Downtown Raleigh has a real coffee scene now. You can walk from the Warehouse District to Moore Square and hit multiple good shops along the way, each with its own vibe and approach. Whether you need a flat white before a morning at the museums or a slow afternoon with a specialty pour over near Fayetteville Street, you do not have to go far. These are the best coffee shops in the downtown Raleigh core.
Little Native Coffee Co. ★
Little Native is our favorite coffee shop in downtown Raleigh. The shop sits on South Person Street just two blocks from Moore Square and it gets just about everything right. The space is small, about 400 square feet, with overhead skylights, industrial details softened by a heavy dose of plants, and a warm feeling that is hard to manufacture. It was built to be an anchor for this part of the city, the kind of place that sticks around as neighborhoods change around it.
They serve Larry's Coffee, Raleigh's own direct trade roaster, and the drinks lean into floral, herbal, and plant based flavor profiles that fit the shop's whole identity. There is a patio attached to the building that hosts events and food pop ups. The team behind Little Native also runs Cloche Coffee in Durham, so the coffee knowledge runs deep. Located at 426 S Person St.
The Morning Times
Morning Times on East Hargett Street has been one of the anchor coffee shops of downtown Raleigh since it opened in 2006. The space is two levels, with exposed brick walls, a gallery upstairs, and the kind of relaxed energy that makes it easy to stay for a while. The espresso drinks are reliable and well made, the pastry selection is local, and the crowd is a mix of regulars, downtown workers, and visitors exploring the Fayetteville Street corridor.
It is the kind of place that feels like it has always been there, which in downtown Raleigh terms it basically has. If you only have time for one coffee stop downtown, Morning Times is the easy answer. Located at 10 E Hargett St.
Sir Walter Coffee
Sir Walter Coffee on East Davie Street near Moore Square is one of the best all day spots in downtown Raleigh. The coffee is serious, well sourced, carefully made, and the menu runs from classic espresso drinks through tea and craft cocktails, which means it works just as well for an afternoon visit as it does first thing in the morning. The space is comfortable and the hours are generous, staying open into the evening on weekdays and late on weekends.
There is also a second Sir Walter location at 555 Fayetteville Street with a full kitchen and bar program if you want something more substantial with your coffee. The Davie Street original is at 145 E Davie St.
42 & Lawrence
42 & Lawrence on East Martin Street sits across from City Market and Moore Square and has built a following on the strength of its creative drink menu. The lavender rose vanilla latte and the Taj Mahal latte are the kinds of drinks that show up everywhere on social media for a reason, they are actually good. But the coffee program holds up on the classics too, which matters. It is a pretty space with a comfortable pace and it draws a crowd that clearly takes its coffee order seriously.
Open daily from early morning through early evening. Located at 134 E Martin St, right in the heart of the Moore Square area.
Lucky Tree Cafe & Roastery
Lucky Tree opened in May 2025 inside Moore Square park itself, which makes it one of the more pleasant places to get a morning coffee in downtown Raleigh. They roast on site and the coffee reflects that, fresh, thoughtfully sourced, and served by people who know what they are talking about. The menu also includes house made doughnuts, a farm to table breakfast, and options for wheat free and vegan visitors.
Sitting inside the park with your coffee on a good morning is hard to beat. Located at 225 E Martin St inside Moore Square park. Open daily from 7am on weekdays, 8am on weekends.
Heirloom Brewshop
Heirloom Brewshop is inside the Dillon Building on South West Street in the Warehouse District and it does not look or feel like any other coffee shop in downtown Raleigh. The aesthetic is East Asian inspired, the menu covers specialty coffee, tea, sake, and a full food menu, and the space has a calm, intentional quality that makes it a great place to spend an hour. They use Little Waves coffee beans and the drinks are made with real care.
If you are exploring the Warehouse District and need a coffee stop that is a step above the typical, this is the one. Located at 219 S West St in the Dillon Building.
Black & White Coffee at Videri
Black & White Coffee is a roastery cafe located inside the Videri Chocolate Factory on West Davie Street in the Warehouse District. The combination sounds odd but it works well in practice, quality espresso drinks in a factory space that smells like chocolate. Black & White takes its coffee seriously and the roasting background shows in the cup. Free parking is available, which is a bonus in this part of downtown.
A great stop if you are already at Videri for chocolate or heading through the Warehouse District on foot. Located at 327 W Davie St. Open Monday through Friday from 8am, weekends from 9am.
Iris Coffee Lab
Iris Coffee Lab on Tucker Street in Glenwood South is the neighborhood's first dedicated specialty coffee shop and it set a high bar. The approach here is fourth wave, precise sourcing, careful extraction, a menu that takes the coffee itself seriously without being unfriendly about it. The space is modern and minimal, the kitchen runs a food menu from 9am to 2pm, and the overall experience is one of the most polished in downtown Raleigh.
Glenwood South is an easy walk or a short drive from the rest of downtown Raleigh. Located at 725 Tucker St, open daily from 8am.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best coffee shop in downtown Raleigh?
Little Native Coffee Co. on South Person Street is our top pick. It is a small, plant filled shop that uses Larry's Coffee beans, has a community focused spirit, and gets the atmosphere right in a way that is hard to find. Morning Times on East Hargett Street has been a downtown anchor since 2006 and is another excellent choice.
Where can I get coffee near the Warehouse District in Raleigh?
Heirloom Brewshop at 219 S West Street inside the Dillon Building is the best option right in the Warehouse District. Black and White Coffee inside the Videri Chocolate Factory on West Davie Street is also nearby and worth a stop.
Are there specialty coffee shops in downtown Raleigh?
Yes. Lucky Tree Cafe and Roastery in Moore Square roasts its own beans on site and opened in 2025. Iris Coffee Lab on Tucker Street in Glenwood South takes a fourth wave approach to espresso. Little Native serves Larry's Coffee with a focus on floral and herbal profiles. All three are serious about what is in the cup.
What coffee shops are near Moore Square in Raleigh?
Lucky Tree Cafe and Roastery is located directly inside Moore Square park. Sir Walter Coffee and 42 and Lawrence are both on East Martin Street a short walk away. Little Native Coffee Co. is on South Person Street, just two blocks from Moore Square.
