Sosta Cafe

We were visiting Raleigh and popped in to have some espresso and tea. They both were incredible and the prices can't be beat. We did not try any food but they had a huge variety of vegan options! Bonus points for the hilarious sign 😆

I love this place. Phenomenal sandwiches, generous sides, and perfect coffee. The restaurant is comfortable for dining in, and they're also really quick for takeout. I've eaten here twice and will be a regular.

Surprisingly, I had the worst experience here today. I used to work at Red Hat so was familiar with Sosta but had not been recently so was excited to pick up lunch to go. The man at the counter (who I assumed to be the manager or owner - tall man with dark hair and glasses) was very rude when I asked about the menu, to the extent that the woman in line behind me chimed in. There are plenty of regulars that come in to Sosta and he was nothing but nice to those who ordered after me. The food was great but I could do without the negativity.

Our first time here. It was as good as I had heard. Servings are huge: my husband and I split our meal (Poulet with chickpeas and canellini beans salads). My nephew ate half of his meal and took the other half home for dinner. Everything was just right: the bread, the fillings, the spices -- and you could taste the freshness. The beans and chickpeas were obviously cooked in-house, not canned.
Although it seems like a no-frills place (from the whiteboard sign outside the shop to the decor and setup inside) attention has been paid to the right things. There is no waiter service - you order at the counter and the owner brings your order to the table. There were perhaps 6 tables inside plus a sofa and seat in a corner where a couple was playing chess while they ate. There are also a few small tables outside. The plates and glasses were simple but solid, as was the napkin-wrapped silverware. Just a really nice, relaxed and relaxing vibe. I see us going here often.

Gerome, the owner. Avignon, France. Sosta, "take a break" in Italian." Local, coffee made with a purpose and suggestion. Jerome asked me if I was staying, then he said to get the coffee in a coffe cup, not a paper cup, "it will taste better." Sosta is 15 years in Raleigh. I travel for business and this was a great stop for coffee.

Fantastic place with great food, friendly staff, and really cool retro ambience. Jerome, the owner, is super friendly and great to talk to while you are waiting for your order. His food is phenomenal. While it may appear simple, the ingredients are super fresh and the combination of flavors is sublime. I personally enjoy my namesake sandwich, the "Guido" (silent "u" :)). Other really good sandwiches are the Piedmont and the Pollobella. The bread is super tasty as well as the sides (cannellini beans, Israeli couscous, and chickpea salad). The vegetarian options and coffee are all really good too. In summary, this is a great place that I am so happy was able to survive the pandemic. Please give it a try; you won't be disappointed.

Love the food, decor, and people! A Raleigh gem for sure.

sooo good & excellent customer service. & the music is so dope. I wish i could come every day lol. i had the vegan miss piggy , with chickpeas and couscous

I am not easily moved to leave reviews, but: Everyone needs to support this absolute gem because you cannot find food like this in Raleigh ANYWHERE else. Delicious doesn’t begin to cover the experience. They do fresh amazing food that feels more at home in Europe, but by some stroke of luck and genius is right here in downtown Raleigh. Eat at, and protect Sosta at all costs.

Great place to grab breakfast and lunch. If your looking a light but fulfilling Mediterranean food, this is the place. I generally grab coffee and breakfast before heading into the office. The owner always has a great atmosphere