The greatest range of dining options in this part of the Cape are in Dennis, largely due to the cultural action around the Cape Playhouse, and in Hyannis, just because, well, it’s Hyannis.
The Ice-Cream Scoop
Since 1934 several generations of summer-goers—including enthusiastic Kennedys—have fed their ice cream cravings at Four Seas Ice Cream, 360 S. Main St. in the center of Centerville (tel. 508/775-1394). This place had exotic flavors long before they became the norm: Specialties include rum-butter toffee, cantaloupe, and—at the height of the season—Cape Cod beach plum. Open late May to early September.
Look for the big stuffed bear sitting on a bench to find Kandy Korner, 474 Main St., Hyannis (tel. 508/771-5313), an old-fashioned candy store and ice cream shop that’s been pleasing strollers on Hyannis’s Main Street for decades. The ice cream, chocolates, fudge, and saltwater taffy are all made in-house. Open 10am to 6pm daily.
Another excellent ice cream shop is Katie’s Homemade Ice Cream, a little farther west at 568 Main St. (tel. 508/771-6889) in the big pink house. All the ice cream (hard and soft serve plus frozen yogurt) is made here in small batches. There is a deli and lots of outside seating attached. Open late May to Sept daily 10:30am to 11pm.
In South Yarmouth, the Cape Cod Creamery company (tel. 508/398-8400)—which supplies 40 Cape-inspired ice cream flavors wholesale all over the region—also runs a retail shop on the premises. Monomoy mud pie and Patti Page peppermint are favorites. Open year-round, it’s at 1199 Route 28, South Yarmouth. Hours are noon to 6pm Monday to Thursday, noon to 9:30pm Friday through Sunday.
A little south of route 28 in Dennisport, Sundae School (tel. 508/394-9122) is an old-fashioned ice-cream parlor in a shingled barn with a bright red door. It’s full of fun ice-cream memorabilia, and the homemade flavors are sensational, from the Amaretto Nut all the way down to the Turtle (chocolate and butterscotch ice cream with pecans). It’s at 381 Lower County Rd. (at Sea Street), open daily 11am to 11pm summer; Saturday and Sunday only in spring and fall; it closes down from mid-September to mid-April.
Takeout & Picnic Fare
In Osterville, 6 miles west of Hyannis center, there are two great take-out options. Earthly Delights (tel. 508/420-2206), at 15 W. Bay Rd., specializes in natural foods to go. There are different specials prepared every day, but expect to find delicious pizzas and quiches that use organic ingredients. The family-owned market Fancy’s (tel. 508/428-6954), at 699 Main St., has a deli that’s another great place to pick up a picnic lunch. Treat yourself to a panini. In nearby Centerville, Lambert’s Rainbow Fruit (tel. 508/790-5954), at 1000 W. Main St., has the best produce selection in the area, bar none.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
