English: TL;DR: Beautiful atmosphere, fantastic coffee and…read morefood, thoughtful modern Latin flavors, amazing breakfast/dinner spot, and Fernando, the manager, is awesome. We've been to Aaktun in Durham multiple times for both breakfast and dinner, and it's honestly become one of our favorite spots. I'm Peruvian and grew up with Peruvian cuisine, so seeing lomo saltado -- a classic Peruvian dish -- on the menu immediately made me happy. Having also grown up in Mexico and lived in places like Miami, I really appreciate what they're doing with the menu: a modern, delicious take on Latin flavors that feels creative without losing what makes those cuisines special. The atmosphere is absolutely beautiful. You walk in thinking it's a stylish little coffee shop, then head toward the back and the whole place opens up -- gorgeous bar, tropical touches, cozy alcove seating, really cool vibe. One time we went with friends for a special dining experience they were offering, and it was excellent. The food, drinks, and whole experience were made even better by Fernando, the manager, who has always been incredibly warm, helpful, and accommodating. Highly recommend Aaktun for breakfast or dinner. Still haven't made it there for lunch somehow, but at this point we'd be shocked if it wasn't great too. Spanish: TL;DR: Lugar precioso, café y comida excelentes, sabores latinos con un toque moderno muy bien logrado, y Fernando, el gerente, es increíble. Ya hemos ido varias veces a Aaktun en Durham para desayuno y cena, y sinceramente se ha vuelto uno de nuestros lugares favoritos. Soy peruano y crecí con la cocina peruana, así que ver lomo saltado -- un plato clásico peruano -- en el menú me hizo muy feliz. Además, habiendo crecido en México y vivido en lugares como Miami, me encanta reconocer cómo integran sabores latinos con una propuesta moderna y de fusión. Se siente creativa, diferente y sobre todo riquísima. La atmósfera además es espectacular. Entras pensando que es una cafetería bonita y acogedora, pero luego caminas hacia atrás y el lugar se abre por completo: un bar hermoso, detalles tropicales, mesas tipo alcove... una vibra buenísima. Una vez fuimos con unos amigos para una experiencia especial de cena que estaban ofreciendo y la pasamos increíble. La comida, las bebidas y toda la experiencia fueron aún mejores gracias a Fernando, el gerente, que siempre ha sido súper amable, atento y servicial. Recomendamos muchísimo Aaktun para desayuno o cena. Todavía no hemos ido para almorzar, pero honestamente nos sorprendería mucho que no estuviera igual de bueno.

"Part Dos - Mostly great, with a few exceptions"…read more Food temp is major in my book. While many of the food options were hot, several were not, and I believe that impacted the overall dining experience. We ordered classic breakfast and jerk chicken lunch options. For drinks: Cappuccino and Mango Refreshers. The good: (1) Fried rice - which accompanied the jerk chicken (served hot). While simple, the slightly earthy and bitter (in the best way possible) from the braised/steamed baby bok choy perfectly accompanied the earthy mushroom, and complex soy inspired fried rice. So good - this could be a vegan or meat side entree unto itself - IMO. (2) Scrambled Eggs - If you enjoy large curds of gently scrambled eggs - this is for you. While we enjoyed the remaining options for portion size and flavor, we did note that the temperature was cool to mid - which impacted overall flavor. Jerk Chicken: we understand this is a jerk inspired interpretation. With that being said, the most interesting flavor was limited to the crispy skin. Perhaps the chicken was immersed in a salt brine and basted with a jerk flavoring? We loved the white (perhaps mayo based sauce), and accompanied pickled red onion. But baby, the food temp. Yucca fries - if you're unfamiliar - are the baby of a green plantain and white potatoes. While good, they were not hot. Maybe could have benefited from a unique sauce? Food service good. But the biggest miss was the cheese hash browns and Mango Refresher. Hash brown (cheese) room temp, and tough - Mango Refresher - too tart and not worth the cost. As far as ambience: Customers were Hip, sexy, multi ethnic , and included old and young. We loved our waiter. Overall, a little disappointing especially considering we loved our first coffee breakfast visit so much. Not sure if it was an off day or we just prefer other menu options. However, we'd definitely visit again! Brunch/lunch: 4.2

When I was on vacation with my family we stopped in here during a downpour for a quick coffee and…read moredesert! The people were very nice and friendly! I loved the way the cafe looked! It felt almost like if I were in a movie :))) Decor was absolutely stunning!

My first time trying Cocoa Cinnamon after hearing about it for years. I came with a friend. I got…read morethe Al Mokha and cranberry scone, and she got the vanilla bean latte and the morning bun. They source their pastries from Ninth Street Bakery. We both enjoyed our iced coffees and pastries. The inside seating area is small with a funky, industrial feel. They have a large patio with outdoor seating that has a good amount of shade, so you won't roast in the summer sun. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a morning cup of iced coffee with a friend. One quick note: finding parking in this area can be a little difficult and you may have to walk a little bit from where you park to the cafe.

Absolutely loved this coffee shop!…read more It is unique in its aesthetic and I loved all the greenery. It's small inside, but every corner is carefully decorated. They use homemade syrups and that made a big difference. The mocha latte was delightful! Minimal communication with baristas, but overall they were nice. Definitely recommend this coffee shop if you're in the Durham area.

I've seen a couple rough reviews on the Vietnamese coffee here so I'll echo them. Pretty watered…read moredown and not much flavor. Wasn't sure if it was just that drink so I went back a couple days later and got a banana latte and was underwhelmed by the lack of espresso and syrup flavor. Drinks were watery across my 3 experiences. Service was great, baristas were nice and offered many recommendations.

The decor in the space is very cool. Has a mellow vibe. Smaller space but has plenty of outlets to…read morewfh. I got a spring special coffee with housemade blueberry syrup- Yum! The staff was very kind and welcoming.

I stopped by Narrative on a whim on a Saturday morning. It was pretty busy when I arrived, there…read morewere a few people ahead of me and most of the seats were taken. It's a very small place with a few tables and window seating with stools. They have an array of pastries, but by the time I arrived around 11:15 most were gone. I did get a croissant heated up and it was good. I ordered the Nutty X Nature Latte and by the time it was ready, I was able to get a seat. The latte was perfect. The service is great. It's a cool place to hang with friends or sit and enjoy a great cup of coffee.

Met a friend here for a quick catch-up. It's in the new box-ish building across from Urban Axes and…read moresorta behind Motorco/Parts and Labor. They have a lovely south-facing window and a deck with bistro tables and umbrellas. We got a cappuccino and a tea, and decided the interior would be better than the windy outside. It was a minor ing Wednesday, so service was immediate and friendly. The cappuccino was perfectly made - just frothy enough! (I could tell when she handed me the cup. It was lighter than it would have been full of milk. Thanks!!) There are mostly two- or three-tops scattered around the scant seating area, with a few comfy chairs around. There is a nice but small collection of snacks in the cabinet, but neither of us felt the need for food. The music was generic enough to not distract or call attention to itself. There is one very large, non-gendered restroom, well stocked and very accessible for those using assistive devices. It's a bold move to open a coffee shop a stone's throw from Cocoa Cinnamon, but I must say that Nectar has nailed the basics well, and may cater to a little different niche. Either is a good option for you, with decent WiFi, great drinks, and smiling patrons & servers! Welcome to the neighborhood, Nectar!

This place is very cute and warm. It's inside Geer House towards the back. I enjoyed my tea latte…read morefrom them and the turkey, brie, and fig croissant. The croissant had a nice texture and the flavors of the brie with the balsamic glaze also went very well. You get to choose from their options of tea. I decided on English breakfast and it was very tasty. We got pastries from them as well and I wasn't a fan because it felt like they were over baked. The coffee cake I got had a harder exterior on top that I'm not a fan of. My partner enjoyed both pastries and the sandwich. I appreciated them asking if whole milk was ok and providing him with ice cubes for his americano. Overall, I really like the setup of the shop and it's very cute. I loved that they had savory options and sweet options for food. Their cups are very cute and the staff is very nice. Their custom cups with their logo really sets them apart I think to some other shops.

Very cute new coffee shop! They have a small lot and plentiful Brightleaf parking across the street…read more(although you do have to pay for that lot, and they aren't able to validate since they aren't technically part of Brightleaf). I got an iced decaf americano with vanilla, which was delicious and came in a glass since they knew I was sticking around. They have a lot of seating and the whole place feels bright, airy, open and clean. They also have a cute store on the left hand side of the space that sells outdoor clothing, shoes and gear. A welcome addition to the area!

It took me more than a year of coming here to write a review for Yonderlust, mostly because I'm…read moresurprised by how much this place grew on me. Yonderlust is more than just a coffee shop--it's one of those spaces where you can easily spend an entire afternoon without realizing how much time has passed. It's a fantastic study and work spot: a mix of table sizes, plenty of outlets, and a relatively quiet, calm environment that makes it easy to settle in. It has solid coffee: Drinks here are consistently pretty good. I usually go for their Campfire Latte (a signature for a reason) or whatever seasonal syrup they're featuring, and their matcha latte is reliable too. It has actual, warm food: simple but satisfying sandwiches with enough variety to make for a perfect study snack or light lunch. I am often disappointed when coffee shops only offer cold pastries. It has entertainment: I love taking a quick study break to browse the shop's outdoor gear and clothing; it honestly feels a little like being transported to the West Coast for a moment (give me some Oregan vibes!). Service has always been quick and friendly. I wouldn't say any single thing here is the best in Durham--but together, it is special! There are many days when I find myself craving a few cozy hours at Yonderlust, followed by a quick dessert next door at Rose's.

A long-time favorite of mine here in Durham, particularly for anyone wanting a place to study. They…read morehave a ton of tables, free coffee refills, and lots of outlets. The lighting is good, the music is at an appropriate volume, and the seating is comfortable (particularly in the back room). During the weekends and on holidays they can be quite full (particularly during the school year), but generally speaking I can usually find a seat here. Baristas are friendly and competent. They are well-staffed, and even when there is a long line things come out quickly! There is also free parking available in the parking garage around the corner, which is certainly a bonus. My go-to here is simply an iced americano or coffee, but their seasonal drinks are also delicious. Can't recommend enough!

It's time for "second coffee" and my office for the morning, landing at Foster Street at around…read more8:30 am. Parking wasn't easy since I can't fit into a parking deck but a metered space opened up and I was able to jam into there. Warmly welcomed and my cortado was ready before I'd even finished plugging in the laptop. Strong coffee that had a deep flavor and I'd already had breakfast so I was able to resist the pastries. An hour in, another cup of drip was all I needed while I did the Internet thing. Foster Street is conducive to laptop but it did get a bit loud in there with the talking, the music and the sound of the espresso machine. But if you can handle all of that, it's ideal. I stayed about two hours this morning. [Review 943 of 2025 - 4346 in North Carolina - 24498 overall]

My partner had a key lime espresso tonic here that he talks about at least once a month…read more Imo solid coffee, and often has fun seasonal specials. In the middle of food mall so pretty loud, can always take a seat outside or walk to the park however

An amazing place tucked in the Durham food hall. The small size is so big and they have so many…read moreoptions to choose from. The chai was amazing and just what I needed to have a good start to the day.