Dropped off and picked up dry cleaning at the dry cleaners on the corner of Fairview and Oberlin (see my reviews for "Drive-Thru Cleaners and Shoe Repair"). Since I was so close, an Idle Hour had 30 minutes until closing, I thought I would go in for a Iced Chai Latte--one of my favorites--I love the way Isle Hour makes it, FLAVOR TOWN! Even though it was 30 degrees outside, I still ordered the Iced Chai Tea Latte. I knew that I would be very comfortable in their lounge area. After I ordered, I saw the Hot Chocolate Bomb at the countered. I asked the staff member about it and ordered that also. The Hot Chocolate Bomb is the BOMB --Delicious! I drank my Chai Latte after and was not disappointed. Staff is great--friendly and enthusiastic. Atmosphere very homey. read more

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I think its a cute little spot to stop by! Ive worked remotely here a few times and its been a smooth experience each time! The staff is very friendly and their coffees are good. I recently found a hair baked in in my blueberry banana bread and the cashier was quick to rectify this w the option of refund/replacement. Their bakery desserts are beautiful but they aesthetics are as far as my compliments go for them. I tried the strawberry raspberry cheesecake and majority of it was gelatin and chocolate. Didnt taste any cheesecake. Maybe their other items are better! The GOAT is yummy but felt very skimpy on the toppings. I wouldnt say their food is their strong suit here. read more

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Every time I come to Raleigh to visit my parents, this coffee shop is always one of my first stops. The service is consistently friendly and welcoming, and the lattes are some of the best I've had anywhere. The espresso is rich and smooth, and their house-made syrups really set them apart from other places--every drink tastes thoughtfully crafted and balanced. It's always a treat to come here. Highly recommend if you're looking for great coffee and great people! read more

Really cute spot. The coffee was good. We tried the Fruit Loop latte special and we liked it. Staff was super nice and the vibe was great. They have some outdoor seating. Didn't try the food this time but it looked really good so I'd come back for that. read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

The food and drinks are good, but to be honest, the staff was inept. I was handed the wrong order. My husband ordered a drip coffee, which was not warm when he received it. He asked for it to be warmed, and they completely dumped it out after he fixed it? He asked for them to just microwave it, and they acted as if they'd never thought of that, and then said "oh yeah well our drip coffee isn't warm anymore" offered him an Americano. read more

Not to sound judgy but it would be great if they could get our 2 drink order right. I ordered chai latte and a Vietnamese coffee. The chai latte came out quickly but they forgot about my Vietnamese coffee. I went up after 10 mins to see if it was ready. They had forgotten and then said they would get right on it but proceeded to serve about 7 customers after me and give them their drinks before finally getting mine after my friend had to go up to them again to ask for it. The barista was not apologetic at all and the male barista that took our order was probably a little... high. I'll have to pass on this place in future. Drinks are fine. Service not so much. read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

This coffee shop has the most charming storefront, surrounded by greenery and blooming florals in the spring and summer, really looks like something out of a storybook (matching its fairytale theme!). Inside, the vibe is warm, cozy, and inviting, with real plants at every table and friendly staff at the front. For drinks and food, they offer some fun, creative syrup flavors for latte, though I find the coffee itself decent but not especially memorable. Matcha latte pretty good. Their desserts are beautiful and delicate, but very sweet. For ambience, this is one of my absolute favorite places in Raleigh to get work done! There are individual booths with outlets, round tables that are perfect for group work, and velvet couches near the front with great Zoom backgrounds. The music is soft, the space never feels crowded, and the people tend to be courteous and quiet. Great "get productive" coffee shop, not to mention it has a free parking lot at the back! read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Key lime pie & Jasmine honey latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Had such an amazing experience here! Came after seeing a barista who works here on TikTok, and brought my friend with me. The desserts are not only pretty, but delicious as well! The drinks were awesome, and the customer service was fantastic! Definitely recommend! read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Avocado toast and iced maple bourbon latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Aesthetically, this café is definitely my vibe--small, charming, and decorated like a cozy country café. It seems like a nice spot to grab a coffee, a light snack, and get some remote work done. Unfortunately, the experience didn't quite live up to the hype. I came specifically for the mushroom and orange pastries that are all over their social media, but both were sold out. I decided to try two other options instead, and honestly, I wish I hadn't. The raspberry cheesecake pastry had a hard, rubbery texture that made me question its freshness--it tasted like it had been sitting in the fridge too long. I only managed a couple of bites before tossing it. The cookies and cream option was a bit better, but still disappointing. The cherry flavor was barely there, and overall it was overly sweet with no real depth or complexity. Ironically, the best part of my visit was the drinks--and those were just a sparkling water and an orange Fanta. Cute place, but unfortunately, the food didn't deliver and The service was ok at best. read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Ferrero Rocher Raspberry cheesecake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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This place is to die for-- so so cute! I got a vanilla matcha and it was wonderful. I also got a breakfast sandwich on an English muffin which was pretty good. The main reason I came was for the mousse. The mushroom was strawberry cheesecake flavored and the apple was apple (I know, shocking). I thought the flavors were good and the presentation was amazing. I wasn't a huge fan just because of the texture. Obviously to hold its shape it's going to have to be more on the gelatinous side, but I didn't think that through. So no hate whatsoever, it was just not my favorite texture. I'll definitely come back to try some of their other treats though! read more

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Very nice atmosphere. The key lime cheesecake was rich and tart. I found the chai tea latte overly peppery; Union Special's in Raleigh is also strongly spiced but balances theirs better in my opinion. I tried a crème brulée Tepuy doughnut but it wasn't my cup of tea. If restaurant din is bothersome, find a seat at the bistro tables outside and hope for no emergencies from the charming fire station on the opposite side of Oberlin. Parking was surprisingly easy, on the street and in their private lot in back. read more

Possibly my favorite place to grab coffee now. The staff seems like they really love being there, and the coffee was delicious.

The Granny Smith apple cheesecakes are adorable and incredibly delicious. The service was friendly, the barista recommended a peppermint white mocha matcha that was phenomenal. If you aren't sure what to order, ask the barista. You will not be disappointed. read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Peppermint white mocha matcha with oat milk. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I met up with some friends here to read/study. Initially, I was impressed by the variety of food and drink options offered, but was disappointed that they only had regular milk & oat milk since I usually prefer almond milk. I ordered a vanilla latte with oat milk since that was the only dairy free milk option, and it was actually pretty good! I didn't order any food, but the desserts/cakes that were on display looked super cute and delicious. Although the coffee was good, it was very hard for me to focus, read, and study here because of the loud music playing and the multicolored lights reflecting off of the disco ball that was hanging from the ceiling. I think this would be a nice place to hangout and talk, but personally I would not recommend coming here to read/study/work without headphones (& maybe sunglasses lol) or if you are easily distracted. read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Cool looking desserts. I got one of the apples. It was definitely picture worthy but taste wise it wasn't very good. Also ordered an iced mocha, I took two sips and threw it away (it tasted terrible, worst mocha I've ever had). My wife got a vanilla latte which was pretty good. I doubt I will ever go again. read more

I love the ambience of this coffee shop. They have a plush velvety sofa, a great plant collection and delicious coffee and teas. I had the matcha latte (yum) and hot chocolate. They serve the delectable donuts from Tepuy so we had to pick up a few to try. The staff is really friendly and so are the patrons. Thank you to the kind lady that helped with the door as I left with my arms full of donuts and drinks! I can't wait to go back. There is also ample parking in the back. read more

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This coffee shop feels like it was made to comfort me specifically. They roast their own coffee, and it is really delicious. I get a basic black coffee and it hits the spot every time. It has notes of complexity which set it apart from your typical cup, but at the same time it is welcoming and robust in that typical diner sense. On top of that, they sell Tepuy Donuts most days and I LOVE these donuts. They're the only donut I know that can satisfy my cravings with just one donut. If you haven't had one and you're a donut lover, these are a must try. On top of that the inside is nice and spacious with a lot of seating for a coffee shop. I like that they have some booths to sit in, on top of the handful of tables. Give this place a try if you haven't! read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Black Coffee and a Raspberry Glazed Donut - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Some of the best coffee in Raleigh! The lattes are always excellent, and the service is good. The food items are simple but fresh.

I've been wanting to go to Idle Hour Coffee for so long! My main objective was to get my hands on a Tepuy donut. I'm not a donut person but these donuts look amazing (I definitely haven't been looking at pictures of them for weeks until I could go). So I finally made my way there as it's a good 30 minute drive for me, and no donuts on this day! So sad! I was told just some fluke thing happened and they just didn't have any. Such is life. I opted for an English muffin with cream cheese and jelly. It was really good, and probably saved me a few calories from donuts. It was warm and not like a store bought English muffin. To drink I got a drip coffee and it too did not disappoint. The interior is minimalist, bright and airy. The dessert case had beautiful mini cakes that I'll definitely try another time. But I still want a Tepuy donut! Go here; it's a lovely neighborhood coffee shop. Parking was a little tight but that because it's a popular place. Didn't have to wait long for my coffee and food though. read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Yummier than it looks - English muffin with jelly and cream cheese. Loved the spotted mug too. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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We went during the holiday season and the place was decorated beautifully! The food was delicious and the service was quick! Highly recommend! They also had lots of gluten-free options which is great! read more

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This is a place to go for coffee and a donut at lunchtime. Not particularly spectacular for breakfast. Patrons are nice enough as this is definitely a plus, because the staff are kinda standoff-ish. It's not just me, I've asked a couple of other people what their experience has been like and it has been similar. Maybe you have to visit, like so many times before they are comfortable with people who they don't know. The donuts are top notch and creative. The coffee is always totally on point. read more

A great Raleigh find! The desserts are excellent and the avocado toast was amazing. A must try. read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Idle hour coffee got me with the beautiful deserts. I had to come try them. When I came on a Saturday morning it was very crowded and had a long line at the register, which told me how popular the cafe is. The service, however, was quick. I did not wait long to get my order. The pumpkin cheesecake tasted more like flan, but it was still good. The inside is small for the number of guests that come, but it's otherwise a nice place to grab a coffee and a snack! read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Pumpkin cheesecake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Ambiance is amazing. Taylor Swift coming from the speakers? Yes please! I ordered an iced bourbon caramel latte with oat milk, and you can definitely taste the hints of bourbon. It's perfect, though. We also split an avocado toast and while the crust was a little hard, the glorious toppings made up for it. read more

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Stopped by after seeing the the deserts online and was excited to try them. The coffees were great but I have never been more disappointed in a cake. We got the coffee cheesecake, the outside is a gelatin with rubber-like consistency (and tastes like rubber) and the inside was not anything close to a cheesecake. Ended up throwing it away which was a shame because we liked the coffee shop and had a decent sandwich. read more

One of my friends recommended this coffee shop and it definitely was a great option! I got one of their seasonal lattes (rose cardamom) and it was amazing. Felt like I was able to taste the rose flavors mixing in with the spices all while drinking a great espresso based beverage. Truly well made! The atmosphere inside is also great for studying and conversations. Definitely has modern and simplistic vibes. They have limited seating both inside and outside so make sure to get there early if you plan to do some work. They have parking behind the building and did not have any issues with parking. Price of the latte was average. Service was also great and quick. Overall, I love this coffee shop and will definitely be back to try their other drinks and food. Also love the location as it is not too loud and just great vibes overall :) read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Atmosphere and menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Had a pretty good iced coffee and a magnificent donut. Managed to hit up a Yelp Elite shindig here. Admittedly, I was expecting a mingling affair, but it was not to be. It was very in and out. A bit of the old in out, in out, as the droogs would say... Nice enough place. Can't say anything bad about it, really. One day when I'm in town again, maybe I'll see what their food is all about. That donut was fire. A. read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

The feel of this coffee shop is spectacular. I loved the ambiance it brings. It feels like a catch up spot for friends or if you need to have a meeting or a place to read. The outside patio is also super cute. The service is wonderful and the staff is super helpful and kind. I had the Southwest bagel and it was so good. It felt light which is what I need during a breakfast without feeling full and bloated lol. They also have a station with simple syrup and agave syrup which is such a smart idea. They also have a place to put all your dishes when you are finished. Overall, great experience. Will be back!! read more

Service was incredibly nice and engaging. The food was sweet and the caramel wasn't just caramel syrup but the flavor was infused throughout the cake. The lavender honey syrup is made in house and wasn't too floral it was amazing. The ambiance was hip and homey with many trinkets. It gave the vibe of a place workers and costumers love to be at. read more

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The coffee was good. I came for the dessert. I really wanted to like the green apple cheesecake, but the outer layer was so thick and gummy and it had an unpleasant, stale, refrigerator taste. read more

Although the cheesecakes look amazing and creative, the taste is lacking. My husband & I were excited to come based off the pictures but were let down. We tried the green granny apple one, the raspberry/strawberry mushroom, and the caramel Oreo cookie one. Both of the apple & mushroom one is covered in a jello like consistency. Once you get through that layer the inside still does not have the typical cheesecake taste or consistency. It all tasted like some weird off putting type of thick jello. We ended up throwing them away. Would not recommend. My toddler picked out the only decent cheesecake which was the Nutella cookie flavor. This was good in the sense of it had a lot of cookie type consistency, but it really wasn't a cheesecake either. As a side note the table we sat at was dirty with coffee rings & stickiness. There was also a handful of flies/gnats constantly flying around. read more

A friend and I met up here on a Sunday afternoon as I'd been wanting to try it out. The parking situation is pretty bad. There's a lot behind the store but it's tight if you drive anything larger than a compact car. Once you get inside, you're met with a white, contemporary vibe. There are probably 3 tables, 2 booths, a couch, and a bar top area by the baristas and overlooking Oberlin Road. There are also some tables along the street. Those were taken when we arrived but were able to scoot in later. I ordered some kind of hot strawberry tea (caffeine free) and it was really pretty when it came out. It was a muted strawberry flavor, not too sweet. My friend ordered a chai latte. I'd like to come back (once I'm in the mood to fight for a parking space) and try one of their sweets. read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Strawberry tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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What an adorable coffee shop! We LOVED stopping in here for coffee, lunch and treats while on our vacation in NC. I find all the coffee shops in Raleigh quite charming but I especially love that this one has amazing food as well. I ordered the butterfly latte and it's such a dazzling color you can't help but take a photo of it. Ask for some extra sweetness :) For food I had the Caprese Panini and holy cow!!!! AMAZING! I haven't had a panini that fresh and delicious in such a long time and I honestly still dream about it. And you can't leave this place without trying their desserts!!! Look at them! Just look! I know, I know. "They are too pretty to eat." But trust me. You can eat them and you should. I got the pear cheesecake pastry and OH MY. Beyond amazing. I wish I could have tried them all. If you want excellent service then ask for Brielle! read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Butterfly iced oat latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I came here in the early afternoon to grab some lunch and get some work done. The parking lot is small, but I have a small car, so it was fine, although folks with bigger cars or trucks might have some trouble squeezing into a spot. I ordered the caprese panini because I had heard from a friend that it was really good, but I was a bit disappointed. The sandwich was alright, but nothing more. I also ordered an iced mocha with oat milk (the only nondairy milk they seem to have). That too was just OK. It's a great place to get work done, though, with tables, booths, counter seating, and a very comfy couch on the inside as well as plenty of outdoor tables. read more

Idle Hour Coffee - caprese panini - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Great local coffee shop! Friendly staff and delicious pastries. I had the apple cheesecake and it was so pretty. Also had the chai latte which had a kick to it. They have a big cushy couch that's perfect for a comfy spot to chat. I will definitely be back! read more

Idle Hour Coffee - Apple cheesecake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Love the ambiance at Idle Hour! Comfy seating inside or out. Coffee always wonderful and the Tepuy donuts are delicious! Wish we lived closer. read more

extremely rude cashier. go here all the time. not anymore. don't go unless you want staff to take out all their unresolved issues on you for asking for correct change! read more

Super cute with lots of space inside and a few tables outside. Only con is that the way they set up the store isn't conducive to a line since the cash desk is right at the door. The stickers on the ground showing social distancing don't wrap around, rather there's only two dots, so if there are more people, it's confusing who's waiting for their order and who's actually in line. read more

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What a great place to catch a coffee break. I love the atmosphere: the disco ball, the velvet green couch, the yellow seating the front, very cute. Their matcha latte is my go-to here, but I'd honestly recommend anything on the menu. I love the donuts and all the unique flavors. The staff is very nice and this place is bustling on an afternoon and they can handle getting everyone their orders pretty quickly. It's a great vibe! read more

Great coffee, food and service. Love the fig and goat toast. Great place to sit outside with the dogs.