Lanza’s Cafe

I love the community elements of this café. The events calendar, the aspirational writings in the bathroom etc. And they have lots of great spaces to sit, but it is not a quiet space! Which is fine. Just for those wishing a more intimate environment, to work on projects, it’s a bit loud. My only complaint is that I wish they had a wider selection of pastries. Or things that were not pastry-like? Just some different varieties of food. Overall, my Cortado was very good! Also, it would’ve been lovely to sit outside but it was so darn hot! i’m certain that doubles their seating in the milder months.

I came into Lanza's looking for a walkable coffee place near me but instead got met with a relaxing yet jointly studious environment. I sat at the bar and drank my coffee peacefully and fell into conversation with a nice lady sitting beside me about just life in general. Come to find out, that was one of the owners!! Definitely recommend!!!

Lanza’s Cafe is easily one of my favorite coffee spots in the Chapel Hill–Carrboro area. The space is incredibly cozy — perfect for studying, catching up with friends, or just enjoying a quiet moment with a great cup of coffee. Their drinks are consistently excellent, and the pastries are always fresh and delicious. In the warmer months, their outdoor patio is a huge bonus. It’s a relaxed, welcoming space that makes you want to stay longer than planned. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, Lanza’s is one of those places that feels instantly comfortable and reliably good. Highly recommend!

I’m what you’d call a “regular” at Lanza’s-and I’m thrilled I found it. The owners and baristas feel like extended family, the vibe is hip, eclectic, and fun, and the outdoor space is incredible—beautifully kept and perfect for lingering. Lanza’s is basically Cheers:everyone knows your name, but you’re also allowed to get work done without committing to a life story. Plus, there’s a bar-so whether you want a coffee, a beer, or a cocktail, Lanza’s has you covered. Honestly, Carrboro wouldn’t be the same without it. 🍻☕💚

I visited here only once (so far!!! I WILL RETURN-was just visiting town). It was months ago… I remember loving it and asking the sweet barista if she had any stickers. It’s kind of my thing… In new towns I like to visit coffee shops and if I like them, I get a sticker and put it on my water bottle to remember the place so I know to go back there :-)… the barista said that they were out but would be ordering more soon. She asked me for my address and said she would send me one when she got more… Like I said it’s been months :-) Today I received this in the mail see attached photo… It made my day it made me feel so good to get this letter and to feel remembered. Customer service is very important to me. As I also am in customer service. Lanza Cafe remembered me. That makes me smile. Great job guys. I will definitely be back and highly recommend ❤️❤️❤️ Included with the letter are two of the cutest stickers will also attach photo.

Came here for the first time with my sister (after driving past it so many times!) , Lanza’s Cafe is such a neat place! Coffee was delicious, food was amazing and satisfying, the atmosphere was welcoming and I didn’t feel out of place. Will be returning soon!

Cozy, homey, warm, local-roots coffee shop with a fun social calendar! Very eclectic. Mugs & furniture are mismashed, food options are very “ski chalet meets study core” (burritos, chili, pizza, sandwiches, pastries) Coffee, matcha, hot cocoa, brew coffee, large herbal tea selection, wine, beer, $9-11 smoothies, milk options (whole, oat, almond, soy, low fat, non-fat, etc). Italian! Wifi, some outlets, indoor & outdoor seating, great work working and studying. Usually packed during exams / on weekends. Table-sharing is very normal. They have fun nights like Sunday jazz and trivia. Very communal feel. Books sprawled. Decorated for Christmas. Really amazing spot 🤍 been going here for years! Also, woman owned :)

I went on a Sunday afternoon, January 4 2026. It was nice out, so I sat outside. Someone decided that a beautiful Sunday afternoon with lots of customers outside was a great time to leaf blow the area. I was having leaves blown directly at/on me while trying to read. I got fed up and left when I had to blow dust and leaves off my computer twice and had to dump my tea out because it had dust, leaves, and a hair blown into it. Who decides to loudly blow leaves at their paying customers on a beautiful, busy afternoon?

Great cafe with a cozy family friendly environment. Lots of board games and weekly events. A treasure in my option!

Came to meet up with a friend and got a London fog iced. The place is cute, they have events which is neat and a lot of people seem to like it because on a Sunday afternoon it was PACKED which obviously wasn't super nice when it feels like a zoo (not the establishments fault obviously but if you have problems with lots of people this may not be the place for you). People seem to study- meet for music sessions, and chat. Dogs are allowed leashed outside. I will say I was a little bit disappointed with my ice London fog. It definitely tasted watered down. I was kind of expecting something with a lot of flavor, especially considering it was pretty expensive just to get 2 drinks at like $11 for a small medium and a large. There's parking across the street, so thankfully it's relatively easily to find a place to leave your car without having to pay . Either way, I just felt like the price was a lot for what you get. Not necessarily sure I'd be back because the drinks didn't allow me and it's kind of just out-of-the-way in Carrboro (for me)

| Overview + Inviting ambiance + Nice outdoor area + Friendly customer service - Overpriced coffee - Lack of sweetness - Environmental-friendly cup looks like a joke - Front door needs to be fixed - Limited Parking space in gravel lot | Review Got a large iced latte with maple syrup + oat milk (+0.75) for my girl; price: $7.79. Paper cup looks cheap for pricey, mediocre coffee. Straw doesn't seem to be compatible with the container as it was hard to sip the coffee with it. My girl asked barrista to not make it just slightly sweet but ended up having no sweetness at all. Lanza's Cafe has a homely vibe with cozy atmosphere inside and nice outdoor sitting outside. Had a bit of trouble finding parking space and gravel lot is not ideal. There were many UNC students hanging out, with their laptops when we arrived. There's a vibrant, local vibe inside. When my girl opened the cafe's front door, it slammed hard when it closed, bothering some people enterung behind her. She apologized to them but it's the door's fault - That needs fixing, for sure. Despite its wonderful indoor and outdoor ambiance, Lanza's failed to deliver quality coffee. Compared to Common Grounds Coffee in downtown Apex, this cafe in downtown Carrboro is a major letdown. | Overall Score: 1.6/5

My girlfriend brought me to this cafe and honestly, I wish California had more places like this. The atmosphere is so warm and welcoming, and I love the inside space. Decent amount of seating inside for a good study session. There is this little space right before you enter that offers this greenhouse vibe. Wonderful spot to study. The outside also offers a lot of seats. The drinks too came out quick, but nothing too fancy!

I've said it before and I'll say it again - a coffee spot is defined by its ambiance. Otherwise, why wouldn't all millenials just Chemex at home? Or get an espresso at any number of nearby competitors? Lanza does the ambiance exquisitely well, with a homely, eclectic spin on furnishings that somehow comes together just well enough to be pleasing. Otherwise, staff were kind, and the coffee met expectations. Seating is abundant too, another boon of adequate furnishing - Lanza will be going on the coffee shop rotation. Don't forget that you can also come in the evening to yap with friends over some wine!

I came here to study with a friend and it was quite crowded. But there were seats available. I got the quiche which was a bit pricey for what a got. Nothing special but a good study snack.

Love Lanza's and will keep coming back. Great tea and wine selection available, reasonable prices and always a vibe inside. Almost always fills up, but there is plenty of seating inside & out. Always a warm welcome here!

What a neat little cafe! I love the mismatched furniture and mugs. The staff was very friendly and drinks came out quickly. There was also a case stocked full of delicious-looking pastries. I sat on the screened in patio which was filled with plants and enjoyed a nice day outdoors. A perfect place for studying or hanging out with a friend. The coffee was very good and I will definitely come back!

Really cute and vibey coffee shop. They looked to have great food options (including vegan cheese!) but I only opted for an americano to drink. The americano is delicious. Wish I had time to stay a while - they had a musician setting up, tons of seats, walls covered in art, and cute items available to purchase! I love art and trinkets so this place definitely spoke to me. Service was quick and I will remember this spot next time back in town!

My fiancé and I went here yesterday and have not stopped thinking about their nutella latte and cinnamon toast crunch latte. The owner, Cristina, is awesome. The service was fast. The vibes were immaculate. We are over 30 minutes away, but will definitely be back!!

Food and drink tasted great no doubt. Service was good. Was pretty blown the turkey ciabatta only had three slices of meat on it at $9.50

I want to love Lanzas, I have many friends who do, but I had a poor experience there. The community and ambiance was exactly up to my speed - very cozy with board games in the back. I ordered a sandwich with vegan cheese, and since they were a largely vegan restaurant, I assumed that wouldn't be an issue. The issue, however, was that they prepackage their sandwiches, so they couldn't replace the cheese. Since I already paid, they offered to substitute my order with any other food item, so I asked for a vegan cheese pizza (can you tell I was craving cheese?). They claimed it would take only 30 minutes. That was perfect, because I had to leave in exactly 35 minutes for an exam. After 30 minutes, still no pizza. When I asked for an update, they said they had just placed it in the oven and it would be ready in another 15 minutes... I was in a hurry so I had them take it out and put it in a box for me to take home and rebake later. So there I was, disappointed, hungry, and without an edible lunch before my 3 hour exam. When I got home I rebaked the pizza, and it did not live up to my expectations. Perhaps it would've tasted better at the cafe, but the fact that it took them so much time to make a simple cheese pizza on a Wednesday afternoon that wasn't too crowded was disappointing.

I really like this place! The coffee and pastries are really good, and the space is large and cozy. There's plenty of seating inside, as well as in a sort of in-between-outside-and-inside space with comfy couches. Last time I came here, I got a muffin and a cappuccino, both of which were really excellent. Prices are as high as any other coffee shop in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area, but considering that this place actually has plentiful parking and that the vibes are great, I'm more accepting of the expense. Highly recommend!

Came to Lanza From an Ad Post on Eventbrite for a "Short Indie Movie Film Series." This Offered People Within the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill Areas to Show Their Short Films on Display to the Local Public. Just About Every Night Lanza Host Different Events Like These Open To The Public. Aside from Their Events, They Have Really Good Selection of Hearty Food & Alternative Options For Those Who Are Vegan & Gluten Free. Their Selection Range From Breakfast & Lunch (Monday - Thursday, til' 3 PM / ALL DAY, Fri - Sun), Local Coffee & Draft Beer, Herbal/Natural Tea, Wine & Savory Desserts. As far As Customer Service, The Staff is Friendly and Has a Welcoming Atmospheric Setting Which Compliments Carrboro Area. Overall, Nice Hangout Spot. For More About Me & This Blog, Tap The Link In The Bio. This Content Was Provided By Created Memories LLC Media Company ©.

A cute little place to stop by to read! By far one of the coziest, comfortable places in the Chapel Hill area for grabbing a coffee or tea. It is nicely decorated, has a nice little sunporch area, and has some tasty, unique drink choices! The baristas were prompt and kind! I would totally recommend!

The outdoor garden space, indoor study good conversation spaces, art, artisan items for sale, cleanliness, pastries and hot and cold beverage choices are lovely. The cinnamon rolls are unmatched. The lighter fare options I have not tried as other reviews have mentioned could use some suggestions. The overstuffed furniture sections would be great for lounging if not for the spring discomfort of the seats for an ole' gal like myself. A slight update of lighter fare options and comfy gramma chairs would put this little gem over the top to an A++. Overall this is a yes!! I want to return here again and again by choice!

I really wanted to love this place. I love the original and one a bit closer would be amazing. My husband and I went I the morning for tea and breakfast. We were disappointed. The atmosphere was ok, obviously it can't compare to the beautiful expanse as the original so that's not a fair comparison. The cashier was at best apathetic, but that's not a huge deal. When we went to order the majority of the listed breakfast options were crossed out. Many teas were also crossed out/unavailable. Smoothies and bowls were not allowed extras or substitutions. We did get a tea. It was ok and the pot kept it warm but with the lack of available teas we wanted to order and breakfast bites it was a lackluster experience.

Pros: The baristas are very nice, decor is cute, drinks are good, veg/vegan options. Cons: Waaaay overpriced. Many pastries cost more than they should. $1.50 surcharge for plant milks. $1.50! I just can't support that.

Great place to get a pot of tea and study. There are lots of chairs inside, in an enclosed patio, and outdoors. I like the scones. On nice days, lots of students of all ages work on projects here. There are also board games you can play.

Great little Cafe. The warmth and ambiance of Lanza's Cafe is the polar opposite of the Grey Squirrel down the street. It's actually a great contrast. Lanza's is warm and inviting, the staff is friendly and talented. They actually know how to make a cappuccino. Food is basic and a bit expensive, but that seems to be the norm in Chapel Hill / Carrboro. They also have beer,mead and mimosas. Highly recommended; especially if you just need a place with human cafe background noise to het your homework done.

The parking is a little bit unmarked, but plentiful for the building. I'm starting with that because it's the only reason it doesn't get five stars for me - the cafe itself is spacious, the little porch you enter onto first has some seating if you don't want to sit in the main portion - it's an all around relaxing place. I tried one of their meads (When Lemon Met Ginger) and one tea (Balancing the Moon). My friend and I got the large pot of tea (two actually), and I dont' know what I would really call it a large but the tea itself was so mild and calming; the mead reminded me of a kombucha I had - a little punchy, very forward on the ginger. Would definitely go back if I'm back up in in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area!

$5 for a blueberry muffin, y'all. I don't understand it. I know we're in COVID times, but if you're trying to get a donation, just ask for one. As far as I can tell, the muffin is not magic. It was, in fact, quite dry.

Lots of options for drinks and food!! I recommend both their coffee & teas. A little pricey, but I guess that's everywhere nowadays. At least Lanza's has almost anything you could want! They have coffee, tea, pastries, pizza, breakfast sandwiches, bagels, and even a soup of the day! They offer vegan/vegetarian options. I would choose them over & over again just because of all the options. Lanza's has a cozy vibe and the staff is very welcoming!! They have bar seating, tables, comfy chairs & couches. Indoor, outdoor, and even "porch" seating is available. I moved to the triangle about a year ago & searched and searched for a coffee shop that reminded me of home... a year later & I have found the spot! LANZA'S!

an absolute gem! my favorite place to study and hang out! i come here at least once a week. their coffee is fantastic! their pastries are delicious as well. there's plenty of tables and couches, both inside and outside. there's board games if you need a break, and plenty of decorations to look at. it's very inviting. staff is so friendly too! this is the place to go for whatever you're looking for !

The bagel sandwich with pork sausage is sooooo delicious, I really like it. Black tea is great too

This cafe is AWESOME. I used to come here a lot as a medical student, and it is still part of my coffee shop rotational visits now to get some work done! Tea, coffee, lattes, scones (from Bread & Butter), loco pops - you name it and they have it. It is also one of the few places in Chapel Hill (other than Joe Van Gogh) that carries the lavender syrup for lavender lattes, which are now my go-to drinks here. So smooth and delicious! It is on the pricier end, but I think most coffee shops in the area are. I get my latte for $4-5 here, but it's a 12 oz. Their teas are also great, and I've really enjoyed their green teas. Ambiance: Their pink brick walls are gorgeous on the inside and I love their wall art. It's a colorful, cheerful, cozy place. There are tables with chairs that have backrests, and then also a couch-like living room area in the back. This is the main room when you enter where the counter is, but then there's another separate room to the right which also has more seating. Overall, there is a LOT of seating, but don't be fooled --- in the afternoons, especially on weekends, it can fill up! Same for parking, lots of it in the back, but also fills up. So get here earlier in the day if you can. There is limited outdoor seating as well! FYI - there's free wifi that's not password protected, and when it's super crowded, it can be a bit slow.

There is something about this place that keeps me coming back, and yet every time I do, something falls short. Whether it's the lack of table space or drinks that are less than perfect, there is always something. Even though this place is a little out of the way, I don't mind coming out away from the hustle and bustle. It's mostly easy to park in the gravel lot, and there is a nice grassy area and playground for the kiddos. There are picnic tables as well to hang out if you're okay with bees buzzing about. The cafe itself sits up high and has a few high top tables that are usually taken by people studying or doing homework. It's a little interesting to see this demographic out this way, somewhere that is not a Starbucks or Panera. This causes a long line of customers and not as many available tables as some older folks would like. Given the grassy area outside, I wish more tables could be placed out there or even lawn chairs. Anyway, when it comes to the food and drinks, there is work to be done. The iced teas lack flavor and availability. The foods are not that filling, so I wouldn't rely on them. And some of the other drinks are watered down. Furthermore, the prices here are nothing to sneeze at. Bottom line: This place has the right intentions, but it has some beverage kinks to work out.

I love this place. I was surprised that it only has 3 1/2 stars so I read the reviews giving 1-2 stars and I'll just say this: Make up your own mind. The coffee is delicious and the pastries are, too!! The outdoor space is perfect. My favorite coffee shop.

I really want to love this cafe. They revamped this place, and I adore the new layout inside. I was initially disappointed when they cut down the size, but when I asked it made sense. It is a great study atmosphere and there's ample outdoor and indoor seating. My go-to spot is the high table that looks out to the street. I like that they have a covering over that area. This way I can sit "outside" without the pollen raiding my space. For use of space, interior, and vibe I would give this place 5 stars. THOUGH.... the drinks do need work. I've ordered different teas on multiple occasions, but they seem to always out of my first and second choices. I got the iced coffee, and it was way too watered down. Another time I got matcha latte, but it was overly sweet. Matcha latte should be focused on the bitter notes of the matcha, but I didn't get much of that. I had to ask for more milk to counter the sweetness. They were really nice about that, and they asked how it can be improved. Thus, Honeysuckle's customer service is great! All the workers genuinely want you to enjoy what you ordered. They gladly remake it and I don't get scared to ask. I believe this cafe will get better, and I look forward to that!

I have had a terrible experience at this business. This is no fault of the wonderful baristas or the mead maker. This business falsely advertises that their tea is made at their farm, which is not true. I have also heard stories that the management treats their employees unethically. This means long shifts with no breaks, disregard for their marginalized identities (race/sexuality) , and verbal harassments. I don't recommend anyone supporting this business.

This is a nice spot to study. They have a good selection of drinks and food, including sandwiches for meals. The outdoor seating is great for people watching and there's outlets outside, as well as inside. Every time I've been here, I've had excellent service and encountered very friendly staff. My one gripe is that the pastries typically sell out in the middle of the day so there's not much selection left if you're hoping to order something after 4PM. This is NOT the Honeysuckle Cafe that is out in the middle of the woods, with live music and gardens, but I also appreciate that this location emphasizes local food and fresh ingredients. I love the hot chocolate at this cafe. It's sweet and creamy and they serve it in a cute little glass cup if you order it "for here." There's also plenty of parking!

I really enjoy the atmosphere of Lanzas, the people and I go often, however they never have more than one person working so it's so slow. I ordered an iced coffee to go and he gave me a hot mug, it was a nice day so I didn't mind staying instead and sitting outside, however I'm lactose intolerant and after a few sips I already knew it wasn't oat milk, and had to leave having spent 7$ on a coffee I didn't want that gave me a stomach ache.

This place is soo cool. Super comfy, quiet great place to get some work done. Grabbed a mimosa and dragon fruit tea. It was soo peaceful and relaxing. 10/10!

I've eaten here twice and been disappointed both times. On each visit the counter staff were distracted by private conversations that kept me waiting to place my order. For an establishment that calls itself a "café," food choices here are surprisingly limited to a minimal selection of unappealing display-case items. I was hoping to have breakfast one morning but could only order a toasted "everything" bagel with cream cheese. There is no table service at this "café." Required to collect my bagel at the counter, I noticed that the presentation included a lopsided dinner knife stuck inside a small tipped-over aluminum dipping bowl of cream cheese. Napkins had to be collected from a self-serve station adjacent to the counter. Awkward! For me, the kicker was having to interact with a computer screen checkout system that, before processing my credit card, prompted me to tip the counter staff! For what? Are you kidding me? There is no effort here at making customers comfortable. The aesthetic is like that of a badly-converted garage: unimproved ceiling, cement floor, random abstract wall art and wobbly wooden tables (unwiped). With jarringly unlistenable "alternative" music spilling from the sound system, customers are left to finish their meager meals and get out as fast as they can. If this is what wannabe hipster Carrboro culture aspires to, count me out.

One of my absolute favorite places to study in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area. Gets very crowded in the evenings but during the day it's pretty easy to find a table. There's also nice outdoor seating and roofed patio in the front. Only thing that could be improved is the food selection, but they have a great assortment of beer, wine, tea, and coffee.

Love the vibe in here to study or just chill. The vegan tartine is so good, I've also had the banana bread! All their baked goods look amazing, and I think they have so many options that keeps you coming back to study and try new things. Great coffee and drinks too!

The new management is terrible and treats their staff like trash. They were a personal favorite as looking glass, but unfortunately I just can't justify going there now.

Here's my experience: I go in to support a local coffee shop. The barista is annoyed I'm there and has to get off her laptop. When I swipe my credit card to pay, I'm only given options to tip 20%, 30%, and 40%. Remember when tipping was related to the quality of service?

This is a cute, cool cafe with lots of outdoor seating, snacks and things to entertain yourself with if you don't want to study. Love that they also sell popsicles, which are a MUST with this crazy heat we've been having. Prices are fair, if even a bit cheaper than the other coffee spots in the area. Good place for groups, too!

This is a good place to do work but best to avoid the coffee and often the staff. There are a bunch of tables and couches to work at and there's a nice outdoor seating. But the coffee is often not done well, it takes a while to get your order, and the staff sometimes seem like they are bothered by your order. I have also tried the iced teas and had to throw mine away as it was so bitter tasting it was inedible. The prices here are expensive too. The food sounds good but I never see any food out. The only food I see out ever is day old baked goods on sale...

Friendly café with seating FOR DAYS. This is the perfect spot for everything: study, meeting friends, getting a quick bite, and of course, drinking coffee (or tea!). There's different ambiances in all 8 corners (because there's two rooms...); a cozy corner for keeping to oneself, a fish tank with a bench for hanging out and socializing, a window seat to watch the pedestrians... it's really anything you want it to be. Great hours, friendly staff, good drinks. Checked all the boxes!

I came upon this place when I was searching for other cafe and I got lost. I thought the food here was tasty and the service was good. The bathrooms are a little complicated because they are in the hallway shared with the bike store next door. There's free wifi and plenty of inside and outside seating. People were polite enough to take their phone calls outside. I ordered a pesto chicken bagel and had the fresh unsweetened tea of the day. Both were good. The prices weren't the cheapest, but average.

This is a very nice coffee shop with competent baristas who know their beans. The seating is ample and attractive both indoors and out, and there is a decent array of pastries, fresh pressed (if expensive!) Humdinger juice and paninis made to order. Pros: the baristas really know their shit and are very supportive of your tasting experience. The average soccer mom who wants a skinny vanilla latte may not think so, but if you want that crap you should go to Starbuck's anyway. I'll be drinking here when I'm in Carrboro. Cons: The coffee selection is a little limited, or at least it was when I visited, and the drip coffee is Fetco in an urn. The only beans they use are Carrboro Coffee. While the owner of that roastery knows his beans and puts out good fresh product, my personal taste preferences are for lighter roast profiles (CounterCulture, Blue Bottle, etc) and naturals. This said, their espresso blend is solid and you can get a pourover if you really want one, though it's not their specialty. Overall: A solid four stars. Worth stopping for a drink that will be much better than the average cup o'joe.

I wrote the following review before giving this place 5 stars. Skip to the bottom if you want to see why I took a star off. "A brand new neighborhood cafe in Carrboro - and I love it, it's now a favorite. The Looking Glass Cafe has indoor and outdoor areas, take your pick. Indoors there is a variety of seating including some funky chairs that you can sink into, and there are tables perfect for studying or doing work. There is free internet, you just have to ask for the password. And there are board games you can borrow to play with your friends. When I went in yesterday they were playing music I like too, including some PG rated hip-hop and I think some downtempo. And there was art on the walls. Walk all the way through the cafe, and there is a head shop in the back with bongs! And I think they have skating gear too if I remember correctly. Outdoors there are more tables and chairs, and even a picnic table in the grass. There is a covered area you can sit under if it rains. Also there's a bike rack. And some flowers in pots. Lovely place to sit on a nice day, and I'm guessing if you want to bring a dog, this would be a good spot to visit. The only complaints I have is that, at least as of now, they don't have espresso, and maybe not wine. Boooo. And they are not open super late, but if they get enough business, I bet that will change, so come by and help this new business succeed! So far it is certainly seemed to be off to a nice start with plenty of customers, at least when I went by. Yay Looking Glass Cafe." Took a star off because I noticed they do not have a place on the credit card slip for customers to leave tips. That gives me the impression the employees probably are not treated well. That seems pretty important to me. Also I have overhead tension between the owner and employees. Not good for the vibe of the place. Ever since it has not felt as warm and fuzzy in there. One other thing, the coffee is pretty weak. I still enjoy the change of atmosphere, and think the place has great potential, but I hope that employees will start to be treated better, and that the coffee will get stronger!

This used to be an outstanding cafe when it was known as the Looking Glass. Its greatest strength was its vibe. It was easygoing, and it felt like a real community hangout, while still being a great spot to study/work. The baristas had a great rapport with each other and with the regulars. Sadly, Honeysuckle ruined that atmosphere. Ownership decided to crack down on its employees. They eliminated breaks, eliminated bonuses for closing and required them to re-apply for their jobs at lower pay. As a result, it seems that all of the former long-serving employees are gone. Knowing that management disrespects their workers makes this environment toxic and uncomfortable to me. The customer experience has also deteriorated in other important ways. There are constant disruptions from renovations. The hours seem to change from one day to the next. Prices for food items have gone up, while quality has not (some are reportedly being sourced from Costco, despite many local options). The art has mostly been replaced with Honeysuckle promotional posters. And the side room, my favorite indoor section, has been sold off to another business.

I went to honeysuckle and got served a muffin with mold and strings of expired flax!! Was absolutley disgusting and upon complaining I was served "fresh" things from the back that weren't on display!!! Ridiculous

I've been to this place numerous times because I liked the outdoor seating options and it's often less crowded than other Carrboro spots. However, I will not be returning in the future. It appears the new owners have made a lot of changes, the most damning of which is not allowing their employees any breaks during their shifts. I want to give my money to a place where employees are compensated well, happy, and excited to chat with me, which the policies of this place are not set up to produce. I will be doing my coffee drinking at Open Eye instead.

Note that any reviews older than a couple of months ago refer to the business that was previously housed in this location, The Looking Glass Café. The new business is apparently allowed to use their old reviews to bolster their business, which seems very misleading since it's a separate business under new ownership. Anyway, I've been here three times now. The first time I came looking for a sweet or baked good of some kind and there was not one single thing available. The second time I came for coffee and had to deal with an an incredibly rude barista. They ran out of coffee and were only able to fill half of the large cup I ordered. She told me (after I paid for a large) that it would be a 5-7 minute wait for fresh coffee and I said I didn't have time to wait as I was already running late for a meeting (the wait in line was very long in the first place). Instead of apologizing for the problem she sighed very loudly and, visibly irritated, she made a huge spectacle out of refunding the transaction and ringing it up as a small coffee (which she didn't know how to do and a coworker had to take over for her because she got so frustrated). In my experience, most places would just give a refund, but whatever. The coffee itself was not good, but maybe that's because it was the dregs? Today I picked up a bagel and took it home to toast it. Honestly, it was practically inedible it was so old and hard and stale. When you are selling bagels at a 350% markup from the bakery where you get them, the least you can do is make sure they are fresh. I couldn't even cut it with my sharp serrated bread knife and after toasting it I found it tough and challenging to eat. So far I've been extremely unimpressed with this place, but I'll give 3 stars for the atmosphere and for potential (and two out of three counter staff were nice). I'll give it another chance or two, but if things don't improve I'll never go back. There are too many other good options in town.

Guys, I'm troubled by an $8.00 smoothie. In general, most of the items are just priced way too high... not sure who the market is anymore, but judging by the large number of empty tables, I think I may not be the only one who feels this way.