Cafe ahora is so yummy coming from someone who looooves coffee!!! The HB location is definitely my favorite - they’ve been hardworking and sweet every time, they make sure I know what I want, and give samples of their favorites sometimes! Mariah and Mariana were there today when I went and had such good energy and gave me samples of the caramel apple cider to make sure I would like it, I definitely recommend:)))
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Derek Wilson
The coffee was very tasty and the ladies working were very kind and helpful. Would highly recommend for anyone visiting from out of town.
Zer0 the soundbyte
Such a nice little cafe with absolutely delicious coffee! The bagels are also a banger with the cream cheese! I never got her name but there is this really nice lady who works there with pretty tattoos that made me and my friends feel so welcome. If you have the chance please stop by here! You won't be disappointed 🥰💛
Jana Walker
I visited Cafe Ahora several times during my week long vacation, and each time the drinks and the service was worse than the previous. On my first visit, it took about 10 minutes to have my order taken, and another 25 to get my simple smoothie. The smoothie tasted good so I let the long wait slide. That should’ve been a clue. My next visit took even longer. I went with friends and together we ordered 3 drinks, all on their specialty menu. The cafe was busy but not swamped. We waited 42 minutes to get all three drinks. Two of the drink were missing both the chocolate or caramel that were included in the recipe AND the extra drizzle we paid for! When we brought it to their attention, we only got a sorry. No offer to remake the drinks or to refund the money. Very poor customer service. On the third visit, once again they were busy but not full. We placed our order and then waiting 50 minutes for our drinks. The staff never checked in to update us on the wait or status of the order, or apologize for the delay. We also noticed that the employee taking the orders would leave the register and immediately start working on drinks WITHOUT washing her hands. I guess she doesn’t realize just how nasty money can be. Just as we were ready to cancel the order and request a refund they drinks came up, so we just took them. Not a single one of them (5 this time) was made correctly. None had the standard or extra drizzle (again) and started very basic. This time the staff was just plain rude to multiple customers, and never apologized for any of it. This was our first yer visiting Holden Beach, and Cafe Ahora was a blight on our family vacation! DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY!!
Cynthia Taylor
while on vacation and being a coffee lover, it’s hard to find a good coffee shop. I visited this shop 3 days in a row and the service gradually declined. the first day was great, 10/10. the second, one of my drinks were wrong and all I got was a simple “i’m sorry” with no offer to correct it knowing I paid for the extra. the third day, I just needed a pick me up before a long drive, and it was the worst experience by far. extensive wait times, granted I understood being short staffed and being busy. I was concerned about an order being lost, so the barista was asked and she was rude from the beginning. she then continued to talk to the entire store about the incident. she continuously harassed me until I pulled out of the parking lot. I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone, and I will take my business elsewhere.
Amanda Wood
Poor service. Employees were not professional. Drinks were made wrong, as well as we had to wait forever to get our drinks. I will never go back again, and I am a regular at Holden Beach.
Matthew Hannegan
I visited a café today hoping for a quick and relaxing bite, but instead, I left frustrated and disappointed. From the moment I walked in, things felt off. The place wasn’t especially busy—just a few scattered customers and some background chatter—but somehow, my simple order ended up taking over 30 minutes to arrive. I had only asked for a bagel and a coffee, expecting to be in and out in no time.
As I sat there waiting, I kept glancing at the counter, wondering if perhaps they had forgotten about my order. Other customers who came in after me were served before I was. I even checked with a staff member to make sure my order had gone through, and they just said, “It’s coming.” No apology, no explanation—just a vague reassurance that I found hard to believe. The worst part was, it wasn’t even a hot meal that needed cooking.
Eventually, someone behind the counter called my name and handed me a small paper bag. I opened it to find my bagel cold and uncut, with a tiny container of cream cheese on the side. I looked around, confused, and noticed a toaster station tucked into a corner of the café. It turned out I was expected to toast the bagel myself—something they didn’t mention when I ordered. I stood there, awkwardly waiting for a turn at the toaster, now more annoyed than ever.
Courtney Smith
I love coming to their coffee shop it’s quaint and the coffee is always good. Their staff is always friendly. I had to leave this review though to give a special shout out on this experience! I did an online order and I got a call shortly after asking if I meant to order at this location and I had actually ordered at the wrong location. I don’t know how he knew but I appreciate that so much that he took the time to call me and check and even called the other location and gave them my order! This phone call went above and beyond 💕 Thank you so much for going that extra mile! Merry Christmas!!
Adorable place. Delicious muffins and awesome coffee. Their prices are great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fernando Padilla
guy at front kinda fruity might be gay ngl and i ain’t fw that ngl but food n drink good 💯
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Flavors
Sharon Gilmore
In addition to their coffee and tea drinks, they have great cinnamon rolls, bagels, and crumb cake. Great value too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Schultz
I've always had great experiences here and prefer buying from a local store instead of Starbucks. Not sure about the people complaining about prices. Maybe they normally get their coffee at the gas station. It can't be cheap to run a coffee shop near the beach, and I'm glad they're here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dustin
This place is a joke! They are overpriced and then don't even prepare your $4 bagel for you! $7 for a plain cupachino! I won't being doing that again, not in this bad economy w horrible inflation and shrinkflation.
Awesome place for coffee and treats!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great bagels, and tasty coffee
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cafe ahora is so yummy coming from someone who looooves coffee!!! The HB location is definitely my favorite - they’ve been hardworking and sweet every time, they make sure I know what I want, and give samples of their favorites sometimes! Mariah and Mariana were there today when I went and had such good energy and gave me samples of the caramel apple cider to make sure I would like it, I definitely recommend:)))
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The coffee was very tasty and the ladies working were very kind and helpful. Would highly recommend for anyone visiting from out of town.
Such a nice little cafe with absolutely delicious coffee! The bagels are also a banger with the cream cheese! I never got her name but there is this really nice lady who works there with pretty tattoos that made me and my friends feel so welcome. If you have the chance please stop by here! You won't be disappointed 🥰💛
I visited Cafe Ahora several times during my week long vacation, and each time the drinks and the service was worse than the previous. On my first visit, it took about 10 minutes to have my order taken, and another 25 to get my simple smoothie. The smoothie tasted good so I let the long wait slide. That should’ve been a clue. My next visit took even longer. I went with friends and together we ordered 3 drinks, all on their specialty menu. The cafe was busy but not swamped. We waited 42 minutes to get all three drinks. Two of the drink were missing both the chocolate or caramel that were included in the recipe AND the extra drizzle we paid for! When we brought it to their attention, we only got a sorry. No offer to remake the drinks or to refund the money. Very poor customer service. On the third visit, once again they were busy but not full. We placed our order and then waiting 50 minutes for our drinks. The staff never checked in to update us on the wait or status of the order, or apologize for the delay. We also noticed that the employee taking the orders would leave the register and immediately start working on drinks WITHOUT washing her hands. I guess she doesn’t realize just how nasty money can be. Just as we were ready to cancel the order and request a refund they drinks came up, so we just took them. Not a single one of them (5 this time) was made correctly. None had the standard or extra drizzle (again) and started very basic. This time the staff was just plain rude to multiple customers, and never apologized for any of it. This was our first yer visiting Holden Beach, and Cafe Ahora was a blight on our family vacation! DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY!!
while on vacation and being a coffee lover, it’s hard to find a good coffee shop. I visited this shop 3 days in a row and the service gradually declined. the first day was great, 10/10. the second, one of my drinks were wrong and all I got was a simple “i’m sorry” with no offer to correct it knowing I paid for the extra. the third day, I just needed a pick me up before a long drive, and it was the worst experience by far. extensive wait times, granted I understood being short staffed and being busy. I was concerned about an order being lost, so the barista was asked and she was rude from the beginning. she then continued to talk to the entire store about the incident. she continuously harassed me until I pulled out of the parking lot. I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone, and I will take my business elsewhere.
Poor service. Employees were not professional. Drinks were made wrong, as well as we had to wait forever to get our drinks. I will never go back again, and I am a regular at Holden Beach.
I visited a café today hoping for a quick and relaxing bite, but instead, I left frustrated and disappointed. From the moment I walked in, things felt off. The place wasn’t especially busy—just a few scattered customers and some background chatter—but somehow, my simple order ended up taking over 30 minutes to arrive. I had only asked for a bagel and a coffee, expecting to be in and out in no time.
As I sat there waiting, I kept glancing at the counter, wondering if perhaps they had forgotten about my order. Other customers who came in after me were served before I was. I even checked with a staff member to make sure my order had gone through, and they just said, “It’s coming.” No apology, no explanation—just a vague reassurance that I found hard to believe. The worst part was, it wasn’t even a hot meal that needed cooking.
Eventually, someone behind the counter called my name and handed me a small paper bag. I opened it to find my bagel cold and uncut, with a tiny container of cream cheese on the side. I looked around, confused, and noticed a toaster station tucked into a corner of the café. It turned out I was expected to toast the bagel myself—something they didn’t mention when I ordered. I stood there, awkwardly waiting for a turn at the toaster, now more annoyed than ever.
I love coming to their coffee shop it’s quaint and the coffee is always good. Their staff is always friendly. I had to leave this review though to give a special shout out on this experience! I did an online order and I got a call shortly after asking if I meant to order at this location and I had actually ordered at the wrong location. I don’t know how he knew but I appreciate that so much that he took the time to call me and check and even called the other location and gave them my order! This phone call went above and beyond 💕 Thank you so much for going that extra mile! Merry Christmas!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Adorable place. Delicious muffins and awesome coffee. Their prices are great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
guy at front kinda fruity might be gay ngl and i ain’t fw that ngl but food n drink good 💯
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Flavors
In addition to their coffee and tea drinks, they have great cinnamon rolls, bagels, and crumb cake. Great value too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've always had great experiences here and prefer buying from a local store instead of Starbucks. Not sure about the people complaining about prices. Maybe they normally get their coffee at the gas station. It can't be cheap to run a coffee shop near the beach, and I'm glad they're here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is a joke! They are overpriced and then don't even prepare your $4 bagel for you! $7 for a plain cupachino! I won't being doing that again, not in this bad economy w horrible inflation and shrinkflation.
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