Old House. Fresh Coffee.
Over 140 Years of Memories. Your Story is the Next Chapter.
Pittsboro’s Historic Coffee House
Opening in late 2026, Gandy Coffee House is Pittsboro’s Historic Victorian coffee house and espresso bar. Located inside a beautifully restored home in the of downtown Pittsboro Historic District, we invite your to come sip artisan espresso, meet neighbors, knitters, and newcomers, and make this cozy parlor your daily ritual. This beautiful 1880’s home is currently undergoing an extensive renovation to create a magical place that will transport you back to Pittsboro’s gilded age. Join our email list to have first access to opening events and limited-seating gatherings.
Gandy Coffee House, a locally owned coffee shop and espresso bar in downtown Pittsboro, North Carolina. We are located at 14 N. Small Street, on the corner of East Street and Small Street, just a short stroll from the courthouse circle, in a home listed in the National Registry of Historic places. Built in the late 1800’s, every visit you make adds a chapter to the lasting story of this historic home.
Step inside Pittsboro’s living room, where Victorian charm meets modern specialty coffee. Settle into velvet-draped parlors, original bay windows, and a Delft tile espresso bar while you enjoy handcrafted lattes, cappuccinos, and seasonal drinks made on our La Marzocco espresso machines.
Whether you are commuting through Chatham County, meeting friends for a destination coffee shop in the research triangle, or exploring Jordan Lake for the weekend, we welcome you to visit Gandy Coffee House—created for and inspired by our Chatham community.
the Gandy Coffee Name
Gandy Coffee house is located in the historic Captain J. F. Alston House, a contributing property in Pittsboro’s National Register Historic District. The home once belonged to Captain Alston, the engineer of railroad, and stood beside what was once Pittsboro’s rail station, which was once the heart of Pittsboro. Our name honors the “gandy dancers,” the crews who laid and maintained the railroad using a tool called a gandy. Their rhythm and teamwork kept the rails straight and the trains moving - quiet work that built the foundation for Pittsboro’s growth. We created this coffee house in that same spirit: steady craft, shared effort, and a place that brings people together.
Specialty Coffee in a Victorian Home
At Gandy Coffee House, we serve carefully sourced coffee from our local roaster in Raleigh, North Carolina. We serve rich espresso and thoughtfully selected non-coffee options. Each option on our menu was chosen with the same care that went into restoring our historic home.
Classic espresso drinks: espresso, macchiato, cortado, cappuccino, late, mochas
Slow coffee: brewed coffee, rotating single-origin offerings and pour-overs
Teas: Crafted whole leaf teas, matcha, and seasonal specials
Pastries: Locally baked pastries (rotating selections) including gluten-free options
Every drink is crafted to be worth your visit, whether you are local to Pittsboro or visiting from our local cities of Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Durham. We will help you find a drink you love, and if your drink is not made to your satifaction, we will fix it on the spot.
A Place to Visit in Downtown Pittsboro
Find a quiet corner for reading, writing, or a remote work with a space that has outlets at multiple stations and fiber wi-fi. Gather in our beautiful parlor or our future outside patio for long conversations with friends while surrounded by patterned wallpaper and original woodwork. As we grown, you find a space in gathering room that can be used for book clubs and special events that celebrate Pittsboro’s history and creative spirit.
Follow our restoration journey before we open to see our home before the restoration and watch as we uncover the homes original marvels as we work with expert craftsman to restore historic details, and curate a blend of period decor with modern comfort.