September 24, 2025

Spotlight on Good Graces: Raleigh’s All-Day Café, Bar & Market in North Hills

When it comes to things to do in Raleigh, locals are spoiled with options—but every so often, a new destination opens that feels instantly essential. Enter Good Graces, a café, bar, and curated market in the heart of North Hills Innovation District. Part neighborhood coffee shop, part evening cocktail bar, and part lifestyle market, Good Graces is reimagining what a gathering place can be.

As a Best of Raleigh Gold Founding Partner, they represent the kind of creativity and connection that keeps Raleigh’s food and culture scene thriving.

Who They Are: A Fresh Addition to Raleigh Coffee Shops

Good Graces isn’t just another café—it’s a hybrid space designed to serve Raleigh from morning until night. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., the concept combines the best coffee shops in downtown Raleigh with outdoor seating vibe, a neighborhood bar’s energy, and a local boutique’s charm. Visitors can grab a latte and pastry before work, meet friends over lunch, sip cocktails in the evening, or browse shelves filled with locally made goods.

Located at 540 St. Albans Drive in North Hills, Good Graces is perfectly positioned for locals and visitors alike who want a flexible space to work, socialize, or simply enjoy great food and drink.

Their Origin Story: Built on Community & Creativity

Founded by Haley Borden, a UNC-Chapel Hill MBA grad with a background in business and marketing, and Lindsey Bayless, a community-driven creative, Good Graces was born from a simple but powerful idea: why not create one space that does it all?

They envisioned a place that could meet the pace of Raleigh’s growing community—a market for thoughtful take-home goods, a café for your morning ritual, and a bar for winding down the day. Opening in the North Hills Innovation District, where work, play, and culture intersect, was the natural choice.

What They Do Today: More Than a Coffee Shop

Good Graces is quickly earning its reputation as one of the best new spots in Raleigh:

• Breakfast & Coffee: Pastries, rich lattes, and the now-famous breakfast sandwich with pimento cheese and garlic aioli.
• Lunch & Bites: Fresh sandwiches like ratatouille, BLT, and chicken salad alongside salads and light plates.
• Evening Cocktails: Craft drinks, local beer, and wines create a bar experience that feels equal parts lively and laid-back.
• Market Finds: Locally made jams, curated gifts, and house-branded goods make it easy to bring a piece of Good Graces home.

It’s this mix that sets them apart from other Raleigh coffee shops or bars—you don’t have to choose between function and fun.

Behind the Scenes: Little Touches That Shine

• Their Blueberry Bombs pastry and soft-serve ice cream have already gained a cult following.
• The design blends modern café energy with cozy touches, making it equally suited for morning laptop sessions or evening drinks.
• Market shelves are carefully curated with products that celebrate North Carolina makers and Raleigh’s entrepreneurial spirit.

Why Raleigh: A Perfect Fit for the City’s Lifestyle

Raleigh is a city that thrives on balance—Southern roots, modern energy; fast-paced growth, small-town connection. Good Graces mirrors that balance. Choosing North Hills as their home allows them to be at the center of one of Raleigh’s most dynamic neighborhoods, surrounded by offices, residences, and endless foot traffic.

For locals searching for things to do in Raleigh on the weekend, Good Graces provides the perfect blend: sip coffee outdoors in the morning, shop the market at lunch, and return for cocktails at night.

Looking Ahead: Growing With Raleigh

Though still in its first chapter, Good Graces is already looking toward the future. Expect evolving seasonal menus, expanded market offerings, and more ways to connect through events and collaborations with other local businesses. The vision is clear: to become not just a place to eat and drink, but a cultural hub that reflects the heart of Raleigh living.

Closing 

Ready to experience Good Graces? Visit them at 540 St. Albans Drive, Suite 130, Raleigh, NC, in the North Hills Innovation District. Open daily from morning through evening, they’re here whether you need your next favorite latte, a place to gather with friends, or inspiration for your pantry.

Explore more at goodgracesraleigh.com or follow them on Instagram @goodgracesraleigh.

Best of Raleigh Gold Founding Partner celebrates Good Graces as one of the most exciting new additions to Raleigh’s lifestyle scene—proof that the best things happen when community, creativity, and a little Southern hospitality come together.