Over all was a very mediocre experience. It’s a beautiful big and fun colored on the inside, but absolutely no inside seating which was frustrating when the building is definitely big enough to have at least SOME indoor seating. I understand covid and policies, but with that much an inside space I think there could have been some. It was frustrating to me because I drove almost 30 minutes to have a quick breakfast with my family and the outdoor tables were full or on person took up a large table. They definitely have a lot of customers so I don’t understand why they don’t make more seating indoors.I had the Mama Mia bagel and it was good, with the one problem being just toasted too dark. But that’s just my personal preference. I gave 3 stars because of my frustration of no seating.I did love the colors and cute little decor they had.

Coffee drinks are great, the staff is always super nice and its always refreshing to see the owner working behind the counter. I just wish they had more substantial breakfast items beyond baked goods. Dont get me wrong, their baked goods are really good. But Id love to see some kind of breakfast sandwich or wrap or something along those lines as well. In any case, we still frequent this place!

Very Welcoming and Professional staff!Everything is pretty good and the price is correct. I didnt put a 5 ⭐ only because unfortunately my dry capuccino its not always good, sorry 😐 but its perfect when its made by the owner😊

The coffee is amazing and the service is even better! I have been grabbing one of their gallons of iced coffee regularly and it lasts me a week! Their staff is so friendly and helpful!

This is hands down our favorite coffee shop- and they roast the greatest beans! Everywhere we go, thank goodness all over, we visit coffee shops... and BTs maintains the #1 spot in our hearts and taste buds. Their bean selection is on point, and theres something for everyone.

I have been going here since I moved to Durham 6 years ago and they have always treated me like a neighbor rather than just a customer. Today I had my baby in her carrier and they offered to walk my order out to my car. It might seem little but it really meant a lot to me. Thank you so much for serving the community bean and happiness

Great GF muffins and service is top notch. While coffee is the reason most go, the pastries are amazing

Best coffee shop in Durham!! So cozy and great. The inside seating has been closed for covid but the outdoor seating is nice

Bean Traders for life. 💚 The only place Ive found with decaf cold brew coffee for afternoon drinks or caffeine sensitive folks.

First visit ever today .... great customer service, and music inside (old school funk)❤️❤️ As a non-dairy milk drinker I deeply appreciated the choice of oat, almond, coconut or soy milk... I ordered a chai latte with oatmilk and it was delicious 😋 Perfect temperature and just a light froth at the top. Outdoor seating only as of this writing, and several tables were available. Ill definitely be back!

During this time, staff and signs are rude. The bathroom is closed, and they fail to call or text you when it is ready. I came in and they sent me out to the car and I waited over 20 minutes and staff had let our milkshakes warm up because I could not wait in the store. This used to be one of my favorite places, and to add to the insult, I drove 40 minutes just come here today and was treated so poorly, my husband and I will not be back nor will I meet anyone here.

Friendly staff, yummy food, great vegan options. Love the vegan waffle!

I just was not thrilled with this place. When I walked in 80% of the stores area was just empty with a little merchandise area in the corner...idk.there was enough empty left over space for a whole other store to be in. But, I came in shortly after waking up, so that i could get some coffee. Suffice to say, I got some judgy looks from some other customers (cool whatever), but i feel like some of the staff (not cool whatever). I got a vanilla latte and idk if it was the coffee or if the barista put too much vanilla syrup in it, but it left a weird/bad taste in my mouth. I wanted to sit down and enjoy the cinnamon roll i got too (that was actually pretty good)-- which is why this is not 1 star), but there was no where to sit. there was a multitude of open space and tables just pushed up against the walls. I understand COVID is still around, but there was more than enough empty space to set up a few additional tables. I probably wont be back in, but i encourage others to give it a try.

The best latte 😋

Waited 20 minutes to get some pretty bad coffee. Cant recommend.

This is my favorite coffee shop in South Durham! Fantastic drip coffee, waffles, pastries and right next door to a great gym to work it all off. Great place to get some work done or just hang out with friends.

Top 3 favorite coffee supplier!!! always gotta have my breakfast blend and heavenly delight 😍

Quiche was good. This was my first time trying them. I went once before but the line was too long and I didnt have enough time to wait that day. I ordered the phunky monkey. It was okay. It was smoothie like which I was prepared for per the cashier. But in my opinion it tasted slightly watery and like they add fresh coffee grounds to the drink I didnt taste much peanut butter the bananas seeped through but overall I probably will not order this again.

Friendly staff and good coffee ♥️

Ive lost track of how many times Ive gone to Bean Traders during the pandemic and then given up after getting lost scrolling through their online store. The drinks are broken down in ways that probably make sense to a barista but dont make sense to the average customer. Today I gave up looking for a regular no-frills non-latte iced coffee. One time, I broke the rules and went inside the building to ask where I could find the hot chocolate I was desperately craving (they didnt answer the phone), and the barista explained it was under the coffee section. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I then waited 20 minutes for the drink to be ready, despite there being no one else waiting outside the store and no one else arriving in that time while I waited. If theyd mentioned it was going to take 20 mins, I would have canceled, as it made me late for my doctor appointment across the street.I loved stopping at Bean Traders before the pandemic because their coffee and drink options in general are tasty. Its a great place to work or study for a few hours (as long as youre not looking for a couch/comfy chair), and its locally owned. Unfortunately, the slow service and difficulty of ordering during the pandemic has kept me away, and I was disappointed to see today that theyre still only taking online orders and have no indoor seating in this heat. Fixing the online store would at least allow folks to reliably order in advance so that theyre not waiting 20 minutes when they get to the door. Heres hoping they figure something out!

Big space, house made a lot of things. Roast their own beans. Big shopping center near South point. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Chai made with a tea bag. Refreshing change. Environmentally friendly.

BEAN TRADERS COFFEE is absolutely one of the best coffee shops in Durham,I would like to say this place is very “Durham” rather than fashion.People study and date here,reading books,chattering with friends and family.I sat outside and finished reading three papers.

Since moving to the triangle area in 2015, I’ve been to Bean Traders well over a thousand times. Simply put, this is one of the best local businesses in the area. Their coffee, pastries, pies, beans, tea - really anything on their menu - is phenomenal. The positivity of the community around this shop is also a thing to behold. Even in 2020, it’s been such a reminder of better times in the past and again in the future. The staff here is very friendly and helpful, and will get to know you and say hello when you stop by. It’s hard to imagine anything else you’d hope for in a local coffee shop - I’m very thankful to have Bean Traders as part of my day to day.

These guys did a great job with my extra shot mocha. They have quality equipment and turn out good coffee.

Best coffee in the triangle (and Ive been to almost all of them). Amazing service and tons of delicious snacks and baked goods. There are few people that I have meet that I have not suggested Bean Traders coffee to them. My personal favorite is the hazelnut latte when its in season 🔥

This has become my go to coffee stop because it is consistently dependable. The atmosphere has a vibe of casual professionalism. In my photo is my favorite drink, the Americano, and while I normally get the chocolate mousse pie, this time I had a blueberry lemon cheese cake. Trust; it is good.

Very good teas. I got a Tea Cloud with Ceylon tea in place of Earl Grey, since they were out. It was very good 👍🏼, it was on the sweeter side of tea lattes that Ive had. I also tried a vanilla latte which was good as well, not bitter at all and I normally dont like coffee or espresso.

Best coffee shop in the world. Beans roasted on site. Worth the extra fifty cents. Starbucks opened across the street, went out of business after a year. It is that good

They have a big open back room that perfect for group work. They get busy on the weekends, especially early-mid mornings and the lines can be unmanageable. They could do a better job there but thats really my only complaint. Otherwise this is a great place to grab a cup and relax in a open community environment.

Except for few noisy kids every once in a while, its a nice place to sit and get stuff done! Amazing coffee too. I tried to get a hot chocolate that I can add artificial sweeteners to but they dont have one. They make theirs using chocolate syrup!

Used to be really good. However now, it takes a 40 minute wait for a simple order that must be placed through a horribly designed online shop. Annoyed staff upon arrival did the rest for me. I had my order cancelled and will not return with my business.

Ordering on the phone or by calling in as a new customer was not user friendly and quick. By the time I spent 5 minutes navigating on the mobile to find out my 2 drink order with a snack will take 30 minutes, wasn’t worth the wait. Now that Covid restrictions have scaled back, ordering inside or having someone to take my order in person and seeing the food in case would have been more appealing and probably worth it. Sight unseen or lack of some personal touch diminishes the appeal to try a new place for me. I respect their decision to be cautious, but I’ll be taking my business to another local company that’s less complicated during all of this while still practicing social distancing.

Before the pandemic- 5 stars. Since, service has gone down markedly. I understand some flexibility is needed, but a 45 minute to 1 hour order for a single cup of coffee would be ridiculous enough if they werent consistently 10-20 minutes late once you arrive. Havent had an order take less than an hour in over a year. Disappointing.

Very customer oriented staff! The food and drinks are always wonderful! This is definantly my most favorite any-time-of-the-day place to grab a coffee, muffin or bagel.

Love this place. Only wish I lived closer. Best espresso drinks around. Great food, too! Relaxing coffee shop atmosphere, WiFi, and many seats. Gets crowded though!

Coffee was good. But service and wait is terrible. Went inside to check on my order and they said I’ll just be contacted when order is ready. 10mins after the said time in the email and still no text/email so I went inside. Coffee is already waiting there. The staff was also not welcoming. Will not be back even if coffee was ok

Staff is rude and unprofessional when it comes to face masks. I won’t be returning.

Bean Traders has done an excellent job with online ordering and safe pickup. There is zero contact. Online ordering was easy. Food was hot and ready when promised and everything was delicious.

Ive been ordering cappuccinos at local cafés around the RTP area and most of the time I receive a latte (with the exception of Coco Cinnamon, their drink selection is great and always well made). For those that don’t know, cappuccinos are typically 6 oz (maybe less), around an equal split of espresso/milk/froth. For this reason they taste stronger than a latte. I’m happy they were able to remake it for me ... but still not as strong or smooth as I’d like. But great customer service in that regard.

One of my favorite coffee houses in the Raleigh-Durham metro area

Its dangerous this place is less than 15 minutes from my house. Top notch joe and light eats that mesh perfectly with the relaxing atmosphere. Plenty of spots to casually look like Im actually doing work on my laptop.

My favorite coffee shop, right off the American Tobacco Trail. I always stop here for a coffee during my morning bike ride. Room to park your bicycle while getting your coffee, and the girl behind the register is always so friendly! Great coffee too.

My favorite Durham coffee shop :) Excellent coffee, friendly staff, and lots of seating. They also have milkshakes, bagels, and other pastries. Its a great place for meeting with a group, a date, or just grabbing some coffee on the way to work. Im a regular and you should be too!

Bean Traders is a hyper-local favorite for coffee, tea, and pastries. Extremely friendly and helpful staff. Delicious coffee, espresso, and tea. Lots of seating (though usually still crowded). Laptop friendly (but be considerate). Great pies! For something to drink, I recommend the mocha, dirty hippie (coffee and tea mix), or the tea cloud latte. If youre feeling chilly, a hot habanero coffee will warm you right up!

Very good coffee, 20oz flavored drip, simple and just what I needed. They have lots of tasty options

If you’re in the area and need some coffee or a yummy treat, this is the place to go, hands down.

Thank you Bean Traders for giving me great gluten free/dairy free food and beverage quality while serving your other customers--it makes you so easy to frequent alongside my friends without being food-jealous. You are appreciated!

My latte was good for the price.

Easily the best café in the triangle. The service is always excellent. Everyone who works here is kind, polite and professional. The barista (yes there’s normally only one because he’s that good) is a machine. Watching him make drinks is like watching a famous pianist play. His ability to make consistent, delicious espresso drinks and teas is extraordinary. The food is also surprisingly good.

I got a chai latte here and it was really good.

I agree with recent reviews. A coffeeshop doing takeout only is a poor business decision... Hope they fix this.

Great coffee and great staff. The chocolate habanero cold brew is a personal favorite. I also come with my wife occasionally for some of their really great waffles. Theyre pretty accommodating to dietary needs so thats always a big plus for me. The staff is knowledgeable and knows what items may contain dairy or gluten or whatever.

Great atmosphere and flavorful coffee!

Bean Traders is the quintessential independent coffee shop. It can get a little loud at times, so its not the best place if you need peace and quiet to work. The staff has always been helpful and polite to me and there is a large selection of drinks and pastries. (The muffins are particularly awesome.) Its stuck in the back of a strip mall and can be a little difficult to find, but just look for the orange VW bus.

Thursdays are my favorite day of the week, when I get to start my day at Bean Traders! Throughout the pandemic they have been creative and safe about continuing to serve the greatest coffee and food. And they even know my name when I walk in! Highly recommend this place over any other coffee shop in the Triangle!

I love bean traders! By far the best coffee in town, I always get great service and I love the fact that they got a kids area which is a big plus because my kids can play while I drink my cup of coffee.

Great coffee, dont care for the pre order and pick up. Would rather order by phone, go in, swipe card, and wait outside for Java. But the coffee and folks- excellent.

The staff here is amazing -- theyre incredibly kind and even with my mask, they always know me and my order. And the coffee is excellent!

This is my absolute favorite coffee shop!

Decent coffee but what makes this place shine are pastries - they are terrific

A lesser known fact about this place is that on Mondays at 10:30am they have a free story time and craft for kids in the back of the place. My kids (2 and 4) have been going every week for a while now and they love it.Pic of the schedule for story time attached to this review as an example.Also.... Try the dark chocolate habanero cold brew, it is an awesome experience.

In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face is that, in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. Today, I experienced something new, an extraordinary brew from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both the coffee and its maker have challenged my preconceptions is a gross understatement. They have rocked me to my core. In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for pricier coffee and its motto: Slow and Steady. But I realize that only now do I truly understand what they meant. Not everyone can become a great barista, but a great barista can come from anywhere. It is difficult to imagine more humble origins than those of the genius now working at Bean Traders, who is, in this critic’s opinion, nothing less than the finest bean roasters in the Universe. I will be returning to consume more cold brea, ready for more.

They always have such good attitudes when I come in. The employees always look happy. I ordered their new matcha autumn green tea. It is so yummy. Maybe someday they will open a location in Fort Wayne lol.

Stopped on our way home from the coast and Im so glad we did! This is the best drip coffee ever! The everything bagels were also amazing!! Perfectly toasted!! Also, hooray for eco-conscious cups! Ill be back on our next trip for sure!

Looking for great coffee in the Triangle?? Then look no further than Bean Traders!

Busy at times but always great service and amazing coffee. Good options for gluten free and vegan options as well.

The love I have for this place is unconditional. Been going here since I moved to North Carolina and I am so happy to see local places grow. They had one retail space and now they have been successfully operating out of two! Their lines have grown, their staff has grown, seating has grown! They are definitely doing it right. Amazing treats and of course amazing coffee. House made caramel for my iced carmella! Perfect spot to hangout and catch up with a friend or even come by and study up with your laptop! I love love love Bean Traders. I have also enjoyed seeing the some of the same faces for 3 years now. Thats just awesome! Yall rock!

I actually dont feel the coffee is great. Its just ordinary.

Overall latte was very good, but it took about 15 min to make it. No in store orders, just call or order on website.

An amazing coffee shop with an excellent environment.Covid has put a strain on business and the people. When the place is fully open, its a shop youll love to sit and relax in.

First time grabbing a coffee here due to a friends constant visits and recommendations, ordered a PSL with oat milk and it was so good!! I chose curbside pickup and they are so prompt and friendly! I’ll definitely be back, thanks y’all!

Great place! Friendly staff, great coffee and an AMAZING atmosphere (when not covid)!

Always a great experience at Bean Traders. The team is top-notch -- friendly and quick.

Groovy and Hippy decors coupled with nice folks behind the counter. They need to rethink about their internet. I had many drop in connections and the speed is average. May not be safe for work. Browsing should be good but you would find your home internet better.I had a latte and it was quite strong. One day I would like to try their savories and pastries. Quite a number of people came up to ask for them. Its a large coffee shop when you compare them to their peers.Unpredictable internet, Amicable Barristas and quite hippy :)

Nice spot to get some decent coffee and hang out with friends. This place is pretty packed during the morning and weekends with people meeting up with friends and working on their computers. The temperature is sometimes warm inside during the summer and pretty cold during the winter so prepare accordingly. They also have baked goods which are delicious.

Website was difficult to use and you had to order ahead. Coffee was really good.

Was hoping to enjoy a coffee from this place, but they make it difficult to order and pay.Just go to Starbucks. It’s around the corner. You can order inside, don’t need a credit card and their staff is polite and efficient.

They have latte flavors that you wont find anywhere else. They have a lot of variety with milk options, baked goods, breakfast, and lunch options. I especially appreciate the vegan and gluten free options. Yes options (a lot more than one. yay!) The space is creatively decorated and has plenty of room for a lot of customers (which they have.) Highly recommend!

Best custard pies in the triangle. Quality coffee. Just go.

Wont even let you order in store in June 2021.

We could not go inside due to covid but the guy was nice on the phone and service was quick

I love the atmosphere- very colorful. The coffee is delicious and I love the food menu! The bagels they have to choose from are amazing: from a cucumber, tomato sandwich to a banana chocolate bagel! The fact that the muffins disappear quickly is proof that they are very yummy! The only downside is that its a bit pricey, but I will definitely be going back!

I had decided to stop drinking coffee for awhile. Mainly because I couldnt find consistently good coffee and a reasonable price. (Starbucks is trash) So one day I walked into bean traders to see what all the hype was about and Ive been a loyal customer ever since. Great staff, great joe, great price, great location...for me. Plus they have plenty of space for folk that want to schmooze

I got there kinda late; really close to closing time and I was really surprised and happy when I was welcomed in. I didn’t get to stay long because I didn’t want to keep them after closing time but in the short time I was there they left a great impression on me with their phenomenal coffee and customer service. I will lost definitely go back again soon. It was such a cute coffee spot with wonderful people!

Best coffee and even better baked goods! Muffins, scones, cookies, pie! all of it is great! And the owner is kind and welcoming! I drive 30 minutes One way at least once a week to get my fix!

Best spot in town to have a mocha to chill with you mom!

Bean Traders is amazing. I was in the area for an appointment, and decided to stop in just to check it out. Im beyond glad I did. The whole place has this cool, laid-back atmosphere. Everyone was super friendly, and very forgiving of the new customer who didnt have any idea what she wanted. (Thank you for that!) As for the coffee and food... Stellar. Honestly. Best bagel Ive had in quite some time, and the coffee was AMAZING. Well worth a stop if youre into delicious stuff!

Have to order ahead even to consume on property, long wait times

Okay, so the coffee menu is good and at reasonable prices. But today I go in and get a cup set on the coffee bar not realizing I have to dispense it myself- forgive me. I pick up the green enameled mug made of a white inner ceramic clay and notice a brown residue on the rim. I ask for a clean mug from a male dishwasher that had a bunch on what appeared to be clean mugs. So the female who told me where my initial mug was decided it was of interest to her to take a look at my dirty mug and says- actually, thats a chip. I didnt bother to argue as a I know better. I easily scraped the brown residue off the rim of the mug with my thumb fingernail.I then proceed to go into the back bar area of the place and was disturbed twice. Once was from a tall male employee that when walking up to the bar says something to an employee with a very loud voice- which is disturbing. Five minutes later a girl walks behind the bar with these huge white ceramic plates and was very loud stacking and moving them.I think its best for me to just make my coffee at home. Too much drama going out. Durham is so boring in the first place and I thought going out to have some coffee (a healthy alternative to drinking alcohol) would be a better choice, but it is full of other inconveniences.

Cool indie coffee shop feel. One of those spots it takes you a year to find and it becomes your favorite place.

Love this place, love the staff, and I love the pie & chai latte the most!!! I drive very far to come here lol Great, great, great overall.

I absolutely love the latte they have here but the wait time is long and in a fast pace world taking that 15 min out of your life can mean a lot ... Wish they had more machines so that way the wait time can minimize .... All and all this environment that is super chill!!!!

The latte was amazing and delucious

I love Bean Traders! It has plenty of space to do work and/or have good conversation. They have fantastic coffee and get it out to you fairly quickly even when theyre super busy. I have spent a good amount of time here and always wish I could spend more!

Absolutely love this place! The coffee is delightful, reasonably priced, and I always look forward to enjoying a blueberry muffin buttered and toasted . The staff is also hard-working and friendly. Even when the line is long on the weekends, it moves quickly and they occasionally come around with an iPad so you can order drip coffee pretty quickly. Ive started buying beans from them and they ground up the beans for me and were knowledgeable about how the beans should be ground for the type of filter I use.

Even in Covid times the quality of coffee and service is excellent.

Best coffee in the world. Seriously. Must have.

My absolute favorite coffee shop!! I get the mocha religiously. Dave and his staff are so humble and very personable. I go here several times a week. Thanks for all you do!!

Funky, fun, with lots of seating and parking. They have affordable snacks and really fun staff. This is a great spot for a larger group if you needed because of all of the space. I had the Dirty Hippie, a drink with black tea and coffee. Super interesting and delicious.

Lots of seating options. Great place to work or hang out. The gluten free waffles are fantastic! They also usually have one or two gluten free baked goods (muffins, scones, cookies). No gluten free bagel or sandwich options though.