An Oak Bluffs Tradition
Situated at 12 Kennebec Avenue in Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard, Vineyard’s Best Ice Cream and Coffee Co. has become a familiar part of the local food scene. This cozy shop offers both breakfast essentials and ice cream treats near the bustling Circuit Avenue, serving as a convenient stop for both morning refreshments and evening desserts.
The Shop’s Origins
Vineyard’s Best opened in Oak Bluffs’ Dockside Market Place, catering to the summer crowd. The shop presents a straightforward approach, serving Richardson’s ice cream (a Massachusetts-based brand) alongside coffee and bagels. Its location near key attractions like Giordano’s Take-Out and the Flying Horses Carousel makes it perfectly positioned for families exploring downtown Oak Bluffs.
With its extended availability throughout the day and into the evening, Vineyard’s Best has maintained a steady presence in the competitive Oak Bluffs food scene for years.
Menu Offerings
Vineyard’s Best balances breakfast options and frozen treats, providing options throughout the day.
Morning Selections
The café’s breakfast menu features bagel egg sandwiches that have become a morning staple for many visitors. Paired with their coffee, these sandwiches offer tourists a quick and familiar breakfast option to start their day on the island.
Ice Cream Selection
For dessert enthusiasts, Vineyard’s Best serves a variety of Richardson’s flavors. Classic options include vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, while more adventurous visitors might opt for flavors like pistachio, maple walnut, or moose tracks. The menu also features specialty selections such as cookie dough, death by chocolate, and peanut butter brownie.
The shop also offers frozen yogurt options in their 95% fat-free line, including coffee heath, purple cow, chocolate chip, and french vanilla. For those seeking dairy-free alternatives, the menu includes sorbet choices too.
The shop offers traditional waffle cones as well as small, regular, and large serving sizes. Customers can personalize their treats with add-ons like jimmies, sprinkles, M&M’s, and Reese’s pieces.
Business Practices
The shop maintains a cash-only policy, so visitors should come prepared. This old-school approach sets it apart in today’s increasingly digital marketplace.
Community Role
Traditional Appeal
Vineyard’s Best maintains a classic feel with its vinyl seating and straightforward menu. For many long-time visitors, it represents a slice of nostalgia and continuity amid an ever-changing vacation destination.
Local Hub
The café serves as a community gathering spot, particularly valued for its extended hours in a town where many establishments close early. Early risers appreciate its morning offerings, while evening visitors enjoy having a place to satisfy late-night ice cream cravings.
The shop’s enduring presence reflects its role in fulfilling a specific niche in Oak Bluffs’ dining landscape, providing familiar comforts to visitors year after year.