Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you want to know about Raleigh Raw — our ingredients, juice cleanses, hours, ordering, and more.
Is everything at Raleigh Raw gluten-free?
Yes — everything on our menu is gluten-free, peanut-free, soy-free, refined sugar-free, and seed oil-free. We've intentionally built our entire menu around clean, whole-food ingredients so every customer can eat with confidence.
Do you accommodate food allergies like nut allergies?
Yes. We take food allergies seriously. If you have a severe allergy — including tree nut allergies — please let our staff know before ordering. We will wipe down equipment and take steps to minimize cross-contamination. Many of our drinks and dishes include nuts (almond milk, almond butter, etc.), so communicating your allergy ahead of time is important.
What milk alternatives do you offer?
We make our own house-made mylks in-house: coconut mylk and almond mylk. We also offer organic grass-fed Kalona whole milk. Our matcha lattes, smoothies, and espresso drinks are all available with your choice of mylk. Customers especially love the house-made coconut mylk — we highly recommend requesting it in your latte.
Do you add refined sugar to your drinks and food?
Never. We sweeten everything naturally using NC wildflower honey, organic maple syrup, or coconut palm sugar. You'll never find refined sweeteners or artificial ingredients in anything we make.
What is cold-pressed juice and why does it matter?
Cold-pressed juice is made using a hydraulic press that extracts juice slowly without heat or high-speed blades. This small-batch, never-heated process preserves live enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that are destroyed in conventional juicing. The result is a fresher, more nutrient-dense juice. At Raleigh Raw, we've been cold-pressing in small batches since 2013. Learn more about cold-pressing →
How does a juice cleanse work?
A juice cleanse replaces solid meals with a sequence of cold-pressed juices for 1, 3, 5, or 7 days, giving your digestive system a rest while flooding your body with nutrients. Cleanses are available for pickup on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday only. Order a cleanse → or read our Cleanse Guidelines.
Are your ingredients organic and locally sourced?
Yes. We proudly source local produce from NC farms and prioritize organic ingredients throughout our menu. Our coffee is sustainably sourced and roasted with integrity.
What is the best time to come in for cold-pressed juice?
Come in the morning for the best selection. Popular flavors like Quest, Morning Glory, and Kale Me Maybe can sell out by late afternoon. We open at 7:00 AM Monday–Friday and 7:30 AM on weekends.
Is there parking near Raleigh Raw?
We're located in downtown Raleigh at 7 W Hargett St — a few blocks from the Raleigh Convention Center. Street parking is available via pay kiosks on nearby blocks.
What are Raleigh Raw's hours?
Monday – Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
7 W Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601 · (919) 589-1522
Can I order online or get delivery?
Yes — juice cleanses, juice boxes, and market items can be ordered online at raleighraw.market for scheduled pickup (Mon/Wed/Fri). For bowls, smoothies, and cafe items, order ahead at order.raleighraw.com for same-day pickup.
Are your poke bowls customizable?
Our poke bowls come pre-made with curated ingredients — they aren't build-your-own like a traditional poke bar. This lets us control the quality and freshness of every bowl. Customers consistently call them super fresh.
Is Raleigh Raw vegan-friendly?
Most of our menu is vegan or easily made vegan — cold-pressed juices, smoothies, matcha lattes (with coconut or almond mylk), acai bowls, and many food items are fully plant-based. We use honey as a sweetener in some items, so ask our staff if you follow a strict vegan diet.
How much do drinks cost at Raleigh Raw?
Smoothies start around $9 for 16oz. Lattes and matcha drinks are typically $8–$10. Acai and smoothie bowls range from $12–$16. We use top-tier organic ingredients — as our customers say, "you get what you pay for."
Do you have WiFi?
Yes! Our cafe has a chill, moody coffee-shop vibe — great for working or catching up. We do have music playing so it may not be ideal for total quiet focus.
Introducing
Sherif Fouad
Sherif Fouad is the founder of Raleigh Raw, a healthy cafe built for people who want to eat better without eating boring.
Born in Egypt and raised with a deep appreciation for food, hospitality, and culture, Sherif has been in the food and beverage world for over 30 years. He started early. At 14 years old, he became the youngest person in the DC area to work at Starbucks in 1995, getting a front-row education in coffee, service, speed, and daily customer rituals before most people had their first real job.
He went on to serve as senior class president, then graduated from East Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in applied economics. He later sharpened his juicing and mixology chops behind the bar in Manhattan and Washington, DC, absorbing how flavor, flow, atmosphere, and hospitality all work together.
Sherif started Raleigh Raw with a simple frustration: most healthy food felt too soft, too sterile, or too confusing. It either tasted like punishment, sounded like a lecture, or came wrapped in the same recycled wellness language everyone else was using. Sherif wanted to build something different: a place with real food, strong energy, good music, natural design, and a little bit of edge.
For Sherif, Raleigh Raw is more than smoothies, bowls, coffee, juices, and clean meals. It is a daily checkpoint for people trying to feel better, move better, and live with more intention without making ‘health’ their whole personality. The food matters, but so does the feeling. Walk in, get fueled, feel seen, know your barista, and leave with a little more momentum than you came in with.
His approach is rooted in discipline, hospitality, and culture. Outside the cafe, Sherif’s interests include functional training, boxing, jiu-jitsu, motorcycles, small scale real estate development, design/placemaking (how humans interact with spaces). He is ServSafe certified, HACCP certified, and Matthew Kenney Academy Chef Certified (Plant-based culinary school) bringing both creative taste and operational seriousness to the brand.
In addition to leading Raleigh Raw, Sherif provides coaching and consulting for founders, operators, and teams looking to open or improve a fast-casual hospitality concept. If that's you, contact us to set up a discovery call.