by Jeff Shaw
There are no shortages of sweet treats on Cape Cod. In fact, there is arguably TOO much temptation in the sugary delight space on Cape. But if that’s your jam — too much temptation and dessert choice — look no further than the Ice Cream Cafe in Orleans.
The Ice Cream Cafe sits just outside the bustling downtown Center, sandwiched between the Orleans/Eastham rotary – the gateway to the Outer Cape – and the Orleans/Town Cove. The Ice Cream Cafe also happens to be next door neighbors to both the Cottage Street Bakery and Cooke’s Seafood Restaurant, and just across the street from the Lost Dog Pub. Point being, you don’t have to go far to eat all three square meals – and have a drink. This is one of those fun cases where it is faster to walk than to drive to nearby locations [though, pre meals, maybe].
The temptation and choice boils down to the menu. It is extensive, expansive, and incredibly edible [incredible edible egg word play here and in title]. Case in point, how many ice cream parlors offers blizzards, and smoothies, and soda fountains, and frozen drinks, and summer coolers, and sundaes, and soft serve, and non-dairy treats? They even collaborate with a next door neighbor (Cottage Street Bakery) to make a homemade chocolate cookie ice cream sandwich. [I’m not sure I’d be interested in any dessert collaboration with fellow next door neighbor Cooke’s Seafood.]
The vibe is also pretty great. Collaboration with nearby businesses is obvious; less pronounced is some of the humor [Good Humor pun not intended] found on interior signage. Of course, the exterior artwork hanging about is kind of irresistible.
Even Dean’s Beans (source of coffee) rhymes! Just little delights at every turn. The umbrellas and most chairs on the patio happen to be colors of the rainbow, too.
Oh, one last collaboration. The Ice Cream Cafe may be the only ice cream parlor – anywhere – to offer a Dirt Bomb flavor, inspired by the famous “nutmeg muffin dipped in butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar,” created at, you guessed it, the Cottage Street Bakery.
August 26, 2025