Firehouse Coffee 1881

Firehouse Coffee 1881 is a coffee shop set inside the historic firehouse at Fort Monroe, the US Army's oldest firehouse. Its menu pairs a range of hot and cold coffee drinks with breakfast and lunch items, and reviewers often mention the lavender vanilla latte, iced coffee, bagel breakfast sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches and baked goods. The firehouse setting is a big part of the appeal.

The shop is open every day from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, so it works well for a morning coffee or a midday lunch. It also sells whole bean coffee by the bag and offers catering for birthdays, office events, holiday parties and weddings. Fort Monroe is on the Hampton waterfront, so many visitors stop in after a walk along the beach.