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Durham is incredibly lucky to have such a killer coffee scene. Shake up your same old coffee routine and explore some of the local favorites and new-to-you options around the city. Here’s a comprehensive list of Durham’s traditional cafes, small-scale coffee bars, and counter service bakeries and restaurants with full espresso bars and some local’s favorite drinks. And as always, done with your input!
Kaffeinate
Kaffeinate is a quaint little Brightleaf-adjacent coffee shop. Their coffee is heavenly and their service is always excellent.
Address: 115A N Duke St
Neighborhood: Brightleaf
Notes: We love that they have plenty of outlets and reliable wifi. Plus some of the nicest staff around.
Local’s Favorite Drinks: Okinawan Steamer, Iced Matcha Latte, Brown Sugar Latte
Shop Durham Offer: Get 10% off your purchase every visit
Bean Traders
We are big fans of this funky cafe. The staff is always wonderful and willing to answer any questions I have about their unique drinks. They even roast their own beans.
Address: 105 W NC 54 Hwy #249
Neighborhood: South Durham
Notes: The space is surprisingly large and there are plenty of outlets to plug in. There’s a small kids play area in the back with a table and some chalk.
Local’s Favorite Drinks: Hot Tea Cloud, Day-Dreaming Dirty Hippie
Shop Durham Offer: Free small coffee with purchase of beans
Peoples Coffee
Bypass Starbucks in favor of this local option behind Southpoint Mall. This place is everything you want in a coffee shop. Cozy, unique, great coffee, good people, custom mugs, and a beautiful atmosphere.
Address: 7830 NC-751 Suite 100
Neighborhood: South Durham
Notes: You have to get a photo in front of their hand painted mural wall.
Local’s Favorite Drinks: Mocha (Using local Videri Chocolate)
Cocoa Cinnamon
If you love coffee, you have to come here. No questions. Cocoa Cinnamon has three Bull City locations and each has their own unique character. Big garage doors that open up on nice days so you don’t feel like you’re working.
Address: 420 W Geer St, 2627 Hillsborough Rd, 2013 Chapel Hill Rd
Neighborhood: Downtown, Hillsborough Rd, Lakewood
Notes: I personally prefer the Lakewood location for working because it is the largest and there is usually no issue finding seating.
Local’s Favorite Drinks: Dr. Durham, Hot Caramel, Durm Fog, Kublai Klan
Shop Durham Offer: Free Churro with Drink Purchase (Lakewood Location)
Check out our complete guide to Cocoa Cinnamon here
Joe Van Gogh
You can find these shops all over the Durham coffee scene with three prime locations. They even roast their own beans and you can get their coffee at other local spots like Guglhupf and Pine Cone.
Address: 1114-B W Chapel Hill St, 1104 Broad St B, 4711 Hope Valley Rd
Neighborhood: Downtown, West End, Woodcroft
Notes: Be sure to check out their lavender syrup made in house.
Local’s Favorite Drinks: Oat Milk Latte
Shop Durham Offer: 5% off $5 or more
Parker and Otis
Life would be much duller without Parker & Otis. I always find something so very ‘Durham’ here and a greeting card that makes me laugh out loud. This is the perfect place for an afternoon pick-me-up, friend coffee date, or rainy day.
Address: 112 S Duke St
Neighborhood: Brightleaf
Notes: They have a large, shaded outdoor seating area for those warm days too! They serve Counter Culture coffee.
Local’s Favorite Drinks: Iced Rose Latte
Caballo Rojo Coffee
You can find this locally roasted coffee at the Farmer’s Market on Saturdays and various events across Durham. They were the first tenant at the popular Pop-Up at American Tobacco. Get 20% off 2 bags or more using your Shop Durham card.
Beyu Caffe
Beyu is a local staple and they definitely allow everyone to Be-You. The environment, service and food are awesome. They’ve got ample seating so you can settle in and get work done or bring a crew and socialize.
Address: 341 W Main St
Neighborhood: Downtown
Notes: This neighborhood cafe is a popular gathering spot for different community organizing and social groups.
Local’s Favorite Drinks: Caramello or Turtle Mocha
Shop Durham Offer: 10% off coffee and breakfast items weekdays before 10:30am
Beyu Blue
Beyu’s cafe at Duke University is a hidden gem (if you don’t live on campus). We love grabbing coffee and pastries after visiting Duke Chapel.
Address: 120 Science Dr
Neighborhood: Duke’s Campus
Durham Hotel
One of my favorite non-office places to work. There’s plenty of (comfortable) seating, the staff is super kind, and the beautiful mid century vibes are worth the trip alone.
Address: 315 E Chapel Hill St
Neighborhood: Downtown
Local’s Favorite Drinks: Coffee Soda, Iced Chai Latte, Coconut and Cardamom Cold Brew Latte
Foster’s Street Coffee
The owner is an absolutely delight and is always ready with a smile. We love their oversized, comfy chairs and cozy fireplace.
Address: 530 Foster St #2
Neighborhood: Central Park
Notes: There’s a large meeting room with a TV that is available for meetings, groups, etc. for free.
Local’s Favorite Drinks: Chai Latte, Iced Mocha
Durham Co-Op Market
May not be where you think of when you want to grab a cup of joe, but the Durham Co-Op has a cute cafe that serves Counter Culture.
Address: 1111 W Chapel Hill St
Neighborhood: West End
Shop Durham Offer: Get a FREE cup of drip coffee every visit
Namu
You’d be hard pressed to find another outdoor space that is this beautiful, has great coffee, and wi-fi to work from. One of the best patios in Durham.
Address: 5420 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd
Notes: They have a gorgeous bamboo garden topped off with a water fountain and koi pond, tons of outdoor seating that is pet and kid friendly.
Local’s Favorite Drinks: Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Guglpupf
You may not be able to say the name correctly or even remember how to spell it when you’re telling your friends to meet you there, but Guglhupf is pure magic. A German-style bakery serving up breads, pastries, and desserts, they’re an award-winning local favorite.
Address: 2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd
Neighborhood: Lakewood
Notes: It’s much more than just a bakery, you can also grab brunch, lunch, and dinner. They do all of them to perfection. We love their outdoor seating that’s accompanied by a water foundation and tons of greenery.
Coffee Served: Joe Van Gogh
Foster’s Market
Foster’s is a Durham staple that is known for their scratch-made soups, salads, sandwiches, and casseroles. Be sure to check out their desserts as well.
Address: 2694 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd,
Neighborhood: Lakewood
Notes: They have at least a dozen pies, cakes, or baked goods variety on any given day. They have plenty of picnic tables and outdoor seating making it the perfect spot to enjoy that piece of pie.
Unscripted Hotel
It’s cocktails by night and coffee by day at this cafe in the lobby of the Unscripted Hotel. I’m a big fan of comfy couches to work on and they have an abundance of them.
Address: 202 Corcoran St
Neighborhood: Downtown
Notes: You know that parking downtown can be a major headache. Good news is that Unscripted has their own parking garage, just have to pay hourly.
Shop Durham Offer: Get a FREE small cup of Toby’s Estate Coffee every visit
Apt N. Coffee
This traveling espresso bar can be found at events all over Durham. Whatever the reason for the gathering, caffeine is typically a welcome addition and we’re always happy to see them serving up Counter Culture at markets, festivals, weddings, and more.
Sacred Grounds
Sacred Grounds works on donations only, serves Counter Culture Coffee, has live concerts on Saturdays of various genres and welcomes everyone. Only open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday nights.
Address: 2700 N Roxboro St
Neighborhood: Northgate
Notes: Check out the live music on Saturday nights
Triangle Coffee House
The baristas are friendly, the coffee is good, and the prices are reasonable. There are plenty of outlets which also makes it ideal for working or studying.
Address: 714 9th St
Neighborhood: 9th Street
Notes: We love this spot on 9th street because it tends to be quiet and there is plenty of seating. There’s actually two floors- I prefer sitting upstairs because of the natural light.
Saladelia Cafe
A local staple for 25+ years, Saladelia has 4 locations around Durham. The staff is awesome and the food is great. Quality, taste and value are all outstanding.
Address: 4201 University Dr #101, 411 Chapel Dr, 2424 Erwin Rd #303, 406 Blackwell St
Neighborhood: SoDu, Duke University, Hock Plaza, American Tobacco Campus
Fun Fact: People think Saladeila is the the owner’s last name, but it’s simply a combination of “salad” and “deli” with the “a” added
Coffee Served: Counter Culture
Saint & Co.
Saint & Co. is a bakery café offering all things related to dough. Delicious variety of fresh pastries and great coffee. Everything is baked in house and you can tell. They also serve toasts, salads, paninis, beer, and wine as well as a cocktail on tap every day.
Address: 810 9th St Suite 130
Neighborhood: 9th Street
Notes: Their sweet pastries and tarts are works of art for an insanely reasonable price.
Shop Durham Offer: 50% off pastries after 2pm
Mad Hatter’s
You’ll find Mad Hatter’s steps away from 9th Street. My number one reason for loving this place? The dessert. Their black and white cake is dreamy. (I love it so much it was our wedding cake!)
Address: 1802 W Main St
Neighborhood: 9th Street
Notes: The space is large and you can usually find seating, although it can get busy during the school year because of the proximity to Duke’s campus. They have their own parking lot as well.
Local’s Favorite Drinks: Iced Latte
Caffe Bellezza
You can find this mobile coffee shop every Saturday at the Durham Farmer’s Market and follow along on their adventures by looking at their calendar. They have all of the original favorite coffee drinks, but they also have a few drinks that you’ve probably not tried.
Must Try Drink: Southern Charm. A mixture of North Carolina molasses, smoked paprika, and freshly ground Himalayan seat salt this latte is for sure going to convince you that savory lattes are the future.
East Durham Bake Shop
Although they’ve got a full espresso bar, it takes a backseat to their insanely good baked goods. Their space is light-filled and cozy- you want to spend all day here. There’s also a bookshelf filled with children’s books to keep the kiddos entertained.
Address: 406 S Driver St
Neighborhood: East Durham
Food: Full bakery with croissants, scones, cakes, pies, and more. Their savory pies and soups make the perfect lunch.
Coffee Served: Carrboro Coffee Roasters
Dulce Cafe
Dulce Cafe is a cute local cafe that also serves up delectable desserts like gelato, macarons, cookies, éclairs, tarts, and more. They even look like works of art, too pretty to eat, but you’ll devour every bite once you taste them!
Address: 5826 Fayetteville Rd Ste 106
Neighborhood: South Durham
Notes: They even have a great selection of lunch items, the turkey apple brie sandwich was amazing!
Bull and Bean
Bull and Bean is a great spot for breakfast, brunch, and lunch any day of the week. We love that they serve Counter Culture coffee and if you want to grab an iced coffee, the ice cubes are made from coffee so your drink doesn’t get watered down. Score!
Address: 3710 Shannon Rd
Neighborhood: Hope Valley
Notes: You can’t beat their famous pulled pork hashbrowns
Local’s Favorite Drinks: Ice Coffee with iced coffee cubes
Shop Durham Offer: Get a free cookie or soup with purchase of full size sandwich or salad
Monuts
They started as a tricycle donut stand and look where they are now! It’s amazing to see how they have grown and they have even more deliciousness and variety now. They have a rotating selection of unique donuts and some classics like apple cider.
Address: 1002 9th St
Neighborhood: 9th Street
Notes: The chicken and pickle biscuit will change your life.
Shop Durham Offer: Get a free donut or pastry with the purchase of any espresso drink
Pine Cone
At Pine Cone, they serve the essentials: Maple View Farm ice cream and Joe Van Gogh coffee. You’ll find this spot at Brightleaf Square and they have specials everyday of the week.
Address: 905 W Main St
Neighborhood: Brightleaf
Notes: They serve the famous Maple View Farms ice cream here, so if you don’t feel like driving all the way out there this is the perfect spot to get it
Shop Durham Offer: 10% off every visit
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