Iris Coffee Lab is where you bring the friend who can tell you the origin of a bean after one sip, who gets excited about extraction methods and tasting notes, and who genuinely believes coffee deserves the same reverence as a fine bottle of wine. Iris isn't trying to be trendy: it is unapologetically devoted to the craft. The interior reflects that philosophy. A restrained palette of white, charcoal, and soft gray keeps distractions to a minimum, allowing every cup to remain the focal point. It's clean, modern, and intentionally understated. If you're someone who typically reaches for cream and sugar, I'd encourage you to order at least one cup black. Iris sources and roasts exceptional coffee, and tasting it without distractions is the best way to appreciate the nuance and balance that have earned the café such a devoted following. That said, the seasonal menu is every bit as thoughtful. On this visit, I ordered the Mango Sticky Rice Matcha Latte, a drink layered with tropical sweetness, creamy matcha, and just enough complexity to keep each sip interesting. The final few sips, where all of the flavors settled together, were unexpectedly my favorite part. My brother-in-law chose Iris's signature blueberry-forward latte, while my niece ordered the house-made chai. Before she'd even finished half the cup, she looked up and declared, "This is the best chai I've ever had." Her father, after trying it himself, agreed without hesitation. The breakfast menu compliments the beverage program well, offering thoughtfully prepared dishes that feel every bit as intentional as the drinks. Like many destination coffee shops, Iris tends to attract people who settle in for a while. Laptops are open across nearly every table, conversations are minimal, and the room has the focused energy of a shared studio rather than a bustling café. Because of the open design, voices travel easily, making it a better place for quiet work than lively catch-ups. The café is meticulously maintained, including spotless restrooms that reflect the same attention to detail found throughout the space. Parking can require a bit of patience, though I've almost always managed to find a spot without too much trouble. Iris Coffee Lab isn't trying to appeal to everyone, and that's exactly what makes it special. It's a café for people who care about coffee, how it's sourced, brewed, and experienced. In a city with no shortage of coffee shops, Iris has carved out a distinct identity by putting craftsmanship ahead of trends, creating a destination that's as much about curiosity as it is about caffeine. read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Stopped by Iris Coffee Lab for a cup of coffee over the weekend. When you arrive parking can be a bit difficult in this area, but there is parking available on the street. The coffee shop is located in the Glenwood south area and feels very modern when you walk in. To order you'll walk to the counter and place your order. I selected from their seasonal drinks and opted for the iced summer crumble latte. I ordered the summer crumble latte (espresso, milk of choice, blueberry, house made oat crumble distillation, subtle lemon coconut infusion, oat tincture, lemon rind garnish) which was excellent and tasted like a bowl of cereal milk. I noticed several people ordering matcha which also may be excellent and something I'll have to try next time. If you are in the Glenwood South area and are looking for a good coffee shop, definitely check out Iris Coffee Lab. read more

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Always enjoy a new to us coffee shop when traveling. Iris is a great little place. Interior is mostly white which provides great light even on a rainy day. They have outside seating on the sidewalk as well which makes it fun to people watch. You have to come down stairs to enter, which was not a problem for us, but made me wonder about those who might have trouble. Is there another entrance? The service was great. Super friendly and quick. Had the cortado as it is my go to drink when trying a new spot. The beans are more on the fruity side .... I prefer chocolate or vanilla note beans. But it was lovely and hit the spot. Served in a glass which I love! read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Cortado - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I really wanted to like Iris especially considering their partnership with Frame Matcha, but I had a pretty lackluster experience here unfortunately... Got the seasonal Banana Pudding Matcha, which tasted more like banana milk with a hint of matcha. Also felt like the drink was very powdery? Service was fast and friendly. Ambiance is nice- minimalistic feel, open space, lots of natural light. Good amount of seating, but it filled up quickly. There's free 2 hour street parking. 6.5/10 maybe recommend, I'd need to give this spot another try to be sure. read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Banana pudding matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

The vibes were so cute and the staff was extremely friendly. I tried their spring menu latte and it was really not great. Maybe other items on their menu are better. I love trying new coffee shops and saw great reviews online, but I was not a fan, personally. read more

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Iris Coffee Lab is the coffee shop for anyone who is interested in exploring the nuances of coffee and loves to geek out about the brews. They really take their care in creating flavors that allow the coffee to shine. I had the cherry marzipan latte. It was very smooth roast, probably more on the floral side. I would have liked a little more almond flavor but overall would get again! read more

A lovely lovely place to grab a matcha and chat with a friend. Their specialty drinks were sooo yummy and service was fairly quick considering how busy it was when I went. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this place to get a lot of work done, but I'm pretty picky when it comes to cafe work spots. Overall I would come here again to try another specialty drink and have a chat! read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Incredible coffee, and I loved the aesthetic! I got the strawberry creme latte (hot version), and it was fantastic! My partner got the iced version--which was somehow even better than the warm version. I don't like my coffee drinks too sweet, and they struck exactly the right balance. It tasted like there was real strawberry (and not just a super-sweet syrup). Unlike many coffee shops, they gave us a number to bring to our table, so we didn't need to stand around and wait for our coffee to be ready. Instead, they brought it to our table for us. This was such a nice touch! There's a good amount of seating inside, but we sat outside since it was such a nice day. Can't wait to go back & try an iced americano or drip coffee to try out some of their different roasts. read more

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Iris Coffee Lab is definitely a place I'd recommend to chat with your friend in the afternoon. The shop had a nice amount of light and was bustling with customers on a Saturday afternoon. There were still seats that would open up and I was able to enjoy my matcha and hangout for 2 hours. The menu is what makes Iris stand out to me as innovative and exciting. There are so many cool and different drinks to try especially with a seasonal menu. I ordered the Jasmine mini matcha because it had all of my favorite things but I was disappointed in the ratio of cream to matcha. It was almost too much cream and I wasn't sure why it was designed that way but it was truly "mini". I think next time I'd definitely want a larger drink. I also tried the candied ginger matcha and really enjoyed that. Would definitely go again to try more drinks! read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Jasmine mini matcha and candied ginger matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

their drinks are truly one of the best in Raleigh! They curate their menus with a lot of care and you can taste it in the quality of their drinks. Their food def needs some work/adjusting. I got the matcha yuzu yogurt bowl today.. i really wanted to like it! But the taste of matcha was barely there, cantaloupe were not fresh/ripe and were too big of chunks to chew, and the yuzu was too overpowering/sweet. Darn! I'm still hopeful about their food though, i feel like it can improve overtime. Especially with how well they do their drinks. They decorated very minimally with touches of earthy tones in the light wood furniture and plants. Nothing special! A good amount of seating but they do get busy during peak hours! read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Matcha yuzu yogurt bowl - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Of course I had to try this place based on the reviews. Woah! Cherry-marzipan latte. A must order. So delish. Loved the almondy flavor. So many fun drink flavors and options! read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Cherry marzipan latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Another Raleigh favorite that I just can't seem to stay away from. On my most recent visit, I came to try their matcha since I have heard such good things about it. I had their mini matcha, which I believe was the Jasmin Mini Matcha, and then their featured Valentine's Day Matcha, Strawberry Matcha Supreme. And wow, the reviews weren't kidding. This matcha was amazing. Just the perfect amount of matcha earthiness matched with the sweetness. Also, they do such an amazing job with the presentation. Iris continues to be one of my favorite breakfast, coffee, and now matcha spots in Raleigh. read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Wow! A new favorite Raleigh coffee shop! Their matcha is amazing--I tried the mango sticky rice matcha with some skepticism, but it completely blew me away. The balance of mango flavor, earthy matcha, and the sweetness of sticky rice was perfect. The food options are also great and reasonably priced for the portion sizes. I'm not the biggest fan of the sidewalk seating since it can get noisy with traffic, but the space still has a very cute vibe, especially with summer flowers blooming all around. Inside has bright space with great working spaces. The service was fast and friendly - they can get busy though. There's plenty of street parking available, plus a garage nearby. I'll definitely be coming back often for both their food and drinks! read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Mango sticky rice matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Some of the best matcha I've had in the Triangle. Coffee shop itself is super simplistic, leaning more contemporary. Lots of seating outdoors which is great if it's a nice day out. Only downside is the only access is via stairs, so not very stroller or disabled friendly. read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Candied ginger matcha (iced and hot) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Iris Coffee Lab has a bright, airy space with lots of room and tables, which makes it a good spot to set up and work. That said, it didn't feel the comfiest or cleanest to me. I tried the Coconut Air and, to be fair, that was a mistake on my part. I thought it would be more like a latte, but when they say "experimental," they really mean it. It even came with a little paper explaining the concept, but I still found it not very clear. Again, that was on me for not looking more closely at the menu. On the plus side, the Hotshot Bagel breakfast sandwich was delicious, the hot honey really made it. I considered ordering another coffee to try, but the prices felt pretty high for what I got already. Overall, while I think a lot of people could enjoy the creative menu here, it's not really my style atmosphere and I don't see myself coming back. read more

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When I picked up news of the hype around a matcha pop-up in Raleigh, I was initially really excited that I would get a tastefully curated experience. Unfortunately, if I could describe Iris's matcha and food offerings in one word, it would be "gimmicky." The mango sticky rice matcha was overly sweet with a barely perceptible hint of matcha, presented without a hint of mangos or sticky rice in the cup. Later, I saw a massive multiple liter jug of pre-made matcha lugged outdoors. Additionally, the bagel w/ scallion cream cheese had visibly un-cut scallions, yet surprisingly the scallion flavor was hardly there. The presentation was also not great; a closed box handed over without a word by a frat bro walking out the kitchen, cream cheese still on his gloves, which must have come off of the bagel considering the 1/3rd without anything on it (see pictured). I'll quote a friend who said it looked like "someone's midnight snack." All in all, this was sadly just another example of culture-vulturing for some tiktok clout and some quick cash. One can only hope that more authenticity will come to town to raise the low standards of the area. read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Bagel w "scallion cream cheese" - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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This lychee yogurt bowl was so amazing and different from any other yogurt bowl I have had before. Adding the lychee really took this bowl from a 7 to a 10. Any drink you get here you can never go wrong especially the matchas. Everyone who works there is also always incredibly friendly. read more

Iris Coffee Lab - yogurt bowl and coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Amazing specialty coffee shop with a lot of single origin and experimental coffee, now straight from their own in-house roaster! A special place that I don't see very often (or at all? except maybe Black and White Coffee) in the Triangle of this caliber of coffee. Every bean I've tried here has been outstanding. The espresso was vibrant and tasted of berries that week I went, and a drip I tried (one of their holiday blends) tasted like apple cider! The food menu also looks amazing. There is a beautiful design aesthetic and modern / cool twists on ingredients on the menu. I love how they experiment with various coffee and matcha drinks as well, and their matcha is high quality and sourced from a premium brand as well. read more

My daughter & I visited today to check out their winter 2025 menu & wow!! These flavors do not disappoint at all, I highly recommend you check out asap. I had the lychee rose yoghurt bowl.. it has blue matcha chia pudding in it & some local made chocolate. It was absolutely delicious. I also had this strawberry cake cold brew that was so yummy. My daughter enjoyed the seasonal bagel along with the seasonal candied ginger matcha & she enjoyed both. We shared a scrumptious blueberry cremé toast for dessert along with kindergarten candy pour over. Everyone was super kind as always & the tunes were lofi to go along with general chill vibes this place exudes. Service was super quick even tho they were very busy. I'm looking forward to my next visit asap :) read more

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If you are a true matcha drinker and looking for a perfectly made Matcha this is the place for you! I drive 50+ minutes about once a week to grab a latte. The location is great and the place is super cute. The workers are always polite and even when they are busy they'll wait is never too long but the quality is always top tier! If you haven't been, don't walk RUN!!! read more

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I recently visited Iris Coffee Lab with some friends for their matcha pop-up collaboration with Frame Matcha, and it was such a fun experience! This was their second pop-up event, and despite the large turnout, the staff stayed organized and efficient throughout. Each matcha drink was individually whisked and made-to-order, which made it feel extra special. I went with the banana pudding matcha, and it was delicious -- the banana flavor was subtle and complemented the smooth, earthy matcha perfectly. They also had matcha-inspired baked goods from local bakeries, and the matcha olive oil cake was definitely a favorite of mine. All of the staff I interacted with were friendly, welcoming, and clearly passionate about what they do. There's both indoor and outdoor seating, and while there's no dedicated parking lot, there's a parking garage and plenty of street parking nearby. Overall, I really enjoyed the event and can't wait to come back to try their regular menu! read more

Had a two day trip in Raleigh for an event and stopped here for coffee and breakfast. Such a cute shop! I ordered their seasonal Orange Creamsicle Latte with oat milk and the Hotshot Bagel to go with- both were delicious! Most coffee shops will call your name or the item when it is ready for you to pick it up but they give you a number to take to you seat for them to bring you your items when they're ready. Great service! Pleasant staff! I'll be back when I'm in Raleigh again. read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Hotshot Bagel - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Hidden banger, clean minimalist vibe, excellent flavorful unique co ferment, triple carbonic washed beans, tones of watermelon, roses, lemongrass floral beans. Promethium coffee beans top tier. Adding this to the your coffee list read more

Iris Coffee Lab - The fruit looper:: Triccarbonic washed taste very floral like rose geranium lemongrass and fruit loops. Insanely tasty. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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It was a cutesy minimalist vibe here. It was nice and quiet so I'd imagine it's great for studying or wfh. The service was quick as it wasn't as busy at the time that I had went. I didn't try the food but the options seemed okay. There weren't many options for the coffee which was underwhelming but the mango sticky rice matcha was really good and sweet. read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Mango sticky rice matcha and summer latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I'm not a huge bagel person but the Hotshot bagel is a must try! It was dripping with hot honey. The service was incredible--it felt like family and made a friend (shout out Reagan) in the line. The aesthetic and the atmosphere of the place was so New York chic and cool girl without any feelings of being judged or left out. My bananas foster flat white was gone within 5 mins and next time I will grab two for myself lol. This place is 100% Trinity approved read more

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Space: 4/5 vibes: 3.5/5 coffee: 5/5 I keep coming back here because of how consistently good the coffee is. Top 3 coffee quality in Raleigh, the space and vibes are above average for a coffee shop. read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Cortado - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Where to begin with iris coffee lab? The ordering experience was streamlined, and there was ample indoor and outdoor seating. Unfortunately, this is probably because the chairs were the equivalent of sitting on a guitar pick. The rest of the decor similarly resembled a mid-century modern insane asylum. All this is child's play compared to the drinks. I was hoping they would redeem the experience. I was rooting for you, iris coffee lab. The matcha left me wanting more. I couldn't taste even a whisper of matcha flavoring, and the price was laughable for a glass of green milk. When my flat white arrived, I felt that twinkle return to my eye. Sadly, about 3 sips later, as I neared the end of my beverage I was shocked to discover a texture component I was not expecting. After a lot of contemplation, I have decided I am not a fan of coffee grounds swirling around my mouth. The customers are hip and trendy, the employees exceedingly friendly and speedy, the drinks bespoke and innovative, but I think we need to cut out the frills and go back to the basics. Why play 3D chess when you've yet to master tic tac toe? I think the experience was net neutral, but for how steep the pricing is, I feel it's my duty to let the world know what they're getting into. read more

Iris Coffee Lab - flat white - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

A great location right in DTR and quality espresso. Love to order a flat white but have had their other coffee items and they're just as good. Staff is also very friendly read more

This place is so delicious! I had the cherry-marzipan latte and it was phenomenal--loved the subtle after taste of cherry. My friend had the seasonal summer latte. I'd love to go back and try other items on the menu, including the food--looked like a good variety of various brunch items. Seating inside and outside, seems to be a cozy place to work, too. read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Cherry Marazapan Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Amazing lattes! Very cute minimalist ambiance in there & makes for a great working space. They have food and an assortment of drinks-- I love their seasonal menu which is what I tried here. The coconut air was my favorite drink ever! I'm sad they don't make it in a bigger size. The jasmine matcha was a bit salty but if that's your taste you'd really enjoy it. I also enjoyed the mango sticky rice matcha. Great hidden gem, I've already returned after this visit! read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Coconut air, mango sticky rice matcha, jasmine matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

The seating isn't the most comfortable, but I love their coffee and vibe. The staff are always super nice too!

Made a special trip for the limited-time Valentine's Day menu- we got the strawberry matcha supreme and miso mocha latte (both with oat milk) and they were both scrumptiously impossible to put down. My partner also got a bagel with scallion cc and enjoyed it. Service was nice & quick despite there always being a steady stream of people coming in. Iris is one of my go-to place to work from home (esp with all the natural lighting) or grab a unique bevy. read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Strawberry matcha supreme & miso mocha latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Overpriced drinks for only a small amount of matcha. We asked for extra matcha in one of our drinks and there was no extra matcha. Could get bigger and better drinks somewhere else. read more

The egg and cheese bagel was very good and on the better half of breakfast sandwiches. The service was good and quick. The environment was nice and clean and I would come back. I also got an earl grey / London fog tea. This place is worth going to . read more

I wanted to try this place because I seen on tik tok that they have a seasonal mango sticky rice matcha. I ended up paying for parking as parking was limited on the street. Walking up, there was plenty of seating outside and inside. I walked in and the ambiance was chill , but lively. There was about 2 people in front of me but I waited a while to place my order. For matcha you can order with whole milk, almond milk, or oat milk. I ordered the with the almond milk. Once I was able to place my order my drink came out pretty quickly. The matcha was good, but I didn't taste like mango sticky rice to me. Although delicious, it tasted like coconut matcha to me. It would be nice if they keep the recipe the same, but add real mangos. I think that'll give more of the mango sticky rice flavor. read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Delicious, wholesome food. We split the Avo Toast - it was huge! Toast was hearty and it was topped with beautiful ripe yellow tomatoes, burrata, pickled onions and hot honey. Also got a Summer Iced Latte and a Matcha Latte- both were excellent. read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Matcha latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Nice looking coffee shop- I like the clean, minimal interior with the greenery. I noticed that the majority of customers appear to come here to work. Everyone with their laptop and being focused. The baristas are very sweet and welcoming. I do like that they bring the coffee out to you. I had their pistachio cappuccino and it was pretty good. They forgot about my bf's expresso but they made it quickly after we brought it to their attention. read more

The drinks are very small but super good. Definitely a once in a while kinda thing because super pricey. read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Orangecicle and mango sticky rice - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

What a nice cozy coffee shop. The drip coffee is amazing, that's really all I look for in a coffee shop. I'm sure other drinks are just as good. The baristas are very nice, it feels like a nice welcoming space. read more

On my most recent trip to Raleigh I stopped in to get a latte. It's a modern space with minimalist furnishings and a focus on amazing coffee. There's seating both inside and outside. The menu is up at the register and they don't take cash. Day 1 I tried the latte with oat milk and the next day I tried their cherry marzipan latte with oat milk. Both were delicious. The cherry marzipan wasn't too sweet, which I really enjoyed. They have a good ordering process and even though there was a wait the second day, they asked me to wait outside and then brought my drink out to me. read more

Iris Coffee Lab - Cherry marzipan latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina