Hidden Grounds Coffee

One of my favorite coffee stops in a long time! The coffee is absolutely worth the wait. I especially loved the Salty Dino! The baristas are incredibly friendly and work so hard to get everyone’s coffee out. The patio is on another level! It is spacious and the perfect spot to enjoy our coffee with our dog.

(a January visit) Cowboy riding a T-Rex - Stumbled into this little coffee shop just a block from the Wilmington waterfront on a cold January morning, and it was exactly what I needed. The space is small but warm and welcoming, with seasonal decor—and even some two‑top outdoor seating if you’re up for fresh air. The coffee was excellent: well‑roasted, flavorful, and done right. Bonus points for the glass bottle of Martinelli’s apple juice—old school and delicious. The staff were genuinely friendly, which really sealed the experience. If you’re downtown and want a spot with personality and a great cup of coffee, Hidden Grounds is absolutely worth a stop.

📸Photography by @3spade7star_photography ✨Hidden Grounds Coffee is one of the most exceptional coffee experiences I ever encountered in my life. It is definitely not Starbucks. I highly recommend their specialty menu for coffee. Expect the line to be long and service to be efficient if you come to this place for the first time. After you make & pay for your order, you walk out to an open air mezzanine area with tables & chairs and sitting areas to wait for your coffee. Very impressive ambience with a dinosaur theme . Toy dinosaurs are perched on each table. We waited near the window sill area where coffee orders were announced and placed for pick up. For our first coffee orders, my husband selected the Marlboro Man - a classic vanilla latte. I ordered a Nanner Puddin , an espresso coffee with a banana & caramel flavor. They both were superb & one of the finest coffees we ever had. Traffic builds up quickly to this coffee place early in the morning. So run don't walk to Hidden Grounds for a one of a kind coffee experience! (January 24,2026)

Hidden Grounds doesn't need a review, but it definitely deserves a review. Downtown Wilmington is chock full of coffee shops and Hidden Grounds is the best. The staff is always phenomenally cheerful and lovely and treats our dog with a pup cup and love each time we're in there. I'm an oatmilk flat white kind of guy and the espresso pulls are always on pointe, and my SO loves the speciality menu. The patio is also so welcoming and fun with all of the dinosaurs. They have a frequent customer punch card, so go support your local coffee place!

Cowboys and dinosaurs. What’s a better combo? Came here for the first time this morning and I’m very impressed. We did have to wait outside in line due to the small nature of the building, but that was nothing compared to the oasis that awaited us behind the door. The coffee was divine! I had a Pepe Le Pew, while my mom had a Bisc Plz. Absolutely fantastic coffee and flavors. Service was fantastic and loved the atmosphere. Genius.