Bittersweet has amazing desserts and drinks. I've been several times and each time I enjoy what I've had. A solid go-to is their s'mores sundae which is sooo good! The chocolate brownie is thick and rich, but not too sweet, and the marshmallow cream is divine, especially with the ice cream. A lot of their drinks and gin based, which I'm not the biggest fan of, but I always find something I can enjoy. The service is great and relatively quick, and everyone I've met there is kind and willing to help. The inside is a bit small, so smaller crowds are better and it does tend to get crowded later in the evening and on weekends. The outside street sitting area is nice too and hopefully will be fully fixed soon. Overall a great places to stop for drinks and desserts after a nice meal! And the menu rotates seasonally so you'll always have the chance to try something new! read more

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My wife and I stopped into Bittersweet last night for dessert, and the whole experience was excellent. As soon as we walked in, we met Brandon, and he immediately made the night better. We were honestly a little overwhelmed by all the options, but he gave us an extremely thoughtful and knowledgeable walk-through of the menu, helped us narrow down drinks, and absolutely crushed the recommendations. The desserts were great, the drinks were even better, but Brandon was easily the highlight of our experience. He was kind, helpful, sharp, and clearly knew exactly what he was talking about. Five stars all around. We'll definitely be back. read more

Go here for espresso martinis, mocktails, and desserts. After hearing many praises for Bittersweet, I excitedly stopped by on a Sunday afternoon. The bar is inviting and I love the menu design. We enjoyed all of the items ordered especially the market riot mocktail, espresso martini, and key lime tart. The employees were so friendly and patient. They checked in on us regularly and politely answered our questions. read more

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A fun concept bar of cocktails + desserts! We sat at the bar and received great service. Make sure to take the time to read the whole menu because there are some very unique offerings! We also learned the menu is updated seasonally, so it was a perfect pairing to the beautiful spring weather read more

Bittersweet - Dirt & Worms - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I have a never ending love for this place. The espresso martinis are so good and perfectly sweet. My go to is pirates coffee which is iced and coconut flavor. Even when it's not on their seasonal menu they make it for me. I've never had a bad drink or treat from this place. My favorite bar to take out of town guests! Always a must! read more

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This place was amazing and I'll def be back again. Came on a weekday, the place was moderately packed which was nice because it didn't make it awkward just being us two. The noise level is medium with everyone talking but nothing too crazy. The workers were super friendly and attentive, answering our questions and making sure we understood the menu. The drinks here are also very delicious and presentable. We also ordered an ice cream sundae for 2 which was very yummy; I def recommend you stop by for drinks and a good time. read more

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Cute place to get dessert and drinks especially around Christmas. It's a really nice vibe at night and customer service has always been nice. read more

Bittersweet was pretty bittersweet... we came for desserts for a friend's birthday and there was about a twenty minute line outside. We were super excited to try these drinks and desserts and were surprised by the lack of flavor in everything. The presentation looked really appetizing but the cupcake was dry, the pecan pie was more like a chocolate with pecans on top and the ice cream sandwich looked cool but tasted like stale popcorn. The drink was okay also. I will say that the vibe was chill and has a really nice date atmosphere. read more

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The literal definition of a dessert bar. They have amazing unique treats, a great alcohol selection. They also have mocktails coffees, and teas. I believe this place is known for their gym and they have a large gin collection. Sat at the bar here the service was great. The dessert and the drinks came out quickly. They do have special desserts of the day and baked goods also. After a night out if you need a sweet treat and another drink, this is the place to go. read more

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Came on a Sunday night and had to wait in line until we could get seated. Unfortunately, a lot of things ran out by the time we got seated so we couldn't try the desserts we really wanted. The sundae was still nice to try with the different toppings. Their almond drink was also tasty. Wish we could have tried more of their desserts. read more

Bittersweet - Outdoor - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Loved this cocktail bar! Espresso martinis were perfect and they had a variety of options! All people of my party loved their drinks. The pretzels/nuts bar snack was tasty too. The staff and our waitress in particular was awesome- so friendly and fun and engaging. Definitely would go back next time in the Raleigh area! read more

Bittersweet - This was incredible. Prob seasonal. Fresh squeezed watermelon juice as a margarita. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

One of my new favorite places in downtown. This was one of the stops for my birthday and I know I will be back soon. Service was friendly and the staff gave great recommendations for popular items. We tried a variety of drinks and desserts. Even had a cute birthday shot with a candle in it. The Derby pie was by far my favorite dessert that night. We also had the s'mores sundae which had a cool presentation. For drinks the Caribbean Thunderstorm was my favorite. Definitely give this place a try. read more

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Not so Bittersweet...This is one of my favorite Raleigh spots. Service always amazing! The staff is here is very friendly, helpful, and I have never had a bad cocktail. Drinks are bussin! I love the Gin and Jam and the Espresso Martini's are the best in the city! I would also recommend you trying a seasonal drink. Definitely a cute spot for a date night, drinks with friends, or a solo date. On the weekends get there early to beat the line. But, trust it is worth the wait! read more

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The hub and I had a lovely date night outing to Bittersweet after a Jazz in the Square performance. We were so pleased by the array of gluten-free desserts on the menu, as well as their cocktail, beer, wine, and coffee offerings. The service was very friendly and helpful. I could see us coming back to this spot over and over again. read more

Phenomenal service and excellent drinks! I got an extra dirty martini and it was made to perfection. Greeted with a smile and the day was perfect to sit outside. Very clean area for the outside patio. Clean tables and very well-organized seating. I ordered a dessert, a honey pistachio cheesecake and was marvelous. I will be coming back again for the wonderful experience, service, and sweet treats. read more

We've known about this place but only just visited, and we had an absolutely wonderful time! We came in on a Saturday afternoon around 4pm. No wait, which you won't find as it gets into the evening. Our server was lovely and attentive. I got the boozy peppermint latte and my partner got the I Smell Ice, and lemme tell you, they are heavy handed with that liquor. We also got the coffee crème brûlée and both agreed that it is probably the smoothest crème brûlée we had ever had. $42 in total with the tip so not bad for what you get. A great place to pop in on the weekend with your SO or friends. read more

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I'm just here to rave about my 1st experience at Bittersweet with Bella, the great! She's amazing and her customer care is second to none. I bookmarked Bittersweet hoping for a nice experience, and it more than exceeded my expectations, and much of the credit goes directly to Bella. When I tell you she explained the menu and business concept DOWNNNN to the ground for the hubs and I -- I kid you not. The dessert bar appeal is amazing here and the menu is perfection. Affogato, espresso martini, carrot cupcake-- all divine! We will be back frequently, ready to try more menu items and some gin drinks... with our sights set on Ms. Bella! Cheers! read more

We headed here because we had eaten dinner downtown and wanted to take advantage of all the great places we could. Although the space is tiny, the desserts and cocktails more than make up for the line out front, and the noisy nature of downtown locations! There were 4 of us and we enjoyed the strawberry pretzel pie, derby pie, ice cream, coffee, and old fashioned. First of all, AMAZING cocktails- and an epic list of whiskeys, bourbons, and scotches. They've also got some custom beverages that you cannot find else. Super thumbs up for originality of cocktails, creative menu presentation, and speed of service! The derby pie was good- but I like mine with a denser filling. My friend enjoyed her strawberry pretzel pie, and the fact that not many places offer this on their menu. But, she said it was not as good as homemade. The gents in our party RAVED about how great Bittersweet's old fashioned drinks were! They said that these were definitely in the top three beverages they had ever had! This hole in the wall had a bridal party, some goth appearing folks, and suits too. In short, no matter what you like to drink, what you enjoy eating for dessert, you will find it here! read more

Pretty great! I came here with a few friends for my birthday. The service was super nice and attentive, and were really accomodating taking our chaotic orders. The cocktails I had were very good - my personal favorite was the Seaside Garden. I tried other drinks my friends ordered and everything was good (gin & jam for one). We got the shot special and since there were 5 of us played shot roulette. That was super fun and I like that you can mix and match. The prettiest lemon tart was quite beautiful and the berries on it were fresh and delicious. However, I thought the tart wasn't "tart" enough - it tasted more like a slice of cheesecake. The salted choc. chip cookie ice cream sandwich was delicious - I would definitely come back again specifically for that. Overall, highly recommend and I hope to try more of their offerings. read more

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Bittersweet continues. to be such a Raleigh gem! I've been a few times recently and it never disappoints. On Pi day they were unfortunately sold out of most of their pies, but we still enjoyed what we were able to get. The chocolate chess pie was solid, but I think my favorite dessert here still remains that carrot cinnamon cupcake and the salty ice cream sandwich. For drinks the iced toasted almond continues to be my favorite. The perfect after dinner sweet treat drink. Their new champagne and gummy bears cocktail also did not disappoint. Expect to wait when you go, but they do a good job of moving through the line in waves. read more

Bittersweet - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I've been here an embarrassing amount of times and everything I've tried has been wonderful! I'm not a huge drinker but love the creative cocktails. Most importantly, the desserts are absolutely delicious. I love that they have standards on the menu and also a rotating list. This is a great date spot or just a place to come with friends. Everyone is always friendly and the spot has great vibes read more

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I liked Bittersweet OK. This place gets three or four stars out of me. I thought the drinks were fine, the desserts were delicious, the atmosphere was too loud (noise level), and the service could've been better. Read on for details. This is a popular place to get drinks and desserts in downtown Raleigh. The business opened in July 2014. It's located on the ground level of PNC Plaza, the tallest skyscraper in Raleigh. We parked for free in the nearby Moore Square Parking Deck. The deck address is 233 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601. It was free for us because we visited on a Saturday. Parking is free all day Saturday and Sunday. Parking fees are enforced Monday-Friday, 7am-7pm. We showed up to Bittersweet on a Saturday night around 9:30pm. There was a line outside to get seated. This place is first come, first served. The wait wasn't bad. We waited maybe 15-20 minutes. Our options were either a table outside or a standing-only bar inside. It was luck of the draw for what was available when it was our turn to be "seated." I say that because we ended up standing inside whereas groups that were waiting behind us got to sit at tables inside. The lady handling the line and seating didn't have a great attitude. I get it - it's not an easy job and she probably had to deal with her fair share of entitled/rude people. That said, just not a good vibe. Our server was better. She was nice and also very busy. Inside, the dining room and bar were dimly-lit. I liked the comedic art of Bruce Willis from Die Hard. The music was loud. This is one of those places where you have to speak really loud to hear each other. Obviously not uncommon for a bar environment, but it was too loud for me. Outdoor seating was uncovered. Part of the street had been converted into dining spaces. The menu had a sizable list of fun and creative cocktails and desserts plus gin, whiskey, wine, champagne, and beer. There were also mocktails, coffee, and tea. "Cocktail Brunch" is served every Sunday, 12-3pm. Here's what we got: Cocktails * Key Lime Martini ($14) x2 - Tanqueray Rangpur Distilled Gin, Nikka yuzu gin, lime, vanilla, whipped cream, graham dust * Watermelon Margarita ($14) - watermelon juice, Hornitos Black Barrel Tequila, Bombay Sapphire East Gin, lime, agave, basil * Toasted Almond ($14) - amaretto, coffee liqueur, cream, nutmeg; available hot or iced (my wife got hers iced) Less Than Zero (mocktails) * Little Garden ($10) - Seedlip Garden Party, grapefruit, ginger-turmeric syrup, agave, lime, coriander, Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic Water. Desserts * Peaches & Creme Brulee ($11) - peach puree creme brulee with cooked peaches on the bottom, vanilla-thyme madeleine cookie * Margarita Key Lime Pie ($12) - made with key lime tequila curd, triple-sec-infused whipped cream, graham crumb crust, lime zest * Cherry Cheesecake Vacation ($13) - vanilla bean cheesecake on a graham ganache "beach" topped with Michigan Montmorency tart cherries, cherry gel and almond sand dollar cookie I tried all the drinks listed above along with the Margarita Key Lime Pie and the Cherry Cheesecake Vacation. In general, the drinks were good/decent. Nothing too crazy or memorable. Out of the group above, I think the drink to get is the Key Lime Martini. My wife ordered the Toasted Almond and while she liked it OK, in hindsight she said she would've ordered the Key Lime Martini instead. The Little Garden mocktail was sweet. The desserts were the highlight for me. Both the Margarita Key Lime Pie and the Cherry Cheesecake Vacation were terrific. Both were rich, comforting, and delectable. I liked the Cherry Cheesecake Vacation better only because I love cherry pie and cheesecake and this was almost like a combination of those two things. The desserts were high-quality and well-made. This Cherry Cheesecake Vacation is a miracle. If you're familiar with Atlanta, where my wife and I are from, Bittersweet reminded us of Cafe Intermezzo because of the late-night drinks and desserts. It's also a hot spot, which this place appeared to be. read more

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Bittersweet is best described as an Adult Dessert Bar. Must be 21 or over to enter... No issues there lol (‿) While it is a normal Bar, I believe the entire theme revolves around your sweet tooth... "Bittersweet is a terribly wonderful cocktail, dessert and coffee lounge with an all-natural, local, seasonal menu." - from their website: https://www.bittersweetraleigh.com/about #SweetTooth: ~ S'MORES SUNDAE - 4.5/5 CRAFT SMORE dessert! Not sure if I'd personally refer to this as a Sundae, but I didn't come up with this decadent concoction. Heavy, Rich Calorie Bomb of deliciousness! A must have for any Smore fan! ~ SALTY CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM SANDWICH - 4/5 I thought this sounded strange, popcorn with an Ice Cream Sando?! but it just worked so well together. I also turned out to be a lot heavier that I expected. ~ RASPBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE CUP CAKE - 4/5 The assortment of cup cakes changes on a regular basis, I think maybe even every evening...I can't remember. The RASPBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE was on the menu this particular evening. While it was delectable...I don't think I'd get it again. A fairly expensive treat from what I remember. I would expect a venue like this in Portland or some other hipster town. I wasn't expecting something so eccentric in Raleigh. I'm glad I had the opportunity to check out Bittersweet! read more

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Had such a great time! Looking at the reviews and the line when we left last night it seems like we got super lucky because there was no line when we got there - granted it was still quite early for drinks as many people may have still been out for dinner. We had the chocolate raspberry tart and the strawberry pie. Both were to die for. The chocolate raspberry tart was so rich but the raspberry gelato cut right through it. The strawberry pie was the ultimate follow up being light and airy. To drink I continued my strawberry theme with the strawberry rhubarb drink. My husband has a hot Irish cream followed by the fireside old fashioned. The old fashioned he couldn't stop raving about. Service was extremely attentive. When we saw the line when we left it was super long. They do a great job keeping things moving in order to get you in and out, but I didn't feel rushed. Space had good mood lighting for the evening. I just really enjoyed myself and would absolutely go back next time we are in town. This stop was more expensive than our dinner out, but absolutely worth it in my opinion. read more

Bittersweet is one of my favorite spots in downtown Raleigh. Nestled in the heart of everything, it offers both indoor and outdoor seating, making it perfect for any occasion. It only opens in the evenings, so you'll have to hold off on those late-night cravings for a bit, but trust me, it's worth the wait. They have great gluten-free options, and the drinks are just fantastic. I generally order dry drinks, like a Manhattan, but like the fruit standbys they have here. Their drink and dessert pairings are lovely and well-conceived. I love dropping by for a quick bite pre- and post-dinner--it's always a yummy, creative treat! read more

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Absolutely obsessed with this dessert cocktail bar! It's like a candy shop for grown-ups sweet, sparkly, and full of magic. The drinks taste like happiness in a glass! read more

We dropped by on a chilly February night. This cocktail bar had a huge line, and it took at least 30 minutes for us to get in. The drinks were all super interesting - gin and jam is their specialty and unique. We tried their smores sundae dessert which was super super sweet (not for those who don't like sweets). The torced marshmallow donut ring with the ice cream were amazing - but I personally found the brownie too sweet. Service was great! A great cocktail spot - would I go back - probably not because I wasn't blown away by any of the cocktails. But it was still a good time. read more

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Nice little bar with great atmosphere, good service and nice vibes. I really liked the concept of cocktails and desserts, which I believe I haven't seen anywhere else thus far! The drinks are very unique (some of them), I ordered the Bandits which has so many different ingredients that make a very unique combination, but overall the flavor was kind of taken over by the chocolate milk. The Afogato was really good and the other desserts looked great too. read more

Bittersweet - Pecan Pie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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This place was recommended by a coworker and we came around 8pm on a Saturday night. Be prepared for a line because it does get busy. We waited about 15 minutes before getting a seat inside. Our server was very sweet and welcoming. I'm an espresso martini girlie and had 2 of those! Out of all that I've tried in Raleigh so far, this one was top tier. They also serve desserts as well. Some seasonal. I definitely want to go back for a sweet treat next time! read more

Bittersweet - Espresso martini - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

There are bathrooms and parking is street parking or nearby parking decks. Okay we LOVED THIS PLACE. My mom is diabetic so she had the quiche as there are no sugar free options. The quiche, although tasty, was a bit dry. This also may be because she asked to leave the siracha off (she can't digest spicy things even slightly) so not sure if it would have changed her opinion on that. This is the absolute only reason for the 4 stars. The service was amazing. Our waiters filled all our waters continually and she served us quickly and came up with great solutions/answers to our questions. Technically the quiche doesn't say it's served with siracha so thank goodness she double checked. Very observant and empathetic of her. I had a hot toddy (not pictured but classic look) and very good. One of my favorites when it's chilly. My dad had the toasted almond and he had it hot at our waitresses recommendation and omg it tasted like a rich candy it was amazing!!!! Highly recommend if you love amaretto, it was amazing! My mom had the Prosecco and it was lovely. My dad had the derby pie and he LOVES pecan pie so this was his favorite thing from the weekend! He just loved it! So tasty and can be warmed and served with ice cream he opted for warm with whipped cream and was in heaven. I had the pumpkin crème brûlée and it was soooo good! I would only suggest to leave the nuts off. They had a spicy coating which would normally be good but it wasn't quite complimentary to the pumpkin crème brûlée which was had sweet spices. I think it would be better served with the brie and pepper jelly. Overall great ambiance, lovely easy to navigate menu. Not too many choices but enough to find something you love. Lots of vegetarian and gluten free options. Highly recommend. read more

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A cozy table in the back corner, I honestly couldn't of asked for a better spot to enjoy my delicious cinnamon carrot cupcake. Don't get me started on the Key Lime Martini...with every sip I had to pinch myself with a reminder this is not cake. It's a bitter sweet feeling leaving, but trust me - a return is guaranteed. read more

Bittersweet - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Very fun spot for lunch, dessert, and fun cocktails!! Everything is delicious! Be prepared for a line on weekends, might be hard with a bigger group. A cute feminine vibe! The strawberry pie is literally so incredible, it's a must. read more

Bittersweet - Strawberry pie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Thank you Yelpers! Great spot for a special experience. Applesauce cupcake, mud type pie, apple pie with ice cream. Suggest to request to get food warmed. Drink options are super interesting. Mocktail with elderberry soda ginger and turmeric was delicious. The one gin drink had a pepper rim. Comfortable seating with attentive service. The bartenders were artistic for sure. read more

Bittersweet - Drinks and sweets - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Great after dinner desert and coffee : tea place. Great service. Ambiance was perfect . We enjoyed our desserts very much

So good. Service was attentive without being overbearing and the desserts were so fun. There was about a 15 min wait but it went quickly, and was worth the effort. Go with that in mind and enjoy an espresso martini with your derby pie, yummm. read more

such a cute spot! went on a saturday night and the vibe was just right. great music, lighting, and customer service. the drinks were delicious and creative as were the desserts. i really loved the s'mores one! read more

Bittersweet - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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The staff is always pleasant and welcoming here. The staff seems engaged and warm towards customers. When downtown I find it difficult to find desserts. Bittersweet is providing the bare minimum dessert experience and I haven't seen any growth in the few years I've been coming here. Bittersweet is the only place meeting an untapped market but falls short, which is to be expected since desserts from scratch and over-top quality aren't their strong suit. Don't come here expecting homemade desserts because that's not what they pride themselves on here. This is your "I can't find any late-night sweets in anywhere downtown" spot. The menu claimed to be smores but nothing was warm. The brownie must have been in the freezer with the ice cream. It was satisfying at the moment but truth be told I make bomb brownies from scratch at home. In the future, I look forward to trying more of the cocktails and leaving the desserts alone. read more

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Derby pie & an espresso drink. Bittersweet is just the name but the experience was sweet! A lively & quirky spot with fascinating array of cocktails and desserts. Quick & friendly service. You'll grow a tipsy tail for sure! read more

Bittersweet - Chai espresso martini - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Bittersweet is a unique concept - they have drinks and desserts! My dessert was good but the brownie was very rich! I loved my drink. I got The Dude. My friend got the coffee crème brûlée and it was very thick, not like a normal crème brûlée and I felt as if it could have possibly been overdone. The service was great overall and it is a cute spot to try out. This also could be a fun place for date night. The ambiance is dim lighting and a quiet atmosphere where you can hear your party just fine. I wish they had a couple more salty things on the menu to balance out the sweets. read more

Bittersweet - S'mores Sunday - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I almost hate to praise Bittersweet so it doesn't get any more crowded! I've always enjoyed the drinks, I found the bartenders to be helpful and skilled, and the wait staff stays on top of things. The quiche is great, the seasonal cocktail menus are fun, and the desserts are really decadent. I'm never disappointed. read more