The Optimist

Man I really don't like not giving a 4 or 5 star review. It feels like lately nothing has been excellent. Having said that, I had been curious about this place for some time. I happened to be close by so I decided to stop since I was hungry for breakfast and coffee is always my thing wherever I go. Starting with parking. 9:15 am on a Tuesday and there was plenty.Store was easy to find and upon arrival the first thing I needed was the restroom. I should have just walked out then and there. The restrooms had not been cleaned and I'm certain it was from the previous day. My bad for staying. I ordered the maple walnut latte and avocado toast with bacon. The coffee was good. I normally don't drink it with sweetener, but I wanted to try those flavors. The avocado toast however was a complete disappointment. It was sourdough bread and it was a big slice, but the avocado was smashed into the bread (which was barely toasted) and they were very stingy with it considering the price of it. I paid an extra dollar for what ended up being crumbled up bacon that probably wasn't even a full slice. I was totally unimpressed with it. Overall friendly staff and when I told someone about the bathroom they said they would take care of it. Coffee good, toast terrible. 2 stars and I wouldn't go back. The bathroom was a big turnoff and the quality of the food I got was NOT worth the 18 bucks I paid! 2 stars= friendly staff and good coffee. Everything else (price, quality of food, and cleanliness of bathroom) takes away from it all.

I was impressed by the amount of indoor and outdoor seating options! They also had some games for customers to play which I thought was nice/different. I ordered a latte and it was alright, not the best not the worst, but overall the ambiance made the experience worth it.

Stopped in for some coffee and a light breakfast while visiting the Raleigh area. This was recommended to us by some local folks and I really love a chill coffee shop vibe. They have indoor and outdoor seating and I LOVED all the plant decor as well. The paninis while very simple were made fresh and the coffee was outstanding. Definitely great spot to stop into while in the area. Also a nice spot to work from. 10/10 recommend a visit to The Optimist.

Backstory: I drove to three coffee shops before settling on The Optimist. The Optimist offers a quiet atmosphere with soft music which produces an environment of productivity. Definitely needed on a Monday Second time here, but my first time trying the food. I tried an egg and cheese croissant . To my surprise the eggs were made fresh. Say what?!!! Yes! Fresh. Definitely would recommend with honey. I set here from 10:30am until 2:00pm and I felt like the time flew by. I would recommend ‍

Such a beautiful coffee shop! Love seeing all the live plants vs fake plastic ones. Good vibe...cool things to look at...wed be back all the time if we lived here - but we are just visiting Raleigh for the weekend.

Atmosphere: The Optimist has a beautifully decorated interior, with bold colors, plants, and skeletons all around the shop. The space is a perfect place to work, study, or just hang out, as there are a decent number of tables. Seats can fill up fast though, especially during peak hours. Service: The baristas are friendly, and though it can get crowded at times, the food and drinks come out in a reasonable amount of time. Food: For drinks, we've tried their Matcha Made in Lemon, Flash Coffee, The Stacey, and other seasonal specialities. The Matcha Made in Lemon, a mixture of matcha, raspberry, and lemonade, had a perfect balance of grassiness, fruitiness, and sweetness. The Flash Coffee was vibrant and great for any coffee lover. Lastly, The Stacey, as well as their other lattes, have not disappointed us. The Optimist is always coming up with fun flavor combinations, making each cafe visit a new adventure. For food, we've ordered their Lunch Club, which although small, had a perfectly toasted sourdough that paired well with the hot turkey and vegetables. Overall: We love The Optimist and are excited to hear about their second location opening up! We're looking forward to returning and enjoying more of their specialty drinks.

I can see why this place got such reviews, probably one of the best coffee shops I've been to. They have such a great combination of the obvious, coffee and tea, breakfast foods, sweet treats, beer and wine and great service? Great casual atmosphere, people were studying. Working or on this Sunday hanging out on a hot sunny day. Their coffee is Amazing, perfect strong, not too milky cappuccino is what I had. The cinnamon oat muffin was nice and soft inside , crunchy outside. Perfect with my coffee. My friend got the avocado toast. Which hit the spot she said. Her coffee was also extremely good. Another smoothly run place that knows how to do it right. They have a great space inside, and a quaint little patio out back and seating outside upfront. Absolutely fell in love with this place, it's a shame I don't live in Raleigh!

Nestled in the vibrant neighborhood of Raleigh, The Optimist invites you into a green haven filled with lush plants that breathe life into the space. The moment you step inside, you're wrapped in a warm embrace of nature, with the plant-filled decor creating a serene backdrop that whispers a calm tune amidst the city's hustle​​. It's more than just a coffee shop; it's a retreat where each corner has been tenderly curated to offer a soothing ambiance.The menu at The Optimist is a tribute to wholesome eating. They offer a tantalizing array of healthy food options that not only please the palate but also promise a nourishing experience. Their breakfast offerings, particularly the Goat Meal, won my heart, while the rotating seasonal menu keeps the food journey interesting and fresh. The Optimist is not just a name, but an experience that resonates through the cheerful staff, the cozy ambiance, and the delicious, healthy food options. It's a place where the community gathers to share smiles, stories, and a love for good food and coffee. While the pricing is reasonable and won't break the bank, the wealth of flavors and the inviting atmosphere make every dime spent well worth it.

Tiny servings of both coffee and food (avocado toast). I had one of the special drinks which was a latte with strawberry and rhubarb puree and did not enjoy it. Lots of space inside however if you are looking to have meetings/work with friends.

While out and about on 'Date Day', spouse and I stopped here as plan B due to unforeseen circumstances at our original choice (plumbing problems).Iced Vietnamese Coffee nicely done in that the traditional sweet condensed milk did not overpower the bold brew.Per spouse, his latte was 'very good'. Wanting a light snack we split The Easy with Turkey and a carrot cake muffin. Plan B gets an A !