Coffee & Treats in Garner

The bakers at Anna's Gourmet Banana Nut Bread, Inc. blend fresh, preservative-free ingredients into sticky, small batches of dough that emerge from ovens as moist, gourmet sweet breads and bundt cakes. The modest bakery serves up its signature sweet breads—which range in flavors from banana nut to sweet potato with pumpkin—amid the shops' small collection of chef figurines, which stand outside the open kitchen to inspire the staff and fend off sneak attacks from peckish G.I. Joes.

From behind a frozen granite slab, the staff of Cold Stone Creamery uses twin spatulas to blend custom servings of ice cream and creative mix-ins to fit customers’ exact specifications. Founded by Donald and Susan Sutherland in 1988, Cold Stone began under the hot Arizona sun, eventually spreading its frosty fingers to encompass more than 1,400 locations worldwide. Despite the size of the company, each location’s staff keeps up the handcrafted quality, making ice cream onsite every day and using those signature spatulas to create delicious pointillist art against the freezer wall.

Need a last-minute birthday cake? Stop by The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery for all of your bakery needs. The comforting sweets and decadent indulgences here really hit the spot. There are no low-fat options here, though, so save a few extra calories for your next visit. Make the most of the warm summer months by dining outdoors in The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery's beautiful outdoor seating area. Ideal for birthday parties or other large get-togethers, The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery has all the room you'll need to be comfortable. It doesn't get much more laid-back than The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery, so dress for comfort when you come. If you're in a hurry, place an order for pickup instead. Call The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery for catering if you have a big event coming up. Bring your car to dinner and easily find a space in the area — street parking is available, as is a nearby lot. You'll find your bill at The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery to be more than reasonable, with most meals costing less than $15. The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery accepts all major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.

Stop by Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Raleigh for a quick and tasty bite to eat. The menu doesn't include any low-fat items, so set aside some extra calories for your visit. Little ones are just as welcome as their parents at Tropical Smoothie Cafe. If space is what you're looking for, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has plenty of room for larger parties. Stay connected at no cost thanks to Tropical Smoothie Cafe's wifi. Patio tables and chairs are ready for Tropical Smoothie Cafe diners who prefer their meals al fresco. Take advantage of the lenient pup policy, and bring your four-legged friend to the restaurant. Tropical Smoothie Cafe is completely informal — dress as you see fit (and are most comfortable). The restaurant has catering services as well. null The grub at Tropical Smoothie Cafe is also a downright bargain — most people can chow down for less than $15. Morning, noon, or night, you can head on over to Tropical Smoothie Cafe since they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

In the 1950s, Judy Lasater began baking cakes and other sweets according to the elder founder's recipes created over 100 years ago. Three decades later, Lasater partnered with her own daughter, Beth Pendergrass, to open Edible Art Bakery. Though another 30 years have passed since the bakery’s opening, not much has changed. They still adhere to the age-old Southern tradition of scratch baking, which eschews frozen layers and mixes in favor of natural and easily pronounceable ingredients. The team of bakers and artists that now stands behind the store’s counters upholds the family’s legacy with traditional cakes and cupcakes in flavors such as southern lemon ice box and chocolate truffle. Swirls of buttercream or fondant icing adorn each creation, which the artists can embellish with themed designs to celebrate graduations and children's birthday parties or welcome a new gallon of milk into the home.

Hungry stomachs find their solution at Bruegger's, a delicious bagel spot with something for everyone. You won't find any low-fat fare here, though, so leave some room to indulge. For comfortable outdoor service, Bruegger's sets up a seasonal patio. The restaurant's noise level can be somewhat straining on the vocal cords, so intimate get-togethers may be best enjoyed elsewhere. Can't get enough of Bruegger's' tasty dishes? They also offer a catering service for parties and events. If you're strapped for time, take out food from Bruegger's. For easy dining, Bruegger's provides convenient parking in a connecting lot. Chow down at Bruegger's without blowing your budget — meals here usually cost less than $15.