By: Emma Belk
A Woodland Experience at Caffé Driade
I found myself staying within walking distance from Caffé Driade this week so I thought I’d check it out as part of my morning stroll. Caffé Driade is one of the most unique coffee spots in the Chapel Hill area. It’s basically built into the woods and accessible from Bolin Creek Greenway. It was 68 degrees, sunny, and warm this morning- a crazy shift from the entire day of thunderstorms during the week. I’m always looking for a new coffee shop to try out and coffee walks are the best kind of walks, so I’m excited to share this spot with you all.
Location
Right off Bolin Creek Greenway in East Chapel Hill, you can walk up a path through the woods and end up on the doorstep of Caffé Driade. If you don’t live near the Greenway, don’t fret, you can just reverse what I did. There's a nice parking lot for you to start your day with a cup of joe and walk down along the greenway for as long as you’d like. Or, if you’re more in the mood for sitting and chatting, there is plenty of outdoor seating.
Caffé Driadre is tucked into the woods and is a great way to escape the busy roads and sit in nature for a while. The outdoor seating has multiple levels, some closer to the caffé and other seats on a platform between the trees. The sound of birds chirping in the morning and getting some sunshine make it the perfect place to catch up on work outside.
Ambiance
Beyond the woodland vibe and the ability to watch some small forest wildlife, Caffé Driade is decorated in a very unique way. Many artsy tiles line the wall of the barista bar, and they’re seen outside along the path. Also, the seats are a pretty blue color that doesn’t detract from the natural ambiance. The caffé is pretty small on the inside, but if you’re looking for covered seating, they have a covered front porch room that’s partially open-air.
Drinks and Eats
The menu choices are extensive, ranging from handcrafted espresso drinks, and coffee, to whole-leaf tea and baked goods. They even have a selection of wine and beer for when they’re open later on the weekends. I ordered an iced maple latte and tried their pumpkin chai baked muffin. Both were delicious. I normally wouldn’t go for a pumpkin muffin but I was in the mood to try something new, and I’m glad I did. It tasted like an elevated slice of pumpkin bread and paired nicely with my latte.
Final Remarks
I always love supporting local, independent, businesses in the Chapel Hill area. It’s extra special that I could incorporate the caffé as a stop on my walk and enjoy the lovely spring weather. Caffé Driade upholds its local business authenticity by using Carrboro coffee roasters' coffee beans and wonderfully tapping into the natural beauty in Chapel Hill. I’d always recommend a coffee walk when the weather is nice and a caffé on the greenway can’t get any more perfect.
Caffé Information:
1215-A East Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Current Hours of Operation:
M – F: 8am to 2pm
SA & SU: 9am to 6pm
Posted by The Honeycutt Team on
Leave A Comment