46 Best Coffee Shops in Durham

“The cereal milk latte is life-changing! Everlou is super cute and is run by the best people. We love it and will be back every time we’re in Durham.“

“What a lovely surprise. Was clean, upbeat, a reasonable walk from the Amtrak train station, and had great food. Was even open on a Monday when we were taking a train out of town. There is a nice outdoor seating area. They had gluten sensitive options available including gluten free bread. We had a Thai iced tea to go (great for the train). But I can’t wait to try their independent coffee shop options the next time I am in town.“

“Absolutely amazing! Real honest and delicious coffee from people who really care. The energy is beautiful and the coffee is consciously sourced. My favorite coffee shop in Durham!“

“Great idea and excellent products! Tastefully done. :)“

“Fun atmosphere and excellent drinks.“

“So adorable and clean and quiet with great wifi! Only a little tough to find because it’s still has RedStart Foods on the front entrance at the moment. Will return….oh excellent drip coffee and heirloom tomato, grilled eggplant, pea shoot, and herbs toast (photo below)!“

“Everything! Love their chai latte.“

“Dear Sugar Koi, I miss you. Your Ube Ice Cream is all I want in the world and I hate that you are CLOSED FOR WINTER BREAK See you feb 12. I’ll think about you every day.“

“I checked this place out because it's the only dog-friendly coffee shop around me. Ordered online for pick-up so I could run in with my dog on our walk - fast and friendly!“

“The best. Just the best. Try it!!“

“Join the Open Mic Series on the last Wednesday of every month! FREE ENTRY. GREAT VIBES.“

“Best bagels in NC! Looking forward to their new store.“

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

“There it stands, clean and bright, The Coffee Bar at The Durham. A good place, a true place, where the marble bar runs cold and long and the La Marzocco machine hisses like a dozen angry cats at dawn. 315 E Chapel Hill Street. Remember it.

The walls are corrugated metal, blue as the Spanish sky, and the floor - God help me - the floor is a geometric red and white affair that would make a sober man dizzy. But it is good. It is all good.

You come at 7, when the sun is barely up and the laptops glow like fireflies. The WiFi is strong and free, like America should be. The baristas are good people. They know the coffee and they know the gin. Both are necessary. Both are true.

By day it is a place of work and quiet contemplation. The espresso is hot and honest. But at 4, just before the cruel 5 PM closing time, something changes. The cocktails appear, garnished with lime wedges fresh as a young man's dreams. The small plates come in black bowls, dark as a bullfighter's eyes.

It sits in a hotel lobby, yes, but it is not a hotel bar. That would be too simple, too clean. It is something else. Something that scores 4.7 stars on Google, though stars mean nothing in war or coffee. The wooden stools hold locals and travelers alike. No one asks which is which. It doesn't matter here.

But remember - and this is very important - it closes at 5. Always 5. In this world of lies and compromises, The Coffee Bar at The Durham keeps banker's hours like a religion. It is their way. And it is good.

Would you like me to tell you about the way the light hits the bottles in the afternoon, or shall we drink our coffee and know that some things are better left unsaid?“

“Anissa’s is truly a hidden gem of the Triangle. They make some of the best food in the area, period, the end. Especially if you’re trying to stay healthy, they have the freshest Acai bowls that they customize to your liking and no added sugar like other places. On top of that they have a loyalty card and after 10 berries, you can get a free bowl. The service is bar none, after my 3rd time they had my order memorized, which is why I go in once/twice a week!!!“

“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’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!“

“Yummy pastries! 🥐 🥮 Definitely recommend this place! 🥰“

“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.“

“Order the Tigerz Woodz!! I repeat, ORDER THE TIGERZ WOODZ!!!! The most incredible Arnold Palmer you’ll ever have in your life. My dad has been ordering nothing but Arnie palmers when he goes out for the past 20+ years and he claimed this is the best one he’s ever had. The mango pie drink was also absolutely exquisite ?“

“Wonderful place. I am there 3 times or more a week!!! Awesome Staff and Owners. Support Local!! Their outdoor clothing and accessories store is also awesome“

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

“This is the kind of place where you can park your Subaru, listen to the barista tell you about bean origins and matcha sourcing, eavesdrop while based old people trash Donald Trump, and sip on the best iced mocha $6.50 plus tip can buy. And I wouldn’t have it any other way “

“Coffee World shares the building with a Subway and an ice cream space. I was here super early with a coffee and a bagel, sitting in a corner table for six solid hours. Easy to sit with my work laptop for this time, dialed in to calls and sending emails.

Coffee was good and the bagel with cream cheese was good.

No one bothered me. I watched customers come and go. It was a great "office" for a Monday morning.

Vegetarian options: They have some vegetarian options.

Dietary restrictions: Ask about allergens.

Parking: Easy parking for the Sprinter van.

Kid-friendliness: Yes, they have donuts too!

Wheelchair accessibility: Step free access.“

“What a Durham Treasure! Beautiful projects and Toni and her team are so patient. Do yourself a favor and go visit. It’s really a treat!“

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

“AMAZING FOOD!!!! My family loved it there and it’s also so beautiful!! Highly recommend“

“Javon was extremely great at his job today I went to get a coffee. And he showed nothing but kindness to everyone he talked to and knows how to make a great conversation. Would come back just because he is a great person to get your coffee from!“

“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.“

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

“Best Paninis and Coffee in Durham! Thank you Fasil!“

“I know this is a chain, so not exactly an indie pick, but...I think these are the best donuts I've ever had. They have so many flavors to choose from beyond standard glazed, chocolate, strawberry, etc. and they're always fresh because they're literally made to order, so no risk of stale donuts here. They also have a cake-like texture to them as well, which is my personal preference. Try to avoid Dunkin next time and come here instead ;)“

“The drink I ordered was absolutely delicious. The people there were super kind. The chairs are very low, so get your knees ready. Also a divider/barrier between the food and counter would be nice to see as someone who doesn't like people talking and breathing over their food. But overall, sweet spot and I'll be back.“

“This Whole Foods Market near Duke University has lots of vegetarian choices in the restaurant. The hot bar is big and there are salads as well as dessert choices. They have good vegan cookies for dessert, which is a treat. The only negative was that some of the cashiers at this store are, occasionally, less than friendly and helpful . In addition, there is usually an armed guard on duty (typically an off-duty police officer), which is something you don't see at most other Whole Foods Markets around the country.“

“I’ve been consistently coming to this cafe since my sophomore year, and highly recommend the place to anyone who wants a caffeine boost around campus.

My personal favorite drinks are either Thai Iced Tea or Iced Vietnamese Coffee. Both cost around $5.

In addition to coffee, there is a lot of food sold, ranging from a chicken caesar salad to red velvet cake squares. The food rotates throughout the semester.

Scott runs the place and he is a fun person to talk to. He is energetic and is clearly passionate about running this cafe.

Vegetarian options: Beyond the usual salads, there are vegan pastries sold seasonally.

Dietary restrictions: Gluten free food is sold here, but the menu varies by semester.

Wheelchair accessibility: The Wilkinson Building is wheelchair accessible.“

“Ever dreamed of a Starbucks where you'd never have to awkwardly hover over someone camping out with their laptop, silently willing them to pack up? Well, Durham's 9th Street location has solved that problem by boldly eliminating seating altogether. (Though I suppose if you're really committed, nobody's explicitly banned bringing your own throne.)

This sleek minimalist outpost at 706 9th Street has mastered the art of the grab-and-go, featuring an interior that's less "live, laugh, love" and more "order, grab, vamoose." The wood-slat walls and efficient counter setup suggest this isn't your grandmother's coffee shop - unless your grandmother was really into Japanese modernism and app-based ordering.

The real genius here is in what's missing: No territorial laptop warriors. No awkward first dates. No amateur novelists working on their manifestos. Just beautiful, streamlined coffee acquisition.

Hours for your caffeinated convenience:
Monday-Thursday: 5:30 AM - 6:30 PM (For early birds and their enablers)
Friday: 5:30 AM - 7:00 PM (That extra half hour is for weekend pre-gaming)
Weekends: 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Because even baristas deserve to sleep in)

Location: 706 9th St, Durham, NC 27705
Phone: (984) 842-3029 (Though if you're calling to reserve a non-existent table, save yourself the trouble)

Pro tip: Download the app, order ahead, and strut in like you own the place. Which, technically, you could - there's plenty of standing room for a power pose while you wait for your oat milk whatever.

P.S. If you do decide to test the BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair) policy, please send photos. For research purposes, of course.“

“Awesome space, very comfortable chairs and ample space. Quiet except for music which I wished would be more moderate. Latte very affordable $4.50 for a small and it is a generous size. Asked for little foam but still got a lot of foam. Maybe next time. Coffee is very good.“

“Lovely place to drink Kava. The mojito is perfection.“

“Overall this Starbucks is fine, but improvements could be added.-Five star great quality costumer service.-Quick workers-Workers strive to make going to this Starbucks a good experience-Adds too much ice to the drink, when asked for light ice-Long lines due to being understaffedOverall this place has some cons, but overall decent.

Kid-friendliness: Workers seem to be kind to children

Parking: Limited parking

Wheelchair accessibility: There is no stairs in this location“

“Ashley made my experience here very positive. She was incredibly friendly and worked really hard to get me my order even with her being the only one working at the store. She really made my experience positive and I will definitely be back to buy a drink again soon.“

“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“

“Great service and coffee. Would definitely recommend it anyone!!!“

“This my favorite place to go to“

“Many thanks to Aaron, Mary Claire, and everyone else Alimentari At Mothers And Sons. When Covid forced us to cancel our wedding (we had planned our reception at M&S), the team went above and beyond to help prepare a take home meal for us to celebrate our small ceremony this past weekend. We arrived to pick up our dinner only to be SHOWERED with amazing food and wine. Many thanks for helping to make it such a special day!“

“Taylor was amazing with her presentation 😍“