The Water Street Cafe

132 E Water St, Washington, NC 27889, United States
$$$ Cafe
(60 Reviews)
Price Range $1–10

Welcome to The Water Street Cafe, a hidden gem located at 132 E Water St, Washington, NC 27889. This charming cafe is the perfect destination to satisfy your cravings for delicious breakfast, brunch, or lunch while enjoying stunning views of the water.

The Water Street Cafe boasts a menu that highlights fresh, local ingredients with a delightful variety of options. Start your day right with one of their mouth-watering breakfast sandwiches that promise to tantalize your taste buds, paired perfectly with a rich cup of coffee. If you have time to linger, their brunch menu is not to be missed—guests rave about the savory Caprese grilled cheese on sourdough, which comes artfully accompanied by your choice of salad, soup, or chips. The homemade broccoli cheese soup is a must-try, a testament to the cafe's commitment to hearty, wholesome cooking that doesn’t skimp on flavor.

But it's not just the food that makes The Water Street Cafe an extraordinary experience. The ambiance is a winning combination of cozy and eclectic—a welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. Whether you opt for indoor seating that invites warmth and comfort or choose to unwind outside with a picturesque view of the river and park, you'll find the setting enhances every bite. The live acoustic music that occasionally fills the cafe echoes the richness of the environment, further elevating your culinary experience.

The friendly and attentive service is another highlight, as many customers have noted how they feel genuinely welcomed—as warm and comforting as the freshly baked bread served daily. One customer, Christina Alford, describes it as "easily the best place for breakfast, brunch or lunch in Washington, NC," and we couldn't agree more. With modest prices and quality meals, such as the popular ham, egg, and cheese croissant that continues to receive enthusiastic praise, you'll leave both satisfied and eager to return.

As you step into this cozy corner of Washington, you'll not only enjoy a hearty meal but also indulge in a delightful experience filled with great coffee, pleasant views, and a genuine sense of community. Don't miss out on this local treasure; call them at +1 252-833-0791 for any inquiries and feel free to drop by to discover why The Water Street Cafe continues to be a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike!

From the business
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Outdoor seating
Kerbside pickup
On-site services
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Fast service
Great coffee
Great tea selection
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Assistive hearing loop
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Coffee
Comfort food
Quick bite
Small plates
Wine
Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dessert
Seating
Amenities
Bar on site
Toilet
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
LGBTQ+ friendly
Tourists
Payments
Credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Thursday

09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Friday

09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Saturday

09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Sunday

09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

60 Reviews
Christina Alford

21 Sep 2025

With views of the water, delicious breakfast sandwiches, coffee, and great service, this is easily the best place for breakfast, brunch or lunch in Washington, NC .

Marc Möller

09 Sep 2025

Nice little unique café with a nice atmosphere. Also the outside setting is beautiful with a view on the river and park. Very modest prices: Latte 12 oz with oat milk 4.5$ incl tax

Jonathan

29 Aug 2025

Such a cozy welcoming hidden gem! Nice variety of brunch and lunch choices. The inside has a comfy 'eat at home' feel. All of the food was tasty, and the staff was super friendly. Great place to stop for a quick bite!

Ed Erickson

17 Aug 2025

Great little eclectic cafe with excellent food. The small breakfast and lunch menu is filled with great choices and each one our group of six had was very well prepared and delicious. Chicken salad and tomato bisque was super. Even had live acoustic music to enhance the atmosphere!

Sally Jean Moore

01 Aug 2025

Service was as warm and welcoming as fresh baked bread. Prices were on point for healthy and delicious food. I ordered a Caprese grilled cheese on sourdough and it came with a choice of sides (salad, soup, chips I think?) and I chose the broccoli cheese soup. It was more food than I should have eaten in one sitting. On this beautiful day many were sitting outside, but I chosen inside table. I will go back anytime I go through Washington. It would even be worth a special trip. I was so captivated by the interior that I forgot to take a picture of my food! There are stairs to climb to get inside- I don't know if there is any other access.

Timeless Travel NC

15 Jul 2025

Don’t miss out on this gem! We ordered lattes, bagels, and croissants. At the register we added some baked goods and nothing disappointed!! The kids loved their bagels and the ham, egg, and cheese croissant was the best I’ve had. Highly recommend!

Monica Clark

04 Jul 2025

I absolutely adore this place! It’s perfect for a delicious lunch, morning coffee and pastry or afternoon beer! Or all of the above! It has convenient parking and right across from the water with plenty of porch sitting. Love their craft beer options and the option to take beer home too.

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