The 15 Best Coffee Shops in Durham, NC

As travel writers who usually work on the go, coffee shops often serve as our office. This means we’ve probably spent a lot of time working in Durham coffee shops! So here are our recommendations for the best coffee shops in Durham, NC.

Thanks to numerous weekday and weekend mornings and afternoons writing about North Carolina travel for you, we want to share the best places to grab a cup of joe in Bull City!

And since they inhabit a city known for innovation and cultural spunk, these places are known for more than just roasted beans. You’ll see why when perusing our favorite coffee shops in Durham.

Read More: Things to do in Durham

List of Coffee Shops in Durham NC Featured

• Aaktun Coffee & Bar
• Bean Traders
• Cloche Coffee
• Cocoa Cinnamon
• Daughters Coffee & Books
• The Durham Hotel
• Foster Street Coffee
• Guglhupf
• Joe Van Gogh
• Liturgy Beverage Company
• Namu
• Narrative Coffee Company
• The Oak House
• Omie’s Coffee Shop and Roastery
• People’s Coffee

Note: We know there are a lot of incredible locally owned places to choose from; these coffee shops are ones that we think offer something extra special or are the perfect place to get some work done.

Aaktun Coffee & Bar

Address: 704 Ramseur St
Website

You’ve probably heard of Aaktun in our Durham restaurant guide, but you may not know they also have spectacular coffee and matcha!

Chef Oscar Diaz, who you might have seen on Top Chef Carolinas and is a two-time James Beard semifinalist, is the mastermind behind several other Durham restaurants, including Little Bull, TaTaco, and Mezcalito.

When they aren’t packed with diners tucked away in tiki Tulum-style alcoves or amongst the green, lush plants, the front of the building slings coffee with sophisticated vibes.

While TikTok might have hyped up the Brown Pantera Espresso, it has been my personal mission to make their guava match go viral. All of the syrups are made in-house and pair well with a concha. Aatkun also makes a killer breakfast sando with fluffy eggs and crispy tater tots! 

Bean Traders

Address: 105 W NC 54 HWY, 249 Durham, NC
Website

Opened in 2000, Bean Traders is the SoDu OG of local and independent coffee. When it first opened, Bean Traders was one of the first Durham coffee shops to roast their own beans. But beyond just roasting, the folks here go from farm to cup for everything in between.

Bring your own cup to fill up and receive a discount, and feel better about your coffee choices, knowing that their green coffee is sourced through Direct Trade, Fair Trade, and Organic Farms.

If you’re hungry (which you will be!) Bean Traders also has incredible baked goods made in-house using local ingredients from the South Durham Farmer’s Market.

Bean Traders is great for both working and meeting a friend. The space is very kid-friendly, with a giant chalkboard and toys in the same area. They also offer weekly storytime sessions.

Side Note: I love this coffee shop. You may have noticed a Voldemort Coffee popped up nearby, so they could use our support even more.

Cloche Coffee

Address: 721 Broad St, Durham, NC
Website

Cloche (with a hard “O”) is French for bell-shaped glass that protects plants from frostbite. Cloche Coffee is an adorable space that shares the building with the American Dance Festival.

It’s covered in greenery, and even though it’s smaller than others on this list, Cloche is probably the coziest coffee shop in Durham.

With a window filled with budding plants and plenty of pillows, the energy inside promotes growth and productivity.

Cloche is also one of the few coffee shops in Durham with an outdoor patio, making it a fantastic workplace in the spring and summer months.

Read More: Strawberry Picking in Raleigh and Nearby (25+ U-Pick Farms!)

Cocoa Cinnamon

Duke University Address: 2627 Hillsborough Rd, Durham, NC
Downtown Durham Address: 420 W Geer St, Durham, NC
Duke Forest Address: 2013 Chapel Hill Road, Durham, NC
Website

Cocoa Cinnamon is the OG Durham coffee shop. Starting from humble beginnings as a bike cart, this place’s three locations not only serve eccentric, thoughtfully crafted coffee items but are also invested in the community.

One example is Cocoa Cinnamon’s encouragement of those able to donate toward Community Coffee for those who cannot afford it.

The vibe in each location is similar yet different, focusing on representing the community it serves. On the menu, you’ll find worldly options and drinks named after the “history and the characters that inspire us.”

From decadent drinking chocolate to handmade churros (at the Chapel Hill Rd location only!), Cocoa Cinnamon’s community, funky artistic vibe perfectly embodies what Durham is all about.

Daughters Coffee & Books

Address: 5410 NC Hwy 55 Ste AF
Website

Daughters Coffee & Books is the only combination bookstore and coffee shop in Durham, and we are big fans of not only their coffee but also their inclusive environment. Browse the books, enjoy a delicious drink, and if you have kids, check out the adorable play space in the back of the building! 

But the coffee is next level! Try a “Princess Pistachio Latte” or the “Second Breakfast Latte,” which features maple syrup, salt, blueberry cold foam, and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.

We really enjoy bringing our kids to Daughters Coffee and Books and letting them play while we finally get to finish a cup of coffee without an interruption! 

The Durham Hotel

Address: 315 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC
Website

Who WOULDN’T want to sip coffee in a beautiful mid-century modern hotel lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows around them? The Durham Hotel is an incredible place to stay, too, but it is also home to the perfect coffee bar and restaurant.

Need to have a business meeting but find coffee shops a little too informal? Or how about feeling something fancy yet affordable? The Durham Hotel uses local Counter Culture coffee to create its own binge-worthy coffee soda.

While the rooftop is known for its incredible raw bar and cocktails with a view, we beg to say that the lobby of The Durham is also just as magical!

Foster Street Coffee

Address: 530 Foster St, Durham, NC
Website

The vibe at Foster’s Coffee is quiet and unassuming, and the coffee is delicious. Foster Street is (or was) our little secret spot to work without much distraction or hassle. Now you’ll have to find out for yourself!

It’s located next to the Durham Food Hall, so if you want to take your day from coffee to food- you’re in the perfect place!

Guglhupf

Address: 2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC
Website

I don’t know about you, but I’m a sucker for a good snack and a specialty latte. At Guglhopf, you get both, plus incredible German pastries and bread. I can’t work at Guglhupf and not bring home a loaf of bread from the bakery.

The inside and outdoor portion of Guglhupf is beautifully decorated, elevating your workspace from a drab corner office cubicle to something more sophisticated and delicious.

Read More: International restaurants in Durham

Joe Van Gogh

Downtown Durham Address: 1104 Broad St, Durham, NC
Southcourt Address: 3211 Shannon Rd #106, Durham, NC
Woodcroft Address: 4711-5A Hope Valley Rd, Durham, NC
Website

If you’re in a Triangle grocery store looking for locally-owned coffee, chances are you will see either Joe Van Gogh or Counter Culture. And as an added bonus, you can find JVG in coffee shops throughout the area that serve their roasted beans.

Ensuring high-quality green coffee directly from the source, Joe Van Gogh roasts and blends via sustainable practices. Not only do they compost using CompostNow in all of their cafes, but they also use commercially compostable single-use items.

Further, JVG employees are paid a living wage, the roasting facility runs on solar power, and they partner with farms that also pay fair wages and promote gender equity. For Joe Van Gogh, coffee is more than a bean; it’s about fostering a sustainable community.

Of course, it’s also delivering very delicious coffee. No matter what you order, you’re in for a fantastic boost. We’ve enjoyed a hand-poured nitro cold brew and cappuccinos, and will always come back as long as Joe Van Gogh has us.

Read More: The Best Breakfast in Durham and 15+ Essential Restaurants to Start Your Day!

Liturgy Beverage Company

Address: 530 Foster Street, Durham, NC (Inside the Durham Food Hall)
Website

Durham coffee shops have no shortage of innovative beverages, but Liturgy Beverage Company is one that always surprises me. While you could order the usual latte, we encourage you to try the specialty drinks or the fantastic selection of single origins for a pour-over.

Seen here is the Holiday Coffee Soda- pomegranate, orange, and clove syrup with espresso and topo chico. It’s a 10/10, and I’m just mad that it’s not served all year long!

What is even cuter is that the owners, Tim and TiLissa, met in a coffee shop. So, whetheryou are looking for a place to connect or a coworking space, Liturgy is sure to fuel your day.

Namu

Address: 5420 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC
Website

Having spent five years living abroad in South Korea, Namu feels a little bit like home to me. Starting as a food truck, they serve Korean street food, snacks, and coffee.

Hidden in an unlikely place near I-40 and Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Namu is a not-so-secret gem.

Namu’s courtyard is the perfect spot to knock out some work in warmer temps. A surrounding bamboo forest and plenty of seating make it easy to feel transported to East Asia. I urge you to grab a Chocopie, some Yuzu Tea, and work so long that you’re hungry for some Bibimbap!

Narrative Coffee Company

Address: 300 Morris St Ste 101
Website

Narrative Coffee Company is one of the newest Durham coffeeshops in the area and located just steps from downtown and the farmer’s market. I’ll be honest that it was the TikTok girlies who got me to swing by one more because their seasonal orange creamsicle latte was all over my feed. And you know? Sometimes the TikTok girlies know what they are talking about! 

The shop itself is small inside but still plenty of seating for getting work done. Starting in Raleigh as a coffee cart and hoping around festivals and community events, their first permanent location is in Durham with plans to open up in Raleigh too. 

Sip on a cookie butter oat latte, butter beer with toffee nut & butterscotch, or a blue matcha. We promise- this is an awesome Durham coffee shop! 

The Oak House

Address: 126 W Main St, Durham, NC
Facebook

Starting in Elon, owners Phil Smith and Ryan Vet wanted to bring their coffee shop home to Durham.

They use Caballo Rojo for their drip and Joe Van Gogh (what do you know?) for their espresso. And the fun doesn’t stop with their traditional espresso menu, a rotating selection of craft beers and wines, and cocktails.

Because they’ve partnered with a local coworking organization (ask inside), customers can use the Oak House and enjoy some membership perks. All of this makes this place a welcoming, cozy spot in downtown Durham for sipping and working.

Omie’s Coffee Shop and Roastery

Address: 2300 N Roxboro St
Website

Located just on the northern edge of the city, Omie’s is a little unassuming pink building that pours some of the best coffee in Durham! 

Proudly woman-owned and living wage employed, one of the things that I love the most about Omie’s, beyond their delicious lattes, is their love for the community. “Joy is resistance,” and “Love for all” are frequent messages on their windows, a reminder that everyone is welcome.

While the parking area is small, the flavor is huge. So big that even the Jonas Brothers came in for a visit before a show in Raleigh! They directly source their coffee from small, family-owned farms.

The seasonal menu features delicious drinks like a lemon icebox cake latte (omg…), banana pudding shortie (double omg), or a cherry blossom matcha. You can’t go wrong with a single thing on the menu! 

People’s Coffee

Address: 7830 NC-751, Durham, NC
Website

If you find yourself in South Durham (or SoDu as the locals say), People’s Coffee is a great place to get some work done while slugging some coffee! As one of the few coffee shops we’ve seen offering Vietnamese Coffee, we are huge fans of this spot!

Exclusively using Wake Forest’s Black & White Roasters beans, the space is bright and the coffee is smooth. And if you find yourself wanting a little kick of health, People’s Coffee also serves kombucha!

Final Thoughts

Working for yourself or working from home can get boring and isolating. Getting out of the house is one of the easiest ways to break up the day and have an excuse to get out of your pajamas.

If you’re lucky enough to live in Bull City, you’ll know that there are plenty of coffee shops in Durham that not only serve great java. They are also beautiful places to cultivate productivity.

For those familiar with the area, we’d love to hear about your favorite Durham coffee shops! Let us know here or contact us via email. Either way, let’s keep the convo going.

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