Drift Coffee Shop & Kitchen Downtown — Restaurant in Wilmington

My recent visit to Drift in Wilmington, NC, was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment I walked through the doors, I knew I was in for something special. Nestled in a charming part of town, Drift offers an inviting and cozy atmosphere that makes you feel right at home.

Ambiance & Decor: The decor at Drift is a perfect blend of modern elegance and coastal charm. The light, airy feel with soft blues and whites, combined with rustic wooden accents, creates a serene environment. The large windows let in an abundance of natural light, making it the perfect spot for a relaxing brunch. Whether you’re seated at a table or at the bar, the ambiance is welcoming and laid-back.

Service: The service at Drift is top-notch. From the moment we arrived, the staff was attentive, friendly, and genuinely passionate about their work. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and offered excellent recommendations. Despite the bustling crowd, the service was prompt and efficient, with just the right amount of attention without being overbearing.

Food: Now, let’s talk about the food—simply phenomenal! Drift offers a creative menu that is both unique and thoughtfully curated. We started with the “Shrimp and Grits,” which was a delightful twist on a Southern classic. The shrimp was perfectly cooked, and the grits were creamy with just the right amount of spice. The “Avocado Toast” was another standout dish, elevated with fresh, locally sourced ingredients that made each bite burst with flavor.

I couldn’t resist trying their “Crab Benedict,” which was a showstopper. The poached eggs were cooked to perfection, the crab was fresh and succulent, and the hollandaise sauce was rich and buttery without being overpowering. Each dish was beautifully presented, making the entire dining experience a feast for the eyes as well.

Drinks: The drink menu is equally impressive, offering a great selection of creative cocktails and local brews. The coffee was also excellent, rich and robust, the perfect accompaniment to the decadent brunch fare.

Overall Experience: Drift Wilmington is more than just a restaurant; it’s an experience. The combination of impeccable service, exquisite food, and a warm, inviting atmosphere makes it a must-visit spot for anyone in the Wilmington area. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely brunch with friends or a special place to celebrate an occasion, Drift delivers on all fronts. I can’t wait to return and explore more of their menu!

If you’re in Wilmington, do yourself a favor and make Drift your next brunch destination. You won’t be...

Today i was met with the rudest nastiest attitude I’ve ever experienced by the “owner” Liza Hunter. After kindly asking one of the baristas to remake my latte( it was sloppily frothed) , I specifically ordered it because I wanted the aesthetics of the hearts for my business content I was recording . Liza called me up and told me that it was very rude of me to ask that my drink be remade because they had a very long line. I waited in a very long line to order my drink and avocado toast. I was very taken back by this woman’s energy towards me. Especially on MLK day! I am a black woman, the only black woman that was in the packed cafe at the time btw. So after this unpleasant encounter I asked for a refund , I didn’t feel comfortable eating the food that hadn’t arrived yet nor the drink Liza handed to me with such nasty energy towards me. After refunding me she told me to “get out of her cafe” because I hadn’t bought anything. I was there with a friend working , she also was going to order something after the long lines subsided but after this encounter we both chose to leave this establishment. I am very certain that this woman is a racist because there was NO reason whatsoever to speak to me the way she did. I am all about positive vibes, I walked down to Bespoke Cafe and asked for a latte and was met with such pleasant energy from the Barista there. I will never ever patronize this establishment ever again. I come here because the food and drinks are good and look pretty. But if the energy is nasty and rude, it’s...

TLDR: Service and Atmosphere was great. Our issue was with the food and one of our drinks. I would still recommend this place and try it again on one of my next trips to the area to enjoy and re-rate the food.

I ordered a drink I saw a picture of near the cash register that had visible garnish on top (I'm a sucker for garnish). The casher said it comes with garnish on top when I asked. I was then served the drink and there was no garnish. When I asked, they changed their answer and said there's no garnish and that it's flavoring. The picture they are promoting shows garnish on top. It was very odd, and I thought about taking the drink back, but didn't want to make a fuss about it. My wife drink had a different drink with garnish and she enjoyed hers.

We both ordered sandwiches. My sandwich had a hair in it after I already ate one half of it. Not only that, my wife's sandwich bread was burned black and we were pretty shocked how that made it in our hands.

I will say this, the people that work here do care about their service. We were approached that they were getting the hang of a new toaster and they remade our sandwiches. While we were disappointed, the high level of service presented to us did give us comfort.

I have to be honest with our experience on the food AND I would absolutely return here on one of my next trips to the area to try the food again and...