Cute little cafe. Nice espresso drinks and food choices. Also a good selection of specialty food items.

Nice place on the Guilford green for coffee, sandwiches, and specialty foods. Small town vibe, friendly staff, seating available at a few tables indoors.

The aroma hits you first: rich, nutty coffee beans transforming in real time inside a gleaming Diedrich roaster that dominates Cilantro Specialty Foods like a copper altar. Customers queue for lattes while watching green beans tumble toward aromatic perfection, an industrial ballet performed against exposed brick walls just steps from Guilford's historic town green. This is coffee theater, and it's surprisingly compelling. Jonathan and Cindy Wallace opened Cilantro in 1990 as a European-style gourmet market, back when specialty coffee meant Maxwell House French Roast. "We had imported cheeses, pates, and always coffee," Cindy Wallace recalls, gesturing toward shelves now stocked with 16 Graza olive oil and Murray's preserves. "We evolved with food trends." That evolution accelerated dramatically. What began as a quaint specialty shop has become something more ambitious: a serious coffee roasting operation wrapped in the warm aesthetics of a neighborhood cafe. The contradiction works. The storefront commands premium real estate — a double-wide glass facade directly facing the 16-acre green where Guilford's story began in 1639. String lights illuminate outdoor tables where UConn students share space with retirees walking small dogs, all drawn by the rare sight of coffee roasting in full view. Inside, the Wallace's hybrid model reveals itself. A curved pastry case displays house-made items alongside an extensive breakfast sandwich menu (6.99-11.25). But walk deeper and you'll discover serious retail territory: artisanal condiments, aged cheeses, and specialty items targeting Guilford's affluent demographics (median household income: 130,036). The coffee quality proves inconsistent — some customers praise the roasted beans while others describe disappointing lattes. This suggests barista training hasn't kept pace with roasting ambitions. But the wholesale coffee business appears robust; bags of Fair Trade beans stack near the roaster like aromatic sandbags. During the pandemic, the Wallaces pivoted brilliantly, converting their cafe into a grocery store while using their commercial kitchen to prepare meals for New Haven's homeless shelter. "The vulnerable are so vulnerable right now," Cindy Wallace said at the time, embodying the community-first ethos that defines many family businesses. That adaptability reflects deeper strengths. Where other independents struggle against chains, Cilantro offers something Starbucks cannot: the romance of craft production. Watching coffee roast while sipping the finished product creates an emotional connection that transcends flavor profiles. The business model is more sophisticated than it appears. Coffee roasting provides wholesale opportunities, specialty retail delivers high margins, and the cafe drives foot traffic. Revenue streams diversify naturally. Location advantages are considerable. Guilford attracts tourists seeking authentic New England charm, and Cilantro delivers: historic green views, artisanal products, and the increasingly rare sight of food being made rather than reheated. Yet challenges loom. Rising commercial rents on prime real estate, labor shortages in affluent markets, and the eternal struggle to balance tourist appeal with local loyalty. The roasting equipment represents significant capital investment that demands consistent quality. The Wallaces have created something unique: a coffee roastery masquerading as a neighborhood cafe, or perhaps vice versa. After 35 years, they've earned the right to confuse categories. What matters is this: on Guilford's historic green, amid 450 historic houses and centuries of New England propriety, Cilantro offers something genuinely distinctive. The coffee may vary, but the experience remains singular.

Love this adorable coffee shop! Not only is it in a beautiful location, the coffee and food is absolutely delicious. Their chicken curry salad is amazing and great on sandwiches! I also love the unique selection of beverages and chips on hand. The staff is always so friendly and accommodating. Definitely recommend a visit if you’re in the area!

Best Iced Coffee in the area - real attention to detail in the roast of their beans. Super robust and rich flavor with chocolaty undertones! Big shoutout to Rachel for always making me feel right at home when I walk in for my morning iced !!

Went to this place on a whim and had such a great experience. I highly recommend the chai latte. They also have whole bean fresh roasted coffee for purchase. Plus a few indoor and outdoor seating options.

Great little coffee shop and bakery! The coffee is always fresh and the food/treats are amazing! Great place to stop while you're strolling on the green. The staff is also wonderful! Very friendly and welcoming. 10/10 !

I had an amazing experience at Cilantro when I went in to get an iced coffee and a bacon egg and cheese. The sandwich was freshly made and delicious. The coffee had a dark rich taste that you don’t get from your everyday chain restaurant coffee. It’s in a great location in Guilford center so I enjoyed my beverage and sandwich on the green. The staff was so receptive and kind, the ordering process was straightforward and simple and the service was quick. I couldn’t recommend a better coffee shop for the people in New Haven county