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    Esmeralda's Cafe

    4.0 (88 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    ESMERALDA'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids
    Good for working

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    Nice sign, but the coffee didn't stay around long enough for a photo!
    Smythe R.

    Located in a strip mall near a mattress store and an ABC store, this place isn't in your typical location conducive to good foot traffic. But it's always busy. I've only been once since they relocated from the Mall, so on a rainy Spring Friday I came in for a late lunch. I was one of the few customers with native English, I think, which didn't bother me. Groups of workers having coffee and food, catching up on the news from ViX with Spanish subtitles. Very quiet for what it was! The menu is very nicely laid out with a huge selection, ranging from breakfast to full dinner plates. Veggie options are many. They have a small bar in the front with a few dozen bottles, but I doubt if anyone here could shake up a "Sex on the Beach!" The staff was busy and efficient, easily switching between Spanish and English depending on the customer's needs. I ordered the Esmeralda Burger, which is a beef burger with bacon, avocado, and a fried egg. I could barely finish it all,

    Empanadas, Baleadas de Carne Asada, Tilapia Con Camarones Only Waffle
    Joselyn F.

    The food was served in a timely manner and was very tasty. I was surprised by the size of the dishes, like this delicious fried fish with slices. We also ordered two baliadas de carne azada, but for some reason one had egg and the other didn't. I don't know if it was a mistake, but I liked it better without egg. The empanadas (beef) were crispy and delicious. The server was very friendly despite the fact that she was serving about four tables alone, simultaneously bringing out food, drinks, and taking them to the register for checkout. The place was very nice and has a warm, family-friendly atmosphere.

    Dining room
    Spencer L.

    Had a great experience here when I stopped in for a breakfast burrito. The customer service was excellent. Although I got the burrito, there were many items that looked really good. My burrito was hot, tested fresh and was delicious! The ambiance was cool. The price was extremely reasonable for what you got. There is ample parking as it's in a shopping center. I would recommend stopping by this place on your way in or out of a cool outing like the Duke Homestead nearby. (Feel free to check out my review of that place as well!)

    Penne A La Vodka Pasta
    Roxana R.

    La comida es realmente deliciosa, el café es buenísimo y la atención es muy buena Lo recomiendo muchísimo

    Chicken quesadilla
    Liz M.

    Think a Latin Denny's. When you enter take a seat, if a table is available. The waitress will arrive with menus and place a number stand on your table. The waitress was polite but a little hurried. You will hear Latin music playing and occasionally someone will sing along. There is a mixture of tables and booths. The bathrooms were unavailable during our entire meal. I believe they were being cleaned. I ordered the omelette with potatoes and toast. The other order was a chicken quesadilla. Drinks were gourmet tea and americano coffee. The meal was fine. I enjoyed the omelette. The potatoes were fork tender (which is good). I wouldn't classify the burrito as authentic, but it was fine. Not terrible, not great, fine. And that's perfectly ok. We didn't care for the tea - not quite sure what that flavor profile was. When we asked the waitress she stated it consists of many flavors "peach, mango.." Maybe that was an off batch. The toast had an artificial taste. Like it was basted in oil. I don't feel the need to rush back, but I'd eat here again. Would recommend 3.2 (Latin Casual)

    Huevos rancheros
    Craig L.

    Always excellent, the huevos rancheros is on point. The coffee and service are always great as well. This is our go to Sunday spot.

    Cappuccino
    Vy N.

    Great, authentic place for Honduran breakfast like baleadas and desayuno platters. When you come in, it's pretty busy so you would sit yourself and have to flag someone down to get your order. Once you order, the food is fresh, hot and ready to be devoured. I got the desayuno plate with cappuccino. It was tasty and when I asked for hot sauce, they definitely delivered because it packed quite the heat. It is pretty authentic as 90% of the patrons are Spanish speakers but the servers are bilingual. I should give their American breakfast and other entrees a try but can't go wrong with the Latin-American food options.

    Cappuccino
    Kat C.

    My favorite Sunday morning tradition! Service is always fast, food is always amazing, cappuccino con azúcar is the best coffee treat you can get on this side of Durham. The baleada sencilla never fails to satisfy, ask for the habanero hot sauce!

    Cops are *always* here! Maybe that's good?

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    4 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Good place to relax and drink your favorite coffee beverage. The coffee was excellent and I love the decor.

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    8 years ago

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    Page 3 of 3

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    Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Bacon egg and cheese

    Aaktun Coffee & Bar

    4.5(180 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    If I could give this place 100 stars, I would! From the…read moreoutside, you would never guess what awaits inside. It looks like a small neighborhood spot, but the moment you walk through the doors, you're immediately welcomed by a charming bakery counter filled with fresh pastries, coffee, and sandwiches. Then, as you make your way to the restaurant in the back, the entire experience transforms into something truly special. The ambiance is absolutely stunning--warm, inviting, and thoughtfully designed. I honestly spent half the meal just taking it all in because every detail was beautiful. Now, let's talk about the food... phenomenal doesn't even begin to describe it. Everything was incredibly fresh, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious. Our brunch came out surprisingly fast without sacrificing quality, and every bite was bursting with flavor. The service was equally impressive. Everyone was welcoming, attentive, and genuinely seemed to enjoy making sure guests had a great experience. You could tell there was pride in both the food and the hospitality. If you're anywhere near Durham, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit. Whether you're stopping in for coffee and a pastry, grabbing a sandwich, or sitting down for brunch, you won't be disappointed. I'll definitely be back, and this has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants in the area. Five stars isn't enough--this place deserves 100.

    I have frequently gone here as it's my favorite place to grab curry mussels. With that being said I…read morecame here today to celebrate my girls birthday and it was one to remember for all the wrong reasons. 3/4 of us ordered the same exact meal and I never received my dish. By the time I was able to waive down the waiter , the table was finished eating and they brought out my meal 25-30 min after the fact. I was hopeful that management would own the mistake, but when my bill came nothing was comped. I had to raise my concern with a waitress and she got a manager. Frankly I am disappointed all around by the experience. "Worse birthday ever" was stated a few times by the birthday girl so idk if I'll be coming back. If I'm going to spend $200 on a meal I at least want to eat.

    Photos
    Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Iced autumn blaze latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny

    Iced autumn blaze latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny

    Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Iced dulce de leche latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny

    Iced dulce de leche latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny

    Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Jerk chicken

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    Jerk chicken

    Morning Ritual

    Morning Ritual

    4.5(30 reviews)
    10.6 mi

    The coffee was actually delicious. The service not so much!…read more To be fair I ordered my coffee with my breakfast at The Goat (the restaurant that Morning Ritual shares the building with) but the coffee is listed on The Goat's menu, so they need to get in sync. Our breakfast ended up coming out before coffee, which made no sense. I had to ask about the coffees before they were actually made. When the girl came from morning ritual She brought out my husbands, hot cappuccino but my mocha out iced and I immediately said I don't drink cold coffee and I did an order iced. Instead of being apologetic, and stating that she would change it, she just snatched the iced coffee and walked away. That was such a strange encounter. It was rude and I got no apology, nor did I get any explanation of what would happen next. I let my server know to ensure I was still going to get a coffee because I can't live without my coffee in the morning! When my Moca loved her honey, oat milk, coffee came I took a sip and was glad i didn't flip out and say "forget the coffee" (as I was already done with breakfast by the time in arrived) because the drink was delicious! If I'm ever back in the area (I was staying in Raleigh but decided to take a little detour into Durham that morning) I'll come to only Morning Ritual to see if I can change this 3 star review for service issues into a 5. For now they need to work on getting coffee service to The Goat streamlined!

    The morning ritual is not it's own restaurant, it's essentially the breakfast and brunch menu of…read morethe restaurant "The Goat". The menu isn't broad, only a few options, which I was disappointed with. The staff was pretty decent, they forgot a few things, like a lemon for water when requested, a spoon for my yogurt. We ordered a burrito, the biscuit and eggs and the yogurt. Honestly, I was shocked at how good it was. Burrito had great flavor and was super filling. The biscuits were incredible! They were super crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The jam it came with was also delicious. Overall, it was a weird restaurant set up and staff was iffy but the food was quite good! I likely won't go back because the menu is so limited but if you're in the area, it wouldn't hurt to stop by!

    Photos
    Morning Ritual - Counter and pastries! - March 2026

    Counter and pastries! - March 2026

    Morning Ritual
    Morning Ritual - Outdoor entrance

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    Outdoor entrance

    Foster Street Coffee - Iced Miel Oat Latte - lifewithhanny

    Foster Street Coffee

    4.3(121 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    It's time for "second coffee" and my office for the morning, landing at Foster Street at around…read more8:30 am. Parking wasn't easy since I can't fit into a parking deck but a metered space opened up and I was able to jam into there. Warmly welcomed and my cortado was ready before I'd even finished plugging in the laptop. Strong coffee that had a deep flavor and I'd already had breakfast so I was able to resist the pastries. An hour in, another cup of drip was all I needed while I did the Internet thing. Foster Street is conducive to laptop but it did get a bit loud in there with the talking, the music and the sound of the espresso machine. But if you can handle all of that, it's ideal. I stayed about two hours this morning. [Review 943 of 2025 - 4346 in North Carolina - 24498 overall]

    A long-time favorite of mine here in Durham, particularly for anyone wanting a place to study. They…read morehave a ton of tables, free coffee refills, and lots of outlets. The lighting is good, the music is at an appropriate volume, and the seating is comfortable (particularly in the back room). During the weekends and on holidays they can be quite full (particularly during the school year), but generally speaking I can usually find a seat here. Baristas are friendly and competent. They are well-staffed, and even when there is a long line things come out quickly! There is also free parking available in the parking garage around the corner, which is certainly a bonus. My go-to here is simply an iced americano or coffee, but their seasonal drinks are also delicious. Can't recommend enough!

    Photos
    Foster Street Coffee - Breakfast burrito

    Breakfast burrito

    Foster Street Coffee - Order counter

    Order counter

    Foster Street Coffee - Mocha latte and chocolate croissant

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    Mocha latte and chocolate croissant

    Joe Van Gogh

    Joe Van Gogh

    4.2(164 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    The space nails the industrial-warehouse-meets-neighborhood-cafe thing without trying too hard…read more Exposed ductwork, dark ceilings, warm wood slat paneling on the counter and half-wall, white subway tile behind the bar, and enough trailing plants to soften it all. There's an upstairs loft and a mix of seating downstairs. Prices are fair for the quality. Latte $4.50-5.75, mocha and chai in the same range, drip from $2.50. Flavor shots are $0.50 (rosemary brown sugar and toasted coconut stood out). The grab-and-go case is well stocked with sandwiches, fruit and cheese cups, overnight oats, granola, and Nitro cold brew if you need it to go. Food menu covers biscuit sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and the Van Gogh Wich. Small gripes: it's hot only on several drinks (pour over, espresso, cortado, cappuccino), so know that going in, and no pets allowed. Summer menu had some fun seasonal stuff--iced prismatic with cherry cinnamon apple. If you care about where your beans come from and want a cafe with genuine character, this is an easy recommendation.

    Outstanding local coffee spot with exceptional service. It's got lovely natural light and plenty of…read moredifferent seating options, though it can get pretty crowded during peak hours (especially in college exam season). They have some wonderfully creative seasonal flavor options, though I wish the flavors came through more strongly in the drinks. I appreciate the variety of non dairy milks. Their premade foods have never disappointed me -- they're a little pricey, but not astronomical for the area, and everything is fresh. The selection of pastries from Ninth Street is great too! The service has always been what really stands out. No matter how busy they are, they make a point to connect with you kindly and genuinely. On the one occasion I had difficulty with an online order, they went out of their way to help. Overall, JVG is my reliable neighborhood coffee house.

    Photos
    Joe Van Gogh - Iced vanilla oat latte - lifewithhanny

    Iced vanilla oat latte - lifewithhanny

    Joe Van Gogh - Peppermint vanilla oat latte - lifewithhanny

    Peppermint vanilla oat latte - lifewithhanny

    Joe Van Gogh - Upper section overlooking the counter to order

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    Upper section overlooking the counter to order

    Omie’s Coffee Shop and Roastery - Banana pudding shortie - lifewithhanny

    Omie’s Coffee Shop and Roastery

    4.6(54 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $

    Omie's is a small hidden gem in Durham. This place has the best truly espresso/coffee forward…read moredrinks in the triangle. You can tell the quality of the drink and beans Omie's is high quality as soon as you taste it. I absolutely loved their fun and creative seasonal menu. I ordered the pumpkin pie brown butter latte, and it was so tasty. Normally, I have to ask coffee shops to reduce the sugar, but this drink was perfectly balanced. In addition, Omie's sells baked goods to complement your drink. There was a selection of tasty treats to pick from. One of my friends got a HUGE cookie, which looked absolutely delicious. As a fair heads up, parking and inside seating areas are limited. However, Omie's has done the most to maximize the space to make it a cozy place to sit. Pro tip- there is a little more seating to the left of the bathrooms, and there are several comfy spots interspersed throughout. Come for the good coffee, good vibes, and lovely service staff. I definitely know that I will be back!

    Women-owned neighborhood coffee shop with a cozy, setup. Parking is very limited. The place itself…read moreis small, but there's an extended seating area next to a small grocery store where you can enjoy your drink. There was only one barista working, so there was a bit of a wait, but she was kind and acknowledged me while I waited. I ordered a flat white--it was well made with a distinct nutty flavor.

    Photos
    Omie’s Coffee Shop and Roastery - Inside

    Inside

    Omie’s Coffee Shop and Roastery - Green Beans - Before roasting

    Green Beans - Before roasting

    Omie’s Coffee Shop and Roastery - Outside

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    Outside

    Esmeralda's Cafe - cafes - Updated September 2026

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