I love coffee and going to coffee shops. Since I’ve recently returned from my 5th trip to North Carolina, I thought it would be great to write a blog about the best places to visit in Raleigh for coffee maniacs.
I was reading a post the other day about favourite coffee places in London and thought I should create a list of my own; let’s face it – I am obsessed with coffee. I’ve visited a few of these cafes in London myself and I love exploring local coffee shops wherever I travel to. I love sitting down to a latte or cappuccino and will find any excuse to drag someone with me. I also love frequenting coffee shops to do my work outside of my home office. In case you’re wondering, I like to drink my coffee without the extra sugar or cream, so I have to say I am a bit of a coffee snob.
You can Google things like “top coffee places in Raleigh”, and the lists are endless, but mostly they just give all the regular favourites. Trust me, if it exists, I’ve probably tried it. My list below speaks from experience, and I wouldn’t be recommending them if I didn’t think they were worthy of a visit! So know that the below 4 recommendations are genuinely tried and tested and very well-loved. I have to say, it was challenging to pick only 4 because there are so many fantastic coffee choices in Raleigh. I had to pick the ones where I like having a coffee the most whenever I travel there!
Here my friends, in no particular order, you will find my top recommendations to get a buzz, uh, I mean coffee in Raleigh.
Coffee places to visit in Raleigh #1 Sola Coffee Café
Address: North Raleigh,7705 Lead Mine Road
Sola Coffee is my neighbourhood café. In simple terms, the coffee is exceptional, the food is uncomplicated, and their mini-doughnuts are amazing! I meet friends at Sola. I tell everyone I know about Sola. I love sitting outdoors when it is a beautiful day. I love sitting indoors when I need to be around people. It is a place where I can get some work done, but eventually, I will see someone I know. I love stopping in after playing tennis and getting something off their toast bar as a post-workout snack. My go-to coffee there is a cortado or a latte. It feels like home, and I need to break from my reality.
Coffee places to visit in Raleigh #2 BREW Coffee Bar
Address: Seaboard Station, 111 Seaboard Avenue, Suite 116
BREW and I have a date almost every morning of my staying in the area. Besides the convenience of parking, I almost always order a pour-over. They rotate the coffee selection from Raleigh Coffee Company, and I always know that I will find a light roast to my liking.
Coffee places to visit in Raleigh #3 Benelux Cafe
Address: Cameron Village Shopping Center, 402 Oberlin Road, Suite 118
Benelux Cafe is my reward when I am in Cameron Village after a workout at Flywheel Sports or what I sip on when I am getting a blowout at Parlor Dry Bar. And while I am indulging myself with rewards, I might get a delicious waffle every once in a while. They are famous for those waffles, and I can’t resist. The waffles, or wafels, are influenced by Amsterdam and Brussels, and the large coffee mural defines the cafe concept for sure. At Benelux, I tend to be a purist with my coffee choice and almost always get a french press coffee. Their coffee is roasted in house and can be found in other locations, known as Raleigh Roasted Coffee.
Coffee places to visit in Raleigh #4 Jubala Coffee
Address: Lafayette Village, 8450 Honeycutt Road
Jubala Coffee is my go-to coffee shop when I am in North Raleigh. And be warned that there is always a line. That alone should say something about the coffee. But really, it says a lot about the talented baristas that serve up Counter Culture Coffee, each cup of coffee freshly brewed to order. After placing your order, your coffee is weighed, ground, and prepared by the cup. So be prepared; you’ll wait long for your coffee. But that is part of the experience. I love to sit at the bar and just watch the baristas in awe. They are so talented. As a coffee minimalist (yeah, right), I do like to order the pour-over drip when I am at Jubala. But, of course, I can’t help to get a latte just to see the pretty art that I will find in my cup!
I would love to know if you’ve visited any of the above, and if you have, what did you think?
