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    Iris Coffee Lab

    4.4 (161 reviews)
    Open • 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Iris Coffee Lab Photos

    IRIS COFFEE LAB ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Iris Coffee Lab

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    Neyda V.

    Stopped by for the first time today and really enjoyed this coffee shop! The staff was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, answered all of our questions, and gave great recommendations. The menu is unique, with drinks you don't see at most coffee shops. The space is comfortable with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. I had a cherry latte that was absolutely delicious, and my husband had a cortado made with today's blend--it was complex, earthy, and excellent. We didn't try the food, but everything coming out looked great. A couple of small downsides: parking can be a bit tricky, although we found free street parking just down the block. There were also quite a few flies inside during our visit, so I hope that's something they can address. Overall, a great experience, and we'll definitely be back!

    Interior
    Alex A.

    Stopped by Iris Coffee Lab for a cup of coffee over the weekend. When you arrive parking can be a bit difficult in this area, but there is parking available on the street. The coffee shop is located in the Glenwood south area and feels very modern when you walk in. To order you'll walk to the counter and place your order. I selected from their seasonal drinks and opted for the iced summer crumble latte. I ordered the summer crumble latte (espresso, milk of choice, blueberry, house made oat crumble distillation, subtle lemon coconut infusion, oat tincture, lemon rind garnish) which was excellent and tasted like a bowl of cereal milk. I noticed several people ordering matcha which also may be excellent and something I'll have to try next time. If you are in the Glenwood South area and are looking for a good coffee shop, definitely check out Iris Coffee Lab.

    Cortado
    Deidre T.

    Always enjoy a new to us coffee shop when traveling. Iris is a great little place. Interior is mostly white which provides great light even on a rainy day. They have outside seating on the sidewalk as well which makes it fun to people watch. You have to come down stairs to enter, which was not a problem for us, but made me wonder about those who might have trouble. Is there another entrance? The service was great. Super friendly and quick. Had the cortado as it is my go to drink when trying a new spot. The beans are more on the fruity side .... I prefer chocolate or vanilla note beans. But it was lovely and hit the spot. Served in a glass which I love!

    Kiara I.

    Iris Coffee Lab is where you bring the friend who can tell you the origin of a bean after one sip, who gets excited about extraction methods and tasting notes, and who genuinely believes coffee deserves the same reverence as a fine bottle of wine. Iris isn't trying to be trendy: it is unapologetically devoted to the craft. The interior reflects that philosophy. A restrained palette of white, charcoal, and soft gray keeps distractions to a minimum, allowing every cup to remain the focal point. It's clean, modern, and intentionally understated. If you're someone who typically reaches for cream and sugar, I'd encourage you to order at least one cup black. Iris sources and roasts exceptional coffee, and tasting it without distractions is the best way to appreciate the nuance and balance that have earned the café such a devoted following. That said, the seasonal menu is every bit as thoughtful. On this visit, I ordered the Mango Sticky Rice Matcha Latte, a drink layered with tropical sweetness, creamy matcha, and just enough complexity to keep each sip interesting. The final few sips, where all of the flavors settled together, were unexpectedly my favorite part. My brother-in-law chose Iris's signature blueberry-forward latte, while my niece ordered the house-made chai. Before she'd even finished half the cup, she looked up and declared, "This is the best chai I've ever had." Her father, after trying it himself, agreed without hesitation. The breakfast menu compliments the beverage program well, offering thoughtfully prepared dishes that feel every bit as intentional as the drinks. Like many destination coffee shops, Iris tends to attract people who settle in for a while. Laptops are open across nearly every table, conversations are minimal, and the room has the focused energy of a shared studio rather than a bustling café. Because of the open design, voices travel easily, making it a better place for quiet work than lively catch-ups. The café is meticulously maintained, including spotless restrooms that reflect the same attention to detail found throughout the space. Parking can require a bit of patience, though I've almost always managed to find a spot without too much trouble. Iris Coffee Lab isn't trying to appeal to everyone, and that's exactly what makes it special. It's a café for people who care about coffee, how it's sourced, brewed, and experienced. In a city with no shortage of coffee shops, Iris has carved out a distinct identity by putting craftsmanship ahead of trends, creating a destination that's as much about curiosity as it is about caffeine.

    outside
    Maddy W.

    alright... this place has taken a lot of my money in the last few days so i felt like i owe them a review... admittedly i've gone four times in less than a week. with a mango sticky rice matcha, a blueberry cobbler latte, two cherry marzipan lattes, and a chili crispy breakfast sandwich under my belt, i feel confident in my opinion about this place. probably the best coffee shop for studying that i've found in the triangle. plenty of outlets, not too loud, delicious drink options and food, strong wifi, easy parking, and overall good vibes. the mango sticky rice matcha is by far my favorite!! and the breakfast sandwich was absolutely delicious. the only downside side is they have some fruit flies?? but outside of that my new favorite place

    Banana pudding matcha
    Andrea A.

    I really wanted to like Iris especially considering their partnership with Frame Matcha, but I had a pretty lackluster experience here unfortunately... Got the seasonal Banana Pudding Matcha, which tasted more like banana milk with a hint of matcha. Also felt like the drink was very powdery? Service was fast and friendly. Ambiance is nice- minimalistic feel, open space, lots of natural light. Good amount of seating, but it filled up quickly. There's free 2 hour street parking. 6.5/10 maybe recommend, I'd need to give this spot another try to be sure.

    Matcha yuzu yogurt bowl
    Jennie N.

    their drinks are truly one of the best in Raleigh! They curate their menus with a lot of care and you can taste it in the quality of their drinks. Their food def needs some work/adjusting. I got the matcha yuzu yogurt bowl today.. i really wanted to like it! But the taste of matcha was barely there, cantaloupe were not fresh/ripe and were too big of chunks to chew, and the yuzu was too overpowering/sweet. Darn! I'm still hopeful about their food though, i feel like it can improve overtime. Especially with how well they do their drinks. They decorated very minimally with touches of earthy tones in the light wood furniture and plants. Nothing special! A good amount of seating but they do get busy during peak hours!

    Jasmine mini matcha and candied ginger matcha
    Evangelina W.

    Iris Coffee Lab is definitely a place I'd recommend to chat with your friend in the afternoon. The shop had a nice amount of light and was bustling with customers on a Saturday afternoon. There were still seats that would open up and I was able to enjoy my matcha and hangout for 2 hours. The menu is what makes Iris stand out to me as innovative and exciting. There are so many cool and different drinks to try especially with a seasonal menu. I ordered the Jasmine mini matcha because it had all of my favorite things but I was disappointed in the ratio of cream to matcha. It was almost too much cream and I wasn't sure why it was designed that way but it was truly "mini". I think next time I'd definitely want a larger drink. I also tried the candied ginger matcha and really enjoyed that. Would definitely go again to try more drinks!

    Lily F.

    Incredible coffee, and I loved the aesthetic! I got the strawberry creme latte (hot version), and it was fantastic! My partner got the iced version--which was somehow even better than the warm version. I don't like my coffee drinks too sweet, and they struck exactly the right balance. It tasted like there was real strawberry (and not just a super-sweet syrup). Unlike many coffee shops, they gave us a number to bring to our table, so we didn't need to stand around and wait for our coffee to be ready. Instead, they brought it to our table for us. This was such a nice touch! There's a good amount of seating inside, but we sat outside since it was such a nice day. Can't wait to go back & try an iced americano or drip coffee to try out some of their different roasts.

    Golden Spring Latte
    Camilla M.

    The vibes were so cute and the staff was extremely friendly. I tried their spring menu latte and it was really not great. Maybe other items on their menu are better. I love trying new coffee shops and saw great reviews online, but I was not a fan, personally.

    Shirley Z.

    A lovely lovely place to grab a matcha and chat with a friend. Their specialty drinks were sooo yummy and service was fairly quick considering how busy it was when I went. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this place to get a lot of work done, but I'm pretty picky when it comes to cafe work spots. Overall I would come here again to try another specialty drink and have a chat!

    Cherry marzipan latte
    Emily B.

    Of course I had to try this place based on the reviews. Woah! Cherry-marzipan latte. A must order. So delish. Loved the almondy flavor. So many fun drink flavors and options!

    Matcha
    Hayley P.

    Another Raleigh favorite that I just can't seem to stay away from. On my most recent visit, I came to try their matcha since I have heard such good things about it. I had their mini matcha, which I believe was the Jasmin Mini Matcha, and then their featured Valentine's Day Matcha, Strawberry Matcha Supreme. And wow, the reviews weren't kidding. This matcha was amazing. Just the perfect amount of matcha earthiness matched with the sweetness. Also, they do such an amazing job with the presentation. Iris continues to be one of my favorite breakfast, coffee, and now matcha spots in Raleigh.

    Mango sticky rice matcha

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    1 year ago

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    7 months ago

    Some really great specialty coffee. Baristas behind the bar really care about their coffee.

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    9 months ago

    came again and their other matchas, the seasonal & jasmine mini one are much better than the standard one

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    Fantastic ambience, friendly staff, great lunch and brunch options. The cappuccinos are fantastic

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    Ask the Community - Iris Coffee Lab

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    Iris Coffee Lab - coffee - Updated October 2026

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