Omie's Coffee Shop and Roastery

I’m extremely disappointed with my experience today and feel compelled to share it.

I stopped in to order my usual drinks and a muffin. For context, my family supports this coffee shop several times a week because we genuinely enjoy the coffee and want to see this business succeed. Unfortunately, one particular barista consistently comes across as rude and off-putting. I’ve overlooked this behavior in the past, but today crossed a line.

After completing my purchase, the barista commented, “Oh, you’re not going to tip.” I calmly responded that I typically tip when dining in, but not for simple takeout orders—though I have tipped on takeout in the past. Making a customer feel uncomfortable or pressured about tipping is completely inappropriate and unprofessional.

This interaction was unnecessary and unacceptable, especially toward a loyal customer. A review of other feedback clearly shows similar concerns from others regarding this employee’s attitude.

Until this issue is addressed, my family and I will no longer be supporting this establishment. Customer service matters, and no one should be made to feel disrespected while supporting a local business.

12/29 response:

Thanks for the response, Addie. Instead of addressing an employee making snide comments to customers about tipping, you chose to take a personal swipe, insult a loyal customer, and brush off valid feedback, on Christmas Eve, no less. That says a lot more about your professionalism than my review history ever could.

For the record, I regularly support local businesses and leave plenty of 4- and 5-star reviews (as anyone can clearly see), but I also believe honest feedback matters—especially when a business repeatedly brushes off the same complaints from multiple customers.

I didn’t “fail to treat your baristas like people.” I calmly declined to tip for a small takeout order and was met with attitude, again. If your default reaction to constructive criticism is public shaming rather than accountability, it’s pretty clear why this continues to be a recurring theme in your reviews.

I genuinely hope the issue gets fixed for future customers. But until then, my family and I will continue supporting other amazing local spots that appreciate their customers instead of attacking them for speaking up. Cheers.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

We're not coffee snobs, but we're definitely coffee enthusiasts and can tell good coffee from not-so-good coffee. Omie's has the good stuff.

We got one drip and two specialty drinks. The specialty drinks were great - layered, nuanced flavors that were not too sweet. Exactly what you want... Unless you think Starbucks makes great lattes.

Overall, an amazing coffee experience. We'll be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Lovely, cozy place! I have gone here alone to study as well as with friends and had a nice experience each time. Their cold brew is fantastic! Parking seems sparse, but you can park next door at the kings grocery (they have an agreement with that store) so parking is actually very easy. They have coffee drinks and pastries

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Fun little coffee shop. Local pastries. Good coffee, mostly very well made. Limited seating, but comfy and cozy. Excellent and friendly service. Right next to one of the few remaining locally owned supermarkets too. Great little place to stop for a hot drink and a bite to eat. Enjoy!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 5

Definitely worth the stop off of I-85! Cute place, kind friendly staff and fantastic craft coffee with a fun and flavorful seasonal menu

Long wait. Mediocre coffee. Seasonal flavors are overblown. Only a hint of the flavor, and mostly milk. Baristas are not pleasant. I like their efforts to help the community with the foodbank but that aside, coffee here ain’t worth it. Owner’s replies to other reviews is not a good look either

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 1

Coffee is mid, watered down, not hot. Seasonal flavors are nowhere near as creative as they think these are. Servers are short and rude to anyone not their friends

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 1

Great vibes, great coffee, great values. A local gem!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Honestly, I love trying new coffee shops in the area when I visit and I can safely say Omie's is best lattes in Durham 🩷

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great coffee and kind staff! There’s a small child friendly area with books. Love their unique seasonal drinks. We get their coffee beans for at home, which are great too!

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

Barista was very nice and welcoming!!! (I try a lot of local spots and maybe half of them have good customer service) Even with the extremely busy week and rise in popularity they have had. We got the pumpkin (with an extra shot) and also a short salted maple. Both were amazing! They use house made syrups and roast their own beans. Total was $14 not too bad for two specialty lattes and an extra shot in one. I can’t stress enough how good the flavors were, so much better than a latte with artificial syrups.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The drinks are really good, the seasonal flavors are unique and not too sweet which I LOVE. However, the customer service sucks. The employees do not want to interact or foster a warm/inviting atmosphere to strangers at all. Their friends though? Yes, they’ll turn it on for them. I’ve been a few times and always have the same experience, and honestly it bums me out - especially when their friends walk in as I’m waiting for my drink and I can see that the employees are capable of being friendly, just not to everyone. (I don’t even expect a lot- like just say hi and be normal, don’t just ignore me and try to use as few words as possible while being monotone and giving the vibe that taking my order is below you and also the worst part of your day lmao 😭)

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 5

Service: 1

Welcoming atmosphere and delicious coffee!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Nice to have a coffee shop in this area. The place is a little small and there is no kitchen on press and little parking, however, the atmosphere is nice and the coffee and food was good. they do have a roaster on premise. I would return.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4