The question we get from guests more than any other? "Where should we get coffee?" So this week we turned our answer into an Instagram series, and here's the full version.
From here on, you'll find a new post here every Tuesday: design notes, honest updates from our Durham and North Topsail Beach houses, and roundups of the local spots we love.
Below are the ten coffee stops from this week's series. In each town, three are the well-known favorites, and two are the quieter spots closest to the house. Those last two are the ones we'd walk (or bike) to on a slow morning.
Durham: five stops near Stadium Heights
The Durham house sits about a mile north of downtown, right on the bike lane, and there's a bike waiting for you inside. Every stop below is an easy ride.
1. Cocoa Cinnamon (@cocoacinnamon), 420 W Geer St. The Durham original. Come for the coffee, stay for the drinking chocolate. Heads up: Wi-Fi hours are limited on purpose, so bring a friend instead of a laptop.
2. Foster Street Coffee (@fosterstreetcoffee), 530 Foster St. Right next to the Durham Food Hall, so coffee can easily turn into brunch. A good Saturday move when the farmers market is on a few blocks away.
3. Joe Van Gogh, Broad St. A local roaster with a long Triangle history. Nice pairing with a walk around Ninth Street and Duke's East Campus.
4. Omie's Coffee Shop and Roastery, 2300 N Roxboro St. One of our two close-to-the-house picks. A woman-owned, low-waste shop in North Durham's Braggtown neighborhood, named for the owner's grandmother. Order whatever the seasonal latte is; they're known for adventurous flavors.
5. Liturgy Beverage Co. (@liturgybeverage), inside Durham Food Hall, 530 Foster St. Our other short-ride pick. Single-origin pour-overs, tea, and drinking chocolates, made by a team that takes sourcing seriously. Ask the barista what they'd order; the seasonal specials are the move.
Topsail: five stops near North Topsail Beach
The beach house is about three miles north of the Surf City pier, four rows back from the ocean. All five of these are a short drive.
1. Sundial Coffee and Tea, 104 Charlie Medlin Dr, Surf City (Triton Village). A cozy, linger-a-while shop with loose-leaf teas and a long list of house drinks. Locals meet here, and it shows.
2. Diver Surfside Cafe, 809 Roland Ave, Surf City. Just over the Surf City bridge. Look for the pink house, then head upstairs for Intracoastal views with your latte, smoothie, or acai bowl.
3. Sea Blue Coffee & Ice Cream, 116C S Shore Dr, Surf City. Steps from the beach between accesses 18 and 19. Coffee in the morning, ice cream after the beach, and a few gifts to browse in between.
4. The Daily Grind, 114 N Topsail Dr, Surf City. One of our close-to-the-house picks. Family-owned since 2010, with coffee, donuts, a deck, and its sister wine bar, UnWINEd, next door. Expect a morning line in season; the donuts are worth it.
5. Coffee Haven, 113 Silver Sands Dr, Sneads Ferry. The other close one, just across the bridge on the north end. A tiny drive-through and walk-up spot with a "coffee and kindness" motto and very friendly staff. Ideal for a grab-and-go before a sunrise walk.
Shop details checked Nov 6, 2026. Hours change seasonally, so check each shop's page before you go.
For slow mornings at the house
Not every morning needs a coffee run. For the days you'd rather stay in your pajamas, here's the coffee gear from our rentals' amenities list, plus a few favorites for porch coffee.
Keurig coffee maker. The easy button. Anyone can make a cup on arrival day without reading instructions.
Philips 2200 Series espresso machine. Fully automatic, with a milk frother, so a latte takes one button.
Breville Barista Express. For the coffee people who like to grind, tamp, and tinker.
Waffle Weave Blanket. Because porch coffee in November needs a blanket.
Richards outdoor lounge chair. Faux rattan with removable cushions, made for long, slow porch coffee.
POLYWOOD Estate rocking chair. A classic white porch rocker, built to live outside year-round.
See everything we use in the houses in our LTK shop.
Some links here are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only share things we use in our own homes.
Until next time
Next up on Instagram: more coffee (and some very good bakeries) on Nov 13, then we're heading into the holidays with local gift guides. Follow along at @topnotchinnc, and if you visit any of these spots, tell us your order.
Planning a trip to Durham or Topsail? We'd love to host you. You can find both houses on our rentals page.
Shop the slow-morning list
Affiliate links. Product photos via LTK.
