Comments on: Copa Vida Coffee

By: Don Riese

Don Riese — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:40:29 +0000

Been through Durham several times in the last year, down from the northeast. Different opinion now. Shots are better, foaming is good. So I’ve changed my mind about this place and I’ll keep coming back. Whatever they changed, it was good.

By: Donald Riese

Donald Riese — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:31:04 +0000

Not bad for the average sipper. But for the serious coffee/espresso/latte drinker, Copa Vida needs work. The espresso was tamped too gently, the pull was too short and therefore not flavorful enough, and the milk-foam quality was average (the milk was heated properly and there was foam on top of the latte, but it wasn’t foamed fully through to have that airy/puffy richness you find from expert baristas). I had the impression that the owner was scurrying around trying to be and do too many things. But keep in mind I’m comparing the skill level to places like Cup A Joe and Driade, which might not be fair; as I said, for the average sipper this place is fine.

By: Just

Just — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:44:58 +0000

Well, their business hours are really flexible. One rainy day, when I visited there around 10am, the cafe was still not open, but next day, the barista told me that the cafe was open during that time. Why does she lie? Also, the latte taste is really volatile between below average levels, and not sophisticated at all. and I hate when they are asking whether I am going to have anyting extra.

By: Lindsey

Lindsey — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 04:26:00 +0000

I wondered about the bar removal, too… There is a wine/full service bar down stairs (Six Plates) and there is no need to take away from them. Without the bar there is room for that cozy living room area with plenty of outlets for laptop users.

PS – Try the Chai.

By: bobva

bobva — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:24:32 +0000

If it is anything like Broad Street Cafe on Ninth St. with it’s easy atmosphere and friendly staff, I’ll check it out. I liked Shade Tree and it should’ve had a better chance but with this present economy, anything in the service industry has it’s work cut out. But Durham needs more cafe’s besides overpriced Starbuck’s.

By: bullcity

bullcity — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:53:33 +0000

It was hard to read at Shade Tree, but I wonder why the new owners did away with the bar. Having the option of a microbrew or a glass of wine was one of the main reasons I’d go to Shade Tree.

By: Warren Kinghorn

Warren Kinghorn — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:08:42 +0000

Hi — thanks for this post — I don’t usually read this blog but I happened upon it after searching for Copa Vida on Google. My wife and I went there this weekend and found it a nice place, very much like Shade Tree but brighter and more open, with very friendly and helpful proprietors. My wife had a coconut-flavored latte which was very good. Also, I noticed that the prices have been lowered since the picture above was taken; a large coffee was only $2.35, a small somewhere around $1.85. So the picture above should be updated.

I hope this place makes it; I hope especially that year-round residents support them while Duke students are away for the holidays.

By: Alexandra

Alexandra — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 01:51:09 +0000

I talked to the owner while I was there and she is genuinely listening to what people have said about the prices. She is doing her best to simply keep the place open (she has worked most of the first week herself), offer a pleasant atmosphere, and a quality product. If you liked ShadeTree I think you will love CopaVida. I’m a fan.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:38:55 +0000

I’m sitting at Copa Vida right now enjoying a nice hot cup of Counter Culture, and the refills have been free for the last six hours. The owner and the few staff that I’ve met are genuinely friendly people trying to make the dream happen here. Its not crowded, but Jason Mraz is playing in the background which fills in some of the quiet space.

Fact is, I’m digging this new place and I’m kind of hoping people don’t start showing up in droves.

By: burgeoningfoodie

burgeoningfoodie — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:57:30 +0000

Are there no coffee shops on 9th? I guess Dunkin isn’t really a coffee shop, but plenty of people will swear by their coffee.