Morning
Maven Coffee
Rise and shine for your first stop at Maven Coffee, a local specialty coffee shop in Wilmington, North Carolina.Founded by two first-generation migrants from Colombia, the dynamic duo created a space that brings Colombian coffee heritage to Wilmington. Ease into your dessert-packed day with the Campfire Latte, which includes house-made toasted marshmallow, graham cracker–infused milk and a cherrywood smoke infusion.
Head to the Brooklyn Arts District in downtown Wilmington, where you’ll find a flourishing neighborhood full of art studios, shops, restaurants, breweries and more. At Brooklyn Cafe, indulge in a variety of homemade desserts like beignets, doughnuts and muffins. What makes the doughnuts so good? Their secret ingredient is mashed potatoes and sour cream!
Afternoon
Who loves cookies? Everyone. You know what else everyone loves? Ice cream. Head to uptown Wilmington to find STAX Ice Cream Kitchen—Wilmington’s first ice cream sandwich shop. Choose from a variety of flavors and build the ice cream sandwich of your dreams. Time to unleash your inner cookie monster.
A hidden gem in the heart of midtown, Sweet D’s Cuisine serves breakfast, lunch and fresh croissants with a variety of fillings. It’s a local favorite worth checking out.
Experience
Little Loaf Bakery & Schoolhouse
Eating desserts is one thing, but making them is another. At Little Loaf Bakery & Schoolhouse, you’ll learn how to do just that. From a basic sandwich loaf class to the popular sourdough class and vintage cake-piping workshops, there’s something for everyone.
Dinner
Known for its excellent fine dining experience, Circa 1922 pairs seasonal, locally sourced meals with equally impeccable dessert options. Two of the most popular are the key lime pie with a brown butter pecan crust and the crème brûlée.
Late Night
The Underfront Co. Bar & Lounge
End your day of luxurious desserts and experiences with a delicious drink from The Underfront Co. on Front Street. The Pretty Little Mockingbird is a dessert cocktail made with Bumbu rum, Kahlúa, pineapple, lime, demerara syrup and sugar glass shards. An alcohol-free option is the Rosemary Raspberry Smash, made with fresh raspberries, rosemary, honey syrup, lemon and sparkling mineral water. The cozy atmosphere—complete with leather sofas, velvet lounge chairs and warm tones—is the perfect spot to wind down after a day exploring Wilmington’s decadent dessert scene.
