Coffee & Desserts
La Petite France Cafe, 349 Main St., Hyannis, in the center of town (tel. 508/775-1067; www.lapetitefrancecafe.com), serves scrumptious croissants, breads, and pastries, all baked on-site. For lunch there are homemade soups, quiches, and crepes, as well as sandwiches and salads. Open Monday to Friday 7am to 3pm, Saturday 8am to 3pm. Closed January to mid-March.
Vermont's favorite sons, Ben & Jerry, have one of their playful ice-cream parlors at 352 Main St., Hyannis (tel. 508/790-0910). Open daily from 10:30am to midnight.
A modest luncheonette may make an unlikely shrine, but since 1934 several generations of summer-goers -- including enthusiastic Kennedys -- have fed their ice cream cravings at Four Seas Ice Cream, 360 S. Main St., at Main Street, in the center of Centerville (tel. 508/775-1394; www.fourseasicecream.com). This place served up exotic flavors long before they became the norm. The parlor's specialties include rum-butter toffee, cantaloupe, and -- at the height of the season -- Cape Cod beach plum. Closed early September to late May.
Takeout & Picnic Fare
Another branch of the popular Box Lunch (tel. 508/790-5855; www.boxlunch.com), serving pita "rollwiches," is right on Main Street (no. 357) in Hyannis. These are the best -- and fastest -- sandwiches in town. Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm, Sunday 9am to 4pm.
Lamberts Rainbow Fruit (tel. 508/790-5954), at 1000 W. Main St., Centerville, has the best produce selection, bar none, in the area. Also, this is the place to pick up such picnic fixings as breads and spreads.
Earthly Delights (tel. 508/420-2206), at 15 W. Bay Rd., Osterville, specializes in natural foods to go. There are different specials prepared every day, but expect to find delicious pizzas and quiches featuring organic ingredients. Fancy's (tel. 508/428-6954), at 699 Main St., Osterville, is a family-owned market specializing in meats, produce, and breads. The deli here is a great place to pick up a picnic lunch. Treat yourself to a panini. Nirvana Coffee Company (tel. 508/744-6983), at 3206 Main St., Barnstable Village, is a hip coffee bar centrally located across from the courthouse. Some say this is the best coffee on Cape Cod.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
