BOBAPOP Tea Bar is a boba shop that offers fruit tea, milk tea, slushes, and some dessert. The…read moreinside is minimalistic with a few seating available. You order through a tablet, although I think ordering directly from the cashier works too. I got the Lychee Green Tea with Lychee Jelly. I initially wanted to not pick a topping as it cost extra, but there did not seem to be an option to opt out of that. I also got my drink with 75% sweetness and 100% ice. The drink tasted alright. I probably could have kept it at 100% sweetness to taste more of the lychee flavor. Overall, it is a cute little spot for boba.

My mom wanted boba and we were in the area so we stopped here on a Saturday. Well it's Sunday and…read morewe are back. This is the only place she wants even though there is a place right around the corner from us. I decided to try one and I see why. They have so many choices and toppings, I made me a salted caramel milk and added all different types of boba. It's very clean everyone there is nice. They play good music while you are waiting and it always smells so good in there. They have probably two tables and a long bar, they don't sell food but some little cream donuts. I would highly recommend them!

We had some time to kill and were looking for a non-chain coffee spot. This one was close by and…read morehad great reviews. So we decided to give them a try. We had a little difficulty finding it. GPS brought us to the parking lot behind the building. There isn't clear signage to direct you where to go. We managed to find our way up the stairs and into the building. There are a number of businesses located inside. Lucky Tree is super cute. It's set up to encourage working, with plenty of charging spots all around. There is a variety of seating, from long wooden tables to smaller individual areas. We ordered a chai latte and golden milk latte, both with oat milk. Both drinks were good. Fyi there is a separate entrance from the side that takes you directly to another smaller parking lot.

I decided to try this out for a quick coffee stop while in town for a conference. The service was…read morefriendly and quick! I tried the breakfast bagel bites, which were soft and warm. I loved the cheese on top! I was not a huge fan of the flavor the almond flour gave them but it was not overpowering. I would probably get them again! They had a lot of options as far as specialty lattes but I am glad I went with the Vanilla Maple. I was worried that the maple flavor would be too much but it complimented the vanilla well. The inside was VERY well decorated, and I would've loved to stay and do a little computer work! I could see myself coming by and sitting down for a quick brunch, meeting up with friends, or staying for a work session.

Iris Coffee Lab is where you bring the friend who can tell you the origin of a bean after one sip,…read morewho 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.

Stopped by Iris Coffee Lab for a cup of coffee over the weekend. When you arrive parking can be a…read morebit 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.

I try a new coffee shop every Saturday and today it was Benelux…read more There isn't a lot of street parking, but there is an underground garage behind it, which is so convenient. It's located next to Village District. I was greeted immediately by a nice young man. I asked for his hot food suggestion, and of course he suggested the waffles! I ordered a waffle with fresh bananas and Nutella...every bite was absolutely delicious. I also ordered a lavender latte and loved it. They sell scones from a local vendor and I had a gluten free orange cranberry scone which was also delicious. Benelux is spacious and has plenty of seating. Tables, high tops and even a couple of comfortable love seats.

Used to come often but has undergone some sort of ownership change. Normal coffee drinkers will…read morefind there is no cream thermos out to put your own cream in. Plus today at 1025a five minutes after I sat down with my coffee they came to tell us they were closing for painting.

This week for my coffee shop Saturday's I visited Cup A Joe's on Avent Ferry, near NC State…read more It's located in the Mission Valley Shopping center on the bottom level. There's plenty of parking in the adjacent parking lot. There's plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. They have breakfast & lunch menu's. They don't have a ton of options, but just enough. They have a huge drink menu, coffee, cold brews, their famous coffee smoothies, juice smoothies, and all types of teas from matcha to milk tea. There's so many options. The team behind the counter were very nice & helpful it being my first time. It's not fancy, but cute and cozy. There's lots of seating, plenty of outlets for laptops, it's a great place to work. The outdoor patio is covered with plenty of tables. I ordered the iced coconut latte and one of the baked goods from a local bakery on display at the counter. The latte was delicious & the Crumbcake was fresh and okay.

The coffee, matcha latte, and location, all earned 5/5. Cup A Joe is a lively, popular spot for…read moremeeting up with friends and peers for coffee. There is ample seating and restrooms in the room adjacent to the ordering counter. The line moves quickly and they offer numerous beverage options and coffee beans. My rating is reduced to a 3 due to how condescending the manager (?) spoke to a (presumably) new employee. There are appropriate ways to train and treat new employees without belittling them.

This place was great - because it's on a college campus, it managed to somehow be high energy and…read morechill at the same time. It sort of gave Panera + local cafe vibes - I enjoyed it. I ordered the cinnamon glaze waffle + hot Almond Latte with oat milk and they were both delicious. The waffle is a total dessert - sweet and coated in sugar crystals YUMMM. Oh, and to make it even better, the each little cell of the waffle was filled with the glaze so each bite was perfection. The latte was also SOOO good - smooth & beautifully presented. The staff were friendly and welcoming - even though they were busy, the vibe was great between the staff and when the staff was engaging with the customers. I know the 2 staff members I spoke with were wonderful and kind. The outdoor seating did offer a great view of the bell tower, road and foot traffic. It was lovely and relaxing.

This is one of the smoothest lattes. I got the smoked sea salt caramel. The vibes were so laid back…read moreand chill. The staff were super nice

A Truly Artisanal Bakery…read more I rarely leave reviews on yelp anymore, but this bakery is so impressive, it inspired me to type this down. I'm from the Bay Area and loved going to all kinds of bakery when I travel. I did not have much expectations when I came to Raleigh. I tried Paul and Jack and couple other bakeries, they were all good, but not impressive. The first thing I noticed was their Mill Room, and second I noticed that they have 100 score on hygiene. Not that I care about the score that much but still impressive. Then We got a bunch of pastries, the shortbread was the first one we tried and wow, it was so simple yet so flavorful, truly malted tasting shortbread, it has so much depth in taste. Then I had a had a ham and cheese croissant, it was on the salty side but I kept eating it when I'm not even hungry. The true winner though, is the plain croissant I got which traveled with me for 72 hours back home. I got it out of my bag, slightly flattened by all my stuff, I expect it to taste flat and meh. I put it in the oven for 6 minutes and it turned out to be the best croissant I've had. It was flaky, soft and soo flavorful. Now I cannot stop thinking about it. Lastly, I want to say that with so many pop ups, new bakeries coming up in different cities, often times we were chasing that unique flavors, that special toppings on croissants, but Boulted Bread stayed true to bread, and perfected the craft without focusing on "exotic" or "special" flavors. I truly respect this.

The same ownership as Benchwarmer Bagels. They really know bread. I got here at almost closing…read moretime, and I wish that I had come earlier because almost everything was sold out. I got: 1. A bialy (bee-AH-lee) is a traditional Polish-Jewish bread roll, similar to a bagel but with key differences: it is baked, not boiled, has a dimpled center filled with onion bits and poppy seeds, and is generally softer and less dense. Originating in Białystok, Poland, these rolls are traditionally served plain or toasted with toppings like butter or schmear. 2. Rye shortbread. Not too sweet. Just perfection! 3. Bran biscotti. I like the idea of a high-fiber bran biscotti over a refined flour one. 4. Buchi Tepache. I got the mango-pineapple flavor. This is a local NC brand. It's a mildly fermented drink that originated in Mexico. I got the ingredients from their website (drinkbuchi.com): Organic Tibicos (Water, Organic Fair Trade Certified™* Cane Sugar, Organic Kefir Culture), Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic Mango Puree, Organic Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Organic Whole Lemon Puree, Organic Mango Natural Flavor, Organic Pineapple Natural Flavor, Organic Monk Fruit Extract. 5. The baguette. Unlike a refined flour white bread baguette at La Farm Bakery, this one is made of a red wheat flour. Turkey Red flour is an heirloom, organic hard red winter wheat brought to Kansas in 1873 by Mennonite immigrants. Prized for its rich, nutty flavor and superior baking qualities, it is often used for artisan bread, sourdough, and pasta due to its unique, sometimes more digestible, gluten profile. It is commonly stone-ground and available from local Kansas millers. 6. The star of the show was the Everything Croissant. Like the Everything Bagel but soft and buttery. Topped with all the sesame seeds and seasonings with a cream cheese interior. So good! I do plan on returning!

On travel for work and wanted a place outside my hotel that i could do some work and this place fit…read morethe bill. Staff were very warm and welcoming; easy to have conversations with. I got a hot americano first which was fantastic; i use this as a base measure for how well a shop pulls shots without having to completely sacrifice the drink if its subpar. I then grabbed an espresso which was perfectly balanced and easily drinkable; no need for sugar to offset bitterness; appropriate temperature; served in warmed ceramic shot glass. I also grabbed a baked good which was also great, i wouldve preferred it warmed up, although admittedly, they probably could have if id asked. There is a large amount of outdoor seating but inside seating is limited as well as outlets for work. Luckily it wasnt busy when i arrived and was able to find a spot to get setup. Will absolutely be coming back and recommending this place to others.

The perfect coffee roaster might actually exist -- and it might be Black & White Coffee Roasters in…read moredowntown Raleigh. I'm a big fan of lighter-roasted, funky, expressive coffees, and Black & White absolutely delivers. Their roasting style leans into vibrant, fruit-forward profiles, and they do it with confidence. The downtown Raleigh location is fantastic too. It's right in the middle of everything, making it a great stop for a date night, meeting up with friends, or just dropping in for a quick but exceptional cup. Their seasonal menu was small but mighty -- just a couple of options -- but the kind where every drink looks so good you wish they'd never rotate them off the menu. I started with the orange cardamom flat white, and it was perfect in every way. Beautifully presented and incredibly balanced. The espresso, milk, orange, and cardamom all complemented each other without any one flavor taking over. It was nuanced, aromatic, and just a joy to drink. For my second drink, I ordered a Rodrigo Sanchez pour-over, a co-fermented Colombian coffee labeled with passion fruit notes. It was everything I want from a pour-over -- bright, juicy, and expressive, with the kind of sweet stone fruit and berry notes that make light-roasted coffee so exciting. Black & White continues to prove why they're one of the most respected specialty roasters around. If you love adventurous coffee with huge flavor and careful execution, this place is an absolute must-visit.