Our Shelter Island Weekend Getaway

Best Breakfast Spots on Shelter Island

Best Beaches on Shelter Island

Best Things to Do on Shelter Island

Conveniently located just up the hill from the North Ferry, STARS Café is one of the first places you will come across after arriving in Shelter Island Heights. It is an easy breakfast stop whether you are staying nearby, walking over from the ferry or beginning a day of exploring the Island.

STARS offers a large selection of familiar breakfast favorites, including eggs, pancakes, waffles, breakfast wraps and sandwiches. You will also find pastries, muffins, croissants, smoothies, regular coffee and specialty coffee drinks. The café’s official website notes that its breakfast and lunch menu includes popular items such as the Hangover Burrito and Devil’s Burrito. 

One of Shelter Island’s newer hidden gems is the second STARS Café location at White Oak Farm & Gardens.

Unlike the original café in the Heights, this location has more of a quiet garden setting. It is tucked into White Oak at the corner of North Ferry Road and Manwaring Road, across from the Shelter Island IGA and near the entrance to Sylvester Manor.

The café serves hot and iced coffees, chai, espresso drinks, smoothies and seasonal specialty beverages. You will also find freshly baked pastries, breads and other treats associated with the original STARS location. Hot breakfast sandwiches and wraps are kept in a grab-and-go case, making this a convenient choice when you do not have time for a longer sit-down breakfast.

After ordering, take a few minutes to browse the small country store or find a quiet place to sit outside. The garden setting gives this location a different feel from the busier café in Shelter Island Heights. It is an especially nice option when you want to enjoy your coffee somewhere peaceful before starting the day.

This location is easy to miss if you do not know it is there, which is part of its charm.

Best for: Grab-and-go breakfast, coffee in a peaceful garden setting and avoiding the busier Heights location

Address: White Oak Farm & Gardens, 74 North Ferry Road, Shelter Island, NY 11964
Website: Visit the STARS Café website
White Oak: Visit White Oak Farm & Gardens

The second STARS location opened at White Oak during the summer of 2025 and serves breakfast, lunch, coffee, pastries and grab-and-go selections. At one of our breakfast visits we ordered a Chai Tea, Cortado, a blueberry scone and a hot breakfast sandwich.

For a quick breakfast that you can enjoy there or take along on your morning adventures, stop at The Eccentric Bagel.

The shop makes its artisan bagels from scratch and offers an assortment of traditional and specialty flavors. You can order a simple toasted bagel with cream cheese or choose from breakfast sandwiches, wraps and other creative menu items.

The one morning we went, we ordered two large coffees plus I got the 'Crescent Beach' (turkey, egg whites, Munster cheese and avocado) and Pete got 'The Eccentric' (3 eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, American cheese, hash browns). Needless to say, you'll need a fork and knife to chip away at this monster breakfast sandwich! We ordered to go and ate our breakfast back at the Shelter Island house outside under their outdoor pavilion. (They also have picnic tables outside where you can sit and eat on site.)

The shop also makes its own Eccentric Bagel Chips, which are worth picking up for a snack later in the day.

We like the idea of driving over to Crescent Beach, sometimes referred to as Sunset Beach or Louis’ Beach, and finding a picnic table near the water. You can enjoy your bagel and coffee while listening to the small waves and looking across toward Southold and Greenport. Crescent Beach sits along the northern side of Shelter Island and is known for its wide shoreline and beautiful views.

The Eccentric Bagel is centrally located, so it also works well when your plans take you toward Mashomack Preserve, Wade’s Beach or the southern side of the Island.

Best for: Fresh bagels, breakfast sandwiches and an easy breakfast to take to the beach

Address: 25 West Neck Road, Shelter Island, NY 11964
Website: Visit The Eccentric Bagel website

The shop opened in 2022 and has become Shelter Island’s dedicated artisan bagel destination. Its hours may vary by season, so check the website or social media before heading over.

Kyle’s Eatery & Emporium is a charming weekend breakfast and brunch spot located on North Ferry Road, just past the Shelter Island School.

Kyle’s is only open for breakfast and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, so add this one to your plans when visiting Shelter Island for the weekend. The restaurant has been serving breakfast and lunch on the Island for decades and is especially well known for its brunch and freshly made doughnuts.

I ordered the frittata, which came with fresh potatoes, toast and a wedge of watermelon. It was a complete and satisfying breakfast without feeling overly heavy.

Regular coffee is self-serve, which makes it easy to refill your cup while enjoying your meal. Specialty coffees and iced coffee are also available and are prepared for you when ordered. Be sure to look at the pastry and doughnut selections before sitting down, this is not the place to skip checking the bakery case.

There is seating inside as well as on the covered front porch. On a comfortable summer morning, the porch is a particularly pleasant place to eat. Parking is available behind the building, which is helpful because the restaurant’s location along North Ferry Road can be easy to pass.

Best for: A leisurely weekend brunch, fresh doughnuts and sitting outside on the porch

Address: 27 North Ferry Road, Shelter Island, NY 11964
Website: Visit Kyle’s Eatery & Emporium

Kyle’s currently lists Saturday and Sunday hours from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., although checking before your visit is always recommended.

Opties & Dinghies was one of the most unexpected and delicious breakfast stops of our trip.

Located on North Ferry Road, the restaurant is casual, colorful and easy to visit. There is plenty of parking, and you can stop in for a quick coffee and pastry or stay for a more leisurely breakfast.

The menu brings together several different influences, with freshly prepared crêpes, croissants, coffee and other breakfast selections. The crêpes make this spot feel different from the more traditional cafés and bagel shops around the Island. It is a great option when you are in the mood for something sweet, savory or simply a little less expected.

Opties & Dinghies originally began as a popular Shelter Island food business and reopened at its current North Ferry Road location in 2024. The location had previously been home to Bob’s Fish Market and, later, Shelter Island Seafood.



The relaxed atmosphere makes it suitable for families, couples or anyone coming in directly from the beach. Its menu extends beyond breakfast, so it is also worth remembering for lunch, dinner or takeout later in your stay.

Best for: Fresh crêpes, croissants and a casual breakfast with something different

Address: 87 North Ferry Road, Shelter Island, NY 11965
Website: Visit Opties & Dinghies

The restaurant’s website offers online ordering, and prepared-food orders can also be placed by phone.

The best option depends on the kind of morning you have planned:

• Choose STARS Café in the Heights for a full menu and a convenient location near the North Ferry.
• Visit STARS at White Oak for coffee, a quick breakfast and a quieter garden atmosphere.
• Stop at The Eccentric Bagel when you want something portable to take to the beach.
• Plan a weekend brunch at Kyle’s when you have time to sit down and enjoy the porch.
• Try Opties & Dinghies for fresh crêpes and a breakfast that is a little different from the usual eggs and bagels.

We enjoyed having several choices throughout our extended weekend. Trying a different breakfast spot each morning also gave us another opportunity to explore the Island and support the small businesses that help make Shelter Island such a special place to visit.



Even though we have been coming to Shelter Island almost every summer since 2013, there always seems to be another café, bakery or locally owned restaurant to discover.