Explore the Cru Wine Bar, Coffee Shop & Wine Store

For one of the most versatile food and beverage spots in Beaufort, NC, Cru Wine Bar, Coffee Shop & Wine Store is a real treasure. Set along historic Front Street, Cru is a true all-in-one destination — combining a daytime coffee shop, a wine bar with over 300 selections, and a retail wine store under one roof.

The space transforms throughout the day. Mornings bring freshly brewed Costa Rican and Colombian coffee paired with pastries and breakfast bites. Evenings turn the space into a relaxed wine bar with live music and weekly tasting events. Be sure to check out the pictures below to get a feel for Cru Wine Bar, Coffee Shop & Wine Store before you go — or to relive the visit after.

A Day-to-Night Spot on Front Street

Cru sits along historic Front Street — the heart of Beaufort’s dining and shopping district. The location couldn’t be more central; visitors strolling Front Street regularly stop in for a morning coffee, a midday lunch, or an evening glass of wine.

The space genuinely transforms throughout the day. The morning energy of a busy coffee shop gives way to a relaxed midday lunch crowd, and then to a comfortable wine bar atmosphere in the evening. As a result, Cru works for nearly every dining occasion during a Beaufort visit.

Costa Rican and Colombian Coffee with Breakfast and Lunch Options

By day, Cru operates as a full-service coffee shop with a focused, well-sourced menu. The coffee program features freshly brewed Costa Rican and Colombian blends that lean into the broader Latin American coffee tradition.

The food menu balances morning and midday options:

Pastries — A rotating selection of fresh-baked items
Breakfast burritos — A hearty morning staple
Sandwiches — Light and shareable lunch options
Flatbreads — A pizza-adjacent option that pairs well with the wine list later in the day

The thoughtful breakfast and lunch menu make Cru a natural stop for visitors looking for something more substantial than a quick coffee.

Over 300 Wines and Craft Beers

As the sun sets, Cru’s wine program takes center stage. The wine bar features over 300 wine selections — a remarkable depth for a coastal small-town wine bar. The selection spans varietals, regions, and price points to suit casual sippers and serious wine enthusiasts alike.

In addition to the wines, Cru offers a curated selection of craft beers — including local NC brews that complement the broader Beaufort craft beer scene anchored by spots like Fishtowne Brew House and Mill Whistle Brewing.

For visitors wanting to take wine home, the retail wine store offers a thoughtful selection of bottles to pair with any subsequent stop along the Carteret County coastline.

Outdoor Patio and Weekend Events

One of the most distinctive features of Cru is its outdoor patio, a relaxed space that makes the most of Beaufort’s mild coastal climate. The patio is especially popular for evening visits, when guests can enjoy wine, light bites, and the broader Front Street atmosphere.

Cru also hosts a regular rotation of weekend events designed to deepen the community connection:

Wine tastings — Themed flights and educational events
Live music — Local performers add a coastal soundtrack to the wine bar atmosphere

The combination of indoor and outdoor seating with a steady event calendar makes Cru a genuinely lively gathering spot.

Good to Know

Location: Front Street in Beaufort, NC
Type: Day-to-night coffee shop, wine bar, and retail wine store under one roof
Coffee: Freshly brewed Costa Rican and Colombian coffee blends
Food menu: Pastries, breakfast burritos, sandwiches, flatbreads
Wine selection: Over 300 wines plus craft beers
Retail: Wine store offering bottles to take home
Seating: Indoor space plus an outdoor patio
Events: Wine tastings; live music; rotating weekend programming
Hours: Check the Cru website for current hours
Best for: Morning coffee drinkers, wine enthusiasts, casual lunch visitors, evening wine bar seekers, and visitors looking for live music or events
Pair with: A walk through downtown Beaufort, a daytime visit to the North Carolina Maritime Museum, a tour of the Beaufort Historic Site, or an evening on the Beaufort Ghost Walk

A Beaufort Highlight

Cru Wine Bar, Coffee Shop & Wine Store is the kind of stop that genuinely captures the rhythm of a full day in historic Beaufort. The morning coffee program is anchored by Costa Rican and Colombian blends, complemented by pastries and breakfast burritos.

The midday lunch menu features sandwiches and flatbreads — light enough to leave room for an afternoon walk through downtown. Many visitors who stop in for coffee in the morning return later for an evening glass of wine.

The wine program is the standout feature. With over 300 wines plus craft beers and a retail wine store, Cru offers a depth of selection that’s rare for a coastal small-town wine bar. The outdoor patio, the rotating wine tastings, and the live music events keep the space genuinely lively throughout the week.

Whether you’re a Front Street regular grabbing your morning espresso, a wine enthusiast exploring NC’s broader wine scene, or a visitor settling in for a quiet evening on the patio, this is one of the most versatile food and beverage stops you can make in Carteret County.