Drift was a great choice for a healthy breakfast and good coffee while knocking out a little work near Wrightsville Beach. To drink, I ordered a Magic which is like a cortado and very delicious. To eat, I got the acai bowl made with almond milk, banana, housemade granola, coconut, and honey. It wasn't super fruity like some acai bowls can be. Overall, I really enjoyed it and left stuffed for hours! There's plenty of seating both inside and out. The inside is pretty buzzy, so when I needed to make a call, I hopped outside. There are even outdoor outlets which was a nice surprise. The workers were friendly and the food came out fast. I would totally make this a go-to spot if I lived in the area. For now, I'll just need to return the next time I'm back in town! read more

See all

The variety of cold and hot breakfast is great! The avocado toast with a sunny egg was delicious, the kids loved the yogurt parfaits, and the brekkies were of great variety! Summer coffee specials are decadent and flavorful. We sat outside and enjoyed the patio area. Staff was friendly. Service was fast! read more

Consistently the food, the coffee and the experience here exceeds my expectations! I am so grateful for you all! read more

Drift Coffee & Kitchen - Hands down my favorite coffee shop! Consistently the best latte! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Atmosphere: awesome, sweet and quaint, it's a great place to find a healthier options for bfast and brunch... Food: Portions are good Protein Brekkie and Potato Brekkie are my 2 favorites Ya gotta check this place out as won't leave hungry and you'll feel better about yourself as a human!! I'll be back as this is now my #1 spot for bfast! read more

Drift Coffee & Kitchen - Protein Brekkie..100 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

See all

This is my fav coffee shop in Wilmington, thus far! Their espresso is strong but doesn't make you unhealthily jittery, they have an oat milk option, their açai bowls are the best i've ever had (worth the price), and the environment is the perfect balance of trendy, spacious, practical, and cute! This place has the Instagram worthy backgrounds in every corner of the shop. From their decorative, trendy fake plants everywhere to the wall art and modern light structures there's eye candy all throughout the place. I personally love the variety of outdoor seating, indoor bar seating, community table option, and private back room options. There's tons of outlets to plug in and work at and everyone is spread out enough you're never fighting over a plug. The espresso is a local roast with low acidity and a very strong caffeine boost after leaving you feeling pumped and energized without having shaky hands and a spacey brain. I prefer an oat milk latte, iced or hot, as the oat milk blends perfectly with the espresso leaving it not too bitter or sweet, and nice and creamy. Food wise I've only had the savory grits bowl and an açai bowl made with oat milk instead of almond (since I'm allergic to almonds) and was so pleasantly surprised with both. Both were perfect portions, made in prime time, filled me up just enough to satisfy pleasantly for hours and not cramp my style. The açai granola has pecans and walnuts in it too, so anyone with almond or peanut allergies can have it! I'd honestly have the bowl from breakfast every day if I could. The staff are nice, parking lot is part of a complex so plenty of spaces close to the entrance, there's options for vegans, paleo, vegetarian, and gluten free, more than enough seating indoor and out, and very strong wifi. Overall would definitely recommend checking out - I'll be back soon! read more

See all

Really good coffee options and lots of healthy breakfast/brunch options too. Even a few veggie options. The baked goods are really yummy if you're looking for a treat. We like to sit outside with the dogs in nice weather. Non-dairy milk options too. read more

I really like the new location at Independence strip mall. Light minimalist decor yields a more beach atmosphere than the pubs downtown. Likewise, the menu is lighter. I've had 3 different egg dishes and they were all quite good. Eggs on toast had a spicy olive oil sauce and Delicious marinated/roasted whole mushrooms. The Benedict's had nice lemony hollandaise (I preferred the lemon dill to the roasted tomato hollandaise..) The eggs were poached perfectly. I also enjoyed the "brekkie" - nicely done scrambled eggs with roasted potatoes. The potatoes sorta break my heart because they are triple cooked - broiled roasted and fried - who knows what order. They are literal perfection, EXCEPT they are made with yellow Finn potatoes which are almost as sweet as a sweet potato. I dislike any form of a sweet tasting potato. I would eat here twice a week and on Sundays if they used a large red or waxy white instead. So close to true excellence... We decided to have takeout one night as well. Garlic fries were perfection - actual minced garlic on these with some sort of maybe flour coating to make it all stick and to keep it crisp. The smash burger was fine. The cheese should be sharper however so you can taste it. Overall one of the better places to eat in Wilmington. read more

fantastic to find a non West Coast coffee shop that serves great beverages and meals.

Needed a place with wifi, coffee, and breakfast while I worked remotely while my husband was on a job site. I found Drift Coffee & Kitchen and the avocado toast photos instantly drew me in. I arrived right when they opened at 7 AM and as I walked in, the two employees stopped talking and gave each other an "oh great" look. I know I came in right on the dot of their opening hours, but when your hours say you open at 7 AM, be expecting people to arrive at 7 AM and greet them kindly. I received no greeting at all. I ordered a latte and the avocado toast (of course). The latte was slightly bitter at first taste, but got better as I continued sipping. The avocado toast was THE BOMB. Seriously. I really enjoyed the nuts and the tomatoes that came on top. It's a bit on the pricey side. I subbed almond milk in my latte (+$1) and added an egg to my toast (+$1.50). My total was almost $15, which is pretty high for coffee and a light breakfast. read more

See all

Love the coastal vibe of this cafe! They have lots of plates to choose from including sandwiches, oats, açaí bowls, and quinoa bowls. Lattes are great and they're always crafting up fun seasonal ones! Space to work but only down side is not many outlets for chargers! Service is quick and workers are nice! read more

See all

Great food and coffee and beautiful indoor and outdoor space. It sits in a small shopping center and the outdoor seating is next to the parking lot. We had two of their breakfast bowls and the yoghurt, fruit and honey. It's kinda fast casual (although be prepared to wait 10-15 mins for your food when they're busy- the kitchen is small). read more

This is everything I dream about in a coffee shop. Clean, white walls, cute aesthetics, open space... oh, and good coffee. DUH. I needed a place to get some coffee, a snack, and some space to edit photos. I found my place. This is like a modern boho feel with plenty of seating in the front and some quiet space in the back, I was surprised to see the seating space in the back! Pretty low key and not too busy at the time I went so it was relaxing. A place with food AND coffee, serving breakfast all day (or at least as long as they're open). Looking at the menu and the couple's food next to me (yeah, I was creepin'), looked amazing. I ordered a simple acai bowl since I had breakfast a few hours earlier and it was delicious. Served in enamel white bowls to match the vibe; I LOVE IT. When I come back next time, I will definitely be ordering a larger breakfast item, seriously can't wait for next time already. Pro: the music choice is on point, a little new, a little old, and some classic thrown in. Con: not a lot of outlets to plug in except by the leather chairs, so charge up beforehand in case it is busy here. Great spot to study and eat. LOVE. IT. read more

Drift Coffee & Kitchen - a great place for a satellite office. so clean! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Delicious food, best caramel latte ever -- prices are a bit high for a casual coffee shop, but I'm willing to splurge here and there for their menu! read more

Coffee is not good unfortunately. Really had high hopes since the reviews are so good! Maybe just a bad espresso?

My boyfriend and I are visiting Wilmington for the first time and had a friend recommend this place to us. We came here for breakfast and had such a good experience! It's been my favorite meal of the trip so far. We ordered the protein brekkie and the potato brekkie and both were delicious. Our matcha latte and iced vanilla lattes were both great, too. 10/10 hope to be back soon and try some of the other options! I want to try the açaí bowl :) read more

Nice tucked away place with an outside seating area to listen to the sounds of the birds. Great simple options. I had the purple smoothie. It was amazing. Also got the breakfast bowl with quinoa, sweet potato, spring mix, egg and tomato. I definitely recommend this place read more

Drift Coffee & Kitchen - Wifey got the pancakes (they were amazing) with honeycomb butter, mine was also delicious. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Food was good, but pricey. The service was lack luster. There were a lot of flies inside. The main reason for my poor review however is that everything has an up charge. There was literally a $0.50 up charge for hot sauce on a $12 breakfast plate. I paid $100 for breakfast for 5 of us and when I asked for a refill on my cup of drip coffee it was another $0.80. It's not that $0.80 or $0.50 matters that much, and it's their business, so they can do what they want, but this sort of thing is offensive to me. If I pay you $100 for a self service breakfast (with a 15% tip to boot) you can probably give me a second cup of coffee and not hurt your bottom line. Stop nickle and diming your customers and focus on delighting them with the experience not just the food. read more

I always leave happy with my tummy full of the healthiest, tastiest lunch items. Tucked away in a neighborhood type location, this hidden gem is great for computer work or rare matcha or golden lattes! read more

See all

Menu options and food were pretty good but I can't enjoy it if there is no where clean to sit. All the tables and chairs had food and spilled drinks on them. So many people behind the counter and no one cleaning. The bathroom didn't have soap and the trash was over flowing. I really wanted to enjoy this place and hang out and study but I just didn't feel clean here. read more

See all

Really cool coffee shop with great breakfast options. They have a variety of tasty and healthy breakfast choices. And lots of coffee and drinks options. Had the matcha latte with almond milk and it was really good. And had the avocado toast with an egg. Outdoor seating as well. read more

Drift Coffee & Kitchen - Avocado toast and ham and cheese toasty - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Can't say anything about the coffee or food, because I didn't stay long enough to try it. There is only one outlet for the entire coffee shop. How can you be a coffee shop with no outlets? No one can work there. Went to multiple locations after because they have a few in Wilmington, same story at all locations - no outlets. read more

So. Good coffee. Wilmington. Slow to arrive. Fits and starts. Places with promise. Third wave close but no cigar. You gotta have hope someday. And that someday certainly arrived. Drifted in (ok. I had to...)after seeing some signs on the road. Those little signs stuck in the grass like yard sign sales. Didn't expect much. And after reading the coffee menu was at least comforted to consider the promise of a decent enough experience due to how they worded their menu. They chose a roaster other than the big corporate CC. So I ordered what should be a staple. A no fuss, show me what cha got latte. Sweetness. No simple syrup. Just s sweet warm brown sugar magic. Straight from the coffee. Their baristas know their Joe. I've tried the magic, and latte hot and cold. Baked goods are not inspiring. The savory items on menu are VERY good. read more

Drift Coffee & Kitchen - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

See all

Wayyyy overpriced as usual. This time around, I order a small dirty chai latte with an extra shot of espresso. You know, I'll pay the 10.00 if it's a good drink (yes I0 dollars for a small latte) but I get in my car, start driving away and there is zero steamed milk and surprise! No espresso either. Classic ripoff. I guess the arboretum Landfall crowd will keep coming to keep this place alive but most of us can't afford it. Try not to F up a simple drink Drift!! read more

Good recipes but frequently out of ingredients and understaffed. If you have time and patience you might like this place. Too many disappointments for me. read more

The perfect spot to grab a healthy, but satiating breakfast or lunch before you hit the beach. The waitstaff was super friendly and our food was delicious! read more

See all

Love this coffee shop. Haven't had the chance to try the food but the espresso is delicio! They have almond and oat milk as milk alternatives... gotta try the oat milk so guuud. The service was great, but make sure you come on a day you plan to treat yourself things are a bit pricier than your average coffee / brunch spot. Though from what I have enjoyed, you definitely get what you pay for. Good food and a welcoming relaxed vibe. read more

See all

Great lattes! Always busy which is great but not a place I would go to work or study as it's kinda noisy

Though I live at the North Pole now, I grew up in Wilmington, NC and return there frequently. I was there over Labor Day weekend and was lucky enough to meet a friend I've known for 42 years for a cuppa and breakfast. I'm delayed in throwing Drift some love in this review, and especially now that Hurricane Florence has hit, it's time to LOVE Wilmington UP! Drift is super chill, relaxed and easy. Upon entering, I was immediately glad my friend selected it as our meeting locale. You can take your laptop & get work done there, read a book, or gab over delicious food and fantastic bevies. Truly something for everyone! The prices are a bit steep, but if you can treat yourself, you won't be disappointed at Drift. I'm sorry I didn't get a photo of our food - we snarfed it up too quickly. But we each got poached eggs over toast with wilted garlicky greens ... super YUMMY! I had a pour-over cuppa, and my friend had a green tea, steeped in her very own bodum pot. A lovely experience, indeed! read more

Drift Coffee & Kitchen - Super chill, relaxing environment - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

See all

Great location away from the hustle and bustle, large place with outdoor seating and has plenty of parking, friendly staff and patrons, and a wide selection of healthy and filling food! Love this place! Their coffee is just a bit on the bitter side so that's why the four stars. read more

See all

My friends and I stopped by Drift Coffee & Kitchen for a quick snack break during our road trip to Wrightsville Beach. Walking into the store for the first time, I was impressed by the menu offerings, as well as the ample seating and natural lighting throughout the coffee shop. The server up front was really sweet, and she brought our orders pretty quickly. I stuck with just a cold brew. Not the best I've had, because it was a little too acidic for my liking, but nonetheless, I thought the coffee was pretty good. What I liked about Drift, too, was that they offered a few non-dairy milk options, including almond and oat. Overall, I think it's a great place to visit, and I can see myself coming again in the future to read a book, study, or simply catch up with friends. read more

We had a great experience at the drift coffee!! Genevieve was excellent! She created a specialty latte that was heavenly !! We recommend the drift coffee! read more

Absolutely adore this coffee shop. I'm all about atmosphere when it comes to shops like this. Coffee is amazing and the vibe is even better! Don't skimp out on the food either- Avocado toast is divine and so affordable read more

See all

Very cute spot, a little off the beaten path. Superb coffee, low prices, great outdoor area.

Amazing breakfast food if you're looking for good portions and some healthy / clean eating options! Place is a bit hectic and loud (was difficult to hear our order being called out), they also missed our coffee order and a staff member was particularly rude about it when we were trying to follow up on it. Still giving it 4 stars based on food and the establishment itself. read more

Drift Coffee & Kitchen - Protein brekkie bowl plus Crispy Potato Brekkie as a side - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Will stop here again for coffee and internet! Great Java!! That's the key. Very cool vibe and a relaxed place with plenty of seats for remote computer warriors. read more

This place was nice! A bit hipster but most coffee places are nowadays. I had a Carmel latte, it was pretty good, not in my top 5 but definitely solid option if you are close by and need your espresso fix. Workers were very nice too!! read more

Drift Coffee & Kitchen - Caramel latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

See all

ugh there's not enough words in the English language to capture my love for this place. after numerous failed talking stages, this place has showed me love IS real! my father and i are regulars every Thursday at opening. we have ventured the whole menu and it always comes down to those dang crispy potatoes. so yum. our waiter is always the best and has cool tats. i want to be her when i grow up. the view of surfer boys and the water also makes it that much better. drift sponsor me read more

See all

3 words...AH MAY ZING!! The Avo Toast is to die for and the coffee is some of the best in Wilmington. Super laid back experience with extremely kind staff that help get the day started off on the right foot. A cozy atmosphere and conveniently located in the heart of town. Good music and vibes! Sit at the community table and make a new friend or sit at a table or the bar if need be. Great place to bring your laptop and be productive! Without a doubt one of my new faves! read more

See all

Super cute spot with great food! They have outdoor seating with a giant patio umbrella (perfect if you have your pup with you!) and indoor and a good size lot for parking with visitor parking right out front. Servers were awesome and very welcoming (to us and our dogs). There's a water bowl out front for dogs too! Loved the Avo toast and smoothie! Will be back again! read more

See all

The veggie breakfast burrito is so insanely good (especially with some hot sauce) - I could eat it every day. I think it's really the combo of fried onions and goat cheese that sends it over a delicious edge. I've also had the tomatoes and ricotta on toast and that was also excellent. The lattes are lightly sweet. I've loved everything about this menu. Feels hearty and healthy and super fulfilling. read more