Carolina Beach – Drift Coffee
Carolina Beach · Brunch & Lunch+. Light. ACAI BOWL coconut milk, banana, granola, fresh berries, almond butter, honey · Coffee+. HOT DRINKS. ESPRESSO 2oz shot of …
Mitchella Glass
The perfect brunch spot! They have a variety of vegan and vegetarian options available. We only had a 15 to 20 minute wait even though it was busy, and it was absolutely worth it. The food was delicious, and the made-to-order smoothies were a total highlight—super fresh and tasty. If I lived near I would be adding this to my regular rotation!!
… moreAngela Moretto
Excellent breakfast! This place hits on all the right notes. Fresh, fast, awesome espresso with a liquor bar to have a mixed drink with breakfast (because who doesnt?!) Numerous gluten free options.
… moreAlyssa Libertelli
Shockingly there aren’t a ton of breakfast places in the Carolina Beach area, but Drift Cafe was worth the wait! It’s small, seems like it opened recently and was already popping. The food is delicious, (the latte especially – I had to have a second!) and I felt the portions were perfect – not too big and not too small. Very bright and modern vibes.
… moreJuan Guillen
Absolutely loved this café! The ambiance is warm, stylish, and incredibly inviting—perfect for relaxing, working, or catching up with friends. The staff delivers outstanding service; they’re friendly, attentive, and make you feel right at home from the moment you walk in. Everything about this place, from the atmosphere to the service, is top-notch. Highly recommended!
… moreTyler Jordan
Everything from the atmosphere, service and menu items were great. Got an excellent flat white coffee with the chia pudding. We’ll be back in the future for sure, even if it’s just for a coffee.
… moreCaitlin W.
This place was SO good! We came in for a midafternoon smoothie and bite to eat. The green smoothie was thick and flavorful and perfect on this hot summer day. We both got avocado toast, I didn’t want goat cheese so the waiter recommended grilled halloumi instead. It was quite possibly the best avocado toast I have had. I loved that it had some crunch with the seeds and the tomato was fresh and flavorful. They also do not skimp on the portions, there was so much avocado and cheese on it! While we didn’t try the coffee that also looked good. The service was impeccable, the place clean, and the vibes very bright and crisp. Highly recommend!!
… moreThe Wandering Bite
Stopped in at Drift today and the space was super cute with a great vibe! I ordered the grain and egg bowl, it was good, but a bit underwhelming in terms of flavor. I also got a fresh orange juice, which tasted fine but was tiny for $3.80 more like a shot than a juice.
Overall, not a bad experience, but for the price, I was hoping for a little more flavor and value. Might give it another shot and try something different next time!
… moreNikki Weimer
We are so happy Drift has opened on the island! The vibe is light, beachy, and welcoming — think airy Boho decor and relaxed island energy. The service was absolutely phenomenal — our server, Matthew, was attentive, kind, and made our experience feel extra special.
I had the Grains & Greens bowl with kale, broccolini, poached eggs, brown rice, avocado, and halloumi — it was healthy, savory perfection. Light but satisfying and full of flavor. My husband ordered the breakfast sandwich with egg, bacon, and cheese, which came with a tomato aioli that was flavorful and balanced without being heavy. The kids loved their passionfruit mango smoothies — not too sweet and super refreshing.
Drift is open seven days a week and also offers some tasty-looking lunch options. We’re thrilled to have this new spot in the neighborhood — it’s already a favorite!
… moreVlad Gabor
Had the chopped salad, added fried chicken instead of grilled, tasted great! Glad they allowed the substitution.. Coffee was great too.
Second time here, everything tasted very good.
… moreNataly Gabriela Rodriguez Chirinos
We had breakfast here with my husband, and the food was delicious. Everything we ordered was very well prepared and enjoyable.
The restaurant is beautiful, with lovely décor and a very pleasant setting. The service was good, and the staff was polite and attentive.
The only issue worth mentioning is the music volume. It was so loud that it made the experience uncomfortable and affected our ability to relax and enjoy staying there. I was honestly about to leave because of it. I’m not sure if the speakers were too close to our table or if the music volume was simply set too high. When we kindly asked if it could be lowered, they did adjust it, which we appreciated. However, this is something that truly needs attention, as the volume was excessive for a breakfast environment.
Overall, it was a good experience, and we would still recommend the restaurant.
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