If You Love Coffee Shops, Come to Coffee Fest!
Ready for a coffee-fueled weekend? Downtown Wilmington’s Cargo District is throwing Coffee Fest—a weekend-long event dedicated to celebrating local coffee shops, coffee fans, coffee experts… and all other things coffee-related!
Celebrations begin on Friday, September 26th at 4:30 PM. The Cocktail Showdown, located at Azalea Station, features local bartenders, baristas, and mixologists competing to make the best coffee cocktail. Hang around for the Latte Art Throwdown at 7:00, where your local baristas try to earn the winning title of best latte art champion!
Saturday, September 27th, join the Wilmington Coffee Fest street fair on South 15th Street. Meet your local vendors, discover new shops, and enjoy free samples. This event lasts from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Visit the Wilmington Coffee Fest event site to learn more!
In honor of Coffee Fest around the corner, we rounded up a list of some of our favorite coffee shops in every Wilmington neighborhood.
Dozens of incredible, locally-owned coffee shops dot the map around the Wilmington metro area. In fact, there are so many, we thought we would list some of our favorites in every neighborhood. Here are a few to add to your bucket list, starting up in Pender County’s Hampstead and moving all the way to Southport:
Hampstead: Matter More Coffee
15919 US-17, Hampstead
This little nook, complete with drive-through service and a small library of books, opened in 2020 on Hampstead’s main drag, U.S. 17. Find coffee with good intentions, plus a packed smoothie menu.
Porters Neck & Ogden: Casa Blanca Coffee Roasters
7409 Market St, Wilmington
The owners of Casa Blanca transformed this vacant building into a thriving oasis buzzing with activity. This place is for coffee appreciators to enjoy frequent “cupping sessions”—tasting coffees from different regions and taking notes! Grab a seat on the patio or inside in this minimalist-inspired space.
Mayfaire: Drift Coffee + Kitchen
1005 International Dr, Wilmington and 110 Dungannon Blvd, Wilmington
With two locations, one in Mayfaire and one at Autumn Hall, Drift Coffee bookends this neighborhood. Drift was inspired by the Australian-style coffee shops frequented by surfers who come to socialize and eat healthy, with an original location in Ocean Isle Beach. Find breakfast and lunch, along with healthy brews of coffee with special, homeopathic ingredients.
Wrightsville Beach: SUNdays Cafe
708 B Lumina Ave S, Wrightsville Beach
Tucked above a surf shop, this Wrightsville Beach hangout is the perfect place to stop and grab a drink or snack while exploring Wrightsville Beach. There are loaded acai bowls to go with a shot of espresso.
Downtown Wilmington: 24 South
24 S Front St., Wilmington
The oldest shop in Historic Downtown Wilmington, 24 South is a welcoming environment for locals and tourists alike. They purify their water with a state-of-the-art filtration system, making every cup clean and flavorful. Don’t forget to enjoy the delicious pastries, seasonal flavors, and cozy interior when you stop by!
Downtown Wilmington: Bespoke
202 Princess St., Wilmington
You can’t visit downtown without popping in! Bespoke offers a traditional cappuccino or something a little less conventional, such as a lavender latte. The renovated historical space with cafe tiles and high ceilings makes this place especially Instagram-worthy.
Downtown Wilmington: The Maroon Monkey
124 S Front St., Wilmington
Freshly brewed coffee and made-to-order lattes await you on your visit to The Maroon Monkey. This is the perfect spot to stay, get some work done, or simply soak up those great coffee-shop vibes. If you come with a friend, get the cinnamon roll—it’s made to share and absolutely delicious!
17th Street residential area: Folks Cafe
1201 Princess St., Wilmington
Led by master roaster Juan, beans are always being transformed here—and the smell wafts from the tiny brick building. A hearty menu of empanadas and sandwiches awaits! Folks is one of those classic coffee shops, and it is truly a special place with a loyal neighborhood following.
Castle Street Antique District: Luna Caffe
604 Castle St., Wilmington
Serving the antiques district, Luna Caffe has all the dreamy seasonal drinks to help you make a swap from Starbucks to a locally-owned shop. Drink all the peppermint mochas, autumnal spiced concoctions and summery iced caffeine drinks you could ever want.
Masonboro Loop: Port City Java
3301 Masonboro Loop Road, Wilmington
Sure there are Port City Javas all over the city, but this one is truly the meeting place for an entire neighborhood. Take a bicycle trip here or zip into the drive-through lane for a cup of Joe.
Carolina Beach: North End Cafe
901 Carolina Beach Ave. North, Carolina Beach
Tucked away from the bustling boardwalk, North End Cafe pours out goodness in to-go cups or even giant to-go growlers. PS — don’t miss the hearty breakfast biscuits to go along with coffee.
Southport: Southport Coffee Co.
130 E. Moore St., Southport
Grab an expertly crafted iced or hot drink at this adorable Southport fan-favorite. This shop believes in the power of coffee—and donates a portion of their sales to local nonprofits!
Learn More About Wilmington Coffee Shops and Surrounding Areas
How you like your coffee doesn’t matter—we have all the choices! The best way to find your favorite is to try them all, and use this opportunity to explore the ILM community.
Interested in the Wilmington area and its neighborhoods? Check out my neighborhood guide here.
