Downtown Winston-Salem

Your quiet corner
of the city

Artisan coffee by day. Craft cocktails by night.
Always something worth savoring.

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Interior of Recess café with warm lighting and elegant decor

Built for the
in-between moments

Recess was born from a simple belief: that the spaces between our obligations deserve the same care as everything else. We opened our doors on North Chestnut Street as a place to pause — to sip something made with intention, to sit without hurry, to be part of a room that feels like a deep breath.

By day, we pour single-origin coffees and serve light, seasonal fare. By night, the same space transforms — dimmer lights, richer colors, and a cocktail program that takes its time. The name says it all: this is your recess.

— The Recess Team

A room that
breathes with you

Daylight Hours

Morning light floods the windows. The espresso machine hums. It's the kind of place where you can get work done, read a book, or simply watch the city wake up — all while someone makes your coffee exactly right.

After Dark

The lights lower. The music shifts. The same counter that held your morning latte now holds a coupe glass with ice clinking softly. The transformation is gentle, never jarring — like the city itself settling into evening.

The People

Regulars who know the baristas by name. First-timers who find themselves staying longer than planned. A neighborhood gathering place that treats everyone the same way: like they belong.

Warm interior of Recess with wooden accents and soft lighting Craft cocktail on the bar at Recess with ambient lighting Artisan coffee being poured at Recess café

Come find
your corner

Address

101 N Chestnut St
Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Hours

Mon – Thu: 7am – 9pm
Fri: 7am – 11pm
Sat: 8am – 11pm
Sun: 8am – 7pm

Reserve a Table

Let us know when you're coming — we'll have your spot ready.

Is this your business?This is my business