A no-frills Buxton bakery and cafe running a tight weekday-morning window on NC-12
Roots & Leaves Food Truck holds down a stretch of NC-12 in Buxton — the Hatteras Island village best known as home to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse — with a straightforward morning routine: coffee, baked goods, and cafe fare from 7 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. It's the kind of stop built around getting people fed and caffeinated before the day's fishing, surfing, or sightseeing gets underway, not a late-night destination.
The name points to its roots as a food truck, and the tight, early hours still reflect that build: order, get it, move on with your day. It's closed Saturday and Sunday, so a weekend morning coffee run here isn't an option — worth building into your plans if you're staying nearby. A lot of dining on this stretch of Hatteras Island runs on a similarly compressed, season-driven schedule, so calling ahead or checking the website before a special trip is a good habit, especially outside peak summer months.
100 reviews
a month ago
Always the best. Get there early for the best donuts in OBX. Small batch. Made fresh every day. We absolutely love the dirty chai tea latte. Everyone we see there seems to love the iced drinks. Donuts sell out the first 2-3 hours. No joke; get there early. Natalie and Luke are super kind and put their best into everything they offer. Thanks for everything mate.
3 months ago
The best donuts, smooth and delicious coffee, and lovely owners! I look forward to the donuts every year. Places like this make me so happy and proud to be vegan! We usually have to stop by a couple times when we visit because my non-vegan family loves them too. Definitely add this to your trip, if you’re looking for a good breakfast, the best coffee, and incredible kind people! Already counting down the days until I get to go back!
3 months ago
My fiancée and I were spending the week in the Outer Banks and had a friend back home recommend this food truck to us. We’re really glad they did. The coffee was great, the donuts were incredible, and the owners were so kind and welcoming. We ended up chatting with them for a while and had such a nice experience all around. The donuts were super soft, fresh, and packed with flavor. If you’re in the area, I definitely recommend stopping by. Even if you’re staying closer to Nags Head and happen to be vegan like us, it’s absolutely worth the drive, which is beautiful on its own. Looking forward to coming back next time we’re in the OBX!
4 months ago
We love Roots & Leaves! We have been coming to the Outer Banks for years and ALWAYS make a point to get some doughnuts from these folks. We have planned entire trips around it, they're that good. Natalie and Luke (the owners) are very friendly and sweet, they've even offered us lists of other vegan-friendly spots in the OBX. My wife and I recently got married in Corolla, and knew we had to have Roots & Leaves instead of cake. Natalie and Luke made it happen and we were so happy to share one of our favorite spots with all of our family. They made placing a large order easy and the doughnuts were a hit with the whole crowd. Can't wait to stop by the truck later this summer!
5 months ago
If you're a coffee enthusiast or a vegan dessert lover, **Roots & Leaves** is an absolute must-visit! Their coffee is nothing short of amazing, perfectly brewed to bring out rich flavors that will awaken your senses. But the real stars of the show are the vegan donuts. These donuts are large, decadent, and simply perfect in every way. The chocolate-covered donut? It's genuinely “out of this world”—a delightful indulgence that you won't forget. What truly sets Roots & Leaves apart is the warmth and friendliness of the owners. Their passion for quality food shines through in every bite. Don't forget to grab a pound of their coffee to go; it’s definitely worth it! Overall, I can't recommend this place highly enough. Whether you’re stopping by for coffee or treating yourself to a donut (or two), you’re in for a fantastic experience! 🍩☕️