Chapel Hill has always had a good coffee culture. Between the UNC students who need a place to study, the professors who need a place to think, and the locals who just want a good cup in a comfortable room, the demand for quality cafes here has been high for a long time. The result is a lineup of coffee shops that each has its own personality and is genuinely worth visiting.
1922 Carolina Coffee Shop
The Carolina Coffee Shop on Franklin Street has been around since 1922, making it one of the oldest restaurants in North Carolina. It is a Chapel Hill institution. The space has the worn in feel of a place that has seen generations of students and locals come through, with wood paneling, old photographs, and booths that have hosted a lot of conversations over the years. The coffee is straightforward and good. The food menu is worth ordering from if you are staying a while.
If you are visiting Chapel Hill and want to understand what makes this town feel different from other college towns, sit at the counter at Carolina Coffee Shop for an hour. It has the kind of lived in character that you cannot manufacture.
Caffe Driade
Caffe Driade is one of the most beautiful coffee spots in the Triangle. Tucked into the woods just off Franklin Street, it has an outdoor garden patio surrounded by trees that makes it feel like you have stumbled into a different world. On a nice day, there is no better place to sit outside with a coffee in Chapel Hill. The espresso drinks are well made and the atmosphere is genuinely special.
Caffe Driade is popular and gets busy on weekend afternoons. Come on a weekday morning if you want a quieter experience. The fall foliage around the patio makes it especially beautiful from October through November.
Perennial
Perennial is a newer addition to the Chapel Hill coffee scene and has quickly become one of the most popular spots in town. The space is bright and well designed with a focus on quality sourcing and careful preparation. They take their coffee seriously without being precious about it. The vibe is relaxed and the staff is knowledgeable. A good spot for a first date or a long work session.
Open Eye Café
Open Eye Café is one of the most beloved coffee spots in the Chapel Hill and Carrboro area and has been for years. Located on the main square in Carrboro, it has a warm, lived in feel with comfortable seating and a community atmosphere that makes it easy to stay for a while. The coffee is carefully made and the shop has a strong commitment to local and fair trade sourcing. It is the kind of place that becomes a regular stop once you discover it. On nice days, the outdoor seating on the Carrboro Town Commons square is one of the best places to sit outside with a coffee in the Triangle.
Guglhupf
Guglhupf is technically a bakery and cafe in Durham, but it draws people from Chapel Hill regularly and deserves a mention for anyone doing a day trip between the two towns. The German style pastries are among the best in the Triangle and the coffee pairs perfectly with them. The space has a warm, European feel that is hard to find elsewhere in the area. Worth the short drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best coffee shop in Chapel Hill?
It depends on what you are looking for. Caffe Driade has the best outdoor atmosphere. Perennial has the best specialty coffee. The 1922 Carolina Coffee Shop has the most history. All three are worth visiting.
Is Caffe Driade worth visiting?
Yes, especially on a nice day. The wooded garden patio is one of the most unique coffee settings in North Carolina. It is a short walk from Franklin Street and easy to add to any Chapel Hill visit.
How old is the Carolina Coffee Shop?
The Carolina Coffee Shop opened in 1922, making it over 100 years old and one of the oldest continuously operating restaurants in North Carolina.
Where should I get coffee near UNC Chapel Hill?
Franklin Street has several good options within walking distance of campus. The 1922 Carolina Coffee Shop and Perennial are both easy walks from the main quad.