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    Narrative Coffee Company

    4.5 (25 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Narrative Coffee Company Photos

    NARRATIVE COFFEE COMPANY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Inside
    Liz F.

    In the bottom of a mixed business building so it's very high foot traffic which is fun! Good amount of space to sit. WiFi. Has free two hour street parking across the street that is first come first serve.

    Butterbeer Iced Latte
    Francine G.

    Finally a good coffee spot in Durham area within walking distance to the Arts Center! Loved the themed specialty drinks & that they use house made syrups, would've loved for them to be a bit sweeter as it was hard to taste the syrups themselves but otherwise really good. Not much seating indoors (plenty outside) and limited drink menu for non coffee drinkers. Friendly baristas and fast service, would come back again!

    Front counter
    Markie'Sha J.

    This was my first time visiting this space, and it is definitely one of the most coffee shops that I've been to in the area. I had a buttery fresh warm croissant. The employee was extremely welcoming and the working space had a great temperament. There was music playing, but it was at the perfect volume to where it was not a disturbance and still created a comfortable working space.

    Gingerbread Latte
    Phillip N.

    Stopped in before the Durham Christmas Parade to grab a coffee to enjoy while watching the parade! I got an iced gingerbread latte. It was really tasty and festive for the holiday time. The shop was super busy because of the parade, but the barista's were super efficient and friendly! The shop is cute so I'd love to go back and enjoy the space while sipping on coffee! I'll definitely be back!

    Petal & spice w/almond milk. Front view of the building.
    Emebet E.

    Determined to find a black owned coffee shop this morning I made a pitstop at both locations! Important to check their schedule for Raleigh (Tuesday-thurs). Found my way to Durham and found their sweet brick and mortar. For barely 10 am on a Friday, they were busy. I ordered a seasonal Petal and Spice with almond milk-- delicious. The vibes immaculate & the service fantastic! Thanks so much!

    Yolanda Y.

    Excited to try this relatively new spot in downtown Durham! I sampled a few drinks--they have quite a few seasonal options, overall good quality, though I noticed that the lattes all had a pretty similar taste. I think (as somebody who enjoys a favored, sweet drink) the syrups could be more distinct, since the coffee flavor tended to dominate. Their cold brew was solid. Service was quick, and the space has a nice, quiet work vibe. Though being so close to Google means it can get crowded at certain times of day. Even tho their coffee is not my favorite, I have found it to be a great place to grab a morning coffee and sit outside by the fountain to read or catch up with a friend.

    Alyssa M.

    The decor in the space is very cool. Has a mellow vibe. Smaller space but has plenty of outlets to wfh. I got a spring special coffee with housemade blueberry syrup- Yum! The staff was very kind and welcoming.

    Staci H.

    I didn't go for food. Just for coffee. But the service was nice and the ambiance was my fave. Modern and relaxed. Which I loved the most.

    Ordering counter
    Glenn G.

    We missed the previous coffee business in this spot (321 Cofee, which employed special needs workers) and were happy to see another coffee shop take its place. We stopped in on a Saturday morning after our weekly trip to the farmers market, ordered two coffee drinks, and drank them at the bar facing outside. Drinks were good, staff were friendly, and the vibe was relaxed and uncluttered. I'm sure we'll be back.

    Berry white iced matcha latte
    Andrea A.

    Narrative is the latest addition to Durham's vibrant coffee shop scene! I got the iced Berry White matcha latte, which was not on the menu but the barista mentioned it when I asked about seasonal specials. It was delicious- good amount of strawberry and matcha flavor, the white chocolate was harder to distinguish though. There's nearby free parking on weekends and weekdays after 7pm; according to their website, Narrative also validates parking up to 1hr. Service was fast & friendly, ambiance is nice- very modern-looking. 10/10 would recommend!

    Pumpkin muffin
    Hayley P.

    I stopped by here for a meeting on a Friday morning. I've been hearing good things and had been wanting to try them! It shares space with a large building but the coffee shop itself is cozy with some seating. It has big windows so it lets in a lot of natural light, which is so lovely. I was told by our barista that one of the favorites on the menu was the cookie butter oat milk latte, and it most definitely lived up to the hype. Not too sweet and the oat milk balanced on the bitter of the coffee and sweetness of the syrup. If you stop by here, I definitely recommend this drink. I also grabbed a pumpkin muffin, which was large and tasty. The staff was so kind and got our drinks and pastries out quickly. I also want to give a shout out to their owner/manager. I input the wrong info when requesting an e-receipt so had to call later to ask them to send to me. Rod was able to find and send the e-receipt to me. Big thanks for that extra effort!

    Counter area

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    7 days ago

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    1 year ago

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    8 months ago

    Very cute coffee shop! Well located! However the lattes we got were not the best. The milk frothing was subpar...

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    9 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Was really excited about this place but was hugely disappointed. Paid over $8 for what tasted like hot milk and a cramped atmosphere.

    Business owner information

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    Rodrick L.

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    Aaktun Coffee & Bar

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    amazing! I love this location, food is always good and coffee is always great! the service is…read moreamazing too!

    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.

    Photos
    Iced autumn blaze latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny
    Iced autumn blaze latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny
    Iced dulce de leche latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny
    Iced dulce de leche latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny
    Jerk chicken

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    Morning Ritual

    Morning Ritual

    4.6
    (28 reviews)
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    What a great little find! On a freezing day outside of Raleigh, I stumbled upon this cozy little…read morecoffee shop! Trying to get a little work done, I was pleased to find a comfy couch, power and Wi-Fi- in addition to the incredible twist on a Mexican mocha and an absolutely insane bacon, egg, and cheese on there in house made biscuit! Greeted by the friendliest barista, I made myself comfy on the couch and watched her work her magic. My " not too sweet" mocha had beautiful latte art. I was actually a little sad as I reached the bottom of the mug. So I opted for a decaf refill, it was pure perfection. Do yourself a favor & pop in to make this place your morning ritual.

    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
    Counter and pastries! - March 2026
    Counter and pastries! - March 2026
    Morning Ritual
    Outdoor entrance

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    Outdoor entrance
    Foster Street Coffee

    Foster Street Coffee

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    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!

    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]

    Photos
    Order counter
    Order counter
    Mocha latte and chocolate croissant
    Mocha latte and chocolate croissant
    Modern open seating

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    Modern open seating
    Yonderlust

    Yonderlust

    4.8
    (19 reviews)
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    Very cute new coffee shop! They have a small lot and plentiful Brightleaf parking across the street…read more(although you do have to pay for that lot, and they aren't able to validate since they aren't technically part of Brightleaf). I got an iced decaf americano with vanilla, which was delicious and came in a glass since they knew I was sticking around. They have a lot of seating and the whole place feels bright, airy, open and clean. They also have a cute store on the left hand side of the space that sells outdoor clothing, shoes and gear. A welcome addition to the area!

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    Photos
    Order and pickup counter, Dec 2025.
    Order and pickup counter, Dec 2025.
    Yonderlust
    Iced black sesame oat latte - lifewithhanny

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    Iced black sesame oat latte - lifewithhanny
    Joe Van Gogh

    Joe Van Gogh

    4.2
    (163 reviews)
    1.4 mi
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    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.

    I got an orange blossom matcha latte and I'd say it was decent. The orange blossom syrup was very…read moremild so I could taste it very well. The matcha wasn't very strong and a little overpowered with milk. I didn't try any of their coffees but they looked to be pretty good! I'd give it a 3/5 for the matcha because it was decent but I don't think I'd order it again. The space itself was really nice though and the staff was friendly.

    Photos
    Iced vanilla oat latte - lifewithhanny
    Iced vanilla oat latte - lifewithhanny
    Peppermint vanilla oat latte - lifewithhanny
    Peppermint vanilla oat latte - lifewithhanny
    Upper section overlooking the counter to order

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    Upper section overlooking the counter to order
    Omie’s Coffee Shop and Roastery

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    The cutest little coffee shop!! There's been a buzz brewing about this spot so we had to get out…read moreand check it out. Not a lot of parking out front so they allow parking next door at Kings gr but they kept a line of folks. Yes it moved, don't worry. Fresh pastry variety was quite impressive. The goodies were: Vietnamese coffee donut & creamsicle donut from Red Start bakery. An apple pop tart, & blueberry cheese danish also caught my eye. Yes I got them all. There was more but a guy gotta have limits. But I'll just they were mmm mmm good. I'll have to get the donuts again. There is limited seating, and a children's play area which was so cool. I'm hard pressed to not get my jolt of Java so I got a cortado with a drizzle of caramel for a little sweetness. LOVED the flavor, would've loved it if a little hotter. My son-in-law got the Mexican Coke, vanilla espresso. It was cold and amazing as per him. My wife's latte also needed to be hotter. I'll cut the barista a break as she was a one woman show.

    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!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Green Beans - Before roasting
    Green Beans - Before roasting
    Outside

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    Outside

    Narrative Coffee Company - coffee - Updated July 2026

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