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    The Creative Cup

    4.9 (25 reviews)
    Closed 6:30 am - 8:30 pm

    The Creative Cup Photos

    THE CREATIVE CUP ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Dogs allowed
    Good for working

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    The owner really genuinely loves coffee so all their drinks are great.

    Staff is always kind and they decorate for each season so it's a nice place to sit and work.

    a cup of coffee on a table
    Mike C.

    I stumbled upon this little quaint and intimate cafe in Zebulon. I was searching for a Starbucks to kill time before my meeting with my buyer client to tour a new construction in the area. Unfortunately and yet fortunately there weren't any Starbucks in the immediate area which forced me to search for alternatives. I searched coffee cafes, and "voilá" The Creative Cup Café pops up and it's mere minutes of where we were meeting. The cafe is in the heart of downtown Zebulon on the town's Main Street of Arendell Ave. As I mentioned it's a intimate cafe yet spacious and bright and airy. They even have seating counters along the storefront so you can ppl watch while enjoying a cup of Java! I got the Americano and decided to drink my very aromatic and flavorful coffee on the outside. They have tables and chairs outside in the alley way of the cafe cascaded with light above which I'm sure sets a completely different vibe in the evening. Instead I sat right in front of the store on a cushioned chair and small table. I will without a doubt be back here whenever I'm in Zebulon again, which will be sooner than later. My client really liked the house we toured.

    Interior
    Jennabeth W.

    Fantastic atmosphere, including a record player and local goods for sale. Friendly people. Great drinks, including creative specials. The savory scones are to die for if you're lucky enough to catch them in stock. I still love it here!

    Pretty entrance!
    Sarah S.

    Charming, local coffee shop! I was greeted by smiling faces and instantly felt welcome. Their menu has plenty of options. I went with the cinnamon bun latte and it was amazing! The ambience is cozy and inviting. There is a cute area where you can design your own coffee cup sleeve. I love how the name of their shop, matches the experience! I left feeling a little more creative! Can't wait to visit again!

    Their spring menu that they recently changed out for their summer menu! Petition to bring back the samoas coffee!
    Caroline R.

    This place is chalk full of some of the nicest people in Zebulon. I'm from the Durham area so I don't get to come out this way much. But when I do- we go to creative cup!! The first time I tried this place I was blown away. I got a seasonal drink and called my mom to rave about this small town coffee shop and their fun (creative) drinks. The ambiance of the coffee shop itself is the cutest- you can choose a vinyl record and put it on while you read about the happenings around Zebulon for that month. There's never too too many people there for it to get overwhelming but they do get good business. Even when there are people waiting for their order you're not going to be waiting more than 5-8 minutes. Would highly recommend if you're even close to the area. Everything I've gotten here has been delicious! Oh and get a cinnamon roll!!!

    Peppermint mocha
    Analee T.

    Affogato? avocado! Visited for the first time the weekend after thanksgiving. Barista shared the new holiday drink menu that wasn't posted yet - so, my daughter and I enjoyed delicious holiday lattes in a gorgeous, festive space. Service was quick and coffee went down smooth.

    White chocolate raspberry latte

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    5 months ago

    Food coffee service - all excellent- been there many times and have always enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere

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    7 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Stopped by and got a cup of their drip coffee. It was the best coffee I've ever had, made it hard to go back to regular coffee.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great locally owned coffee shop in Zebulon. They offer gluten free muffins which excited my daughter! Great Lattes.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    The staff is so great and the coffee is amazing.... I say Goodbye to that coffee shop from Seattle!

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    4 years ago

    Love the ambiance in this adorable shop! The drinks and food are excellent and the staff super friendly!!

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    Ask the Community - The Creative Cup

    Review Highlights - The Creative Cup

    I have a knack for finding local coffee shops, and trying their iced chai.

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    41 North Coffee - Goat cheese, bacon, and fig Pannini.

    41 North Coffee

    4.1(143 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $

    A Delightful Surprise…read more 41 North Coffee Co reminds me of 'The Little Engine that Could'. It's a rather small coffee-house / cafe that serves everything from Premium Coffee Concoctions to Biscuits & Gravy to Paninis & Quiche to Wings & Burgers to Steaks & Lasagna to Affogato with a Biscotti (Gelato with Espresso). I think it has the most diverse and extensive menu in our area, and everything I have tasted so far has been delicious. Inside seating a somewhat limited, so it can get crowded during peak hours. There are a couple of outside tables and the roof-top garden is open when the weather turns nice. Except for Sunday dinner, they are open for every meal every day of the week. The Chicken Salad Croissant was slightly sweet and piled high on a large flakey fresh-baked croissant. The Goat Cheese & Fig Panini came with Mozzarella Cheese, Bacon, fresh Spinach and a Balsamic Glaze pressed in Sourdough Bread. It was exceptional. Our grandson devoured a fluffy Waffle and pronounced it the best he had ever had. We also recommend the Spinach Artichoke Quiche - a generous serving of my favorite egg custard tart loaded with Spinach & Artichoke and gooey Mozzarella & Provolone Cheese. The Bacon, Egg & Gouda Sandwich is another winner. The Apple-wood smoked Bacon, Eggs and Cheese are packed into a toasted English Muffin. For something sweet, try the Oreo Cheesecake - simply delicious. One last thing - the Coffee is also very good.

    The food was good, until I found hair in it…read more We had just popped in for a quick brunch before heading home. They have a seat yourself service on Sunday, except there were no tables available since they all still had plates/trash on them. Took about 20 minutes until we could order, girl running the cashier was nice and helpful though. Food only took about 15 minutes for my family but about 25 for mine. Family had the Pressed Bagel with ham, egg, and cheese as well as the 3 cheese grilled cheese and I had the bacon, eggs, and side of home fries. Everything was ok, nothing out of this world but then I found a males hair in my food. I wasn't even a quarter into my food so that was extremely wasteful. To top it off, my daughter stood by the counter waiting for someone to help her grab a container for her muffin to-go and the man running that side completely ignored her several times. It wasn't until a young lady walked over that my daughter was able to get her attention for help. For the price we paid it was not even close to worth our time let alone our money. Besides the tables not being busted it was pretty clean, bathrooms were clean, and a cute set up.

    Photos
    41 North Coffee - Interior.

    Interior.

    41 North Coffee - Egg, Bacon & Gouda

    Egg, Bacon & Gouda

    41 North Coffee - Inside

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    Inside

    McLean's Ole Time Cafe - Beef tips over rice with sweet potato side

    McLean's Ole Time Cafe

    4.0(245 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    Some of the best homemade Southern country cooking you will eat. They offer a variety of meats,…read moreincluding steaks and other beef dishes, poultry, pork, and seafood, all cooked any way you like. You get your choice of two sides with your meal, plus homemade biscuits and hushpuppies. McLean's offers 19 side dishes, 20 if you include the one-trip salad bar. As a side salad, there may be an additional charge or you may choose it as your main meal. Be sure to save room for their delicious homemade desserts, including cakes and pies, and cheesecake with various toppings. Don't miss the hot fudge cake, topped with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge sauce, whipped cream and a cherry. This is generous enough for two to share! The cuisine ranges from country meals to burgers, Italian, and Mexican dishes. The servers are attentive and ensure you have everything you need, making your dining experience is an A-plus. The atmosphere at McLean's gives you a feeling of home, from the front porch to the inside seating and decor. Plus, they can accommodate large groups. They are open 7 days a week, from 7 AM - 8 PM; however, you will need to check on their breakfast, brunch, and their lunch specials cut-off times. McLean's also provides catering and bakery services for your special events.

    I wanted to take a friend to a nice spot Friday June 12, he had never had the pleasure of…read moreexperiencing. I've been here many times however it was his 1st visit. I let him know the food was great, home cooked and good portions. The one thing that ruined the evening was the RUDE waitress, he walked up to the table and before he could sit down she bought my drink out, she asked what will you have to drink, he's looking confused and responds still standing, well what do you have? She rambles all the options so fast I'm not sure he understood all but made a choice. Then he sat down. She came back and slid it on the table like a fly by.. Soon she bought a hush puppy basket they were cold, I dare not complain she was so nasty and distant. Next she came back, order book open and I was like it's his 1st time, she didn't say anything, she just looked out the window and waited, so we just knew we needed to order, so I named my meat before I could finish SIDES??then he simply asks did they have bone in chicken ( I didn't know he was going to ask or I would have told him beforehand) she says no we have , fried chicken breast tenders, sisco chicken etc, she named every chicken dish on the menu without taking a breath.. I can give her props for knowing that..we both were looking at her confused and she never looked at us it was always "looking out the window " He said just give me "Flounder " one piece or two??? He replies one, SIDES??? Like we needed to be on point. She took the menus and left. She asked the questions she needed but was mean, not engaging and just rude. The WAY she asked.. When our food came this waitress walked by and literally slid our food on the table in a way that was like HERE! And kept walking I don't even think she stopped when she put them on the table she may have slowed down. We had to reach towards the end of the table to slide our plates in front of us. We both looking at each other in agreement she just nasty! The next time she came back she walked by and sat down a half glass of refill for his drink, she hadn't asked she just did it, suppose he wanted a glass of water? When we put our forks down she came over to get his plate and bought me a to go box as I still had half my food on my plate and she left the ticket. She didn't say is there anything I can get you or anything the entire time. He put his pymt with the ticket and put it on the edge of the table, I hadn't been in a while so I forgot we would pay on the way out. She was cleaning the floor near us and slid our ticket/pymt farther on our table, as if it was in her way, again he's confused so he said this is ready and she let him know to pay up front. I have never experienced such a nasty waitress at this restaurant and because of this I probably will never go back. I don't like not feeling comfortable and welcomed in a place where my money and time is going into. I started to complain before I left but in reality I don't think it would have mattered, and we left a tip not as much as we would have if she was more pleasant. I don't know whether she was having a bad day, a long day or to take it personal but I can't deal with attitude like that and won't take a chance on it again. This man drove a hour to experience this was just unbelievable!!!!

    Photos
    McLean's Ole Time Cafe - Decorum

    Decorum

    McLean's Ole Time Cafe
    McLean's Ole Time Cafe

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    9BAR Coffeehouse

    9BAR Coffeehouse

    4.4(63 reviews)
    11.0 mi

    This is my granddaughter's and my favorite coffee shop in Clayton. We love the food, smoothies, and…read morecoffees as well as their breakfast sandwiches, salads, and baked goods. I highly recommend trying this place out if you're in the area visiting or if you live in Clayton and you are looking for a nice yummy friendly place to have a great tasting breakfast or lunch and /or a yummy treat or coffee

    Small but mighty, this coffee shop is a cozy little caffeine cave wrapped in warm wood tones and…read moresleek modern flair. The booths are spotless, comfy, and practically beg you to linger--at least until the crowd rolls in. When it's quiet, it's charming. When it's busy, it's loud. Think espresso machines competing with over enthusiastic kids and a room that amplifies every giggle, shuffle, and snack-time negotiation. Intimate in size, big on personality, and absolutely buzzing when the tiny humans take over--come for the coffee, stay for the chaos (or bring noise-canceling headphones). The staff here are the kind of friendly that feels genuine, not rehearsed--always attentive, always moving, They whip up a solid cortado with confidence, but where they really shine is the cappuccino: velvety, balanced, and clearly made by people who care about the details. The breakfast sandwiches are freshly made, warm, and reliably good--nothing fancy or overthought, just simple, satisfying fuel done right. The prices have a bit of main-character energy--slightly higher than you expect, confidently so, your wallet may raise an eyebrow, but the coffee shrugs and says, worth it. Cheers!

    Photos
    9BAR Coffeehouse - Sitting area

    Sitting area

    9BAR Coffeehouse - I happily drive 30 minutes for this most weekends,  a delicious bacon, egg, and cheese bagel with a bit of cream cheese.

    I happily drive 30 minutes for this most weekends, a delicious bacon, egg, and cheese bagel with a bit of cream cheese.

    9BAR Coffeehouse - Java Chip Frappe

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    Java Chip Frappe

    The Creative Cup - coffee - Updated June 2026

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