Black & White Coffee Wake Forest

We chose Black and White Coffee Roasters as the setting to meet a brand new agent because nothing says “trust us with your future” like excellent coffee. The plan was simple. Grab two lattes. Talk business. Be helpful. Stay professional. That plan lasted about thirty seconds. The lattes showed up and immediately raised the stakes. Smooth. Balanced. Dangerous. The kind of coffee that makes you nod thoughtfully even when no one has said anything important yet. Within minutes, our new agent started asking great questions, we started giving confident answers, and everyone agreed the coffee was clearly doing most of the heavy lifting. Somewhere between sip three and sip four, we solved several life problems, mapped out a real estate strategy, and briefly considered opening a second office powered entirely by Black and White espresso. Notes were taken. None of them made sense later, but at the time they felt groundbreaking. By the end of the meeting, the agent was encouraged, we were overcaffeinated, and the lattes were gone far too quickly. Mission accomplished. If you need a place where good coffee turns into great conversations and questionable levels of confidence, Black and White Coffee Roasters delivers every time.

I have never been to their shop, but I get to drink they’re wonderful coffee through the program called Cometeer - and Black & White stands out among the best roasters in the country in my opinion! Each box I get from Cometeer, the Black & White offering is heads and shoulders above any of the other wonderful roasters. I know from the flavor of their black coffee that the roasters in charge are very skilled.

Absolutely a wonderful roaster, the best beans I’ve used by far, however the in person location lacks consistency and skill expected from a roasted with such amazing product in the past. Will never stop buying the beans as long as they stay the way they are, but I wish I knew I would get the same quality of drink every time I go. Wonderful people, service, price, and workspace.

I was told by the locals to stop here! I would not be let down! The coffee was strong, the staff was super friendly. I didn’t have to wait long at all! This is my 20th type of baristas and I’m impressed. I just might drive up from Charleston SC to enjoy great coffee

Love love love this coffee shop in Wake Forest! The coffee is the best around and the atmosphere is friendly and pleasant. I stop in as often as I can to meet up with friends or read. The people are amazing and will quickly learn your name and/or regular order. Don't forget to download the Black + White App to accrue points for a free cup! Totally worth it!!

I honestly don’t know how this place has a 4.7 stars. The coffee was awful, the barista was unfriendly and looked like she hated her job. Pretty sure the person that took our order was sick. Ordered a mocha with 2 extra shots and a Carmel macchiato with oat milk, both extra hot. What we got was probably the worst coffee I’ve had in a while and barely room temp. Honestly, as I’m writing this review I wish I had just gotten my money back then and there. $15 for two coffees. You can get better coffee Mr McDonalds at a fraction of the price. Very disappointing experience and likely will not return. You’re better off going to a place like Paul and Jack.

B&W and its team of US Barista Champions are pumping out some of the country’s best coffee for home brewing. The quality comes through in every bag of coffee. They offer a great range of coffees, and the staff at the cafe is friendly and knowledgeable. Whether you're stopping in for a drip coffee or a specialty latte, Black & White Coffee delivers great coffee in a welcoming environment. Highly recommended for anyone in Raleigh / Wake Forest area looking for some of the best coffee in the US. I live in Los Angeles, so it’s a must visit anytime I’m in NC.

I’ve been coming here for years as the coffee is mostly consistent and good. Pastries are from Strong Arm Bakery and always delicious! However recently the service at the Wake Forest location has been rather depressing. Every time I go in it seems like no one enjoys being there- no smiles no friendly chatting with customers-kind of kills the mood!

Small coffee shop, coffee is roasted on site, small batch. Was smooth with low acidity. Very nice staff.

Good coffee, but I really hate that they don't serve any drinks in ceramic cups. For me, it's one of the simple treats to be able to sit down and enjoy a beautifully crafted cappuccino, but this location has very few places to sit and the paper cups just make it feel cheap. Really want to have a local spot to love, but I end up driving to Jubala instead.

I usually roast my own beans but after a crazy week I didn't have time. I ran into Black and White Coffee and grabbed a latte and a bag of beans. I admittedly can be very picky with my coffee and was not disappointed with B&W in Wake Forest! The brown sugar cinnamon latte was delicious and smooth- I'm very excited to try their beans as well. The staff is very friendly and the shop is cozy while also giving enough space to have conversations without having to compete with noise. Overall a really cool coffee place!

I am too far to go here for coffee, but I am a monthly subscriber and can say that after a four year project of trying a different roaster or two each month from across the country, Black & White is by far my favorite. A head above the rest. The beans they roast offer flavor profiles unlike anything else out there. The processing styles they feature lead to such interesting and nuanced cups. I don't just want a great Colombian, or an interesting Ethiopian. You can get a great cup of solid beans at many small batch roasters. Black and White brings you the unique. Something different. The adventurous. As they would say, for the curious consumer. I just wished I lived closer so I could visit them in person. Until then, I'll keep my two bay a month subscription and constantly hounding them to add a four bag a month subscription. ;)

ANYONE CAN ORDER FROM ANYWHERE No, not everyone can walk into one of these shops and get a coffee, but honestly, that's not why they matter. Service is generally okay and coffee is usually brewed adequately if not moderately well... the POINT is that they have AMAZING whole bean coffee roasted at different levels with different washes from single origin to blend to whatever. THE BEST offering of whole bean coffee I have yet to find in the several states I have lived in. The Traditional is my favorite for other people to try bc it's middle of the road but very well executed. Me personally, I like to explore some of the more experimental stuff like natural anaerobic washes and what have you. Don't miss out on this roaster!

I myself do not drink coffee, but my wife and mother do. A couple of friends told me about B&W so I decided to visit and see what it's all about. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I told them that I am a coffee idiot, and they understood and asked questions about what type of coffee my mother likes. They listened and recommended one of their selections and then offered to grind it for me as I was unsure if she still had a grinder. She does not. Took the coffee to Maryland for my mom and she was very happy. The bean selected was what she likes and she had multiple cups while I was there. My wife tried some of the I stand and loved it. There were a number of customers enjoying a cup while there also. Support Local Small Businesses.

Black and White always delights. Well, at least the one in Raleigh does. Great coffee. The baristias are super friendly and chill at the same time. There is a large indoor seating area now, and the outdoor area has been beefed up with cool seating. I am partial to their pour overs and mochas... their forte, IMHO.

Delicious coffee, great location! Popped in on a Saturday morning for my usual iced vanilla latte, and it did not disappoint. The staff are very friendly and willing to answer all kinds of questions, and the coffee is great. The latte was the perfect level of sweetness, and just what I needed. Highly recommend!

Very friendly coffee shop. Not pretentious at all. And a seriously good latte. Even the decaf was excellent.

I was in the area for a work meeting and enjoyed trying white and black coffee for the first time. The staff were so nice and found a great spot to get some things done while I waited for my meeting to begin.

Delicious coffee, great location, friendly staff. Nice vibe overall. Latte is around $5 and is pretty strong.

My boyfriend is a coffee roaster, so we went out of our way to make this our first stop when coming to the area. Even from one state over, we'd heard of Black and White as one of the premier coffee roasters on the East coast. Nearby Jubala coffee is probably my favorite coffee shop of all time, so when I learned that Jubala switched to serving B&W, I figured they were the real deal. We arrived about 20 minutes before close on a Saturday. To say it kindly, we could tell the staff was in "closing time" mode. However, my boyfriend proceeded as his super-friendly self trying to make conversation as we took in the shop and ordered. Neither of us were impressed with the ambiance of the shop, but to be fair, we didn't check out the outside. Judging from the aesthetics and menu, we could tell that B&W focuses on what they do best, which is roasting. He ordered a hot oat milk latte and I ordered an iced honey oat milk latte. We agreed that these were top quality. Delicious drinks at prices we actually expected to be a little higher. However, the prices of their beans were much higher than average, which goes to show their high quality. Overall, this particular coffee shop didn't necessarily impress us, but there's no argument that B&W makes amazing coffee.

Black and White is a great little coffee shop in Wake Forest. I love their cappuccinos and espresso. I also always go home with a bag of freshly roasted beans for brewing at home! They are a little bit on the pricey side, but worth it and always have friendly and professional service.

Seriously incredible. Some of the best espresso drinks I've ever had - awesome homemade syrups and seasonal flavors, nice barristas, cool vibe, and even cooler coffee.

First time here and the Customer Service is phenomenal! I ordered a vanilla latte w/Oat milk yummy!

The coffee is good, and the staff is really friendly. I think what this is missing is it feels like you're sitting in an office complex and not a coffee shop. They need a proper drinking room that matches the other positive aspects. A beautiful thing can be tainted by the "sin" of bad presentation. It actually makes the coffee taste worse than it actually tastes. The human mind is a strange thing.

Over priced and they don't know how to follow directions per order for a simple extra hot latte.

Consistently incredible roasts, prepared perfectly. I've been drinking Black & White both at home and at their various locations for the past few years, alongside roasters all over the US--so far, nothing else matches their variety and dedication to unique, compelling flavors. 10/10, check them out when you're nearby (or order them for home)!

What do you get when two world champion baristas team up to start a coffee company? The best damn coffee shop around. Their beans are the only ones I buy.

I love Black and White coffee. LOVE. I drive up to Wake Forest every month to pick some up! we like to order coffee from a variety of roasters, but having such an excellent one so near to our home that it's a no brainer. We just picked up some of their super awesome Holiday roast at Weaver Street market, because they were out at the little popup in downtown Raleigh. The space is pretty tiny retail wise (but honestly, I've never been inside, I always bring the doggo to walk around Wake Forest so my husband goes in and gets the coffees to go!). If you are around Wake Forest (or their second location, downtown Raleigh) check them out. You will not be disappointed!

Fantastic coffee, I wasn't expecting to find such high quality in such a small town! (I'm from Montreal). Friendly service. Thank you!

If you have someone who loves all things coffee or maybe you enjoy sipping on unique tea blends, then Black & White Coffee Roasters is your spot. And now its my spot too. Both my husband and I loved our experience and the service. You can tell they take pride in serving exceptional coffee/teas to their customers. We went there on Friday,around 9:30am and found a nice quiet table in the back to do some work. My husband, whom is my barista, immediately loved the cool, laid-back atmosphere and said this was a modern, coffee lovers environment. He got into a conversation with "the two J's" about coffee beans, and countries, and pour over methodolgies, etc etc. It was fun watching him in his element and great to see employees who were so knowledgeable about the coffee they serve. I ordered a Iron Goddess tea with one of their baked good items. Their bread pudding was so good and I can't wait to return to try more !

Stop in! Its totally worth it! Kyle and Lem are the bomb. I can pretty much dream up any creation and they can do it. Menu is simple and appeals to people that aren't coffee drinkers like my mom. The tones of the coffee are my absolute fav. and I can tell a huge difference when I stop by other coffee places. Ive been told the Vanilla Is made in house and it melts my heart every time! In the mornings, I need my miracle drink! and thanks to Black and White they make it happen! Truly a hidden gem. They def need some advertising bc people are missing out! Great spot!

Best. Coffee. Ever. Absolutely love this shop. Service is always so friendly. The interior aesthetic is clean and minimalist - making it a refreshing stop for a quick cup of coffee to enjoy there or to go. They also have a small outdoor space. Grab a bag of their beans to fulfill your during the week cravings.

Great coffee and although a bit pricey, the staff is very friendly and always make amazing lattes!

By far the best coffee in the triangle and beyond! Rolesville location has great breakfast sandwiches as well! The coffee brings you back over and over again!

My expectations for coffee shops in Wake Forest were quite low, if I am being honest. I come from a town that is supposedly known for its coffee shops but compared to Black and White, the places back home are pretty average. I ordered a oatmilk chai latte and was blown away by how good it was. Chai lattes can be very hit or miss as everyone has their idea of what is best. For me, Black and White's chai is now my gold standard for the drink. It is undoubtedly the best one I have ever had. I also tried some of my husbands mocha and it was also fantastic. The coffee itself tastes so good and they do not overpower it with the added flavors. You better believe I will be back to this spot. If you are in the area with a caffeine craving, you have got to try Black and White.

It's painful to write this review. So Weds was the first time I'd ever had coffee/tea in person. My parents live in Wake Forest and send us coffee beans for Xmas and my husband's bday. We live in CA. We love their beans. I bought 2 bags in person that day. I was visiting my parents, both their iced coffees were sooo strong. With milk. Neither of them finished them. My Mom had a grumbly stomach from them later. I tasted it and told her it'd give me a tummy ache if I drank that. I got one of their teas iced. Goddess something, was a black tea. It sounded great on the menu board. But what I got was basically water with a hint of tea. I don't think they left it steep at all. I mean the hint of tea I tasted seem really good but it was soooooo under steeped it was insane. It was almost clear it was so under steeped. Lastly I'll add for all the times I've heard ppl in the South are friendly, and it seemed like everyone I met except the employees at this location were super nice and friendly. The guy working had as much charm as a cat turd. Definitely made me feel like I was a bother and interrupting his day.

The coffee is good, the service is good but the pull-apart cinnamon treat is awesome!!!

I am not a True coffee drinker but i do have a daily cup. But after having the coffee i had here today i may turn into a coffee snob. I have never had a cup of coffee that didn't need at least one packer of Splenda or sugar. That is until today. I had the vanilla latte. That coffee was so darn good. The atmosphere was pretty cool as well. A complete gem in downtown wake forest. I'm am totally impressed and will be having occasional work days at black and White from here on.

Ordered a bag of Don Lito from them. Absolutely phenomenal! These guys are currently one of the fastest growing roasters in the states. Their beans have been to the World Barista Championships multiple times and have won at nationals. Definitely give these guys a try.

We need to talk about Black & White Coffee. Seriously. If you don't know about them, you need to. Kyle and Lem are the powerhouse leaders and driving forces behind this venture, however, it is truly a team effort. I know "the crew" from when it was Back Alley: Jared, Jeff, Jenn, Amy, Josiah, and more (hi y'all!). If you don't independently know who Kyle Ramage and Lem Butler are, then you would never know their accomplishments. Google them and then come up to Wake Forest. They are humble, down to earth, and deeply rooted in driving not only the coffee community, but also the local community. The entire crew that makes this operation run are fantastic from start to finish. The menu is simple and clean. You won't find a lot of fluff here, which can be good or bad. I respect it and if I need a caramel latte fix I'll go hit up one of my other favorite coffee dealers. I'm an addict and an admitted fangirl of this crew, which is because they have solidly earned my love. The beans are good. My coffee palette is not respectable enough to appropriately appreciate what they are doing (and I know it). It's bold, tasty, and will continue to have a place in my hand and home. My favorite drink is the vanilla latte, which is done oh so well. The vanilla syrup is made in house (hi Jared!) and offers a perfect hint of sweetness while not being overpowering. The service is impeccable. If you read my other reviews you know that kind words and praise from me are hard earned and well deserved. Black & White Coffee deserves them. I have and will continue referring business to them and singing their praises not only in the Wake Forest community, but throughout the Triangle. I expect nothing less than solid performance, impressive service and warm welcomes from this crew. Additionally, they currently have partnered with two other local companies: Strong Arm Baking Company and Joeveo Drinkware. Strong Arm provides coffee cakes, cookies, and a variety of other pastries. You need this in your life! Joeveo offers a temperfect mug, which is rather impressive! Check out their product as well. My ideal recommendation is the vanilla latte with a chocolate chip sea salt cookie! Tell them Aymee C. sent you! :)

I love the coffee here. Don't get me wrong. Their drinks are seriously some of the best in the state. I've traveled the world and Black and White has one of the top-3 best coffee's I've ever had before. But when it comes to sitting down and studying, I've got to give this place 3-stars. Why? Because I've tried going over and over and over again in hopes things changed, but they haven't. First of all : it's really cold in there. It could be a 100 degrees outside and inside the shop, 20 degrees. It never gets above 50. It's a literal ice-box. No matter where you sit either. I always try to bring a jacket, but it's hard to remember when it's so hot out. Secondly, the music they play is so so so so so so LOUD! You know how most coffee shops play music at a lower level? Enough to hear but not really distinguish? Black and White plays heavy techno / rock music at a 8/10 level, which makes everyone around having meetings talk at an outdoor / yelling level. I love the atmosphere this place brings, and the drinks. But the temperature is so cold, I'm frigid! And the music is always so loud I can barely concentrate. Even with headphones on. I've worn $400 headphones to cancel the noise out and the music still seeps thru. It just causes everyone to be louder than they should, especially at a coffee shop. Also, they seem to have this back door which the staff constantly leaves open and there's some super loud machine constantly running which is another irritant. I avoid sitting near that door but on packed days, it can be difficult to find a seat. And the times I'm sitting there, I've had to personally get up and close the door myself because the staff leaves it wide open and it makes the most obnoxious sounds ever. I've just opted to go to a Starbucks at this point. I love supporting localism but at least play jazz music if you want it loud. Not heavy metal, Tiësto level EDM / rock music while people are obviously studying. I'll just go elsewhere. Hopefully things change!

Lem won best barista in the US for a reason. He even travels to get his beans from South America himself. Great product, great owner.

Delicious. Coffee. The place has a such a trendy coffee shop vibe and the baristas and staff are awesome! Even when I order decaf like a crazy person, it is still delicious. The prices are very reasonable for the amazing quality of coffee you are getting. I have had the mocha latte and the seasonal maple spice latte, and both were excellent! I definitely would recommend B&W and the chance to get to know the awesome folks working there!

A hidden gem in wake forest! At least it is for me! We're new to the area and I was very delighted to find a lovely Coffee shop near home that is local, aesthetically pleasing and has great coffee! This spot is also great for getting work done.

Excellent coffee, knowledgable staff, nice minimal atmosphere. The atmosphere feels less relaxing (old armchairs, etc) and more productive/minimal. Talk to the guys behind the counter about what coffe they suggest for you. Each coffee has a different flavor profile. Will certainly go back!

Wow! That's the word that comes to mind. I must've passed this place hundreds of times and didn't even think about stepping until one day. A friend of mine was drinking a cup of Nkonge honey pour over and the smell was hypnotizing! Today I took a leap and stepped in for a cup of AMAZING. This coffee shop is a small yet very modern style shop. Their menu is not fancy with all types of flavored sugar overpriced coffees. It's to the point and straight up coffee as it should be. I'm not putting sugar drinkers down (I used to be one). But if you're into that they've got the vanilla latte which is an awesome drink that needs no sugar but will satisfy that sugar crave. Today I got the Gesha village pour over and the Vanilla latte. They were both great choices. Now this was my first time tasting a pour over so I will tell you that I am blown away! The flavors in this coffee are so powerful that you can taste every note of flavor in the coffee. I'm so happy I tried this place! I'm even more happy that since I am always in the area it'll be an easy pop in. I will be back

Fantastic place for coffee and conversation the service is top notch and the coffee is amazing! Our family has a coffee farm in Nicaragua and I'm telling you now that Black and White coffee is amazing! They serve all kinds of coffee from all over the globe and they do it with style! Their coffee machines are state of the art and I am honored to be a customer together with my husband!! When we open up our restaurant we will for sure serve your coffee and promote the best coffee on this side of North Carolina!! I am a coffee conosieure and I will tell you that this coffee house is the best by far!!! Hats off too you guys and girls!! You are simply the best!!!

Why did I wait so long? Is what I asked myself when I walked into Black and White Roasters! When I met a friend there who is also a yelper I heard raving reviews about it so we decided to try it. Let's start with the parking. The parking was good for me. I ended up getting a space right in the front but the parking lot is kind of weird because it's all cut up! But I am sure it's not hard to find a space. The coffee shops appearance was cool. It gave me like a monochrome vibe and everything was certain colors which I loved ( I even got the artist's information because it's just that dope). The staff was so great. They were very talkative very welcoming and just simply amazing. We had small talk while they made my drink. I ended up ordering a Vanilla Latte and my friend who's not a coffee drink at all LOVED it! So I ordered it and so did I. The space was clean and spacious. Seemed like there were a lot of places to sit. My favorite part was the BIG window which let a lot of natural light in. I paid about $4 for what would be consider a tall latte which wasn't too bad. They make all of their coffee in house which sets them apart because I feel like most coffee shops that I have been to tend to lean towards one vendor or provider. The package is great as well. Overall I love this place and I can't wait to get back.

While there's still some bumps to smooth out, Back Alley Coffee Roasters is a legitimate "third wave" coffee offering in Wake Forest. Opening just this week, Back Alley offers freshly roasted beans and house made pourovers. The downsides - the space is small, if pleasantly and rustically decorated, and if there's one crying kid in the place (there was) you won't have a pleasant or relaxing coffeehouse experience. I cut my time in there short because of parents who apparently don't care that their screaming infant is ruining everyone else's day and can't be bothered to do anything about it. They're still working on a full opening, so all beverages are served in paper cups and only pourovers are available. The upsides - the coffee is well roasted and sourced, and there is a nice range to choose from. I particularly enjoyed the Ethiopian natural process pourover made by a pleasant and friendly barista. If you're in the neighborhood, or hankering for some good beans, come on through and get some.

I've been in Raleigh for the last month and just had the best coffee of my time here hands down. It was a sun dried "Beriti natural from Ethiopia" the flavours of blueberry, peach and chocolate really came through. Thanks for the recommendation. Also of note the head barista (and one of the new owners as of three weeks ago) won the 2016 and 2017 US National Barista Championship. Get there and treat yourself coffee lovers.

Ok, I have been wanting to check this place out for a while after having been following them on instagram for nearly a year. I'm just never in Wake Forest during their open hours to check them out. Alas, I was able to quench my thirst so to speak. The location is as it suggests, in the back of some buildings, behind the main downtown street of WF. When you walk up to the shop it is very unassuming except for the very few tables and chairs for those who wish to get some fresh air. The inside seems to be a lot smaller than I anticipated, and I'm not sure why. I don't know if it's because they building it is attached to is huge or if I have just been building a hype around it. Either way, it was smaller than I thought. The variety of menu items is equally as small. Not too many baked goods, but enough if someone wanted a quick treat. It's definitely an espresso and coffee place, so someone like myself may not be too impressed being I like tea. I know this seems to be a lot of negative for 4 stars, but I just wanted to express my lack of one star. Other than that long winded explanation, this place is fantastic! The barista we had was so friendly and skilled. We use alternative milk, aka almond, soy or rice and for anyone in the know, you understand that these don't froth that well. Well, this barista proved me wrong! He said that they take extra care with these milks and understand the care they need. Though I didn't have much of a variety with my tea as I would have liked, the soy milk was frothed perfectly with a light outline of froth art! I was excited because getting tea lattes mean you sacrifice this fun side of a coffee shop. The hubs got a vanilla cappuccino with almond milk. He's fancy like that and said this was the best cappuccino he has had in the raleigh area! I must say, kudos!

You need to come to Black and White. It is worth going out of the way for a visit. It's 100% the best coffee shop in the RDU area after surveying them during a recent visit to the area. I've traveled the country for work and Black and White is easily one of the best shops that I've been to. Taste: 5/5 -- phenomenal coffee, espresso & specialty drinks. Customer Service: 5/5 -- these guys know their stuff, they love making your feel welcomed and answering your questions. Seating & Ambiance: 5/5 -- it has a nice, simple ambiance with plenty of seating. It's also a great place to work! Lots of outlets and free WiFi. Parking, Timing & Convenience: 5/5 -- there is easy parking and quick service. ** also don't forget to ask them abut their instant coffee! I bought a pack and loved it. Great for a quick, tasty cup of coffee.

A truly great spot for coffee. I admit my ignorance... I never expected to find such a place in Wake Forest NC. It was the afternoon, we wanted some coffee, I opened Yelp (just for grins) and THANK YOU, YELP! Back Alley is a great coffee spot. They roast their own... they have really good equipment that right away lets you know they care. You speak to the folks working there and they are you realize right away they are knowledgable. If Starbucks is the Toyota of coffee (and they are), Back Alley is a very rare and special thing. I had an excellent pour over... others had beautifully crafted and excellent lattes... one had a cold nitro aged in a bourbon barrel... totally unique and good and interesting. If I lived in Raleigh or Wake, I think I would come here every day.

One of only a handful of places in Raleigh to get a legit espresso shot. Atmosphere, friendly staff, service, and top notch coffee, B&W has it all!

Amazing service and great selection of coffee both to take home and grind yourself or grab on the run.

The iced vanilla latte was delicious, the menu was carefully chosen, and the atmosphere is nice. Great place to meet a friend in Wake Forest. I've only been there once, but I'd go again.

I'll admit, I was a little bit intimidated the first time I visited. It's trendy and atmospheric, and I had been a chain coffee girl. That said, I finally bucked up and went in. And I loved it. The service was good, the coffee was excellent, and I felt a little bit hipper just by breathing the air in there. I've been back several times since and each time have had a great experience.