43 Best Cafes in Raleigh

“Excellent catering for a corporate event. We had breakfast and lunch and everyone raved!“

“I have been looking for a restaurant that serves hot food that is healthy and easy on the stomach, while also tasting good and being reasonably priced. I finally found this place and their sandwiches sounded good, so I went and got the Portabella sandwich with couscous as a side. It was exactly what I was looking for: tastes great, healthy and easy on the stomach, and for a pretty good price at that. Definitely better and more filling than any other healthy food places near me.

On top of that, the cafe itself is quite pleasant to be in. Calm music, relaxing atmosphere, art all over the wall, and everything was very clean. It’s a very authentic place to go for a pleasant experience. Plus it seems like it’s family owned and all the employees were very nice. I don’t leave reviews often but I felt this place deserved it.“

“This place has the best cappuccinos and egg, sausage, cheese biscuits. Great service, friendly staff, bright and cozy ambience. I love coming here!“

“OMGGGGGGGOSHHHH! I'm soo0o0o sorry I haven't hit this spot sooner. I believe Sara is who assisted me today and man what a Sweetie! I ordered the PinPassion fruit tea with lychee jelly(a must for me) and a Strawberry CROFFLE!! Yall... that crofflllleeee!?!?! Insane. just the right amount of crunch and decadence for a morning brunch. The music was a vibe and parking wasn't horrible. I did get a spot in the front but there is street parking also. They have games inside and a Ramen station when you can make your own🙌🏾. To0oooo much for me to indulge in one visit. I must come back for more vibes and goodness! #raleighnc #downtownraleigh #newmom #boymom #solodate“

“The food is delicious and the presentation is beautiful. If you have not tried First Watch please treat yourself soon😊“

“Love coming to this small coffee shop! The drinks are always amazing and the staff is great!“

“What an experience Sola is! A family farm to fork style coffee & plates place. Fresh ingredients with a smile. If you’re a local, you go to Sola! Great patio and place to meet for a quick business zoom call or a fun place to meet a gf for coffee!“

“Amazing local spot. Great atmosphere and coffee drinks!!“

“I'm a retired chef from Louisiana but living in Nashville nowadays. I know about eating healthy and I would give this place 2 thumbs up.“

“We ordered the Christmas take home Meal and it was superb!! Everyone raved about the freshness. The Prime Rib was delicious and the vegetables were very tasty and the rolls and pies were the best! We will be ordering for all the Holidays meals in 2025!“

“Super tasty and the staff was on point! Highly recommended!“

“Great family breakfast spot. Can’t eat enough bacon. Thanks Lathaniel for being a wonderful server!“

“Awesome service, Jawari (sp?) was so helpful and personable. He gave me more info about their products and was a nice calming presence. I got the Granola Crunch smoothie and he recommended adding blueberries. Great recommendation and a very well-made smoothie. Delicious! I will be back.“

“Absolutely amazing cafe! I love the vibes in the back. My friend and I had a great time studying together. I also loved the ice cream and the chocolate croissants. The employee has ice water in the fridge too! We also got student discounts (10% off)! Definitely coming back here.“

“The food at First Watch is always delicious and Justin is an excellent server!“

“Highly recommend for your next event! We used the banquet room for a baby shower today and everything was amazing! Had a delicious crepe bar, charcuterie cups, fruit and an excellent coffee bar! The food was fantastic and everyone raved about it!“

“I have always had a great experience at First Watch 💓 So refreshing to see excellent customer service on display and a priority! Food was delicious and served quickly ✨ This is definitely our go to restaurant when we have guests in town 😍 Thanks First Watch!“

“I only eat clean: I love this place! It is truly an extension of my kitchen. I love all their stuff. Today I did a bone broth fast using their broth. It was great and I did not have to worry about making it. Thanks!“

“DELICIOUS! Nothing average about this lemonade! All real fruit, no syrup! So many different flavors & even sweetener substitutes! LOVED the seasonal green apple cider lemonade!🍏🍋🤪“

“Great food, quirky atmosphere, free live music“

“Basically, I don’t want tell you about this place so it doesn’t become too packed, but it’s a crime to not share with you the best coffee cafe/breakfast place in Raleigh. The owner is amazing, baristas are knowledgable but don’t make you feel like a fool if you don’t speak their jargon. The menu is perfect for the place. A unique gem that shouldn’t be a secret.“

“Hi there, how are you doing! I just wanted to check in and see if you need any extra talent in: ➤ Web Design ➤ Graphics Design ➤ SEO ➤ Video Ads/Editing ➤ FB Marketing ➤ Reviews (Bark/Facebook/Yelp) ➤ Google Guarantee Reviews ➤ Google Map Reviews ➤ Followers/Likes/Subscribers You may ask for details about any service. Payment after work done ☑ ✉ Reply to Ask Any Question or Contact Details“

“For those seeking a healthier lifestyle and positive way to improve eating habits; look no further than the iconic JUICEKEYS, Located in Raleigh, NC at: 5011 Falls of Neuse Rd Unit B. Second time around; JUICEKEYS' service and quality has been absolutely outstanding! My entire day launches with impeccable power, and drive from the iconic ingredients JUICEKEYS uses in their fabulous blends. My personal favorite is the BLUE-GREN ZINI, and what a mental punch of focus it provides. My precision has been enhanced; distractions almost to zero, calming harmony seems to envelop me though out my day, which involves film production, visual effects-sound engineering, and the responsibilities of directing a crew of individuals. Moreover, morning coffee is a thing of the past now, and without doubt-I highly recommend visiting this epic establishment (JUICEKEYS). It's definitely a life changer! In conclusion, I'm personally eager to write more forthcoming reviews in support of JUICEKEYS, and my own journey of improving health (weight shape condition) etc. Very lastly, I'm sending an iconic "THANKS" to the owners of JUICEKEYS, and CLARKSTAR FILMS definitely champions (encourages) this business to keep doing marvelous things! You've definitely earned my business; continued support, and endorsement + recommendation to future JUICEKEYS customers. Article/Review By Michael Clarkstar“

“Wow, this place was surprisingly so good. I'm still thinking about the corn cookies. Not too sweet but not savory either. Super soft and fully baked. Also they are huge cookies.

I also had snickerdoodle and chocolate chip cookies along with the coffee cake. Highly recommend.“

“When visiting from Ohio Zest is always a welcomed visit. Our lunch was amazing and the store was stocked with great gift ideas!“

“I stopped in for coffee but then saw the menu and ordered the egg white, spinach, and feta wrap. Yum! Very surprised with one of the best dirty chai lattes I’ve ever had. I’m so glad I stopped in and will be back to try the açaí bowl that looks amazing!“

“I'm thrilled that they moved close to us. it's a great place to go alone and read or write. Raleigh Writer's Group meets there and the owner is very accommodating. Healthy foods and delicious drinks. Friendly staff.“

“listen. this isn’t your run-of-the-mill museum dining experience, ok? I got a fried chicken sandwich that was delightfully crisp, paired with a tangy slaw and a bit of a kick. It was better than your average fast food chicken sandwich, and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and size of the portion. Also, the environs are awesome with an airy vibe and large windows for views onto the street. The gift shop is just a stones throw from the dining area, and even when it’s busy it doesn’t feel crowded. The plates and cutlery add to the quality of the experience. Now, I will say the only person who spoke to me was the cashier and the employees don’t seem necessarily thrilled to be there, but it didn’t dampen my experience. Good spot for a bite either before or after a museum visit, definitely recommend it!“

“Absolutely obsessed with this place and their power bowls. There isn’t one that I have tried that I haven’t loved. They are delicious and keep you full for awhile. It’s a good thing it’s not closer to my house or I would be getting a bowl everyday!“

“Nestled in an business office complex, you may not see it at a glance. I only stopped because it was close to my hotel. Went there for lunch and the line was out the door. Well worth the wait. I had a gyro sandwich that was to die for. Mostly sandwiches, panini and wraps. They do have a special of the day that could be rice with a protein. Everything looked amazing. They do have in-dining tables. Very nice Spanish speaking ladies that are very quick and helpful. I will be back.“

“This is the best coffee house in Apex workout a doubt. So many great options, delicious coffee and the best cinnamon buns (according to my husband!). We go to Common Ground at least once a week and miss it a lot when we're out of town.“

“We utilized Pullen Place Cafe for our graduation picnic event on park grounds. From our first conversation, David, the owner, provided impeccable customer service. We had planned on outside catering, but his prices, options, onsite services, flexibile menu and quality food made it a no-brainer to switch. We were more than pleased with planning, as well as the service on the day of the event. David made everything so easy and customized the food to our event and needs. He went out of his way to accommodate a food sensitivity and made changes as needed, even on the day of the event. He personally delivered the food and was available to help in any way we needed him. He was so great we invited him to join our bingo game! Our guests loved the barbecue and accompaniments. Couldn’t really ask for anything more. I highly recommend Pullen Place Cafe for catering. P.S. Ask about the popsicle and slushie tickets for your event—a crowd pleaser!“

“I tried a half of 2 different sandwiches and as a NYer, reminded me of home. They were DELICIOUS“

“The best hospital food I've ever had. I know that's not saying much since the hospital food stereotype is not good, but Café3000 is really different compared to some of the other more generic ones I have visited. They have a Bores Head theme deli where you can make some great sandwiches. The hot grill section is always serving great food cooked fresh in front of you while you wait in line. I suggest the pancakes for breakfast, they are the bomb dot com! If you find yourself at the open grill for lunch or dinner, I would suggest the hot dogs (A.T.W. of Course)!, and every day is a different theme for mainly the employees but serves everyone. I really enjoy Chick-fil-A day, nothing g beats being in a hospital for respiratory failure and your wife is able to bring you a chicken sandwich with some Chick-fil-A sauce and one of their catering brownies! Thanks Café3000 for making my stays in the hospital feel a little more at home!P.S. If you actually read all this thanks and I am not sure if I used the correct spelling or not with the word course in my piece so I flipped a coin and it landed on heads so I went with the "U" instead of the "A" lol.“

“Discovered a new FIVE STAR spot for breakfast and lunch! Following a workout at Healthtrax, we stopped at JARA Cafe located on the first floor at 8300 Health Park in North Raleigh. The Black Bean Kofta wrap, California Baja Turkey sandwich, and home-made cookies were awesome! Can't wait to try their expresso, cappuccino, baked goods, breakfast dishes, and more lunch surprises.“

“Met Jess today! What a kind friendly soul! Very willing to accommodate extra requests. Give her a raise! The food was fresh made and delicious! Tucked away and hidden, I almost don't want to review because I don't want share a secret great spot for breakfast and lunch, but here I am! Great job David Leach and Holly Hopkins. Keep doing this great fresh food! Thanks!“

“Great experience inside store until trying to exit after paying for my items. Woman at the door was verifying receipts for one lady and was holding up 6 others from exiting. I went through the second lane to leave and she tried to block my cart. I showed receipt and said she needed to move out of my way. You need two colors for receipts. One for cashier assistance and the other for self checkouts!“

“This is one of 2 really good cafes at the museum of science in Raleigh. The museum is free and it is great having these cafes on site for lunch so you don't have to leave and interrupt your museum visit. The museum is so big that we took 2 days to visit and explore it so we ate at this cafe on our second day and the "Daily Planet" cafe on our first day. Both places are very good, convenient, reasonable prices, and friendly staffed. We enjoyed trying both places and the Acro cafe has really healthy and kid friendly choices as well. Yes, we would eat here again and will visit the museum again someday.“

“Another journey for our Raleigh Coffee Passport and another hit! Great atmosphere for studying or just chilling out. We got the Bomb-bon and The Bedsheet Latte along with a Coffee cake! The Bedsheet latte was 10/10 and the staff were super friendly and courteous! If we are near in the future will definitely stop back by!“

“very tasty pastries!!!!!!“

“I think PCJ is my favorite coffee shop. Since the locations I know of are all on campus, I have to admit that service is really dependant on which students are working when you get there (though sometimes you'll spy a manager, and they're usually reliable). I love the chai steamer, and the italian sodas are surprisingly refreshing.“

“Love the cafe and overall vibe. Lots of plants, books, games, and pleasant places to sit and enjoy your drinks. Tried two espresso drinks - unfortunately both were bitter and overheated. Didn't inquire about the beans as I didn't detect enough flavor to be interesting. They've got a smallish selection of interesting things to nibble on. Overall a really nice cafe so I'll come back and hope the espresso improves.“

“We moved to Strickland/Creedmoor Rd area 2 years ago and I've always wondered about this place. My wife and I would've come here sooner had we known that it's a Greek diner. she's been down here 10y (I've been down here 33y) and that's one thing we miss about New York State. There were a few in Charlotte but none around here (because the one across from Crossroads just isn't nice). Awesome food. Awesome atmosphere. Great experience. DEFINITELY RECOMMEND!!!“