The Dancing Turtle Coffee Shop (Facebook / @Dncing_Turtle)
58079 NC Highway 12 (map it!)
Hatteras, NC 27943
(252) 986-4004
Open Mon-Sat, 6:30a-5p; Sun 6:30-12p
Accepts cash & credit/debit
Vegetarian/vegan/gluten free? Y/N/N
Kid-friendly? Y
Visited: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at 12:30p
The Dancing Turtle has long been one of our regular stops on our travels up and down Hatteras Island. The coffee shop is located in Hatteras Village itself, near the very southern tip of the island. Its location is perfect for anyone coming or going through that area, as they’re located right on the main drag of Highway 12. Even though the island effectively ends just south of the Dancing Turtle’s location, the ferry to Ocracoke Island departs from just a couple blocks away (if you can use city blocks as a measurement on these islands). So the coffee shop is situated nicely for anyone who wants to grab some coffee for sipping on the ferry, or to re-energize when you’re just arriving. Or if you’ve got some writing or reading to do, they’ve got the seating and wifi like any coffee shop.
The decoration offers you a solid “taste of the beach” with wooden floors, deep pastel colors, and bright artwork on the walls. Dancing Turtle’s neighborhood includes fishing marinas, seafood restaurants, touristy shops, small hotels, beach houses, and even the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, so the coffee shop fits the area well.
It embodies the laid-back vibe of the locals, as exhibited by a pair of lazy pooches lounging on the floor.
Dancing Turtle has you covered with your coffee and espresso drinks, loose leaf teas, smoothies, Italian sodas, plus snacks like cookies, muffins, oatmeal, bagels, and biscotti.
Their coffee and tea is also available for purchase by the pound.
We’ve rarely had more than simple coffee drinks from Dancing Turtle, but we’ve always been satisfied. I need to find more excuses to do some writing down at the shop, or to drive by more often. But if you’re passing through, headed north or south, make sure you stop in.
