I got a small iced butter crunch latte ($6) and it was made in 3 minutes. It was a good blend of coffee to sweetness and I liked that it had two shot of expresso in it. The coffee area is quite small itself but they have several tables and chair spread out to hang out and do work or play games. The barista was extremely friendly and gave her recommendations and chit chatted with me. They have a bunch of fun drinks which was super exciting as I wanted to try them all. Overall I would come back to this place because of the variety of drinks they have to offer! Drink(50%): 7.8 Staff/service(25%): 9.5 Value(25%): 8.0 Overall: 8.3/10 read more

Fair Grounds - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Super cute cafe that's been open for quite a while. It's such an iconic place in Ghent. The lattes are wonderful, service is usually pretty good. This place has the quirky coffee house vibes. read more

After finding this place on Yelp my husband and I went and tried it before an appt at Sentara. The vibe is cozy and quiet. We got the French toast and cream brûlée. They were good I would come back but not my #1 favorite. They have a dozen different drink options so I'll try something different next time! The barista was super sweet and helpful in giving recommendations! read more

Fair Grounds - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Great coffee spot! Very cool and comforting sitting areas inside with great coffee and food!!

Good old coffee shop in Ghent, I think this place has character. It's definitely not your usual, cookie cutter Starbucks. Which can be a good or bad thing, depending on what you're looking for. If you're looking for something super caffeinated, this is mid. The coffee drinks are good, and almost too sweet (for me as a sweet tooth, that says a lot). Unfortunately, it doesn't look like they offer sugar free options, either. The food is good, although the last time I came here for a muffin, it wasn't even heated. But the breakfast sandwich on an everything bagel is yummy!!! I like how there is plenty of seating. The music is jazz currently, so I'm digging it. I would say the only downside to this coffee shop is the stairs, which for having a lot of leg issues isn't great for me. And there is no elevator, go figure. Good thing I'm in physical therapy! Overall decent coffee shop and I'm sure I will be back!!! read more

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The vibe was so cute and cozy. The perfect place to study, chit chat or people watch. The coffee was really good and they had a wide variety of fun flavors to chose from. Will definitely be returning. read more

Fair Grounds - View from top floor - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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It's a renovated house into a café on the second floor. As soon as you walk in the door you are faced with the stairs to go up to the café, along the wall you'll see events that are going on locally which I think is neat. There are tons of options for the menu between food to tea, coffee, and unique sodas so far I've tried the iced latte which was delicious. I ask for it just like I would at Starbucks. I've gotten the lemonade and the Italian soda, which I did cherry and lime flavor, and it tasted just like a sonic drink. The food that I've had so far has been delicious which was everything bagel with cream cheese and and everything bagel breakfast sandwich. Me and my best friend usually get there between 8-9am so we can start our day with relaxing and talking. In that time zone It's not packed at all so that makes it much better. If you're not familiar with ghent, it's better to pick times of the day that are least populated. If you want to enjoy a spot you really like. Highly recommend this place to start your day. read more

Fair Grounds - This is where we sit every time - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Coffee is ABSOLUTELY amazing, so much so that my wife and step daughter ALWAYS want something from there. Compared to a place like Starbucks my wife mentioned the coffee is much better and drinks taste amazing. The staff is incredible. They make the place feel Like home. Few things I wish the owner improve AC. Even if it's 60's outside it will be HOT inside to the point I'm sweating. In summer it gets unbearable. WiFi. Been on it once or twice it wasn't able to stream video, I use my hotspot when I go. Wish they would get gigabit internet put Access Points throughout the top floor. Water. I order water and they get it from the faucet, wish they had filtered water. read more

Fair Grounds - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Such a charming and cozy coffee shop! I love that you can stop by for a coffee, tea, or meal while getting some work done or settling into a corner with a good book to enjoy the atmosphere. I'll definitely be back! read more

Fair Grounds - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Always a pleasure at fairground's I've visited this unique hipster coffee shop many times when in high school my friends and I would walk over and do our homework or goof off depending on the mood lol there is Wi-Fi and plenty of seating both inside and out Heads up this is on the upper level so you do have some stairs to walk up but the view is worth it you can see a good portion of colley ave They also have a private parking lot :) The coffee is delicious and they offer all of the fancy substitutions needed My favorite is the French toast frozen drink!!! They offer pastries and sandwiches that sound so good I adore all of the puns on the signs and the unique decor The staff are amazingly polite and always helpful they keep a genuine smile and love to talk read more

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Fair Grounds (FG) is located in Ghent in Norfolk and it sits on the corner of Colley and Baldwin. Parking can be found on the streets, usually 2 hour max. I had been in once before, but most recently, I stopped in one morning to grab a coffee and do some work. I love coffee shops in old houses. Just adds to the warmth and comfort that a cup of coffee provides. Upon arrival, I was immediately greeted by the barista. First thing he informed me of was that the espresso machine was down, so he was not able to provide any lattes and anything that required steamed milk. I was given the choice of teas, drip coffee and any blended, frozen drinks. I was disappointed since it was pretty chilly out that morning and I had really been looking forward to a warm latte, but no big deal. I'm just a roll-with-it kinda gal. The Godfather immediately caught my eye on the frozen section because it has dark chocolate and tiramisu. I am a sweet tooth, so I did appreciate the sweetness level, but for my friends who are watching your sugar, probably not your best choice. I was delighted by the dark chocolate (LOVE dark!) and the tiramisu notes. I would definitely get it again! The upstairs is divided into different sections for seating. There is a big, round table closer to the coffee bar for big groups and then you'll find tables throughout in the front, a bit more secluded or in the fireplace room. They also provide wifi and the password can be found by the coffee bar. One thing to note is that you have to walk up the stairs to get to the main coffee bar and I don't believe I saw an elevator option. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I hope to try one of their lattes again on a future visit, perhaps the Godfather in the hot version! Stay safe, Friends! read more

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Its a place for all to grab a quick cup of coffee or take a seat, talk, study, work, or even play magic. Been coming here for few years now and it's always been great vibes and service. Also Ruby's our rockstar!! read more

Fair Grounds - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

This is my favorite place in Norfolk. Its has such a cozy atmosphere and delicious coffee. Every since worker is friendly and will offer suggestions if you need it. I come here for the sense of being around people but also having a quiet space. There's a fireplace that they even light on cold days. And they sometimes have open mic nights. If you are alone and are wanting to venture out on your own, grab a book a journal or any activity, head here, and get yourself a nice drink! read more

Fair Grounds - Me coloring during my visit - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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I've been going to Fair Grounds for at least a decade at this point. I love how cozy it feels and it's great for a working session, meet up, or date. I usually get a small pot of Secret Garden tea. They've kept their prices very reasonable. There isn't a large selection of food but what they do have is decent to good. The baristas are always sweet as pie and truly seem to enjoy their job. Fair Grounds is definitely a Norfolk staple and I hope they stay around for a long time. read more

Worth the Drive! This mom and pop coffee shop is 34 miles from my house -- and I'd drive it any day for their Mocha Frap with Peanut Butter and Banana. Hands down the best Frappuccino I've had in a long time. If you're ever in the Norfolk, VA area, stop by and try it. I dare you not to get hooked. Cozy spot, friendly folks, and flavors that beat the big chains every time. read more

I hopped over to NFK to visit a friend. We went walking downtown and decided to grab some coffee to cool us down. I had never been, but she said Fair Grounds was her go-to coffee place with many options. This coffee shop has an outdoor seating as well as limited seating indoors. You have to go upstairs to find where you need to go. I decided to order something simple such as a frozen Chai. The barista was very nice but it did take a minute for us to receive our drinks. When it comes to frozen drinks, I'm someone who prefers more ice and a harder blend. This Chai was almost like a melting slushie, but I drank it anyway. The taste was great. I just wish it was more frozen. read more

Fair Grounds - Frozen Chai w/ whip - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

LOVE this place and coffee. Always great vibes from the baristas and the coffee is really good. I personally enjoy the frozen coffees the most during warmer weather and the hot coffees are great in the fall and winter!! Love the iced drinks as well. All around yummy. read more

I fell in love with this place when I lived in Norfolk, this was my go to happy coffee place. Even loved it more as I remember my first date here. Just very cozy with nooks where you can sit and chat, or sit to the side and play board games with friends. It's a transformed old house with benches outside and the charm of creaky steps to the upper floor and open upstairs landing that you can imagine used to be a living room with a fireplace, a dining room with windows. Coffee and beverage selections are varied including tea and sandwiches. Service is friendly, you get discount when you pay cash. read more

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Great coffee and food! Also it's a small coffee shop so the feeling of being there makes everything cozy and taste better. Always a nice feeling to grab something from Fair grounds and in the winter their hot chocolate is delicious. read more

This place had such a cute vibe. Parking (1/5): There is NO parking. If you park in the parking lot in front of their place, you will get towed (according to the signs). There is street parking down the road inside the neighborhood. Coffee (4/5): The cold brew with a shot of espresso was delicious! It had the perfect bitter kick I was looking for. My friend got a Frozen Chai, and she said it tasted like a very sweet pumpkin pie. She couldn't finish it, but she enjoyed it! Service (5/5): The staff was very friendly and got our orders out really fast. It looked like they had 1 person on making drinks and 1 person on putting in the orders. Ambiance/Seating (3/5): It smelled amazing in here, and it had such cute coffee shop vibes. It had 3 different tiny rooms with very limited seating. It also has outdoor seating on some small wooden tables, but it was very hot out there and the umbrellas didn't do much for shade. You need to go up a flight of stairs to get to the coffee shop, and it seemed to be moderately busy. TLDR: Coffee was amazing. Wish it had some more seating and better parking. read more

Fair Grounds - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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A quaint little coffee house...IN a house. Follow the stairs to the top floor and find yourself a delicious brew conjured up by the most friendly barista! They've even got a few baked goodies to satisfy your sweet tooth. There are a few seats to snag and share a cup of joe..but I would.recommend grab and go! This area is a beautiful spot to just stroll and check out all the shops. So swing by, snag a delicious winter themed coffee (chai, pumpkin spice, winter white latte) and enjoy the ambiance of this little place. Ambiance: casual coffee shop Seating: limited Customer service: good Restroom: dual use single stall read more

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I love finding local coffee shops and I love it even more when they have a ton of sugar free options! I was able to get a white chocolate raspberry sugar free latte with almond milk and it was absolutely delicious!! My son loves his chocolate chip cookie! I love that the coffee shop is in the top of an old house. It has a very homey feel. The baristas were super helpful and nice. If you haven't even this coffee shop a try you should! Lots of drinks and plenty of pastries and sandwiches to choose from. read more

Fair Grounds - Sugar Free and yummy!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Looking for an afternoon coffee found this quiet and relaxing place. The service was great, they have many options for drinks. The pastries are delicious and they had a good selection. Ordered an almond danish and it was out of this world. read more

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Very cute place! It's inside an old house, you have to walk up the stairs to get to the main coffee bar, but once you're up the smell is amazing!!! The old house gives it a charm like not a lot of places around in the area. There are a bunch of different coffee flavor combinations to choose from which is right up my alley!! The barista was very kind and helped me make a decision. I got a small iced coconut mocha and it's delish!! Great flavors and perfect for a hot day. The breakfast sandwich was also very good! I got onions, cheddar cheese, bell peppers, bacon and egg on an everything bagel. The fixing are all inside the egg it is different but very good! The parking situation kind of stinks (can't park in the lot or you'll be towed) but if you can find yourself a spot on the street it's a must stop! read more

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literally the beat coffee place i have ever been to, all the coffee choices were interesting and the prices are soo good!!! and the employees are so sweet, the environment is so nice too. it looks sort of like twin peaks (the show) SO CUTE!!! read more

I've always liked the feel of this place. Make sure you park on the street (Do NOT park in the lot - towing is enforced), and walk up the stairs to the cool little coffeehouse. The coffee has good flavor, no aftertaste. They even have mugs if you choose to drink your java while taking in the ambiance. I'm usually on the go so I get mine to go. They have numerous options, but honestly, they'll probably create whatever you like. Check it out! read more

Fair Grounds - Cafe Au lait - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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A friend recommended this spot for coffee and it def lived up to the hype! It's located in a cute building on the second floor. Not super accessible if you can't take the stairs though. There are plenty of tables on the first level outside, and they do a good job of spreading out tables inside. The menu was surprisingly extensive! Smoothies, food items, etc. I ended up getting a cinnamon raisin bagel lightly toasted to go as well as an almond roca latte (they kindly made it one shot instead of the typical two shots for a medium size cup). They take card for payment (unsure if they take cash as well), and you pick up your food/drinks at a small window to the side. The latte + bagel were delicious, although I'm sad they forgot to add the cream cheese! Also a plus that the container the bagel comes in is recyclable. I'd recommend this coffee shop for anyone in the area! read more

Fair Grounds - have to walk up some stairs -- not super accessible! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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I ordered an iced coffee to-go before heading back home. I wish I could have stayed longer. This is such a cute coffeeshop. Nice and cozy. There is plenty of space and I imagine during normal times there would be ample seating. I sat inside for a short time to enjoy the ambiance for a bit while waiting for my order. Next trip here I'll definitely stop by again and bring my son. The staff is super friendly and really accommodating. I made a goofy request for half a shot of caffeinated espresso and half a shot of non-caffeinated espresso since I didn't want to be too jittery for the long ride home. (I realize now that my foot cramps up mid-drive on the highway when I'm dehydrated. Eeep! But I needed to stay awake! lol) The coffee itself was delicious. Smooth and flavorful. Sweet, but not too sweet. I hope to try one of their hot drinks next time. read more

Fair Grounds - Yes, that says 1/2 shot lol. The staff is awesome! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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7 years later, and I love Fair Grounds just as much. Their specialty lattes are just delectable! This time around, I tried their French Toast latte and savored every single sip. Their atmosphere hasn't changed; very cozy and welcoming. Great place to sit and work, if that is your prerogative. I also highly recommend checking out the new bookstore below. Another awesome place! read more

I've visited this hidden gem a few times and every time I try something new. The tea and coffee flavors are endless and creative. Fair Grounds is actually in a house, upstairs. Upstairs there a few places to sit and enjoy your coffee or snack, and this is also a bit of the gripe. I understand the setting, however, some of the furniture needs to be updated. I say this because some of the chairs are falling apart and instead of being comfortable, its uncomfortable. There is outdoor seating available, which I've taken advantage of during warm weather. Another gripe that I have is parking, you are unsure where to park, I believe you have to park on the street. The actual lot that is attach/in front of Fair Grounds belongs to another business who has posted signs for towing if you aren't visiting their business. Besides those two issues, the coffee and food is great. read more

Fair Grounds - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Do you have a place you go to where you're at peace? A place where you go to be away from all the craziness in life? Fairgrounds is that special place for me. Once I moved away from VA I was so upset that I couldn't find a place to match it's vibe. Good coffee, good people. That's all you need to know. read more

Fair Grounds - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Elliot's Fairgrounds has to be one of my favorite local coffee shops. Its located by the Red Dog Saloon and down the street of the Naro on Colley Ave. The place looks like an old house that turned into a coffee shop. They definitely support the arts and it shows when you walk in. You'll want to come here for their coffee, teas, frozen drinks ( similar to a frappucino ), and their different food options. They serve small entrees and the place is vegan friendly as well. If there's something on the menu you're uncertain of, the baristas are super nice and are more thab welcomed to explain it for you. The place is normally filled with locals and college students. They have many seats and couches you can sit at and a back room where you can just chill and play board games. But if you wanna enjoy your drink outside, they also have a little patio area. My main recommendations are the Ninja Turtle and the French Toast! They taste sooooooo good and if youre like me that likes coffee but you want it flavor that masks that coffee taste, this is the place to go. read more

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I've been coming to this coffee shop for almost 4 years now. I've had their regular coffee, iced coffee, and today I tried one of their specialty coffees (The Godfather)! Lucky for me, I live only 2 blocks away so it's easy for me to walk here. If you need to drive, then you'll have to worry about street parking which may be tricky depending on the time of day. The moment you walk in, you get a strong aroma of coffee- it's divine! You have to walk up a flight of stairs to get to the actual cafe part which may be slightly annoying for some people but it has never bothered me. I've had their regular coffee, which is too dark roast for my taste, but I'm a huge fan of their iced coffee options. I don't like super sweet drinks and they're very gracious of my request to cut back on the sugar. I usually do specialty coffees with 1/2 sweetener. Also love their iced/specialty coffees because they're very reasonably priced! I've never had their food so can't speak to that but it's a great place to grab coffee (especially iced coffee) and study! read more

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I absolutely dig the vibe at Fair Grounds! It's sort of like wandering into your grandmother's house only to find that she's running a coffee bar on her second floor. The furniture is all mis-matched, kitschy, and unique. The only problem is that every time I've been, it's packed, so it's sometimes hard to find the right seating for yourself -- some small tables, some comfy chairs, one large collective group table. Outside they have some covered seating so if the weather allows, it might be a nice place to work outside. Being as it's the dead of summer right now, one of the concerns for me was that it was fairly warm in the shop - but it wasn't too bad, and in many ways, a refreshing change from the over-air-conditioned spots around the area. Also, I had no problems with the wifi while I was there. I ordered a black iced tea, and it was pretty tasty. Definitely hit the spot. They also have a wide variety of loose leaf tea choices which I appreciate as a tea drinker. It was a bit too hot for me to go the hot pot route -- but I can easily see myself doing that in the near future. It wasn't too hard to find parking although this is located on a busy street. The main street parking though is 2 hours only -- so if you need a longer stretch, I'd recommend heading back a few blocks into the residential area to grab a spot on the street and walk up the couple blocks. Overall, a really nice vibe here that runs counter to most of the spaces opening up all over Hampton Roads -- the newer coffee shops tend to be sleek, hip, and modern while this one looks more like a down-home, antique store of sorts. This certainly won't be my last visit here! read more

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Cute little coffee place located upstairs. Parking can be a little challenging since you can't park in the space right outside or you might get towed....which is the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars. I tried the Ninja turtle latte which was yummy. Those I went with got the cinnamon roll Latte which was great. Love all the latte choices they have! Definitely want to try more of the options they have. It's so cute they have a little tree with more Options then the regular menu. We all shared a taste of the frozen chai because we wanted to see what it tasted like. It was amazing and something we will definitely got back and get when the weather warms up read more

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I honestly wanted to love this place. It has so much charm and I love the direction they were trying to go for. First walking in, it's a very 'lived in' feel. Once you walk up the stairs it has so many things to look at and take in. Really neat things. They have a simple yet a good variety as far as what you can order. Once you start looking around though, it's absolutely filthy! Dirt, mildew, cobwebs, and dust is just about everywhere! I wish I was exaggerating. We wouldn't have order had I seen that prior, but you don't really notice all of it until after you order and just start looking around, passing time as you wait for your stuff. My husband and I each ordered a coffee and a breakfast sandwich. I asked for no tomato and no onions, I thought that was an easy accommodation. They didn't mention anything about not being to leave that off. We received our food and went on our way to my next appointment. Once I started eating my sandwich in the vehicle, I quickly realized that they put onions. Not a REALLY big deal, just thankful I am not allergic or something. I ordered a cinnamon roll coffee and my husband ordered a French toast. Neither actually tasted like those things and was just pretty basic coffee. I was so disappointed because I am going to be at the hospital for my cancer treatments and we were looking for a close, local breakfast spot to frequent while in the area. They have so much potential, but completely flop. read more

It was my first time coming to Fair Grounds in years and it was comforting to see that it stayed the pretty much the same as before. We enjoyed sipping on our drinks and spending uninterrupted time with friends. The ordering process was simple and the place itself was inviting and cozy. The coffee was better than I remembered as well. read more

Nice little coffee shop that basically looks like you're going inside a house. Really cozy vibe and the coffee was great. Tried out the french toast latte and it was perfect. We really enjoyed our stay here and are definitely coming back. read more

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I have a total "remote employee" crush on Fairgrounds. Inside it has comfy chairs and couches for rainy or cold days. Outside it has tables and benches for warm spring days. I absolutely love catching a little sun while tapping my morning away. Best yet- it has pretty easy to find nearby parking! Everything inside shouts "I LOVE LOCAL!" They have unique nicknacks, local event posters, and small tributes to Norfolk and it's history! You go up to the second floor for the coffee and there is a ton to look at while you wait for your order to be called. They have a huge variety of specialty latte flavors available in hot or iced. Definitely a place you don't want to try once and never return to. I'll definitely return to try more, right now I'm really enjoying my spicy mocha- although it's not actually spicy. It just has cinnamon added. They have some pretty rad combinations. This place is definitely a popular haunt for the studying students and remote employees. Everyone I have encountered has been friendly and more than willing to allow me to share their table or grab their extra chair. You may know the menu of the place across the street- but it's 100% worth a short walk upstairs to enjoy the charm and caffeine of Fairgrounds! read more

I'm just going to start out by mentioning how much joy this place brought me-- and continues to bring me. My older sister first brought me here when I was in grade school, and I'm happy to say I've made many a fond memory here. I moved across the country a year ago but I still gladly come back whenever I'm in town to meet up with old friends. I don't know if it's the fact that the cafe is incorporated in what must once have been someone's home that makes it so cozy and warm... Or the welcoming staff... Or the literal fire place... Nonetheless, I would recommend for unique drinks (my favorite is The Godfather with oat milk) and simply as a place to sit down and have a good conversation! read more