Foster Street Coffee — Restaurant in Durham

In Durham's Liberty Warehouse, Foster Street Coffee has done what many dream of but few achieve: created a space as alluring as that first sip of morning espresso. That commanding cobalt blue wall isn't just architectural foreplay, it's the backdrop to Durham's most compelling "third place," beckoning visitors daily from dawn's early light until the sensible hour of 6 PM.

The Space Picture the lovechild of industrial chic and hygge comfort. A voluptuous paper lantern hovers overhead like a full moon at midnight, while the weathered wood counter below whispers tales of perfectly pulled shots. The professional-grade espresso machine gleams with promise, surrounded by an array of kraft paper bags that stand at attention like caffeinated soldiers guarding their aromatic treasures.

The Vibe With a 4.7-star Google rating, Foster Street has mastered the art of seduction through service. It's a morning rendezvous spot for professionals, a sanctuary for laptop warriors, and a catwalk for local pups (yes, it's dog-friendly – because who doesn't want a side of wagging tails with their cappuccino?). The private meeting room offers discretion for those requiring a more intimate setting than the communal tables can provide.

The Experience Located at 140 Foster Street, this establishment doesn't just serve coffee, it orchestrates daily rituals. Dark-leaved plants frame the space like nature's own boudoir photography, while natural light streams through generous windows, casting everyone in their best possible glow. The diverse clientele reflects Durham's multicultural fabric, creating a welcoming atmosphere that feels less like a coffee shop and more like a perfectly choreographed social symphony.

The Verdict Foster Street Coffee isn't just riding the third-wave coffee trend – it's creating its own undertow. In a city saturated with caffeine vendors, it distinguishes itself as a space that understands the difference between serving coffee and creating community. It's where excellent beans meet exceptional ambiance, where your MacBook is as welcome as your Maltipoo, and where that blue wall has starred in more Instagram stories than a celebrity's yacht vacation.

For those seeking their new coffee paramour in Durham, Foster Street offers an irresistible proposition: sophisticated brews served in an environment that feels both curated and lived-in, where every detail from the music to the mood lighting seems chosen with the care of a love letter. Just remember to arrive early during peak hours – this kind of coffee courtship...

I will state that I've only been here once.

Coffee: 7/10 Wasn't the most amazing coffee I've had but it was very good. If I remember correctly I ordered an iced caramel mocha. I'm no coffee wiz so I'm not sure of all the different coffees or even what the names mean or anything but I will say it was good.

Service: 8/10 The staff seemed very polite when I visited. And when I asked what the barista what she recommended she didn't give a generic answer but actually what she prefers (which is part of the reason I can't quite remember the name of what I ordered 😅)

Wait time: 7/10 There was not a line when I came in but after they took my order it was probably about 5 minutes when I got my order and honestly it might not have even been that long.

Cleanliness: 8/10 Everything was clean clean. I can't really find anything to complain about in this area. The bathrooms were cleaner than most bathrooms I've seen. However, for certain people I must say that the men's bathroom does use motion sensor for the sink so you'll have to touch the knob. I personally prefer this as 90% of sensor based sinks gives you cold water.

Atmosphere: 7/10/unsure I did not stick around it was just a quick stop on my way home one day. However, there were people in there just chilling on their laptops and what-not. Something about it gave me more of a food court "vibe" rather than a coffee shop but I couldn't quite place my finger on it. However, that is not to say it was bad just not coffee-shop-like.

Parking: 5/10 I know its just because of the area but I'm not a fan of any kind of parking that I have to pay for, let alone just to do a quick stop at a coffee shop. It is close to a college in Durham so there are parking meters everywhere. So you'll most likely have to parallel park and pay for parking. The short amount of time I was there I only paid $0.75 for parking.

Price $2-$10 Depending on what you get it can change but as far as coffee goes it was probably one of the cheaper coffees I've paid for...

This is a good spot if you live in Downtown Durham or work on this side of downtown. (Better to walk or bike here, than park) Immediately upon walking in I see that the atmosphere is open and bright. The staff is somewhat friendly when I went in around 10:30 on a Thursday morning. (Great customer service goes a long way for me) I had one person in front of me and I ordered a dirty chai to go. Waited about 10 minutes for them to have my drink ready. The drink was pretty tasty and reasonably priced. They definitely do things differently here- they don’t get their beans from a roaster, beans are actually unblended. Bakery selection was ok, I see it depends on the day- Guglhupf pastries offered so I know that’s good! Parking is a challenge. Parallel parking available around 3 sides of the Liberty apartments, put its pay parking only and difficult to even find a spot. There’s parking off of Foster St behind the YMCA parking on a road that is terribly paved and full of potholes but it’s the only free option if you plan on parking there for 2 hours or less. Overall, this is a spot I’d only stop at if I were running an errand on this side of downtown or going to a show at Motorco around the corner. Not a shop I’d go out of my...