SIMPLE PLEASURES: Ocracoke Coffee Co. on North Carolina’s Outer Banks

OCRACOKE, N.C. — Welcome to the brand-new Hollywood Soapbox travel column that highlights the little nooks and crannies that populate this wonderfully diverse world. Most of these travel finds will be culinary in nature, and they are definitely must-experiences for the intrepid traveler.

Our inaugural spot is a little coffee company tucked away on an island on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The Ocracoke Coffee Co., located on Ocracoke, is a caffeine addict’s best friend. The drinks are delicious and sprightly, and the staff members are dedicated and polite.

Of the many drink selections, there are numerous highlights. The Nuts and Jolts offering, which features a double shot of espresso, peanut butter, banana, chocolate syrup and ice, will give patrons enough energy for a long beach day. The Jah Makin’ Me Crazy smoothie, featuring coconut shavings on top, is probably a healthier choice, and it hits the spot on a hot Ocracoke day.

For the average coffee drinker, there is a bevy of hot and cold choices. Whipped cream on the top is available for most!

Don’t stop at the java and fresh fruit smoothies; consider one of the many pastries offered by the eatery. There’s the homemade blueberry muffins, a beautifully rendered concoction that has blueberries melting in the mouth, and Asiago bagels (more like a roll) with a variety of flavored cream cheeses. The sticky buns are carted in from the back kitchen, and the cookies are large and scrumptious looking. Other cakes, scones and bagels round out the daily offerings.

Perhaps the best attribute of the Ocracoke Coffee Co. is its unpretentious atmosphere and laid-back vibes. Locals and day-trippers are seemingly treated the same, entering through the welcoming doors and taking a spot on the fast-moving line. After the baristas do their magic, there are plenty of seating options indoors in the air conditioning or outdoors on the patio and front lawn. The Coffee Co. is a meeting place for everyone enjoying a day on the island; often people sit around and talk for what seems like hours. Local events are posted on the bulletin boards; travelers can leave their mark on a National Geographic map, letting the staff know the many nationalities that visit this tucked-away gem.

Prices are fair for an island reliant on tourists (although the mugs and T-shirts are pricey). Most specialty smoothies and coffee drinks are $4-$5. Other less extravagant drink options are cheaper. Pastries run the gamut, with most in the $3-$4 range. For bargain hunters, consider buying a day-old pastry at $1.25 or head over to the sister business attached to the Coffee Co.: Ocracoke’s thrift store.

In the parking lot, golf carts snuggle up against cars and bicycles — another telltale sign that all are welcome at the Ocracoke Coffee Co.

Location: 226 Back Road, Ocracoke, N.C.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Click here for more information. Hollywood Soapbox, your source for all things cultural, visits these “nooks and crannies” usually multiple times and pays for its own food.