Gray Squirrel Coffee Company — Restaurant in Carrboro

Fantastic uncomplicated little coffee shop with an excellent coffee and tea selection. I absolutely appreciate their commitment to eco-friendliness with the use of paper cups, and it's evident they encourage patrons to bring their reusable ones – a definite plus!

Free wifi is adequate but slows with congestion. AT&T and T-mobile Hotspot works well here.

If you are gluten intolerant, gluten free or celiac, there are no gluten free options for the small selection of baked goods that look really scrumptious.

However, I must mention that the music can get a tad too loud for holding a phone conversation. This might not be the ideal spot for conducting business or interviews due to the noise level. But if you're here for a more social experience and want to immerse yourself in your own world, consider bringing headphones or snag a table outside.

The vibe here boasts an industrial blend of rustic and urban elements, featuring warm maple tables, bars, benches, and cool steel stools, There are also some convenient spots to plug in and charge up your devices. It almost feels like a cozy corner of a college common area, all tied together with a concrete floor and white-washed brick walls. The spacious bathrooms are well-equipped with changing tables and even cell phone holders, so scroll on while sitting on the loo.

In summary, it's a great place if you're looking for a relaxed atmosphere to simply enjoy the company of others without diving deep into work. Whether you're catching up with a friend or soaking in the outdoor scene while sipping on a delightful brew, this place has a...

I’ve given them a shot a few times since they’re near the arts center that I frequent so this review is based on a cumulation of these experiences:

Service 0/5: Cold, unfriendly, and snobby staff (asked for a cortado, response was “do you mean a 1:1”, my bad for not carefully reading the menu I guess). It always feels like I’m interrupting/inconveniencing the baristas for ordering. I’m a barista myself so I never thought I’d experience anxiety ordering coffee but they made it possible.

Coffee 2/5: I’ve had a couple good drinks which is why I’ve tried them again and again. Cortados are closer to espresso macchiato. Today I had a very burnt cappuccino that I had to wait 15 minutes before I could drink it without burning my tongue and at which point tasted like boiled milk and sour espresso. Paper cups only. If you’re going to be snobby about coffee then make good coffee… so that will be my last time.

Environment 2/5: only stools with no backs so hope you don’t need back support. Practically no outlets. Very sterile and industrial, space is bright and airy.

If you’re looking for good coffee AND friendlier baristas, head over to Open Eye down the street. For really friendly service and a super cozy/comfortable environment head on over to Lanza’s. (I dont work at either of these places, just frequent...

They apparently refuse to carry soy for whatever reason; if you're allergic to (or disgusted by) dairy milk and refuse to drink nutritionally-void almond "milk" you're out of luck. The interior of the new place is cacophonous; impossible to carry on a conversation or concentrate on anything if there are more than a few people inside. You wouldn't want to stay for any length of time anyway because the seating is so uncomfortable, which is probably intentional.

The best thing they serve is the chai, which they don't even make, and is still ultimately like most other prepackaged chai: extremely sweet. Espresso quality is better than mediocre, though, and the milk skills are usually passable. Pastries had that sat-in-the-case-for-over-a-week charm to them. They refer to cortados as "piccolos" for some unknowable, non-Australian reason. If you want big city smug in small town Carrboro, this is your new place. They do get props for professing to paying employees a "livable wage," though what that actually literally means is less commonly advertised.

Definitely the most Intelligentsia-esque place in town, and leagues better than their coffee-serving immediate neighbors. We'll see how long it is before they add at least a couple beer taps; for a Chapel Hill/Carrboro-area joint the absence was...