Category: Places

Ultimate Coffee Klatch in Chatham

by Jeff Shaw

There are no shortage of coffee shops in most Cape Cod towns. This fact is particularly true in Chatham, the home of what might as well be called the Ultimate Coffee Clatch. Why? An elite roster of heavy weight roasters are found in every corner of town. Let’s take a look.

Classic cars on Sunday mornings at Chatham Cookware Cafe. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Chatham Cookware & Cafe, Chatham (downtown)

Perhaps best known as the classic car hangout on Sunday mornings, the coffee brewed is Beanstock, locally roasted in Eastham. Pair the coffee with sandwiches to go, and enjoy quite an efficient way to start your day.

Express lane at Chatham Perk. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Chatham Perk, Chathamport

The home of the most affordable cup in town, a large coffee registers for under $3 (at the Chathamport location). The coffee brewed is Cape Cod Coffee – and they also operate Cape Cod Coffee on Main, a long time/former coffee shop featuring a welcoming front yard patio, near the White Marlie store. In the summer months, the Chathamport location offers a grab and go outside on the patio (drip coffee and pastries only).

“Gooey and Groovy.” Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Hey Joe and Jam, West Chatham

The long-time home of a long-closed jam shop, this premium roaster offers a “Central Perk” type coffee house vibe – ” a gooey, groovy, community cafe,” – with pricey coffees (drip is $5+ for the smallest size). Their food creations are paired with locally made jam, their jam, with names like Strawberry Field, Blueberry Thrill and Stairway to Bacon.

Seating in a swimming pool! Photo credit Jeff Shaw.

Three Fins Roasters, Chatham

This coffeehouse and cacao factory is located in a former swim club. The brewed coffee is Three Fins Roasters, with a seemingly endless menu of beans to buy and seemingly growing wholesale program.

The Chatham location seating area is actually in the former swim club’s old pool. The uniqueness comes from an equal commitment to a chocolate-making side hustle – “chocolate’s that’s good for you. ” They also operate a coffeehouse and roasters in West Dennis.

Pain D’Avignon, Chatham

The former Emmabelle’s Cafe, former Chatham Village Bakery & Cafe is now a breakfast, lunch, dinner and wine bar. They roast their beans daily at their facility on Cape Cod. But prepare to dish some dollars. A cup of drip coffee starts at $4+; a breakfast sandwich on a buttery croissant is $17. They also operate locations in Hyannis and Osterville.

Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters, Chatham (downtown)

Located [in a closet] diagonally behind the Chatham Squire, the Expresso Bar operation is quick service in a quiet garden off the main drag. The hideaway location is perfect to sit and sip. They also operate a Coffee House in Brewster and Roastery in Sandwich.

February 8, 2026

Strong Start for Snowshoeing on Cape Cod

The bridge to Ridgevale Beach, Chatham. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

by Jeff Shaw

The first day of the New Year was a morning of firsts – welcomed by a perfect blanket of freshly fallen, sparkling snow. Now that may not seem all that special, it is winter after all, but waking up to a snow covered landscape – on January 1st – on Cape Cod – was a personal first. But the snow covered scenery didn’t stop there; a trailing winter gale blasted another 2-3 inches late-morning.

Most people do not enjoy shoveling snow. But on Cape Cod, receiving enough fluff to necessitate shoveling is quite the novelty experience. Trade your five and dime plastic sand shovels for a metal bladed Snow Blaster 2000. It’s an odd feeling. I can also report that boogie boards work just as well as sleds or tubes for a little chilly downhill slide.

Looking West towards Cockle Cove Beach. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Once the storm subsided, the call to the ocean was too loud to ignore. An unplowed parking lot greeted me. The beach was empty; raw; cold and otherworldly from its peak summer, jovial appearance. The wind was still swirling, biting any and all exposed skin. The landscape desolate.

The snow was considerably lighter than most coastal storms. There was no crunch underfoot, even sand was revealed on my boot tread. I trudged to the shoreline against the wind.

Is it the Arctic Circle or a Nantucket Sound-facing beach on Cape Cod. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

But just as quickly as the winds were gusting, the light was changing. Gray skies slowly gave way for purples and blues. A bird flew overhead. The wind quieted. The storm was moving on.

The gift left behind was the uncommon ability to break trail in an actual winter wonderland, snowshoes optional.

The snow covered dunes with Bucks Creek Bridge in the distance. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

January 8, 2026

Town Cove Tap House at Snow’s Cape Cod, Orleans

Welcome to the greenhouse?!? Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

by Jeff Shaw

As the holiday season is upon us, is there no better afternoon than a stroll through a charming downtown, gift shopping in an expansive general store, watching a buzzing model train display and grabbing a pint? Or maybe walk, run, pedal or skate along the Cape Cod Rail Trail and make a stop for hard seltzer? Or a game of corn hole?

Well, you can do all that and more, at Snow’s Cape Cod, and located in their greenhouse, Town Cove Tap House.

Snow’s Cape Cod, since 1877, hardly needs any praise or promotion. But new use of their greenhouse is worth covering. Last year, the father-and-son-duo James and Harrison Snow, celebrated their love of craft beer by opening a tap house in the store.

Welcoming bar overlooking the beer garden. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

This “amazing addition to the destination spots on the Lower Cape for craft beer…”, as written by the Cape Cod Chronicle, features 20 beers on tap from local artisans to brewers all over the country, offering a rotating menu and tap-takeovers, providing exposure for budding craft beer entrepreneurs.

Town Cove Tap House offers their space for private events as well as community gathering, most recently for a speaking series and movie nights.

Just outside is the beer garden, featuring fire pits, Adirondack chairs and yard games. While a layer of frost will likely be found this time or year, check back in the warmer months.

Yard games in the beer garden. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

I stumbled into the place [figure of speech!] while looking for a new fishing net for the kids. They were drawn to the model train display; I was drawn to the hops (just walking through as we were on the beach time clock). While observing the operation, a couple at the bar were chatting with the bartender on how they too, were shocked to find this gem hidden in plain sight. I chuckled at the similarity.

I ended up purchasing the fishing net, but will have to return to “have a cup of cheer.”

Let it Snow(‘s)!

November 21, 2025

Green Means Go at PB Boulangerie Bistro in Wellfleet

by Jeff Shaw

The sweet and savory smell of freshly baked pastries meets you in the parking lot. The line of hungry, tired and uncaffinated to get into the place is often daunting. The red light/green light signal has the effect of making you feel like some teenager with a joy stick behind a two way mirror is messing with you. And as the late Tom Petty sang, the waiting is the hardest part.

Yet it is all worth it at PB Boulangerie Bistro: “A Taste of France on Cape Cod.”

A recent visit put us in the parking lot at around 10:00am on a late summer Saturday. We were ordering our delights about thirty minutes later. It started as it usually does, with the French Revolution. Not the one from the history books; the one with Boursin cheese, crispy bacon and scallions on a baguette.

The sandwich was joined by two warm croissants, an apple tarte and a blueberry crumble (we were sharing). Oh, and an enormous chocolate peanut butter cookie (stashed for later). Oh, and the kids each ordered a jumbo hotdog on a baguette that was so ridiculously perfect for the younger demographic.

In the high season, you can skip the bakery line and opt for the Express Line. The Express Line menu is limited to beverages, coffee, croissants, baguettes and pain au chocolats. Though, what more do you really need to get going, right?

Just across the street is the parking lot of the former east end of the Cape Cod Rail Trail. A (still) new(ish) extension picks up a short walk from the Bistro. However, beware of the abrupt end of the trail.

Of course, farther down Lecount Hollow Road is Ocean View Drive, the most treasured of all Cape Cod roads, stretches itself along the high dunes while passing access points to White Crest, Cahoon Hollow (Beachcomber) and Newcomb Hollow Beaches.

Is there a better intersection of food, beverage and the outdoors? Either way, Bon Appetit!

October 5, 2025

Big Rock Series: [Granddaddy] Doane Rock in Eastham

by Jeff Shaw

The granddaddy of all Cape Cod boulders – Doane Rock in Eastham.

At 18 feet tall, and 12 feet wide it is the largest exposed boulder on Cape Cod.

The boulder is named after Deacon John Doane, one of Eastham’s original settlers. It has also been called Enochs or Enos rock for the deacon’s son, as well as Great Rock. The rock was left by the glaciers (Laurentide Ice Sheet; 18,000–12,000 years ago) between what is now the Salt Pond Visitors Center and Coast Guard Beach.

The Rock is easy to access, as a dedicated (2-hour limit) parking lot is mere steps from its location. The beach is walking distance, as is the surrounding hiking trails that pass points of interest, such as the Doane Homestead.

Unlike the 1996 movie that shares its name, enjoy your time on The Rock!

September 10, 2025