Sips Worth the Trip: 7 Coffee Shops in The Triangle Worth Driving To From Raleigh

Coffee culture in the Triangle is thriving, with more coffee shops opening up year after year, each competing to create the perfect brew. And if you’re like us and feel that a great cup of coffee is worth driving out of Raleigh for, then this guide is for you!

We’ve been caffeinating ourselves around the Triangle region, latte testing and espresso sipping the highest recommended places, so we can definitively define the best coffee shops in the Triangle of North Carolina

Whether you want the perfect coffee shop to work in, or somewhere unique to meet for a coffee date and a change of scenery from Raleigh, add these coffee shops to your rotation.

1. Cocoa Cinnamon, Durham

• Address: 420 W Geer St
• Website: littlewaves.coffee

One of our favorite things to do in Durham is park the car and immediately head to one of our favorite coffee shops in all of North Carolina. Cocoa Cinnamon isn’t just a coffee shop — it’s a place where coffee aficionados can truly experience the best coffee in the Triangle. Owned by Little Waves Coffee Roasters, a Latina-led and women-forward company who have perfected the art of roasting, which you can see on the Apple TV series, Omnivore (episode 7).

Combining their expertise in roasting the perfect bean with their love of community, Cocoa Cinnamon is the place to go for aromatic flavors and welcoming vibes. 

Excellent coffee + vibes

As well as the classic offerings, there are also some inventive drinks on the menu, like the Al Mokha, a rich concoction infused with Sri Lankan cinnamon and house made dark chocolate, and the Dr. Durham, a delightful mix of espresso, Vanilla bean syrup, maca and ginger powder, and black lava salt. Cocoa Cinnamon has three locations in the Triangle, but our favorite spot is on 420 West Geer Street, in downtown Durham and around the corner from the old Durham Athletic Park.

2. Caffè Driade, Chapel Hill

• Address: 1215-A, E Franklin St
• Website: caffedriade.com

Caffè Driade is a serene escape on the outskirts of Bolin Creek, just a short 1.5-mile drive away from the University of North Carolina campus on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. Tucked away among lush trees and in its woodland setting, this tranquil coffee shop has the perfect aesthetic for those who prefer to stay awhile while enjoying their favorite brew.

Serenity in a cup.

The inside is small and has minimal seating, but it’s the outdoor seating area that’s worth the drive for. Complete with covered patio areas, heaters for cooler days, and tables next to towering trees and gardens, it’s easy to forget about your days demands and soak up the relaxing sights and sounds of the forest. But it is the coffee you come for, and it won’t disappoint. They serve high-quality, locally roasted coffee from Carrboro Coffee Roasters, plus tea, wine and assorted baked goods – they take pride in offering handmade cakes and pastries from nearby Ninth Street Bakery.

3. Carolina Coffee Shop, Chapel Hill

• Address: 138 E Franklin St
• Website: carolinacoffeeshop.com

For a coffee shop brimming with charm and history, head to Carolina Coffee Shop, a beloved institution in the heart of Franklin Street that’s known as North Carolina’s oldest restaurant, welcoming guests since 1922. Although historic, the decor feels timeless, with dark wood interiors and cozy booths, combining modern elements with tradition that feel nostalgic but also inviting and comforting. 

On the menu, you have a simple coffee menu with your favorite options like latte, cappuccino, and cafe au lait, or if you’re feeling in need of a pick-me-up, opt for a strong double espresso or Shot In The Dark coffee.

Carolina Coffee Shop is popular for students

You can also sit down and eat a delicious Southern-inspired breakfast next-door, with standouts like their Signature CCS French Toast, featuring cornflake-crusted bread served with fresh strawberries, and Pulled Pork Sandwiches, with a choice of Eastern or Western style BBQ. 

Oldest restaurant in Chapel Hill

If you’ve never been to Carolina Coffee Shop before, on the right side, they have a sit-down restaurant, and on the left, they have their coffee shop – so be sure to turn left when you walk in for a tasty brew. Read our 36 hour guide to Chapel Hill.

4. FOUNT Coffee + Kitchen, Morrisville

• Address: 10954 Chapel Hill Rd
• Website: fountcoffee.com

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again, FOUNT Coffee in Morrisville has the best coffee in the Triangle. This specialty coffee bar in the Research Triangle Park (RTP) puts a lot of time and effort into perfecting the art of coffee making. 

With every cup, the emphasis placed on quality can be found with every sense – it looks amazing, it smells divine, and the taste – unmatched. Another reason we love Fount is the 100% gluten-free menu! Dishes made from organic, high-quality ingredients. Many are also dairy free, vegetarian, or vegan and all are made fresh daily, in house – do not miss their incredible coffee cake, the best in Wake County and it’s not even close!

The coffee + coffee cake is phenomenal

This locally owned coffee shop has a sleek and polished interior, with a warm and welcoming feel. There are communal tables with power sockets, perfect for remote workers, and empowering quotes on the walls. We also love the floor-to-ceiling windows, which bring in lots of natural light, and the main doors open like garage doors, creating an indoor/outdoor feel. It also has a small but inviting outdoor seating area.

Coffee date or work online

It’s strategically positioned to serve the residential neighborhoods of Morrisville, West Cary and those near RTP. It’s not too far from I-40 and I-540 and right on Hwy 54, and only 9-minutes from RDU Airport. It may be a drive from our other favorite Raleigh coffee shops, but at only 20-minutes it’s worth making the journey!

5. Parallax Coffee Lab, Wendell

• Address: 18 E 3rd St
• Website: parallax.coffee

Although Wendell in Wake County isn’t technically in the Triangle because it’s East of Raleigh, it’s only a 25-minute drive away from downtown and well worth a visit to grab a brew from Parallax Coffee Lab. Parallax means “objects that appear differently when you change your perspective,” which can be said about their coffee. You might think it’s an ordinary cup of coffee, but one sip, and you realize it’s much more.

Worth the drive to Wendell

As soon as I walked into Parallax, I knew this was a place to get great coffee. The smell of freshly ground coffee beans hits you like a ton of bricks, and there are always people occupying the tables – a never-empty coffee shop is a sign they’re doing something right. We love how inviting and modern the interiors are. It has been designed with the community in mind, with a long bench looking outside for those who wish to stay a while, work on a laptop, or people-watch, with comfy sofas and table seating for coffee dates. Read our guide to Wendell.

6. Full Bloom Coffee Roasters, Garner

• Address: 141 W Main St
• Website: fullbloomcoffee.com

You won’t miss the sight of Full Bloom Coffee Roasters as you drive into Garner! This cute coffee shop has been decorated from top to bottom with colorful street art of birds and flowers. This vibrancy extends to the inside, which has a warm and cozy atmosphere that could be mistaken for someone’s living room. The leather couches, elevated bar seating, and the wooden coffee tables make you instantly want to put your bag down and stay awhile.

When in downtown Garner!

They also use sustainably sourced coffee beans, which are all Organic, Fair Trade, Direct Trade, and Rainforest Alliance Certified. Some of their most famous drinks are the signature Honey Vanilla Latte and Orange Blossom Latte, which are perfect for Spring!

7. Cultivate Coffee Roasters, Fuquay-Varina

• Address: 128 S Fuquay Ave
• Website: www.cultivate.coffee

Part coffee shop, part wholesale coffee store, Cultivate really knows what they are doing with coffee. Nestled in the heart of Fuquay-Varina, Cultivate Coffee Roasters is a local café with a fresh, modern vibe. It’s the perfect place to relax with a coffee and a book, or catch up with friends, and take full advantage of the high quality of their roasted coffee. Since they roast their own beans and make their own syrup, you will be hard-pressed to find a better brew in  in southern Wake County.

Get your fix in Fuquay-Varina

Cultivate also has a delectable bakery section, which perfectly complements their drinks. The scones and apple fritters are particular favorites among frequent guests.

Have you been to any of these Triangle area coffee shops? Please share any other suggestions you have of coffee spots worth the short drive from Raleigh, maybe even up to one hours drive away.