Summertime in New England means a visit to Cape Cod! Fortunately for me as a Massachusetts resident, it gives me the privilege of multiple visits per season! The Cape is geographically known for it’s two regions: The Upper and Lower Cape. The Upper Cape includes towns such as Falmouth, Hyannis, and Dennis, and any other towns before reaching the ‘elbow’ region of the Cape at Chatham. This is where I paid a couple of visits for my recent day trips! I have been vacationing in this gorgeous region since childhood. While there are no vegan or vegetarian restaurants on the Cape, there ARE veggie-friendly dining establishments. Much to my delight, Cape Cod is becoming more and more vegan-friendly these days!

Two summers ago, I made an incredible discovery while visiting Falmouth! I noticed a cupcakery in town called ‘CupCapes”(CupCapes ). By curiosity, I walked into the shop and inquired if they offered vegan cupcakes. Happily, they said “Yes’! I paid them another visit recently. They still offer two vegan flavors per day. This time I opted for the newer vegan chocolate blueberry cupcake. It was perfectly moist and delicious!

I also noticed a popular ice cream shop down the street called “Ben&Bill’s Chocolate Emporium(Ben and Bill’s Chocolate Emporium). I decided to go inside and check it out by sheer curiosity. Sure enough, my eyes nearly popped out of my head when I saw a sign in the display case stating ‘soy gelato”! The staff gave me the ingredient list and sure enough it IS vegan! This appears to be the Cape’s “best kept secret”! Two years later, I walked in there again and tried their newer flavor ‘wildberry’. It was fantastic! They also offer a couple of other flavors such as raspberry.

Hooray! We have vegan ice cream and vegan cupcakes on Cape Cod!

When I had arrived in Hyannis, it was dinner time. As I glanced upon the window panes of several restaurants in town, it appeared that Seaside Pub(Seaside Pub) offers a veggie burger. The waitress checked and confirmed it was vegan. The bun was not, so they easily substituted a roll-up pita bread. It came with a large side salad. I was content to find a filling vegan-friendly meal of decent quality!

Another Main Street option is Pavillion Indian (Pavillion Indian ). I ate there last year and really loved the curry dishes. Other options which I did not have a chance to try are: Michael’s Creative Baking and Common Ground. Michael’s Creative Baking (Michael’s Creative Baking) is a bakery which offers a cold ‘Veggie Crunch” sandwich. The staff told me that they are seeking to add more vegan-friendly options, such as a cake. Common Ground(Common Ground) offers cold veggie rollups and smoothies with soymilk.

For those visiting the Sandwich, MA area, the Daniel Webster Inn(Daniel Webster Inn Dining) offers ‘Green Palate Menu’ with healthy salad options. A vegetable burrito is included on their menu consisting of fresh veggies and organic brown rice in a sprouted grain tortilla. The other option is a veggie burger made of grains. However vegans must specifically ask for the Ezekiel bread.

Cape Cod is known for its shores and beaches! One of the most popular beaches in the upper Cape is Craigsville Beach, located in Barnstable on Nantucket Sound. This lengthy, public beach offers concession stands, restrooms, and showers. I love this beach! The soft and glistening white sands with the spacious ocean backdrop are a great way to unwind and enjoy the Cape! I did likewise during my stay.

Cape Cod is home to a vegetarian/vegan-friendly bed and breakfast inn called “Shady Hollow Inn “(Shady Hollow Inn). Anyone staying in the upper Cape region should consider these accommodations located in South Dennis.

During my second daytripping adventure to the upper Cape yesterday, I started the morning with a stop at Earthly Delights(Earthly Delights) in Osterville.

What a delightful treasure this restaurant is! They offer many vegan breakfast and lunch items. I ordered the breakfast sandwich with vegan sausage and daiya pepperjack vegan cheese on an English muffin. It tasted incredibly good!

My beverage selection was a peach smoothie. It was amazing and so refreshing!

I chose to order an additional item for my takeaway lunch. My selection was the Tempeh Rueben sandwich with sauerkraut, tempeh strips, Russian dressing, and vegan cheese. It was scrumptious! In fact, many of the flavorful sauce combos are a creation of the owner.

The owner is very gracious and helpful. He mentioned that he even prepares vegan ‘specials’ for weekdays such as field roast entrees with wonderful, homemade sauces. They grow their own herbs in the garden right outside their restaurant.

The shop sells nutritious snacks such as kale chips. I purchased vegan gum from their shelves.

Vegan oatmeal cookies were also displayed for purchase. Other items on their menu include veggie scramble, blackened tofu with Cajun, vegan mayo, and veggie burgers. I highly recommend ‘Early Delights restaurant’ for any vegan tourist on Cape Cod! Everyone has got to try their vegan entrees, breakfast items, desserts, and smoothies!

My next stop took place in the town of South Yarmouth. Idgy’s Restaurant(Idgy’s Restaurant) offers several vegan options for meals and desserts, so it definitely was on my agenda! I ordered their infamous vegan cupcakes. The key lime pie flavor was absolutely perfection! It was sweet and moist and warm from the oven! The staff kindly offered two of the cupcakes to me at no cost.

Although I had eaten breakfast, I decided to order their vegan breakfast burrito to take home and sample. I tried a portion of it while in the cafe. It was filling and tasty. The flax rollup filled with veggie, onion, zucchini, mushrooms, green peppers, and tomatoes was wonderful.

They also offer vegan rice and veggie stir fries. This is another great vegan-friendly option on the upper Cape! They are even thinking of adding more vegan-friendly options.

Onward I went to the town of Dennis, for a visit to Buckie’s Underground Bakery(Underground Bakery). This cafe has quite a few amazing, vegan options on its menu! On the counter, a sign displays which lists the vegan meal options. They offer everything from vegan tofu scramble for breakfast to vegan burgers and sandwiches for lunch.

I spoke with one of the owners who described their vegan offerings. She told me that their vegan sauces, breads, and seitan are homemade! I was quite impressed! She mentioned that special orders for vegan cupcakes or French donuts can be made a day or two in advance. On the counter, one can find a basket with vegan baked goodies of the day including cookies and chocolate peanut butter bars.

My sweets purchases included the blueberry scone with a maple glaze topping and a raspberry filled muffin. Wow! They were absolutely divine! Words can not describe just how delicious they were! What yummy and satisfying treats! I took several bites of each, then saved the remainder for my next day’s breakfast. The owner also graciously offered me a homemade vegan chocolate oatmeal cookie. The chewy goodness of this treat satisfied my dessert cravings!

Finally, I purchased a vegan ‘cheesesteak’ sandwich of their homemade seitan strips, their own steak sauce, mushrooms, peppers, onions, and Daiya vegan cheese. I tried a portion while it was still warm, before wrapping it up to take home for the next day’s lunch. First of all, the sauce was amazing! The seitan was so delicious! The entire sandwich was gratifying and delish! For some seriously superb baked goods and sandwiches, vegan tourists must give this spot a place in their lower Cape itinerary!

The bakery is close to The Cape Playhouse. For evening entertainment, this is a great option!

Please note that Corinne’s Place in Dennisport is no longer in business. They were known to offer vegan veggie dogs and vegan chili. I drove to the location, only to find the building unoccupied. However, a little further up the road(rt. 28) is the Dennisport Natural Market(640 Main Street). Vegan visitors to this area can purchase food items at the market, whether they are on a camping trip or seek a vegan meal.

My final stop of the day was Hyannis. The town of Hyannis is quite distinguished and well-known for its longtime residents: the Kennedys. Visitors enjoy strolling its “Main Street”, browsing for exquisite gifts, dining at some fine establishments, and shopping for some trendy clothing. I perused the local art galleries, gazed at the souvenir items at a gift shop, and tried on some stylish dresses at a clothing boutique.

Before my evening meal, it was time to hit the beach! The weather was spectacular! Veteran’s Beach is the best destination for its proximity to downtown Hyannis. The small, public beach is free and includes a life guard, changing rooms, and showers. On its outskirts lies a park with picnic tables. I took a plunge into the cool ocean waters then spent a while reclining on my beach towel for some rays and seaside sounds of seagulls and ocean waves.

Evening had arrived and I was famished! The Eclectic Cafe(Eclectic Cafe) had a couple of vegetarian items on their menu which could be veganized. This upscale dining establishment offers outside dining in a terrace surrounded by beautiful flowers and shrubbery.

I selected the veggie tower of zucchini, squash, peppers, and portabello mushrooms in a tomato coulis sauce. It was quite good and elegantly flavored. Their other offering is a veggie plate consisting of a quinoa stuffed tomato with broccoli rabe and romanesco sauce.

After my dinner meal, it was time to head back home. With my vegan travel snacks in tow, I was prepared for my lengthy commute.

During my drive, I witnessed a gorgeous sunset and breathtaking pinkish and crimson hues in the fluffy cloud-filled skies.

My upper Cape Cod daytripping was a successful adventure! Vegan tourists need not worry! The region has much to offer in scenic vistas, beautiful beaches, and vegan dining!

UPDATE- In Spring 2013 a new vegetarian/vegan restaurant opened in Hyannis. It is “Green Lotus Café” (Green Lotus Café)
I had their Maui sandwich(coconut ‘bacon’ with avocado, tomato, lettuce in pineaple relish) with watermelon gazpacho soup, Green Lotus smoothie, and lavender cookie.