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Your Guide to Unique Coffee Shops in North Carolina

nc coffee shops

Looking to slip away into the coziness of a coffee shop? Maybe you’re looking to meet up with a friend, or a date. Maybe you’re going in for a few hours of focused studying. Whatever you’re looking for, North Carolina has a coffee shop that suits your needs all while keeping you caffeinated. Here are the coolest coffee shops in North Carolina.

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Cup-A-Joe, Raleigh, NC

Both of Cup-A-Joe’s locations in Raleigh have remained favorites for locals and visitors alike. On Hillsborough Street, visitors can choose individually brewed cups of coffee made from any of the fresh-roasted local beans.

Cocoa Cinnamon, Durham, NC

Cocoa Cinnamon has plans to supply their shops with their own micro-roastery, connecting the two Durham locations by designating a different component of their process to each shop for independent, wholesome business.

Folks Café, Wilmington, NC

Although it’s been 17 years after humble beginnings as a neighborhood coffee shop, Folks Café’s keys to success remain unchanged: fair trade, organic coffee made in small batches for the best possible quality.

The Open Eye Café, Carrboro, NC

Lovingly known as “Carrboro’s living room,” Open Eye Café hosts live music and displays art to connect with its local community, living up to its intimate reputation. The café also offers whole leaf tea, wine, and beer in addition to coffee for all its guests’ preferences.

High Five Coffee Bar, Asheville, NC

Counter Culture Coffee fuels High Five’s business by providing sourcing, roasting, and training, which allows the coffee bar to focus on creating new beverages from house-made syrups for its equally creative customers. 

Java Jive, Cary, NC

Java Jive is more than a coffee shop: with coffees, teas, smoothies, milkshakes, and a juice bar, there’s a beverage for every visitor’s tastes. And because Java Jive is supplied with beans from the owner and operator’s brother, supporting the shop supports a local family business.

Key Insights at a Glance

  • Cup-A-Joe: A local favorite with two locations offering individually brewed coffee from fresh-roasted local beans.
  • Cocoa Cinnamon: A coffee shop with plans to open its micro-roastery, creating a unique, wholesome business with two Durham locations.
  • Folks Café: A neighborhood staple for 17 years, serving fair trade, organic coffee made in small batches for top-quality brews.
  • The Open Eye Café: Known as "Carrboro's living room," this cozy spot offers live music, art, and a variety of drinks, including tea, wine, and beer.
  • High Five Coffee Bar: A creative coffee bar partnered with Counter Culture Coffee, offering house-made syrups and inventive beverages.
  • Java Jive: A diverse beverage shop serving coffee, teas, smoothies, milkshakes, and juice, supported by beans sourced from the owner's family business.
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