Caffè Driade

This cafe is a hidden gem! Despite it being right off a main road, it has a secret garden feel. There is plenty of outdoor seating, the prices are reasonable, and the service was quick. There is even a small trail if you want to take your drinks and walk. I tried the Italian soda with BlackBerry which was amazing and the Driade Shake (it has ice cream and espresso).

Tucked away behind an old antique shop is a coffee cabin with plenty of open air seating and beautiful views of the NC forest. Grab a coffee/tea and a pastry and head on down the trail to your secluded coffee zen. Covered seating and heaters are available for the heat and the cold. I went in mid autumn and it couldn't have been more picturesque. The coffee was good and the pastries were fine if a bit stale. I will definitely be coming back here.

So many coffee shops come down to one thing, a thing that’s difficult to define or measure and has nothing to do with the quality of the coffee: vibe. On vibe alone, Caffé Driade is five stars. And to solidify its rating, the espresso is rich, the baked goods are fresh and delicious, and the service is kind and timely. There are plenty of seating options around the cafe, affording customers the opportunity to be among the bustle of orders being made or further into the woods for a more serene experience. At the time of my visit, it was a balmy summer day. Had it been a cool fall day, I would have brought a book and stayed for hours.

If I had a 10 star option, I would happily give this place all of them. It’s totally worth the drive, peaceful, serene amidst nature. It looks like a park but they have great space perfect for working, casual date evenings, fun get together and much more. Everything over a cup of coffee and savory ☕️🍪