Wilmington is a great town with a mix of locals, college students, tourists, and retirees. There is something in Wilmington for everyone, and that includes coffee shops. No matter what part of town you're in, you aren't too far from a good coffee shop. I've organized this list based on location: Downtown, Midtown, & Wrightsville Beach.

Now, why should you trust my recommendations? I have lived in Wilmington, NC for almost 5 years and I spent 2 of those years as a graduate student. Do you know who spends a lot of time in coffee shops? Graduate students. :)

I can confidently say I have been to (almost) every coffee shop in this town, which is why I put together this go-to guide for coffee shops in Wilmington, NC. There are also some honorable mentions, including coffee shops in Carolina Beach & Kure Beach.

Downtown Wilmington

Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods

@cheyennestienbarger

When you think of a hipster coffee shop, Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods should be the first place that comes to mind - and for good reason! They take special pride in their coffee beans and preparation methods. Also, the non-coffee menu is quite extensive with matcha, loose leaf tea, kombucha, chai, hot chocolate, and even mudwtr. The shop itself is open, airy, and beautifully decorated. This is a place you can comfortably work/study or come hang with friends since it doesn't have that "quiet library" feeling.

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Luna Caffè

@cheyennestienbarger

Luna Caffè is a funky, community-oriented coffee shop in the Arts & Antique District downtown. Their website says it best, "The shop welcomes an eclectic mix of people (and their dogs) to come and stay a while as they enjoy fresh locally roasted coffee." I love the cozy atmosphere that Luna Caffè offers. Order a coffee and sit down to read a book, or grab one of the board games off the shelves and play a game with your friends. The art on display is from local artists and is available for purchase.

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24 South Coffee House

@cheyennestienbarger

24 South is a classic coffeehouse in a perfect location on Front Street - just steps away from the Riverfront. This is not the place I would come to work on a laptop, but it is perfect for chatting with friends or people-watching. The coffee and teas are great, and they usually have an incredible selection of pastries. I'm partial to a lavender iced latte, but they also make a great cortado.

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Java Dog Coffee House

@cheyennestienbarger

Java Dog has that classic, local coffeeshop feel. Loved by locals and visitors alike. The coffee is good, the menu is standard, and the prices are very reasonable. Also, it's incredibly dog-friendly (duh!). It's located in the Cotton Exchange building, so this is a great place to pop in after brunch at The Basics or before strolling through the shops.

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Midtown

Spill Coffee Co

@cheyennestienbarger

I have a special place in my heart for Spill! This coffee shop started off as a coffee cart that you could only find at farmers markets and other pop-ups around town. Because their coffee is so good, they turned that coffee cart into a Barbie Dreamhouse, I mean, storefront! Don't be turned off by the "Instagram worthiness" of their shop, the coffee really is the star. They offer unique additions to their drinks, including: CBD oil, collagen, MCT oil, bee pollen, grass-fed butter, and more. My favorite thing to order is the Iced Bomb Shell, which is an iced latte with rose flavor, collagen, oat milk, and coffee ice cubes. Yes, their ice cubes are made with coffee - this should be the standard!

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Social Coffee and Supply Co.

@cheyennestienbarger

Social Coffee & Supply Co. now has two locations. The original on Wrightsville Ave. and the newer location on Oriole. Both locations are easily accessible from UNCW. This coffee shop is on a mission to "love others thru coffee" and prioritizes giving back to the community. The coffee menu is simple and tastes delicious. For a unique experience, try the rosemary vanilla latte! I think this drink tastes best hot, but you do you. Social definitely caters to the college crowd; both locations have plenty of tables for studying or meeting up with a group of friends. They also host themed trivia nights.

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Drift Coffee Shop & Kitchen Autumn Hall

@cheyennestienbarger

Drift Coffee is another local shop that has really expanded its locations in the Wilmington area due to its growing popularity! I am showcasing the Autumn Hall location because it's more geared towards the local/university crowd and it was the only Drift location in Wilmington when I first moved here. Usually the struggle is finding a coffee shop that serves good food or a restaurant that serves good coffee. Thankfully, Drift knows how to do both! I always order a cold brew and it's so smooth due to the flash brew process. Another popular option is the Black Amber, Drift's take on the iced shaken espresso. Other locations in Wilmington: Wrightsville Beach, Downtown, Mayfaire, Hanover Center. They also have a location right on Ocean Isle Beach.

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Casa Blanca Coffee Roasters

@cheyennestienbarger

Casa Blanca is in Ogden, not Midtown ... but I didn't want to create a separate section. This is my favorite place to meet someone for coffee. The atmosphere is very inviting and there are so many places to sit, both inside and outside. The beans are well roasted and the pour over coffees are smooth & flavorful. Personally, I think Casa Blanca serves the best cortado in Wilmington. There is plenty of parking, but getting in and out of the shop can be a little stressful depending on the time of day and traffic on Market St.

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Wrightsville Beach

The Workshop

@cheyennestienbarger

The Workshop is a WB institution. Where else can you shop for shark teeth jewelry while sipping an iced coffee? I love to order an iced red-eye with half sweet hazelnut and a splash of cream. They also sell smoothies, sandwiches, and other types of coffee. The price is on the higher side ($5-7 for a drink) and the lines will be long on Saturdays in the summer. Also, this establishment is dog-friendly but note that it gets very crowded. FYI: They close at 2 PM every day.

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SUNdays

@cheyennestienbarger

Situated on top of a surf shop, SUNdays ranks #1 for best views and vibes. The coffee is good, but I believe it tastes better because you have a view of Wrightsville Beach. In addition to their coffee menu, SUNdays serves baked goods and smoothies. SUNdays is frequented by locals, students, and tourists alike. They are dog-friendly and open later (~8 PM) than most other shops around town. They also frequently have specials on beer & wine.

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Honorable Mentions

Hidden Grounds Coffee

@cheyennestienbarger

I'm including this in honorable mentions because this is a brand new coffee shop and I have only tried it once. As of October 2023, there are 100+ 5 star reviews. People seem to love the fact that it is a family-run, dinosaur-themed coffee shop. Yep, dinosaurs. Hidden Grounds advertises as a backyard oasis coffee bar and it seems like they have absolutely nailed that description. The outdoor space is absolutely stunning and inviting, providing a great spot to hang out on the weekends. I tried the Uncle G, an iced shaken espresso with mocha and hazelnut. I am also intrigued by the Liquid Flame: cold brew, vanilla, cold foam, and fire salt?!

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Crush and Grind

@cheyennestienbarger

Crush & Grind is a chill spot located within walking distance of the iconic Britts Donuts, Fat Pelican, and Carolina Beach Boardwalk. This place is half coffee shop + half wine bar. They also have a few fridges stocked with local brews.

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Happy Hippies Java Hut

@cheyennestienbarger

Happy Hippies Java Hut is a exactly that - a cute little hut on Kure Beach serving some delicious coffee. They are famous for their creamy, strong, & delicious Mermaid Magic drink, which they advertise as 'coffee potion by the ocean'. If Mermaid Magic doesn't excite you, try the Iced Double Dirty Chai. It's so flavorful and certainly provides enough caffeine to get you through the day.

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