I had my first Grey Squirrel at the Chapel Hill Library, a decaf expresso. I didn't like the "flat" taste, but then I'm not a connoisseur of coffee. To sweeten it, I added cane sugar (I prefer stevia), along with creme and almond milk. I'd like to venture over to Chapel Hill and try the cafe there. I think I'd like the maple blend. On the positive, the library barista was quite professional and knew her stuff. I liked the placing of the tables in the Chapel Hill Library cafe, which encourages conversation. Scones and other delights are also available.e Can't wait to bring my son here -- he lives in Boston and I think he'd be impressed. Both he and his wife went to UNC and really know their coffee. read more

The drinks were okay. Not great, not bad. For the price, they probably should be better. The location is great but the ambience leaves much to be desired. Sound bounces off the concrete floor and makes conversation difficult and working without headphones undesirable. The seats are wooden stools or wooden benches and clearly telegraph the point that the coffee shop does not want you to stay long. Go to Open Eye, Looking Glass, or Carolina Coffee Shop--all are close by and have better coffee and ambience. read more

This was kind of gross. The iced coffee was sludgy, burnt and the cream that came in it was in clumps like curdles. After a few sips I threw out the entire $4 cup... what a waste! read more

Pour overs and lattes here are fantastic. Their cold brews are great as well! Their menu has some variety, but isn't overwhelming. Gray Squirrel has convenient parking and has both a great interior and exterior patio to find a place to sit and work/chat. Wifi is reliable for those whose lives depend on internet connectivity like me. You'll find that this place gets busy most mornings, but most folks are on their laptops or reading, so it never feels too loud. Too bad it's not open late for evening or late night studying! But if you're looking for a daytime study spot, I'd recommend this place. read more

This is nice vibes modern cafe getaway for any task. I got the macchiato with whipped cream on the side. The outlets are a bit hidden if you need a charge. I wish the hours were a lot longer during the week. read more

Gray Squirrel Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

I've come a couple dozen times now. The people seem really nice, the coffee really is tasty (and so are the specialty drinks... I get mochas sometimes), the place is clean (great bathrooms), and it's a good place to work. The only negative is that the specialty drinks take a long time. But honestly I'm not even going to mark it down for that. They're really tasty, and I'm typically here to work anyway, and not tapping my foot to move on with a to-go order. I've been very productive in this place, so if you're looking for a good place to do remote work, I recommend it, as long as you don't mind conversational noise in the background. (It's a cafe, not a library.) read more

Gray Squirrel Coffee fills the need in Carrboro for a chic, spacious coffee shop. There's plenty or room and outlets for working and tables for collaborating. I love the coffee menu - simple but with a few unique options, like the maple latte and lavender latte. I continue to support them because they pay their employees a living wage, which I appreciate. And their molasses cookie is divine. I wish their prices were cheaper, but I understand that they value fair pay for their employees and local partnerships. read more

Found this gem of a coffee shop over MDW while visiting family in Chapel Hill. Reminds me of some of my favorite study spots in NYC and what I wish existed in Boston. In true quirky coffee shop form, this doubles as a brewery and tap room. There are large, rustic wooden tables, plenty of natural light and tons of local flair. Beers on tap are local and they take their coffee seriously. My brother got a chicory cold brew slightly sweetened with cane sugar. I got a maple latte which is the best latte out there and I can't fathom why more coffee shops don't do it! Five stars, gray squirrel. You deserve it. read more

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This coffee shop has a cool atmosphere and yummy coffee. My friends and I went on a cold rainy day for some hot drinks and we got two flat whites with oat milk, a cappuccino, and an earl grey tea. They kindly wrote on my cup sleeve the time that my tea would be done steeping. The only reason I'm giving this place 4 and not 5 stars is that the employees were not very friendly and they didn't seem very happy - not sure if they just weren't happy to be there or if they were annoyed that we were there. read more

I like red eyes. I'm sorry Gray Squirrel! I just like the espresso mixed with my coffee. I'll do better, I promise. My mom hates me because I'm an uncultured buffoon, and so does the staff at Gray Squirrel. All because I like a red eye when I'm sleepy! But for real you guys are jerks. read more

Great place to work in carrboro with lots of natural light and a variety of seating options, from outside patio to tables inside to the bar to the interesting stadium style seating by the door. I'm not a coffee drinker but they had a steamed maple milk that I tried and thought was delicious. It can get busy with the exam schedule at UNC but now that it is summer it is much easier to find a spot to sit. Not surprised it's popular, it's probably one of the best coffee shops in carrboro. read more

Gray Squirrel Coffee - Maple milk n ginger snappin - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

Not my fav so far, but this is why I love exploring coffee shops! They aren't the most inviting staff here, and the ambience isn't of a positive energy or vibe:/ The parking is good , and the seating indoors and out is great! They don't have skim milk , just whole, almond & others. No flavors for coffee but maple syrup thankfully. Not much in choices of pastries , that's about it . Large open area and windows I love...but this place needs to revamp their welcoming act and the music was too low to hear . Maybe it's better on a different day :/ read more

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Coffee was great. If I wanted something sweeter, the Maple Latte (I think they make their own syrup), and Golden Milk Latte sounded great.

Gray Squirrel Coffee Company aka a giant hipster space with a lot of natural light is actually pretty cool. Despite the fact that the sassy barista mixed up my drink order and then blamed it on me, I can't be salty because the coffee was THAT good. Being from Asheville, I'm accustomed to hipster coffee shops, and although Gray Squirrel has a similar ambience, the decor made it more of a "modern hipster." The space was huge, filled with natural light and decorated with modern industrial furniture. From what I gathered, it was a shared space with a local brewery. Cool, I guess. Like I said above, my coffee was GOOD. I guess when you put a talented barista and a simple drink order- an Americano in my case- together that's what you get. I probably won't have the chance to go back because I visited Gray Squirrel on a mini vacay, but if I do I hope to bring some friends. The space looked to be a popular social gathering spot. My only wish is that they improve their customer service. After reading a few other reviews, complaints about unkind staff seem to be a recurring issue. Hmmm.... Should be addressed by the management. A good cup of coffee can only get you so far before people stop coming back because of poor service. read more

Great place to study or get caught up on work! The male barista was very friendly and happy to explain the different types of drinks that I was unfamiliar with. I got a toddy and ginger snap - both very good! I appreciated that they have a "for here" option to avoid waste. Also I've heard that they don't accept tips because the employees are paid a fair wage already. The shop was pretty full, but there were still open seats and outlets - though it may be different if you come during the school year or weekends, I came around 1:30 on a Monday in July. It also may not be the best place if you want to gather and socialize with a group of people, since most people were on their laptops and the place was pretty quiet. Overall - nice, clean, spacious area, very chill atmosphere, good drinks, and great music. Definitely will be back! read more

I always try to start with the positives, and Gray Squirrel was not awful. They had a nice and clean space, with an overall good vibe. The outdoor seating was particularly enjoyable because it was a nice day outside. However, my customer service experience and coffee were certainly sub-par. The woman who took my order was not jovial in the slightest, and would not offer her personal opinion on the drinks, despite my urging. I find it very helpful to know what the employees themselves enjoy, and she was tentative to reveal whether she even knew how to utilize an adjective. I, on the other hand, enjoy being verbose. Her attitude was bland, unhelpful, and overall just disappointing. Additionally, I ordered the Maple Latte, which had barely a hint of maple in it. I will likely not go back, neither will my fiancee who was equally displeases with the service and her Chai Tea Latte. read more

I was really impressed with Gray Squirrel. I don't consider myself a coffee connoisseur by any means, but my girlfriend is a barista, so my coffee IQ is a bit higher than if I'd been left to my own devices. Although I ordered a mocha (something that I feel highlights my not-a-coffee-afficionado status), on first sip it was obvious that the milk was incredible. The luscious texture of its phenomenal microfoam set this drink distinctly apart from any other latte I can recall. If I'd have known the milk was going to be so good, I'd have skipped the mocha and gotten a regular latte. The mocha was made from cocoa powder, which at first was a suspicion based on taste, and then evident from the few unmixed clumps in the bottom of my mug. I also tasted some of their house-made espresso-infused whipped cream on the suggestion of the very personable guy who took our order. It was excellent -- I wish I had a supply of it at home. My girlfriend is much more enmeshed in the third wave coffee world, and after getting the 411 on their coffees, ultimately decided to try their espresso first. She was pleased with the doppio, and the quick sip I took was smooth and bright without being sour. It was served with a small glass of sparkling water as a palate cleanser, which is a nice touch. With both of us more than pleased already, my girlfriend went back for another drink, this time a Kyoto (i.e. ice drip). This, too, was excellent, boasting a very clean, refreshing acidity. Had the coffee been trashy, I'd probably not bother commenting on the space itself, but since it was so good, let me say also that I appreciated the ambiance. It was spacious and organized with plenty of tempered natural light, and music that was upbeat but quiet enough to feel relaxing. I'm not saying you're going to love the Gray Squirrel, but we sure did. Probably you won't be as impressed if you're into really dark roasts or want a cup of diner coffee; but then again they might surprise you, too. I say give it a shot. In fact, make it a double. read more

Gray Squirrel Coffee - Espresso-infused whipped cream. You're damn right it's good. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

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I had a maple latte with almond milk. Really good. Comfortable spot.

Love the new space!!! Very friendly, bright, airy, community tables are awesome and they have the hipster vibe on point. I hope they extend their hours as Carrboro needs another space to stay open late since everyone camps out in Open Eye and it's always hard to find a spot down there. Prices are fair, not a big fan of one sizes and the fact that they don't have flavors. Having the option of basic flavors like vanilla or almond or what have you help to make the espresso not so heavy. read more

Gray Squirrel Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

So I'm actually a little torn about this place and I was in between giving it 3 or 4 stars because I think it really depends on why you're coming here. The space: is actually pretty small and there's really not a lot of seating available. There's also this big nook where they could have set up tables, but instead put these kind of benches I guess? It's mostly small 2 person tables, window high top seating and 1 big table. It's a little cramped, but there is some outside seating. So if you're coming here to study (like me) it may be hard to find a place to sit (I can only imagine how packed it must get during the school year). But the decor is very sleek and hip and there's free wifi and free parking. I think the J-line can also drop you off very close to it. Beverages and food: It's not the most expansive beverage menu, but that's fine. Their coffee and drinks are good and the coffee milk designs are super cute and all that. They don't really have much food choice....just a couple baked goods options (maybe to discourage people from camping out there all day doing work?). Also I think their prices are more of the $$ level. It's not cheap, but what can you expect at a locally owned hipstery coffee place?! Service: The baristas are SUPER SUPER friendly and smiley! Honestly I think that's what I liked the most about the place. They can definitely brighten your day, so kudos to them! Overall, the place is cute. Maybe not the best to work/study at, but then again there doesn't seem to be a ton of options for this in the area. Good coffee, great service. Kind of pricey, but comparable to all the other coffee shops, and don't come here hungry. read more

Really enjoyed this space- the natural light is beautiful and inspiring. Ordered an oat milk latte (first time trying it!), which was actually pretty great! Lots of space to study- communal tables as well as window seats and big wooden steps (outlets are only located here). One complaint though is that the chairs do not have backs. Loved the feel. Outside seating seems great when the weather is nice. Would definitely go back. read more

Gray Squirrel Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

First review ever - Yowzaa ! Run - don't walk and get yourself an amazing coffee ASAP. Such a great space , terrific owner and delicious fig almond biscotti ! And the beer at night is superb btw - I Feel like I'm back in Portland or San Francisco where going for coffee was a true pleasure in every sense. Bravo . read more

Clean, modern, open interior that makes you feel like you can stay all morning. Very friendly interaction with barista that lead to an informative conversation. Started with a 'short' Americano that they nailed and followed that with a batch brew to go. Didn't expect much given the nature of how it was prepared but by the time I was halfway through I realized that they took a lot of time dialing this brew in. I'd go so far to say that this is the best batch brewed coffee I've had. One other detail worth mentioning is they have some raised table space that makes it easy to stand and work on the laptop which is something that somebody who sits for a living can appreciate. This spot will be my go to each time I'm in town. read more

Great coffee, little to no food option. Plenty of seating indoors and outdoors. Good to get some work done. Unfriendly staff though

The lattes are never very strong, but I rarely care because it's on the way to work. Some days you get a barista who cares, other days... I think their no-tipping policy does them more harm than good. I'd happily tip if it meant getting someone with a customer oriented attitude read more

I tend to base reviews more on quality of what they're trying to sell than anything, so this will reflect that. I find the drip coffee here to be mediocre--and that's what I'm most likely to get at a coffee shop. Also, the portions are inadequate. You get an espresso-sized shot of drop coffee for $2 and a normal sized cup for $3. The fancy coffee prices are fine, but I still think that if you are a coffee shop, you should sell good coffee in fair portions. If I were to rate this on the space and the music, I'd give it a much better rating. The seating is pretty nice, it is spacious, the outdoor area is great, and they play good music. Just work on the drip coffee portions/quality. read more

We entered the Gray Squirrel and proceeded to then check out the menu, being from out of town we had to take a second before ordering. A woman in a sleeping with sirens crewneck rushed my friend to order and spoke to her very curtly when my friend said "excuse me?" after not hearing what the woman at the register said. The woman then waved my five dollar bill in my face when I didn't grab my change right away. I spent $5 for an iced mocha that tasted like literal dirt even with five spoonfuls of sugar. The aftertaste was unacceptable, I took two sips and had to throw it out. The coffee was just horrible, I would recommend if you like ACTUAL coffee and not expensive hipster coffee that will never taste good to go to another coffee shop. read more

Fav coffee shop in Carrboro!!! Definitely stop by! They are literally making the best lattes and you will definitely get addicted!

Down in NC from NJ to be close to the hospital for fam. Stopped in to the Gray Squirrel right before it closed and got a peppermint mocha coffee with whipped cream. AMAZING! The perfect amount of sweetness, flavor was not overpowering and the coffee was the right intensity. Definitely coming back here whenever I'm in the area! read more

Had a blissful experience at Gray Squirrel. The mocha was delightful and their homemade espresso whipped cream was the perfect touch, along with the fresh seasonal pumpkin bread from Bread & Butter. Would highly recommend this metropolitan influenced cafe. Lots of light and perfect noise level (light clattering of dishes and faint chatting) read more

Gray Squirrel Coffee - Mocha, homemade espresso whipped cream, & fresh pumpkin bread - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

Carrboro, you don't know yet what you've got in Grey Squirrel. It may be the best coffee shop in North Carolina. Grey Squirrel is Shaw Sturton's little coffee shop on East Main that is built in a handsome package of stainless steel and reclaimed woods countertops. Shaw is the ex-bean buyer for Blue Bottle. Shaw brings his experience, scientific knowhow, and his passion for beans to Carrboro. Blue Bottle is currently *THE* premier coffee in the world. Blue Bottle is the best cup of coffee I have ever had and there was not a cup that was even a close second. Until now. Grey Squirrel's coffee is "next level" coffee, something that really only coffee snobs will truly appreciate because of how nuanced it is. But I encourage you to become a coffee snob. Once you have a cup of coffee this good, you will be ruined with the burden of knowledge. Everything else afterwards else will taste like muddy water and you'll mutter hipster stuff like "I knew Grey Squirrel before it was big" and "Starbucks, [eye-roll] yeah." Coffee beans are like musical notes. You can have a single-source that hits a clear note. You can blend the coffee sources and craft a melody of flavor. You can wash and roast the beans differently to bring out even more character from the beans. Coffee tasting notes are usually bull pucky - but a well crafted coffee like Shaw's really do follow what the tasting notes describe. You can have a light trill of lemon descend into a more orange/cherry blossom, punctuated by brass notes of herbs, while a percussion-section of nuts, earth, and smoked woods plays in the background, and ending with the crashing ending cymbal of 70% dark chocolate ringing across the palate for a long time before fading. I drank his coffee, my eyes widened in delight, and then I reverently said "wow." If there is a downside to Grey Squirrel, it's that Shaw doesn't communicate his coffee blends, styles, or specials overtly. Things aren't really labelled very well to describe what he has. But Shaw is usually there and he was happy to chat with me about what was going on - but he expects customers to "pull" the information from his website rather than communicate via a bit of signage. So, discovery of his craft takes a bit more time to truly appreciate the place. Grey Squirrel also offers a "Kyoto", which is essentially a style of cold ultra-slow brewing that extracts the flavors of the beans - substituting time to extract the essences rather than heat. The result is a cup of coffee that captures a different set of flavors from the same bean. Kyoto process will bring out more of the fruity high notes but extract less of the dark notes behind that tend to mask some of the more subtle flavor. If you're like me, you'll immediate think "I didn't know coffee could be this way" and go back for more. For the quality you get, the prices are really reasonable. This is top-shelf premium coffee. The Kyoto is more expensive, but you should really treat yourself to one of those in your life. And I am absolutely kicking myself for not picking up a few bags of his coffee last time I was there. If you're not a coffee snob, go there and welcome to the hipster club of next level coffee snootiness. If you are already a snob, come here now [eye-roll] and stop drinking what the ignorant masses are drinking. read more

Didn't even get to try the coffee...I'm diabetic and they don't offer sugar substitutes at all. So we left and went somewhere else.

Pros: Delicious drip coffee, spacious, plenty of power outlets, comfortable seating. Nice ambiance for working and also socializing. Cons: Expensive coffee and no refills. $3 for a "large" cup (probably 12 oz), $2 for a small cup which is very small (probably 6 oz). Baristas are not the friendliest, kinda rush in, rush out type of attitude. read more

I'd seen a few fliers up for this place and decided to check it out one morning. As others have ever said Gray Squirrel resides inside of Yester Years Brewery which is pretty smart! Morning time they get you with great espresso and evening they have you with beer. I've only been here once but the service was fantastic! The barrista was incredibly friendly and laid back and brought the drink to me. If this is the norm for Gray Squirrel I think it's going to quick snag the crowd which gets frustrated with some of the other local establishments. It doesn't hurt that the product is great too! Though no place is perfect and I have a few nits which will hopefully be worked out. The biggest is lack of pastries. I saw three options when I arrived and none really were what I was wanting. They had two bread dishes and a sugar cookie. The other is lack of outlets which really only effects us workers and gamers who like to caffeine up in the morning. With that all said this is a fantastic coffee shop. I'll surely be back! read more

Alright Carrboro, I'll admit I am jealous. While I am happy with the coffee shops we have in Durham, when I was visiting a friend here recently Gray Squirrel still blew me away. Definitely the most impressive, delicious cups I've had in my 5 years in the triangle. Reminded me of some of the best coffee shops I've been to in much larger cities. The actual ambiance of the place is not quite as "cool" as I think the product deserves, but it is still a very nice comfortable space. Props to this gem. Like I said, I am just a little jealous it isn't in my neck of the woods. read more

I have been looking for a new place to study/hangout around the area and found this place on Yelp so I decided to check it out. The cafe is located inside Yester Years Brewery next to Amante Pizza. As soon as I entered, I fell in love with the the natural lighting from the big windows, the wooden tables, the cafe counter layout, and the laid back atmosphere. The espresso drinks were great. The espresso whipped cream on the drinks was such a good idea. Some improvements can be done about the limited pastries and the lack of tea selection, but that is not going to stop me from visiting the place again. Amazing service, family friendly, and carry board games. Definitely a great place to study or hangout with friends and family if you don't mind a little bit of noise in the background and limited electrical outlets. read more

This cafe is wonderful in so many ways. Shaw Sturton, the owner, used to be a green coffee buyer for a large SF roaster (Blue Bottle) so he really knows what he is doing when it comes to buying high quality beans. All of the beans are freshly roasted in-house with an expert hand and are for sale in the shop as well. After you enjoy one of many of their fine crafted drinks, I would recommend you pick up a bag of one of their single origin or blended coffees. If it is a hot day outside, you can't go wrong with the Kyoto or Toddy. The flavor profiles of both of these drinks is incredible and something so hard to find. Sturton really knows how to craft a drink. If it is a cold day, I would highly recommend either the piccolo (1-1 espresso to milk ratio; similar to a cortado). As always, you can't go wrong with their latte. Even the batch brew at this place is incredible. Eventually they will offer Chemex service, something I'm very excited about. Just wish this place had longer hours. read more

Disclaimer: only came here once - though, would come here more often if I lived in the area! Loved this coffee shop. They have a wide space, which is always a plus for me when it comes to coffee shops, with shared table seating, a couch, bar seating, and outdoor seating. You have plenty of choices! As some other folks have noted, their drink menu is pretty limited, but they do it right! Look behind the counter for some neat coffee "gadgets." They don't have a food menu besides 3 or so different pastries. I came here a little past 7am on a Wednesday and there were already a couple of people there. I stayed here for a few hours, and most people came in for coffee to-go; they looked like regulars - probably because they know the baristas perfected the art of coffee. Literal "art of coffee" because the latte art is On. Point. Oh, also want to note that they added a power strip to help with anyone's energy needs :o) ALSO, they have board games and jumbo jenga - always, always a good sign. read more

It's a great coffee place. Easily on par with some of the best in the San Francisco/Bay Area and that's not too surprising given the experience of the founder. If it's busy, just get your coffee and continue on. Otherwise, I've found Shaw happy to discuss what they're up to. Their new location makes his place even better! read more

Amazing atmosphere and even better coffee! The baristas were charismatic and despite the limited parking I 100% recommend. read more

Gray Squirrel Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina