This is one of the best coffee shops I've been to in my life and it's usually my first and last stop in Durham. The ethos of the coffee shop are wonderful. Their social justice perspectives are woven through and fantastic. The coffee and espresso are delicious -- the Al Mokha and Amuleto are my favorites. Finally, the people. The team here is diverse, warm, and so friendly. I just worked with someone named Jocelyn. She was so kind and warm. Coffee shops like Cocoa Cinnamon are gems and treasures.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeff Philips
I am a fan of the layout of the coffee shop. I get the vibe they are trying to create but it feels dirty. I get some people like it and that's OK, just not for me.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Rae M
I wanted to like this place, but I have found it disappointing at times. Sometimes the coffee is good, sometimes it’s not. Also, I had the pop tart and cinnamon bun offered on the weekend. They are horrible. Dry and tasteless.
COACH K.
Review Title: Update as of 11/15 So warm drinks, but chilly vibes I wanted to update my review to reflect the response and immediate attention to my specific experience. Thank you I visited Cocoa Cinnamon in Durham around 6:55 PM for a casual date. Unbeknownst to me, I arrived just before closing. Once I realized, I asked if I could still order — I was told yes, but they only had hot dark chocolate left. Great! I asked for whipped cream and paid without issue. My friend arrived about three minutes later. While waiting for our drinks, I asked to use the restroom. The sign on the door said it was for paying customers and to ask an employee for the key. I had just made a purchase, but was told no. I asked again, explaining I genuinely needed to go, but was told “we’re not allowed to have customers after we close,” even though my drinks were still being prepared. I understand closing policies, but this felt inconsistent and lacking in empathy. If customers are still being served, they should be allowed to use basic amenities. I had to walk two blocks to find a bathroom, which was uncomfortable and frustrating. As you can imagine, I didn’t enjoy the hot chocolate after that experience. I appreciate your attention and hope this helps improve future experiences. So yeah, warm drinks, chilly vibes
Kristen Siebring
Lattes were somehow tasteless? I thought I had covid but my husband agreed! Super cute shop tho
Food: 2
Luisa McKay
Love this place, I’ve had two of their hot chocolate flavors (on repeat for days) and they are so so good 🤤
Its a super cool place to work from, love the outdoor sitting and the sunlight it gets, their team is also super sweet.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Evangeline Weiss
Two Great locations in Durham, plenty of outdoor options. The friendly staff + locally roasted coffee makes this place a terrific option for people watching with a latte and some churros or just a pour over to go!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Kyle West
Inventive coffee drinks made perfectly every time. Friendly professional baristas. Great atmosphere that accommodates groups.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Angela Walter
I always want to buy local when I can. I have a Starbucks near my house but I drove 15 min to Cocoa and Cinnamon to support my local barista. I walked in at 13 minutes till closing and ordered 2 decaf lattes, only to be told they’d already cleaned the decaf machine for the night. I told them I’d driven 15 minutes just to get these lattes, but they basically just shrugged and said, “sorry”.
So - the lesson I learned is while supporting local is nice, I’m now sitting in my local Starbucks getting the 2 lattes and while they won’t taste as nice, the service was great and I tipped the barista very well.
Service: 1
Elizabeth Hensley
My favorite coffee shop in Durham. Their latte Al Mokha is soo good, and most of their syrups are made in-house. Cozy interior seating, lovely & spacious exterior seating. Great place to take your friends out for coffee or to go and get some work done (free & reliable WiFi!)
The vibe of this place is absolutely amazing. This was our first time…staff seemed to be very kind to the regulars- responsive at best to us- I got a peppermint tea but tbh it was just hot water- no flavor of peppermint. Daughter got a delicious dark hot chocolate with added cayenne. It was amazingly velvety and just perfectly yummy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Alexandra George Hubbard
Cute exterior but honestly coffee was not great and expensive. Sadly not sure I’d go back.
Lewis W
Fun an stylish little cafe
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
shanna scott
I will be 100% going back for more cherros. So delightful and absolutely delicious 😋
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Suan Murillo
Been coming to cacao since I was a lil kid, 8 yrs later I can’t even tell u what it means to spend $20 on two drinks. Used to be so honored to support the few local Latino businesses. But now feels like the ones who can enjoy it, no son de raza. :/
This is one of the best coffee shops I've been to in my life and it's usually my first and last stop in Durham. The ethos of the coffee shop are wonderful. Their social justice perspectives are woven through and fantastic. The coffee and espresso are delicious -- the Al Mokha and Amuleto are my favorites. Finally, the people. The team here is diverse, warm, and so friendly. I just worked with someone named Jocelyn. She was so kind and warm. Coffee shops like Cocoa Cinnamon are gems and treasures.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I am a fan of the layout of the coffee shop. I get the vibe they are trying to create but it feels dirty. I get some people like it and that's OK, just not for me.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
I wanted to like this place, but I have found it disappointing at times. Sometimes the coffee is good, sometimes it’s not. Also, I had the pop tart and cinnamon bun offered on the weekend. They are horrible. Dry and tasteless.
Review Title: Update as of 11/15 So warm drinks, but chilly vibes
I wanted to update my review to reflect the response and immediate attention to my specific experience. Thank you
I visited Cocoa Cinnamon in Durham around 6:55 PM for a casual date. Unbeknownst to me, I arrived just before closing. Once I realized, I asked if I could still order — I was told yes, but they only had hot dark chocolate left. Great! I asked for whipped cream and paid without issue. My friend arrived about three minutes later.
While waiting for our drinks, I asked to use the restroom. The sign on the door said it was for paying customers and to ask an employee for the key. I had just made a purchase, but was told no. I asked again, explaining I genuinely needed to go, but was told “we’re not allowed to have customers after we close,” even though my drinks were still being prepared.
I understand closing policies, but this felt inconsistent and lacking in empathy. If customers are still being served, they should be allowed to use basic amenities. I had to walk two blocks to find a bathroom, which was uncomfortable and frustrating. As you can imagine, I didn’t enjoy the hot chocolate after that experience.
I appreciate your attention and hope this helps improve future experiences. So yeah, warm drinks, chilly vibes
Lattes were somehow tasteless? I thought I had covid but my husband agreed! Super cute shop tho
Food: 2
Love this place, I’ve had two of their hot chocolate flavors (on repeat for days) and they are so so good 🤤
Its a super cool place to work from, love the outdoor sitting and the sunlight it gets, their team is also super sweet.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Two Great locations in Durham, plenty of outdoor options. The friendly staff + locally roasted coffee makes this place a terrific option for people watching with a latte and some churros or just a pour over to go!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Inventive coffee drinks made perfectly every time. Friendly professional baristas. Great atmosphere that accommodates groups.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I always want to buy local when I can. I have a Starbucks near my house but I drove 15 min to Cocoa and Cinnamon to support my local barista. I walked in at 13 minutes till closing and ordered 2 decaf lattes, only to be told they’d already cleaned the decaf machine for the night. I told them I’d driven 15 minutes just to get these lattes, but they basically just shrugged and said, “sorry”.
So - the lesson I learned is while supporting local is nice, I’m now sitting in my local Starbucks getting the 2 lattes and while they won’t taste as nice, the service was great and I tipped the barista very well.
Service: 1
My favorite coffee shop in Durham. Their latte Al Mokha is soo good, and most of their syrups are made in-house. Cozy interior seating, lovely & spacious exterior seating. Great place to take your friends out for coffee or to go and get some work done (free & reliable WiFi!)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
The vibe of this place is absolutely amazing. This was our first time…staff seemed to be very kind to the regulars- responsive at best to us- I got a peppermint tea but tbh it was just hot water- no flavor of peppermint. Daughter got a delicious dark hot chocolate with added cayenne. It was amazingly velvety and just perfectly yummy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Cute exterior but honestly coffee was not great and expensive. Sadly not sure I’d go back.
Fun an stylish little cafe
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I will be 100% going back for more cherros. So delightful and absolutely delicious 😋
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Been coming to cacao since I was a lil kid, 8 yrs later I can’t even tell u what it means to spend $20 on two drinks. Used to be so honored to support the few local Latino businesses. But now feels like the ones who can enjoy it, no son de raza. :/
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
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