The desserts here were amazing! Visually appealing and very flavorful. I had the mushroom, green apple, and tiramasu. Service was great and employees were very nice. Found this place through Instagram so decided to stop before going to the Chinese lantern festival. Highly recommend and will definitely come back. read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Edible mushroom cheesecake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Try it for the first time! Ordered a Bagel on lox which for $12.00 was poorly executed, lacked flavor and not to mention the one slice of lox on a so so bagel! My husband had the brûlée donut and was thick and nothing to ride about! We will not be going back. We were so un-satisfied that we end up going somewhere else for some good breakfast. Service was also lacking. Not worth $26.00 for one lox, one donut, one tea and sparkling water, and mediocre customer service. read more

Oh man... do they have some serious pastries/desserts or what?!?! The creativity, the presentation and the flavors are over the top. We were impressed by the display case, but went for the Tepuy Donuts which sold out within minutes of our arrival. We tried the raspberry sprinkle which was an awesome flavor burst due to the icing and the dough is outstanding. We also had the dulce de leche donut which was packed with so much filling but wasn't overly sweet. It was just right. Now I see what all the hype is about. read more

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Popped into Idle Hour Coffee to grab one of Tepuy's donuts since I've never had sourdough donuts before. Was surprised to see a packed house on a Saturday morning, but then again, I'm not an up-and-at-em on a weekend kinda gal, so no clue if this is how coffee shops always are :) This boutique shop is very minimalistic with accent pieces that tie the decor together - there's a large green velvet sofa, booth seating and round tables in an open layout. The donuts and other quick-grab bites are right at the ordering counter, plus other treats keeping cool in the peer-thru freezer. It was too early for the mushroom cheesecake confection, but was definitely impressed with how they looked while waiting in line! Donut options were limited, but the original glazed one I tried was good. Probably would have been better fresh. read more

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Still in love months later! The Vietnamese coffee is amazing! I always get it extra sweet and they are always so nice about making the adjustment. The desserts here are incredible! I've tried the turtle cheesecake, the strawberry/raspberry mushroom shaped cheesecake, and the apple crisp cheesecake and so far everything has tasted delicious! The presentation as well as the flavor will keep you coming back to try others. The staff everytime have been welcoming and kind. They work quickly and efficiently but are also willing to talk with you for a moment while you order or they make your food. This is absolutely one of my favorite coffee shops and forever will be. read more

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Great local coffee house vibe with a decent selection of coffee and other items at a reasonable price. Plenty of area to lounge in as you work on a paper or hang out with a few friends. It's very open seating so I wouldn't recommend it for a business meeting unless you want everyone to hear your business . Good location except parking can be hard if it's a little busy. I'm coming back to escape away and finish a book while I stay caffeinated! read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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This is such a cute place. My husband and I decided to stop by for some coffee because our son, who works at Starbucks, recommended it. He and his girlfriend, who also works at Starbucks, rate this as one of their favorite coffee shops! My husband and I both had an iced Vietnamese coffee. It was perfect - great flavor and sweet, but not too sweet! Desserts looked amazing, but we had just had lunch. I'll definitely try the food next time! There's a big container of dog treats and a bowl of water for their furry guests! read more

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Wonderful coffee and super fresh Tepuy donuts (they are the bomb!!). Have also ordered sandwiches that were excellent - very fresh ingredients! Cute vibe inside and a few tables outside for a nice day. Will be back for sure! read more

So I've been here multiple times and ordered a ton of things each time. The mushroom cheesecake was good. The Vietnamese coffee is amazing. The other cheesecakes are good. The bahn mi sandwich is my favorite out of all of the sandwiches. The outdoor seating is very limited but there's a decent amount inside. Very good! read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I've been to Idle Hour twice in the past few months, and I had pleasant experiences both times. On my first visit I had a half-caff Americano. It was good, but not as good as I expected. It was still a little too weak, but the coffee itself was sufficient. On my last visit, I ordered just a black drip coffee, and that really hit the spot. The coffee was a nice rich mix of flavors and various scents, and it got even better once it began to cool down a bit. I usually get a slice of the zucchini/pistachio bread which is one of the "healthier" options considering their fancy doughnuts and somewhat over-the-top cupcakes. It was slightly on the dry side, but still tasty and certainly satisfying. I'm at the point now where if I go to a coffee place for the first time, I'll usually order just a drip black coffee. If that's good, then I might be more adventurous in ordering espresso or other drinks on a follow-up visit. The staff was pleasant and welcoming which is always worth mentioning. The only reason I rated Idle Hour with 4 instead of 5 stars was the interior decor and seating. The seating is basic with a few booths and some awkward table arrangements. At some point it would be nice to gradually replace the existing indoor seating with nicer and more comfortable options. I ended up sitting outside, which although it was one of the warmer days, my friend and I found a table with an umbrella which provided ample protection from the sun. All in all a nice way to enjoy good coffee and great conversation. Oh, I should include that there is small parking lot behind the building where Idle Hour is located. I've been lucky to find empty spots both times I visited. If you're in the area, or live nearby, I would certainly recommend Idle Hour. read more

This is a really cute place to go to get coffee. I loved the fairytale theme of the shop and the treats. I tried the iced vanilla mocha and it was good. I look forward to visiting again and trying something new! read more

This is a new coffee spot ITB and I have to say, it was such a good find! They serve Methodical coffee which is based in Greenville, SC and it's dank. I got a latte with their homemade (+ shwae) honey lavender syrup. My mom got the orange amaretto latte, which was eccentric, but good! They also have a bunch of fun, unique pastries/desserts. Anddd they have loose leaf tea! There's nice couches inside and good seating outside as well. All around, it was a delightful experience! read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I got a chocolate & white chocolate cookie and an iced white chocolate lavender iced latte. The cookie was delicious and rich like a brownie. The lavender is earthy tasting & different for me, I'm typically an xtra caramel girl. The girl at the register spent 3 minutes explaining everything to me, excellent service! They don't have the most decadent or sweet drinks, a great place for someone who likes real and simple coffee. read more

Wonderful coffee shop addition to the downtown Raleigh food scene. I love that they offer a wide variety of pastries and small bites from various other small businesses too such as Tepuy doughnuts, bold bagels, arteo tea matcha to name a few. Even though the open faced sandwiches are a little pricey, they make up for it in taste. Tried the matcha latte, strawberry doughnuts, Vietnamese coffee, and the open faced goat sandwich. Everything tasted really good. Since I went on a holiday morning, it wasn't that crowded and the outdoor space was great for dining. Both the indoor and outdoor space is so beautifully done. There's parking right behind the store and they also have 10 mins parking for a quick takeout. They have a hand sanitizer station upon entering the store. Definitely looking forward to being back to try one of their delicious looking pastries. PS - they also have a water bowl and treats for fur babies! read more

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I already love this new coffee shop! The cafe is modern and minimalistic. The baristas were helpful and super friendly. The coffee and food were both great. Plenty of outdoor seating. Covid safety is taken seriously. My only complaint would be that parking is a little tight but that's not their fault, and honestly I'm just glad I don't have to parallel park. I looove that they carry Tepuy Donuts. Seriously, if you come to Idle Hour, get a donut! Or one of each kind! They're some of the best donuts I've ever had and they're always coming up with fun new flavors. The lemon poppyseed is my fav. They also carry Little Blue Macaron and you bet I'm going to order a few of those next time I stop by. I heard Idle Hour's banana pudding is good too, and was recommended the Bahn Mi by a friend, but wasn't too hungry (not to mention I ordered two donuts) so I went with the open-faced Norwegian sandwich. I would order this one again and again. The pickles!!! So good. I can't wait to come back and try everything else they have to offer! Love to have this new local biz in the neighborhood. read more

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This place has the rudest and most inept staff of any establishment I've ever been to in Raleigh. They are cold, dismissive, and constantly on their phones. I wanted to like this place because it's in such a cute part of town and has a beautiful indoor space, but I've had a few bad experiences with the stuff every time I've gone that they will never get my business again. There are many other wonderful coffee shops in Raleigh. read more

The fast paced environment is slightly overwhelming but the staff gets it done. The GF Biscotti is delish and the coffee is great! Love that they have oatmilk and homemade flavors for coffee and lattes! read more

Drinks (4/5) - really good but a little inconsistent, depends on who your barista is. I highly recommend their fall lattes, especially the maple ginger. Food (5/5) - I love the norwegian and get it every time! The first time I tried it, I bought it, finished it, and bought another. Really that good. The GOAT is good too but as the prices have gone up, if I'm going to spend money on a toast it'll definitely be the norwegian. Ambience/environment (5/5) - really beautiful interior and exterior with few outlets but plenty of working space. So why 3 stars....I'm hoping to update this to 4 or 5 once things are back to normal but: Safety (1/5) - the outside tables are cluttered pretty closely together, 3 feet apart at maximum. The highlight here is that now in the fall, most people are sitting inside and the outdoor tables are empty. Inside, I'd say 99% of people aren't wearing a mask even if they're no longer eating or drinking. On occasion I see an employee or two not wearing masks correctly either which is a huge yikes as they're preparing the food and drinks. So I can't really recommend coming here for safety reasons except for takeout or masked outdoor seating. read more

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We heard that a new coffee shop had just opened and wanted to check it out. Sunday morning was not busy. I parked on the street but there is a parking lot around and behind the building which is good to know. They have adorable outdoor seating and a variety of coffee options. I'm a big fan of Methodical coffee in Greenville SC and that's what they serve here. Thumbs up Highly recommend! read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Outdoor seating area - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I was excited to see Idle Hour Coffee was open and that they were carrying Tepuy Donuts! I went in on day two of them being open and I will say the space is beautiful!! I could definitely see myself working from there post pandemic. The interior is bright, sunny, and well decorated. They just opened and are still getting into the groove of things, all the employees were friendly! If you haven't tried Tepuy Donuts yet you should head in and give them a try. They are delicious sourdough donuts, I was able to grab a chocolate, glazed sprinkle, and cinnamon sugar donut, all delicious. I also got an everything bagel with cream cheese that was quite tasty as well. They let me know that all the pastries there are scratch made by them or one of their partners (like Tepuy Donuts). They also had an extensive lunch cafe menu, things like bahn mi, paninis, and open faced sandwiches. For drinks I ordered the chai latte and Vietnamese coffee. The Vietnamese coffee was tasty and something Id order again. They brew the coffee right in front of you which is a neat touch. Unfortunately, the chai latte wasn't good. I think the ratio of chai concentrate to milk was just off. Again, it was their first few days open so I totally understand that there is a learning curve. I think it would be great if they could add online ordering. During the pandemic I'd much rather just run into a place and grab my online order vs ordering and waiting for it. They are in the plaza right on the corner of Oberlin and Fairview. They have a shared parking lot around the side and back. It's not huge, but I was able to find a parking spot without a problem. I look forward to heading over again soon! read more

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Came back the next day and the raspberry and chocolate donut was great. The Chia Latte was missing the ghost pepper honey this time though. read more

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The shop is small with limited seating, but hipster & full of an avant-garde vibe. The Hibiscus donut was delicious; not overly sweet with a nice floral touch. The strawberry-raspberry mushroom cheesecake was as decadent as it was cute. I knocked a star off due to the lattés; the mocha barely had any chocolate flavor to it while the honey lavender had an off-putting spiciness I was not expecting. We will eventually go back again. read more

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I was excited to try their homemade syrups and ended up with gingerbread. I was not a huge fan but it was fine. The banana bread was also just alright.. overall a little disappointed in the shop. Also, for my non dairy drinkers they only have oat milk. read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Iced gingerbread latte with almond milk and cinnamon banana bread. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I've been frequenting this spot for a few years now. I love the dirty chai and donuts! The only thing that makes me feel eh about it is the lack of enthusiasm from the staff. It's like they couldn't care less if you were there, and bothered by the fact that you are. Coming from someone who works in the industry it's pretty disappointing because this is otherwise a great local coffee shop. Ambiance and decor is very comfy and cute given the small space. read more

The service was my only good experience of this place. We got the jiggly cheesecakes that we saw online, they were cold and not jiggly. I got a "toblerone" cheesecake, but there was a forero rocher on top, no toblerone, lol. That's fine though, but my partner got a hot chocolate and I got the pink matcha. They both only tasted like milk. We got our food to go and they gave us no silverware. It was lunchtime and they were out of a lot of pastries and weren't serving certain menu items anymore like sandwiches. We asked for a bagel and the girl had to ask if she was allowed to sell a bagel at the time that it was (like 2pm?) when she gave me my drink, (to go) she didn't put a lid on it. The lids are at the counter so you can put them on yourself I guess? I won't be going back, although the servers themselves were nice. read more

GF biscotti and coffee breads. Best Lavender Honey syrup. Quick staff. Nice outdoor street sitting. Excellent cozy neighborhood vibe.

Truly a great caffe. Thoroughly enjoyed the beverage and conversation with the staff. read more

This aesthetic coffee shop in Raleigh has amazing lattes and desserts! I love the vibe and the outdoor seating is a plus! They also have food as well but I just tried some desserts! read more

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My spouse and I pick a new coffee shop to visit every Sunday. This time....Wasn't great but wasn't terrible. I got a spicy mocha latte and my spouse got a matcha latte. He ended up not drinking his latte because he said they added way too much matcha (it def was a much darker green than you normally see) My latte was ok. Additonally, I didn't feel like the place was super clean. Maybe it was an off day, I wouldn't totally write it off if you've been wanting to try but personally not sure I'll be back. read more

The food was meh. The Honey Crisp cheesecake tasted very gelatinous, and the Caprese was super bland with huge chunks of mozzarella in it. Both of these e items together was $17.17 plus tip. I would say it's a great quiet coffee shop to work from home at, but the food is mediocre at best. read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Honey Crisp Cheesecake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I stopped in here after a Yelp Elite event to check out what they had to offer. The place has tons of seating with a large counter and plenty of friendly employees. We were helped right away, and chose one of their caramel apple cheesecake desserts to go. My wife loved it! read more

I saw this place on instagram so I thought I would check it out. Not impressed. Desserts were dry. When you think "cheesecake" you think soft and moist - not the case here - tasted like nasty firm jelly. My chai latte was way too strong and burned my throat. My daughter's latte tasted like oak milk and nothing else. All this for over $28. Not worth it. Staff nice and atmosphere nice, but no coming back. read more

We came in and the lady that worked there was fake friendly and the coffee was okay and the dessert was terrible and dry. The rest of the staff were pretty nice. I felt like the lady was trying to freeze us out so we could leave the coffee shop and she was cleaning around us as like she was giving a hint for us to leave. Don't think we will be coming back. read more

I've been to this shop twice and so far it's only been okay. The first time my order was completely messed up, but the staff fixed it without question. Today I went during a slow time, and the staff was not friendly. They were short when taking my order and seemed annoyed. I only ordered a latte with oat milk and syrup and 2 doughnuts, and a cinnamon roll to go. The coffee was taken over by oat milk (If you can't drink dairy, they also only have oat milk as a substitute). My cinnamon roll looked it was dropped on the ground and lost all its icing. My friend ordered the same cinnamon roll and it had at least 1/4 cup more of icing. Just disappointing. I go here for the doughnuts (5 stars for these), so I'll probably stick to just ordering those in the future. read more

Excellent coffees and ultra fresh sourdough doughnuts! Ambiance is a great vibe and the place is very lively on weekend mornings. Every time I'm in Raleigh, Idle is a must! read more

The atmosphere is great. I loved the chai - very spicy. The fresh tea is beautifully crafted and served. I love that they serve pastries from other locals. The donuts are great! Sat here for a few hours working on my laptop and came with a friend. Will be back. Highly recommend. (The parking is tough since Oberlin is currently closed. You have to get a lucky spot in the back lot.) read more

This entire experience was pretty disappointing. The atmosphere of the place is great and the coffee was delicious, but for what it was it was really overpriced and the staff was kind of rude. I paid $6 for my coffee plus a $1 tip and my drink was made wrong. Got a really snarky response and eye roll from staff when I asked to make it right. They acted pretty rude about it. Had I paid less I probably would have just drank it, but for what you pay here I wanted it to be correct. Surprised the reviews are this good, because cashier also did not seem super nice or understanding to the guy who was in line before me either. Horrible parking situation too and not a lot of seating if you're looking to stay. read more

Easily the best doughnuts I've ever had, and I've had my fair share of em! Went with the maple bacon and cinnamon ones read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Nice neighborhood coffee shop that was definitely needed in the area. Offer donuts, cookies, some other baked goods, and what I call "edible art desserts". For breakfast/brunch they have bagels, and bread from local companies along with a variety of options. I had a nitro brew, a donut, and a pice of blueberry banana bread. Since this is a coffee shop I'll start here. I love nitro brews and even make it at home. I started doing that because I like a bolder (darker) coffee usually South American based beans. This was pretty good flavor but not strong enough for my personal liking. No real criticism of them but they are likely using a lighter roast or an African bean which I find generally lighter and more fruity than the mighty arabica. :) It did yield a decent but light layer of foam but just lacked a bit of the more earthy flavors I prefer. The donut, a yeast donut, were good but I prefer cake donuts so I'd skip this next time. My favorite yeast donuts are Monuts and this wasn't at that level. The blueberry banana bread was quite tasty though. I do wonder if some banana flavoring might have been added because it had a really notable banana flavor that I don't usually find is in banana bread. Almost like ripe bananas were used versus the over-ripe generally used for banana bread. The blueberries were abundant and added a great balance with some acidic to the sweeter banana. Would get this again. The place is bright, clean, and there is a fair amount of seating indoors as well as tables out front. The staff was friendly, helpful, and patient as I looked over the open-faced sandwich/bagel menu to see if there was something I could have. Can't do fresh dairy so that's always making the search difficult. All in all I like the place and would come back to see if the cold brew or regular coffee was more to my liking. I will update if I do that. read more

Pretty good donuts! Expensive at almost $5 each but they're super filled so you get a good amount. I've tried a few different kinds but so far the only one I've liked is the Nutella filled. The one issue with these is that the size of the donuts is not always consistent (some are 1.5x as big as the other) and that the often run out of donuts before the end of the day (so call ahead and make sure they have the flavor you want). Definitely give the donuts here a try! read more