Despite living in Raleigh for over a decade, I just visited Boulted Bread for the first time last…read moreweek. If you live in Raleigh, you've heard people rave about Boulted Bread - from their titular bread to their morning bun to their croissants, they have everything a carb connoisseur could desire. I visited with a friend on a Tuesday morning (they currently are not open on Mondays) and it was busy. I ordered their seasonal fig leaf latte, the morning bun, chocolate croissant, and a tartine that was kind of like a pizza on a piece of bread. The latte was delicious - it has brown sugar in it, which was perfect as the iced version. The morning bun was delightful - probably my second favorite morning bun/cinnamon roll in Raleigh. The chocolate croissant was filled with chocolate ganache - which I was not expecting - it was messy but also very good. Lastly, the tarine, which like I mentioned, was kind of like a pizza on a piece of toast - it had cheese tomato sauce - simple and savory and tasty. Overall, I felt Boulted Bread lives up to the hype. A Raleigh classic that is a perfect stop for a morning treat.

Stopped by Boulted Bread over the weekend and it did not disappoint. When you arrive there is…read morelimited parking available on the street, otherwise I'd park in the nearby lot. Walking up to the bakery you'll likely see a line out the door. Don't let this line turn you away as it moves quickly and a sign that this bakery is popular. When we walked in it felt artsy, industrial, and bustling. For pastries I ordered the everything croissant with cream cheese inside and the morning bun. Both pastries were excellent and had great flavor. I'd have to lean toward the morning bun for being my favorite due to the flakey layers and flavor. If you are in the Boylan Heights area definitely check out Boulted Bread.

The perfect coffee roaster might actually exist -- and it might be Black & White Coffee Roasters in…read moredowntown Raleigh. I'm a big fan of lighter-roasted, funky, expressive coffees, and Black & White absolutely delivers. Their roasting style leans into vibrant, fruit-forward profiles, and they do it with confidence. The downtown Raleigh location is fantastic too. It's right in the middle of everything, making it a great stop for a date night, meeting up with friends, or just dropping in for a quick but exceptional cup. Their seasonal menu was small but mighty -- just a couple of options -- but the kind where every drink looks so good you wish they'd never rotate them off the menu. I started with the orange cardamom flat white, and it was perfect in every way. Beautifully presented and incredibly balanced. The espresso, milk, orange, and cardamom all complemented each other without any one flavor taking over. It was nuanced, aromatic, and just a joy to drink. For my second drink, I ordered a Rodrigo Sanchez pour-over, a co-fermented Colombian coffee labeled with passion fruit notes. It was everything I want from a pour-over -- bright, juicy, and expressive, with the kind of sweet stone fruit and berry notes that make light-roasted coffee so exciting. Black & White continues to prove why they're one of the most respected specialty roasters around. If you love adventurous coffee with huge flavor and careful execution, this place is an absolute must-visit.

Stopped by Black & White Coffee while looking for a cup of coffee downtown. I noticed that there…read morewas a coffee shop located in the local Videri Chocolate shop. Parking can be a bit tricky here as the coffee shop is located in the heart of downtown Raleigh. The vibe inside this coffee shop is bright and open. I ordered a caramel latte which was excellent and the latte art was also a nice touch. If you are trying to work remotely there isn't much seating available here. If I'm in the area again I'll definitely be stopping by black and white coffee for a cup of coffee.

How have I never been here. My friend suggested we meet there (breakfast options in the suburbs are…read morelacking to say the least). I of course had to look it up on Yelp. Thanks for all the great suggestions! They do indeed offer suggestions to make you the best coffee. I have the 5 spice brown sugar on an Americano. I let them know I typically drink dark roast black. They let me try the pour over (not dark enough) and that settled it. My friend had a latte. The decoration on top didn't come out to the barista's liking so he made a new one even tho my friend didn't care. That is commitment to the art of coffee! I had the baguette sandwich and my friend the congee. Both were yummy. Already planning dinner there. So good!

Wow! Why did it take so long for me to learn about this place? What a beautiful space to enjoy a…read morecup of coffee or sweet treat with a friend or a solo trip. I came to celebrate a birthday with a friend - we were intending to have lunch - but came to late and missed it. So, we decided on having something to drink and a treat. The location is easy to find and parking wasn't bad. We came on the weekend, so not sure what it might be on the weekdays. The decor is so welcoming and warm. We enjoyed the peach cobbler muffin and a coffee cake muffin. Warm and perfectly prepared :) The coffee was very tasty however my friend didn't care for the guava drink. Overall, a good time and looking forward to returning to try their hot food.

We booked an appt for a Sunday afternoon and got a Vietnamese coffee & cold brew with pistachio…read moresyrup, both of which were phenomenal and fully vegan, to sip on while we hung out with the cats. The staff were very kind when serving our drinks as well as speaking about the cats and their personalities. There were cat toys and games to play inside the room, but we enjoyed just sitting and letting the cats come mingle as they pleased. The cats come from SPCA and are able to be adopted! We had been previously for drinks but knew we had to come back to visit the cats, and I'm sure we'll be back many more times :)

Coffee is delicious and the staff is beyond welcoming and kind! The whole place is very comfortable…read moreand friendly atmosphere. The cats are so so sooooo cute and very well taken care of, be sure to make a reservation as we were just passing through raleigh but we were still able to look at the cuties through the glass!!! 100/10 would recommend :)

Found this gem of a German bakery at the farmers market! The man behind the counter was…read moreeffervescent and affable! I'm always on the hunt for a good savory pastry so I got the ham and cheese croissant and it did not disappoint. Pro tip - take your pastries from the busy farmers market across the street to Dorothea Dix Park to birdwatch and overlook the city skyline! I was slightly shocked that 2 pastries were $20 - that's the only reason it's four instead of five stars!

Meh. I could've swore that their food used to be good. Not anymore, unless I picked the only 4…read moreterrible items on the list. I had macaroons a few weeks ago, and remember them being good. These were the only items in their selection that had a price, $4, so I got two togo. The lemon bars and blueberry bars looked delicious, so I got two each for after dinner. We got 50 little neck clams, and needed some bread. Their sourdough looked good, so I got a loaf. The sourdough that we bought was literally the most dense bread I have ever eaten. Even soaking it in clam broth did not help. Tried an un-soaked piece, and it was like eating tough jerky. The dogs didn't even want it. After dinner I cut one each of the pastries in quarters to share. The lemon had a very slight taste of lemon (very very slight), and although the blueberry appears to be packed with fruit, it only tasted like soggy dough. (See pic). My last shot was the macaroon. I gave one to my daughter to split with me. She barely split it. The filling was like the mixed it with marshmallows. It stretched while the cookie crushed, and also did not taste good at all. I would like to think they got a new pastry chef that is learning, but sorry, at 42 bucks for that amount of food that was all bad, I'm not going to be another guinea pig. Oh, no one wanted the other lemon or blueberry bar, so sadly I threw them out.

Some coffee shops are designed for a quick caffeine fix. Others become part of the fabric of a…read moreneighborhood. Willow House Coffee is firmly the latter. Bryan and Judy have created something that feels increasingly rare: a space where hospitality is the defining feature. Equal parts coffee shop and community living room, Willow House welcomes everyone; from remote workers settling in for the morning to families with young children, friends lingering over conversation, and neighbors who simply stopped by to say hello. The café itself is airy and expansive, filled with natural light and the unmistakable aroma of freshly brewed coffee. It invites you to slow down. Tables become workstations, conversations stretch a little longer than planned, and children move comfortably through the space without anyone batting an eye. It is thoughtfully designed for real life. What makes Willow House memorable, however, isn't just the setting. It's Bryan and Judy. Their warmth is woven into every interaction, whether they're greeting a first-time visitor or welcoming back a regular by name. Having had the privilege of knowing them personally, I can say with confidence that the care they extend isn't performative. They have an extraordinary ability to make people feel genuinely seen, and that spirit shapes the entire experience. The coffee is every bit as impressive as the hospitality. My standing order is the "Salty Southerner" equally exceptional served hot or over ice, with the perfect balance of sweet, salty and smoky. The pastry case highlights locally baked treats alongside gluten-free options, and the Artie Bars have earned something of a cult following among regulars. Parking can appear limited at first glance, but don't let that discourage you. A complimentary two-hour parking garage sits just steps away, making the café surprisingly easy to access. Its location also places you within walking distance of the trails and open landscapes of Dix Park, making it an ideal stop before or after an afternoon outdoors. Willow House Coffee isn't simply a place to grab a cup of coffee. It's the kind of place that quietly reshapes your plans for the day. You come for a drink, stay for the atmosphere, and leave already thinking about your next visit. In a city filled with cafés, that feeling is what makes Willow House stand apart.

Cute little coffee house! Parking is tight but worth looking…read morefor parking to go enjoy! Friendly staff. Delicious food choices. I got a "salted southern latte" and a lice of coffee cake. Friend for a s'mores cookie. Everything was fantastic!

Looking for a cozy place to start your morning on the weekend? Sir Walter is the perfect spot…read more Cozy seating. Great coffee. Delicious Breakfast items and baked goods! Next time you're looking for a good coffee spot, stop by Sir Walter.

Place was busy - coffee took longer than the food…read more Sunrise tacos were fine- not much flavor, corn taco shell eh. Hot Croissant almond latte was good- it had great flavor (it was supposed to have sliced almonds on top-) it was barely warm. Poppy seed scone was bland and tasted like the plastic they wrapped it in. Everything was pricey.

This downtown Raleigh stop really came through when I was craving a breakfast sandwich!!! LOL…read more The staff was very friendly. Service was prompt. It's a small space but there's plenty of outdoor seating (and I believe there is additional indoor seating next door). Loved my bacon, egg, and cheese croissant! Added a nice fruit salad too. Just love the vibe of this part of downtown Raleigh!

The morning times was a weekly if not daily staple in my life for 10+ years, after moving away from…read morethe city 3 years ago, every time I would come into Raleigh it would be my first stop and it would always feel like home seeing the same familiar faces every time. This morning, I walked in and saw not one familiar face there, and I've come to learn all the staff walked out simultaneously weeks ago. After getting to know many of the staff over the years of frequenting there, anything to make every staff member walk out at the same time has to be big enough to leave a sour taste in your mouth. Am truly sad to see such a Raleigh staple not see the value in the community their staff created. Cheers to Joe, Brennan, Brett, amber, and all of the others past a present (shout out Tim and Casey and Jackie!) for their place in our lives over all of these years! If you are looking for a coffee nearby, jubala (pendo), black & white (videri), heirloom are all great options (and sir Walter coffee and 42 & Lawrence are decent and close)