There’s nothing like a cozy coffee shop to set the tone for your day. Whether you’re curling up with a good book, catching up with a friend or warming up after a crisp morning, Wilmington and its island beaches are filled with charming cafés. Here’s the ultimate list of places in town to grab a cup of joe.
Downtown
Hidden Grounds
Why We Love It: A small, dinosaur-themed shop with a jungle-like patio out back. Friendly service and delicious flavors make it a favorite for both locals and visitors.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Dino Campfire (year-round) – espresso, toasted marshmallow torched.
Maroon Monkey
Why We Love It: This cozy storefront café features exposed brick, small tables and warm vibes, perfect for sipping and staying awhile.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Apple Cider Donut (seasonal) – house-made chai, apple syrup, cozy orchard vibes.
24 South Coffee House
Why We Love It: Rustic charm in the heart of downtown, with some nooks to tuck away in. Stay and sip or grab your coffee to-go for a stroll along Front Street.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Campfire Cold Brew (seasonal) – house-made cold brew, mocha and vanilla syrup, toasted marshmallow cold foam, and graham cracker topping.
Ibis Coffee
Why We Love It: A hi-fi coffee and cocktail lounge designed for sound and style. Cozy couches, moody lighting and record nights make it an aesthetic standout.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Hot Chai Tea Latte (year-round) - spicy and full of flavor!
Bespoke
Why We Love It: Housed in a charming downtown building, this spacious café is a downtown staple with plenty of room to spread out and soak in the charm. You may also recognize it from recent hit shows “The Summer I Turned Pretty” and “The Runarounds.”
Our Current Flavor Pick: Pumpkin Spice Flat White (seasonal) – real pumpkin, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, clove, nutmeg, and demerara sugar.
Canary Yellow
Why We Love It: Have a monochromatic moment in this fully pinked-out house filled with eclectic gifts and colorful accents. Sip inside or enjoy the porch and garden seating for a friendly catch-up.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Blueprint (year-round) – double-shot espresso, blueberry, lavender, vanilla, and bergamot vanilla topping.
Java Dog
Why We Love It: A long-standing favorite in the Cotton Exchange, this café is the perfect place for dog lovers. Whether you bring your own pup or choose to adore other dogs from afar, this spot is friendly and reliable.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Mocha Latte (year-round) – espresso, steamed milk of choice, and chocolate.
Café Mata
Why We Love It: A fully plant-based café connected to the yoga studio Yoga Salt, it is filled with greenery and natural vibes. Expect creative drinks and inventive flavor pairings.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Ube Latte (year-round) – Japanese purple sweet potato with oat milk.
Folks Café
Why We Love It: A small family-owned café that feels like home, complete with a full breakfast menu. Warm, welcoming and filled with community spirit. It is a true hidden gem!
Our Current Flavor Pick: Vietnamese Coffee (year-round).
Blue Cup Roastery
Why We Love It: This walk-up window set in a cargo container is ideal for grab-and-go coffee. Or, settle into one of the cozy corners at The Alcove nearby before exploring the cargo district.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Teddy Graham (seasonal) – honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, sea salt.
Midtown
Maven Coffee
Why We Love It: This is for the true coffee connoisseurs. Baristas here are experts, turning every drink into an art form with house-made syrups and specialty roasts.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Campfire Latte (seasonal) – toasted marshmallow, graham cracker-infused milk, and infused cherrywood smoke.
Grinders Caffe
Why We Love It: A cozy café with couches, window barstools and a larger-than-life coffee menu. Great for a catch-up chat or quiet work session.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Honey Bunny (year-round) – honey and vanilla.
Social Coffee
Why We Love It: Housed in converted Wilmington-style homes, this trendy shop has two locations in town that make you feel instantly at ease. Shop their merch, find a cute corner and sip like a local.
Our Current Flavor Pick: The Wrangler (seasonal) – bourbon caramel latte with sweet cream cold foam, topped with smoked chili sea salt.
Calico Coffee Bar
Why We Love It: Bright and modern with playful touches, Calico is a new coffee stop owned by the sweetest people. With constant and trendy menu updates, there is always something new to try.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Cinny Roll (year-round) – brown sugar cinnamon latte with cream cheese cold foam.
Casa Blanca
Why We Love It: Minimalist, sleek and light-filled, Casa Blanca is the kind of place where clean design meets excellent coffee. Grab a seat inside or enjoy their Instagrammable patio out back.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Coconut Matcha Latte (seasonal).
Grumpy Grandpas
Why We Love It: Quirky and cozy, this shop mixes fun drinks with a rustic campground atmosphere that keeps people coming back.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Pretty Girl (year-round) – whole milk, caramel espresso, whipped cream, chocolate drizzle.
Drift
Why We Love It: Beachy yet modern, Drift is ideal for remote work sessions or easy coffee catch-ups. Always relaxed, always cozy, always coastal. They also offer a great breakfast and lunch menu.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Matcha Latte (year-round, plus seasonal flavors).
Beaches
Periwink (Wrightsville Beach)
Why We Love It: A woman-owned cafe that also doubles as a stationery gift shop, this cafe is truly unique. Between friendly service and delicious drinks, this is an easy favorite!
Our Current Flavor Pick: The Periwink Drink (year-round) – vanilla, lavender tea, milk, topped with cherry cold foam.
The Workshop (Wrightsville Beach)
Why We Love It: A coffee and shark-tooth jewelry combo shop that’s uniquely coastal. A must-stop for coffee with a short walk to Wrightsville Beach.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Bullet Proof (year-round) – house blend, cinnamon, organic butter, coconut oil.
SUNday's (Wrightsville Beach)
Why We Love It: An ocean-inspired café that pairs surf culture with yummy drinks. Stay awhile and soak in the local characters of Wrightsville Beach while staring at the ocean from the window.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Stars Hallow (seasonal) – chai and apple juice steamed and topped with whipped cream and cinnamon.
The Vault Coffee & Pour House (Carolina Beach)
Why We Love It: Housed in a repurposed bank vault, this CB staple blends strong coffee, craft beer and community spirit. You will feel like a regular when you walk in!
Our Current Flavor Pick: Vaulted Mocha (year-round).
Malama Café (Carolina Beach)
Why We Love It: Bright, plant-filled and wellness-inspired, Malama is the perfect stop for clean ingredients and cozy cups.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Golden Latte (year-round) – turmeric, ginger, and spice blend with steamed milk.
Majik Beanz (Carolina Beach)
Why We Love It: Colorful and eclectic with a community-first feel, Majik Beanz is all about fun drinks and local charm.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Chocolate Banana Espresso Milkshake.
Happy Hippies Java Hut (Kure Beach)
Why We Love It: A funky purple café with retro energy and playful drinks! Their signature coffee is so good and unique to the area.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Mermaid Magic (signature).
Kei Café (Kure Beach)
Why We Love It: A simple, cute coffee car designed for quick and tasty beach-day fuel.
Our Current Flavor Pick: Cold Brew.
From downtown hideaways to beachfront brews, Wilmington and its island beaches are overflowing with cozy coffee corners ready to brighten your day. Want to taste even more? Don’t miss CoffeeFest, held every fall in downtown Wilmington, where local roasters and shops come together for the ultimate caffeine celebration.
Looking for more trip ideas? Start planning your perfect getaway with our trip guides and itineraries.
