I like Looking Glass. It's a little out of the way from the bustle and hustle of Carrboro, and it closes a little early relative to other Carrboro shops (namely Open Eye). However it's relatively quiet, the prices are decent (Good Beer for $3.75, yes please!) and the Town of Carrboro wireless works really well. So if you need a place to sit down and work, Looking Glass is a great choice. (They also apparently now have Thursday trivia, which is nice considering it's one of the few places with Thursday trivia). read more

3.5 stars based on my last experience. Our lattes were fine enough, but service was meh...they forgot about our order, and it took like 20 minutes for us to get our 2 lattes and a blueberry scone. The scone was pretty good, especially given that we were there later in the day when it was no longer fresh. The setting is spacious, and we got cozy while doing research for our upcoming international travels. We'd definitely come back since there is plenty of space and it is a solid, go-to cafe. read more

Lanza’s Cafe - Soy mocha and blueberry scone - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

Why I go to The Looking Glass Cafe: 1) Walking distance from my house 2) Good coffee 3) Plenty of seating 4) Free wifi 5) Grilled cheese bruchetta sandwich 6) Generally friendly baristas This is my favorite cafe--yes, it's probably largely due to the fact that it's walking distance for me, but I really do love it here. read more

I've been back a bunch of times since my original review, and it is by far my favorite coffee spot in town. Some of the kids who work here are really good at making drinks, and though the food comes a little on the slow side for the complexity of what it is, the dishes are always satisfying. Basic filling, boring burritos and yummy pesto bagel sandwiches. Yes. read more

Pros: -Ample, free parking -Very friendly baristas -Veggie cream cheese for bagels is delicious -Nice outdoor seating for nice days Cons: -Can be busy during peak study hours read more

My son and I were at a doctor's appointment on Monday and decided to try it out since someone told us they had coffee and Italian sodas, something for the both of us. We had endured a couple of not so favorable experiences at another local coffee house and thought to try something different. I was pleased. They have a lovely garden area with benches and tables and then a front patio. When you go in, instead of loud obnoxious music you can't hear your friends talk over, there was ambient jazz. In the back was a pool table and they sold incense as well. When we went to the bar I told the staff we'd never been there and wondered what they had, the girl there was very helpful and when they didn't have exactly what my son wanted, she offered an alternative that might fit the bill. I enjoyed my latte and he enjoyed his Italian soda and we sat and talked and read articles in the local papers and it was a lovely afternoon. They also serve foods - much more variety than other coffee houses in the area. Next time, maybe we'll get a bite to eat too. Thanks for the great experience! read more

Looking Glass is a solid coffee shop - their atmosphere is what will keep you coming back. The outdoor space is killer - hammock, funky chairs, a waterbowl for your dog. When I work from home, this is my go-to spot. Their press pots are excellent, the macarons are a treat, and their baked goods come from local bakeries. This truly is the neighborhood hangout - as a Carrborite, you can't come here without running into a handful of friends. They display local art, and a local meetup holds a board game night on Tuesdays. Go to that - it's fun and a great way to meet new people! read more

During a walk in the cold rain we stopped to get some hot drinks. We were not happy that we had to go inside to order. No pick-up table outside, phone or online ordering wasn't available. Inside we had to wait for a while. The woman behind the desk was very friendly. Drinks were ok. read more

Really nice coffee shop in the area. They have WiFi and a lot of seating so it's a great place to go and study or get work done! I will say the staff is occasionally a little rude but it doesn't affect the experience that much as you only need to interact with them to order. read more

Great coffee, great prices, and most importantly to me: vegan cinnabons and cupcakes.

I'm so close to giving Looking Glass 5 stars. Pros: -HUGE. With 3 indoor seating areas and a huge outdoor patio/seating area, you can usually find a seat. -Good coffee drinks -Parking situation is great -Nice array of baked goods and cheap cafe paninis -Warm! I'm cold all of the time so I appreciate a nice and toasty coffee shop. Cons: -Baristas aren't always the friendliest. Wish I lived a little closer, or that it wasn't so far out of my way. read more

New to town and I checked this place out as part of my coffee shop-hopping expedition to find a new work space not too far from home. First off, I've had a lot of chai lattes. Like, a lot. Some good, some bad, and some I will never do again. The chai latte I had here was pretty great; so great that I ended up ordering another. Probably because it's actually chai tea and real milk and not some combo of skim + chai syrup that some places like to use. Anyway, I ended up staying several hours to do work. I sat in the back room to start but then moved to the front after a large projector screen came on, showing some bike race. It was quite loud and I had to move to continue working. There were several people talking in the main room which was a bit distracting, but I suppose I could have also gone outside for more quiet- lots of great outdoor seating but right on a main road. Anyway, I also had a coconut raspberry bar which was just meh... and a toasted everything bagel with veggie cream cheese. Cream cheese was pretty tasty, bagel was pretty standard. Nothing special. Anyway, overall this place is definitely worth checking out. I went in the morning so I'm not sure what it's like at night. They do sell some booze and there's a pool table in the back, so it seemed like they might morph from hipster coffee-shop in the day to hipster game-room-hangout-place at night. Anyway, I will probably definitely be back, early in day, to do work. read more

New to the area, I was overjoyed to find such a lovely cafe near my apartment. There is both ample parking for those coming in a car as well as a spot to put your bike if that's more your thing (and it seems to be everyone's thing in Carrboro, which I love). The inside of the cafe is large with many tables of different sizes, and I spotted a pool table in a back room. All I ordered was a small drip coffee ($2) but I'll definitely be back to try some of the baked foods (they all looked delicious). The staff was very friendly. I sat outside in a lawn chair (love!) and enjoyed the nice weather with a book and my coffee, as many others were doing. Tons of seating outside, from picnic tables to regular tables and chairs to lawn chairs. I'll be back! read more

Lanza’s Cafe - View from my seat outside this morning - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

I love this coffee shop! The coffee is great, including their creative creations, and the baristas are knowledgeable about their selections. The baristas are also super friendly and even remember my friends and I since we've been here a few times. Their pastries are also very good (there's this one soft, rectangular cookie that has either chocolate chips or raspberries that's AMAZING). Also, their prices are very reasonable (for what I've had, at least). They have plenty of space, both indoors and outdoors, though smokers tend to congregate outside. Dogs are also allowed outside, and they even have dog biscuits and a water bowl for them, which I just think is adorable. I love to come here to study, hang out or just to read. Great place! read more

Latte was not good. I was not driving here to get this latte if I know the quality of coffee. I was disappointed read more

Great ambience and best Americanos in town. The Americano is a coffee drink that sits unassumingly between a French Roast and an Espresso. With a dash of half and half, a truly delicious and delightful pick me upper the way the good people at Looking glass make it. read more

Lanza’s Cafe - Try their Americano. They're really good. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

The best coffee shop to hang out, chat with friends, or do work at in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area and it's not even close. The new remodel brought in some beautiful oak tables and desks that are great to study at. Go on Sundays and sit outside to catch the bluegrass group that likes to jam out on the front lawn #keepcarrboroweird read more

Sorry, but no way. Coffee decent, scone decent. But when I went to pay, the automatic credit card started at 20%. I'm getting a bit tired of this in the fast food joints. I usually throw in a buck or two, which is normally more than 20%, at Starbucks. Was happy to see another Starbucks alternative, but I don't like the shame of being forced to tip, and at their premium. Sounds picky, but I'm going back to Starbucks or elsewhere. The owners should pay enough and leave a tip jar out and up to the workers to deal with that. read more

This place is wonderful! The coffee is excellent and their caramel lattes are made with real caramel, not just the syrup. They offer extensive milk substitutes and have vegan pastry options, and their coffee is excellent. Moreover, they have plenty of outdoor seating in the shade so it's a great place to meet friends or do work while maintaining social distance and staying cool. I would definitely recommend coming here! read more

Picture this: it's a rainy September afternoon. My friend and I (think young Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox) are catching up and working on homework over hot chocolate and chai lattes when all of a sudden we hear it . . . "Uh huh, life's like this Uh huh, uh huh, that's the way it is" The beginning of an iconic song that captures the youthful angst of millennials. Of course the song is Complicated by Avril Lavigne and of course, as a PROUD millennial I recognize this immediately. As do the other people in Lookin Glass Café. In a beautiful frenzy of nostalgia and pent-up angst, we all sing along to the early 2000's hit. For these four minutes, every single person in the cafe is channeling the spirit of Avril Lavigne (may she rest peace). It is an ephemeral feeling of love and happiness. I feel as though all of my troubles melted away in these four minutes. Only a place as magical as Looking Glass Cafe would allow for this to happen. Other early aughts pop hits were played. Good vibes all around. Also the coffee is good. TL;DR Be prepared to revisit your fav childhood tunes with a group of strangers over a delicious hot beverage at Looking Glass Café. read more

The iced coffee here is consistently awful. It is mostly ice and water with a hint of coffee taste - waste of money.The bakery items are often very stale. Several of the baristas are unfriendly, which is a big change from when this place used to be the Looking Glass. The only reason I come here is because it has a great outside seating area. read more

Great environment to work and loved watching World Cup on their big screen! Drinks and sandwiches are delicious. Tired of working? Play pool in the back! But bring your own cue, they are usually missing the tips. Four stars, because I'm not a fan of their sweets. read more

Looking Glass is my go to study spot. There's tons of space and most of the stuff I've had here has been really good. They have THE perfect drink, the Duchess, *except* for when the one super hipstery barista dude makes it. Honestly, I shouldn't have to give directions for a drink that's on the menu and still get a subpar drink every time. Come on hipster barista dude I'm sure you can do better. read more

Lanza’s Cafe - Disappointment in a glass - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

The two owners or associates destroyed my Facebook account because one of the owners begged my son for my phone number. They sent me a text saying all this stuff not true about my friendly unblocking son. He doesn't know the area well. He only knows his way home and to downtown Chapel Hill. He is not interested in following an acquaintance he hardly knows home. They told him he's ruining their business but it's the summer time and another of students have gone for the summer. Only regulars left which should include us/him. Trivia is great when everyone is not talking. They like own their customers. How do they know who he knows and who wants to talk to him. They keep blocking his friendly nature. He likes to walk around because he has a lot of energy and doesn't feel like sitting in one place. Higher chairs are a little uncomfortable. Good drinks. Good pastries. Some interesting events they have. Tried to get some cosplay, and dulcimer jam for beginners with no luck. read more

This place is great in the summer to have some tea or a drink and enjoy the grounds. I love the vibe but wish there was more seating, particularly because students hole up for hours here. It's only open in the summer so definitely a seasonal good time. read more

I walked into Looking Glass Café last night around 9ish with a bit of a bad attitude. I had just gotten off of work, was still dressed in the wrinkled, sour-mix splashed dress shirt that is my bar backing uniform, and was thoroughly disappointed that I had missed most of Looking Glass's weekly trivia night. Five minutes of taking in the warm, laughter-filled room and I had completely forgotten about the day's stress. I argued with myself for a moment, weighing my options of alcohol verses caffeine, and settled on a hot cup of coffee (though the bottle of Alagash White looked incredibly appealing). I took a seat on a plush couch near the front of the café and watched with amused interest as groups of four huddled together deep in whispered debate. The topic: Idiot Celebrities. The question: Which idiot celebrity said, "So, where's the Cannes Film Festival being help this year?" LOL. The music was off, a rarity here, and those who were not participants in the game sat with laptops open, earplugs in, hard at work (or play). Even the baristas were enjoying the festivities, being contestants themselves. I wonder if they were the Slumpbusters or Koalas? I eyed the pastries behind the glass: muffins, brownies, lemon squares... but decided that coffee would suffice. On a side note, I have snacked and had full meals at Looking Glass and am rarely disappointed. They get their pastries from a variety of local establishments, Local Cookie and Kelly G. Cupcakes to name a few, and make a damn good grilled cheese and bruschetta bagel. The burritos are just meh. I do believe you can find tastier, cheaper options elsewhere. The quesadillas, however, are pretty bangin'. They would get bonus points if they offered something other than potato chips to accompany their sandwiches, but considering what their competitors offer by way of meals, they're a 5-star notch above the rest. The inside of the café is fantastic - spacious, plenty of seating at clean, brushed steel tables, an abundance of outlets, and beautiful chalkboard art lining the wall. That said, it's saying a lot when I tell you that the patio is where this place shines. I went outside for some fresh air, and couldn't help but be impressed with my surroundings. I guess I had never really noticed before how serene the outside seating is. A fan was softly rotating, blowing cool air, a welcome addition to the very warm night. I imagine non-smokers are very grateful for this perk when it wafts cancer-inducing smoke away. Tiny white lights and giant red paper lanterns line the roof and create a soft, romantically lit setting. The seating over pours onto the front and sides of the patio, offering over-sized umbrellas or trees to provide shade during hot afternoons. Did I mention the hammock? Yeah, they have a hammock. Overall, an awesome, relaxing evening at Looking Glass. They have won me over, time and again, with their generous selection of beverages (Italian sodas, beer & wine, espresso creations), tasty treats, ample seating, and their come all, welcoming, neighborhood vibe. I promise you won't be disappointed. read more

Best coffee shop option in Carrboro. The music isn't terribly annoying (I'm looking to you, Starbucks!), the seating maintains a proper distance (ahem, Open Eye), and, most importantly, the espresso drinks are good and effective. The outside patio is the best outdoor sitting option in Carrboro, more relaxed and friendly than Weaver Market. In fact it's probably the best outdoor seating I've ever had the pleasure to enjoy. It is often crowded, but during the day most people are hard at work on their computers and books, so it's definitely study-friendly. In the evenings talkers make their way indoor, but a pair of earplugs/headphones works well. Plenty of outlets. Reliable Internet. Lighting is low in certain parts, with the line of tables along the wall offering the best reading light. You've probably read about the shop in the back - it has toned down a lot in the last few months. I'm guessing it isn't super popular anymore, this place is really transforming into a quality coffee joint. Bottom line: Not the best coffee shop I've ever been to, but the best one in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area. read more

Okay update: y'all the coffee spirit has moved the baristas at Looking Glass and they have been almost joyful the last 4 times I've been here. It's nice to have someone be nice to you before you get your coffee you know? read more

The service was excellent and friendly. I only got coffee, so this review is based solely on that. My husband and I agreed that the coffee was average, at best. We enjoyed the very friendly barista, though and loved the concept of locally sourcing most of the menu. read more

Cute, modern cafe. Definitely recommend the duchess (earl grey and lavender tea with steamed milk and honey). I replaced the milk with almond for a more nutty taste and it was amazing! Love the scent of the tea and the fresh taste! read more

I cannot believe how high the ratings are for this cafe - maybe I hit this on an off day. Pros: -Ambiance -lots of outdoor seating, would be great on a warm summer evening with the bulb string lights. Cons: -Hot chocolate was cold -Service was slow -Came for lunch and... -They were out of tomatoes for the sandwich -Said they had the pasta salad, but when I got my order they were out and substituted chicken salad (without asking) --- and I'm vegetarian -Ordered a glass of their vino verde, there wasn't any chilled read more

Yo, looking glass your coffee is pretty tight, but the flies were basically having an illegal rave in your pastry shelf. There were like 5 of them (I know I know, pretty lame rave right?), there were all dancing around like they were on xtc and I am pretty sure one of them had a glow stick. The door to that party was totally open and the flies were just going in and out. Yo fly raves need bouncers! Seriously: less flies in the pastry cabinet would be awesome. Less sass from coffee waitress would also be cool too. Thanks! read more

Coffee and espresso: excellent, Bagels: amazing. Some employees.... I just don't understand how you can come to work stoned out of your mind....if you can't take my order or remember a word I say...why do you deserve the job? 2 people working and both can't see because of their excessive THC intake that morning. Thats the problem with this town...just a bunch of hippies. read more

We're spoiled in Carrboro with so many top-notch coffee shops, and Looking Glass is one of the very best in the whole Triangle. While I sometimes feel guilty for spending $3-4 on a cup of coffee, the pour-overs they serve here (my beverage of choice) taste incredible--nothing like the coffee I can make at home. When the weather is nice, the outdoor seating at Looking Glass can hardly be beat. I always admire the artful planters and trellises they maintain with interesting foliage combinations. Make an afternoon of it with a good book and you'll feel rejuvenated for the rest of the week! read more

I appreciate the outdoor seating, but, honestly, this place has the most consistently rude and dismissive bunch of baristas I've ever encountered. Really not worth the horribleness when there are plenty of other places to get an average latté in Carrboro. And if I really want to sit outside, there's always the far superior leafiness of Caffe Driade in Chapel Hill. read more

One of my favorite coffee shops in the area. Besides having my go-to cup of straight black coffee, this place has the coziest ambiance and chill, friendly baristas. A great place to study and make your fondest quiet college memories, indoors with ample outlets or outside in their sweet little patio. Bonuses: cool local art that rotates regularly, board games, fish tank to space out into when philosophy reading gets too esoteric. Also - they're always playing the weirdest music here and I love it. read more

Looking Glass has been a regular local coffee shop for so many people over the years. Excellent coffee, great staff and a diverse clientele. Easy to make friends, with relaxed chats - challenging, interesting, funny and always sincere. However, this has now changed dramatically with the new management and all the changes that have been made. These two lawyers have driven all the regulars away, including barring people, in the name of profit. Clearly, a sign of the times. No longer is it the hub of the Carrboro community. I'm pretty sure they will come to regret this. Shame on you. read more

Good local coffee with craft roasted coffee. Pastries are good if you go early enough to catch them. Lots of space for working and studying. Uses TOC wifi though rather than their own so it can be a bit slow at times. They just started a coffee loyalty program- nice to see rewards for coming back read more

Overall Experience: 3.5 Stars ------------------------------------- Food options: 3.0 Stars Food quality: 3.0 Stars Drink options: 3.0 Stars Drink quality: 3.0 Stars Ambiance: 4.5 Stars Service: 3.0 Stars Other (Workability): 5.0 Stars ------------------------------------- Items sampled and impression: I was in a hurry so just popped in to grab a pastry (Lemon Square) and a Coffee (and to do some coffee shop recon). The Lemon Square was quite good, not too sweet with just enough citrus tang. The Coffee, being fairly heavily roasted, cut into the Lemon Square perfectly by providing a dark contrast. The layout of the coffee shop seemed ideal for actually getting work done: the music was quiet, the seats were spaced apart, people were diligently working away or, if they were talking, they didn't seem to think they were the most interesting/funniest person in the world (i.e., shouting with the gusto of an opera star). ------------------------------------- Highlight: Good eats, hot treats. Lowlight: Off the beaten path a bit... for now (i.e., give it 10 years and it'll be the end of the Franklin/Main St strip). On Balance: Great coffee shop, looking forward to justifying a higher rating next time around. read more

A hidden Chapel Hill jewel; I love the old couches and tables. Sometimes there are outdoor events where bands come share their music; and the staff is super friendly! I once made an order and as I went to pay, I realized I forgot my credit card so hid in a corner dreaming about coffee; then the barista called for my order and winked at me...my coffee addiction was satisfied because of this nice gentleman! If you're lucky, you'll get winked at too ;) read more