Fair Grounds Coffee Cafe

I used to get taken here as a teenager and young adult, so it was a very special place to visit and I couldn’t wait to introduce my child to it.
I really wanted brewed coffee, and asked if it was fresh. I was told it was brewed at 9 AM. This was at about almost dinner time. Old coffee is old coffee, but I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt as long as it was hot.
So I asked if they had any sample cups so I could try the dark roast. I was told proudly “No, we don’t give out samples.”
It seemed like a nice enough pair of employees, so I have no idea why it was worth working against me to try to give them money for just black coffee.
It was humiliating to be treated as an inconvenience in front of my family, and more so to literally be actively worked against to try to get a cup of coffee. If you can’t offer to brew ground coffee during a non-peak period with no one else in line, at least let me taste it to see if it’s still hot rather than tell me you don’t do free samples like I’m trying to get free product.

The latte was terrific and the French Toast muffin was fantastic 😋

Best coffee shop in Norfolk, staff is awesome and the vibe is always friendly. It’s my go to

Excellent for coffee and dessert.

I used to come here back in the day when I worked at Red Dog Saloon next door. This place is still amazing as ever! The barista Elliott was wonderful and helpful! I live across the water now but will be making special trips back here to for the wonderful service!

What happened to this place? Saturday morning, nice spring day, one worker training a new employee. Waited thirty minutes for two lattes and two bagels. Definitely not their fault. Management should know better. I have plenty of patience but it becomes challenged when business owners sacrifice service by short staffing. This place used to be a stop on our trips to Ghent to walk our dog. Unfortunately, we won’t be back

Great coffee, wonderful muffins, awesome staff, nice quaint little place.

I have been seeing negative reviews on this place but it has the best staff and it amazing there food is very fresh

It's always a pleasure to go here. They have an excellent variety of beverages to choose from and I have yet to find one that has been less than amazing. It's a cozy place with art, books, and comfy chairs. It's not too busy so it's a good spot to study or work.

This place is awesome! It's a little small inside, so there is minimal seating, but they have an outside patio as well. I got a cappuccino which was on point and I got the chance to chat with the barista for a bit about the place. She was extremely friendly! Highly recommended especially if you’re looking for a quite place to do some work.

This is a great hole-in-the-wall place! It’s perfect for studying students & WFH people. However, I don’t recommend it for families or large groups because it is upstairs with limited seating. Also, it gets very hot in the summer.

My coffee was DELICIOUS and I DO like the atmosphere but there’s no way to get my stroller up there so I won’t be going back.

It is around the side and upstairs, it is a lovely little place and the Americano was just as it should be.

I gave 5 for everything, but mistakenly only 1 overall! This was 5 start completely.

my main complaint is that the chicken salad sandwich seemed to have more lettuce than chicken salad and overall was 75% bread. the ciabatta was great but just needed more chicken salad since thats meant to be the star of the dish. but the coffee here is yum and i love all the latte flavors they have. i had a matcha here once a while back and was not a fan

Teletubbie gone, very upset