“Coffeeology: Espresso yourself. So many blends, so little time. Take life one sip at a time, and stay grounded. Better latte than never.”
Coffee you say?! You are speaking our love language! And we think Wilmington, NC may have some of the best coffee shops around. Here is a list of our Top 5 favorites:
Bespoke Coffee and Dry Goods: Located at 202 Princess St. in the heart of downtown Wilmington, the atmosphere couldn’t be better! Not to mention, they make an extremely good cup of coffee. It’s really rich and doesn’t require very much sweetener. That’s if you like a strong cup, anyway. In addition to coffee, the shop has beer on tap, plus it sells dry goods: clothing, glasses, mugs, hats and more! Why not feed three addictions at once?!
Folks Café: Folk’s Cafe has 2 locations. One on Princess St and one on North 4th St. in Wilmington has become well-known with locals, tourists and even visiting celebrities (Emma Roberts tweeted about the iced coffee, and Michael Caine stops by whenever he’s in town). Roasting and selling its own organic and fair trade coffees from around the world, the vibe is junk gypsy. Both the coffee and non-coffee drinks are creative and tasty, and the authentic empanadas that are first-come, first-served are worth the wait!
Outpost Coffee Co.: The Outpost is located in Wilmington’s blossoming cargo district and tucked into a jigsaw puzzle of shipping containers turned useable space. The Outpost is a drive-thru and walk-up bar and shares an open courtyard with a restaurant called the Mess Hall and the Alcove Beer Garden brewery; you can easily turn a Saturday afternoon into an adventure by exploring all three. Besides handcrafted lattes and drip coffee, the Outpost offers a variety of teas—loose leaf, chai lattes, matcha and a spiced beetroot latte.
Grinder’s Caffe’: With its down-to-earth appeal, spacious couches, tables for seating and baristas who have finessed their trade, Grinder’s is a longstanding favorite among UNCW students. Grinder’s has one of the most extensive menus of the coffee shops in Wilmington. Besides the espresso and drip coffee creations, they have smoothies, milkshakes and frappes with a variation of flavors for each. Something for everyone!
Bitty and Beau’s: A top 5 list would not be complete without Bitty ND Beau’s! Bitty & Beau’s opened in Wilmington in 2016 and has since become a franchise with several intended locations around the country. Bitty & Beau’s hires people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a mission the founders hope will create a more inclusive community that values people with disabilities. The Wilmington location is spacious and has plenty of indoor seating. Their menu is versatile and features frappes, steamers and smoothies. Yum!