Stars Cafe

Gorgeous cafe run by the most delightful couple. Beautiful coffee, fresh baked goods, my favourite breakfast menu ever, divine jams and preserves and a fabulous, cosy community atmosphere. This is a must-stop for anyone visiting Shelter Island, and a daily visit for locals!

Lets start with the positives. The Cuban sandwich is good + you will wait for it.
The girl who works at the counter has a lovely personality. + The music is really good most of the time.

+ Now the rest of the story.
You would do better to have a salad at McDonald's. At the very least you would save $17. Their salad dressings seem flat + the guy who took my order had no idea what the options for that were... + The fried flounder on the fish tacos is lesser quality than what one would buy at a supermarket when getting fish sticks. Add to that, an interior that's nearly swarming with flies + air conditioning that rivals the 89° temperature you would endure sitting outdoors under their umbrella tables. The lemonade is mediocre,,there seems to be zero knowledge of how to brew an iced tea + no variations of iced drinks can be managed outside of what can just be poured from bottles.

For what it will cost you, it makes better sense to walk down to the ferry landing + jump over to Anker in Greenport or plan all your meals when on Shelter Island at Maria's Kitchen instead. If there is absolutely NOTHING else available, then stars cafe. But its worth it to go elsewhere...

This is a hidden gem. Fantastic homey atmosphere with large selection and THE BEST coffee I've ever had! We had a great table in the front window. Staff is very friendly as were all of the customers and dogs lol

So nice to have a reliably solid place like this on the island. Lots of menu options and often very busy due to the limited options on Shelter but the staff is always friendly and working hard.

Sweet neighbourhood place. Delicious Mexican breakfast choices. I had the chilaquiles, very good, and a really tasty and generous sized iced coffee. Bought some fabulous muffins to take home afterwards, all six flavours well baked, sweet treats. Only knocking a star off for plastic cutlery, glasses etc. as I appreciate places that think about sustainability.

I've been coming here on and off since 2021 and I've gotta say it's legitimately the worst experience I've had at a cafe...

They will literally stare at you to tip, even though they're doing nothing out of the ordinary besides prepping your meal.

Plus, it's a family owned business why not just increase the prices vs. strong arming people into tipping???

If you don't tip they act all passive aggressive towards you as if you committed an atrocity or a crime against humanity. You'll be perfectly polite to them and they'll shoot you dirty looks... Just because you didn't tip...

Don't believe me?

Just scroll down and look at all of the passive aggressive comments from them for any review that's less than 5 stars.

Horrible way to treat customers! This establishment should be ashamed of themselves and how they treat POCs (people of color).

Stopped here for a quick breakfast, but had to wait 30 minutes for just one breakfast burrito. I asked the staff twice about it and neither the cashier or woman who appeared to be a manager apologized or explained the long wait. The burrito ended up being pretty good once we got it, but the ice coffee was very bitter.

Great menu, but we could hardly find the turkey on the thanksgiving sandwich! Or the goat cheese on the healthy wrap. I asked to add chicken and got 3 small strips added. Too expensive for what you get!

Fabulous sweet treats, coffee, as well as salads and sandwiches. Toasted corn muffins and coffee are a match made in heaven.

I don’t get all of these bad reviews. It’s a small business with lots of orders to make. It has never EVER disappointed. Try the buffalo chicken, it is goated