For a while now, I have tried dodging the allegations; pretending I’ve never gone for a second cup, pretending I have never had a cup well after 6:00pm.
But I’m finally ready to come clean.
I’m a coffee lover.
Yet, even for a coffee lover such as myself, an average flavorless cup of joe just won’t do. So, through my own daily endeavors of finding a coffee to satisfy my cravings, I have seen the worst, the okay, and most importantly, the best coffee the NC State area has to offer.
At #5 we have a caramel cold brew (w/ almond milk) from BREW Coffee Bar in Cary, NC
This was one of the first cups of off-campus coffee I had ever tried. I was having a great day with a friend when I tried this coffee, so right off the bat I associate it with great memories. But aside from the great day, this was an excellent cold brew. Before I was loyal to my current Starbucks order of a brown sugar shaken espresso, I used to order the caramel cream cold brew. Yet, I was often unsatisfied by that drink, as the caramel notes were only found in the cold cream foam and not the coffee. Yet, this cold brew from BREW Coffee Bar completely solved that issue for me. The delicious flavors of the coffee and caramel syrups shine equally in this cold, sweet sip worth going back for.
In 4th place we have an iced maple latte (w/ almond milk) from Lucky Tree in Raleigh, NC
Similar to my review above, this coffee stuck out to me as it solved qualms I have had with coffees of the past. I often feel like maple flavored coffees just taste “sweet” and the maple flavor isn’t really discernable. But this coffee tasted like I was eating a syrup-y pancake breakfast alongside a delicious, iced coffee. The flavor was comforting and cozy, and I commend Lucky Tree for having an array of unique flavors. I want to return to try their coconut flavored coffee next. The wide range of flavors, coffee add-ins, and whimsical artistic aesthetic of the cafe’s interior makes it more than deserving of a place in my top 5.
At #3 we have an iced pumpkin caramel latte (w/ oat milk) from Global Village Coffee in Raleigh, NC
Two words.
Unlimited cinnamon.
Yes, you heard me right folks. On the back table of Global Village Coffee, they have a cinnamon shaker, in addition to free ice water. These touches pushed Global Village Coffee incredibly high on my coffee ranking list. Cinnamon is my favorite thing in the world to put on my coffee, and the fact that it is a free add-on that I can shake on top of my coffee to my heart’s content is a game changer. Global Village Coffee’s convenient location (a less than 10-minute walk from my dorm) has made it an absolute favorite study spot of mine. Also, I have to note that each time I go, the baristas are so incredibly kind, and I speak for everyone when I say that makes customers’ days. Similar to Lucky Tree, I commend Global Village for having a vast array of such unique flavors. It is always bringing me back in for more. From peanut butter cinnamon coffee to pumpkin caramel, Global Village has your coffee needs covered.
In 2nd place we have a hot tiramisu coffee (w/ oat milk) from Jubala Coffee in Raleigh, NC
Jubala was close to claiming the number one spot, as the number of incredible coffees and other hot drinks I’ve had from here is quite extensive. But unfortunately for Jubala, iced coffees are the key to my heart, and while Jubula hot coffees are absolutely incredible, our first-place winner certainly beats them out in the iced coffee category. But back to the topic at hand! The tiramisu coffee.
Holy guacamole.
Where do I begin? The bold nut and fruit notes are so strong, and from just one sip, I feel awake and ready to take on the day. This bold, delicious, slightly bitter base pairs magically with the sweet mascarpone topping sprinkled with delicious cocoa shaving. The light, creamy, chocolatey sweet topping cuts through the strong coffee making a perfectly balanced coffee experience. The first time I had this coffee, it was by taking a sip of my friends’. My whole life, I have always said I hate hot coffee, and this was the first coffee that changed my mind.
P.S. it would be silly to go to Jubala and not order a waffle. Banana Nutella waffle? Pumpkin pie waffle with a scoop of vanilla ice cream? Is your mouth watering yet? Yes? Ok, c’mon. Go get yourself a waffle.
In 1st place we have an iced carrot cake latte (w/ almond milk) from The Optimist, Raleigh
Picture this. It’s fall. The crisp wind is blowing around you as you are snug in a soft sweater. Crunchy leaves are on the ground, and you are surrounded by scents of pumpkin, cinnamon and apple. And you’re sipping a carrot cake latte. The slightly orange tinted latte features notes of sweet brown sugar cake, fall spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, as well as undertones of subtle tangy golden raisins, which all together perfectly lives up to the name of carrot cake flavor. To this date, The Optimist coffee is the best coffee I’ve ever had. As I mentioned above, cinnamon topped coffee is my favorite treat in the world. So as a fan of all things fall-spice flavored, this coffee is what my coffee dreams are made of. Since I included a mini food review for Jubala, I feel I must tell you to order the heirloom toast or fig jam, bacon, goat cheese, and mint topped English muffins. Each bite of these toasts is so flavorful and fresh, you’ll be thinking you must have stumbled right into a farmers’ market.
Additionally, while I specifically cited the carrot cake latte as the number one coffee, every coffee I have ever had at The Optimist is tied for number one. So if it isn’t Fall when you visit The Optimist (meaning it won’t be on the menu), you can’t go wrong with an iced or hot The Dirty Lumberjack with oat milk, iced mocha with almond milk, or absolutely anything on the menu. (And may I add, the baristas are always so incredibly kind! They always tell me they love my outfit, and that makes my coffee even sweeter <3).
So, what are you waiting for?
Get in your car and head over to The Optimist right now!
That’s a wrap on my ranking of my top 5 coffees I’ve had while at NC State! And don’t you worry, my journey to find the most delicious coffees will never be done, and I’m sure I’ll be reporting back some more delicious coffees near campus real soon!
Have you tried any of these coffees and cafes? Would your ranking be different? Let me know @designerlaineyvolz on Instagram!