To reach the Islander by vélo is already a small joy. From Portsmouth or Rye, the road undulates with pleasing variety—turns, rises, glimpses of the sea—while the village itself offers the tableau of New England: weathered fishermen’s cottages pressed up against the nouveaux riches of modern taste.
On arrival, the cyclist finds a mixed welcome. No rack for a fine machine, only a wooden fence or, across the street, the indignity of laying one’s vélo on the ground. The entry is crowded, the interior tight as a peloton on a climb. Yet service is swift, brusque, efficient—exactly as it should be. A water urn at the rear refills the bidon without ceremony, and the bathroom, spacious and spotless.
The café itself is correct: an Americano pulled with competence, if not poetry. But the pâtisserie—ah!—here lies the true décadence. Lil’s signature cruller, eggy and ethereal, vanishes faster than a tailwind. The lemon quick bread sparkles, the blueberry muffin (toasted on the skillet, s’il vous plaît) sings of simple pleasures. And the egg sandwich? Superior even to Lil’s itself, a surprise worthy of applause. Only the chocolate chip cookie betrays the cause, limp and uninspired.
The Islander is less crowded than its Kittery cousin, more local in its rhythm, and quietly rewarding to the cyclist who makes the stop. It is not a true cycling hub, but with free water, quick service, and a clean restroom, it provides exactly what a rider needs before the next stretch of road.
Café: 3.5 / 5 Pâtisserie: 4.5 / 5 À Vélo: 3 / 5
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Annette Collins
I love this place. Amazing food. Fantastic lattes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lucy Booker
Had a delicious Iced Honey Oat milk Latte from The Islander Cafe! That is my go to and this one did not disappoint! Paired it with oatmeal to start the morning and it came steaming hot. For me it felt like a simple meal to start my day with. I think the oatmeal would be better with some more mix-ins but had good flavor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Chip R
Amazing. Do NOT miss it. Delicious breakfast sandwiches, salad, coffee, donuts and cookies. Sandwiches and salads are made fresh to order. Not too many tables for dining in but so cute cozy and coastal. Staff was polite and prompt - great customer focused attitude. Will definitely return.
RACHEL HILL
Best coffee on our trip. The Dutch baby is so delicious-the perfect mix of eggy, soft and bits of crispy dough. And the breakfast sandwich on a bagel was amazing. Get there early-the biscuits sell out. Also the cinnamon sugar cruller doughnut was perfection!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Islander Dutch Baby, The Breakfast Sandwich, Classic Cruller
George Kaczowka
Great breakfast. Not large, but a lot of pastry and coffee takeouts while we were there. We all enjoyed ourselves. Atmosphere was dinged a point because the building was being renovated at the time. Definitely recommend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Destiny Korsch
What a perfect cafe! The hospitality is spot on from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave. We were visiting this quaint little town and walked intro this cute cafe, ordered what is now one of the best tuna sandwiches I’ve ever had, on the freshest bread. The pastries…their cruller was lights out good! She offered one on the house just because she wanted us to try it, and she was right. It was so good, we bought another. We came back day 2, because of course we needed sandwiches for the road and more pastries! I also got to try the avocado toast which was just as spectacular. I don’t write reviews much but this place definitely deserved it for their kind presence and excellent food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Classic Cruller
Mike Fox (FOXTPA)
People are so nice. Food is outstanding. The pastries are unreal. So good we went back the next day. @foxtpa
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kitty Evans
BEST DONUT EVERRRR!!! The food (we got breakfast sandwiches and granola&yogurt) was delicious and all homemade — one of the best breakfasts ever. The latte was also awesome they have really good espresso. The service was friendly and quick. 10/10
To reach the Islander by vélo is already a small joy. From Portsmouth or Rye, the road undulates with pleasing variety—turns, rises, glimpses of the sea—while the village itself offers the tableau of New England: weathered fishermen’s cottages pressed up against the nouveaux riches of modern taste.
On arrival, the cyclist finds a mixed welcome. No rack for a fine machine, only a wooden fence or, across the street, the indignity of laying one’s vélo on the ground. The entry is crowded, the interior tight as a peloton on a climb. Yet service is swift, brusque, efficient—exactly as it should be. A water urn at the rear refills the bidon without ceremony, and the bathroom, spacious and spotless.
The café itself is correct: an Americano pulled with competence, if not poetry. But the pâtisserie—ah!—here lies the true décadence. Lil’s signature cruller, eggy and ethereal, vanishes faster than a tailwind. The lemon quick bread sparkles, the blueberry muffin (toasted on the skillet, s’il vous plaît) sings of simple pleasures. And the egg sandwich? Superior even to Lil’s itself, a surprise worthy of applause. Only the chocolate chip cookie betrays the cause, limp and uninspired.
The Islander is less crowded than its Kittery cousin, more local in its rhythm, and quietly rewarding to the cyclist who makes the stop. It is not a true cycling hub, but with free water, quick service, and a clean restroom, it provides exactly what a rider needs before the next stretch of road.
Café: 3.5 / 5
Pâtisserie: 4.5 / 5
À Vélo: 3 / 5
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
I love this place. Amazing food. Fantastic lattes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had a delicious Iced Honey Oat milk Latte from The Islander Cafe! That is my go to and this one did not disappoint! Paired it with oatmeal to start the morning and it came steaming hot. For me it felt like a simple meal to start my day with. I think the oatmeal would be better with some more mix-ins but had good flavor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Amazing. Do NOT miss it. Delicious breakfast sandwiches, salad, coffee, donuts and cookies. Sandwiches and salads are made fresh to order. Not too many tables for dining in but so cute cozy and coastal. Staff was polite and prompt - great customer focused attitude. Will definitely return.
Best coffee on our trip. The Dutch baby is so delicious-the perfect mix of eggy, soft and bits of crispy dough. And the breakfast sandwich on a bagel was amazing. Get there early-the biscuits sell out. Also the cinnamon sugar cruller doughnut was perfection!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Islander Dutch Baby, The Breakfast Sandwich, Classic Cruller
Great breakfast. Not large, but a lot of pastry and coffee takeouts while we were there. We all enjoyed ourselves. Atmosphere was dinged a point because the building was being renovated at the time. Definitely recommend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a perfect cafe! The hospitality is spot on from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave. We were visiting this quaint little town and walked intro this cute cafe, ordered what is now one of the best tuna sandwiches I’ve ever had, on the freshest bread. The pastries…their cruller was lights out good! She offered one on the house just because she wanted us to try it, and she was right. It was so good, we bought another. We came back day 2, because of course we needed sandwiches for the road and more pastries! I also got to try the avocado toast which was just as spectacular. I don’t write reviews much but this place definitely deserved it for their kind presence and excellent food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Classic Cruller
People are so nice. Food is outstanding. The pastries are unreal. So good we went back the next day. @foxtpa
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
BEST DONUT EVERRRR!!! The food (we got breakfast sandwiches and granola&yogurt) was delicious and all homemade — one of the best breakfasts ever. The latte was also awesome they have really good espresso. The service was friendly and quick. 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Simple cafe with great food and friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Stupid ah place bad service don’t go here if you want to have a good time, if I could give it a 0 I would
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Crab roll with coleslaw!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It's all about the cruellers
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gem of a restaurant. Never disappoints
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A great addition to New Castle
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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