Good coffee is hard to find, no matter where you live. Great coffee is an anomaly that we all strive to discover. Happily, Wilmington coffee shops have been roasting up a great cup of Joe at several locally-owned coffee shops, and each year the options only get better.
From a basic 12-ounce drip coffee or cappuccino to innovative lattes with bizarrely amazing flavor combos or the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory- level super sweet coffee you crave, Wilmington DE coffee shops will keep you caffeinated and ready to face the day, no matter what life has in store. Oh, and some even have free wi-fi if you need to get some work done outside of the home.
So, in no particular order, let’s dive into the best Wilmington DE coffee shops for every type of coffee fan.
Faire Cafe
- Address: 216 W 9th St, Wilmington, DE 19801
I stumbled upon Faire Cafe one afternoon while waiting for a friend to finish up an appointment at the Hotel Du Pont. On a side street in Downtown Wilmington, Faire Cafe is a photographer’s dream. Swings dangle from the ceiling that patrons can sit on while sipping craft coffee, feather plumes in shades of blush, rose and dust do the tables, while natural woods and black metal bring together a startlingly beautiful and warm atmosphere.
But wait, there’s more – Faire Cafe is also a cocktail bar in Wilmington DE, furthering the boutique experience you get at this coffee shop.
Lattes, like their Sea Salt Lavender and Apple Sage Latte, are what drove me to get caffeinated at 3 pm, but their cappuccinos, cortados, and Kyoto pour-over (or Kyoto slow-drip coffee) are just a few of the reasons locals have embraced this newer-to-the scene Wilmington cafe.
Faire Cafe also offers a menu of pastries, breakfast or lunch sandwiches, toast, and light snacks. Keep an eye on their website and Instagram handle, as they often host events, like Singles Night and several private events throughout the year. Trust me, this is not a cafe you want to ignore, and I hope it sticks around for years to come… and not just because the staff is amazing. I’m not saying it is my new favorite place in Wilmington, DE… but I’m not saying it isn’t either.
Sleeping Bird Coffee
- Address: 3111 Miller Rd, Wilmington, DE 19802
Located inside Miller Road Station, Sleeping Bird Coffee opened in May 2017 as the brainchild of Zach DeLong of Scission Espresso and Leigh Ann Tona of I Don’t Give a Fork (both food trucks). While they still have a food truck, mainly for private events and neighborhood functions, it’s the brick-and-mortar shop that is the main focus these days.
Get one of their unique and creative coffee flavors (if that is your thing). I had the Honey Almond Clove latte and was more than a little surprised by the flavor combination. While not something I would normally think to create myself, it was an incredible mix of slightly sweet (but not too sweet) and warm spice all rolled into one for an unexpected fall beverage.
As for their baked goods– get the bagel sandwiches. Any of them. They are all good. I had the Smoked Salmon Bagel sandwich, while my friend had the bacon, egg, and cheddar bagel. We were too busy shoving more bits of this tasty creation into our mouths to even talk to each other.
Naturally, we had to top it off with one of their signature cinnamon rolls, which even being as full as we were, really was the perfect end to a delicious breakfast in Wilmington DE.
Brew HaHa!
- Address: multiple locations
- Trolley Square: 1400 N Dupont St, Wilmington, DE 19806
- Downtown Wilmington: 222 Delaware Ave, Wilmington, DE 19801
- Greenville: 3838 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807
- Branmar Plaza: 1812 Marsh Rd, Wilmington, DE 19810
- Avenue North: 1000 Renaissance Way, Wilmington, DE 19803
- Pike Creek: 5329 Limestone Rd, Wilmington, DE 19808
Brew HaHa! is one of the local Wilmington DE coffee shops with several locations that is not only a hot spot for coffee but also breakfast in Wilmington. Brew HaHa! serves Brandywine Coffee Roasters, their sister company, and a local Wilmington coffee roaster. They offer drip coffee, along with cortados, espresso con panna, and several specialty coffees whose names remind me of a candy-bar rack (Snickers, Jack Frost, Coconut Dream, Creme Brulee– you get the idea- and yes, I love the Creme Brulee) and even Thai iced coffee. And don’t worry tea lovers, they have several options for you too.
When you need a little food to soak up all of that coffee, Brew HaHa! offers great bagel breakfast or lunch sandwiches, avocado toast, and several pastries (Apple Crumb cake? YUM!)
Brandywine Coffee Roasters
- Address: 1400 N Dupont St, Wilmington, DE 19806
The only Wilmington coffee roaster is Brandywine Coffee Roasters. Now don’t get confused when you look for an attached cafe, as Brandywine Coffee Roasters’ sister company and cafe is Brew Haha.
You will see their coffee featured at several coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants around town. You can’t miss their artistic packaging designed by local Delaware artist Todd Purse either. All coffees are fair trade coffees and responsibility sourced, which is important to note in a world of mega coffee companies that aren’t always paying the coffee estate workers where the beans are grown a fair wage.
Brandywine Coffee Roasters is involved every step of the way to ensure what they are selling to their customers will not only make them feel good but also do good with every hot cup of coffee brewed.
Ciro Forty Acres
- Address: 1836 Lovering Ave, Wilmington, DE 19806
Ciro Forty Acres is a beloved brunch spot right down the street from the Delaware Art Museum, but it can be very hard to get a seat on the weekends. I normally opt for a latte or chai to go with a pastry.
Word to the wise: their croissants, scones, muffins, and apple fritters should NOT be missed.
Take your to-go coffee and wander down to the museum’s outdoor sculpture garden. It’s the perfect way to spend a cool autumn day (or even winter, spring, and summer). If you have kids, it’s the best way to allow your kids to safely run around while still taking in some of the best art in Delaware.
Kaffeina Cafe at the Delaware Art Museum
- Address: 2301 Kentmere Pkwy, Wilmington, DE 19806
Just inside of the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington DE, you will find the Kaffeina Cafe. Last we were there, Kaffeina was serving La Colombe coffee and espresso beverages, along with several tea options, lemonade, and other non-caffeinated beverages.
The cafe offers several sandwich options throughout the day. Naturally, the smoked salmon sandwich was my favorite, but they also have a quiche of the day, salads, vegetarian options, and pastries. Don’t miss out on the pastries. I wish I’d saved room.
Milk & Honey Coffee House and Gallery
- Address: 239 North Market Street, 807 Union St, Wilmington, DE 19801
Milk & Honey Coffee is a great breakfast spot that you will see a lot of locals visiting, especially on the weekends.
Our favorites, especially when visiting with the kids, are Blueberry Lemon Zest pancakes, classic French toast, and avocado toast. The drip coffee is solid and the espresso drinks and chai were delightful. I haven’t been brave enough to try their dessert latte, as I’m usually not quite ready for too much sweetness in the morning.
Riverfront Bakery
- Address: 313 Justison St, Wilmington, DE 19801
If you are staying at a Riverfront hotel in Wilmington DE, or simply wandering around the neighborhood, Riverfront Bakery is one of the best Wilmington DE coffee shops. It serves up delightful pastries and cakes, along with warm lattes and espresso drinks.
They are open late on weekends (until 6 pm), so it’s a great place to warm up on a cold day or cool down in the a/c in summer months with an ice latte. Oh, and it’s also the perfect spot for a first date!
I.M. Coffee
- Address: 1105 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801
Perfect for the working crowd and any tourists wandering through downtown Wilmington, I.M. Coffee is located in the I.M. Pei building. They offer hot coffee and espresso drinks, as well as most of their same hot options as iced, several smoothies, and tea options. The breakfast menu is substantial, with lots of grab-and-go items, like breakfast burritos, wraps, sandwiches, and even breakfast bowls.
Keep an eye on their hours, as they close by 2 pm on weekdays and are closed on weekends when Downtown Wilmington is a bit more quiet.
Legal Grounds Cafe
- Address: 1208 Kirkwood Hwy, Elsmere, DE 19805
Now here’s a new one– a coffee shop set up by lawyers. The Law Offices of Doroshow, Pasquale, Krawitz, and Bhaya set up this coffee shop for not only clients to enjoy, but all of their neighbors as well.
Now I get it, lawyers work long hours. I always thought a retired doctor should set up a coffee shop across the parking lot from a hospital. I first met (or I guess saw) my brother-in-law and sister-in-law when they were already passed out on my (now) husband’s couch while they were both doing their residencies. Scrubs and all, they were out cold. But back to lawyers…
This European-style cafe is technically an Elsmere coffee shop (don’t want the lawyers getting on me about fact-checking), and serving La Colombe coffees and teas. Pop in for a cold brew coffee, drip coffee, specialty drinks espresso drinks, tea, or smoothie.
The shop also offers breakfast and lunch items to enjoy on the go or inside the cafe, whether you are there for a meeting with your lawyer or not.
Lucky’s Coffee Shop
- Address: 4003 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803
Lucky’s Coffee Shop is more of a diner, but they do serve fresh coffee and Lucky’s is an institution for Wilmington locals, so it has to be on our list. Their portions are huge, and you will need to have breakfast here at least once during your visit.
They do offer lunch items as well, featuring hoagies, burgers, breakfast or lunch sandwiches, quesadillas, soups, and salads, but if breakfast is on the menu, I’m always going for that.
Breakfast at Blume
- Address: 4304 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19802
If you love SUPER sweet lattes that will satisfy even the most aggressive sweet tooth, Breakfast at Blume is serving them up in spades. While you won’t be able to taste the coffee, the sweet delight will have you buzzing for a few hours.
Spark’d Creative Pastry
- Address: DE.CO at the Hotel Du Pont, 111 W 10th St, Wilmington, DE 19898
I’ve been to Spark’d twice now for a cappuccino, as it is conveniently located in the DE.CO Food Hall. The last time I was there, the cappuccino just tasted like milk and was more of a latte than a dry-foam espresso beverage. I have hope for this place and will try again next time I pop through.
What about Coffee Shop Chains in Wilmington DE?
Yes, there are Starbucks, Wawa, McDonalds Cafe, and other chain coffee shops, but we like to stick with the local shops and support local businesses.
Pin it for Later!
