Carrboro Coffee

Carrboro Coffee Roasters is a premier small-batch artisan coffee roasting company based in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area of North Carolina, with a global sourcing footprint and over two decades of industry involvement. Founded with an unwavering commitment to quality, the company has earned international recognition for its meticulous approach to sourcing, roasting, and distributing specialty coffee to wholesale accounts, cafes, restaurants, and retail customers throughout North Carolina and beyond.

At the core of its sourcing model is a Farmer Direct Relationship program, through which the company personally builds and maintains long-term partnerships with coffee farmers at origin. President Scott Conary makes frequent visits to coffee-growing regions around the world to identify the highest-quality lots and ensure that farming and processing practices meet rigorous ethical and quality standards. This direct-trade philosophy connects consumers to the crop in a manner similar to farm-to-table dining, resulting in a more traceable, premium product while supporting sustainable livelihoods for farming communities.

The company is particularly renowned for sourcing rare and exclusive varietals, including the highly prized Gesha varietal from award-winning producer-partner Anabella Meneses of Santa Felisa Estate in Acatenango, Guatemala. Carrboro Coffee Roasters offers multiple processing styles of such rare lots, giving buyers and consumers access to coffees that reflect distinct terroir and production methods.

On the roasting side, each coffee is treated as an individual, with custom roast profiles developed to honor the unique characteristics of every bean. Rather than adhering to a house roast style or fixed roast degree, the team adapts its approach based on the specific needs of each coffee, ensuring that the intrinsic flavor potential of each lot is fully realized in the cup.

Carrboro Coffee Roasters has been a participant in the prestigious Cup of Excellence program since approximately 2006, marking 20 years of involvement as the 2026 season begins. Scott Conary has served as a Certified Judge for international coffee competitions since 2003, including as Head Judge for the World Barista Championship. He also serves as a World Coffee Events International Representative and as a Head Judge for the Alliance for Coffee Excellence's Cup of Excellence program, positioning the company at the forefront of specialty coffee evaluation and development globally.

The company operates two flagship retail locations — Open Eye Café in Carrboro and Caffe Driade in Chapel Hill — and supplies wholesale accounts at fine cafes, restaurants, and retailers across the region. Scott Conary also offers consulting services to companies, restaurants, and cafes both regionally and internationally, extending the brand's expertise well beyond its home market.

Carrboro Coffee Roasters also invests heavily in coffee education, offering monthly workshops covering topics such as brewing techniques, latte art, and regional coffee exploration. This commitment to education supports both consumer engagement and professional development within the specialty coffee community.