If the crush is Delaware’s state cocktail, then gourmet coffee is the morning beverage of choice. Witness the opening of several businesses specializing in lattes, cappuccinos and Americanos, and the coffee culture shows no sign of waning, at least at the beach.
There are good reasons why coffee shops and cafés remain in demand. At the beach, visitor accommodations may not include the machines and supplies for a daily grind. Tourists accustomed to a Nespresso shot with frothed oat milk need a place to get their fix, and they want it close to their rental or hotel. Mr. Coffee just won’t cut it.
For locals, coffee shops are gathering places. According to trendy terms, they are a “third space”—a comfortable setting for work, relaxation or socializing outside of home and the traditional workspace.
New places include Milton Home Coffee Roastery, which relocated to 105 Lavinia St. Owner Lara Ozden K. Ware sources her organic beans from multiple countries.
The Istanbul native also prepares Turkish coffee and a traditional brew with chickpeas. Latte lovers will have plenty of choices, and an iced latte or iced vanilla chai tea latte is ideal on a sweltering summer day. You’ll also find Milton Home Coffee Roastery at the Milton Farmers & Artisan Market on Fridays, 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Grace Church, 514 Union St.
In downtown Lewes, Ben Masino hopes to open Gaia Coffee Co. on Second Street in Lewes
this summer.
The shop is next to Lewes Oyster House on the same street as Notting Hill Coffee/Lewes Bake Shoppe. Masino fell in love with coffee production while vacationing in Costa Rica, and he has a mobile coffee cart and presence in Old World Breads locations in Lewes and Long Neck.
On Route 1, Starbucks opened a drive-through location on land previously occupied by Sandy Brae homestead and stables. The stately home is gone, and retail is also on the parcel.
Sugar & Thread is a coffee and clothing café with sites at 36454 Seaside Outlet Drive in Tanger Outlets and 18 Rehoboth Avenue. Dru and Reagan Buehler are well-traveled sisters who love exploring markets and coffee shops. The business is an extension of both interests.
In Bethany Beach, Clove & Cedar Coffeebar at 759-C Garfield Parkway opened in June 2024.
Owner Janet Fortini previously owned a shop in Bethesda, but when COVID-19 impacted the business, she moved to the family’s beach home and reopened her business. Clove & Cedar makes coffee the star, while the food menu focuses on pastries, overnight oats, yogurt parfaits, and snacks.
Milk & Honey Café is new in Dagsboro. The restaurant, located at 29469 Vines Creek Road, features a variety of specialty coffees, including Americano, chai, nitro cold brew, cappuccino and frozen coffee. Breakfast is available all day, and there’s also a lunch menu with salads and sandwiches. Smoothies and bowls have their own menu section.
Coupled with new breakfast spots, namely Daybreak Café in Selbyville and Surf Bagel in Fenwick Island, these new businesses ensure customers are appropriately caffeinated before hitting the beach.
