Cortado not only serves coffee + tea — it also has Dubai chocolate. | Photo by RALtoday
Searching for your new favorite coffee shop in Raleigh? We’re here to help. Peruse our guide to find the local coffee shop or cafe that works for you.
On-the-go joe
Bad Brain Coffee | Check the monthly schedule and catch this shop on wheels when you can. If you’re playing for keeps, get your bev in a reusable skull cup equipped with a lid + straw.
Where to write your novel
Beow’s Books + Brews | This spot offers working space, bevs + bites to fuel your ideas, and an inventory of books ranging from philosophy to culture.
Specialty drinks
Cortado | The new kid on the block boasts creative bevs like the lavender honey latte + peach mango matcha.
Perfect for a date
Willow House | Enjoy this light + airy atmosphere and get comfy while savoring every sip of drinks like a plant-based Cacao Koffee or a classic chai latte. Plus, enjoy community events like the upcoming Night of Magic on Friday, April 25.
After Work Social | 4:30-9:30 p.m. | Slims Dive Bar | Price of purchase | Take a break from the week’s routine to pop by and enjoy various drink specials + company from other Oak City professionals.
Wednesday, April 16
Cocktail Class: The Old Fashioned | 6-8:30 p.m. | Whiskey Kitchen | $50 | Learn how to make the perfect Old Fashioned cocktail while enjoying complimentary light hors d’oeuvres — plus, you’ll receive a bar tool kit to take home.
Nita Prose | “The Maid’s Secret” | 7 p.m. | Quail Ridge Books | $35 | Partake in a curated discussion with the author of this mystery — plus, get a copy of the novel included in your ticket.
Raleigh will permanently close part of South Street today, April 14, to make room for the new Red Hat Amphitheater and convention center expansion. Despite concerns, officials say traffic will flow using nearby streets like Lenoir, which can handle the redirected volume without major congestion. (The News & Observer)
Sports
NC State’s Madison Hayes, Aziaha James, and Saniya Rivers have declared for tonight’s WNBA Draft, airing at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN. Rivers + James are projected as first or second-round picks, while Hayes may be selected in later rounds. Make sure to tune in and support The Pack. (The News & Observer)
Travel
BermudAir launched its new international route to RDU on Friday, April 11. The nonstop flights from Bermuda further expand RDU’s growing list of domestic + global connections. (The News & Observer)
Seasonal
North Hills Midtown Farmers Market reopened for the season on Saturday, April 12 at The Commons. Shop in-season produce from local vendors every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. through Nov. 2 and enjoy activities including lawn games + live music.
Edu
Millbrook and Lincoln Heights elementary schools in Wake County earned top national honors for their environmental education programs, promoting sustainability and hands-on learning. Recognized by Magnet Schools of America, the schools focus on creating environmentally literate students. (The News & Observer)
Community
Raleigh Water has opened its first certified drinking water lab, a 15,000 sqft facility in Wake Forest. The state-of-the-art lab will test over 50,000 samples yearly, aiming to ensure clean water for more than 650,000 residents across seven communities in the region.
Mansion Monday
A seven-bed, nine-bathrooms + three half-baths estate just hit the market near Poole Lake and Milbrook High School in The Barony gated community. See inside this opulent home featuring a saltwater infinity pool, indoor racquetball court, and two-story marble foyer with a custom glass dome spanning 17,711 sqft.
Environment
Colossal Biosciences, known for its de-extinction efforts, is exploring ways to help save NC’s endangered red wolves using cloning and gene-editing technology. With fewer than 20 red wolves in the wild, the company aims to boost genetic diversity and aid future conservation, though no state partnership exists yet. (Axios Raleigh)
Our Parents’ Gift Guide is almost complete, but we have a few spots left to feature your business’s product or service. Secure your spot just in time for Mother’s Day + Father’s Day.
Seasonal
It’s social event season — outsmart the noise of rumbling crowds and hear conversations more clearly. Most hearing aids have one processor, but these bad boys have two. They process speech and noise separately, so speech gets clearer and crisper. That’s why 540,000+ customers swear by them.*
Category
Read
📚 Our next book club pick
There’s nothing like a thrilling read to get your heart racing. | Photo via City of Raleigh, graphic by RALtoday
The RALtoday book club is back with a new local thriller that’s packed with secrets, suspense, and Southern scandal. Our next read? Shanora Williams’s “The Bitter Truth,” a gripping story set right here in Raleigh.
Meet Jolene Baker, a savvy businesswoman and the First Lady of NC, who begins to question everything when her husband, Gov. Dominic Baker, starts unraveling under the weight of a dark secret. This tale of ambition, betrayal, and power will keep you hooked until the last page.
You have until Monday, June 2, to read and share your thoughts — we’ll feature standout reader feedback in an upcoming article. Don’t forget to join our online book club space for updates, discussions, and more.
Pro tip: Try to snag your copy at a local bookstore — most will order it for you — or check the shelves at your local library. If you’re a Kindle reader, it’s available on Kindle Unlimited.
The Buy
LED under cabinet lights, so you can finally have light in dark closets, above kitchen counters, or beneath shelves. The wireless lights turn on with a motion sensor and can be adjusted between five different brightness levels.
We can’t wait for the next 21Marbles event. | Photo by RALtoday
Our coverage of the 21Marbles event piqued my interest, so I stopped by on Friday, and it was such a great time. I particularly enjoyed laser tag and the barcade.
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