Avon's morning coffee and bakery stop before a day on the beach
Isla Coffee is a small cafe and bakery on NC-12 in Avon, one of the villages that make up Hatteras Island within Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It's a straightforward stop for coffee, espresso drinks, and baked goods before a day on the water or the beach — open early and closed by early afternoon, which fits the rhythm of a beach town more than a late-night coffeehouse scene.
Avon sits roughly midway down Hatteras Island, between Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo to the north and Buxton to the south — a convenient coffee stop before heading toward the lighthouse or out to one of the numbered beach ramps for the morning. Keep in mind NC-12 is the only road through here, and it can close during storms — check conditions if traveling during hurricane season.
157 reviews
3 months ago
This place was my favorite coffee shop on my vacation. They have a loyalty card, a free drink after 10 drinks bought. The guy who works here is super nice and the inside lounge area is also very cute and cozy. My personal favorites were the blueberry pancake latte and the campfire latte !! Definitely recommend if you’re in the area.
3 months ago
I tried about 4 different spots across Buxton and Avon but can confidently say Isla Coffee has the best, most authentic espresso drinks!! You know you’re not getting a cappuccino if it comes in a 12oz size, which is what we found most other places. Isla clarifies that you’ll be getting a *real* cappuccino right on their menu. I’ve never seen a line here, which is nice for me, but I hope that changes because I’d love to come back next year!
3 months ago
Loved it. My wife has an espresso machine at home and works hard to make good lattes with balanced roasts, delicious syrups, and professional techniques. It's a real blessing but inadvertently made us coffee snobs. It's really nice to find a little shop with good beans that aren't burnt, pulled in shots that's aren't too thin, syrups that don't taste artificial, milk steamed into light microfoam, and art that shows a barista who works hard at his craft. My only critique is that it's hard to find; the landlord should invest in signs. Oh and I almost forgot to mention that the music was tasteful and fun, our kids enjoyed the muffins, and the decor ministered to me without fluff or gimmicks.
2 months ago
Super nice staff! Always consistently great drinks too. I get the matcha and iced lattes frequently and my whole family loves them. Highly recommend! Oat milk / vegan options.
2 months ago
This place is a 10/10. I ordered an iced honey lavender latte and it was amazing. My husband ordered an Italian soda and he loved it. We will definitely be back! The shop is cute and they have a great mission.