Open Eye Café

Espresso is excellent. It’s worth the wait if you have lots of time and patience. The barista used one hand most of the time but not all the time. Maybe a previous customer hurt her. She was the opposite of Shiva. 20 minutes if there is no line is what to expect.

The social contract in this place is unbreakable. Never in all my years of going here have I seen one person watching TikTok/YouTube without headphones. There are no dogs spreading their hair and drool around the place, no blonde people letting their demon spawn kids run around screaming. I don't even think I've ever seen someone take a video call unless they were sitting outside, braving the elements as punishment. Literally everyone here is here to talk respectfully with friends and colleagues, or they're here to work. Brutal concrete floors and brick walls or not, this will always be the best coffeeshop in the Triangle because of its atmosphere. O and they pay a living wage but interestingly that doesn't make the coffee 1 billion dollars a cup like it does at other places.

I like the staff, the coffee, the art. Need more cozy places to sit and it's pricey. But good. Sliding scale coffee?? :) I don't know if that's a possibility in eco consumerism. They probably pay their workers a livable wage. 👍 I hope. Then I don't feel so bad about a 10$ cappuccino. Though I wish I could get artist support and affordable housing too. That's all. It's basically a meal for me.

Very friendly staff, nice selection. Lots of seating a nice atmosphere. Wifi was about .53 mbps down. 5.35 up. That wasn't good enough for me to work, but lots of other folks had their laptops open.

This place is truly a perfect example of a third space. This coffee shop sits right across the newly opened Drakeford Library complex and next to Neal’s deli. I found myself coming back again and again for the coffee and vibes. I kept it simple wirh a double shot oat-caramel cappuccino and a morning bun. Lasy few times i’ve gotten to-go drinks; such as a matcha/chai latte. However i really wanted to sit in and enjoy a hot drink. The staff are friendly and happy to give suggestions if you’re finding yourself stuck between options. The morning bun was simple and sweet. the perfect pastry to dip. it was soft and a bit stretchy, as well as being a fun touch of messy on account of the cinnamon sugar it’s covered in. it had an excellent chew and i haven’t had too many pastries like it. the cappuccino was everything i wanted it to be, smooth yet a tad smokey. the froth was perfect and the art was cute! the prices are fair and seating is plentiful. there are both outdoor and indoor seating. not just your typical a chair/table by the door, but a full on patio that easily hosts thirty plus people. this place is both bustling and serene. with the weather getting warmer it’s quickly becoming my new spot. as aforementioned, it’s a perfect third place. you can come here and hangout as they don’t close until 6pm, making it an excellent after class/work spot. if you decide it’s not your speed, the library is right across the road. plus, there’s the restaurant right next door so all your needs can be met! Make no mistake this is no hole in the wall, it is a one eyed jewel on the border of carrboro and chapel hill. may the vibes and coffee continue to be immaculate.