A Coffee Lover’s Guide to Wilmington

For newcomers, getting to know Wilmington often starts the same way: one Saturday morning, one coffee shop, one neighborhood at a time. 

That instinct to explore through coffee is exactly what inspired Coffee Passport, a Wilmington-based program cofounded by husband and wife, Will and Ellen Rysanek. Part local guide, part challenge, part keepsake, the passport invites people to visit participating coffee shops across the city, collect stamps and discounts, and turn a simple caffeine habit into something a little more adventurous.

The idea took shape soon after the couple moved here from Chicago. After a brutal winter, they were ready for a change and landed in Wilmington on something of a leap of faith. Will chose North Carolina; Ellen chose the city. Her requirement was simple: somewhere by the beach.

Once they arrived, they did what many people do in a new place: searched for coffee nearby. Living downtown, they quickly realized they had plenty of options within walking distance. Instead of settling on one regular spot, they decided to try them all. It was a low-pressure way to learn the city, wander different blocks and neighborhoods, and slowly figure out which places felt like home. Somewhere along the way, that personal ritual became a business idea.

“We both love coffee,” Will said. “We said, why don’t we just try out all the different coffee shops so we can get a coffee and walk around and figure out which ones are our favorites?” That list soon became the foundation for Coffee Passport, a booklet designed to encourage others to do the same.

The concept is straightforward, but that’s part of its appeal. Rather than asking people to choose a single “best” coffee shop, the passport encourages exploration. It gives locals and visitors alike a reason to branch out, visit new corners of town and discover places they may not have tried otherwise. In a city where coffee culture continues to grow, that kind of invitation feels especially well-timed. 

For Will, one of the most surprising parts of launching the program has been the spirit of Wilmington’s coffee scene itself. He describes it as unusually friendly and connected, with shop owners often recommending one another and sharing enthusiasm for the broader local coffee community. Its goal is not to drive customers to one “favorite” café every day, but to encourage them to try 30+ different shops and maybe find a few favorites along the way. According to Will, that collaborative mindset has helped the idea resonate.

“The Wilmington coffee scene is super connected and friendly,” he said. “I think all of the shops are constantly telling me about other shops that they love to drink at or have worked with or partnered with.” 

And the shops themselves offer a wide enough range to make the experience feel genuinely varied. Some focus on specialty coffee, others on atmosphere, mission, or inventive drinks. Will pointed to Maven for its high-level specialty coffee program, Hidden Grounds for its memorable space, and 24 South Coffee House for its mission-driven model. He also highlighted many other spots like Cafe Mata for matcha and plant-based offerings, Broomtail Coffee for its brewery-coffee crossover appeal, and newer shops like Calico Coffee Bar, which rotates creative flavors and seasonal drinks. 

Though stamp collectors qualify for swag after a year, the real reward is having a reason to go somewhere new, support local businesses, and make small discoveries around town. Feedback, he adds, has been overwhelmingly positive, especially from people who enjoy turning everyday routines into something more intentional. There’s also a built-in memento aspect: when participants complete the passport and redeem their prize, the booklet is returned to them to keep their notes on favorite drinks and revisit the shops they loved most.

In its current form, Coffee Passport already spans much of Wilmington, with many participating shops clustered downtown and others stretching farther north. But expansion is in the works. Will said the next edition will include a summer soft relaunch with more shops and broader reach, including beach communities.

By the time many readers pick up this issue, that timing may feel just right. Coffee Passport is the kind of thing that suits Wilmington’s warmer months especially well: a built-in excuse to get out of the house, grab an iced latte, walk a few blocks and make a morning of it.

In a place that can sometimes feel both small and sprawling, Coffee Passport offers an easy way to keep exploring. No big itinerary, no pressure, no need to declare a single winner in a city full of worthy contenders. Just a cup in hand and somewhere new to try next. 

Visit WilmingtonCoffeePassport.com for more info