately, it just tastes like I ordered a normal latte and sprinkled some salt on top. And salty lattes just aren't that good in general? During another visit I tried the Durm fog (like a London fog) - it was just okay as well. I love their mugs and outdoor tables but the actual coffee did not live up to the hype. There are usually people working inside, but personally I would find it hard to focus. read more

Cocoa Cinnamon - Durm fog - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Cocoa Cinnamon is a really cozy place and yet another argument for why it would be great to live in or around downtown Durham. Whether you need a coffee to pick you up or you need something sweet and warm after an event in town, it's a great place to stop in and relax. If there is a downside, it is that like many of the places on Geer St. it can be a little difficult to access/park at/find a place to sit if there is anything going on down town. But if you have the time and need a warm place to relax with friends or family, this is a great place to walk to. read more

Yea this coffee pretty much rocked my world. I had a plain ole latte but it was something special, maybe due to the oat milk? Also the biscotti, get the biscotti. They put a lot of espresso into the latte and I like that, so get it cause you will be happy. In a hip part of town with a nice outdoor seating area. Prices are a little high but it's ok. Enjoy! read more

I love this place. Staff is friendly and their outdoor seating is so nice: you could work and people watch here for hours. That said, I don't really like their coffee. But the tea is good--especially the acculturations, and the bakery items are also. I love that they have gluten free options that actually taste delicious. But really, the outdoor seating is the star of the show: love the lumpy organic table shapes and the awning to make it pleasantly shaded. read more

Cocoa Cinnamon - You can see downtown from here... - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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We had some time to kill waiting for a show at the little theater across the street, so we thought we'd give this place a shot. Glad we did! The interior is just adorable, and the coffee is spectacular! We were a bit intimidated walking in the door, having never seen the menu or the layout...where do we order, what do we order, where do we wait, where do we pick up, are we cool enough to even be in here right now? Luckily, the guy behind the counter was quick to say hello and was very friendly, talking us through the menu, explaining their coffee, and offering advice on what to order. There were neat little things all about the shop to look at...local art, local chocolates, board games. And the cutest thing ever is the handmade stoneware they serve the drinks in. Each one is unique and quirky in it's own way. If I were ever to open my dream coffee shop, it would be exactly like this! read more

Cocoa Cinnamon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

If you are in Raleigh Durham and want a cool funky spot for a perfect latte this is it. The vibe is very chill and cozy. My latte is a work of art. read more

I had a pleasant experience here even though a few of my friends had complained about the slow service. The staff was super helpful and even let me try the different spices/sugars on my latte. Their concoctions are truly a form of art and is def innovative. I love that they bring a new coffee experience to their customers while also serving the traditional espressos/coffees :) occasional food trucks parked adjacent for some local-hipsterish fun! I think they should have something like "mint mojito ice coffee" from Phil'z (SF) for the summer!' read more

Cocoa Cinnamon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I was super excited to visit Cocoa Cinnamon because it seemed similar to a cafe in my hometown. Unfortunately, it was a big flop. I, along with a couple other people, couldn't tell where the line started or ended. There are laminated paper menus separate from the large chalkboard menu sign near the napkins and lids but no one directs you to them. This is important because the laminated paper menu has completely different drinks listed. Once I made a decision, I was told they didn't have any caramel, which was needed for my drink. WHAT???? This is like Taco Bell running out of beef, something that shouldn't happen. The sad part was that I wasn't offered anything else that is similar to the drink. The gentleman just looked at me with a blank stare. The only reason I didn't give 1 star was because they have a lot of outdoor seating, something that is a rarity in the cafe world. The customer service and their inventory needs to improve. Cafes are a dime a dozen these days and thus, need to be on point at all times. read more

I haven't yelped in a while? Just haven't felt the urge to. But this place made me want to yelp again. I loved the uniqueness of their drinks and the freshness of the pastries. I ordered a fall drink with notes of pumpkin and spice, it warmed me and was a nice reminder as to why it's worth it to venture out for good coffee. The rum cake was so good, I went back and got another slice the next day. I'm from out of town and didn't want to miss the chance to take a slice back. Parking was plentiful and the people inside friendly. read more

Love the atmosphere of this little coffee shop and the customer service is the best! Their flavored lattes are excellent. I normally don't like a strong coffee flavor, but the quality of their coffee leaves no bitter taste at all. Super delicious. I'll recommend this place over a chain coffee shop any day. read more

Cocoa Cinnamon - Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This place is really nice, and the specialty latte beverages are noteworthy. I particularly enjoyed the Dr. Durham; a latte with extra micro-foam + homemade vanilla topped with maca root powder, ginger root powder and black lava salt. The salt really adds a welcome addition to the other strong flavors. It's the type of drink that you sip slow, which was perfect because it was pouring outside! The inside is cozy, similar to being at a good friend's house. There were many conversations in various languages, and I enjoyed a fine book while taking occassional breaks to eavesdrop (shamelessly). Staff were super-friendly and welcoming. Bathroom was quirky and clean. I really enjoy this place, and feel like its owned its place within the thriving, ever-changing Durham cityscape. read more

This is my second time trying Cocoa Cinnamon. It's... fine. There isn't anything spectacular about the drinks. The prices are high, which I'm fine with for a good drink. However, theirs are lacking in flavor. I even asked for extra vanilla today and either didn't get it, or the normal level is zero. This is probably a good place if you love the taste of plain coffee. For the price, I'm expecting something more. Also got a lemon loaf which was ok, pretty dry and possibly a little old. read more

I love the coffee/espresso at cocoa cinnamon and the employees are awesome. However, the building itself makes it impossible to work here because of the cheap tables/chairs that are uncomfortable to work at. If you need to use the restroom, there is a key (which is fine) but be careful because the door doesn't shut properly, so you likely will ask for the single key to the single bathroom and open it up on someone who was able to get in bc of the broken door. They don't have a way to lock the door inside.. to me It's unacceptable for a place charging 7 dollars for a latte with tip to not have a functioning lock inside their door (can simple be a deadbolt to fix the issue). I won't go back again after this happened to me. An uncomfortable situation to say the least. Also get a soap dispenser, it's a couple bucks on Amazon and has the same readability as the cheap chef bottle you guys are using. read more

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PLACE! Amazing selection of coffee. Such as nice ambiance. I wouldn't recommend place to somebody wanting to study, but if you're a coffee love this is the place for you read more

Best coffee I can remember having in a very long time. Cool atmosphere as well. Worth a visit. read more

Cocoa Cinnamon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I hate to do this because this is a local coffee shop close to my house and I want to love it. I was really disappointed on my last visit Saturday morning. Their was not too much of a line before I got up to the counter. I am guessing their was a long line before I got there though. I placed my order for a cappuccino to go and I know they only have 1 size. The cappuccino took a really realy long time to make. I knew they were backed up and typically I am very patient and understanding. When my cappuccino was ready it was half the size it normally was filling only halfway up the small cup. On top of that it was a really bad cappuccino and I had to throw it out when I got outside. The line inside was insane and I did not have the patience to bring this to the attention of the staff. I probably will find another coffee place to get my morning delight. This was just not acceptable. read more

Wonderful environment and friendly staff! Perfect for college students who want a getaway from campus with friends. read more

Cocoa Cinnamon - Cinnamon pull apart. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I was quite excited to try this place, but my drink definitely let me down! The people were very friendly and the space was cool and comfy, so 5 stars for those categories. I got a latte and saw that they had some fig and lavender syrup on the board (recommended to try in a latte), so I added that. Unfortunately the syrup had quite a few fig chunks in it, which made for an unpleasant drinking experience. At over $4 for an 8 oz latte with little bits of unexpected fruit, I was disappointed. I know they're known for their hot chocolate, sipping chocolate, and other specialty drinks, so I'll definitely come back to try some other items. When I do, hopefully my rating will go up! read more

Amazing churros and drinking chocolate! Such a fun unique space. Loved the cardamom churros, perfectly crispy and complex flavor profile that is a must try read more

An old-school microphone like Elvis used to use hangs from the ceiling as they call out orders. The staff friendly the menu is great I had the Mexican Caramell ice coffee it was delicious . There's tons of selections of specialty chocolate drinks if you're into that! read more

Cocoa Cinnamon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I'm in Love!!! After having an amazing interview at Duke I needed a moment to just relax and get in my zone. I found this cute rustic coffee shop nearby ( used to be an old gas station) and they serve the best coffee along with homemade sweets ( as well as vegan). I had the apple turnover and Dr Durham latte (house made vanilla syrup, maca & ginger, topped with black lava salt) yum!! The atmosphere both indoor and outdoor is relaxed, great music, not loud, free wifi, plenty of seating, super awesome baristas etc etc! Great job , I'll be back! read more

Great coffee, but kinda expensive. The titles of drink are well thought out and clever. I am excited to try their other flavors!

Our go to place for high quality coffee and non- sugar laden specialty drinks. Cocoa cinnamon roasts their own coffee beans and it has a rich and toasty flavor which I much prefer to the more acidic counter culture beans most other cafes use. Their chocolate drinks are the closest thing you will get to the chocolate drinks sold on the roadside of Oaxaca, Mexico. With lovely owners and exciting decor to boot, I hope this business will stay and delight the serious Triangle coffee drinkers for many years to come! read more

Cocoa Cinnamon - Coffee and churros anytime of the day! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Great coffee, good service, but very little seating space. Definitely the place to go food a conversation with friends, but not a good place to study. read more

This place is Amazing!! Today was my first time checking out this place that I kept seeing on the google coffee shop suggestions... I'm so glad I went! Super hippie, homey feel, quaint, laid back atmosphere!! The barista and cashier were super nice and helpful!! When I told her it was my first time, she was so excited to suggest me some coffees that were very popular. She was patient and they even have 12 and 20 ounce sizes, which is great for coffee lovers as me!! I ordered her suggestion of the lavender rose petal latte, AMAZING!! Even though I thought of getting a plain cappuccino, she upscale my purchase by a few bucks but I'm so glad she did!! I loved this place!! I think I found a new spot for my weekends!! Thanks Cocoa Cinnamon, you rocked my Sunday!!! read more

I love Cocoa Cinnamon! I haven't had their coffee but I'm sure it'd be the bomb. Their Cacao Canela (pretty sweet) and the Kublai Khan (not as sweet) are the bomb! I dream of those drinks. Their baristas are cool as hell. The indoor space is more than a little weird and I don't think it's particularly comfortable. I've tried working there before and it's never, ever comfortable. I'd rather sit outside which I think is pretty awesome especially during nice weather. The drinks are delicious, the service is friendly and it's in Durham, weird capital USA and I love it! So yeah! They're killing it and obviously others love it too. Can you say multiple locations? You sure can! So go there. Cause you'll probably like it. read more

The seating and coffee was nice. I would say its not the best place for studying because the chairs aren't that comfortable. Only outdoor seating at the moment! read more

I am usually not impressed with cafés or chocolatiers that are chains, but this place has some of the best drinking chocolate I've ever tried! So glad that I decided to try it during my Duke visitation. Would highly recommend! read more

I would sin for this coffee ... that's how damn good it is. French roast is my fave and love the atmos. Total check out for a quick cup or a nice bite read more

Staff is usually friendly, though it's a new person nearly every time. Coffee is pretty good. Lots of people work here during the day so its not much for atmosphere. Overall: somewhat average coffee shop. + : locally owned, quality bakery options (mostly from Guglhupf) - : high staff turnover, often questionable music playing (very loud or just bad), & TONS of flies inside (counted 15+ last time ) read more

Ever want to just lay your head down on the counter after trying to communicate with people who are in the service industry and expect tips but down want to do actual work or even offer service. Ok, ok we know coffee here is OVERPRICED, that is not a shock, because we are hoping to go into places and have available to us a higher expectation in the quality of coffee. I will give them that, albeit they are higher prices for better quality product but when you realize on their website that employees get 13 dollars an hour AND expect tips on top of that for preparing coffee, it kind of makes you sick to your stomach. Even worse for 13 dollars an hour the girl wouldn't even toast/heat up my PASTRY! AND they had a TIP JAR. I mean the hubris of this place. Either pay a living wage or get rid of the tip jar. The bigger problem is that these people at BOTH places DON'T want to bother even helping serve you at all. They ACT as if you are BOTHERING them when you ask questions. I went to both and out of the two I'm not sure which is worse. The service is horrible in both places. I just don't get it at all. read more

Great coffee, cool vibe. Light on chow and non- coffee options. Outside seating is primo read more

Cocoa Cinnamon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Yes, this place is so saturated with hipstery-ness, you may walk in as your usual self and walk out wearing horn-rimmed glasses and a cardigan, and explaining to your friends why David Foster Wallace is the modern-day Ulysses (or something). But if you are willing to accept that risk, you will be rewarded with some of the best and most unique coffee in the area. I'm not talking about your usual lattes...that's where Cocoa Cinnamon really has one up on even the better coffeehouses in the area. Here you'll find creative stuff, like the Moctezuma (dulce de leche latte with cayenne pepper), the Tower of Babel (honey latte with date sugar), the Temujin (white chocolate latte with ginger)...to name a few of my personal favorites. They also have an extensive variety of coffees that they brew by hand, if you're more of a coffee purist. If coffee isn't your thing, they also serve hot chocolate made from your choice of a variety of single-origin chocolates. My only complaint is that the indoor seating is very limited. There is a large covered outdoor space with tables, which is great in the warmer months, but doesn't do much good in the winter. If you're lucky, you may be able to get a spot at one of the bar stools inside, but more than likely you will end up standing or just having to take your beverage to go. There are some couches and comfy easy chairs inside, but they are always occupied by people on their laptops. You might think you can wait them out...that one might get up and leave eventually, and you might be able to snag a comfortable seat. Trust me, it isn't going to happen. I think they may actually live there. Or that they are hired by the establishment to sit there during all hours of operation and pretend to write screenplays on their Macbooks, to provide the right ambiance. I'm sorry, I just can't help myself. It comes from a place of love, it really does. You're the best, Cocoa Cinnamon! Also, if you are trying to describe this place to a friend so they can meet you there, don't describe it as: "the building that looks like an abandoned garage". While it's a pretty apt description, your friend may end up accidentally trying to break into the back of the Hispanic grocery store a few buildings down. (I want to make that clear because it actually happened to someone I know...not naming any names...) read more

I was really tempted to give this place 4 stars due to the number of insufferable Duke students around, but ultimately the business itself is just too good to hold them accountable for those who patron them. We were hunting some Counter Culture beans on the drive through NC, from my parents place back up to DC, hoping to find something different than what's available in our area. We saw that Cocoa Cinnamon was a vendor, but when I tweeted to them to confirm they indicated they only had one bag left. Despite my pleas, it was sold by the time we got there, so we had to settle for something else and enjoyed some treats while we were there. The setup of this shop is pretty enviable if you're an entrepreneur looking to part some hipsters from their money. It looks like an old garage / workshop, has a nice big patio, and has been left mostly in a "restored" state of being, rather than a remodeled one. It's vintage everything, and these people eat that shit up (myself included). The list of both coffee and small batch chocolate drinks is extensive here, one of the longest I've seen that doesn't involve simply pumping syrups into your cup. You can also get almost all of their additives in single dose form if you just want a bit of flavor added to your regular coffee. The service here was friendly, and ultimately pretty quick considering the number of people standing around waiting. We both decided to have large flavored lattes, myself the "Moctezuma" (with dulce de leche and a dash of cayenne) and her the "See-Line Woman" (with molasses, chocolate, and vanilla). My latte was really just fantastic, in fact it might actually be my favorite coffee drink ever. The richness of the dulce de leche made it so pleasing to drink, and that little bite from the cayenne in each sip was invigorating. If I lived near here this would certainly be -my- drink, and back when I was in Chapel Hill this would have made me cross the border. I was less enamored with her latte, as the molasses added too much dark, oily sweetness for me, perhaps an intentional nod towards the drink's namesake song by Nina Simone about prostitutes in the old South. We also scored two cookies (don't recall the bakery name, sorry), which were both great. One was a toffee and chocolate chip, and the other a double chocolate with sea salt. They were both really moist but still firm enough to break without falling apart. These are the perfect coffee pairing snacks. The "shop" section of Cocoa Cinnamon has a decent amount of coffee and chocolate related things to purchase, but the prices are definitely steep. I'm sure it's all artisanal buzzword type stuff, but nothing I'm so curious about that I felt compelled to splurge on. The coffee we wound up getting to take home was from Carrboro Coffee Roasters, the Finca Santa Isabel, an El Salvadorean roast from their Harvest Selection. It was actually rather fortuitous that they were out of Counter Culture beans, because this was probably one of the best grinds I've ever had the pleasure of making, and I'll definitely be hunting Carrboro's products in the future (where I can hopefully get them for less than the $16 per bag here). read more

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