Iris Coffee Lab — Restaurant in Raleigh

I hold the firm belief that business owners should be held accountable for their conduct and it's impact on the livelihood of their staff. The owners of Iris, Bryan and Reghan, have repeatedly abused their positions as owners and their responsibility to provide a fair work enviroment.

When first introduced to Iris, I thought it was a lovely shop that shared a vibrant team and passion for creating a different experience. Iris quickly became a coffee shop that I often visited and enjoyed watching grow. I knew several members of the staff, which like me, were young students pursuing their academics and using barista roles to pay for their livelihood. I believe Iris is incredibly fortunate to have a staff that has carried their business and brought many patrons back.

It wasn’t until a couple months into regularly visiting the coffee shop that I began noticing the red flags of Iris. These red flags were brought directly by the ownership, Bryan and Reghan, who are regularly present at the site. It was several occasions that I witnessed Bryan speaking to his staff in a condescending and disrespectful manner. This would be channeled through sarcastic remarks and insults. It was uncomfortable to witness as a patron, and really ruined the image I had of Iris.

I had also been informed that several individuals who consistently contributed to my positive experiences at Iris were fired without apparent cause or prior notice.

Bryan and Reghans lack of empathy towards their team is deeply concerning, and indicative of a disregard for the people that form their business. It's everyones nightmare to suddenly lose a role and have to scramble to replace the income. They've done this to multiple good individuals who depend on these paychecks.

In light of these observations, I strongly recommend people to stop supporting these two and take your...

I've been a long-time big fan of the cherry marzipan latte, but during my most recent visit it tasted off... sour, even. My friend recommended I let the staff know if it doesn't usually taste like that and though I was hesitant, the staff were so thankful I said something. She remade my order and tasted a cup herself, brought it back, and came back a few minutes later to check on me. When it still tasted off, I planned to just drink it anyway, but she saw through me and said "You're not lying, are you?" when I said it was better. When I told her "I think it's just me," and she went through the reasons why it could taste different, and came up with a plan to remake it. Bryan brought it back and explained that it might taste different because they changed the espresso a week ago, and there is a vibrant acidity in the new flavor that can show up in the milk (or in my case, alt-milk) drinks that can catch people off guard. I tried the new drink, and it tasted just how I remembered it. Bryan even said he had a back-up plan if I didn't like this one, but I did! I apologized for being so needy, but they thanked me for being honest. They said they wanted me to enjoy my time here, especially since they know we're spending our "hard-earned money to be here." This is a great example of exemplary customer service. At first, I was thinking I shouldn't come back because I just don't like their coffee anymore. But they adjusted so I could enjoy it, and treated me like such a valued customer. I will most definitely be coming back, especially since I have not been able to find anything that closely replicates their delicious cherry-marzipan latte. Thank you, Iris coffee staff. It's refreshing to be treated so kindly and be so well...

My partner and I manage two separate coffee shops in the DMV area and were excited to be in Raleigh to try Iris Coffee Lab. First of all, the shop's atmosphere was perfect; everything was intentional. The baristas were so hospitable and welcoming, going over their seasonal drinks and what pour-overs and espressos they had dialed in.

We decided on two seasonal beverages, a single-origin espresso and a pour-over.

The seasonal orange creamsicle latte was so light and fresh. Garnishing with a fresh orange slice really amplified the drink. The desert lime espresso tonic was the best seasonal drink we've had anywhere. It was incredibly complex flavor-wise and so refreshing with every sip. It is a MUST-try!!!! The SOE was bright, crisp, and a little tart - wonderful! We tried one of their pour-overs from Three Marks Coffee of the Sidra lot. It was delicious, very savory, and had a clear body.

The two baristas, Ash and Pam, went above and beyond regarding customer service and creating a memorable experience for us. Ash was preparing to make the last batch of the Hex coffee they had on rotation previously. Ash noticed my partner was wearing a Hex hat and brought some over to us. The coffee and Ash's expertise blew away him and me. We can't wait to be in Raleigh again to try their next round of seasonal drinks and what they'll offer for espresso and pour-over. I'll recommend it to everyone and anyone coming to Raleigh! Thank you to both Pam and...