8 Best Coffee Shops In Chapel Hill, NC
Best Coffee Shops In Chapel Hill, NC
Searching for the best coffee shops in Chapel Hill? We have you covered!
Chapel Hill, NC is primarily located in Orange County and is a huge hot spot for young professionals, students, and families. The addition of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has caused tremendous growth and opportunities for residents in the town. You will see beautiful architecture, businesses, shopping centers, restaurants, and coffee shops when driving around!
Raleigh Realty is a local real estate company that specializes in helping home buyers and sellers through the real estate process. Our primary focus is helping those with real estate needs, but we also enjoy exploring Raleigh and the surrounding towns. We work with some of the best Realtors in Chapel Hill, who help us curate top-notch local content for you!
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Check out some of our other articles on life in Chapel Hill!
- Real estate trends
- Best Restaurants
- Cost of living
- Best neighborhoods
- Living in Chapel Hill
- Is Chapel Hill, NC, Safe?
Since we enjoy coffee so much, we decided to set out on a mission to find you the coffee shops we deem to be the best in Chapel Hill. Stick with us while we dive deeper into these immaculate shops!
Chapters
Perennial
Perennial features a classic menu of coffee and tea beverages with pastries & light fare in a foliage-filled space. The atmosphere at Perennial is light and airy and allows for a relaxing and calming space where students can study, get work done, or gather with friends.
Their menu includes espresso, brewed coffee options, seasonal specials, tea drinks, house-made syrups, and coffee alternatives. One of the seasonal favorites is the Spicy Mocha Latte. That includes espresso, steamed milk, chocolate, cinnamon, and cayenne house-made cinnamon whip. On top of delicious drinks, Perennial has assorted local baked goods that are available for purchase daily.
Check out their website here!
Located at 401 West Franklin St
The hours are as follows:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Caffe Driade
If you've been looking for the most relaxing coffee shop in Chapel Hill, Caffe Driade is the perfect place for you! The shop is tucked in among the trees and out under the stars. Caffe Driade is an award-winning, independently-owned, full-service espresso bar, wine bar & teahouse. It is popular amongst residents who want a tranquil environment paired with a beautifully roasted cup of coffee. On certain days, they also have live music for entertainment!
They strive to remain unequaled in the area by achieving a balance of quality in their carefully crafted products, their gorgeous and evocative atmosphere, and stellar service. Their menu consists of brewed coffee options including pour-over, cold brew, cafe au lait, espresso, americano, and more! They also serve coffee alternatives and tea.
If you enjoy a snack with your coffee, Caffe Driade serves croissants, cheese scones, muffins, cookies, chicken salads, and even a treat for your furry friend! At Caffe Driade, you can purchase various coffee drinks, coffee by the bag, tea, beer, and wine.
Check out their website here!
Located at 1215-A East Franklin St
The hours are as follows:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Carolina Coffee Shop
The Carolina Coffee Shop is a must-try, as they are the oldest continually running restaurant in North Carolina. The shop is locally owned and operated and has been serving the Chapel Hill area for nearly a century. Due to the popularity, they are extremely busy and recommend stopping by early and expecting a wait. Unfortunately, they do not accept reservations or call-ahead's on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. They offer online and take-out orders with an auto-gratuity of 18% will be added.
The atmosphere at Carolina Coffee Shop is warm and inviting and they take pride in showing off Chapel Hill's magnificent history. They are known to be a great place for friends, family, and even first dates!
Carolina Coffee Shop serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and drinks throughout the week. The food here is delicious and embraces a modern take on southern cuisine.
They have all of your favorite classic coffee beverages along with coffee cocktails. One of my favorites is the Espresso Martini. It's a $12 drink that includes Tito's vodka, Mr. Black coffee liqueur, simple syrup, and espresso. Their breakfast menu consists of griddles & waffles, omelets, specials like eggs benedict, steak and eggs, etc., and delicious sides. Lunch options are salads, omelets, and various sandwiches!
Check out their website here!
Located at 138 East Franklin St
The hours are as follows:
Every Day: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Epilogue Books, Chocolate and Brews
Do you consider yourself to be a bookworm? Epilogue books, chocolate, and brews is a crossover between a bookshop and a coffee house. You can relax and read a book while enjoying one of their delicious craft brews, a glass of wine, churros, and a cup of chocolate. To ensure your taste buds get the best experience, they have chosen to source locally from Carrboro Coffee Roasters and Ponysaurus Brewing of Durham.
The aim of the Epilogue is "to be a place where people can gather, whether to cultivate new ideas, learn old ones, or escape into the welcoming atmosphere that books, chocolate, and coffee all provide.".
Some of the coffee options on their menu include drip, espresso, americano, red eye, cappuccino, cortado, flat white, macchiato, flavored options, etc.
Their food menu embraces the owner's Mexican roots including churros, conchas, cookies, empanadas, bunuelos, and more. Their bookstore offers a wide range of different books in every genre, gifts and goodies, puzzles, and more. If you like to be surprised, they have a blind date book option where you can order a book but you won't know anything about it unit it is delivered to you!
Check out their website here!
Located at 109 E. Franklin St
The hours are as follows:
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
La Vita Dolce
La Vita Dolce is an espresso, gelato, and wine cafe in the Southern Village of Chapel Hill, NC.
"This is by far my favorite coffee shop in Chapel Hill. The staff is always friendly and the hand-crafted seasonable beverages the team concocts never disappoint!".
After looking worldwide and many tastings later, Victrola's Empire Blend was the chosen coffee for La Vita Dolce. It is a full-body blend with flavors of dried fruit, chocolate, and toasted marshmallow. It also encompasses steady brightness paired with a body that makes it delicious both black or with various kinds of milk. La Vita Dolce was also the first in the area to offer nitro coffee, a cold brewed, nitrogen-infused coffee that is available on tap.
La Vita Dolce serves classic drip, pour-ver, lattes, cappuccinos, and more along with specialty drinks. A fan favorite is the Dolce White Russian which is two shots streamline espresso with a touch of vanilla on ice, topped with hand-shaken hazelnut cream. If you don't particularly like coffee, they also serve tea, chai, matcha latte, sparkling matcha lemonade, etc.
If you're looking for something sweet, try their homemade gelato or sorbetto! Flavors include wildberry lavender, avocado sage, spicy mango, lemon ginger, white chocolate rose, etc. You can also try their gelato drinks which consist of espresso or nitro coffee overtop your choice of gelato.
Check out their website here!
Located at 610 Market St Suite 101-C
The hours are as follows:
Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday, Friday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tin Cup Joe
Tin Cup Joe has a signature drink, the Dr. Pepper Latte which eas inspired by the owner's childhood memories of drinking warm Dr. Pepper. It is now a favorite and a must-try! Owner Chris continues to this day to sell some of the best local coffee out of his camper on Franklin Street. He uses coffee from Carrboro Coffee Roasters and dairy from Maple View Farm and Homeland Creamery.
Their coffee options include espresso, au lait, red eye, lattes, cappuccinos, mocha, americano, and more. You can add shots in the flavors of hazelnut, vanilla, caramel, and Dr. Pepper. They also serve tea and Kava which is their current featured drink. Kava is a root-based drink from the Pacific Islands that is quickly becoming popular. It is known for its earthy taste and relaxing effect.
Check out their menu here!
Located at 516 W Franklin St next to Al's Burgers
The hours are as follows:
Sunday: CLOSED
Monday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday - Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM & 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Joe Van Gogh
The founder of Joe Van Gogh says,
"My goal with all of the coffees we sell is to get to the source. To get to know the farmer, the co-op, the mill, and the importer. It is a lengthy, global process that is personal to each of us along the coffee supply chain ... the more we know and are a part of the coffee that we roast, serve, and drink, the better we are.".
If you prefer coffee at home then try out Joe Van Gogh's beans that are available for purchase, or you can visit one of their cafes for a delicious drink! They create amazing coffee by roasting their beans to order on the world's most innovative, sustainable, and fuel-efficient Loring Smartroaster and packaging all coffee by hand. At Joe Van Gogh, they take pride in the art and craft of everything they do from seed to service and from concept to cup.
Click this link to view the coffee they have available for purchase!
If you're looking for an event space, consider Joe Van Gogh's Cafe. They can host your special event on weeknights from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM for a fee of $100 plus the cost of drinks and a 15% gratuity. You can include a catering package for an additional charge.
Check out their website here!
Located at 1129 AD Weaver Dairy Rd
The hours are as follows:
Every Day: 6:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Coco Espresso, Bistro, & Bar
Coco Espresso, Bistro, & Bar is a fully plant-based dual-concept restaurant including a coffee shop, breakfast and lunch cafe by day, and a restaurant and full bar by evening. The environment at Coco Espresso, Bistro, & Bar is inclusive and welcoming to people from all walks of life. The atmosphere is welcoming and relaxing so that you can enjoy your coffee and delicious food while gathering with friends, meeting with family, or relaxing on your own.
Their coffee and espresso bar includes a wide range of options, flavors, and sizes. Some of those are the americano, brewed coffee, cappuccino, cafe au lait, a french press, cortado, and more! They serve specialty lattes, one being the brown sugar cinnamon latte which is a fan favorite! If you don't like coffee, they have tea, sodas, juices, and other non-coffee beverages.
Check out their website here!
Located at 101 Glen Lennox Dr
The hours are as follows:
Monday - Tuesday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday - Friday: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Best Coffee Shops In Chapel Hill - Final Thoughts
All of the coffee shops in Chapel Hill, NC provide you with delicious coffee, pastries & food options, an excellent atmosphere, and friendly staff. While Chapel Hill is mainly known for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, they are constantly being recognized for award-winning restaurants and coffee shops! With the population and popularity of Chapel Hill continuing to rise, it's fair to say you can expect more businesses to begin moving to the area! No matter what part of Chapel Hill you reside in, a quick drive will satisfy your caffeine needs!
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If you're interested in real estate in Chapel Hill, check out our website or contact us to connect with an agent who can answer any real estate-related questions.
We hope you enjoyed our list of the best coffee shops in Chapel Hill, NC.
Ryan Fitzgerald
Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!