Caffe Driade

02/14/2008 Posted by sebst55

While the coffee is wonderful and for the childless customer may be worth tolerating the dogs of the regulars that roam free around the great atmosphere, I strongly encourage any one with children or a desire to be treated politely by the staff to stay away. I had a terrible experience where my daughter was almost knocked over by a "regular" while trying to look at the dogs and when I said something to her she denied it and her male friend cussed me like a sailor at the top of his lungs in front of my 2 year old who was terrified. Basically the response from the staff was that the regulars can do what they want and that certainly seems to be the case. If you really must have good coffee, and I sympathize, leave your children supervised in the car and get it to go or try the owner's other shop in Carborro.

Pros: amazing coffee

Cons: not child friendly or customer friendly unless you are a "regular" - meaning you spend most days there

08/11/2007 Posted by panachechem

Most independent coffee shops in the area have free wireless internet. Why not this one? I feel I'm being nickel-and-dimed to pay an extra $5 to check email when I already spent that much on on coffee. The inside space is tiny so only 2 people can work behind the counter and I can understand that after a long day the staff can get a little snappy. Lines get long...which is worsened by customers who want all kinds of special requests or don't think about what what they want *before* it's their turn to order. They could also have a jug of water out so you don't have to stand in line to ask for a cup of water (and then face dirty looks from staff because you're not ordering more expensive drinks). The outside seating area is spectacular. I think that's what keeps people coming back. You feel like 1/2 a world away.

Pros: great outdoor seating, peaceful

Cons: small space, no free internet

03/17/2007 Posted by godofsilvio

The only place that can make a real and full-bodied macchiato. Entertaining, idiosyncratic baristas. Interesting music is always playing. One can still smoke outside without suffering fascist, body-obsessed yuppies driving SUVs who sneer at you for enjoying a cigarette. Holds esoteric appeal for artists, dreamers and shamanistic types.

Pros: Ambience, Espresso

Cons: Pricey

02/28/2007 Posted by carlagina

I do love this place. I come here for the ambience and the cappucinos. It's unique garden setting, eclectic clientele, changing artwork, and music is what makes it great. The best night ever: sitting outside on a warm summer evening, sipping on some red wine and listening to the Cuban jazz... good times

Pros: coffee, ambience, music

Cons: lack of seating space in the winter

10/18/2006 Posted by ionio22

The coffee is terrific and the atmosphere is lovely and original. Sorry to say that I have found the baristi to be rude on several occasions. When I had inquired about a glass for my friend's beer other than the caffe latte glasses, the barista looked at me as if I had two heads and coldly said "well you can have a Heffeweisen glass if you don't break it." Any place with Driade's pretentions should not hesitate to give out proper beer glasses with the beer it sells. On a separate occasion one barista cut right in front of me while I was obviously waiting in line to use the bathroom, storming right ahead of me. That said, the quality of the coffee, and skill of the baristi is superb. I don't even mind waiting a long time for them to make it. Too bad a couple of them seem to take pleasure in cultivating a less than thoughtful attitude towards their customers.

Pros: great coffee, atmosphere, outdoor area

Cons: baristas are great at making coffee, but have a haughty attitude

08/15/2006 Posted by jjc9374

This place is a great little spot to grab a coffee or a glass of wine, and then head out onto the open-air patio for some mellow live tunes. For me, unless I was there to see a specific music, it's recommended as a beginning or end of the night stop.

03/13/2006 Posted by porktaco

While I haven't been to Italy, I have been to many coffee-crazed cities and can safely say that the capps at Driade are the best I've ever had. I was trying to convince a friend with very demanding tastes to move here, so of course we went here. I could practically see tears welling up in his eyes when he saw the drinks. I kid you not! Every now and then, you get a new barista on a busy day so you have to settle for merely darned fine rather than out of this world. That's a cross I'm willing to bear. That, and the fact that if the line is more than 3 deep, you'd better get comfy, 'cause it's going to be a while. The space is quite cool as well and it's the perfect place to steal an hour on nice day.

Pros: cappucino, scene, funny baristas

Cons: quite slow

11/28/2005 Posted by gourmetgirl86

I have been in the Triangle area for a little over a year, visiting Driade @ least once a week, and could never tire of its setting or the amazing coffee.

08/06/2005 Posted by yt

I've been to cafe's all over the northeast and west coast... this is definitely one of the best I've had the pleasure of going to. Of course, the coffee is good - the barristas are great and will even add sugar to your hot espresso before making an iced drink so no sinking sugar crystals. The ambience is wonderful - there is an enormous, multi tiered outdoor seating area surrounded by trees - extremely restful and rejuvenating. The inside of the cafe contains original artwork. The customers are a range from students to local folk. They also offer a selection of yummy looking pastries that I've yet to try. A great place to study, meet a date, have coffee with friends, or just spend a Saturday morning. GO!

Pros: Barristas, Ambience

05/15/2005 Posted by nyx4

The baristi at Caffe Driade are easily the most knowledgeable and accomplished in the area. Staying closer to european standards and ignoring the american mantra of "bigger is better" is par for the course, and the results are truly sublime. The ever-expanding wine list offers something for everyone, and has some real gems if you're willing to be a bit adventurous. As with the drinks, I feel the setting cannot be matched. My personal favorite is a simple cappuccino - Imbibe!

Pros: Superior quality, Staff, Summer music

Cons: Improper wine glasses