Blogger: Orna Lynch
Nirvana: a state of “perfect quietude, freedom, & highest happiness”. As any coffee lover will know, the perfect cup has the ability to bring you to this state of bliss, most commonly associated with Buddhism & Hinduism.
Nirvana Coffee Company, in Barnstable Village on Cape Cod, is the perfect indie coffee shop. It is loved equally by locals coming to write, study, or meet with friends, as well as visitors looking for a pick-me-up on a drive out the Cape down scenic Route 6A.
The location is charming – situated on Main Street in the beautiful Barnstable Village. The interior has a cozy feel year round, with a variety of leather armchairs, small tables, and a bar looking out the bay window onto the street. There are colorful paintings & photographs by local artists on the walls that change frequently, and really add to the homegrown feel of the place.
The atmosphere inside is always relaxed, yet bustling; with friends meeting for a catch up, lawyers from the courthouse popping in for lunch, and students studying away at the armchairs. The baristas are always friendly & it’s rarely too crowded to find a comfy place to sit.
They offer a wide variety of drinks to suit anyone’s taste buds, from coffees (hot & iced year round – catering to the hardy New England crowd) to specialty drinks such as Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Lavender Honey Chai (a personal favorite in the summer!). They have an extensive range of flavored syrups to add to your coffee- salted caramel & peanut butter are a couple that I’ve tried and absolutely loved. They also have a number of sandwiches, wraps, and pastries made right in the shop (including some gluten free options for anyone who is sensitive to wheat but still wants a sweet treat with their drink).
On one particularly chilly day in early March, we ventured in for a Saturday morning coffee run. I went with an iced coffee (even though it was -5 degrees out) with salted caramel syrup, and a plain croissant & honey. My dad ordered a flat white and a lemon scone. We grabbed a table and enjoyed our breakfast and the quiet bustle of people coming in & out.
For the coffee lover visiting the Cape, any time of year, a visit to Nirvana is a must! They have been voted best coffee and best iced coffee for the past 8 years by Cape Cod Life magazine, and a silver medal in the Sandwich category. It’s clear by their loyal patrons and their many awards that people are certainly finding Nirvana here.
