I finally checked out Drift Cafe and it's definitely one of those spots that feels like a mini…read moreescape in the middle of Raleigh. The space is super light, airy, and gives off that laid-back coastal vibe that makes you want to stay a while. The menu leans into that "wellness but still indulgent" balance. everything I tasted was fresh and thoughtfully made. The coffee was a standout too, smooth and not overly sweet, which I personally loved. A lot of people come here for the breakfast burritos, pancakes, and specialty lattes, so it's a solid brunch option if you want something a little elevated from the usual rotation. Service was friendly and pretty quick, even when it got busy, which I appreciated. It does get packed, especially on weekends, so just be ready for a bit of a wait.

Super cute place with plenty of parking options and gender neutral bathrooms. 10am on a Friday and…read moreit was packed. Conveniently with one table open. Drinks: I ordered a matcha latte, iced with oat milk. I knew it was a mistake as I watched them make it and the match came out of a squeeze bottle. My mom ordered hot black coffee, claiming it tasted burnt and was undrinkable. Mains: I ordered the strawberries & cream pancakes which came with three extremely tiny pancakes, that tasted like whole wheat. The "fresh jam" was overly sugared and had a smoothie like consistency. For $16 I was hungry and disappointed. My mom ordered the grain and egg bowl, wait it was underwhelming. Shocked there are so many positive reviews.

My mom wanted boba and we were in the area so we stopped here on a Saturday. Well it's Sunday and…read morewe are back. This is the only place she wants even though there is a place right around the corner from us. I decided to try one and I see why. They have so many choices and toppings, I made me a salted caramel milk and added all different types of boba. It's very clean everyone there is nice. They play good music while you are waiting and it always smells so good in there. They have probably two tables and a long bar, they don't sell food but some little cream donuts. I would highly recommend them!

BOBAPOP Tea Bar is a boba shop that offers fruit tea, milk tea, slushes, and some dessert. The…read moreinside is minimalistic with a few seating available. You order through a tablet, although I think ordering directly from the cashier works too. I got the Lychee Green Tea with Lychee Jelly. I initially wanted to not pick a topping as it cost extra, but there did not seem to be an option to opt out of that. I also got my drink with 75% sweetness and 100% ice. The drink tasted alright. I probably could have kept it at 100% sweetness to taste more of the lychee flavor. Overall, it is a cute little spot for boba.

Lucky Tree is one of the best places in Raleigh to grab a cup of coffee, enjoy a pastry, and truly…read morerelax. With bar-top seating, couches, tables, and chairs, it offers a welcoming environment to work, study, or find a bit of end-of-day calm. This place also holds personal nostalgia for me. I recently released my book Purple Rose: The Stars Carry Her Name -- Letters from Me to Her, a collection written for a woman I love living in Raleigh, and I was able to write some of those love letters and poems right here in this lovely café. Lucky Tree regularly hosts open mic nights for musicians and poetry-focused events, and the owners are deeply involved in the local arts scene. Through these events, I've met artists, authors, and incredible people--and I've even shared my own work from my above mentioned book here. Overall, this is a truly unique and beautiful shop. The food is always fresh, the staff is vibrant, polite, and genuinely helpful, and the atmosphere shifts naturally from lively to quiet and relaxing depending on the events taking place. Top-tier shop and easily one of my favorite coffee spots in Raleigh. And yes--the coffee is really good.

I decided to try this out for a quick coffee stop while in town for a conference. The service was…read morefriendly and quick! I tried the breakfast bagel bites, which were soft and warm. I loved the cheese on top! I was not a huge fan of the flavor the almond flour gave them but it was not overpowering. I would probably get them again! They had a lot of options as far as specialty lattes but I am glad I went with the Vanilla Maple. I was worried that the maple flavor would be too much but it complimented the vanilla well. The inside was VERY well decorated, and I would've loved to stay and do a little computer work! I could see myself coming by and sitting down for a quick brunch, meeting up with friends, or staying for a work session.

Incredible coffee, and I loved the aesthetic! I got the strawberry creme latte (hot version), and…read moreit 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.

Where to begin with iris coffee lab? The ordering experience was streamlined, and there was ample…read moreindoor and outdoor seating. Unfortunately, this is probably because the chairs were the equivalent of sitting on a guitar pick. The rest of the decor similarly resembled a mid-century modern insane asylum. All this is child's play compared to the drinks. I was hoping they would redeem the experience. I was rooting for you, iris coffee lab. The matcha left me wanting more. I couldn't taste even a whisper of matcha flavoring, and the price was laughable for a glass of green milk. When my flat white arrived, I felt that twinkle return to my eye. Sadly, about 3 sips later, as I neared the end of my beverage I was shocked to discover a texture component I was not expecting. After a lot of contemplation, I have decided I am not a fan of coffee grounds swirling around my mouth. The customers are hip and trendy, the employees exceedingly friendly and speedy, the drinks bespoke and innovative, but I think we need to cut out the frills and go back to the basics. Why play 3D chess when you've yet to master tic tac toe? I think the experience was net neutral, but for how steep the pricing is, I feel it's my duty to let the world know what they're getting into.

I try a new coffee shop every Saturday and today it was Benelux…read more There isn't a lot of street parking, but there is an underground garage behind it, which is so convenient. It's located next to Village District. I was greeted immediately by a nice young man. I asked for his hot food suggestion, and of course he suggested the waffles! I ordered a waffle with fresh bananas and Nutella...every bite was absolutely delicious. I also ordered a lavender latte and loved it. They sell scones from a local vendor and I had a gluten free orange cranberry scone which was also delicious. Benelux is spacious and has plenty of seating. Tables, high tops and even a couple of comfortable love seats.

This is great coffee shop with a good, family friendly a diverse vibe…read more Benelux offers a good variety of coffee drinks and delicious pastries. We ordered lattes and other pastries, and they were all delicious. I met the new owners when I stopped by, and they shared their new plans for upgrades and improvements. They own other coffee shops in Colombia, so I'm guessing those improvements will be good. It is located in a shopping plaza centrally located. If you are not from the area, the GPS will take you straight to it. There is a parking lot for the entire shopping plaza with free parking. If you like to work in coffee shops, this one gets a bit busy and noisy at times. Keep that in mind. The staff was friendly and helpful. The space is comfortable and common areas are clean. Overall, 100% recommended.

Amazing wall art and cool vibe. I love the smell of the espresso beans. It's always packed but has…read moregood seating and outlets. (Building is old so the outlets sometimes can be tricky but it adds charm). I like the deals and that they offer glass as I try to reduce unnecessary waste. The service is very fast and staff are always super helpful.

The coffee, matcha latte, and location, all earned 5/5. Cup A Joe is a lively, popular spot for…read moremeeting up with friends and peers for coffee. There is ample seating and restrooms in the room adjacent to the ordering counter. The line moves quickly and they offer numerous beverage options and coffee beans. My rating is reduced to a 3 due to how condescending the manager (?) spoke to a (presumably) new employee. There are appropriate ways to train and treat new employees without belittling them.

This place was great - because it's on a college campus, it managed to somehow be high energy and…read morechill at the same time. It sort of gave Panera + local cafe vibes - I enjoyed it. I ordered the cinnamon glaze waffle + hot Almond Latte with oat milk and they were both delicious. The waffle is a total dessert - sweet and coated in sugar crystals YUMMM. Oh, and to make it even better, the each little cell of the waffle was filled with the glaze so each bite was perfection. The latte was also SOOO good - smooth & beautifully presented. The staff were friendly and welcoming - even though they were busy, the vibe was great between the staff and when the staff was engaging with the customers. I know the 2 staff members I spoke with were wonderful and kind. The outdoor seating did offer a great view of the bell tower, road and foot traffic. It was lovely and relaxing.

Wonderful team behind the bar. I always enjoy their warm biscuit and the apple butter. It's made…read morefrom scratch. This place is always bustling with college students, faculty, staff and locals. It's inviting while allowing private work on a shared large table.

The same ownership as Benchwarmer Bagels. They really know bread. I got here at almost closing…read moretime, and I wish that I had come earlier because almost everything was sold out. I got: 1. A bialy (bee-AH-lee) is a traditional Polish-Jewish bread roll, similar to a bagel but with key differences: it is baked, not boiled, has a dimpled center filled with onion bits and poppy seeds, and is generally softer and less dense. Originating in Białystok, Poland, these rolls are traditionally served plain or toasted with toppings like butter or schmear. 2. Rye shortbread. Not too sweet. Just perfection! 3. Bran biscotti. I like the idea of a high-fiber bran biscotti over a refined flour one. 4. Buchi Tepache. I got the mango-pineapple flavor. This is a local NC brand. It's a mildly fermented drink that originated in Mexico. I got the ingredients from their website (drinkbuchi.com): Organic Tibicos (Water, Organic Fair Trade Certified™* Cane Sugar, Organic Kefir Culture), Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic Mango Puree, Organic Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Organic Whole Lemon Puree, Organic Mango Natural Flavor, Organic Pineapple Natural Flavor, Organic Monk Fruit Extract. 5. The baguette. Unlike a refined flour white bread baguette at La Farm Bakery, this one is made of a red wheat flour. Turkey Red flour is an heirloom, organic hard red winter wheat brought to Kansas in 1873 by Mennonite immigrants. Prized for its rich, nutty flavor and superior baking qualities, it is often used for artisan bread, sourdough, and pasta due to its unique, sometimes more digestible, gluten profile. It is commonly stone-ground and available from local Kansas millers. 6. The star of the show was the Everything Croissant. Like the Everything Bagel but soft and buttery. Topped with all the sesame seeds and seasonings with a cream cheese interior. So good! I do plan on returning!

We went this morning excitement so glad to say that this all of my expectations. I had the pear jam…read morepastry, my partner had a ham and cheese croissant and our little one had the cinnamon roll. They have fresh milk for sale from dairy farm in Juliet, nc, the coffees are incredible! It was super busy so you have to wait a little for a table, but the pastries are so incredible that it's worth the wait! The ambience feels like an industrial bakery, but it's inviting and cozy. You can tell. It's a wonderful neighborhood spot where people meet up every day. It's definitely recommend it if you're not yet visited. And if you're looking for a place to get your fresh bread weekly then I highly suggest this space.

The perfect coffee roaster might actually exist -- and it might be Black & White Coffee Roasters in…read moredowntown Raleigh. I'm a big fan of lighter-roasted, funky, expressive coffees, and Black & White absolutely delivers. Their roasting style leans into vibrant, fruit-forward profiles, and they do it with confidence. The downtown Raleigh location is fantastic too. It's right in the middle of everything, making it a great stop for a date night, meeting up with friends, or just dropping in for a quick but exceptional cup. Their seasonal menu was small but mighty -- just a couple of options -- but the kind where every drink looks so good you wish they'd never rotate them off the menu. I started with the orange cardamom flat white, and it was perfect in every way. Beautifully presented and incredibly balanced. The espresso, milk, orange, and cardamom all complemented each other without any one flavor taking over. It was nuanced, aromatic, and just a joy to drink. For my second drink, I ordered a Rodrigo Sanchez pour-over, a co-fermented Colombian coffee labeled with passion fruit notes. It was everything I want from a pour-over -- bright, juicy, and expressive, with the kind of sweet stone fruit and berry notes that make light-roasted coffee so exciting. Black & White continues to prove why they're one of the most respected specialty roasters around. If you love adventurous coffee with huge flavor and careful execution, this place is an absolute must-visit.

Great coffee! And love the dark/milk chocolate bars!! I have coffee beans I can drink at home too…read more I've never had time to sit in the outdoor garden but am looking forward to doing so now that spring is arriving.

Dropped off and picked up dry cleaning at the dry cleaners on the corner of Fairview and Oberlin…read more(see my reviews for "Drive-Thru Cleaners and Shoe Repair"). Since I was so close, an Idle Hour had 30 minutes until closing, I thought I would go in for a Iced Chai Latte--one of my favorites--I love the way Isle Hour makes it, FLAVOR TOWN! Even though it was 30 degrees outside, I still ordered the Iced Chai Tea Latte. I knew that I would be very comfortable in their lounge area. After I ordered, I saw the Hot Chocolate Bomb at the countered. I asked the staff member about it and ordered that also. The Hot Chocolate Bomb is the BOMB --Delicious! I drank my Chai Latte after and was not disappointed. Staff is great--friendly and enthusiastic. Atmosphere very homey.

I think its a cute little spot to stop by! Ive worked remotely here a few times and its been a…read moresmooth experience each time! The staff is very friendly and their coffees are good. I recently found a hair baked in in my blueberry banana bread and the cashier was quick to rectify this w the option of refund/replacement. Their bakery desserts are beautiful but they aesthetics are as far as my compliments go for them. I tried the strawberry raspberry cheesecake and majority of it was gelatin and chocolate. Didnt taste any cheesecake. Maybe their other items are better! The GOAT is yummy but felt very skimpy on the toppings. I wouldnt say their food is their strong suit here.