With spring in full bloom and long-awaited warmer temps luring everyone outside to their favorite scenic spots on the Cape, now’s the time to plan a standout day with family and friends and get your picnic basket ready for the season! Whether you’re headed to the beach or hitting the trails, these local deli shops make it easy-peasy to go on a picnic—just as it should be!
Order up! Box Lunch in Wellfleet—home of the Rollwich, offers over 60 different varieties of delicious sandwiches from land and sea made with real pita bread to keep you fueled for an unforgettable day exploring Cape Cod National Seashore. Plenty of vegetarian options and a mini Kidwich menu make this a roll-in-one for everyone! Love to start the day off with a spectacular sunrise? Box lunch rolls up breakfast to-go too so you can pick up a heated rollwich to enjoy as you consider the possibilities of a brand-new day!
Picnic-perfect spots (Wellfleet): Great Island Trail and Mayo Beach
Visit Sandwich eatery Café Chew for a relaxed, farmhouse vibe and tasty breakfast and lunch picnic provisions that will delight with homemade baked goods and inventive sandwiches made for sharing. High-quality, all-natural ingredients and daily blackboard specials feature exciting flavors from near and far like the Vietnamese Banh Mi and popular Summer Salad, and their lobster roll ranks among one of the Cape's best. Stage a beach picnic and relax against the backdrop of the ocean or simply watch the local scene unfold at one of these easy-access sites.
Picnic-perfect spots: The Boardwalk at Town Neck Beach in Sandwich and the Cape Cod Canal
Grab your daily brew and see what the buzz is all about at the bustling Mashpee-favorite Cape Cod Coffee Café, showcasing local coffee roasters you can find across the Cape and a breakfast and lunch menu known for its southwest flare. Order ahead of peak times and have fun choosing eye-catching items like The Race Point Omelet, Wicked Good French Toast, and Coronado Cobb Salad, then lay a picnic at the nearby destinations listed below. Purchase a bag of freshly roasted coffee when you pick up your food and plan a return to tour the roasting facility around the corner!
Picnic-worthy spots (Mashpee): Johns Pond, South Cape Beach, Mashpee Community Park
Make a pilgrimage to the local Jersey Mike’s Subs in Hyannis for an authentic East Coast-style sub that was born at the Jersey shore and still follows the same recipe for success 65 years later. Freshly baked bread, quality ingredients, and a secret dressing known as “the juice” will make your mouth zing with every bite. Sticking to a special diet? Jersey Mike’s offers gluten-free sub rolls, a kid’s menu, and a keto-friendly menu featuring the “sub in a tub”! Turn your next picnic into a party with subs by the bag, subs by the box, or personal boxed lunches—perfect for a warm weather company outing or family gathering.
Picnic-worthy spots: Veterans Memorial Park, Sandy Neck Beach, Sea Street Beach (Keyes) - all in Barnstable
Step into the not your average Corner Store at two locations in Chatham and Orleans, where you can custom craft a killer burrito, build your own salad, and find plenty of meal planning inspo to go! Fresh, fast, and fun is the motto at this scratch-cooking kitchen known for their breakfast and veggie burritos and wide selection of fillings like sweet sloppy joe. Save room in your picnic basket for the housemade baked goods that will bring out the kid in you with a changing assortment of decadent whoopie pies, giant Rice Krispie treats, and a cookie jar full of real ingredients. Psst…the Heath Bar uses sea salt from Wellfleet.
Picnic-worthy spots (Chatham): Oyster Pond Beach, Chase Park, Forest Beach
Picnic-worthy spots (Orleans): Paw Wah Point Conservation Area, Crystal Lake, Skaket Beach
