I've eaten here twice and been disappointed both times. On each visit the counter staff were distracted by private conversations that kept me waiting to place my order. For an establishment that calls itself a "café," food choices here are surprisingly limited to a minimal selection of unappealing display-case items. I was hoping to have breakfast one morning but could only order a toasted "everything" bagel with cream cheese. There is no table service at this "café." Required to collect my bagel at the counter, I noticed that the presentation included a lopsided dinner knife stuck inside a small tipped-over aluminum dipping bowl of cream cheese. Napkins had to be collected from a self-serve station adjacent to the counter. Awkward! For me, the kicker was having to interact with a computer screen checkout system that, before processing my credit card, prompted me to tip the counter staff! For what? Are you kidding me? There is no effort here at making customers comfortable. The aesthetic is like that of a badly-converted garage: unimproved ceiling, cement floor, random abstract wall art and wobbly wooden tables (unwiped). With jarringly unlistenable "alternative" music spilling from the sound system, customers are left to finish their meager meals and get out as fast as they can. If this is what wannabe hipster Carrboro culture aspires to, count me out. read more

This place is soo cool. Super comfy, quiet great place to get some work done. Grabbed a mimosa and dragon fruit tea. It was soo peaceful and relaxing. 10/10! read more

One of my absolute favorite places to study in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area. Gets very crowded in the evenings but during the day it's pretty easy to find a table. There's also nice outdoor seating and roofed patio in the front. Only thing that could be improved is the food selection, but they have a great assortment of beer, wine, tea, and coffee. read more

Lanza’s Cafe - Lavender latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

This is a cute, cool cafe with lots of outdoor seating, snacks and things to entertain yourself with if you don't want to study. Love that they also sell popsicles, which are a MUST with this crazy heat we've been having. Prices are fair, if even a bit cheaper than the other coffee spots in the area. Good place for groups, too! read more

The new management is terrible and treats their staff like trash. They were a personal favorite as looking glass, but unfortunately I just can't justify going there now. read more

I really enjoy the atmosphere of Lanzas, the people and I go often, however they never have more than one person working so it's so slow. I ordered an iced coffee to go and he gave me a hot mug, it was a nice day so I didn't mind staying instead and sitting outside, however I'm lactose intolerant and after a few sips I already knew it wasn't oat milk, and had to leave having spent 7$ on a coffee I didn't want that gave me a stomach ache. read more

Four hours of my Saturday were spent at this place. Any regrets? None. Part of my time was spent cranking out work, the other portion was spent catching up with a friend. This spot is perfect for both. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. It was a rather hot and humid day, but that didn't make people shy away from enjoying the beautiful landscape~ Take note, this place is also dog friendly- there were people sitting outside chilling with their dogs! The atmosphere of this cafe is so harmonious. I felt like I was in some sort of therapy even though I was tackling my to-do list. All of the workers here are extremely kind and warm-hearted. I even got the chance to converse with one for a solid 5-10 minutes while he was on break. Like.... who would really want to talk to customers while on break right? Seriously, they were all awfully friendly. They have a lot of various drinks to offer- coffee/espressos plus wine, italian sodas, wine, MIMOSAS, etc. They also have REAL food to offer along with the typical coffee shop pastries. Their chocolate chip cookie was crumbly yet chewy- was definitely another plus to my time here! 1. Plenty of tables/seats/sofas 2. Nice workers 3. Beautiful interior and exterior 4. A POOL TABLE 5. Various food/drink options read more

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Here's my experience: I go in to support a local coffee shop. The barista is annoyed I'm there and has to get off her laptop. When I swipe my credit card to pay, I'm only given options to tip 20%, 30%, and 40%. Remember when tipping was related to the quality of service? read more

What a great space with nice baristas. I had read a few reviews that made it sound like it would be somewhat snobby but I've yet to encounter that. The place is spacious and there is plenty of area to find a nice spot to get some work done while drinking some tasty drinks. My only complaint was one day it didn't open up in the morning at the stated time. I assume it was due to someone being sick or a schedule hiccup. Other than that it's a winner! read more

Lanza’s Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

This is a good place to do work but best to avoid the coffee and often the staff. There are a bunch of tables and couches to work at and there's a nice outdoor seating. But the coffee is often not done well, it takes a while to get your order, and the staff sometimes seem like they are bothered by your order. I have also tried the iced teas and had to throw mine away as it was so bitter tasting it was inedible. The prices here are expensive too. The food sounds good but I never see any food out. The only food I see out ever is day old baked goods on sale... read more

Friendly café with seating FOR DAYS. This is the perfect spot for everything: study, meeting friends, getting a quick bite, and of course, drinking coffee (or tea!). There's different ambiances in all 8 corners (because there's two rooms...); a cozy corner for keeping to oneself, a fish tank with a bench for hanging out and socializing, a window seat to watch the pedestrians... it's really anything you want it to be. Great hours, friendly staff, good drinks. Checked all the boxes! read more

This used to be an outstanding cafe when it was known as the Looking Glass. Its greatest strength was its vibe. It was easygoing, and it felt like a real community hangout, while still being a great spot to study/work. The baristas had a great rapport with each other and with the regulars. Sadly, Honeysuckle ruined that atmosphere. Ownership decided to crack down on its employees. They eliminated breaks, eliminated bonuses for closing and required them to re-apply for their jobs at lower pay. As a result, it seems that all of the former long-serving employees are gone. Knowing that management disrespects their workers makes this environment toxic and uncomfortable to me. The customer experience has also deteriorated in other important ways. There are constant disruptions from renovations. The hours seem to change from one day to the next. Prices for food items have gone up, while quality has not (some are reportedly being sourced from Costco, despite many local options). The art has mostly been replaced with Honeysuckle promotional posters. And the side room, my favorite indoor section, has been sold off to another business. read more

I went to honeysuckle and got served a muffin with mold and strings of expired flax!! Was absolutley disgusting and upon complaining I was served "fresh" things from the back that weren't on display!!! Ridiculous read more

This is my favorite study cafe! I didn't try it right away because it's a little farther from my place than Open Eye, but it has the best, widest selection of drinks and much cheaper brownies :D (which are gluten-free and the chocolate sensation is mind-blowing.) My vampire Biborka always asks to come here. (See her in the pictures!) It's a really neat place that is not only great for studying, with two big rooms, tables, and a lot of outlets, in addition to a spacious outdoor area - it can get really full though, especially during finals week, so I have had to make new friends to share tables with - but also (sorry, run-on) they have games and a jazz night with a really cool band that actually improved my paper-writing and one of the band musicians liked Biborka! (We match.) The atmosphere is lovely, my friends call it hipster AND call me hipster for going here and having purple hair (*hiss*). They have fish, which one of my friends likes. And a cool painted table, which I like. Plus, almost all the staff members are super-friendly and this one guy offered me whipped cream on top of my mocha and I almost died it was so amazing. Awesome. Sometimes you get pretty designs, but it really depends on who's working. They have some food, not so much vegetarian, but I really go here for the drinks and their snack collection can be good, especially at the start of the week (Monday/Tuesday). I think they get most of their food local, too; I know the milk is from Maple View Farms just 15 min drive away). Prices aren't cheap on the drinks, but it's made up for by the reasonable pricing of the snacks. Also, the drinks are amazing. I finally tried the Duchess, an earl gray tea with fresh honey and lavender, and it's amazing. It must have milk, too, so it's like a tea latte? Anyway. Disappeared like *that*. I like the breve, too, because it resembles a Wiener Melange, sort of. Maybe less milk, and less Viennese snobbery/charm, but great fuel for paper-writing. And a wee bit cheaper than the also fantastic mocha, which is the reason I came here in the first place - my friend said they have the best mochas in town! They do have raspberry syrup, which Open Eye doesn't, and I love raspberry mochas. The only cons are, it closes at 10 pm, so us night owls have to get our work done earlier (...wait...maybe that's not a con, ha) and the bathroom is *@&$ freezing. BRR. Also, they run out of toilet paper in the women's room a lot, but they'll put some in if you ask nicely. Just keep that in mind when you're there for a while. Ooh, also plenty of parking in the gravel lot in the back, as well as nice bike parking out front. Did I mention their landscaping is lovely? There are mini pumpkins from Halloween and a garland of lights strung out front. I think the name is from Alice in Wonderland, but I'm one of those weirdos who's not a fan so I'm not sure. But they do sell Looking Glass brand chocolates with a chess theme (and checkboard colors...rad). Oh, and the chocolate malt milkshake isn't an option anymore even if it's on the menu, so even though I hate malt, I guess I won't be dragging my dad here for that. (He likes malt. Scary.) I WILL definitely drag all my coffee-loving or chess-loving friends though, and anyone who likes to work in a fairly quiet, chill, yet still populated space! read more

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Love the vibe in here to study or just chill. The vegan tartine is so good, I've also had the banana bread! All their baked goods look amazing, and I think they have so many options that keeps you coming back to study and try new things. Great coffee and drinks too! read more

I've been to this place numerous times because I liked the outdoor seating options and it's often less crowded than other Carrboro spots. However, I will not be returning in the future. It appears the new owners have made a lot of changes, the most damning of which is not allowing their employees any breaks during their shifts. I want to give my money to a place where employees are compensated well, happy, and excited to chat with me, which the policies of this place are not set up to produce. I will be doing my coffee drinking at Open Eye instead. read more

Lanza’s Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

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Awesome iced Americano. No upcharge and no fingers in the espresso. Laid back eclectic coffee shop. read more

Note that any reviews older than a couple of months ago refer to the business that was previously housed in this location, The Looking Glass Café. The new business is apparently allowed to use their old reviews to bolster their business, which seems very misleading since it's a separate business under new ownership. Anyway, I've been here three times now. The first time I came looking for a sweet or baked good of some kind and there was not one single thing available. The second time I came for coffee and had to deal with an an incredibly rude barista. They ran out of coffee and were only able to fill half of the large cup I ordered. She told me (after I paid for a large) that it would be a 5-7 minute wait for fresh coffee and I said I didn't have time to wait as I was already running late for a meeting (the wait in line was very long in the first place). Instead of apologizing for the problem she sighed very loudly and, visibly irritated, she made a huge spectacle out of refunding the transaction and ringing it up as a small coffee (which she didn't know how to do and a coworker had to take over for her because she got so frustrated). In my experience, most places would just give a refund, but whatever. The coffee itself was not good, but maybe that's because it was the dregs? Today I picked up a bagel and took it home to toast it. Honestly, it was practically inedible it was so old and hard and stale. When you are selling bagels at a 350% markup from the bakery where you get them, the least you can do is make sure they are fresh. I couldn't even cut it with my sharp serrated bread knife and after toasting it I found it tough and challenging to eat. So far I've been extremely unimpressed with this place, but I'll give 3 stars for the atmosphere and for potential (and two out of three counter staff were nice). I'll give it another chance or two, but if things don't improve I'll never go back. There are too many other good options in town. read more

Guys, I'm troubled by an $8.00 smoothie. In general, most of the items are just priced way too high... not sure who the market is anymore, but judging by the large number of empty tables, I think I may not be the only one who feels this way. read more

Went here today for the first time since the change in ownership & remodel. While my house coffee tasted fine and the staff were friendly, the new interior and downsizing of the space were disappointing. The comfortable, homey atmosphere of Looking Glass is very much gone. Won't rank as highly as a study spot for me now, but would still come by for a coffee and to enjoy the outdoor space. read more

Dear Hipster, This is why we can't have nice things. You've opened a place even lamer than Open Eye. You've succeeded! The noxious odor of smoldering American Spirits makes the outside intolerable, and the awkward music and impromptu poetry readings leave the inside (which is also poorly lit) completely unsuitable for doing work. Your coffee is bad, your tea is overpriced, and your service is abysmal (if you're going for aloof, at least have a delicious product. See: Pepper's Pizza). Perhaps you thought selling bongs in the back room was a good idea, but 1) no one ever goes back there so you have way too much product, and 2) the only upside is that--unlike Open Eye--the constantly burning incense overwhelms the stench of hipster B.O. Seriously, I want to like you. I wanted you to be different. Alas, like everything hipsters do, you just tried too hard. Sincerely, Charles P.S. Your pastries are stale and I know you touched them with your filthy cigarette hands at some point. read more

I've stopped here for coffee a few times when I've visited the Saturday Farmer's Market nearby. At first, I was surprised that they had no food or espresso but they have added that in subsequent months. The coffee is decent and I haven't tried the food, but here are 3 suggestions I would make: (1) Check The Attitude: When I commented, "I'm glad you have food now" the cashier responded with a sneering sarcasm, "Yeah, its only been about a year now". Look, I'm just making a little conversation... you might be there every day, but I'm not. (2) Can the Incense: The back room smells horrible... does it really generate enough revenue to justify keeping a head shop open? (3) Separate the Smokers: I love sitting outside there, but not if people are chain-smoking at the next table. Maybe ask the smokers to move off the main front porch and onto the tables at the side of the building? read more

The only reason I hesitate to write this is so that more people don't find out about this great place, ha. Looking Glass is a great place to get work done; the noise level never gets too out of hand, and the layout is just really conducive to individual or group study. The chai latte is AMAZING, and I've tried their chocolate cake and lemon bars. The chocolate cake was superb, they seriously put crack in that mess. The lemon bars were a little too sour for my taste. They have games in the back, and a lot of people just come out to play group games and chill. I'm a college student, and doing work here seriously beats a the libraries on campus with pin-drop silence and a tense atmosphere. One thing though: sometimes they put on some FUNKAY beats. I mean really strange stuff. So bring headphones. read more

Good coffee, beer specials, outdoor seating, live music, tea selection, cafe foods, and everything else you want in a coffee spot. read more

Lanza’s Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

I don't know! I feel terrible but I've tried this local place twice and experience very slow service, bakery items out of stock, no lemon wedges for tea... It took 15 minutes for them to pour a hot tea and toast a bagel, without any explanation or apology... I just awkwardly stood there wondering if they forgot my order and should I ask, will that be annoying?! It wasn't busy. I can't recall my opinion on the bagel which must mean it wasn't anything special. I could have made the same tea at home and saved $3... And had a lemon wedge to put in! I know it's a Carrboro staple and it's right near my house but I just don't feel the connection. Hipsters love this place but I'd rather just go to Weaver Street Market or Open Eye. As a plus it is near a few Pokestops and a gym, LOL. I'm sure if you're trying to post up and do work it's a nice spot, but I'm not clamoring to come here for the menu or beverages. read more

Great coffee place in Carborro! I had a 16 oz pot of tea that was wonderful. It's served in a French press which is such a nice touch. The barista neglected to tell me when to "press" the tea so I think it seeped for too long but still wonderful My friends got hot chocolate and I'm pretty sure there was homemade whip cream on top! Yum! Will definitely be back. We had no issues with seating like other posts had listed read more

Looking Glass is a great place to go if you want to hunker down and do work. Most weekdays it isn't too crowded and if you get there before 11 or so on weekends you should be able to snag a spot. Lots of places to plug in, and they put together the best soy chai with a shot of espresso I've ever encountered. On Saturdays (maybe all weekend?) they serve tamales, which is wonderful. 5 bucks gets you two tamales (pork, chicken, or cheese) and a side of chips and salsa. The WiFi is free, and the seating arrangements give you plenty of space to stretch out. Most people seem to be there to work in the mornings and afternoons, so it's a studious atmosphere. Looking Glass is a nice cozy place to get away from distraction and enjoy a beverage or two. read more

Oh my goodness, the lavender lattes made with almond milk. Delicious. I really appreciate the variety in seating options and the gorgeous outdoor area at this lovely little coffee shop. The only thing I would change is add a few more vegan-friendly food options. read more

This place is extremely overpriced after having retained new ownership. I ordered an Italian club soda and it cost $6.50, which was double the price that it used to be. When I asked the barista why it was so expensive she explained they use San Pellegrino sparkling water and did not have regular club soda water. That serving of San Pellegrino in my standard size cup alone was $5 and they sell a large bottle of San Pellegrino for $5. When I asked her if I could keep the whole bottle since I was paying for it she said no. My friend always orders a large iced specialty coffee that comes out to close to $11 but the price varies based on who the barista is. Another friend of mine always order something with a flavored syrup, and for the last week they have been out of vanilla, caramel, and marshmallow syrup. The service there and the prices are inconsistent. My advice is if see you go there and order a drink, always order it to go because the to-go cups are larger and you are paying for a smaller portion if you choose a "for here" cup. read more

I recently came back here and about 1/3 of the indoor space is now another separate business. Nonetheless, it's still very spacious! Weather permitting, I love to sit outside and read a book or chat with a friend. I wish they had a more extensive drink and food menu, or at least easily accessible. I've never seen a lot of different pastry options or knew what kind of teas were available, so ordering has always been a bit pressured and awkward for me. I've had a sandwich before, and it's pretty good, although a teeny bit pricy. Since this is in Carrboro and not on Franklin Street, you won't see a lot of rowdy undergrads but rather a lot of locals or graduate students. I like the quiet, chill vibe every time I come here. read more

I held Yelp Office Hours at the Looking Glass a couple of months ago and feel bad that I'm just now reviewing it because it actually left a really great impression and made me a little sad that by living all the way out in Durham, I'm hurting my chances of stopping in on a whim! Wasn't too sure about parking -- I left my car in the back which seemed to be attached to an apartment lot, and I was a little worried about that; but didn't get towed! Just had a simple coffee, but was eying the sandwich menu with some interest and could definitely see myself lunching and camping out with my macbook. I perched at a barstool by the window and watched the good citizens of Carrboro biking by. Music was a bit too loud the day I was there, however I was loving the selection. And as I was leaving, a two-piece band started setting up in the corner. Cool local joint, with a cool vibe! read more

This place is super great! Less people that the way way way too busy and showy open eye with similar quality coffee. Lost of great things to say about this place , all the staff are a bunch of bosses, tons of seating with the best outdoor seating in the area NOT called Weaver. Ice coffee is the bomb similarly esspresso drinks are all quality. I'm just a big big fan. Food is maybe not the best, I've had cupcakes and other premade coffee shop standards and they are all good. Most of the stuff is locally made. I have nothing to say about the sandwiches (which they will make for you!) since I haven't partaken. Great place! read more

I prefer Open Eye for studying because I prefer the background noise -- Looking Glass is very quiet. Staff at both cafes are equally unpredictable in terms of whether they'll be friendly or not, so I'd call that even. Here are the reasons I won't be coming back to Looking Glass any time soon: - The Flies. If you want to sit outside and drink a coffee or eat anything, you are going to be surrounded by flies. Bugs don't bother me, but the sheer number was disgusting, and having to constantly swat them away was beyond annoying. - The Drink Prices. Some drinks are the same price as Open Eye. Others (like the cappuccino) are steeper considering the size of the drink. There are better food options here, though, and my $5.50 panini was very good. - The Seating. The outdoor seats are super uncomfortable, and there is limited rain-proof seating. My table was under the awning but was somehow covered in dirt. When I cleaned it, it was clear that the table hadn't been wiped down recently. - The Power Sources. They are limited. read more

In the bathroom urinal there is a target with the president's face, his mouth in the center and the word "Huge". Equally appropriate would be the staff attitude replacing Trump's image. Unable to express courtesy and often roaming into rudeness (for the barista talking to his friends about video games is more important than making eye contact while tending a customer), they also serve tea in thin stainless steel kettles, to ensure rapid cooling of a beverage that is best enjoyed slowly and hot. Tea leaves are also crammed into small bags to ensure minimum flavor diffusion. Occasionally tea is served in press coffee pots, to ensure that it steeps way pass its optimal point and you end up drinking over brewed, bitter tea that has lost any beneficial property. But the place gets two stars for being spacious. read more

Looking glass is a great place to study or catch up with friends. They have a lot of different coffees, teas, and pastries you can choose from, along with lots of fun board games. Their outdoor is THE place to be during the summer or fall -- the breeze is perfect with a book and coffee. They are bike friendly and also have a huge parking lot. The only problem I have had was with their internet, which can be spotty! Overall, great coffee shop! read more

Lanza’s Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

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Definitely my favorite place to get some tea and I noticed they have sandwiches that I didn't notice before. Hope to try one of these soon. The baristas they have now are very on it and friendly. The girl with the short hair and glasses is awesome! Open until 11 pm! read more

This is probably my favorite coffee shop in Carrboro. It is smaller than open eye but I like that. It has a lot of outdoor seating. I would sit outside but there are a lot of smokers and vapers and that is gross. They have sandwiches, bagels, tea, coffee, locopops, Italian soda, and more! I come here almost every Saturday. I think their chai tea latte is the best. read more

Lanza’s Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

I've been here multiple times, and I really do enjoy it. The outside area is gorgeous, especially on a nice day, although I do wish there were more outlets outside but I understand that's not necessarily their fault. The indoor area is fantastic, very spacious and decorated very nicely. A lot of tables, comfortable chairs, and couches. I really love studying here. In the back, there's a pool table. Their beer selection is great and reasonably priced. I've gotten a latte and Americano there and enjoyed both of those. Recently I got their turkey/pesto/provolone panini and was pleasantly surprised by how tasty it was. The only reason that I don't give this place 5 stars is because of their spotty internet. Working wireless internet is essential for a cafe, and 2/3 times I have gone, they have had internet trouble. The first time they were able to fix it, but the second time most recently they could not. They tried restarting the router but it apparently didn't work, and they just told me the "internet had crashed" and there was nothing they could do. At that point, I had to leave, because I had gone there to write a paper and could not do research without internet access. read more

One of the best things about LG is the lovely outdoor seating. On a nice Carolina day, it's a wonderful space to hang out or do work. Lots of little tables scattered around, sunshine and shade, etc. You can also tell that whoever is in charge is paying close attention to customer needs, as they are often introducing new menu items and adding more seating, since this place is growing in popularity. The staff are friendly and the prices are the same you'd find anywhere. I come here almost daily and am so glad to have another coffee shop in Carrboro. This place can be empty at times but on weekend afternoons, good luck finding a seat---I'd recommend getting there before noon. If it's packed, just do as I do and pretend you were getting your coffee to go, anyway. read more

Cute hangout and tea/ coffee spot! Where The Looking Glads Cafe used to be. Has both outdoor and indoor seating. Parking is around back. They also serve mead and other alcohol, and sell pastries and smoothies. My friend got a "cruffin" (croissant muffin) that she really liked! I got a sugar free almond milk latte and it was good, but it wasn't the best coffee in my opinion. Of course this establishment is better known for their tea, but I'm not really a tea drinker so I can't vouch for it. This would be a good study spot a little bit away from downtown Carrboro. read more