The best cafes in Nantucket

4 cafes we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Cafes · 4 places · showing the latest additions first

Handlebar Café

Cafes

Handlebar Café is the relaxed neighborhood standby for good coffee and simple nibbles, with cozy armchairs inside and a low-key back patio…

15 Washington St

“Handlebar Café is the relaxed neighborhood standby for good coffee and simple nibbles, with cozy armchairs inside and a low-key back patio for catching up or hiding out with a book. Perfect for quick caffeine runs or lingering like you meant to check email ten minutes ago.”

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Island Coffee Nantucket

Cafes

Island Coffee Nantucket keeps things simple and strong with beans roasted right on island and muffins baked in house. Grab a dark, smooth…

4 Broad St

“Island Coffee Nantucket keeps things simple and strong with beans roasted right on island and muffins baked in house. Grab a dark, smooth cold brew or a dialed-in latte, pair it with a fresh blueberry or pistachio muffin, and get on with your day, happily caffeinated.”

From the Nantucket newsletter, September 11, 2026

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Cymbals Café

Cafes

Cymbals Café is the walk-up window tucked inside Faraway’s courtyard pouring Tandem coffee alongside fresh donuts and made-to-order…

29 Centre St Faraway, 29 Centre St

“Cymbals Café is the walk-up window tucked inside Faraway’s courtyard pouring Tandem coffee alongside fresh donuts and made-to-order sandwiches, perfect when you want something legit before work or the beach without the scene. Quick, unfussy, and actually good.”

From the Nantucket newsletter, September 17, 2026

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Yummy

Cafes

When a sandwich craving hits, Yummy keeps it easy with handcrafted stacks, vegetarian and vegan options, juicy burgers, breakfast…

63 Surfside Rd

“When a sandwich craving hits, Yummy keeps it easy with handcrafted stacks, vegetarian and vegan options, juicy burgers, breakfast sandwiches, and house-baked pastries, plus smoothies, organic coffee, ice cream and frappes. Save this for your next post-beach cool down... daily specials have a habit of vanishing.”

From the Nantucket newsletter, September 6, 2026

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