50 Best Cafes in Durham

“Loved the friendly atmosphere and dog friendly“

“I got the Greek omelette with light feta spinach and peppers ! It was amazing ! Great lil spot!“

“If you have not been to Pipers you are missing out! Need more delis dedicated to great food and great service like this but I doubt they could do it any better. No matter how busy this place gets lines move fast and the food is worth every minute. The staff remembers you and makes you feel right at home. Best tuna sandwich best chili just best everything when it comes to lunch. Take it from a foodie go get you some Pipers in the Park!“

“It was a busy Saturday I recommend walking down to the farmers market and picking up some bakery items there. But walking a block to come get some coffee here. The barista was sweet and they were even giving out samples of their lemon loafs. Will definitely come back the chai was an 8.6 and although it had hints of lavender and floral it was grounded in spice and vanilla.“

“When I first visited the store I was on break from work and was just browsing. The store has everything from food to books, perfume and home trinkets like candles, wine and stationaries. I can easily get lost in this store for an hour or two; it's the perfect dilly-dally spot for a girl lol. I had lunch recently and ordered the black Forest Ham & Swiss and a Cinnamon Roll. When I say this sandwich was everything! It was STACKED and the perfect diagonal cut. I was so ready to eat it I didn't even get a chance to take a photo but trust me it's good! And don't even get me started on the cinnamon roll! A soft flaky pastry with the perfect amount of icing glazed on top. If you ever want a nice deli sandwich, I recommend Parker & Otis!“

“Been coming for a few years now and make sure everyone I know has his stuff as well. It’s nice to see him at farmers markets and craft fairs but also have a reliable place to go mid week when you just need a friendly face and a refreshing beverage. I make sure everyone who visits me try’s him out at least once :)“

“Best goat vindaloo i’ve ever tasted“

“Found this near our rental. Love the biscuits and the donuts are even better. They get crowded so prepare for a wait but it’s worth it in the end.“

“Looking for lunch one day and thought I would try Cafe Meridian. One time is all it took. My new favorite lunch spot. Everything I have tried is tasty. Tried the Fiesta chicken. Would eat that daily! Yum.“

“I had the pleasure of trying some delicious iced coffee at the one life fitness ribbon cutting and I was very impressed! The two angels who were working the event were just such a pleasure. So 5 stars to them for just being pleasant. (Plus the iced coffee was perfect!)“

“I started frequenting The Bean Flower a couple of months ago after my sister took me for the first time. I’m not a matcha enthusiast or connoisseur in any way, shape, or form, but this place has the best matcha I’ve ever tried by FAR! The staff is always super friendly and efficient, the space is super cute inside, and they sell adorable stickers and merch too. I would highly recommend this place!“

“I placed a pickup order one morning while on vacation in Durham a couple of weeks ago. The baristas were friendly, the place was nicely decorated and clean, and my order was almost ready by the time I walked through the door. Thanks so much for the delicious waffles, chai latte, and açaí bowl! My fiancé and I enjoyed having some special extras for his surprise birthday breakfast and a refreshing late-night movie snack.“

“Came here looking for a hearty and healthy breakfast and got exactly that! The Juicekeys power bowls are delicious - I got the Green Delight and it had a super flavorful base and they did not skimp on the fresh blueberries! Great friendly staff and 10/10 recommend!“

“Friendly staff and great food. Was worth the wait.“

“Definitely one of my favorite spots! Would recommend to anyone.“

“The chicken salad 🥗 & Greek wrap is definitely a 10000/10!!

I traveled 54 mins to see what the hype was about & I see what it is.

The customer service was also good . The staff helped with popular menu items to pick from .“

“A whole vibe for sure . Loved JJ. Will be back“

“This place is wow. Amazing beautiful deserts. Always fresh. Paninis! Unusual for NC as well, great selection. And the custom croissant sandwich I had today with egg, ham, tomatoe and lettuce was warm and heavenly. Also love the pictures on the walls.“

“🥪 One of my favorite lunch spots in RTP! It's small so get there early. Deep menu, great specials, and free cookies on Fridays! I kind of wish they were open on weekends so I could share it with friends who don't work nearby weekdays.“

“Had a great experience here ! Taylor was a great server , will definitely be back and will be asking for her !!“

“The BEST coffee shop that I have ever visited. Great drinks plus very friendly staff. 🥰🥰🥰“

“Went in this morning for some coffee (delicious African coffee btw) and was greeted by Amma, the owner. What a lovely lady! I wish I didn't have to hit the road because that was the kind of place I'd want to hang out at for hours.

I didn't get to try it, but I heard her Smoked Salmon Salad Sandwich was one for the books. If you're in the area, definitely stop by this little gem!“

“Lo mejor de lo mejor , buen servicio , excelente limpieza , la comida exquisita ?.“

“This cafe has a calm vibe that’s hard to find lately. I came around noon and got an americano plus chocolate brownie. The brownie tasted homemade instead of overly processed like many places. Seating was limited during lunch rush, but a staff member quickly cleaned another table and helped us settle in.“

“What y'all don't know is that the OWNER is an actual culinary GENIUS. So when you mix a genuine love of coffee (and flavors) with formal training, you get this amazing experience from Blackology Coffee Company. Definitely worth a try. I recommend 5/5 (or 10/10). Shout out to this Black Woman Owned Business!!! Proud of you LA! You've been planning this since we were little.“

“I just got back from Asia for two months so paying five dollars for a cup of coffee to me is absolutely ridiculous.

But the place is fine. The people are nice. It’s just jaded coming back to the states. After experiencing Vietnam/Japan, it’s all downhill…“

“I'm a lover of crepes and smoothies so I love this place. If you have a sweet tooth, a Nutella crepe with banana and/or strawberry is the way to go! for more of a savory dish, the chicken pesto crepe is my favorite. I also love the smoothies- all 3 flavors are delicious!“

“The food is ample reason to frequent Saladelia. But now that their new location is so beautifully landscaped there is even more reason to frequent Saladelia. Not only is the outside dining area bordered by planters with a variety of lovely, interesting plants but the area adjacent to the parking lot is also attractively landscaped. Thank you Saladelia for providing your customers with such delightful surroundings! Susan June24, 2023“

“That have a great deal of food“

“Omg First time stopping in. I had to call back to rave about the customer service and the food. I will definitely be back .. One happy Customer..“

“Twinnie’s has quickly become one of my favorite eateries at Duke! I come here at least once a week and it is always a pleasure to see the team. Special shout out to Jack who never fails to make my day! He is so kind, fun to chat with, and full of great recommendations. The food is top notch (cafe style entrées and drinks); seriously everything here is delicious. I’d recommend trying the daily specials or the classic Chicken Pita. Also, the seasonal pumpkin latte is back! I just drank it for the first time today and it won’t be my last. Check out Twinnie’s for good food and good vibes :)“

“We ordered bagged lunches for a field trip. The communication from the cafe was excellent through the entire process. The food was ready when we arrived and each bag was labeled with the names and orders from the spreadsheet that I sent. The food was delicious and the service was fantastic.“

“I had lunch on February 16 at Southpoint. That’s my location for 10 years. I have always gotten good service and food. On yesterday the food was not great. The pizza was over cooked and the bread pudding was burnt on top. I didn’t want to ask to do it over because I didn’t want and ( i will fix her attitude as I have heard formal cooks talk about.“

“Wasn't familiar with Panera. Bought a bagel with cream cheese. They delivered an uncut, cold bagel. As I was cutting through the bagel, a young lady said that they would have done that for me. I asked why the bagel was cold, she replied I had to ask for a toasted and sliced bagel. When she realized I didn't know, she went and got me a toasted and sliced bagel. Service above and beyond these days. ❤“

“Beyu Blue, located near the Duke University bookstore, offers a convenient spot for students and faculty to grab coffee and espresso-based drinks. While the shop provides the basics caffeine seekers need, the overall atmosphere feels somewhat tired and dated.

The menu features standard coffee shop fare, including drip coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, and other espresso drinks. The quality is generally acceptable, if not particularly standout.

The interior could use some refreshing to create a more inviting space. The worn furniture and dated decor give the impression that the shop has seen better days. Despite this, it remains a functional option for those needing a quick caffeine fix between classes or while browsing the bookstore.

In summary, Beyu Blue serves its purpose as a campus coffee spot, but don't expect a cutting-edge cafe experience. It's more about convenience and basic coffee needs than being a destination in itself.“

“Really enjoyed the experience! Thank you for the excellent service. 🙂“

“I love the lattes here becauae they're strong. I always stop by when I come. My kid usually plays with all the toys and the staff is just fine with it. The staff tends to be really nice and friendly. Also, I almost always watch the the train in the ceiling make a full route back and forth because it really is mesmerizing.“

“I want to give Nakia the highest rating possible! As a Duke student, I’ve been to Panera at Duke Dining many times, and every time I’ve seen Nakia, she has been incredibly kind, welcoming, and helpful. She is always willing to go above and beyond to help students and genuinely makes the experience so much better.

You can tell that she truly cares about the people she serves, and her kindness and positive attitude never go unnoticed. She consistently goes the extra mile, and I’m so grateful for how friendly and helpful she always is. Duke Dining is lucky to have someone like Nakia on the team!

She absolutely deserves the highest rating and recognition. Thank you for everything you do, Nakia! ❤“

“I ordered a chocolate vegan cake for my partner’s surprise 70th birthday party. I as AMAZING!! Best chocolate cake many in the crowd had ever had, vegan or not. Thank you Mad Hatter. You did a wonderful for a very special party.“

“Five stars all the way you can never go home at Starbucks unless you get someone who doesn't know what the hell they're doing

Vegetarian options: A pastry

Kid-friendliness: Kids are everywhere

Parking: Parking there was a huge parking lot because this is located inside a Target“

“I’ve been ordering whole bean coffee from Joe van gough for awhile and love trying the newer blends and specialty coffees, it’s what we get up for! So fresh!“

“I highly recommend the Unlimited Sip Club.“

“Love the sweets it was good and cheap“

“Staff was so warm and welcoming!!! Great food and service!“

“Clean and the staff are friendly!“

“I enjoy popping in and working on my daily phone calls and meeting some of the locals. We have even utilized the space for some community meetings and they were so accommodating to us“