Esteamed Coffee

Coffee shop · Cary

Esteamed Coffee

Coffee shop · Cary

1

114 S Academy St, Cary, NC 27511, USA

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Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null
Esteamed Coffee by null

Highlights

Kind staff, great coffee & pastries, supports disabilities  

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114 S Academy St, Cary, NC 27511, USA Get directions

esteamedcoffee.com
@esteamedcoffee

$1–10 · Menu

Information

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114 S Academy St, Cary, NC 27511, USA Get directions

+1 919 650 3470
esteamedcoffee.com
@esteamedcoffee
𝕏
@EsteamedCoffee

$1–10 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 30, 2025

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A nonprofit café employing adults with disabilities, honored by Cary Magazine readers. Expect solid espresso, local art, and frequent inclusive community events.

https://www.esteamedcoffee.com/
Things to Do in Cary (2025)
View Postcard for Esteamed Coffee

Keaton Joyce

Google
This a fantastic little coffee shop! I stopped by for a few hours to get some work done while waiting for my daughter’s school to let out. I noticed a 1 star review for the establishment not allowing dogs inside unless they are trained service animals; which means that dude has never worked in any food service place and is unreasonably mad because he got told “no”. The owner responded very well to him and that’s all I’ll say about him. The coffee shop itself is awesome! It is located right in downtown Cary, within walking distance of a lovely park, post office, library, markets, or whatever you’d need in downtown. My tea latte was prepared quickly and was just what I needed! I also tried a pastry that is supplied by a local bakery (chocolate chip cookie- classic but delicious!) And on top of all of that, the shop itself has staff that is genuinely happy to see you and will easily make you a smile with your order and by teaching you fancy new scrabble words that you never knew before! This place has a clear mission and is doing very well to achieve it! Very glad I chose to come work here today! I will be coming back!

Noah DeLisle

Google
Advertising that it’s pet friendly and not allowing a 15 lb puppy in just to order a coffee is crazy. My girlfriend went to just get a simple coffee while walking our dog and was turned away for having him. If it wasn’t for 2 kind people saying that they would wait outside with him until she gets the coffee she wouldn’t have been able to. I understand that some people might not be pet people and it is up to the owners to allow or not allow them in their place of business, however when you say advertise as pet friendly and the first picture of your place of business is a dog sitting at your place this is not right. Wish I could say I’d return to support the workers but I will not support the owners.

Alanna Long

Google
My family and I took a day trip to NC and in a true NY fashion we sniffed out a coffee shop! When we parked we loved the outside (turns out it was the back!) and decided to give it a try. I’m so glad that we did. Ladd took our order and was oh so kind! He was wonderful and so personable! Even with a line he answered questions and was so kind to us even wished me a Happy Mother’s Day! Service was extremely fast getting our 2 coffees and lemonade in under 5 mins with the line. They were incredible! Truly such a great coffee shop! My husband and I did order the same thing and one was missing cinnamon (which worked in our favor. I forgot to ask to do no cinnamon!) Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to making a perfect cuppa joe!

Katherine Stevens

Google
Incredible staff, great seasonal and standard menu! The outside and inside are gorgeous and I love the natural lighting! I got the seasonal drink, Tropical Mocha, and it was super yummy! Great presentation and quality coffee.

john mccabe

Google
Just stopped in on my way to the train station and found this place to be very nice. Cozy but tons of seating options, nice employees, and very good coffee. The food options are fine, id say theres a good selection of baked goods, but my muffin was just okay. Overall though, its a lovely option in a very walkable part of town, and its a good resource for special needs people to learn workplace skills. Ill be sure to come back!

Alex Simon

Google
My husband and I absolutely love this place! The staff are so kind and friendly. The drinks are hands down amazing, and the pastries are fantastic. We will always choose to go here when we’re visiting the area. The drinks are fantastic for either a sweet treat or a reliable usual. We’re big fans of Esteamed!

NSA

Google
Cute coffee shop with great staff They tend to hire special people and they also sell Local craft from NC artists Great matcha full of flavor Several tea and coffee options and cute place to walk to from the park . Steps upfront Seems like people sit and do some studying here sometimes

Ben Matthews

Google
Molly was such a great help! I was able to enjoy my coffee and get some work done. even got to watch a bird take a sand bath.
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Jamie E.

Yelp
I stopped by on a Tuesday afternoon and was greeted by the friendliest employee at the register! I wish I had caught his name. The iced vanilla latte I ordered was delicious. I love the inclusiveness of this establishment, and really felt the spirit and joy of the cafe as soon as I walked in. It's in such a lovely location in downtown Cary. A perfect spot to grab a coffee/treat and walk around after. I will definitely be back!
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Jillian S.

Yelp
Who doesn't enjoy visiting a local cafe while supporting a great cause? Esteamed coffee is a non-profit coffee shop in downtown Cary. They provide meaningful jobs and social opportunities for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. The cafe sells coffee, tea, pastries, and locally crafted gifts. They have seasonal offerings, nearby parking, restrooms, and indoor and outdoor seating. Leashed dogs are allowed on the outdoor patio. We visited on a weekend morning. The cottage was bright, welcoming, and bustling. As we waited in line, an employee greeted us, presented the menu, and answered our questions. The walls around us were adorned in beautiful paintings. The line moved at a steady rate and soon we were enjoying our drinks and pastries at an indoor table. Overall, we had a positive experience here and recommend this cafe to others!
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Monique A.

Yelp
My husband surprised me with a trip to this cute little coffee shop on our last morning in Cary. Esteamed Coffee is located in the quaint downtown area of Cary, whose mission is, "to lower the unemployment rate and increase the quality of life for adults with intellectual, developmental, communication, and/or visual disabilities by creating meaningful jobs and social opportunities in a warm, supportive environment." That alone would have been enough for me to give this place a 5 star review, but after trying their coffee and experiencing the service, I wish I could give them 10 stars. My husband and I each tried a latte off of their Summer Menu and were very impressed. We will definitely be back on our next trip to NC!
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Tania M.

Yelp
Great location in the heart of downtown Cary. The inside and outside of the cafe is super cute and super clean. The staff was very welcoming, helpful and friendly. There is plenty of seats to enjoy your cafe drinks and pastries. There are clean bathrooms available, inside and outside seating, and merch! We were there on a Sunday in the fall so we decided to try their fall specials. Wow! Delicious! We will definitely be back.
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Aurora M.

Yelp
Such a cute and quaint experience! The energy in this coffee shop is super sweet and gentle. The coffee is delicious and the hot chocolate superb! Definitely recommend to support local shops to create an experience for your soul.
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Sara L.

Yelp
Met a friend for coffee on a Saturday morning. It was busy but tables turned fairly quickly so we found a seat without much trouble. I got a latte and they had a decent selection of non dairy milks. My coffee was great. The staff were friendly and nice. I'm not in Cary super often but I will be back next time I'm in town.
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Cheryl S.

Yelp
Great coffee, smoothies and snacks. The atmosphere is casual & comfortable, you're welcomed by the staff the minute you enter. And they're a 501(c)(3) non-profit, they only hire individuals with physical, intellectual, visual, or communication disabilities. So they can feel wanted, respected, and useful, while being gainfully employed.
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Tammy G.

Yelp
What a beautiful experience on my trip to Cary, NC! The workers were kind and attentive, my drink was delicious and I even picked up a storybook on the way (though I was surprised to see that the workers in the book did not seem to align with the story line or shop which was very confusing, but that's for a different (book)review!) Enjoyed my experience in this lovely coffee shop!
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William T.

Yelp
We had a really nice experience here! We managed to park right in front, although we came really early in the morning so your experience may differ if you prefer an afternoon coffee :) I actually had no idea I was supporting a good cause when I decided to come here, but it was a nice surprise! My latte was good and one of the employees gave us plenty of advice on the area (since we were just visiting!) and recommended the nearby Downtown Cary Park, which was gorgeous. Overall, I'd definitely recommend that people come here - good coffee and good vibes!
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Cory N.

Yelp
This was the most meaningful and pleasant experience I have ever had at a coffee shop. The art display is emotionally moving while the decor and service are something you may never have experienced. The place is cozy, has ample parking with easy access, and has excellent purpose. This place gets very busy, so try going at off hours. Remember to tip extremely well. There is no other staff in any other coffee shop that will appreciate it more.
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Chip R.

Yelp
Bottom line: Esteamed Coffee is a charming, clean, and inviting coffee shop, that as their website explains is "Coffee For A Cause" and it's wonderful. Delicious latte and a positive experience all around has me giving them all 5 stars. What a great find! The Deets: I was around the old downtown Cary area (I say old but it's been renewed lately with all the new businesses), and came across Esteamed Coffee. A cute little place both inside and out, I walked into a very bright, clean, nice coffee shop. Their webpage states they are "Coffee For A Cause" and the sign near the register states "Who We Are" and it's wonderful..."Esteamed Coffee is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to lower the 70% unemployment rate for the people with special needs and/or disabilities" it said. Excellent. My baristas that greeted me were happy and eager to help me, answered my questions, and took my order. That latte I had tasted delicious and I enjoyed not only my beverage itself but the shop with its art and its positive atmosphere on a gloomy gray day. My latte was one of the best I've had in recent memory. I am so happy I walked by and saw Esteamed Coffee and tried them out...I give them all the stars!
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Gretchen C.

Yelp
Love stopping in to this local coffee shop. Fast and friendly service and great cups of coffee. I love how they all work as a team, it makes me happy to stop in
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Lauren W.

Yelp
Super friendly service, reasonable prices, amazing mission, and affordable trinkets that truly support a good cause. Coffee itself is pretty much coffee (I had a chai latte), not the best or the worst I've ever had but served hot, with a smile and a cause. This place is absolutely worth patronizing and I'd encourage anyone to stop by. Walked out with some cool little gifts, a pretty tasty cup of Jo, and great vibes!
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K S.

Yelp
I love this place. I like to go there around 2 or 3 PM for a about two hours. I get a lot of work done on my laptop when I am there :-) . The atmosphere is great. The coffeee is great. I like the fact that I am helping people with special needs.
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Esther L.

Yelp
Came here on a weekday morning and was pleasantly greeted by the staff! I was very warmed by the welcome and loved the many latte options they offered. We ordered the Esteamed latte and Samoa latte with coconut milk. Highly recommend both lattes! We stayed here to study and loved the atmosphere and inviting environment. Will definitely be back!

Melissa R.

Yelp
This was my first time going to Esteamed Coffee. The location is perfect, the people are lovely, the inside of the shop is pretty and cozy, and my Pumpkin Spice Latte was outstanding! I love my new mug and especially my beautiful new Christmas cards designed by DJ Svoboda. I will most certainly be back! Thank you all!
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Shanelle Y.

Yelp
Good service and yummy lattes! This was the perfect find on a cold and rainy day. They also offer a nice variety of baked goods (gluten free and vegan treats too!) although I didn't try any out today.
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Brooke F.

Yelp
Always a treat when I can stop in to grab a great coffee. They also have pastries - sweet and some savory options too. Great staff and nice experience all around.
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Lisa M.

Yelp
This coffee shop is in a cute building in a convenient location in downtown Cary. Parking is easy since there is a parking lot that wraps around it. My latte was delicious and was served fairly quickly even though the shop was busy on a weekday morning. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable of the beverage options. There is a small selection of pastries to choose from too. The cafe is light and clean and has room to sit and enjoy your beverage.
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Janki P.

Yelp
Great area, great environment, love the mission. Coffee was good as well. I ordered an iced vanilla latte and it wasn't super sweet which is how I like it. Great local business to support!
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Kaitlyn S.

Yelp
Wonderful customer service and delicious coffee! Such a great location in downtown Cary within walking distance of the new park!
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Jennifer S.

Yelp
Love, love, love everything about this little shop. Super warm and inviting as you are greeted upon entering. Coffee suggestions were fantastic. This is a 501c3 whose mission is to reduce the unemployment of people with disabilities. Stigmas and stereotypes thrown out the door. My service dog and I enjoyed great conversation and a wonderful cup of coffee
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Jennifer A.

Yelp
This place is awesome! The establishment looks so cute from outside. They have this sculpture at the back that depicts what they are about. With the current situation, they have practice social distancing, limited patron sittings but you can dine outside too. Their cashier, Chris, was so funny and being served by him was very refreshing. To top off, their food are delicious. I had a mocha that tastes better than what I would get at Other establishment and the bear claw I got was huge and looked so good. My mocha was made by Kyle. A good place to hang out, enjoy coffee, baked goods and they also sells merchandises. What more to say? They are very friendly! Support local!
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Jordan R.

Yelp
I visited this Overpacked coffee shop on the weekend. Enjoyed a nice cappuccino. Love the concept. Service was as expected. I appreciate the care and interaction. Wish the flow of the space was a little less cramped. No real reason for it to be so busy, besides a long line and less than quick service. Perhaps it was just the peak of an exceptional weekend.
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Fiona W.

Yelp
First I would like to say that this is the best coffee shop ever, I love them and their shop so much. They're one of my favorite businesses, I want to go to Esteemed Coffee soon. I miss them, I wish I had been able to go to their events that I wasn't able to go. I can't wait to see them soon, and I can't wait to hang out with them. I'm going to their events hopefully if I can, I'm so excited for the next few Esteemed Coffee events. Hi esteemed coffee bestie, besties love u miss u I miss you guys, I love you let me know if you ever need anything. I really wanted to go to their events, to their coffee shop.
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Scott H.

Yelp
You just have to live this place! They employ folks with disabilities and are a non-profit business. The employees go out of their way to get to know you and you can honestly tell they enjoy when you converse back. Oh yeah, the coffee that my got was delicious! I'll come back here when I'm in the area for sure!
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Dominique K.

Yelp
Such a lovely experience and smile put on my face. From the outside, interior and people this spot is super. From the outside you see a pleasant cafe and inside a well thought out interior to allow varying types of guests to sit and enjoy their day, conversations and beverages. So, so happy to see another place for everyone to experience- certainly my go to Saturday beverage place
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Andrew K.

Yelp
Awesome mission! Awesome coffee!! Love this place. Check out the local artisans that sell there as well!!
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Fahad S.

Yelp
Great little shop with plenty of seating indoors and a fun environment. The staff is extremely friendly and service is prompt with solid options and great tasting coffee and a selection of pastries/snacks. Great for just grabbing a coffee, sitting and chatting with friends, or even getting some work done. Would highly recommend and will definitely be returning. Added bonus is that proceeds go to a great cause!
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Cindy G.

Yelp
Great experience and a very inviting coffee shop with seasonal flavors and gluten free items available. The pumpkin spice latte had just the right amount of flavor. Nice views from the window and local art is displayed for sale.
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Dave C.

Yelp
This place has great coffee and a great mission. And a great staff. Good location and everybody should buy coffee here.
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Katie K.

Yelp
I had an amazing experience this morning at Esteamed Coffee! Anyone in town should definitely stop in for coffee and to meet the amazing team of individuals working here! I enjoyed a delicious dirty chai latte and scone. The team of hard working employees was efficient taking orders and preparing the beverages. When speaking to the owner, she was telling me how she helps these individuals with disabilities learn and use their abilities to then find other jobs in the workforce. She has a waitlist of over 30 people who want to work there! If only other businesses would be so open to giving people with disabilities an opportunity like her! I was just so impressed and will definitely be back! Love the decor and such a cute place too!
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Debra M.

Yelp
Great coffee. Cute shop. I spilled coffee on the floor while juggling all the things I was carrying - not uncommon for me. Usually this is embarrassing but the owner (i assume?) was super kind and waved me away while he took care of it. I sat outside with an old friend who hadn't been there, yet.

Alyssa C.

Yelp
Wow! What an amazing cause and staff! Truly friendly and patient. Would highly recommend supporting this business if you're in downtown Cary.
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Becky F.

Yelp
Went here for the first time yesterday and will be back! Felt like I stepped into a small town shop in a hallmark movie. Such a friendly community feeling with everyone chatting over coffee and pastries. The pumpkin spiced latte I got was great and I love their mission
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Meaghan G.

Yelp
A fantastic coffee shop in the heart of downtown Cary. We decided go take advantage of the North Carolina weather (aka 50 degrees and sunny) and strolled on in to get some lattes to go. I love the decor and merchandise, some of it really shows off the talents of the baristas (next time I'm definitely picking up some photography notecards!) They have a nice assortment of snacks, some gluten free. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable, and they make one heck of a chai tea latte. I totally recommend it! Great coffee, Great Cause. Great Choice!
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Thao L.

Yelp
Absolutely LOVEEEE this place! Super adorable decor inside and out and I love that their staff are with varying disabilities. Such a great place with a great cause! Deff will come back here again when I'm back on Cary! Go support local!
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Danielle D.

Yelp
There are so many places to get a cup of coffee or espresso. This gem of a shop in downtown Cary has the most amazing mission. If you're going to spend money on outside coffee, let it be here. I had a delicious cappuccino and enjoyed a sparkling water form this establishment. The employees are friendly, the food and beverage selection is plentiful, and they give all dogs a treat if wanted. If only every town had a coffee shop like this, the world would be a much better place. Thank you Esteamed for restoring my faith in humanity

Neosha S.

Yelp
I joined a few friends here for coffee and a chat and would recommend supporting them because of their mission - and because the coffee is good! I got a vanilla latte with oatmilk and my friend got a chai. The only reason I didn't give them five stars is the pastries weren't good. My cheese danish tasted stale, and neither I nor my friend finished our pastries. The atmosphere is very pleasant to sit and chat, and had it not been raining we would have enjoyed being outdoors. I'm glad we supported this small business that is doing good in our community!
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Bethany A.

Yelp
Love coming to this coffee shop. Owner is always there and extremely friendly. During one visit my drink tasted a little off. I asked her if it would be ok to fix it (normally I wouldn't say anything but there's a sign posted to let them know) and she did. I recommend a bear claw to go with your coffee because they are delicious. Their cause is amazing and I will continue to come here when I can!
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Cheryl M.

Yelp
While visiting Cary, we tried this cute place and glad we did. The service was excellent as well as the iced latte! The ambiance was quaint. Highly recommend this coffee shop.
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Allison W.

Yelp
Great coffee shop! Super cute in downtown Cary. I've loved everything I've gotten there. Staff is super friendly and kind!
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Bridgette S.

Yelp
I love stumbling onto new (to me) coffee shops. I had some time between carpool and a walking date with a friend and Esteamed Coffee was very close by so I popped in. I was waited on by the lovely, smiling Chandra. My hot chocolate with caramel and whipped cream was divine. I enjoyed my croissant. The venue is spotless (including the bathrooms). Everyone coming and going seem to have a positive vibe and that was so incredibly refreshing compared to the "outside" where people were angrily honking and shaking their fists. Thank you everyone at Esteemed Coffee for the great customer service and lovely breakfast. I hope to return soon!
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Cheryl C.

Yelp
This is an incredible establishment that is beautifully decorated! The staff was differently abled and incredibly welcoming which made it even more memorable! The decor consisted of dark wood and blue pillow accents! There are items for sale such as local paintings, locally crafted jewelry, and namesake (Esteamed) memorabilia! I ordered a Mocha Frappuccino that was topped with whipped cream and was incredibly delicious! It is a great place to sit and chat with friends or loved ones! Great place and wonderful atmosphere! Love everything about it!
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Andrew B.

Yelp
Finally got to visit Esteamed Coffee in downtown Cary! This quaint coffee shop serves more than just good coffee; they serve amazing attitudes and smiles too. We tried their iced vanilla lattes and their homemade chocolate chip cookie. The lattes were delicious! I find that sometimes iced lattes are mostly flavoring and no coffee but that wasn't the case! I tasted the espresso which is what I love in a good latte. The cookie was cake-y and fresh! It was so good that we went back and ordered another one. I love the cause behind this establishment and it holds a special place in my heart (previously volunteered at a disability home). All the workers are friendly and you can just tell they love their job here! If you're looking for a new favorite coffee spot, I highly recommend visiting Esteamed.
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Christen B.

Yelp
Stumbled upon this coffee shop while visiting Cary. Love the mission behind it! The staff was great and out nitro coffee was amazing too!
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June S.

Yelp
I love their mission. They're a 501c non-profit with the goal of reducing the high unemployment rate of those with special needs; who with a soul wouldn't find this respectable? And it is clear that management is actually training their staff. I see staff cleaning tables, greeting patrons, taking and preparing orders. A sign at the register asks patrons to speak clearly. The man at the register taking our orders had an unexpected humorous streak and made me laugh. AND their coffee and pastries are yummy! I had an Americano, which was good, hot, and strong. The interior and exterior are really well decorated, and staff was managing the line for orders effectively. Regardless of their mission, this is a local business with excellent service and products and you should visit!
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Ciara H.

Yelp
This place has great coffee with an amazing mission! They hire people with disabilities with a goal to lower the unemployment rate for people with disabilities. I ordered a vanilla latte and a black coffee. My latte was really good and the coffee gave me that energy I was looking for. Very clean and trendy. I loved watching the team work behind the counter!
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Brandy E.

Yelp
The business model here makes my heart sing. The differently abled staff are proud and buzzing around doing their work (safely with masks on). The even better part is that the coffee is fantastic! My husband had The Esteemed signature latte and I had the Seth special. Both were very flavorful, well balanced and extremely tasty. We'll for sure be driving over from Raleigh to make future visits!