Port City Java

Wilmington, United States

3.8

Open now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wi-Fi

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 910-762-5282
Website:
www.portcityjava.com
Address:
21 N Front St, Wilmington, NC, 28401
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Apple Pay
Yes
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Outdoor Seating
No
Wi-Fi
Free
Good for Working
Yes

Today

Today 6:30 am – 10:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Wilmington) 17:30 Sunday, 25 May 2025

Business hours

Monday 6:30 am – 10:00 pm
Tuesday 6:30 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday 6:30 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday 6:30 am – 10:00 pm
Friday 6:30 am – 12:00 am
Saturday 6:30 am – 12:00 am
Sunday 6:30 am – 10:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Port City Java has been waking up Wilmington, NC since 1995. Nestled in the heart of historic downtown, our first café quickly became a hub for coffee lovers in the community. Since we opened, Port City Java has evolved and grown to operate over 25 cafes as well as its own bakery, roastery and distribution center.

Our menu offers a diverse selection to satisfy all of your sweet and savory urges. Beverages include a rotating selection of remarkable coffees, carefully crafted espresso drinks, smoothies made with real fruit, milkshakes made with rich ice cream and award winning teas among other items. We bake fresh daily and our breakfast sandwiches and wraps are made on site and are served hot all day. Our signature sandwiches, salads and wraps are all made to order.

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20 reviews of Port City Java

No registration required
Place rating: 4
Wilmington, NC
Port City Java is located in a beautiful, old brick building downtown. We were able to get seating in the raised window spot and had a nice view of the street. They poured me a decent half caf cup and my husband liked his full octane as well. We both got egg and cheese sandwiches on croissants. The cashier kindly provided me with packets of Texas Pete hot sauce. The sandwiches were delicious and filling.
My husband is a scone fan, so he ordered a white chocolate scone to go. He was disappointed to have been given a blueberry scone instead. When comparing the scone to his favorite at Nova’s Bakery in Charlotte, it was more cake-​like in taste.
But, we will be back for more croissants!
Place rating: 4
Charlotte, NC
Friendly, cozy coffee shop. Nothing bad about it. Had a good latte while I worked. I do love the exposed brick inside. It’s a good location on Front Street, about a block or two from the Hilton Riverside hotel. There are a bunch of bars and other shops around, if you’re interested in doing shopping nearby and need a quick caffeine pick-​me-​up. Had a mid-​afternoon busy session with a bunch of groups coming in to chat, have coffee and muffins. By the way, they serve breakfast sandwiches, muffins, smoothies, and other snack options like yogurt, etc.
Place rating: 5
Waxhaw, NC
Who ever served me Sunday (I’ll call her «blye eyes») was very helpful, friendly and made our group feel like old family. I had the best «iced red eye» ever. They used frozen coffee cubes instead of ice cubes. Then ‘blue eyes’ (she had eyes you just can’t forget) noticed my dog was outside on a leash and told me they allow pets. So my doggie very much appreciated staying in the cool A/​C.
I had a frozen Italian desert from the market next door. Great place and gear location.
Place rating: 2
Mebane, NC
Food just ok but service terrible! The front street location doesn’t have the full breakfast or lunch menu available. Limited selections on food. They are known for their coffee not their food. We ordered the chicken salad on multigrain crossaint. There was a tiny amount of chicken and the bread was stale. We had the cubano which was good but way too much mustard and huge amount of pickles so couldn’t taste anything else. The service was horrendous and very unfriendly staff of teenagers that could care less about anything. They were not trained properly and it really shows. We would not return to this location again. It is busy but not good!
Place rating: 5
New Orleans, LA
The Black and Tan Mocha is amazing! The staff was friendly and helpful when I asked questions, as it was my first time here. One thing I noticed was how there were so many regulars that frequented this location. Seems like I walked into the coffee bar version of Cheers. Just waiting for Cliff Claven to walk in and order a green tea latte, followed by Norm who would order cream with ten raw sugars and a shot of espresso on the side. The décor is artsy in this old building. Wish I lived in Wilmington because I’d be here every morning.
Place rating: 4
Nashville, TN
New to the Wilmington area and this is located in my apartment building. Always looking for a spot to work and relax. This is it. It’s nice and clean. Spacious with room to work. The bathrooms require a code to enter FYI. Prices are decent and comparable to other coffee shops. Nice selection with both coffee and non-​coffee items. Food is also available. The main reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is the staff. Yes, they are nice and do a good job. Just not over friendly and I have felt like I am bothering them when I ask a few questions. Overall, my go to place while I’m here. I would recommend.
Place rating: 4
Silver Creek, NY
Not a 5 star, but almost as good as one.
We were visiting our son and this was a must stop — and my son was right — they really do put our «Spot Coffee» shops to shame — well maybe not to shame, but they really know how to make it good.
Of course I got hooked on the Black and Tan — though they do tend to raise one’s blood sugar a bit!
The place was clean — including bathrooms, the artwork was cool and for sale, pricing was great and the service was as expected — GREAT! I tend to like the other location closer to where my son lives, but this place rocked!
Place rating: 5
Wilmington, NC
New to the area and wanted to find a good local coffee shop to make my new ragaler spot and I’ve found it! Great coffee and food!
Place rating: 4
Wilmington, NC
I’ve only visited the location downtown a couple times. but I love PCJ. their coffee is great and that’s why I go there…
The staff was warm and welcoming when I’ve been there. and the location is perfect for a coffee shop.
I’m a huge fan of the location closer to me, however, when I’m downtown, I always find a reason to swing by and grab a cup.
Place rating: 1
Wilmington, NC
Nice funky décor in most of their Wilmington stores, but staff friendliness is hit or miss. I tried to be friendly and joke around with the cashier on Market Street– wow! Talk about uptight and no sense of humor! Life is way too short to be so bitter for someone so young. Coffee is just okay (bitter like the staff. Lol) but the white mochas are wretched since they are made with some strange powder.
Drive up seems to have priority over any one in the store– either add more staff to deal with drive up and also promptly service in store customers or just close up the drive– thru. I was totally ignored at the counter for at least 5 – 10 minutes while everyone ran around catering to the drive– thru. I won’t be returning to a Port City Java ever again.
Place rating: 5
Apex, NC
Top of class in the coffee house category. Lattes are great and Mediterranean wrap was delicious.
Place rating: 5
Mira Mesa, San Diego, CA
Staff is super nice and so helpful first time coming here, had the almond joyful iced expresso with almond milk. Sooo good! Totally recommend it! The atmosphere is super chill, almost like north Carolina’s version of Starbucks and better, better prices and amazing coffee.
Place rating: 4
Carolina Beach, NC
There are several Port City Java locations in the Wilmington, NC area, with two being right downtown in the historic district along the Cape Fear river, but this location is one of our favorites. It is pricey (similar to that of Starbucks), but the coffee is good, and the bakery selections are tempting and delicious. The atmosphere is calm and relaxing, and the baristas are friendly.
The times we have been to this particular location, they have had really cool artwork on the walls. One time in particular, they had a huge canvas painting of the Pirates of the Caribbean character Jack Sparrow on the wall, which was very fitting for this port city town itself.
Parking is an issue in the historic district, but not a big one. There are parking garage decks that you can park in, with plenty of available spaces, but it is all paid parking, so be prepared.
Place rating: 4
Wilmington, NC
Yes, it’s a chain but they have excellent coffee, prompt service and a pleasant environment. This location can get very busy on a weekend but if you are just bopping around the downtown historic district get your coffee to go.
Place rating: 3
Kansas City, MO
I feel the same about this location as the other one downtown. Lattes are good, staff is hit-​or-​miss. It’s very hit-​or-​miss with workers — just not quite up to par with their biggest competitor (you know which one I mean, probably the swankiest, and most powerful coffee company in the U.S.). Not enough of a problem to dissuade my business, but noticeable none the least.
Place rating: 4
Manhattan, NY
Always like to stop in for some Chai when in town :)
Place rating: 4
Mooresville, NC
Employees suggested a drink, it tasted delicious. The service was quick and easy. People were smoking hookas and vapors, which made it a very chill environment. However, my elderly family members did not find it very attractive.
Perfect hangout for a younger crowd. I will return!
Place rating: 3
Greensboro, NC
Their coffee is really just okay, and it had a funky after taste. The décor is really nice, bright and modern. The manager was working today and he was very friendly, working hard and knew regulars by name. I like that they offer a wide range of sugar-​free syrups, offer a high quality line of teas and had light cream cheese available for my bagel.
Place rating: 2
Alhambra, CA
I really like the décor inside this coffee house, but the coffee itself needs a makeover. My usual order is a mocha, whole milk with an extra shot. This coffee had no flavor and tasted watered down, I was very disappointed. I didn’t bother complaining, because if it’s bad the first time they will probably ruin it the second time.
Place rating: 3
Philadelphia, PA
We knew Port City Java originated in Wilmington, so while walking around downtown we stopped into one and asked where the original location was. Awkwardly, it wasn’t the venue we had stopped in, so we extracted ourselves and made our way towards this location at 21 N Front St. While evidently the original was slightly down the street, my understanding is that this is the oldest existing location. After being greeted by a friendly woman by the counter, we quickly got our drinks and checked out the artwork on the walls of the café surrounding a variety of types of seating. My Iced Chai was not too sweet and was perfect for keeping me cool as we wandered around the streets in the oppressive heat.