Original Grinds — Restaurant in Fredericksburg

Original Grinds. OG for short. It’s exactly what it sounds like.

I found this place a bit by accident. I was looking for a coffee shop that seemed real. Something local. Maybe a little quirky or weird. Bonus if there was vegan food. I saw a few photos, read a couple reviews about the offerings and the vibe, and instantly felt pulled in.

OG sits along a stretch of old connected shops in historic downtown Fredericksburg. The kind of place that holds history in its bones, but still feels alive. You can feel the stories in the sidewalk and rustic original brick. Outside, there’s garden furniture, strings of lights and big New England windows, and during the few hours I was there, all kinds of people came and went.. older folks, young kids, couples, loners, artists, thinkers, everyday people. Casual conversations mixed with deeper ones. You get the sense you can show up exactly as you are here.. scraped up, dressed down, dressed up and overjoyed, or even exhausted and looking for a quiet, inspiring environment. Nobody's watching. Just being is enough here. All are welcome here. No cliquiness.

And while it's perfect for introverting in the background, it’s also the kind of place where you can strike up a conversation with someone fascinating at the next table. Share a thought, a story, an idea. There’s warmth and curiosity in the air. Like a more eclectic and artsier version of Cheers - where everybody might not know your name, but they’ll smile and greet you like they do.

Inside hit different - even better than the outside. It’s a small space but layered, like a multi-level Escher dream. One path leads down into a basement zone near the restrooms. Another few steps take you upstairs into a cozy dark open mic nook w/colorful glowing lights and a beautiful Victorian couch. In the middle level, you walk right into the contemporary drink bar and treat case and walls covered everywhere in art - when I say covered, I mean covered. Just about every surface is covered in paintings, drawings, colors, lights, textures, both random scribbles and complex imagery, chaos and softness, all at once. A living scrapbook of local creativity. It doesn’t feel curated. It feels alive. You could come here purely just to take in all of the art.

There was a fridge with drinks, and a case full of savory and sweet vegan treats - chai cinnamon rolls, Earl Grey cupcakes, bagels, wraps, cookies, oat cups, and this cheesy spiraled garlic bread thing that tasted sharp and soft at the same time. I got something like a pistachio creme brulee latte. It was amazing. Smooth, rich espresso. Subtle flavor. Not sweet. Just right. And I don’t say that lightly, as I usually order cortados and skip syrup altogether. They also had a variety of fun decaf drinks and traditional teas.

There are lights strung everywhere. Purples, golds, reds. Lamps tucked in corners. People reading, writing, laughing, zoning out, sharing silence. It felt like the kind of place you could write a novel in. Or cry in, if needed. Or make a new friend. Or learn something new. Or sit completely still and not feel like you’re wasting time. The place holds space for all of it. For everyone. For whatever your mind and heart need on any particular day.

There’s tons of cool art for sale. I bought two pieces. They also have open mic nights, poetry, comedy, etc.. There are markers in the restrooms so you can leave your mark on the walls. Some of the writing made me lol, some made me pause and think, some were just cool to look at. The restrooms are all-gender, which honestly just makes sense in a space like this. Nice touch.

There’s something sacred and special here. Not in a flamboyant, trying-too-hard way, but in an honest, genuine, truly real and down-to-earth, “you can breathe here” and "just be you" kind of way. A lot of spaces say they’re welcoming. This one simply is.

Bonus: they’re legit LGBTQ+ inclusive, visibly and proudly. Another reason I’ll return when in town.

If you need a place to land, even just for a minute, come here. Come as you are. This place will...

i used to visit this coffee shop often and always loved the atmosphere — the art, the community, the vegan food and drinks, and most of the staff are genuinely wonderful people. however, there’s one particular worker who has made the space increasingly uncomfortable for me and several others. there’s one staff member, who also hosts the open mic events, that consistently makes inappropriate and unsettling comments toward female customers. what might start as casual conversation or compliments can quickly cross personal boundaries or turn manipulative. he’s made comments about performers, customers, and even reached out privately in ways that felt disrespectful and out of line — especially given that he’s aware of people’s personal circumstances; he’ll flirt, make you feel at ease, and then turn the conversation in an unsettling way. he’s also said unprofessional things about performers at the café’s open mic nights, calling them “trash” or saying they don’t fit the café’s “vibe,” which felt disrespectful and out of place. what’s more disappointing is that these concerns have been brought up before, yet the owners seem unwilling to address the behavior. it feels like they’re more focused on preserving the café’s image than ensuring it’s actually a safe, welcoming space for everyone. i still recommend trying their drinks and supporting the local artists featured there — just be aware and speak up if something feels off. a real safe space shouldn’t protect inappropriate behavior, no matter who it involves. i’d strongly advise being mindful of who you interact with, and to speak up if anything feels off. safe spaces only remain safe when accountability is...

Easily the most welcoming business in downtown Fredericksburg.

Original Grinds (OG’s for short) is incredibly inclusive; welcoming everyone with open arms in a cozy, friendly atmosphere that has a heavy focus on the creative arts. There is honestly no other place downtown like it.

Ethan and Simon, the owners, are great people who have done a ton in the area to promote the arts, inclusivity, and help build up the area for creatives to thrive.

As someone with anxiety, it can be very difficult to find a place around town that feels welcoming, and yet they have knocked it out of the park. It is an awesome place to take a laptop/tablet and get some work done, while sipping on some tasty coffee/chai/tea/etc and eating excellent baked goods; and there are always friendly people there to chat with.

The vegan bakery options are really good, and the prices are excellent. From carrot cupcakes to energy balls, garlic rolls, brookies, etc.; everything has been delicious.

When Katora closed down, it was a blow to the local community. I am thankful Ethan and Simon stepped up and revived it with a new vision.

Definitely head down and support them. A great...