Sometimes all you need is a sunny day in a coastal town with your favorite coffee in hand. Hidden…read moreGrounds is one of those places that feels like a little Wilmington treasure. Don't let the line fool you--they move quickly, and while you wait, you can soak in the charm of their beautiful backyard oasis. My go-to order is the Salty Dino, a perfect blend of salted caramel and vanilla that never disappoints. If you're looking for something a little more fun, the Dino Campfire comes topped with a toasted marshmallow and feels like a cozy treat in a cup. And whatever you do, don't leave without a pastry. Their homemade Pop-Tarts are absolutely elite and worth every bite. Between the incredible coffee, delicious baked goods, and fun merchandise to take home, Hidden Grounds is the kind of spot that keeps you coming back every time you're in Wilmington.

4.75 Super fun…read morevibes, great decor and ambiance, great service. There most likely will be a line, it moves quickly so don't let that scare you off. Order, go out back, and wait for your name to be called. Lots of Dino's and seats available, including swinging chairs. Lots of fun merch options from tees to hats and stickers. Marlboro man- half sweet and iced- very good. Brown Sugar- Shaken espressso with brown sugar and cinnamon- made mine with oatmilk. It overly sweet and can still taste the coffee. 2 Minty Matchas (mint chocolate chip ice cream taste) 1 strawberry- strawberry shortcake taste They offered some food options- mostly pastries and a few cookies. No down size, wish there were other options for eating, but main focus here is the coffee and they do it well.

Great service and iced matcha (unsweetened). Staff was very friendly and helpful. Several outlets…read moreto recharge. Cute area for little ones to play while parents get their caffeine fix. Adorable bathroom decor. Definitely will be back next trip to Wilmington.

Really loved the concept and their summer menu is so fun!…read more Located right downtown so it's very convenient to park and wander around. A little sad that their card machine was down, so I couldn't get everything I wanted, but I did get to try the blueberry cobbler latte! Light coffee flavor and I couldn't really taste the cookie, but there was a yummy thick blueberry top that made up for it!

Such a cool place. We were kindly greeted by the front counter staff. They offered their…read morerecommendations and helped us in a quick manner. They do not take cash so make sure to bring your debit card with you. Also check out their story on their website as well. We just ordered something simple from their coffee menu but I do believe they had specialty drinks for the season. The inside was very nice and they had a ton of products you could purchase from stickers to t-shirts.

Stopped here for a Silent Book Club meetup. You walk in the door , into a friendly low key…read moreatmosphere. They have a nice list of beverages to choose from. A few food items too. I decided to try the pumpkin spice latte. The staff here are friendly , no cash accepted , so bring your plastic. My beverage was ready super quick. Found a seat and took the cover off my cap. It looked very inviting, it was delicious. Creamy top with warm coffee, and no artificial taste. I would have liked the coffee to be hotter. I will be back again.

Ok experience. They only carry whole milk or alternative milk. No skim or 2%. I opted for a…read morepistachio latte which was overly sweet. They only had a small selection of specials or signature drinks. Staff was great! Beautiful interior.

I started coming here for Jazz nights on Tuesday and have gotten to know the extremely friendly…read morestaff and community. This is the perfect local watering hole whether it be at 9am for coffee shop vibes or late night for drinks. I highly suggest you stop in while in town!

This spot is very nicely decorated and has a great indie vibe! The staff was really friendly and…read morehelpful with questions I had too. Parking a bit crazy but I guess that's the norm here. I initially swung by to satiate my matcha craving, but it wasn't that great. It doesn't have much flavor so I added my own matcha when I went home. My friend said their coffee was good but nothing crazy. I would come back to try some of their food if I was in the area, they have so many great reviews so swing by if you're in town!

Although we have not gone IN the coffee shop we had some provided to us in our houseboat this past…read moreweek. We always appreciate places when they provide coffee from a small business. It was really good!!! Way better than any chain!!!! Would recommend them to anyone and when we are in Wilmington next time we will visit the store front!

Great espresso!! If you know the pain of finding good espresso on the east coast then you will…read moreunderstand how excited I am about this place! The staff were incredibly helpful and knew what they were doing. I didn't need it but the stewardess' swear by the "Red Eye." It's drip + shots. I had the americano with their medium roast and it was flavorful and not bitter at all. They are a small regional chain and I will be keeping my eye open for other locations when I visit the area again.

My affinity towards trying out local coffee shops when I travel led me to Port City Java, which was…read moreestablished in 1995 in Wilmington, NC, and has expanded to about 13 locations in the surrounding area. It's nothing revolutionary compared to other coffee shops, with a bit more of a limited menu than Starbucks and Dunkin. I went with an iced mochaccino, since I wasn't in the mood for a hot drink. It was decent, but it was nothing like the image on their menu or website. My biggest gripe was that the drink was more than 40% ice. I've had plenty of iced drinks before, but none have been overloaded with as much ice, so this won't be a place I'd recommend to others. While I thought this would be a place I would have liked more, it was a 3.5/5 experience at best, but happy to round up since customer service was friendly and to support a local business.

Service was amazing like always. They always have so many flavors and "month menus"…read more I got a blueberry matcha with blueberry cf

Came to visit Wilmington for work, and 3 Friends was only five minutes from my hotel. I am so…read morepleased with what I received. I personally got one of the September specials, Pumpkin Pie Latte, and it is so delicious. The young woman working there was so friendly as well. I loved that they had the kid's play area. Super cute storefront!

Grinders is a local coffee shop that has a slightly alternative, counter culture, artsy feel. The…read moremusic varies and today included George Michael and David Bowie. The customer service is excellent and the baristas have gotten to know me and provide recommendations for new things to try based on what I have had in the past. The shakes, iced coffee, and lotus energy drinks are great. The shop provides seating outside and inside. There is one bathroom that is kept clean. Overall, the shop is very clean. Iced coffee and regular refills are $0.50. The baristas have made an effort for me to know their names, as well and many have helped create a great environment through great conversations. The only note, which many customers would likely agree, is that the aesthetically pleasing menu can be a bit overwhelming at first glance due to the many options. But, once you take it in, you can find what you are looking for to order. If you can't, the baristas will be happy to help make something that is amazing for you. There is also a roll the dice game that helps create a beverage for you, as well. All in all, Grinders is a great place to get caffeinated, socialize with others, and get work done.

This local coffee shop in Wilmington has an amazing selection of drinks to choose from. Not just…read morecoffee either, they also offer milkshakes and smoothies as well with many unique options and takes on classic choices. The barista was super nice and was willing to customize my drink for me which was very generous. The space inside was beautiful and offered a generous amount of seating as well as free Wi-Fi. The decorations were also very novel and the cafe has an opening door that connects to the next door shop during business hours!

I know I'm an outlier because clearly this place is loved. The pastries were brought to me, so I'm…read moreonly judging from the food not the place. We had three different pastries, and they were fine. I liked that they weren't over sweet and coy, but they didn't hit the spot for me. The Banana Ball was the best of the three.

I loved this little nook. It's a small but neat and thoughtful place, light and sprinkled with…read morefresh flowers. That's the backdrop for the Cafe's excellent bakery offerings and unique drinks. Go and try the Cafe for yourself. We bought a sampling of baked pastries, fried doughnuts, and quiche cups. I also sampled their cold brew concoction - a cold brew with club soda and a flavoring of your choice. I chose no flavoring, and was treated to an authentic cold brew - not just hot brew iced - with all the complex floral notes and complexity I'd expect. The effervescence was very subtle, and so added a balanced nuance rather than a carbonated explosion. Just delightful! Our purchases were served with a smile and a quick chat about the offerings and origin of Brooklyn Cafe, another benefit of patronizing local businesses. We not only ate well, but enjoyed a time and place in this art infused neighborhood. I'll have to come back to sample their beignets, and that alone will motivate me to return soon!

Best coffee place downtown. Great vibe, extremely reasonable prices and has cool gift shop stuff…read moreto look at. Their matcha and the Tea Thyme candles are both awesome.

The coconut cold brew was fantastic, rich, refreshing, and the perfect pick-me-up. This coffee shop…read moreis super cute and has a cozy vibe, making it an ideal spot for a chill day. When we arrived around 11 a.m. on a weekday, it was very quiet, which created a peaceful atmosphere perfect for hanging out with friends or reading a book. If I lived in the area, I would definitely visit more often. The ambiance feels warm and welcoming, inviting you to relax and unwind. They also have a lovely selection of knickknacks for sale, including books, crafts, and paintings, which add to its charming character. Overall, what a wonderful little coffee shop =) definitely a hidden gem worth checking out! Great service!