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3 Cups
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
227 S Elliott RdChapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 968-8993
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 8 am - 8 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
41 reviews for 3 Cups
Review Highlights
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"The french-press coffee is excellent." In 6 reviews -
"The wine bottles look fancy and the wine tastings are great." In 3 reviews -
"Also, there is a bit of outdoor seating." In 4 reviews
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41 reviews in English
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Review from Marin J.
5/11/2012
Dear 3 cups,
I am considering renting a bulldozer and a couple of wide load trailers.
It would be worth the cost to scoop you up and move you whole hog, 2.5 hours away to Wilmington.
I need you.
I need your baristas, who while keeping barista cool, have that yin and yang ability to still be friendly. Whoa.
Now let me order. There is choice, and no venti snobbery here. You order your beverage in a way even a novice can understand, by the ounce.
And lets look at the thing that many coffee houses seen to think they can do without.
Food.
Well at least yummy snacks.Yo. You've got that covered too.
Loved those little kinda hybrid donut-but not things. Kind of like a beignet but I believe they were baked, so you can convince yourself you are having a healthy decadence with your lucious liquid java love.
I wish I lived close enough to work down the menu, to discover if you have got the pour down in your hip pocket as well.
Seating and Ambience a mix of European bar, low tables, high tables and outside seating.
Probably one of the best cups of coffee and worthy of more stars than just 5. -
Review from Tom D.
Washington, DC
12/22/2011
I really wish I could say I love this place, but my experience was disappointing. I placed an order for some wine on 8/31. A week or so later, they contacted me and said one of the wines was out of stock but they would be getting more in a few weeks -- so we agreed to wait to ship until the wine was in stock and the weather was cooler.
On 12/21 I received a shipment, which did not include the wine that wasn't in stock at the time of the order -- and one of the wines was the incorrect vintage. I called and spoke to someone and they said the head of the wine dept was with a client and would call me back in a few minutes, but I didn't hear back. A couple of weeks later, I received the 2 additional bottles -- but again, the vintage was different than what I ordered.
Might be a great place to go and have coffee, tea or a glass of wine, but can't say I would recommend ordering wine from them. -
Review from Jeff L.
Boston, MA
5/14/2012
I love 3 cups. Love the atmosphere, love the coffee but could really go without the pretentiousness. The baristas talk to you like you don't know s*&% about coffee. They get their coffee from counter culture in NC, anyone can go there and it's where Southern Season gets the majority of their beans. It's a cool little spot nonetheless, I used to meet friends there every Saturday and stay for hours and never got pressured to leave, which is really cool. I like their french press as well as the cone drip system they have. If their baristas weren't such clowns this place would easily get 5 stars.
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Review from Audrey S.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 4/27/2012
They now have WiFi and honey!! One star nearer to perfection!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/21/2012
It's so very close to being great.
The things I love:
Well-made thoughtful tea and espresso drinks… Read more »
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Review from Dwight S.
Carrboro, NC
5/11/2012
I love 3 Cups. Excellent coffee and espresso prepared with care, wonderful wine, and a friendly, knowledgeable staff that is passionate about what they do and will take the time to talk to you in detail about their product and things like your respective trips to the Mast Brothers chocolate factory. (And they carry Mast Bros. chocolate! That alone would get them 4 stars, heh.)
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Review from Carrie N.
Chapel Hill, NC
I've tried almost every coffee shop in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area and 3 CUPS is the absolute best! The workers know their coffee, wine, and tea. I never knew espresso could taste this good. Now, that I've tried it, nothing else compares.
They have free wine tastings on Saturday that I hear are wonderful. I hope to make it to one in the near future!
You can also buy wine, coffee beans, and loose leaf tea in the store. Some have said it is expensive, but honestly it is not much more (or the same price) as other venues. Plus the quality is much better here.
The only downfall is that they aren't open Sunday which means I can't get my wonderful 3 CUPS macchiato fix. ;) But, alas, I'm sure the workers need a day of rest. -
Review from Lisa P.
6/8/2011
I'm afraid I can't say much about the coffee or wine as I rarely drink either, but I am a big tea drinker, and this place is wonderful for tea. Often at coffee places the tea is a bit of an afterthought with a poor selection that comes in bags, but this place has a wonderful selection of loose leaf teas. I much prefer black or green teas over "herbal tea" and 3 Cups has a wide variety for me to choose from! I usually get a small (if we're in a rush) or a large (if we're in the mood to sit and chat for a while) teapot with a friend. You'll get a timer so you know how long to let your tea steep.
Besides the teas, I've enjoyed pastries from Scratch bakery and sandwiches from Neal's Deli here- yum! If you're in an indulgent mood, their drinking chocolate is intense and delicious. There's a nice selection of assorted food products you can take home, like some tempting dried pasta and couscous. The staff has always been helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. Parking is more than plentiful. They have a very nice, clean bathroom, painted a lovely warm colour. I'd recommend signing up for their e-mail newsletter as they often have special events like wine tastings or visits from a sausage wagon (seriously, yes, a sausage wagon with sausages made from locally produced meat).
So why the missing star? For me, it's the ambiance- I prefer my coffee shops to be a place where I can hang out for an afternoon, reading or working. As others have mentioned, there aren't any superbly comfy chairs or couches to lounge in for hours. It's definitely a different atmosphere from Driade, Open Eye, or heck, even Starbucks- more of a place to meet a friend, savor a good drink, then move on. But really, that's not so bad, and this place doesn't feel as college-y as a lot of the other coffee shops in the area. -
Review from Kristin W.
Philadelphia, PA
1/11/2012
I'm not a coffee-drinker, but I am a tea-drinker (and a wine-drinker, but not on this particular afternoon), so it was nice to find a place with a good selection and ample parking. The primary issue is the dearth tables and chairs, so be prepared to share a table with another patron. Once you've got a spot, the environment is calm without being so sedate that you worry that you might drift off while others eye your seat.
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Review from Bruce G.
3/3/2011 ROTD 5/30/2011
I finally feel qualified to write a review about 3 cups after I have been there on 3 separate occasions, and each time I tried a different cup offering. The 3 cups in case you were wondering are coffee, tea and wine.
First visit, tried a glass of red wine. Can't remember if it was Pinot or Cab, but it was quite impressive to my neophyte taste buds in regards to fine wine. The only qualm I had is the glass probably cost as much as two bottles of wine over at Trader Joe's down the road. Also that night there was a food truck out front (Farmhand foods) , and they served sausage in a bun which made for an enjoyable meal along with the wine.
Second visit I had the coffee...strong Columbian brew. I also nabbed a pastrami biscuit... very tasty. The lovely counter girl said food came from a nearby bakery...can't remember which one. Good breakfast, except pricey.( Biscuit and coffee was over 6 bucks).
Third visit, I had a scratchy throat and was craving some green tea. I ordered a cup and the counter gentleman asked me what kind. I told him I wasn't really sure and he could pick one. He said he had a Japanese blend in mind and rang me up. The cost was over 5 bucks. Yes over 5 bucks for a cup of tea. I tasted it and my initial reaction was "ewe, this taste like seaweed". By the end of the cup , I was more like "This is pretty damn good". It grew on me pretty quickly. Not sure if it was worth the 5 1/2 bucks though.
Overall impression is that 3 cups is very classy and more geared towards the BMW and SAAB Yuppy crowd than the college student or working class schmoes like myself. It's very pricey, so I probably won't be a regular. They aren't really striving towards lengthy visits either. They have very few tables, no couches, no Wi-Fi or laptop plug-in places.
3 visits, 3 cups, now on to going to 6 plates...Listed in: Coffee Shops
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Review from Dan W.
Leitchfield, KY
Updated - 12/18/2011
I really want to love this place, but can't quite get there. Still too precious and overpriced. Good coffee. Very good. On the whole the most reliably good cup of coffee in town. Though Open Eye pour over (at its best) is better than any cup at 3 cups I have ever had and a heck of a lot cheaper. This place could be top notch, but they are too skimpy and the final product doesn't quite measure up to the apparent obsession they have to be the best.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/15/2010
Definition pretentious. 4 bucks for a cup of black coffee. Decent, but not worth the premium.… Read more »
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Review from Moon L.
Durham, NC
7/3/2011 3 Check-ins Here
3 Cups is a really cool place with its own identity. Their baristas are one of the friendliest I have met in the area. They are not just nice but seem to enjoy their work, which definitely adds to the customers' experience. They are also really helpful =)
There is something about the cafe ambiance (during off-peak hours) that makes you calm and enjoy just being there. The high tables inside are especially nice. They have a variety of tea selection. For example, they have 4 types of green tea. I enjoyed their Japanese green tea, which was pretty pricey, but very refined and deep, yet not heavy, in taste. (I drink a lot of green tea, but not an expert at describing its taste.)
Their pistachio-carrot cake wasn't moist and bit crumbly. But I have yet to try their other various pastry selections. The dark chocolate (the highest % they had- around 80%) I purchased there was amazing and one-of-a kind. Ask the baristas for help when choosing one!
Definitely a place to frequent, especially -
Review from Elizabeth H.
Chapel Hill, NC
5/10/2011
My favorite spot in Chapel Hill for press-pot coffee!
Their coffees are delicious and their wine selection is great also, and very reasonably priced. -
Review from Monica M.
9/17/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Does anyone read that blog, Hyperbole and a Half? My time at this wonderful coffee shop could totally be illustrated by Allie Brosh. However, since I couldn't find a blog post of hers that was similar, I'll do a story description.
I walked in today, hoping to get another coffee shop on my list of places to work from once in a while. Right when I walked in, I was in Monica's playground wonderland. There is WINE! And COFFEE! And... cheese? They have cheese plates? And look at those pastries! Squeeeee! I thought I walked into a slice of heaven, and actually felt joy! The ambiance is awesome, the gentle music playing made me feel at ease, and the staff? Chatty, smiley, in a good mood.. all the things you desire in a coffee/wine/shop. AND, I was offered a wine tasting! Oh sweet sweet victory!
While I was waiting in line, hugging my trusty portable system, I started looking around at the crowd. Not bad.. some people tapping away on systems, a small group chatting.. a person reading.. I could be comfortable! Yay!
At last! It was my turn to order. I ordered a yummy jam cookie and a roast, and chatted with the cashier about the different coffee types, and joked about tasting wine before a workout. He signed me up on one of those nifty 3 Cup cards, and I was on my way!
"Wait!" I asked. "Do you guys have any power outlets that I can plug my system into? I'm almost out of batteries."
My dreams were crushed like a grape in Napa as he slowly shook his head and said, "No.. we don't."
As my heart silently broke, and I mourned passing of the spot that I was going to sit down and be productive.. I had to ask to make that coffee to go.
Lesson learned, kids. No power outlets. Its a shame, too, because I could see myself being a regular. I will be back.. oh yes.. but it won't be M-F from 9-5.Listed in: Adventures in Remote Working
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Review from Robert C.
Chapel Hill, NC
10/14/2010
3rd best coffee distributor in NC (second only to Krankies in Winston Salem and counter culture in Durham)
If you go, get your coffee french pressed. They have really good Ethiopian and Tanzanian coffees.
The coffee is a bit overpriced, but if you are stuck in the triangle with caffeine withdrawl why not
They also need to move this store, it is stuck in an ugly strip mall. If they moved it to a place where they had a back yard or private chilling zone this would be a much more appealing place to visit.
They also sell a lot of nice wines and chocolates for reference. -
Review from Keiko C.
Hanging out in Chapel Hill is worth the drive when I can make it to 3 Cups.
3 Cups is exactly what I want in a coffee shop. They serve my coffee in a French press, my tea loose, and my espresso perfectly pulled. On their coffee- 3C has a pretty impressive collection of roasted beans. I don't think I've ever been stuck ordering the same thing multiple times and I can't say I've ever been disappointed. Even the days where I'm sipping on 200 degree coffee while it's 98 and humid outside... where I'm sitting, smoking a cigarette.
The wine selection is pretty impressive as well. Actually, I can't try to even fake knowing anything about wine. I know I enjoy some but really am a novice when it comes to knowledge and expertise on the subject. The wine bottles look fancy and the wine tastings are great. 3 flutes of wine, get a cheese plate [the big one with the figs], and a glass of water and be set for a short while... That's the way I do it.
So I guess I really do love this place. Wine, cheese, coffee. Three things I cannot live without and three things 3 Cups supplies for me on my each, and every visit. -
Review from Liz W.
Durham, NC
9/9/2010
If you want excellent coffee go to 3 cups. They pride themselves on being coffee experts... they also have tea, and goodies. I've only gotten the coffee and assorted baked goods, most (or all) of which are locally made!
In addition to their coffee, 3 cups hosts regular wine/tea/coffee tastings. I have only been to a blind wine tasting.... which I think was in summer 2009. The wine was excellent and company was good. They send out regular emails/updates about these events.. I would highly recommend checking it out (note that these events are not free, but are worth it!)
My only qualms are that they don't have tons of seating, have no wireless internet/plugs for computers... sometimes that is a plus when you just want to read!
Also, there is a bit of outdoor seating..but it overlooks a parking lot--so it isn't the best view. -
Review from Caroline R.
Durham, NC
2/11/2010
3 Cups is where you go if you want seriously good coffee. It's not about froufy sugary coffee drinks, or thrifted couches, or posing like an artiste scribbling in a notebook -- none of those coffee shop stereotypes. You go there to enjoy a simple cup of French press coffee that's everything coffee should be. For this reason, it's my favorite coffee shop.
I usually get the coffee they're recommending that day (they carry single-origin coffees), and always try it black before I add any cream or sugar. The coffee is usually balanced and smooth enough to enjoy black, even if (like me) you usually don't drink black coffee. At 3 Cups, I learned that coffee can be as delicious and complex as wine -- it's not just bitter stuff you have to doctor up with cream and flavor syrups to enjoy.
I don't like the new location as much as the old one -- not nearly as walkable -- but it is nice to have a bigger space, and I gather there was some landlord-instigated drama at the old location.
It's worth subscribing to their email newsletter, too. They send out great information about coffee, tea, and wine they've got on special -- excellent affordable wine recs for Thanksgiving and New Year's, for example. -
Review from Andrew D.
9/16/2010
It's too bad that The Courtyard was controlled by 2 crazy people, that location was awesome.
This place could be inside of a methadone clinic and I'd still say it's the best coffee in town. They mark roast dates meticulously - you can pick up a pound of beans that were roasted that morning. -
Review from Sara A.
Chapel Hill, NC
3/19/2010 2 Check-ins Here
3 cups is a coffee and wine shop where you can sit and drink a glass or peruse their larger selection of take-home wine bottles. They also have a small food menu, mostly of pastries, sandwiches, cheese plates, and other things you'd eat with wine or coffee.
Great place to go try/have a glass of/learn about wine. In my experience, the people who work there are super nice and not at all condescending about wine, which seems to be somewhat of a rarity in small wine shops. They let you try what they have on special and will patiently tell you all about the wines. They have reasonably priced wine workshops regularly too, which I've been meaning to try. I have heard the coffee and tea is fantastic, but I always ends up drinking wine when I go in there.
The atmosphere inside is nice with good light, but isn't too coffee-shoppy, which I would prefer. There are no couches or comfortable chairs, just tables. It would be a good place to go do some work theoretically... but there's no WiFi! Not even paid, sadly. I suppose they don't want people hanging around forever. Sometimes I do still go here to get some wine and read a book or chat with a friend, but not as often as I would if it was a little more comfortable. But it's definitely a place where they focus on serving and selling good, quality products and less on the atmosphere of the place itself.
With the move to Elliott Road, there is a ton of available parking now. Check the website for hours - they aren't open too late (maybe until 8 pm?), and not usually on Sundays. -
Review from Rebecca M.
Chapel Hill, NC
4/4/2010 4 Check-ins Here
I'm a 3 cups regular because of their commitment to excellent coffee, tea and wine. The beverages that they serve and sell are not the ones that you'll find in groceries stores or box box wine shops. 3 cups sells coffee, tea, wine and some food products (e.g., amazing chocolate) that are produced by small farmers and producers from all over the world. When I buy something at 3 cups, I know that I'm drinking really good stuff.
Besides being incredibly knowledgeable about the products they sell, the 3 cups staff are just fun. The staff are passionate about their products, while being unpretentious.
If you can ever go to one of the stores events or classes, its well worth your time. I've learned a lot about wine from going to their classes.
Also (!) their cappuccinos are amazing. -
Review from Lupo A.
Chapel Hill, NC
6/1/2010
Only place in Chapel Hill where they know how to make a hot cup of tea. Kudos! It's probably because they care.
Wine selection is good, but what should make this place the ultimate stop for true wine connaisseurs is Jay's knowledge (he is encharged of the wine section). Great, modest guy who loves his job and treats everybody with respect. -
Review from nick m.
Raleigh, NC
5/21/2008
Best coffee shop bar none in the Triangle. Top shelf coffee knowledge without the faux-Starbucks pretense. You can buy beans here that have been roasted w/in the past day, as well as select from a variety of coffees from which I have not seen a match. French press-style cups with a mini hour glass (4 min) so you know when your joe's ready.
Another review said, "3 Cups taught me what coffee can be." Very accurate - check out their web site or try a Coffee Cupping (like a wine tasting for coffee). Stop drinking coffee from beans that were roasted weeks ago and freeze dried. Your coffee should be as fresh as produce, and the drinking ritual as fun as sparking dank.
They sell wine there as well, but I haven't investigated it as thoroughly. Very much the hipster scene for real coffee drinkers in Chapel Hill. Go here to cool out and read a book, or just sit in the courtyard & take it all in. -
Review from William A.
Durham, NC
2/6/2010
Oh how i love 3 cups....because im lazy, a one stop place for my tea and coffee.
The coffee: No big secret here, but all of their coffee is repackaged counter culture coffee. The selection is decent with most roast being within 7 days of roasting. So fresh i have to vent the airtight container daily i store it in to keep the top from popping off. The quality of the roast is excellent which is to be expected from Counter Culture. Price is right too.
The tea: Sold in either big airtight ziploc bags or fancy tins depending on the amount you buy. Not as clear about the origin as they are with everything else in the store, but everything seems to be of good quality. Price is good.
The Baristas: For the most part good, however i have had a 1 or 2 that were a severe disappointment. However they have all been friendly.
The atmosphere: People have complained about it but the seating area never has a shortage of people.
They also sell brewing gear including replacement glass for bodum presses -
Review from Danger Z.
Flushing, Queens, NY
10/16/2009
Get your beans here! 3 Cups is serious about coffee, and it shows.
Traditionally, they mainly serve coffee by french press, but they just got an espresso machine so they can make you lattes and such now. (UPDATE: just tried a macchiato and it was perfect, so their espresso is up to par as well.)
The baristas are a bit pretentious about coffee & wine, but that's ok, they know what they're doing.
The only thing that is slightly amiss is the cafe atmosphere. 3 Cups is really a coffee and wine shop with a cafe sitting area, rather than a traditional cafe that happens to sell beans.
On the plus side the dishware is great, they serve you coffee in ceramic cups, real spoons, and bodum presses. If it weren't for the utilitarian feel of the cafe area, I'd give it 5 stars for sure.
Oh and did I mention they have great beans? They have great beans. -
Review from mari h.
Fair trade coffees, wines, teas, chocolates and farmer's market cheeses, meats and preserve jar types.
With an incredibly knowledgeable staff in all of the above areas, you really can't go wrong. They make drip coffee delicious again and keep it all new and interesting.
I think the only way they could improve is to kick out the bread company next door for seating and offer wi-fi...and merge shops with Loco-pops...mmmm! -
Review from Jake S.
Chapel Hill, NC
3/16/2008
3 Cups has taught me what coffee can be. Sure the utility of the beverage is key, but 3 Cups reminds that coffee is much like wine its variety of quality and taste. Be warned, this isn't Starbucks where speed and size are the name of the game, but 3 Cups also isn't lost in its careful appreciation of java.
3 Cups is situated in a secluded square just off of Chapel Hill's busy Franklin Street. It's joined by a specialty Popsicle shop, a fancy French restaurant, a Mediterranean spot, and the specialty sandwich shop that it's connected to. All of this combines with the cool interior of 3 Cups to create the ideal backdrop for an unbelievable cup of joe.
Quite possibly the best part of the 3 Cups experience is the staff. Not only are they friendly and unassuming, but they all seem to be well-informed coffee experts who excitedly fill you in on what the shop has to offer.
The coffee is served in a french press alongside a warm mug and a timer. The guest takes the tray to their table and waits for the timer to expire, at which point they do their part in the brewing process by pressing all of the grinds to the bottom (it really is a simple press of a lever, but it's fun when you have time).
Though it's certainly ideal to sit around and enjoy your coffee with a good friend, book, or newspaper, they'll also package it up to-go for the busy customer. Though I'm often tempted into picking up a cup (because it's SO much better than Starbucks or any other chain coffee) on the run, I prefer to take a friend and try a couple different kinds over good conversations. I try to utilize the knowledgeable staff to help me pick out a new one each time, too, so I don't get stuck in a rut.
3 Cups also has an outstanding wine, tea, and chocolate selection. They have great community tastings and lectures on four foods that are even more enjoyable when you can properly appreciate them.
Best of all it really isn't that much more expensive than other java dealers in the area, though it's light years better.
Did I mention that they have an outstanding pastry selection that is brought over fresh each morning by a local baker?
While I wish they were open on Sundays when I often have time for 3 cups, 3 Cups is a cut above its competitors and a truly unique experience. -
Review from Kianna M.
Dallas, TX
4/28/2008 2 photos
This is why I fell in love with coffee, really fell in love; 3 CUPS of course. Yeah! I've tasted coffee at those other outposts and I'd even learned about being a "Coffee Connoisseur" some time ago in a barista training in NYC. I was excited and blown away to think that coffee had different flavors and "varietals" if you will.
Nevertheless, 3 CUPS, heart of my heart, bean of bean allows one to experience the variations of coffees from around the world singularly; yes that is a single roast, fresh ground, french pressed cup of loveliness. It's so much fun trying different ones, having your friends taste and guess which "Bin" you selected and describe what their palate captures from that bean; whether it be fruitiness, chocolate, acidity, or earthiness.
If you love loose teas, the best chocolate you can buy and not to mention fine wines, 3 CUPS has it there for you too! Oh, might I recommend the "drinking chocolate" smooth, rich and decadent, you're gonna love it!
There is FREE wireless internet services, outdoor seating with a lovely water fountain and stream creation and on most occasions there is additional indoor seating next door to Sandwich. It's a wonderfully relaxing courtyard to eat, drink, read, study, think, create, play, as well as, mingle and meet new friends!
Let's do 3 CUPS sometime! :-) -
Review from Gary B.
Oakland, CA
4/10/2008
3 Cups is a main reason I miss the area - there are so many things to miss, but I do miss the great coffee and service there.
My strong appreciation for coffee has come from my many visits to 3 Cups (and their supplier, Counter Culture Coffee Company). They truly appreciate the finer things, so they take their coffee, tea, wine and food (the food selection consisted mostly of fine chocolate, occasionally cheese and pastries when I was last there) very seriously and with a great deal of thought. Though the food selection is limited, Lex Alexander, the owner, does cover food topics on occasion in his weekly email (which I highly recommend).
When you go to 3 Cups, you can expect a knowledgable staff help to answer your questions even if you don't know the right questions to ask. They can help guide you to selecting a coffee that may fit your taste if you buying by the pound. If you are buying a cup, they can help tell you what to look for. When you go to 3 Cups, do not expect that you can order a latte or cappuccino or even simply an espresso. When it comes to coffee, they deal with strictly with great coffee.
Lastly, if you want to brew a great cup at home, they have plenty of accessories for sale there. The staff can also help you make the right choice. -
Review from Josh S.
Sunnyvale, CA
5/11/2006
Great tasting coffee, tea, wine, cheese, and chocolate. Staff is very friendly. Atmosphere is cool, usually accompanied by good music.
Outdoor seating is available in the courtyard if the weather is nice, and the shop offers a number of interesting classes on coffees, teas, and wines.
If you stop by at lunch time, you can grab a great sandwich at SandwHich next door (the sandwHich people bring orders out to the coffee shop).
Downsides?
Hours. They're only open till 10pm during the summer, but usually the place looks pretty dead by 9pm. They're also completely closed on Sundays (suck).
Also, no wireless internet (free or otherwise), and outlets are scarce. -
Review from Miles M.
Carrboro, NC
4/25/2011
I am a big fan of their tea selection. Unique teas steeped the right way... And a gorgeous selection of wine.
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Review from Nancy H.
Arlington, VA
3/30/2010
Super cute coffee shop that attracts winos with their awesome selection. It's kind of in a random location, by an ABC liquor store and the ever popular Whole Foods, but on the plus side there's plenty of parking. It would make for a great study spot if they had outlets or free wifi, which I guess goes against the "organic look" they're going for. This cafe's probably better to come with a friend to catch up over a big cup of coffee or enjoy a couple of glasses of wine. My only gripe with the soy chai I ordered was that it wasn't piping hot, definitely more on the lukewarm side. It was a lot of fun to browse through their wine offerings and the staff was extremely helpful and knowledgeable about their goods. They came up with a lot of good recommendations based on what I liked.
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Review from Casey L.
Chapel Hill, NC
8/11/2010
The french-press coffee is excellent. Drink it black. I actually like the seating area, very clean and utilitarian. The workers are great, especially the very very nice young woman with a wonderful European accent and charming smile. I always feel comfortable and well served at 3 cups. It's the number one place for black coffee and excellent value on wines.
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Review from Gian J.
Chapel Hill, NC
10/4/2010
A great location for a quick meet-up or to linger and spend your afternoon. Lots of wines to choose from at very reasonable prices. The hot chocolate was delicious and the cheese plate was also very tasty. Check it out!
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Review from Christina G.
Durham, NC
6/13/2008
3 Cups moved out overnight -- there's not a stick of furniture left in the place! The N&O ran an article on the sudden closure that you can link to from the 3 Cups website. They are relocating in CH, but no word yet on exactly where...
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Review from R. C.
Chapel Hill, NC
6/22/2011
I love this spot with divine tea, coffee, wine and other exotic and local delectables.
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Review from Zach W.
Carrboro, NC
6/13/2008
I just found 3cups two weeks before it closed. I know they have plans to reopen, but its far away from Carrboro so meetings over some of the best coffee I've had in this country are sadly going to be few and far between. Please support 3cups at its new location.
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Review from Sarah A.
Chapel Hill, NC
1/25/2006
Small but excellent coffee and chocolate shop for the gourmet. Selection of blends is limited but wisely chosen. Coffee served in press pots (small or large).
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Review from Bob S.
Chapel Hill, NC
11/14/2008
I was dissapointed in the coffee but plan to go back and try the wine. .. It doesnt feel nearly as cozy as it did .. I liked the old feel better and now I have to drive to a strip mall to get there .. ugggh
worth saying .. they re-opened in a new location -
Review from Lenka B.
Chapel Hill, NC
8/31/2009
Ambiance is a big factor for me when it comes to deciding where to pay more than I should for coffee. I like comfy chairs, good relaxing music, to be surrounded by interesting people, and maybe even a nice outdoor seating area when I fork up the extra dough to buy a fancy coffee. 3Cups has good tasting coffee, but that is absolutely all it has going for it. So, if good tasting coffee is REALLY all you want from a coffee shop, than go for it. They will even drip coffee through a filter out in the open and make it seem new & trendy & special. You will probably love that. But, when they put your coffee mug on a tray and you carry your tray back to your uncomfortable metal chair whilst very loud renditions of Modest Mouse and such is playing on the speakers, you'll realize that 3cups really just wants you to buy your coffee and leave. Oh, and they have wine, but not a very wide selection. The End.
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Review from Jennifer W.
Chapel Hill, NC
11/16/2009
I love the coffee here. It is my favorite in town. The interior is pretty but not comfy enough to sit down to work. It get that they want it to be a place to socialize, not stare at a computer screen all day. So unfortunately I cannot go there when I need to work. So this cuts both ways.
My biggest problem is that it's in an ugly strip mall. I realize that's the ways things are sometimes. Some of my problem is that I moved here from San Francisco where I could ride my bike to a number of great cafes with pretty views, even if it was just of the street.
I actually find the staff to be fairly unpretentious considering what they are selling. They are being fancy pants, so that's fine. The folks just hanging out there are annoying. I try to not listen in on their conversations, but they are loud, especially when talking about their time living in France or how cosmopolitan they are. I have a pretty high tolerance for that, but come on! I have found that in a few places in Chapel Hill. That's fine if that's you, but don't shout it like we're all supposed to be impressed. It's sad.
