Locally owned coffee shop and eatery Fare&Fellow is set to start brewing at Raleigh Iron Works in early 2025.
If your good mood—or entire being—is sponsored by coffee on the daily, get ready to get your grind on at Fare&Fellow. Slated to start creating buzz at Raleigh Iron Works from the Bow Truss Building in early 2025, the Durham-based drinkery + eatery crafts coffee and espresso bevs and chef-curated meals with an emphasis on fresh hyperlocal ingredients—think bread from Union Special, dairy from Homeland Creamery and beans from local roasters.
“As lifelong residents of Raleigh, we are ecstatic to join the amazing community at Raleigh Iron Works,” says founder Lindsay Gresock. “This is a dream come true, and we can’t wait to continue to plant our roots here and serve the incredible community that has supported us for so many years. We’re excited for you to join us at the table.” So, prepare to pull up a chair and perk up!fareandfellow.com
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee is becoming an increasingly familiar scent in the City of Oaks as a wave of new coffee shops are percolating around town. From out-of-town franchises setting up shop to homegrown cafes making their debut, the local scene is experiencing somewhat of a renaissance. Not shocking given coffee is the moment—and Raleigh ranks among some of the top cities for java junkies.
Already serving a host of creative coffee shops, the nine (!) recently announced or opened cafes add brewing diversity. And it’s not just Raleigh. The country as a whole is seeing exponential growth in the coffee industry, with the market currently estimated at $28.06 billion and expected to reach $33.64 billion by 2029. Driving those dollars, smaller specialty coffee shops are especially having their moment—and giving big-name brands a run for their money.
And, really, with so many locally owned options, why choose a chain? “I was a daily Dunkin’ or Starbucks drinker until this past winter because I lived and worked in a veritable local coffee desert,” said one avid coffee drinker we spoke to. “Now I would sooner skip coffee than drink the chains—and am obsessed with the sudden abundance of selects.”
Locally, owner Jason Cox of DTR newcomer and already uberpopular Press says the caffeinated surge of entrepreneurial operators bringing their own unique ideas to the area is reflective of Raleigh’s continued growth—“not just in its population, but its stature as a rising city and the desires that come with that,” he says. … “A growing market appreciates the variety itself—in products, in atmosphere, in ethos and so on.”
To wit, Raleigh’s coffee shops aren’t just about coffee; they offer a variety of experiences that intentionally cater to different tastes. Press, for instance, blends European-inspired offerings with local flavors, while Wilmington-based Drift’s new West Raleigh location made an instant splash with its MO of modern wellness and menu featuring seaside breakfast, brunch and lunch favorites. Raleigh Iron Works’ upcoming Fare&Fellow, meanwhile, promises hyperlocal products from Homeland Creamery, Union Special and local roasters once it bows early next year.
Ultimately the eyes on Raleigh speak to the city’s principles of quality and community—core values in coffee shop culture. “We believe the demographic in Raleigh appreciates a similar lifestyle and values that lead to a life best lived,” says Drift co-founder Michael Powell. “We wanted to share that with them in the place they call home.”
But it’s not just a one-and-done for these new Raleigh coffee locations. Both Cox and Powell are looking ahead to exciting development on the horizon for Raleigh’s coffee culture. Cox envisions a broader range of offerings, especially at Press, where tea will also be further emphasized for those who don’t enjoy java or just want the option of something less caffeine-heavy.
“I also expect more and more new operators to have food menus that are broader than we have had in the market historically, blending the coffee shop experience into the cafe focus that we have here,” he adds.
For Powell, technology and consistent quality-driven experiences are what he sees as the guiding factors for the future of Raleigh’s cafe scene. “The operators who create distinct experiences will set the standard for coffee consumers in the area,” he maintains. All to say, Raleigh cuppa lovers have a lot to look forward to—and there’s only more brewing on the horizon.
Now tuning and brewing on Maywood Avenue, Chapel of Bones is presenting a new-to-the-area twist on caffeination, cocktails and concerts—all in one space.
By day, venture into the moody environs for creative cuppas (hey, Shot in the Dark and New Americano Gospel!) brewed with beans from Greensboro-based Fortuna Coffee. Or hit up the bar post-7pm Fridays and Saturdays for spirited libations and good vibrations via live music on select days.
“The atmosphere stays mellow during the day to facilitate the coffee-shop vibe,” notes GM Dylan Jackson. “[The founders] are all metalheads, but we want it to be an inclusive space—and the neighborhood has really embraced us.”
Inspired by the architecture of the circa-16th century Capela dos Ossos (aka a chapel of human skeletons created by monks) and now-shuttered Pittsburgh heavy metal coffee shop Black Forge, the lounge-meets-music venue operates as an ode to the heavy metal music scene—as well as The Maywood and Volume 11 Tavern that operated in the warehouse space before it.
When it comes to tunes, Chapel of Bones primarily showcases a mix of local and regional acts, with international names sprinkled in. “The concept is so unique that we’ve had large acts reach out and want to be involved,” says Jackson. See: well-known death metal bands Incantation and Exhumed recently rocking out—and keep your cal open for a stacked lineup of shows sure to go hard this summer. So rock ’n’ roll up—and get ready to scream for caffeine. … That is so metal! chapelofbones.com
Five Points java hot spot extended its hours—and added a ~dope~ lineup to its offerings
Prepare to perk up. Local fave Five Points java + foodie joint The Third Place lengthened its hours by popular demand Fri.–Sun until 2pm (!). And extending the grind, the nearly 30-year-old spot (nee 1994) recently debuted a WINK line of Delta-8-infused baked goodies.
“After our 4/20 celebration [last year], our customers started asking for our recipes to include Delta-8,” says the shop’s operations manager JJ Johnston. “We are thrilled to offer our traditional in-house baked goods right next to the new, ‘special’ (*wink, wink*) baked goods and beverages our customers have loved for the last thirty years. Come hang out with us until 2pm!”
Beyond the buzz, keep your eyes peeled for WINK-infused bevs in the works. … Ready to get your munch(ie) on? thirdplaceraleigh.com
One of Wilmington’s most popular coffee shops is coasting into Raleigh.
Raleigh is getting a little taste of the coast—literally—as Ocean Isle Beach-founded Drift is, ahem, drifting into Ridgewood Shopping Center this summer. Finally, you won’t have to drive ~two hours for those ’Grammable lattes or bangin’ breakfast burritos (#bless).
The brainchild of UNCW alums and brothers Ben and Michael Powell, the buzzy coffee shop and kitchen brewed up out of burnout. After years of competing and traveling across the globe as part of the World Surf League qualifying series, Michael began to feel jaded with the sport. “I realized I wanted something else,” he recalls, asking himself at the time: “How do I find satisfaction without winning?”
Naturally, he found inspo in a cup of coffee—where lots of great ideas percolate. But beyond shored wave ambitions, the eager former surfer credits Einstein, Mozart and other historical caffeinated and impactful intellectuals as additional inspo.
“I got really interested in the product,” says Michael of his burgeoning love for java, which began during his travels—especially in Australia. “I just felt super taken care of and got inspired. There was just this awakening of life and it was attached to coffee.”
Ultimately, Down Under is the vibe Drift echoes via its signature lean into modern wellness—physical, social, mental, emotional and spiritual. “Our mission is to inspire modern wellness through coffee, food and connection,” he maintains.
At the forefront, find that health-focused food and bev menu, which Michael says the brand is continuing to dive deeper into at an affordable price point. To wit, the upcoming Raleigh cafe will mirror the full-service menu found at Drift’s Wrightsville Beach location, with scratchmade breakfast, brunch, lunch and coffee (s/o local Black & White Coffee Roasters!) selects—plus an expanded, more decadent food menu and cocktails as well. In addition to the cult-favorite breakfast burritos, popular food ops include the fried chicken sandwich, Nutella French toast, eggs Benedict, and sweet and savory bowls.
“Doing [the modern wellness concept] around the ritualistic nature of coffee and breakfast is providing that one-stop shop to feel comfortable, feel taken care of, and to be served products that align with that individual’s values,” emphasizes Michael.
That comfort is of course best served over beachy vibes, complete with Drift’s token laid-back, inviting atmosphere—not to mention a patio ideal for soaking up the sun on a warm day.
“We already serve a lot of people from this community,” adds Michael—“and we’re eager to be in a new market and serve people healthy, fun and delicious options.” Get ready to catch the drift. driftcoffee.kitchen
