Excellent Blog By Kristin Amico
Massachusetts regularly ranks as one of the highest coffee consuming states in the country, and Cape Cod offers a bevy of specialty coffee shops and cafes to satisfy that insatiable need. Here are some of our best bets as you set out in search of a great cup of java.
It may look like a barn on the outside, but inside, Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters in Brewster offers a warm, cozy retreat. The cafe roasts small batches in-house, filling the shop with a fragrant aroma. In addition to all the usual coffee shop beverages, specialty drinks include pour-over coffee, cold-brews, flavorful teas, Peppermint Mocha and even house-made kombucha. Snacks and freshly baked pastries from local bakeries will satisfy hunger, while cozy seating and free wifi make it the perfect place for a few hours of remote working.
Cape Cod Coffee has been delivering hand picked java to local coffee drinkers since 1970 — long before it was common in cafes across the country. You’ll find more than 40 varieties of beans at the Main Street roasting facility and retail shop, including single origin, organic, flavored and multiple variety blends. Grab a cup of freshly brewed coffee while picking up a bag of beans, along with a hand-cut apple cider donut from the Cape Cod Donuts mobile van parked on-site. Tours of the roasting facility are available on Tuesday and Thursdays at 11 AM; call to confirm your your interest in a tour at least one day in advance. Make a note: Cape Cod Coffee also has locations now in Mashpee Commons and at Barnstable Municipal Airport!
For those looking for coffee, a sweet snack, or a hearty breakfast, the Hole in One Bakery and Coffee Shop in Orleans delivers. For a full meal, grap a seat at the counter or one of the booths and choose from breakfast and lunch favorites ranging from corned beef hash & eggs, potato pancakes and breakfast sandwiches to salads, paninis and burgers. A square meal is one option, but the cafe is most known for their well proportioned, hand cut doughnuts, made fresh each day. Regulars stop in daily for flavors like old-fashioned sour cream, honey dipped, and rich chocolate glazed.
Café Chew in Sandwich perfectly embraces laid-back Cape Cod coffee shop culture with a range of specialty coffee, espesso drinks and tea. The cafe uses locally sourced ingredients for their homemade breakfast and lunch dishes, and the bakery items are made in-house. The outside patio is a favorite gathering spot in summer, when patrons dine or leisurely sip espressos and iced coffees under the sun.
Those looking for classic espresso, mocha or frozen coffee drinks with a side of handmade chocolates or rich cake should visit Hot Chocolate Sparrow in Orleans. The shop, which began as a chocolate confectionery in North Eastham, expanded to their Orleans location with a full-service cafe specializing in coffee from around the globe, dozens of desserts, and Richardson’s Family Farm ice cream served year-round. For a unique treat, try out one of the house-made marshmallows as a snack, or in a giant mug of hot chocolate.
Looking for a classic cup of coffee? Marylou’s Coffee in Hyannis offers a local alternative to the large coffee chains, and will have you in and out in minutes with the caffeinated beverage of your choice. The full menu includes hot and cold traditional coffee, teas, flavored coffee and espresso drinks, as well as thick, frozen drinks. Gourmet coffee flavors range from banana nut cream and blueberry cinnamon crumble to hawaiian chocolate nut and milky way.