The Optimist Raleigh

The cold brew was decent. The food was unfortunately really disappointing. We tried several of their breakfast sandwiches on sourdough and they were super small and sloppily constructed and frankly not fair to sell at the price point. The service felt really grumpy, food sorta thrown at us. It sounds like that’s meant to be part of the charm but it wasn’t charming

The Optimist in Raleigh isn't just a coffee shop; it's a whole vibe! Their drinks? Delicious. The food? Straight fire. But the real MVPs are Dee and Conn – they set the gold🏅🏅 standard for customer service and create an amazing atmosphere. This place is laid-back, super friendly, and just the right kind of quirky (yep, there's a skeleton chilling, but it's all part of the fun). Whether you're chasing a caffeine buzz or need a cozy spot to hang, The Optimist is where you want to be.🤙🏽☕️

The Optimist in Raleigh offers a pleasant atmosphere, making it a great spot to study or get some work done. The setting is comfortable, with plenty of seating options that encourage productivity and relaxation. However, there were some quirks that didn't quite align with the positive vibe you'd expect from a place called "The Optimist." For instance, there are signs all over the place, and the WiFi password is “this place sucks,” which felt ironic and a bit off-putting for a place that's supposed to radiate positivity. During our visit, we tried **The Fig** ($10), an English muffin with fig jam, goat cheese, and mint (we opted for no bacon). We also had **The Hulk Smash** ($10.50), which is a sourdough toast topped with avocado, green tomato, arugula, cabbage, and chili crisp. To drink, we ordered two versions of **The Stacey** latte ($5.50)—one hot and one iced. This latte is made with espresso, honey, cinnamon, vanilla, and milk. While the food tasted great, I found it to be significantly overpriced for what we got. Paying $10 for a small English muffin and $10.50 for a piece of toast is hard to justify, especially in North Carolina where you can find similar offerings at much more reasonable prices. The portions were modest at best and left us feeling like we didn’t get our money’s worth. To add to the disappointment, the lattes were not enjoyable at all. Neither my husband nor I liked them, which is unusual because he's generally not picky when it comes to coffee. We ended up throwing them away, which only compounded the feeling that we’d wasted our money. For the three items, we paid $35, and it simply wasn’t worth it. Overall, while the atmosphere was nice and the food was tasty, the overpriced food items and disappointing drinks mean I won’t be returning to The Optimist. There are plenty of other coffee shops in the area that offer better value and a more cohesive experience.

I thought this was place was adorable. We ordered 2 drinks: an iced coffee and a lavender matcha and they were both perfect. The baristas were kind and efficient. The overall vibe was just very nice.

The Optimist WAS my go to spot. They have great outdoor seating. They serve Michael’s English Muffins which are a local favorite. When they opened, everything was great but has since gone way downhill. The breakfast sandwiches are overpriced for what you get now because you can tell they are made by someone who doesn’t care and slaps it together. The baked goods case is always empty. Because I come here so much, I notice the inconsistencies in my drink order, which I correlate with the revolving door of staff. You can order online for an easy pickup, which I usually take advantage of. They have a Batch Iced Latte available on their menu online but is always ‘out of stock’. When they are on target, The Optimist is great, but after today I won’t be returning for a while. ^^^ I write this from the parking lot, having had to go back inside and request my drink be remade. I apologized a bunch to the staff, because normally I wouldn’t ask for a new one. They remade it three times and it was still bitter and undrinkable. I wish I had stuck with the first one because the second and third ones were even worse. I ended up leaving because I was not going to wait for a fourth remake. Waste of $7. I appreciate the barista trying to make it better but was confused when she asked me if she should change the setting on the machine, which I told her I don’t know anything about their machine or how to recommend she make it different. I admit I don’t know anything about pulling espresso but I DO know how my drink that I order almost every day should taste! They were apologetic and professional to my face but I heard them whisper behind the machine about me like I wasn’t right within earshot. They clearly could use more experience and training. As a previous regular, I hope they can get back to how they used to be because I really loved it. Today, they lost my business.

I had one of their seasonal lattes with cardamom and it was splendid. The muffins are also great, but I haven't had any of the other food so I can't comment on that. The atmosphere is absolutely perfect for hanging out and reading/working/just chilling, and the staff are all super nice! Definitely recommend for anyone looking for somewhere to do remote work.

We decided to check this place out on our ongoing quest to find some great coffee spots in the area. The atmosphere was fantastic and we loved the vibe, as well as all of the seating! They are dog friendly on both their front and back patios, but not in the shop itself (obviously). My daughter got an Iced Caramel Latte with oat milk and I got a Golden Milk Matcha with soy milk. The pricing for both was a bit higher than I'd like to pay for 12oz drinks, but seems pretty on par with what the local code shop pricing is lately. I really enjoyed my drink, albeit a little on the sweeter side than I'd prefer. My daughter liked hers for the most part, but said the aftertaste was a bit off for her (too thick and smoky). Overall, it appears to be a great local spot to hang out for coffee and tea. They did have a smaller food menu, but I didn't see much that appeared to be gluten free and vegetarian for me. So I probably wouldn't go there to eat anything.

The Optimist Raleigh offers an inviting atmosphere, serving vibes as well as delicious coffee, espresso, pastries and food — “This place sucks!” Would highly recommend to any coffee lover.

Nice place to come and chill and do some work. It was decently busy but not loud. Got some food and had a great vanilla chai. Will definitely be back.

Coffee is great! The breakfast sandwiches were very yummy but very small for the price. Cute indoor space, a little bit limited on seating options when over half of the tables are people sitting alone on their computers for hours at a time on a Saturday morning.

Man I really don't like not giving a 4 or 5 star review. It feels like lately nothing has been excellent. Having said that, I had been curious about this place for some time. I happened to be close by so I decided to stop since I was hungry for breakfast and coffee is always my thing wherever I go. Starting with parking. 9:15 am on a Tuesday and there was plenty. Store was easy to find and upon arrival the first thing I needed was the restroom. I should have just walked out then and there. The restrooms had not been cleaned and I'm certain it was from the previous day. My bad for staying. I ordered the maple walnut latte and avocado toast with bacon. The coffee was good. I normally don't drink it with sweetener, but I wanted to try those flavors. The avocado toast however was a complete disappointment. It was sourdough bread and it was a big slice, but the avocado was smashed into the bread (which was barely toasted) and they were very stingy with it considering the price of it. I paid an extra dollar for what ended up being crumbled up bacon that probably wasn't even a full slice. I was totally unimpressed with it. Overall friendly staff and when I told someone about the bathroom they said they would take care of it. Coffee good, toast terrible. 2 stars and I wouldn't go back. The bathroom was a big turnoff and the quality of the food I got was NOT worth the 18 bucks I paid! 2 stars= friendly staff and good coffee. Everything else (price, quality of food, and cleanliness of bathroom) takes away from it all.

Backstory: I drove to three coffee shops before settling on The Optimist. The Optimist offers a quiet atmosphere with soft music which produces an environment of productivity. Definitely needed on a Monday Second time here, but my first time trying the food. I tried an egg and cheese croissant . To my surprise the eggs were made fresh. Say what?!!! Yes! Fresh. Definitely would recommend with honey. I set here from 10:30am until 2:00pm and I felt like the time flew by. I would recommend ‍

Stopped in for some coffee and a light breakfast while visiting the Raleigh area. This was recommended to us by some local folks and I really love a chill coffee shop vibe. They have indoor and outdoor seating and I LOVED all the plant decor as well. The paninis while very simple were made fresh and the coffee was outstanding. Definitely great spot to stop into while in the area. Also a nice spot to work from. 10/10 recommend a visit to The Optimist.

Atmosphere: The Optimist has a beautifully decorated interior, with bold colors, plants, and skeletons all around the shop. The space is a perfect place to work, study, or just hang out, as there are a decent number of tables. Seats can fill up fast though, especially during peak hours. Service: The baristas are friendly, and though it can get crowded at times, the food and drinks come out in a reasonable amount of time. Food: For drinks, we've tried their Matcha Made in Lemon, Flash Coffee, The Stacey, and other seasonal specialities. The Matcha Made in Lemon, a mixture of matcha, raspberry, and lemonade, had a perfect balance of grassiness, fruitiness, and sweetness. The Flash Coffee was vibrant and great for any coffee lover. Lastly, The Stacey, as well as their other lattes, have not disappointed us. The Optimist is always coming up with fun flavor combinations, making each cafe visit a new adventure. For food, we've ordered their Lunch Club, which although small, had a perfectly toasted sourdough that paired well with the hot turkey and vegetables. Overall: We love The Optimist and are excited to hear about their second location opening up! We're looking forward to returning and enjoying more of their specialty drinks.

We love trying new places on the weekend for coffee. The Optimist was recommended by a coworker so we gave it a go. First, the parking situation is not the best. The location is in a strip mall set up and was packed. We opted for street parking which is somewhat available, but watch for signs. Second, the drinks were ok, I do feel like the price was a bit high for such a small drink. Third, I ordered a breakfast sandwich that was much smaller than I was expecting for the price. It was a yummy sandwich but I finished it in a few bites. Overall, the cashier was nice and friendly, the aesthetic inside was very calm and inviting.

I was impressed by the amount of indoor and outdoor seating options! They also had some games for customers to play which I thought was nice/different. I ordered a latte and it was alright, not the best not the worst, but overall the ambiance made the experience worth it.

Came here for the first time and I ordered a hazelnut cappuccino. When I received the drink I could tell the hazelnut was missing as it was not sweet and was a regular cappuccino. I kindly let the barista know and at first he confirmed he made a hazelnut cappuccino then followed saying that he forgot the syrup. He provided me a separate cup of hazelnut syrup for me to mix in myself (instead of remaking it). The cappuccino was overly sweet with the added syrup that the barista provided and I let him know but he rudely responded with "it depends on how you like it" with no solution. Not the best service especially with it being my first time here.

I can see why this place got such reviews, probably one of the best coffee shops I've been to. They have such a great combination of the obvious, coffee and tea, breakfast foods, sweet treats, beer and wine and great service? Great casual atmosphere, people were studying. Working or on this Sunday hanging out on a hot sunny day. Their coffee is Amazing, perfect strong, not too milky cappuccino is what I had. The cinnamon oat muffin was nice and soft inside , crunchy outside. Perfect with my coffee. My friend got the avocado toast. Which hit the spot she said. Her coffee was also extremely good. Another smoothly run place that knows how to do it right. They have a great space inside, and a quaint little patio out back and seating outside upfront. Absolutely fell in love with this place, it's a shame I don't live in Raleigh!

Such a beautiful coffee shop! Love seeing all the live plants vs fake plastic ones. Good vibe...cool things to look at...wed be back all the time if we lived here - but we are just visiting Raleigh for the weekend.

It's been a while since I've reviewed a place, and just like the percolation of a delicious brew, The Optimist brought that creative side back! The register is right by the door, which was a little jarring on a Black Friday, but Maple greeted me warmly and with a smile. As I looked over the menu, I had a short chat with her, and was treated with kindness while rewarded with knowledge. I got a parfait, yogurt bowl, and two of their specials. The Stacey and the Cherry on top, which were perfect for what we were expecting. A silky iced latte with notes of vanilla and honey. I'm SO IMPRESSED with the cherry on top. Usually cherry "flavoring" can be jarring in a hot coffee, but the cherry and coffee mix together like two loves on their first dance. Did I mention the space is very well done, with a great vibe for socializing, working, or just writing a Yelp review. I love the plants, and thoughtful touches throughout the space. Regardless of how you felt walking in here, you'll feel a bit more optimistic walking out

I wanted to like this place so badly. I've come back twice and each time there wasn't a single table open inside. So anyway, the latte was completely unsweetened, the iced coffee tasted like soy sauce (idk how), and they got my avocado toast wrong. It was supposed to have tomatoes on it. I'm really disappointed.

Tiny servings of both coffee and food (avocado toast). I had one of the special drinks which was a latte with strawberry and rhubarb puree and did not enjoy it. Lots of space inside however if you are looking to have meetings/work with friends.

I really like this spot. We stopped in for lunch and ordered the Chris P Bacon sandwich with chips and a latte for my husband and one of the limited time only sandwiches with chips and a mimosa for me. We liked it all. The Optimist is really popular for remote workers so finding a seat inside can be a bit difficult at times.

The coffee window is a huge hit with my dog, as they always have biscuits ready for him! The homemade syrups really make a difference at this coffee shop!

While out and about on 'Date Day', spouse and I stopped here as plan B due to unforeseen circumstances at our original choice (plumbing problems). Iced Vietnamese Coffee nicely done in that the traditional sweet condensed milk did not overpower the bold brew. Per spouse, his latte was 'very good'. Wanting a light snack we split The Easy with Turkey and a carrot cake muffin. Plan B gets an A !

Cute coffee shop vibe! Both indoor and outdoor options, including a few table options for larger groups and a coffee bar. Mellow background music so you can have a conversation and not feel like you are yelling across the table. Steady traffic for a Monday. Looks like they offer a loyalty program. Good parking options. This was a coffee only trip. I tried the Pine & Dandy. If you love cardamom, this drink is for you! Not overly sweet, and yummy! Great place to study, meeting, or hang with friends for a change of scenery.

Cool place. We stopped here to check out the plants. Dirt bag gardens is here selling plants today and the actual nursery is open today as well. This is such a cool experience. They sell a variety of drinks such as lattes and hot chocolate. This place is jumping and the vibe is chill. There are many folks just catching up, and enjoying time with friends.

The coffee shop is a plant lovers place to be! The decor is created around the shop's appreciation for live plants. It is a relaxing place to be. The staff is friendly and greeted my friends and I when we entered The Optimist. The menu offers a variety of signature and seasonal drinks that offer an array of ingredients. The menu also includes breakfast and lunch items, which makes this a great place to meet a friend and/or work while enjoying a delicious beverage and a bite to eat.

oooo this is a must stop!!! coffee was super super good and so was English muffin. It was so well decorated and very calming fun colors. Service was great and fast, all the staff was so pleasant

I got an iced nutella latte (the summer special) with almond milk and one of their Bavarian cream chocolate donuts. I swear the donuts must be homemade because they are SO GOOD, super dense. The photo says it all. The lady at the register was super nice, but the person on bar took a while. I think it's because of the simultaneous walk-up window orders so it makes sense. For the quality though, the wait is worth it. We sat outside on the patio and enjoyed the shade until it got too hot. Loved this atmosphere!

Quaint little coffeehouse offering a large coffee menu and tea options. They also offer adult beverages, and specialize in mimosa flights. They have plush seating, inviting you to stay a while. They offer games to grab and take to the table to play with those you're there with. The staff was friendly and open to suggesting menu items. They have a breakfast and lunch menu as well as deserts.

Another awesome coffee shop in the City of Oaks! This place has a cool vibe with a good variety of hot and cold drinks. I had an oat milk latte, and it was delicious! Restrooms are pretty clean and there is plenty of free parking. Also, they have some pretty cool merch. Looking forward to coming back!

I absolutely love the Concept... it's like a botanical garden coffee shop .. I didn't have food but the menu looks tasty.. I had a lavender latte that was flavorful.. Service was A1..and supportive of VETS offering a military discount which I love when local establishments do... I'll definitely be back...

I really enjoyed the coffee at The Optimist. The roast was darker which I prefer. I had a seasonal drink. The syrup with present but still allowed the coffee to shine. Inside is super cute and moody. It's a great place to meet up with friends or to study

The cafe is really cute and I love the area it's in. Service took a little long but that's understandable for a busy Sunday. The cappuccino was okay, I might be biased though because I just came from a trip to France where their cappuccino's were different. The English muffin was good though!

Hidden in a quiet area of the Oakwood neighborhood, this is a walkable spot from downtown (just under 1.5 miles). They have a great selection of food from breakfast tacos to avocado toast to breakfast sandwiches. The coffee was delicious. I would say for the price, the portions (coffee and food) were a little small. Everyone was very friendly though! There is both indoor and outdoor seating. The inside has board games to play as well. Overall, a nice quiet spot for a quick snack!

Awesome place on all counts! Warm and efficient service, delicious menu, hip customers. Loved!

I loved this cute lil coffee shop in Mordecai! My friend and I got some great breakfast sandwiches with coffee and enjoyed the outdoor patio on a cool spring day. Staff is friendly and there's a lot of seating / parking. Kitchen takes a little while with food, so make sure you have time to spend here before ordering food.

This place has a light, welcoming ambiance. You walk in to the ordering area, I was quickly attended to, and chose the Bourbon Sweet Potato Latte. Sounded totally strange to me, it was the special for the day. My drink was made quickly, It was amazing. I sat and looked up things to do in the area. It was a nice and comfortable place to sit for an hour. It was family friendly, they had board games for guests. Merch was available.

I was so excited to try a new spot, However I stood in line for over 20 minutes and not one single person was helped in line at the window. And there was at least 15 people in line. The workers inside kept looking at the line, but never even approached the window. I will never go back.

The optimist is absolutely amazing -- and the atmosphere is stellar! I have worked from this coffee shop several times and each time the atmosphere is perfect !!! If you are looking for a moodier atmosphere that is quiet and people are there to work then I would highly recommend this place! The staff is awesome and the coffee shop is clean! I think their latte's are some of the creamiest I've tasted!

**OPTIMIST MADE ME A PESSIMIST** This is the closest coffee shop near our bungalow in East Raleigh. So we've been here twice, but this was the first time I did a sit-down. PARKING ======== Limited parking spaces, so you may have to street park during peak hours. COFFEE ====== CAPPUCCINO - $3.75 Comes with double espresso shots, however, a bit on the weak side. Not strong enough for me and rather bland in flavor. The milk ratio was not balanced, tasted more milk than coffee. RATING: 3/5 FOOD ===== CHRIS P BACON SANDWICH - $11 Sourdough bread with tomato, arugula, cheddar, crispy bacon, sprinkled with basil and pepper and horseradish mayo was decent. Wish the sandwich had a stronger flavor (maybe a sharper cheese or an apple bacon). RATING: 3/5 SERVICE ======= Friendly enough. During our order, I asked if we needed a number (since we ordered food AND coffee), and they said only our first name. They made our coffees, however, we did not realize the coffees were sitting on the counter for 10 minutes while we were sitting down. I did not hear my name, nor did anyone come by to check. I guess if you order coffee AND food, you wait for the baristas to make your coffee FIRST, then grab a table, and HOPE your food arrives later to your table. No one likes cold coffee or a bad system. RATING: 3/5 OVERALL ========== It's fairly small, and we noticed some customers camped out with one beverage. Not cool, but whatever. It's the café life, I get it, but not feeling this spot. It's a neighborhood café and everyone has their favorite. I prefer elsewhere.

The Optimist is my favorite spot to work remotely. Their satirical interior designs and eclectic seasonal drinks are a breathe of fresh air! They have an extensive breakfast and lunch menu, and a plethora of tables to choose from, with indoor and outdoor seating. You'll most likely be joined by one or two plants at your seat. Check out this great spot for all of your digital nomad needs. Bonus: next to the cutest Bodega!! Cheers

Oh, I loved this place! The coffee is tasty, and the freshly made breakfast sandwiches are DELIGHTFUL! (I recommend the "McOptimist") As for ambiance, I love the plants and the darker decor. Very modern and chic! The staff was very friendly and helpful, as well.

A little tight inside but the back garden ambiance is lovely. The hot caramel apple cider was really good. Friendly staff

The Optimist" is a delightful and charming cafe that truly lives up to its name. Stepping inside feels like entering a whimsical world of cuteness and aesthetics. What sets this cafe apart are their unique drink options, and the pink matcha I tried was an absolute standout. The combination of the vibrant color and the delicate flavor of matcha made for a refreshing and Instagram-worthy experience. Additionally, their menu boasts delicious fresh sandwiches that are a perfect complement to their beverages. The ingredients were undoubtedly high-quality, and the taste left me craving for more. The ambiance, coupled with their creative offerings, makes "The Optimist" a must-visit spot for anyone seeking a delightful and memorable cafe experience.

I really enjoy The Optimist, and so do others as it can be difficult to find seating sometimes. However, there is some outdoor seating in the back. The baristas have been very friendly and quick with service. I have had a latte both times I've gone and enjoyed it as well as the cute coffee art. I would recommend this place!

One of my favorite places to work at while in Raleigh. There's a great selection of food and beverage and the music isn't so loud either. There's plenty of seating and there a parking lot that's easy to get in and out of.

this place gets really busy but i do love it. if you get there at a good time it's a great place to do work. i haven't tried their food but i love all the drinks they have

This is my first time at this business. The parking lot was super easy to get in and out of and there was a ton of spots. As soon as you walk in, you are transported into a jungle of delicious foods and coffee smells. There are plants everywhere! As a plant enthusiast , this is my favorite place because the music was very relaxing but not too loud so you could have a conversation. It was super easy to order and pick up my white hot chocolate. I was able to get recommendations from the cashier that was checking me out. So great job with the service! They were also holding another event with another business to sell more rare plants. This is a great spot to come and relax or work or just hang out. I do wish the space was a little bit bigger because it seemed a little bit tight with all of the decor in such a small place.

Optimist Raleigh has been one of my go to coffee shops. It's got great coffee and some scrumptious breakfast sandwiches. The seasonal coffees are always my favorite to try and the staff is continuously so nice and helpful. The vibe and aesthetic is super chill and I absolutely love the decor. Biggest problem is that this place can be super busy and people tend to stay here for hours to work. Therefore, seating is really limited indoors. You have to get here early if you want to catch a seat to work or meet with your friends. Now there is plenty of outdoor seating, but as it gets colder, it gets harder to want to stay outdoors for long. Parking can also be difficult, as it is a small lot. However, if you're looking to try some incredible coffee and fresh breakfast items, swing by, grab it to go and enjoy the yumminess that is Optomist.

Love the friendly ambiance and the clever and eclectic menu! And with all the live plants and the cozy design, having brunch there is a treat for all the senses.

It's a five star review! I just love this little place. Sad I didn't visit until a month ago. Previously I got everything to go (their iced coffee with apple cider is so good!), but was working from home today so I got a hot drink. I think it was a honey nut latte or something. Good, but I'll probably do something different next time. The egg, cheese and sausage sandwich was sooo good! I was surprised as I feel like a lot of coffee places give you soggy, squished food. You can sit inside (limited right now, but it didn't feel squished), and there's also a cute patio in the back with tables and chairs. Props to the always super sweet barista, Maryann, who asked the right way to spell my name! Little things go a long way.

Ordered the Nutty Irishman and the Three Amigos. Oh my word...that coffee was flat out incredible and the tacos blew my mind. So full of flavor and made my morning. Can't wait to return.

Love, Love, Love The Optimist! Came here on a whim and will be back next time we are in Raleigh. Loved the decor, great coffee and food. It was fairly empty when we arrived but we were glad we came when we did because it quickly filled up and we could tell why. Loved the staff-super friendly and great recommendations. I love the neighborhood (we went to the original location-will try new location too) and will definitely be back

Where do I begin. Visiting from out of town form Atlanta. Drove by and thought this would be a good place to stop by. Wasn't the best but it was a busy day. Got an English muffin. I want to update that I really appreciate the owner responding. Will definitely return. Thank you for the follow up will definitely return. An owner who's this responsive is appreciated. I think it's important to amend my review. Thank you sir.

....but I dream about this breakfast sandwich!!! Coffee is awesome, people are sweet and the food..... delish!! Atmosphere is so comfy. Clean and welcoming!! I work from home and spoil myself on Wednesday by coming here and working all morning. It gets busy around 8:30 a.m. but I'm always willing to share my table. People, food, coffee!! Doesn't get much better than this!!