The Bike Library Cafe — Restaurant in Raleigh

One of the coolest, most unique new spots in Raleigh! Half the space is a Cafe, and the other half is a bike repair / bike rental shop. The whole design is done SO well and feels very local and community oriented. They maintain a clean, local, community oriented aesthetic that's uniquely 'Raleigh'.

The coffee is delicious! The baristas are talented and they partner with a local roster to get all their beans. All the pastries are vegan, AND they are actually good (coming from a non-vegan that says a lot).

the atmosphere is fun, energetic, community oriented, and great for a date, quick coffee break, or a 'work from home' day. It's not too loud. One unique thing I love about the cafe section is that the tables are actually large and spacious! plenty of room to spread out with a laptop or sketchbook. I never felt cramped or like I needed more space at the table.

The bike repair/rental space is the best you'll find in the area too. It's not just a bike shop, it's a whole community with weekly group rides that also supports other local Raleigh spots. This is the center of the Raleigh bike culture and community. Cyclists...

It's hard to fully grasp the loss of the third place as a concept. It's had a lot of buzz in the last few years, but how can we understand the impact of a third place when we've never actually experienced it?

This isn't a question I cared much about until I went to the Bike Library for the first time about six months ago at their shipping container by Lake Raleigh. I was looking for an excuse to not do homework on a Sunday afternoon. Two months later after visiting every weekend, I had built my first bike from scratch with the help of the team.

Now their new storefront has opened up in the Platform Building and everything I loved about the shipping container has been refined. The Bike Library advertises bikes and coffee but what makes it most special is the community that Cameron and Lauren have created. One conversation with Cam shows he isn't interested in stopping yet. The Bike Library is a third place for me and many others in the area, and I hope more places like it...

The Bike Library Storefront is a gem! They serve great coffee, and the service is just as good: friendly, welcoming, and professional. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable about bikes and can expertly help you get started if you’re new or keep you riding smoothly with their excellent maintenance work. Highly recommend stopping by, whether you’re here for a tune-up, advice, or just a great...