Fair Grounds
806 Baldwin Ave, Norfolk, VA
Crema's Take
“Fair Grounds is a charming, intimate spot that feels like studying in a sunlit vintage house, complete with cozy nooks perfect for settling in with your laptop for hours. The coffee is genuinely excellent and the staff (especially Ruby!) are known for their warmth, though the small kitchen sometimes struggles to keep up with the crowd. Whether you're cramming for exams, catching up with friends over a slow pour-over, or just need a reliable neighborhood refuge with parking and wifi, this is the kind of place that makes you want to keep the secret to yourself.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
I like their menu and the employees are always pleasant but they need to properly staff the kitchen, there should never be just one employee doing everything (stressing out the employee and increasing wait times for customers), they need to install a vent in that bathroom (it absolutely stinks and it's right across from the kitchen door. Ive bought/installed bathroom vents before, it's cheap and easy) and they need to sweep and mop the lobby every day, including under the chairs and tables. I shouldn't see the same dirt/food crumbs under a table from a visit the week prior. I like the atmosphere but am too grossed out to go back.
A very hipster spot with atmosphere that is very small but cute, food that’s just okay, coffee that is great (which is unfortunate), but staff and service that is immature and lacks important self-awareness. It took a very, very, very long time to get two breakfast sandwiches. Priced at over nine dollars you would think it would be something to write home about, and it wasn’t. But the biggest letdown here wasn’t the food. It was a staff that is so pretentious that they are unable to be polite. They spent most of their time dancing and giggling, while customers waited in line and for their items, and then they apologized for “being too loud”. My husband walked up to ask about our food (which I’m pretty sure was forgotten about) and one of the staff members shrieked and said “oh my God what happened to your face? Are you having a reaction???” And feigned surprise before she went back to whatever she was doing. He walked back when he got the food and I turned him toward me to check his face as I thought something must be there in order to shriek like that. There was nothing, he looked completely normal and has a very normal complexion. I looked over and the staff was again laughing. It’s a perfect place if you don’t value Customer Service, timely service, or an atmosphere where you aren’t purposely embarrassed for simply inquiring about your order. No surprise college students enjoy the place but anyone older- I can’t imagine why they’d come.
I am tempted to not leave a review so I can have it all to myself. 🥰 I just moved to the area for school and have been looking for a good place to study, hangout, and relax. This place checks all of the boxes. The coffee and food is great, the service was amazing, customers were even friendly, and I love the cozy atmosphere. I used to live in the mountains and go to a little cozy coffee shop similar to this one - the vibes are immaculate. 💓 Keep up the awesome work and thank you for providing this to the community.
Its a place for all to grab a quick cup of coffee or take a seat, talk, study, work, or even play magic. Been coming here for few years now and it's always been great.. Also Ruby's our rockstar!!
Immaculate vibes. Feels like you’re in an old house but with plenty of sunlight and nice decor! There are a lot of little nooks to chill at and get some work done, and a parking lot which is convenient. The caprese sandwich was super mid and expensive but coffee was good and vibes were high so gotta leave 5 stars.
Crema Reviews
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