Wilmoore Café

Ooh, interesting development: only a day after posting my review, I’ve learned that Ashley Christensen (of Poole’s, Chuck’s, and Beasley’s fame) has purchased Wilmoore Café. It will reopen in March, offering expanded nights/​weekend hours, and a beer and wine list. I imagine the prospect of being served a sandwich featuring Kraft singles will also be eliminated. This is good news!

Was exploring downtown Raleigh and came across this café. Seemed like it had a good vibe so I stopped in.
Ordered a half and half combo — chicken salad sandwich and mushroom brie soup. Normally, I’m not a huge soup person, but was battling a cold and wanted something warm. The mushroom brie soup was AMAZING! Being the glutton that I am, I considered ordering another bowl, but I knew I had a 5 hour drive ahead of me and my 3 year old size bladder advised me otherwise. The sandwich was good too. It wasn’t covered in mayo and you could tell that the food was fresh.

It seems this place is never open when I want it to be. Seriously, the worst operating hours of any coffee house anywhere in Raleigh. If you’re looking for coffee downtown, just go to the Morning Times, instead.

I was here for the first time back in March for the Unilocal PJ Party and I absolutely loved it. The Salted Belgium Chocolate Chip Cookies are out of this world! I had two and a half of them at the Unilocaler party. Embarrassing, but I don’t care, they were THAT good. They also make AMAZING iced lattes! Seriously, it was incredible, very flavorful.
Needless to say, after my fantastic first visit I couldn’t wait to come back! The only problem? This place has very inconvenient hours if you do not work/​live downtown. They close at 5pm during the week, and since I wouldn’t be able to get downtown until around 7 on a weeknight, that’s out, although they are open until 8:30 on Thursday, when they host trivia night. They are open on Saturdays during the day, although I’ve actually tried twice on a Saturday and they have closed early both times. Once was because of Labor day, which was frustrating because who closes on Saturday for Labor Day? I understand being closed on Monday, but seriously it’s not a huge holiday or anything. And the time after that, I have no idea why they were closed, but we got there and were disappointed to discover the gates were shut. On First Friday back in October, the doors were open and the lights were on around 9pm, and when we wandered in they told us they were closing. I could never seem to catch a break and get my hands on those delicious cookies.
So, on the most recent First Friday in November we were walking by on our way to another establishment for a beer when we noticed that Wilmoore was in fact open! I literally ran across the street to get inside before they somehow closed on me. I got a Salted Chocolate Chip cookie! It was amazing just like I remembered! I also got a delicious local pale ale, I forget who it was from, and enjoyed some live music. It was perfect and I was very satisfied.
I will hopefully be back here again soon! I love this place, I wish I could get there more often!

Ive only come here for lunch but ive heard raving reviews about their breakfast. I must try it out sometime.
Their lunch sandwiches are awesome. Pork Bahn Mi. OMG. Amazing. Great atmosphere with a great staff.

So satisfying
Visit: September 19
R-​Line Stop: R16 (before 6:30 pm). R15 or R17 (after 6:30 pm)
Yesterday was a dreary day and a bit chilly. I had to wear a sweater… not a happy camper… summer is over and fall is here. So I was looking for a warm place for lunch. My husband, Andy, and I decided to try Wilmoore Café, which is located on Wilmington Street between Martin and Hargett Streets. Most know it’s next to the Busy Bee. This casual café offers a full coffee bar and a wide variety of deli-​style cuisine made in-​house. There are two ordering stations, one just for coffee, tea, and smoothies and another for food. This is great if you are getting one or the other… to help expedite the coffee drinkers. But I wanted both and wasn’t sure the proper procedure since it was my first time visiting. So I asked an employee behind the counter if I needed to place my coffee order at the first counter before waiting in line to order food. The nice man, who I later found out was the owner, David, instructed us to place both orders at the food counter. He asked us what we wanted and while Andy and I were deciding on our lunch, the drinks were made and served before we finished placing our order. Great service! Since it was a little cold outside, I was in the mood for soup. In addition to the two soups, Chicken Noodle and Garden Vegatable (vegan) offered everyday, there is another Chef’s special. We had the choice of Ginger Chicken or Tomato Basil. Yummy choices. My choice was made easy by the special of a Grilled Cheese sandwich with tomato basil soup. Perfect, that’s what I want. However, there were several other items on the menu such as the Goat Cheese and Spinach salad that was very tempting so I will have to try it on my next visit. Andy ordered the Mediterranean sandwich and a Wilmoore House Salad. We picked out a table in the front of the café where little tables for two are situated in the storefront window display area, which is very bright and fun place to watch people. Wilmoore Café has 4 different sweetener options for drinks but no honey, which is my preferred sweetener. FYI, honey is sweet AND it has 181 components that are good for you and other health benefits such as maintaining optimal blood sugar levels. Oh well, I added a packet of Sugar In The Raw to my very pretty skinny latte. Oh yes, the lovely foam was decorated with a very intricate and beautiful design… true artistry. And not only did it look pretty, it tasted delicious. The consistency was creamy and there was not a hint of bitterness, so smooth. Andy had an Americano which he told me had lots of flavor but was a little on the weak side. After enjoying a few sips, our meal was brought to our table on metal trays. The employee was eager to please and very solicitous wanting to make sure we were happy with our drinks and had everything we needed. About half way though, David came by to inquire about our lunch. It was obvious he truly cared that we were having a good experience. And we were. The grilled cheese sandwich contained a white cheese and a yellow cheese and was lightly grilled so the wheat bread was warm and slightly crispy… a simple sandwich done right. The tomato basil soup had a subtle sweetness to it that I would normally dislike but the soup was also savory with basil and the different flavors worked very well together. I was very pleased with my soup and sandwich… true comfort food and a winning combination on a cool day in autumn. Andy’s house salad was very large and we were surprised that it was only $ 3.50 for a generous serving of fresh greens, grape tomatoes, shredded carrots, and a sprinkle of sunflower seeds. The Mediterranean sandwiched was very tasty with tomatoes, lettuce, onion, and roasted red pepper. The wheat bread was lightly coated with hummus which was very good but we both commented that it we would have preferred a thicker layer of hummus. This sandwich was vegan and the menu states that the owner designed the menu so that there is one vegan option in each category. If you have an allergy to wheat, you can still enjoy the yummy sandwiches because Wilmoore Café has gluten free bread. Oh, don’t let me forget the homemade potato chips, which are awesome… very thin, crispy, and ever so lightly salted. As we were finishing our meal, the friendly woman returned to whisk away our trays.
I greatly enjoyed my first visit to this casual café and appreciated all the attention to details. I left with a full belly, pleasantly warm, a skip in my step, and a smile on my face. Wilmoore Café… Will I again? ABSOLUTELY!

Over the past few months, I have grown to become reliant on Wilmoore for caffeine boosts and quick snacks. It’s a very nice, clean café on Wilmington Street near Moore Square (Wil-​Moore).
While I’m not a coffee connoisseur, the owner clearly is and can give you great recommendations. He is very passionate, and you can tell that he is working very hard to make Wilmoore one of the newest successes in downtown Raleigh.
I highly recommend the pork banh mi. In fact, it’s hard for me to try anything else, since their banh mi is the best I have ever had. Make sure to also try some of their fresh baked goods – the chocolate chip cookies are my favorite.
The hours are my only nitpick about Wilmoore, but they have made an effort to change that. In addition to being open every day of the week from 7am to 5pm, they are now open into the evening on Thursdays-​Saturday (till 8:30pm). Unfortunately, they’re closed on Sunday. I actually prefer Wilmoore Café to another café a block away (The Morning Times).

Iced Coffee GENIUS! They made ice cubes out of coffee and use them to cool my iced coffee! (why didn’t I think of that before???)
The guys that work here are very chill and pleasant — great environment to spend some time. Tour De France on the TV… huge plus!
Foods that are also amazing here — the watermelon gazpacho! It has tasty pieces of jalapeño in it to add a lovely bite. Chicken Salad sandwich also good! Bits of grape and some sort of nut adds a delightful texture.

The coffee is definitely good. My pourover (snob, I know) wasn’t the best, too hot, too bitter, though it softened as it cooled. But it was served in a mug straight from my college-​student-​chic kitchen – identity crisis?
The menu is large and sporadic, almost as large as the kitchen behind the counter. It seems like the Wilmoore café was designed to handle herds of breakfast-​and-​lunchalope, though only a few really wandered in. My lunch was OK, somekind of roasted something sand which served on a huge plate. Oh, and back to the menu, how can they possibly keep all of that food prepped and fresh, with so many different, singular items on the menu, it seems like a cook/manager’s nightmare.
The interior also suffers from a similar identity crisis. Hip, local art on the walls, but kitschy closed-​off booths for seating.
The service was great though, from everyone I interacted with. So that IS something.
Final word – there are some gems here, definitely worth stopping by when they’re open, but only their potential is greater than their coffee.

Things to remember about the Wilmoore:
1. They have Salted Belgium Chocolate Chip Cookies. Freakin’ incredible. Like best chocolate chip cookie in Raleigh.
2. They’re only open for dinner Thursday — Saturday. Not open at all on Sundays, but they are open during the day now on Saturdays.
3. They have fun, music-​centric, low-​key trivia nights on Thursdays. Prizes are the chocolate chip cookies. Seriously, winning is the best thing ever.
4. The storefront nooks are the BEST for people watching.
This place is my new favorite downtown café. After visiting for the Unilocal PJ party, I’ve come back a few times and been pleased every time. They have everything it takes to make me happy– awesome, awesome coffees, amazing cookies (had to say it again), a portabello mushroom bahn mi that’s out of this world, housemade chips and local brews. They even have tiny bottles of bubbly if you’re feeling fancy. Apparently they also have awesome biscuits, but I haven’t made it for breakfast yet. Only thing that I’ve tried that wasn’t good was the turkey sub– may be smart to stick to the toasty side of the menu. Also, don’t be disturbed by the people loitering outside of the bus station, it feels very safe and comfortable once you’re inside. Seriously, give this café a try!

It might not be fair to review a whole business based on (literally) one food item, but seeing as we stopped in on Saturday for one thing, and one thing only, I’ll risk fairness.
We went to Wilmoore Café for the first time for the Unilocal Elite PJ Party (
) last week, and had a great time. This past Saturday, we were wandering around in the area, after the utter disappointment that was Brewgaloo, looking for some dinner. We popped into The Busy Bee Café, but not before I realized that the Wilmoore was right next door. I checked their closing time, and promised to stop back in after dinner and before we headed home.
You know you’re learning restraint when you only buy 4 Salted Belgian-​Chocolate Chip Cookies instead of all 7 (the only cookies left in the whole establishment). These cookies… they’re hard to explain. Bite into one, and look inside; it almost looks like the earth’s crust, only layers of thin chocolate and vanilla-​y, soft cookie. The salt on top hits your mouth first when you bite, and you just ride the wave from there.
These cookies also offer the perfect softness; no crunch here. Just pillowy goodness that you just HAVE to savor. Eat these slowly and often. Worth every penny and every mouth-​watering calorie.

Spent some much needed wine time with Friendsay here this past week. We had a groupon and decided to have some «school night» dining and wine. We arrived around 6:30pm and were one of two tables in the place which made us nervous but this quickly changed as apparently it was DJ trivia night and it had it’s own following at that point.
We ordered at the counter, me getting the roasted chicken panini– YUM! It was served with homemade chips, I never turn these down, I don’t care who is making them homemade. They did not disappoint. I had a side of ranch dressing which, if you are a ranch fan– GET SOME! It is a southwest ranch and has a kick. So yummy!
We got a bottle of wine and sat at the front so we could people watch while dining and catching up. It used to be one of those older stores where the door is set further in and the windows were for display on either side. Well now, the diners are sort of the display but don’t let this deter you. It’s totally cool and adds to the ambiance.
They seem to be mostly a coffee shop but we didn’t partake in the café beverages since wine was offered. Staff was friendly but we commented several times that what made this place so great was that we could drink our wine, chat and not be bothered by someone constantly asking if we were ok. It was completely chill and I cannot wait to return. Such a great spot!

We went there last night during First Friday. What really drew me in was the window seating and the cozy atmosphere. There was a poetry reading going on, which seemed to put everyone in good spirits. The staff was very friendly, and the food was really good. Enough to leave you satisfied without leaving you starving.
I will definitely be back to try another sandwich or maybe a cup of coffee, all while people watching from my favorite window seat.

What drew me into Wilmoore Café is that they have a section of seats in the window, making it look like the restaurant tables are on display, and I wanted to sit in that section with my food but freeze in a few different positions and be the first restaurant mannequin. So thumbs up for atmosphere, very cute. The food though was a bit disappointing.
For lunch one day I had the Ham & Swiss Melt and a cup of chili. Now, for $ 12, I was expecting a warm, buttery, toasted sandwich with premium ham and cheese topped with tomato that would melt in my mouth. I was expecting hot, hearty, spicy, beefy, home-​made-​tasting chili.
I got lukewarm ham and cheese between two pieces of hot but dry white bread. I got thin chili with not much flavor, and none of the robustness and savoriness any average person would expect from any chili.
So, yeah, won’t be going there for lunch anymore.
However, I will stop in Wilmoore for the occasional coffee and bagel on mornings when I miss my bus. It’s a cozy place to sip java, nibble sesame seeds, and gather yourself in the morning. Nothing more, nothing less.

Went there for lunch yesterday with a deal thing I purchased a while ago. Man, I wish I’d gone sooner! What a great place! It’s cozy and airy and warm and sunny at lunchtime, as long as you can get the front door to stay shut.
The gal at the sandwich counter was awesome; I loved that she was serving men in suits in a crass t-​shirt! Anyway, I ordered a portobello banh mi, which was really, really good. Spicy and juicy and delicious. The man got chicken salad. I was shocked! (Kidding! Seriously, he eats either reubens or chicken salad. Anywhere. Every. Single. Time.) He said it wasn’t like other chicken salad; that it was different, like someone took the time to care about it. Yes, those were his words. I love that the sandwiches are just the right size (for me, anyway). I don’t want to be stuffed after lunch and fall asleep in my really boring cubical. Well, actually, I do, but that’s beside the point. Apparently the cole slaw side was really good, because the man ate all his before I got a chance to taste it. I got a fruit cup side, which was a lovely little addition.
We wanted to go back today, actually, but alas, we can’t meet for lunch today. Poor me. Soon, though, we’ll see you very soon…

A clever amalgamation of Wilmington St. and Moore Square, Wilmoore is not a spot I’ll soon forget — and not just because of the locale.
This spot immediately won my heart with its historic charm, and amazing window seats where couples were sitting over coffee and others ticking away on their laptops. Rain kept me from exploring fully, but there’s also a little patio extension that overlooks the courtyard near the transit station. You order at the counter. There’s a spot for coffee, and another for food. I’d read on here about the Banh Mi, and had to try it. Comes with your choice of side — I opted for chips. I was expecting a sandwich and some Lays. I got a flavor-​packed punch between bread (pork dressed with vinaigrette, and crisp carrots) and HOUSEMADE chips. Bonus points: housemade pickle spear! What?!
I was going to pass on coffee & dessert. But ended up chatting with the owner about the biz, and he generously brought a small cup of cappuccino and a chocolate chip cookie. He’s apparently been working in coffee for years, and it was evident. My cup was the perfect perk-​me-​up on a cold & rainy day. I was a good wife for once and brought home the cookie to split with my husband. Chewy with chocolate chunks and a little salt — just the way I like ‘em! They’re doing dinner a few nights a week now, and bringing in live music and trivia; so it sounds like a happening spot on into the evenings.
Raleigh: truly, I’m jealous of this little oasis downtown. As a work-​from-​homer, I’d be taking advantage of Wilmoore weekly if I lived closer.

On a late lunch break last week, I used a Groupon Now (sorry Unilocal!) to find this new sandwich shop in the heart of downtown Raleigh.
Can I get an AMEN for the new life that small restaurant owners have breathed into our fair city?! :ahem, thank you:
I quickly stopped in for a quick bite to go, and was pleasantly impressed with their chicken salad once I returned to the office. Its not to overpowering with mayo, and the bread and LT were fresh as new pants. Yes, new pants. And oh, the dill chips (or rosemary, I forget now) were so much better than standard chip fair!
The owner took my order and was a pleasant chap. He informed me that in September they will open for dinner on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays!
I can review much else, since it was to-​go. However I will be back and hopefully try their coffees and breakfast goods, and report back to the masses then!

Ahh, caffeine! There’s nothing like hitting up your favorite coffee shop and Wilmoore Café is the newest option in Raleigh. Converted from an old men’s clothing store, the first thing you notice is the display windows on each side of the entry. Sit in there and you’ll get plenty of sun and some ogles and stares from passer-​bys. Inside, Wilmoore is all brick and old hardwood floors, just like its neighbor, Busy Bee. I ordered up a double latte which was well done: smooth, nice foamy top. My friend Paul had a nice looking sandwich served on a little aluminum tray, cool.
The Wilmoore just recently opened up and is still evolving. They’ve got a liquor license but still haven’t serving beer/​wine. On the side they’ve got a small wooden patio that overlooks a garden area behind the Moore Square bus station, cool! I’ll have to come back for a full meal but things are looking good so far at the Wilmoore Café. A comfy spot for a coffee or lunch. Here’s to more and better from them and enjoy those catbird seats up front…

Yay for new lunch spot downtown! Wilmoore Café had a soft open today and will have their official opening next week. My coworker and I went for their half-​off lunch event today. The place has an airy, neighborhood café feel with hardwood floors and gorgeous artwork littered along the brick walls. Plenty of outdoor seating!
Their menu is pretty simple — sandwiches with sides and a short espresso list. I love the concept. Very reasonable prices — you could walk out with a sandwich, side, and drinks for about $ 10.
I’m expecting this place to get pretty packed so it’ll probably be a good idea to hit it before the lunch crowd rushes in. The waitstaff seemed a little discombobulated today, but it’s understandable as this is their first day of operations.
We got a freshly baked dark chocolate chip cookie while we were waiting in line — sea salt! yes!
P. S. They had an amazing soup today — beef broth with potatoes and kale. Get it.

I had lunch today at the Wilmoore Café (which used to be a pawn shop) after learning about the half-​price special being offered as part of the restaurant’s «soft opening.» Verdict: I will continue to check this place out as it matures.
The menu had interesting offerings (e.g., a portobello «PLT»). Everything I tasted was pretty good, and I expect the food will continue to improve. Of special note was the complimentary chocolate chip cookie they handed out to people waiting in line – I REALLY hope they keep those around. I had the soup Nancy Y. mentioned, and while I ate it all, I thought it could have used a little more flavor; it was just a tad on the dull side. Also, the kale in my soup was one huge leaf, making it very hard to manage with just a spoon.
The atmosphere and feel in here were outstanding, but some aspects of the layout could use some customer-​friendly improvements. There are two different outdoor seating areas: they have tables lining the Wilmington Street entrance area plus and more tables on the back patio that overlooks an alley behind the Moore Square transportation hub. But the coolest seats in the house (at least for parties of two or less) are those perched inside the front windows. Great spot for people watching.
The logistics of ordering could use some work, however, as the chalkboard menu is a solid 15 yards from where you join the line of prospective lunch patrons. This gives you no chance to mull over the selections while waiting to get to the cashier; as soon as the menu comes into view, you’re at the cash register and someone is expecting your order.
As one might expect of a place whose official «grand opening» is still a week away, the kitchen and other staff seemed overwhelmed and disorganized. Consequently, I waited about 20 – 25 minutes for my very simple order. But I can’t count off points for that just yet; I’ll reserve judgment on timeliness/​organization for a later visit.