VA Beach Oceanfront Coffee Houses that Aren’t Starbucks

Now, don’t get me wrong. I enjoy a yummy Carmel Macchiato like the next person and the Christmas holiday always smells better with a Peppermint Mocha, but if I am going to leisurely enjoy a brew away from home, and plunk down the $3 – $5 to do so, I’m going to want an experience other than a green mermaid cup. Here is where I go to splurge, and experience, the coffee house vibe in Hampton Roads.

 

 

 

Three Ships Coffee

Located six blocks off the Virginia Beach Oceanfront (607 19th Street, Virginia Beach, VA to be exact), Three Ships Coffee is a trendy coffee bar with delicious sandwiches and a chill, slightly hipster vibe to boot. Young parents with strollers, students doing homework, and adults working remotely all come in for a cup of coffee and then stay for a bit of people watching and munchies. Though their coffee traditionally has a tangier taste than I am used to, I would live off of their ham (prosciutto!!!), egg and cheese biscuits if that were an option! Arrive before 9AM and their Happy Hour “Quick Cup” of coffee is $2.50 (regularly $3). My splurge is their ham, egg and cheese biscuit at $5.50 but their biscuit with jam is only $3. So, come early, order wisely and this is a relaxing experience anyone can work into his or her budget.

Bad Ass Coffee

Eclectic and snazzy, filled with conversation and a chill, unpretentious atmosphere, the Hawaii based Bad Ass Coffee Company, located at 619 18th Street in Virginia Beach, is a brew house where you can grab a great beverage on your way to, or from the beach, and never feel underdressed. Also located six blocks from the oceanfront, Bad Ass Coffee Company creates lattes and cappuccinos in the Starbucks fashion, but with their own, distinct brew. A traditional cappuccino will run between $4.00 and $5.25 while their signature lattes are between $4.50 and $5.50; My personal favorite is the Carmel Vanilla Latte. If your a traditionalist, a medium coffee will not break the bank at $2.25. Not limited to coffee, they also have a more of a food menu than a traditional coffee house as  well as a “Healthy Drinks” menu, though I cannot vouch for their taste (I traditionally stick to the “unhealthy” lattes… but sugar free!), as well as a plethora of Breakfast and Lunch options. Having more luck staying in budget with breakfast, I personally enjoy their Dawn Patrol (Scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese) on an everything bagel, coming in at $5.25, or an Everything bagel with cream cheese at $3.75.

Bonus: Old Beach Farmers Market

These two coffee houses are so close that an added Saturday morning bonus is the Old Beach Farmers Market. Held in the Vibe Parking lot (across the street from Bad Ass Coffee) and in the Crocs 19^th Street Bistro Parking lot (once again, literally across the street from Three Ships Coffee!) the Old Beach Farmers Market brings local farmers and their bountiful, fresh produce to the oceanfront during most Saturdays in the summer. For more information, check out their website.