Everyone loves a cute coffee shop. Sometimes is for the vibe, sometimes it’s for the food, and sometimes it’s for the actual coffee. One thing I love about Raleigh is that it is sprinkled with adorable and delicious coffee shops all over town! I have lived here for about five years and, while I am stilling finding more that I love, I have found a few favorite go-to coffee shops around Raleigh.

SOLA COFFEE

Sola is one of the more popular coffee shops in Raleigh, known for it’s “I Believe in Raleigh” mural. They also have some AMAZING mini donuts. I would say that if you are visiting Raleigh and looking for a good coffee shop to visit, go here. Plus, it is one of the few found in North Raleigh!

My favorite: The birthday cake donuts

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A post shared by S O L A C O F F E E C A F E (@solacoffee) on Apr 6, 2019 at 5:26pm PDT

MORNING TIMES

Morning Times is a typical go-to spot for people in Downtown Raleigh. The coffee is always delicious, they have a great breakfast/brunch selection, and they have a large upstairs area with exposed brick for sitting down to enjoy your morning (or afternoon) coffee with your friends or to focus on some work. You can usually find people sitting out front with their pups on nice days. Plus, you can go right next door to Raleigh Times for dinner and drinks on their rooftop. Highly recommended!

My favorite: Vanilla Latte

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A post shared by @themorningtimes on Feb 3, 2019 at 6:09am PST

NIGHT KITCHEN

This place opened just a few years ago in Seaboard Station, and it was my go to when I worked right down the road from it. Everything is SO good and fresh and homemade. I am literally obsessed. From baked goods, to coffee, to lunch sandwiches, you literally can’t go wrong with anything here! I’m only sorry that I don’t live closer…and now I’m hungry thinking about it. Who wants to bring me a croissant?

My favorites: Gruyere croissant AND bagel with homemade salted butter AND vanilla latte (I really can’t choose just one thing)

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A post shared by Night Kitchen Bakehouse & Cafe (@raleighnightkitchen) on Dec 27, 2018 at 5:18am PST

JUBALA

My sweet friend and photographer Sarah introduced me to this amazing coffee shop. Jubala has two locations in Raleigh, and for good reason. One on Hillsborough Street and one in Lafayette Village. They have great unique coffee specials, DELICIOUS sweet biscuits, and waffles. I have yet to try their waffles (I’m dying to, though), mostly because I keep going for the biscuits. They also have great toppings for both. You don’t really have an excuse for not trying this place, both locations are great and close enough to pretty much everyone in the Raleigh area.

My favorite: Sweet biscuit with bacon & egg OR apple butter

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A post shared by Jubala Coffee (@jubalacoffee) on Apr 3, 2019 at 11:15am PDT

THIRD PLACE

Third Place is kind of a little hidden gem found in Five Points, but their coffee is SO good. It is very cute and cozy inside, and close to a few of my other faves in Five Points like The Point and Nofo. This is the place that introduced me to my new obsession: lavender vanilla lattes. Yes. Pleaseeee.

My favorite: Lavender Vanilla Latte

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A post shared by The Third Place Coffee Shop (@thethirdplacecoffeeshop) on Dec 10, 2018 at 4:48am PST

42 & LAWRENCE

This downtown Raleigh coffee shop is my newest find. I have only been once, but that is all it took. I don’t know what I love more, the top hat lights or the lattes on tap. I love that they call themselves an “espresso bar and coffee lab”. If you scroll through their Instagram, you can see that they make a lot of other really cool drinks as well. If you try nothing else, try the draft latte!

My favorite: Draft Latte (it has a hint of vanilla and it is just enough)