Indulge in a sweet treat on National Chocolate Day.
By Haley Connors & Heidi Reid
Let’s be honest: Every day is a good day for a sweet treat—but what better excuse than National Chocolate Day Oct. 28? Enter the perfect opportunity to satisfy your sweet tooth, whether you’re craving rich drinks or crunchy caramel-filled desserts. Lucky for us, Raleigh serves up plenty of irresistible picks. After all, life is like a box of chocolates…
42 & Lawrence | Moore Square District Rediscover the bottom of your Grandma’s purse with a York pattie cold brew, lean uber-trendy and sip on a Dubai chocolate latte, or savor the classic hot chocolate for sweet nostalgia sans the caffeine fix. Pro tip: Grab a chocolate croissant or chocolate chip cookie to pair with your bev—dunking optional. 42lawrence.com
Andia’s Ice Cream | Iron District Cue the Instagram feed: Andia’s picturesque shakes were made for the spotlight. If shaking things up isn’t the vibe, savor a double dark chocolate or Oreo cookies and cream scoop drizzled with hot fudge. andiasicecream.com
Bittersweet | Fayetteville Street District Chocolate and cocktails—name a better combo, we’ll wait. The s’mores sundae, Derby pie and salty chocolate chip ice cream sandwich are sure to hit the sweet spot. Pair with the 4am Pancake or Bad Bunny cocktails for a booze meets cocoa moment. bittersweetraleigh.com
Adrian Etheridge Photography
Champloo Desserts | North Raleigh At this North Raleigh chocolate stop, the world is your oyster. The create-your-own ice cream selects provide ample opportunity to pile on chocolate Pocky, sprinkles and chips, plus cocoa candies—think Kit Kats, M&M’s, Reese’s Cups and even Ferrero Rocher. Match with rocky road, s’mores or chocolate peanut butter ice cream flavors for the ultimate sweet venture. champlooraleigh.com
Videri Chocolate Factory | Warehouse District From bean to bar, Raleigh’s own award-winning chocolate factory turns out chocolate that would have Oompa-Loompas flocking. Get in the spooky spirit with the chocolate-covered marshmallow cat, or channel Forrest Gump via a classic box of bite-size sweets. If you want a peak at the process, leave time for a factory tour. viderichocolatefactory.com
Tifa Chocolate & Gelato | Midtown Raleigh’s newest chocolatier dishes out an array of artisanal chocolates—including bars boasting cacao from around the world, masterfully made bonbons, handmade gourmet truffles (unique flavors include lemon, banana, tiramisu and butter pecan), and malt balls—all promising an indulgent journey for your taste buds. tifachocolateandgelato.com
Escazú Chocolates | Midtown East New location, same beloved chocolate. The nee-2008 bean-to-bar sweet shop is a go-to for handmade micro-batch chocolate that’s been refined and perfected over the years—resulting in the kinds of confections one might dream of: chocolate bars, assorted truffles, ice cream and a handful of hot chocolates. Peanut butter hot cocoa? Yes, please. escazuchocolates.com
Step aside, espresso! Meet the next-gen vibrant bev trending on your feed: matcha. Oft billed as grassy, earthy and unique, the Japanese green tea powder is having a matcha minute—and die-hard drinkers can’t get enough of the cult-favorite combo of green powder and creamy milk (plus potential syrups and flavor swirls to boot). Whether you’re matcha-curious or a full-blown devotee, here’s where to get your fix.
Organic Idle Hour Frothy, smooth and as green as the most lush field of grass you’ve ever seen, Idle’s matcha lattes are made with Kyoto-sourced Arteao organic matcha, creating an umami-rich flavor that comes with a dose of health benefits. Wellness for the win! @idlehour_coffee
Trendy Iris Coffee Lab Jazz up your traditional morning routine with Iris’ Jasmin 17 perfume-inspired Jasmine Mini Matcha, an aesthetically pleasing drink layered with carefully sourced whisked-to-order matcha, jasmine syrup, salt cream and shaved lemongrass—aka a win for the ’Gram and your taste buds. @iriscoffeelab
Flavorful Sweet Thyme Cafe Not your average matcha, Norwood Gardens’ hidden gem cafe has various syrups on offer to sweeten its green goodness—from basil and blueberry to white chocolate. Craft your own flavorful concoction, or treat yo’self to rotating monthly flavor combos like vanilla + rose.@sweethymecafe
A Lotta Matcha 42 & Lawrence Options upon options are avail at this sleek spot—from a classic matcha latte to the strawberry, blue or snowcap sipper. Matcha newbies, those flavors are a surefire way to get past the grassy taste. @42andlawrence
Dairy-Free Lucky Tree No dairy, no problem. Get your fill of the good green stuff with ops like almond, coconut and oat milks (cow’s milk is of course on offer as well). Take it up another notch with honeysuckle matcha sweetened with housemade vanilla and honey. @luckytreeraleigh
If you’re one of those people who just can’t start their day without a cup of joe, you’re probably familiar with at least a few of Raleigh’s coffee shops. They all have their own distinctive offerings and atmospheres, and they’re to be found all over our well-caffeinated city. So, in celebration of National Coffee Day Sept. 29, grab a freshly brewed cup and see how much you know about Raleigh’s vibrant coffee scene.
1 – When did the original Cup A Joe location on Hillsborough Street open? a. 1973 b. 1980 c. 1987 d. 1991
2 – 42 & Lawrence, an espresso bar and coffee lab from Larry’s Coffee, is known for its innovative menu of coffee sodas, draft lattes and nitro cold brew. Within the black and white hued space, you’ll also find signature light fixtures adorned with what object? a. Acorns b. Coffee cups c. Hats d. Jars
3 – The Optimist, a hip coffee shop located between the Oakwood and Mordecai neighborhoods, sells a seasonal specialty drink with spiced brown sugar and features the flavor of what fruit? a. Apple b. Pear c. Orange d. Pumpkin
4 – Asian-inspired coffee shop and sake bar Heirloom Brewshop was named one of America’s best new restaurants in 2019 by what nationally known food and beverage publication? a. Bon Appétit b. Food Network c. Food & Wine d. NYT Cooking
5 – Sola Coffee Cafe in north Raleigh offers a variety of coffee, espresso drinks, smoothies and juices, along with light breakfast and lunch fare including toasts, sandwiches and salads. But what mini confections are, perhaps, Sola’s most popular menu item? a. Muffins b. Scones c. Cinnamon rolls d. Doughnuts
6 – Popular Downtown Raleigh coffee shop The Morning Times uses which local coffee roaster’s beans? a. Raleigh Coffee Company b. Larry’s Coffee c. Counter Culture Coffee d. Oak City Coffee Roasters
7 – Benelux Coffee’s menu and concept were inspired by owner Steven Halaszi’s trip to which European country? a. Sweden b. Belgium c. Denmark d. France
8 – David Benson, owner of The Third Place, a neighborhood coffee shop in Five Points, is also the artist responsible for what prominent Raleigh landmark? a. The Raleigh Acorn at Moore Square b. Sir Walter Raleigh statue at the Raleigh Convention Center c. Memorial Belltower at N.C. State campus d. Shimmer Wall at the Raleigh Convention Center
9 – The Larry’s Coffee roasting center and facility in Five Points incorporates what sustainability efforts? a. Solar water-heated floors b. Rainwater-driven restrooms c. Zone heating d. All of the above
