NoRa Cafe

Wow this is the cutest little coffee. I would be a regular here if I lived in Raleigh! My husband…read moreand I dropped in for breakfast on a Tuesday morning (they're closed Sunday and Monday). The line was long, but it moved quickly! There's plenty of seating inside and outside, and they'll bring your order right to you. I ordered the Jeanne Capp (delicious!) and it had a great ratio of espresso to milk with subtle sweetness. To eat, I had the Avo + Heirloom toast, which was the perfect savory bite for breakfast! My husband ordered the Blueberry Compote + Goat toast, which is a tasty mix of sweet and salty. We also ordered a few of their hot mini donuts to-go, and these are a must-order!

Came with a friend on a Tuesday morning to enjoy breakfast together. The perfect spot to do so…read more Since they've built their outdoor space, it is my favorite spot to sit during the spring and summer. This time I got their seasonal coconut latte - delightful, as always. Fod food I grabbed their Staff Eggwhich (truly, one of my favorite breakfast foods) and topped it off with an order of the espresso donuts to share. I would recommend this spot to both those visiting as well as my fellow locals. You just can't go wrong here. Plus, the staff is always nice. You can tell they love what they do!

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Outside Sola Cafe'

The Optimist

4.3(28 reviews)

4.5 mi•Crabtree

Cute coffee shop near Crabtree Mall. The location is unassuming in a office complex, however I was…read morepleasantly surprised walking in to see how nicely it was decorated with a large outdoor patio. I got an iced oat milk latte with housemade almond syrup. The quality of the coffee was great with just a slight hint of almond. Some of their syrups are made in house and others are not, so be sure the look at the menu. The Raleigh Coffee Passport brought me here, so I was able to use the discount. However the latte was over $7 full price which was a little steep for the size - but again the quality and taste were great

We just left this coffee shop, maybe 10 minutes ago and I had to leave a review ASAP…read more First, the aesthetic is so calming. Music not too loud, vibes were so chill. The barista was a vibe because we love a casual chat. Mind you, this is our first time coming here. I ordered the Stacy and he ordered Life's A Peach. We also ordered food, 2 different breakfast sandwiches and from the first bite, you know what I immediately tasted? SEASONING. Let me preface this by we bop around to so many different shops to try food and coffee and this exceeded our expectations. Whoever made the sandwiches seasoned these eggs to perfection and please know that we appreciate it so much. Like foreal. 5 stars. Vibes. Food. Delicious. Seasoned. Round of applause! We will be back!

McOptimist ($9.75)

Interior once you step inside!

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Beow's Coffee & Café

4.5(53 reviews)

1.2 mi

I'm giving this 4 stars because I did not like the honey biscuit. It was dry and not even warm when…read moreit was brought to me. The bacon was delicious. Although it was crowded and ordering took awhile, I found a cozy place to sit and received my food quickly. I had a vanilla latte and it was delicious. Maybe when I'm in town again I'll try another food item.

Cute coffee shop and a great addition to this plaza. I ordered a matcha and a latte. I didn't love…read morethe matcha, it wasn't as flavorful as I usually like. I did really love my black chestnut latte!! I always appreciate when coffee shops make their syrups in house and Beow's definitely does. I also tried the breakfast burrito. The eggs felt like microwave eggs, so next time I'd probably go with their delicious sounding yogurt bowl. They stacked that breakfast burrito though, a super filling option if you are very hungry.

8/24/2025-order counter with menu

Sausage egg and cheese

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Beow's Hot Coffee

Jubala Coffee

4.3(620 reviews)

4.6 mi

Came here with my daughter on a Saturday morning. We got there around 9ish and it was packed. There…read morewere barely any seats inside, and because it was a chilly morning and the patio was still a little wet, not many people were sitting outside. On a nicer day you can sit outside if you prefer. My daughter ordered the waffle with Nutella, and since she wanted syrup, we added the cinnamon glaze. She really enjoyed it. I do wish they had whipped cream as an option because I feel like waffles and whipped cream just go together, but that's honestly a small thing. I ordered the avocado toast with the fried egg on top and also the house-made granola. I did not realize the granola serving was going to be so big, so I definitely over-ordered, but no regrets because everything was so good. The avocado toast was delicious. The bread was soft, fresh, and filling, and the whole thing was just really satisfying. I ended up taking the granola to go, and later that day when I ate it, I was like wow... it was still amazing. Honestly one of the best granola and yogurt bowls I've had. So good. I also got an almond latte. Nothing overly fancy, just a solid latte done well. Staff were friendly and patient, especially with my daughter wanting to order. That always means a lot. Another plus: plenty of parking, and they have two single-stall bathrooms, which is helpful. I also really like the Lafayette Village area in general. After you eat, you can walk around, hang out, and enjoy the area a bit. So it can be a quick coffee stop, or you can make a little outing out of it. Definitely worth checking out.

I was surprised by the amount of people at this location at 10:45 am on a Wednesday. Not too noisy…read morebut definitely an energetic crowd of remote workers, stay at home mom's ( had 3 next to my table and overheard their conversation) students and friends just catching up. I enjoyed my toasted biscuit with raspberry jam along with my almond latte. The servers were friendly and attentive.

Espresso

Amazing waffles

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Iced coffee

Paris Baguette

4.0(102 reviews)

5.0 mi

How did I not know this incredible place is right by my house?! It's located inside the Asian…read moregrocery store by the Trali Irish Pub. A friend told us we absolutely had to check this place out, I'm so glad we did. My husband and I visited one evening and ordered a few different items to try. I absolutely love that everything is in a case and you help yourself with your own set of clean tongs. You then take your tray to the register to check out and they will heat up anything you like and box up anything you like. We enjoyed everything we ate and we are looking forward to going back. They have a membership club that you can sign up for for free and you can earn discounts and free stuff. Just for signing up we earned a free pastry.

I was very excited to try this place because croissants are my favorite food and I was mourning the…read moreloss of Layered in Raleigh. The croissants were meh, more of what I'd expect from a grocery store than a quality bakery. They were fine, but nothing to get excited about. Their location is quite far from anywhere I go on a daily basis too and I have many other better options for croissants closer by. I can't see myself going back.

Pre order is on right now for your holiday cakes need. Enjoy our handcrafted cake!

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New World Cafe

4.2(353 reviews)

3.4 mi

Sometimes all you need is a clean place with good lighting and great tasting coffee. This is it for…read moreme on a Sunsay afternoon! I chose this place to catch up with a friend at, and it was my first time bringing my baby outnso I was a bit nervous, but the place looked super clean and roomy. Which are both necessities for a mom bringing a little baby in a stroller. While I read in a review that someone mentioned about this location not having a cozy feel, it really depends on what a person is looking for in a coffeeshop. If you need good coffee and a good space to catch up with a friend or get some work done in a clean setting, this is perfect. If you are looking for aesthetics, well there is no art or knicknacks that give ither coffeeshops character but I don't feel this place needs it. It is clean and inviting on its own and as someone who is slightly claustrophobic this place is awesome with the amount of seating it has (Nora cafe in comparison was a place that frustrated me so much due to it being hard to find seating at all). I ordered the pistachio flavored matcha which tasted tasted amazing (first time tasting so much of the nutty flavor come out in a pistachio drink), and I also got the Norwegian pancake with banana and Nutella + hashbrown. Such an awesome afternoon combo! My baby was also quite relaxed for most of the visit as well which speaks volumes!

Came here on a whim while in town. Conveniently located in a small shopping center, there was…read moreplenty of parking. Upon entry the store - it felt like a cozy spot to have a bite to eat and a cup of coffee with a friend or to study. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Each time was made fresh and quickly. During my visit there weren't a lot of people - so I am not sure how service speed would be on an extremely busy day. I ordered a build it your self sandwich that came out to about $10. The cost of food and the quality - I felt it was worth the pricing. Will be back to taste some of the other food items and coffee.

Açaí bowl and chai -both good!

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Seating

Norwood Gardens

3.8(27 reviews)

2.4 mi

This is a great Garden to visit. I really enjoyed the selection of flowers and how well organized…read morethe garden is over all. Parking is plenty and an adventure to be had while there! There is a dry bar offering mock-tails that you can purchase as you journey through the garden. Pricing is very reasonable and the staff very knowledgeable and friendly. There is also a small coffee shop located on the property near the lake. The small seating area overlooks a pond - creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere while taking in your delicious drinks and/or food. Definitely worth a visit and will definitely make my way back!

Love going here! The little cafe brings food in from lettuce grace and it's amazing. The coffee and…read moreatmosphere is perfect. They have a huge section of plants and trees! Will definitely be back

Drinks for Sweet Thyme

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Latte and crossaint

Good Graces

4.3(64 reviews)

6.4 mi

I had lunch here for the first time a few days ago with 7 other people and it was great! The…read moreparking is complicated, but the restaurant is very elegant and pleasant. I had the BLT (which if you've read my other reviews you'll know is my go-to everywhere) and it was perfection. Superb toasted bread, crispy bacon, a deliciously herby mayo, and juicy tomatoes. The side salad that came with it wasn't exciting, but it didn't need to be because the BLT was so good. Our waiter was gracious and attentive and he let us know about the 20% tip that was added to all our checks before we paid. Overall, a wholly pleasant dining experience! That said, I also got one of their giant cinnamon rolls to go. They're enormous (a good 7-8" across!) and looked amazing, but I thought it was overly dense, dry, and in places didn't have any flavor except dry, bland bread. In some spots near the middle, it felt a little doughy, perhaps slightly undercooked. It was also a lot more expensive than I had expected and I felt wasteful throwing part of it away, but it just wasn't worth eating all of it. My husband didn't like it at all and only had one bite. I'm still giving the place 5 stars because my sandwich was superb, but I'd personally skip the cinnamon rolls. Maybe I caught them on an off day? Other people seem to love them, but mine was not great.

The location is in a nice area, although the parking situation is a little inconvenient. You have…read moreto register your car through an app to receive two hours of free parking, which feels like an unnecessary hassle. The coffee itself was good, and under different circumstances, I would happily return. However, I was disappointed to pay $14 for two small coffees and then be asked to pay an additional credit card fee. I love supporting local businesses, but I don't feel a credit card fee is reasonable, especially at that price point. Another downside is the lack of seating for customers who simply want to stop in and enjoy a coffee. The setup feels more like a grab-and-go spot or a place where you sit down for a full meal with table service, rather than a traditional coffee shop where you can relax and enjoy your drink. Unfortunately, between the inconvenient parking, the credit card fee, and the lack of a comfortable place to sit, I probably won't be returning. That's disappointing because the coffee was genuinely good, and I wanted to love this local spot.

Beautiful chandelier

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Inside

Garden Bar

4.6(8 reviews)

6.7 mi

I found Garden Bar here on Yelp and went on a Saturday. They are not too crowded and the bar is…read morenear the front. Great prices for a nice mimosa or beer to enjoy while shopping and you get to keep the cute cup. The staff were all extremely helpful and guided me through their greenhouse helping me find things that suited my needs. They had a private party in a room off to the side that is semi-private. I could see a bit and it was very cute and a nice size for hosting. There were not many plants outside on the front and the greenhouse was nicely stocked but not full. So some may consider the selection a bit small, but it was still nice. They had tons of beautiful pottery and lots of supplies to also choose from. The prices on some of the plants seemed high for other places in the area I've seen the same or similar. I would definitely come back!

Atlantic Gardening is an incredible garden center and Garden Bar! I enjoyed a lovely mango spritzer…read morewhile wandering through the gardens. My sister and I found some beautiful orchids and other plants to take home. I highly recommend it for anyone who loves plants and wants a unique experience while discovering new plant babies to bring home.

Floral Studio

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Orchid

Duck Donuts

4.4(212 reviews)

1.2 mi

I bought the breakfast dozen and my team loved them! I will order again! Service was great. When I…read moreneeded an individual box for people who got in late they gave me 2 just in case. It was very quiet on a Tuesday at 7 , but I noticed a lot of online orders being picked up so I might try that next time.

"Cake vs Yeast" I'm…read moregenerally a yeast donut gal, but Duck Donuts (cake) brings the variety and the freshness. Gone are the days of stale donuts that have sat for a touch too long. While I'm sure the actual donuts are baked/fried in advance, the addition of warm - fresh topping & icing is a game changer. I opted for maple bacon (don't knock it until you try it). The sweet and salty contrast is divine. However I like crispy bacon - the bacon was a tad undercooked for my liking. Service was professional and polite if not a bit distant. There are ordering kiosk, so keep that in mind. Ambiance reminds me of a colorful coastal vibe - but who cares about that, we usually take to go. If you are craving a sweet treat or are a donut persona - Duck Donuts should be on your list. Donut shop: 4.5

Build Your Own Half Dozen

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Sorry - I ate 2

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8 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

M J.

6 years ago

I usually love coming here. But after what I saw I may not. When the lady was working with the food she kept the same gloves on after she left the kitchen. Per food regulations any time you leave the kitchen and go back you should always wash your hands and change your gloves. I saw her prepare food and drop it off to the customers and grab the table number come back in inside and set the table numbers down and then served a piece of pie to a customer using the same gloves and even touched the food. Yeah she is protecting herself but not her customers. Everything she touched was then tainted by her gloves. I feel like she needs to take training in food preparations, which I by the way have and currently hold the certificate for food safety. Like I said I usually love coming here but after today I may not. Especially during these times. read more

Segun A.

4 years ago

Nora Cafe is a hidden gem in the city. The coffee is top notch, consistently brewed to perfection with a rich aroma and bold flavor. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, with friendly staff who are always eager to chat and make recommendations. The food is delicious as well, with a variety of options to choose from. read more

Jeff W.

5 years ago

Food is amazing coffee is amazing as well, very relaxing atmosphere. Staff is very friendly and welcoming glad we got here when we did items were selling out due to how good everything is. read more

Kimberly M.

309

282

200

8 years ago

They get 5 for parking, get coffee 5 stars and atmosphere 5++++ and the barista get 10+++ Everything is the bomb here

Ashlee H.

4 years ago

Great coffee and girl at the front - I think Mattie, was a great worker and was super friendly !

John C.

6 years ago

Great Breakfast sandwiches and better coffee than Starbucks!!!

Zach F.

11 years ago

Great coffee, great people! Very friendly atmosphere!

Aubrey B.

11 years ago

Only went because they HAD Scrumdelicious!

NoRa Cafe - coffee - Updated October 2026

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We had some time to kill and were looking for a non-chain coffee spot. This one was close by and…read morehad great reviews. So we decided to give them a try. We had a little difficulty finding it. GPS brought us to the parking lot behind the building. There isn't clear signage to direct you where to go. We managed to find our way up the stairs and into the building. There are a number of businesses located inside. Lucky Tree is super cute. It's set up to encourage working, with plenty of charging spots all around. There is a variety of seating, from long wooden tables to smaller individual areas. We ordered a chai latte and golden milk latte, both with oat milk. Both drinks were good. Fyi there is a separate entrance from the side that takes you directly to another smaller parking lot.

This is a place I wish was closer to my home. Thankfully it's not to far away. Very cool relaxing…read moreenvironment. Friendly staff. Good menu selection. A variety of seating options. And a variety of things for sale in the front. I got the iced vanilla maple, it was phenomenal. It had the right amount of sweetness with a great flavor. Also the almond butter cookie was soft and flavorful. I will be back. Thank you for a great experience.

Unhinged Coffee

4.5

(19 reviews)

Great, little cafe! We went because Yelp.com had a group event there. We tasted the coffee, which…read morewas okay, and had a donut and scone. Those were terrific. I like the fact that you get more coffee when it is poured first (without the ice), but then, they top it with ice which melts quickly, and you're left with coolish coffee, not iced-cold. Somehow, this should be remedied. We liked the atmosphere, but did not like the metal stools everyone had to sit on. There were a few sofas way in front or way back in the rear. It is a bigger cafe than I thought. I like the concept of a cafe where all walks of life can go. They even have a wall to post what may be happening to you that brings you there. Below that, on a bench, are business cards to alternative forms of therapy and wellness. Check it out.

We came for the coffee and ended up staying for the atmosphere…read more My family and I visited Unhinged Coffee Co. while attending a Yelp event, and I'm so glad we finally had the chance to experience it. The café was absolutely buzzing. I'm sure the Yelp event contributed to the crowd, but it was also clear that Unhinged has built a loyal community of regulars. Even with a line of about ten minutes, the energy in the space made the wait feel worthwhile. When I reached the register, I was greeted by a barista who immediately felt warm and familiar. I asked for a recommendation, and she suggested a maple latte, which I happily ordered along with a drip coffee for my husband and a water. My maple latte was good, though I suspect it may not have been at its best given how incredibly busy the team was that morning. My husband, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoyed his drip coffee. What truly stood out was the hospitality. As the line grew, the staff began offering complimentary pastry samples to guests waiting to order. It was such a thoughtful gesture that turned what could have felt like a long wait into a memorable experience. Small acts like that say a great deal about a business and how they care for their customers. I'll definitely be back on a quieter morning to experience the coffee again, but based on the outstanding customer service, welcoming atmosphere, and strong sense of community, Unhinged Coffee Co. has earned five stars from me.

Oma's Café + Wine

4.9

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A hidden gem coffee shop! It's in an unassuming location (attached to the lobby of a Residence…read moreInn), but has great service and fun, unique coffees! I got a blueberry pie latte that well exceeded expectations! It had a homemade blueberry syrup that had a hit of cinnamon and spices, that was surprisingly not overly sweet. One of my new favorites in Raleigh!

Oma's has some quick food options such as premade sandwiches, pastries, and fruit. The service was…read moreexcellent and nice ambiance if you want to hang out or even study. I had the carrot cake latte iced which tasted great.

The Arcane Books and Speakeasy

4.4

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Definitely a vibe. Walk through a narrow hallway into a bigger room, like a Frank Llyod Wright…read morestructure. The front part of the building is a bookstore and the back has a lot of comfortable table seating including a couple of sofas. Great environment to sit and chill, read or visit with a friend. Eclectic, low-key crowd. Low volume pop music in the background on a Wednesday afternoon. I met a new, young friend here so this place is always going to be special to me. They have coffee cocktails as well as regular coffee menu and cocktails. I got an Americano...nothing fancy this time but I'll go back soon.

I've already been here twice and love it so much! The seating is spacious but cozy, the coffee and…read morecocktails are on point, and the owners are warm, welcoming, and community builders. To top it all off, there are BOOKS!! Lots and lots of beautiful books to buy. I came once with a friend for coffee and enjoyed delicious iced lavender oat milk latte and locally made blueberry scone from The Great Harvest. My second time was at night with my writing friends for cocktails and manuscript critiques. We each ordered something different and all loved them. The place was hopping with a fun book club where people bought a book and bedazzled the cover. What a fun idea! I hope they have it again. We also got to meet the owners, Ken and Jen(?), who host a monthly pop-up with local authors and makers, and they even made a generous donation to my friend's son's school for a silent auction. It's my kind of place in every way, and I'm thrilled it's so close to home!

Smooth Joe Coffee

4.5

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Needed a pick me up after riding my bike in the early morning on the Neuse River Trail. I stopped…read morein and grabbed one of their seasonal iced coffees as well as a cinnamon roll. The staff member offered to warm the roll for me but I said no as I foolishly thought I was going to make it all the way home before devouring this fresh baked good. Don't be as foolish as me - if they offer, get it warmed up. (It was still amazing at room temp but I bet it would have been even better warm.) Anyway, I did not make it far before I cracked open the cinnamon roll and ate it while sitting at a stoplight in my car. Truly, such a good sugary baked good. Just wow. I feel like this spot is considered a hidden gem, so I hope you will see this and give them a try!

we stopped by for an iced coffee, an iced latte, and a ham and cheese croissant. the croissant…read moredidn't make it into my photo, but my boyfriend really enjoyed it and said it was delicious. the drinks, on the other hand, were just okay. nothing was necessarily wrong with them, but they didn't stand out enough to make me want to come back specifically for the coffee. what i did love was the atmosphere. despite having a steady stream of customers, the cafe stayed calm and relaxed. it's located in a quiet neighborhood, has outdoor seating, and just has an overall pleasant vibe. the woman who took our order was also genuinely friendly, which made the visit even nicer. i really liked the area and the feel of the cafe. i just don't think i'd return for the drinks alone.

Sir Walter Coffee

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Yummy food and homemade bagels! Cute little dining room upstairs to relax. Outdoor seating too on a…read morenice day.

Wtf? Last time I was here the coffee was great. This time it was horrible. Thought it was a mixup…read moreso asked for a replacement after taking a sip, but they just watered down the same mud water. Mistaking dark coffee for light is ok, it happens. But to lie to me and water down the same dark coffee and try to pass it off? I don't think they brew coffee on the weekends, they must've just had some leftover dark coffee and only asked if I wanted light or dark out of habit or confusion because they did not have what they pretended to give me. Or the people the people working don't drink coffee themselves and had no idea what they were saying and just read the question on the machine. Whatever the case may be, there's a cheaper cafe closer to me but I remembered the coffee being better last time. So learn from my mistake and don't expect any quality coffee on the weekends.

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