Stopped in on a whim when I saw they had vegetarian choices. I had the "Miss Piggy" sandwich and it was absolutely delicious! The two sides I chose were the Couscous and Chickpeas. Both excellent. The owner is from the south of France and has a great personality. Cannot wait to go back!! read more

Delicious healthy food - tons of vegan and vegetarian options, including a terrific 'barbecue sandwich' made from a soy-based shredded 'pork'. The decor is fun, eclectic, casual, unassuming, plenty of seating (especially for a small cafe) with WiFi. They serve great quality coffee and local pastries also. All sandwiches come with two sides (tabouli, cannoli beans, ect) and you end up with a load of food so you'll have leftovers. Highly recommend for lunch with a friend or coworker. read more

Sosta Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Went with a friend a few months ago. I Got the "dude where's my chicken sandwich" absolutely loved it! The chick pea side was the best chick peas I've ever eaten! Also the owner was very nice. Will definitely be coming back! read more

Best place for sandwiches in Raleigh! The alpine is my fav and is made consistently high quality every time. Sides are great especially the couscous. Great place for vegetarian fair. read more

This is a great little European style cafe with awesome sandwiches, paininis, and coffees. I met a lady frand here for lunch and we decided to order two sammies and swap halves which worked out perfectly. I ordered the Piedmont and she ordered the Guido. Both were served on fresh ciabatta that was to die for. They also both came with a side of couscous and a parsley chickpea salad. I ordered a coffee concoction (pictured) and she got a lemon Pellingrino. I think both ended up about about $15 each for lunch but you could do it cheaper by just having a tap water. Plus, this was honestly enough food to make a second meal to-go for dinner. Just sayin. It was amazingly good. And I was legitimately reminiscent of some of my favorite spots in Rome or Paris. I liked that an owner/maybe manager came out and checked on us during the meal even though it was café style counter service. Nice touch. I will be eating here again, and possibly leaving for work early so I can stop to grab a coffee in the morning. read more

Sosta Cafe - Yummy espresso and caramel coffee! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Drawn by the vegan-thusiastic reviews, my husband and I stopped by here this morning for a breakfast latte and treat. Apparently they always have a tray of local vegan energy bars and cookies on hand as well. Free wifi (password is the cafe phone number) allowed us to be productive while we waited to collect our daughter from art camp. If you were imagining a 'restaurant,' just know that it is a small minimalist space with a slight Latin American ambience. I've decided that Davie Street is cooler than most, not as heavily trafficked as Fayetteville and Glenwood, but cropping up with all kinds of trendy businesses adding to the downtown charm. Sosta is further up from the likes of the Depot, and just around the corner from artspace and the back alley cafes and restaurants of brick-lined Blake and Parham. Though we were too early for lunch, Sosta offers a clearly delineated 'Vegetarian Menu' section including the following items I'm typing out to try on our next visit: Popeye (Spinach salad with walnuts, goat cheese, and mandarin oranges, balsamic) Angus (Veggie baguette burger w/cheese, tomato, arugula, sun-dried tomato pesto mayo) The Ultimate Cheese Sandwich (Melted Four cheese Tomato Arugula Ciabbata) Dude, where's my chicken? (Vegan chicken salad & sprout sandwich) This Little Piggy (Vegan "B.B.Q." and coleslaw sandwich) read more

Sosta is simply superb. It's truly a hidden gem downtown. I've heard of it for quite some time, but I didn't know of its history until today. Today was my second visit. This is how last week's visit went. Wandered in and up to the counter, like a zombie. I'd only had a few hours of sleep due to working late into the night on a project. Me: Hi. I don't like coffee. But, I'm really tired. So. I need to learn. To like coffee. Now. Can you help me? Please?" Man Behind the Counter: What do you like? Me: Chocolate milk. (The exhaustion...ruining my abilities to communicate.) My coworkers said I might like a Latte. I don't know. I'm clueless. And tired. Him: Do you like Dark Chocolate or White Chocolate? Me: Definitely dark. I walked out with a Dark Chocolate Mocha. And it was good. I could still taste the coffee, but it was mostly very good. Today, I was supposed to meet up with a friend for a brief chat. Eager for a respite from the office air, I stepped out and over to Sosta. This time, I wasn't exhausted so I didn't need the surge of crazy coffee caffeine. Hot chocolate please. Skim or whole milk? Skim please. Then, I took a seat at the counter. Read over the menu. All the salads and sandwiches sound so delicious and I had a clear view of the folks in the kitchen making fresh meals that people were delighted to pick up. Sifting through the drink menu, I contemplating giving each one a fair shot and I wondered, "Could this be the year of coffee in my life?" I talked to the man behind the counter, the owner, and he was so nice. Turns out that Sosta is celebrating their 10 year anniversary next month! They opened in February 2006, right before the recession, made it through, and have regulars who love going there. Great atmosphere. Super congrats to you Sosta! read more

Sosta Cafe - Mocha delight! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Very clean, and welcoming atmosphere. Upon explaining that my friend and I had never been in before, the owner took time to briefly explain the side items and baked in house bread, etc. And, when we left, he made a point to acknowledge us. Tons of vegetarian and vegan options as well as choices for meat eaters as well. I appreciated how the menu had so many healthy options. I left feeling full, but because the food was light, I didn't feel overstuffed. I really enjoyed the Popeye salad. I also had a bite of navy beans from my friend's plate and it was absolutely delicious! Thank you for the hospitality and good food! read more

Sosta Cafe - Popeye salad. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Superb. I had the Poulet- a curried chicken salad. I had read that it was served with two sides, but I couldn't figure out if it was one BIG side or the two sides just blended together. I think the one big side was a mix of garbonzo beans and white beans. Or maybe there was one salad of each. Either way, they were good. A little salty, but fortunately for me, I like salt. Ambiance is very cute. Service was friendly. I arrived around 2:30 and I thought I would miss the lunch crowd. Boy, was I wrong! It was still bustling in that little space! I found a comfy table though and enjoyed my lunch. They also ran out of the multigrain bread for my sandwich so they served it as a salad atop greens with some foccaccia on the side, instead. I took a lemon bar with me to go. It was creamy and not too sweet. Perfect flavor. Good lunch spot, and although it blends in with the other store-fronts and is a little hard to spot, it is certainly no secret! These people know what's good! read more

I can't believe I haven't been here before now! Sosta Cafe is hidden away a bit, in between quite a bit of construction on Davie street Downtown. It's also only open from 7AM -3PM Monday - Friday, which also limits your chances to catch it open unless you work downtown. Luckily i'm not too far away so I stopped there for lunch today! So good! I ordered the Riviera ( mozzarella and tomatoes with basil pesto on ciabatta bread ) which came with a side of couscous and white bean salad. I almost liked them more than the sandwich! So good! I could literally eat them by the pint. That being said the sandwich itself was great as well! It was large and fresh! This and the sides were definitely worth the $8.50 price! Service was good as well, the guy who I imagine is the owner was very nice and made sure I liked everything! He was also talking with other patrons, serving food and busing tables! He was crazy busy and handled everything perfectly. I can't wait to come back! I will definitely head downtown more often for a lunch that good! read more

Sosta Cafe - Yum! Simple but oh so good! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I placed an online order for the angus without cheese and the vegan salad sampler, which was all delicious. I also got a cappuccino and forgot to specify non dairy milk. They thoughtfully realized my entire order was vegan and gave me oat milk. I've had great customer servicd experiences in store in the past and appreciate the level of care they take even with online orders. If they were to switch to compostable packaging Sosta would become my favorite lunch spot in town, everything else they do is perfect. read more

At random I decided to stop by this cafe to get away from the traditional large conglomerate cofee companies and this place did not disappoint. This is a small intimate cafe, the retro artwork and soothing music makes for a very sensual experience. This is a nice place to be either alone to escape a long work day or would make a nice casual date spot. P.s. this place serves food and has a ton of vegan and vegetarian options. read more

Sosta Cafe - Beautiful artwork . - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Stopped in at Sosta while staying in Raleigh for a work conference. Great cafe, amazing staff and even better service. We ordered ice coffee, a lavender honey latte, ginger ale and a brownie. Rear escape from the humidity outside. Would definitely recommend stopping by! read more

Sosta Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I stopped in to get a coffee because of the sign out front. Had a good laugh with the owner. He told me about the Yelp one-star review because of the sign, so I promised him I'd give him five stars. Five big stars. Five stars. Bigly. It's the best coffee ever. In the history of coffee, it's the best coffee, the most coffee-est. Everyone knows it. Everyone says it. Everyone's talking about it. Believe me, this is the coffee that's making American great again! read more

Sosta Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I have to admit-- this place is as good as the reviews claim. I swung by for lunch and appreciated the laid-back atmosphere and family vibe that Sosta exuded. The cashier/owner guy was super friendly, patient, and treated me like a good friend. I ordered the Riviera sandwich, and it was so dang simple and tasty, I couldn't believe my tastebuds. It came with two vegetarian sides, which I wasn't expecting, but perfectly complemented the dish. I also ordered a cannoli, and HOLY CRAP I RECOMMEND IT. It was homemade, fluffy filling, perfectly seasoned, just straight up good. My only complaint is that the bar area around the cashier doesn't have any leg room, so it's basically un-sittable. Other than that, Sosta is a hidden gem in downtown Raleigh. And vegetarian friendly to boot! read more

Came here for lunch. Owner declared "I love food--of all ethnicities" which is highlighted by the unique and diverse menu. My husband had the Mila--tuna salad on tomatoes and lettuce on wheat bread and I had the Poulet--curry chicken salad with tomatoes and lettuce on multigrain bread. All sandwiches come with two sides--homemade couscous and chickpeas. Fresh ingredients and very tasty food! In European custom, food is filling but doesn't leave you overwhelmed or bloated. Recommend it. For desert, I recommend the cannoli--they're amazing! Note: Parking can be a pain due to construction in the area so plan accordingly. read more

Sosta Cafe - Poulet lunch - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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After reading so many wonderful reviews for Sosta Cafe, I stopped by for coffee and to do some work on an afternoon. It is tucked away on quiet Blount Street, but it was still pretty busy--even well after the lunch hour. And, two out of every three people seemed like regulars--chatting with the owner and other patrons. It was really nice--literally your ideal coffee shop. I ordered coffee and a brownie. The coffee was good--came in a nice glass--and the brownie was delicious! It was flavorful without being too sweet! And, it was really reasonably priced, which would definitely make me a regular if I worked within walking distance. The interior was really nice--simple in decoration. I've stopped by since to have breakfast--once I just asked for an omelette however the chef wanted to make it. It was huge and very tasty. Honestly....no complaints as to the food, service, or atmosphere. Only downside is that I wish it was open later. I don't work downtown, so I have trouble making it over there to visit! read more

Sosta Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I can see why people really like Sosta.. It really wasn't my bag though. My girlfriend had been really wanting to try it out, and they had some healthy/organic (usually not my thing, so not sure why I thought it'd be different) sounding options so we decided to give it a shot. I ordered the Guido Sandwich and my girlfriend ordered the Leah Sandwich. It says you get a choice of 2 sides, but the side options are VERY limited (couscous and either garbanzo bean salad or navy bean salad). We tried both of the side options and weren't super impressed. The sandwiches were pretty good, but again, nothing crazy. We definitely want to go back and try their coffee and desserts though because they looked so good. The coffee has awesome reviews, but we had already had our caffeine fills. They did have some really cool art throughout the restaurant! read more

Sosta Cafe - Guido (Roast beef) Sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Incredible food. My boyfriend and I got vegan plates and could not even tell it was vegan. I got the sampler and he got the little piggy. We are from Atlanta Georgia and wish so badly there was another location! read more

Sosta Cafe - the Sampler Salad and The Little Piggy Sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Today was my first visit, and the food was delicious I had the Mila meal with beans and a salad and was pleased with every bite. The salad was very plain, but it was a side salad so I didn't expect anything grand. I will definitely come back! read more

Sosta Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

First off, let me tell you I'm a lot less than a little obsessed with their brownies. And slightly addicted to their couscous side dish. But honestly, this is a real gem in downtown Raleigh, and I can't believe how many folks haven't heard of it before. Not only do they have great healthy, vegetarian and vegan options (just started a plant-based life-style, WISH ME LUCK!), but they also have HUGE portions (I literally always order a to-go container when I put my eat-in order from the start because I know I could never eat it all. I've had their Alpine when I was eating meat and I definitively recommend it and their Angus which is vegetarian and you would never know it. Please support local, small businesses and go see them. I promise the food is worth it. read more

Cute lil Cafe with simple but solid food. I ordered the Guido- roast beef, Gorgonzola, caramelized onions, arugula on ciabatta with couscous and cannellini bean salads as sides. Everything was very fresh and filling. read more

Sosta Cafe - Guido Sandwich- roast beef, Gorgonzola, caramelized onions, arugula on ciabatta - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Sosta is the ying to the yang of the half-dozen other cafes within walking distance. Sosta is cozy, homey, owner-driven, focused on freshness/healthy European-style food - whereas its competitors are more sleek, technology/technique-driven, American-style dishes, and peppy young-gun service. There is not much new for me to add, apart from me concurring that lunches are fresh and healthy. Service is earnest and patient, not frantic and over eager. Coffee is good - like the kind you got a the bistro in France where you can't remember the name, but you just remember enjoying it. The menu is small, but is constantly changing - seemingly always having interesting dishes. And the specialties like pastries and such are seemingly always good. Conversely, it is hard to use superlatives when describing Sosta - everything is good. I believe that you go to Sosta because this place "gets you" and "it just feels right" because its vibe is so different than others. If you're a frequenter to DTR, give Sosta a shot. The vibe has to be felt rather than read. For some of you, this will be like slipping into an old pair of your shoes and you'll say "aaaah." For others, this will be like slipping into someone else's old shoes and then you'll know that you probably should go to Sir Walter (across the street), Morning Times, 42 & Lawrence, Bittersweet, or... (sigh) Starbucks. read more

Love love love the vegetarian selection here! The sandwiches are delicious I'd eat them every day. The owner is super chill and his artwork lines the walls. You got to check out this place and see it for yourself. If you're in the city and it's lunch time, then go to Sosta! read more

One of the best vegan spots I've ever been to on a layover. The couscous and garbanzo beans on the side (so fresh!!)-- then not to mention the various faux meat vegan sandwiches you can choose from. Dimmed lights, chill music.. It's a vibe. read more

Amazing! The food is fresh and tasty, the staff is super friendly! I wish i would've found this gem sooner...

Friendly owner, good drinks. The lunch menu is fairly limited but if you're in the mood for a French-inspired meal and OK with not having the standard American sandwich for lunch, it's worth a try. Side dishes are interesting - cous cous and white bean salad. The tables are pretty small and it feels a little squishy inside, so if you have a group more than 2-3 in size, best to find somewhere else. read more

One of the best lunch spots in Raleigh. If you're looking for fresh, flavorful soups/salad/sandwiches this is the place to go. The portions are worth the price and sandwiches are served with 2 healthy sides. The owner is very inviting, service is great, and the atmosphere is equivalent to a cozy French cafe. The space is small so tables fill up at peek hours. I highly recommend 'The Alpine'! read more

Sosta Cafe - The Alpine sandwich with 2 sides and the Rebecca salad. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Amazing sandwiches. I especially appreciated the excellent vegetarian options. The guy seemed friendly, hardworking, and intensely devoted to sandwiches. It's a long drive from Durham but I will find excuses. read more

I'm not even a sandwich guy and I think the sandwiches are good. The owner is charming and makes you feel special whenever you grace his establishment. This place is truly a gem. I can't speak for the coffee, because I am not a coffee person, but everything else is tasty and reasonably priced. read more

Excellent lunch spot! I just started working in downtown and have been trying all new lunch spots for a quick pickup. Sosta did not disappoint!! It's a little hole in the wall cafe. I checked the menu online beforehand and decided on the Guido Sandwich... and I am so glad I did. It was absolutely delicious.... It was perfectly balanced with all its ingredients and nothing was overpowering.... a lot of sandwich places down in Raleigh tend to overdo it with sauces, spreads, or mayo . This one had none of that and it was excellent ! It came with a chick pea and couscous salad which was very very tasty as well. The total portion was generous and left me feeling very full. The service was great and the cook time was quick. I will certainly be back for another lunch. read more

Sosta is the best lunch spot in Raleigh... period. Jerome puts a lot of care into all of his dishes. The salads are a good price for the amount of food he gives and all the ingredients are the best he can find. If you like sandwiches Sosta has the best. Sosta also has very good coffee, and is a nice relaxing environment. The negative reviewer who was complaining about his politics lacks a sense of humor. read more

Awesome vegan and vegetarian options at this cute cafe!! I got the vegan "chicken" salad which was delicious, super tasty and a little messy. My friend got the vegan angus "beef" sandwich and said she couldn't tell it was vegan beef. The side salads were flavorful, I'd recommend all three! read more

I've been eating here for about 4 years now. The food is great...and consistent in its quality. Its healthy, properly sized portions (not enormous sizes) and the kind of food that doesn't sit heavy or fatigue you an hour after eating. The inside ambience is tastefully eclectic and cozy. The music is super chill, peaceful, sort of European instrumentals with non-English vocals. It's a welcome change in ambience. Jerome the owner is an awesome, friendly dude, and I love supporting his cafe. Restaurants like his really define the downtown Raleigh food scene....and his is a bit of a hidden gem. read more

This is my favorite coffee shop in downtown by far. The coffee is amazing (vanilla latte is the best IMO) and although I've never had it myself I've been told by friends that the food is just as good. The shop is hidden in the side of Red Hat Tower and usually dark with great instrumental music playing. It's definitely a well known little secret hideout. The owner is always there greeting guests and taking orders and making drinks and he is a great person to talk to. Highly recommend visiting this place for a quick coffee or to work for a while. read more

Grabbed a quick drink here this morning and loved the vibe. Good service, quickly got my cafe mocha, which was excellent. Looks like a fun afternoon spot as well, and too bad I couldn't linger in the comfortable chairs/couches. I'll return when I can while downtown in Raleigh. read more

Craving a greasy salad this came up in searches. What a quaint little spot! Ordered a Popeye salad and had chicken added. Super fresh and liberal with the walnuts and goat cheese. Chicken was moist and flavorful. It looked like they have quite a few regulars and do an ample lunch business. I would definitely come back and try the sandwiches with their unique sides. Service was great; fast and friendly. read more

Great Israeli sandwich shop in RDU. Guido sandwich (roast beef, gargonzola and caramelized onions) was fantastic, with couscous and chick peas sides. I'll be back. read more

You know when you walk into a place and you immediately take a breath and say yes this feels like home. Ok so maybe that's a little dramatic but Sosta just happened to be exactly what I was looking for when I walked in on a rainy weekday. What exactly was I looking for? I wanted a quiet coffee shop that served lunch, and a place that didn't mind me hanging out for a few hours. Sosta is a quaint little European cafe serving breakfast, dinner, and some tasty looking pastries. I didn't try any of the homemade pastries but people coming in were raving about the chocolate tart and cannolis. I ordered the Piedmont sandwich a delicious combination of proscuitto, taleggio cheese, tomato and lettuce on ciabatta bread (they were out of ciabatta so it was served on a baguette but it was still just as delicious I'm sure). All the sandwiches were served with a side of white bean salad and Israeli couscous this was such a nice change from the usual options of chips, fries, etc. I also noticed quite a few veggie and vegan options on the menu. The owner is a bubbly man full of energy with a thick accent that everyone seemed to know when he or she walked in. I can tell this cafe has a lot of regulars who frequent it often. On my departure I ordered an iced latte to go, and yes I was still impressed even while I was walking out the door. I think I'll be coming here quite a bit now that I know about it! read more

The more I come to Sosta the more I fall in love with the place. I'm absolutely amazed that there is not more people flocking to Sosta during the day to enjoy affordable, delicious food in the heart of downtown Raleigh. Jerome is hands down the nicest business owner I've ever met and truly cares about every single one of his customers, which is such a pleasure to see. Stop reading the reviews and go experience Sosta yourself right now! read more