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    Riptide Cafe

    4.4 (53 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Riptide Cafe Photos

    RIPTIDE CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Good for kids
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Hayley H.

    If I could be anywhere right now, I'd choose to be sitting at Riptide's coffee counter overlooking the Pacific Ocean on San Juan Island. Riptide was one of my favorite stops during my recent trip to Friday Harbor. This cafe shares a storefront with the local souvenir shop and it's just steps away from the ferry dock. Because of its dockside location, it has captivating views of the harbor and ocean. I now find myself day dreaming about working from this coffee shop on a daily basis. Riptide had a selection of holiday cookie lattes that instantly caught my eye. I ordered the Jam Thumbprint, a strawberry and almond latte, since it sounded both unique and delicious. I also grabbed a veggie and egg breakfast bagel sandwich. This fresh Asiago bagel was filled with micro greens, egg, avocado, and a juicy tomato. I couldn't have asked for a better mix. This island feels like magic and I think it's largely due to their local business community. Get out there and support!

    Posey on Gluten-Free Bun
    Greta Z.

    Run off the ferry directly to this spot with a gorgeous harbor view from the tables outside. Let your pup have a sip of water from the bowls outside and then order the Posey for the most perfect breakfast or lunch sandwich. I had mine in a gluten-free bun, and it was literally the most delicious gf sandwich I've ever had!

    Katherine Y.

    They had a special summer Shrek-themed menu, which was fun and cute. The coffee wasn't really to my taste, but my friends thought it was fine. The cheese danish, though, was phenomenal. It's a cute spot overall, with a little shop area and outdoor seating.

    Coffee with a view
    Justin M.

    This is the best tasting coffee I found in Friday Harbor. Good smoothies and pastries as well and really can't beat the view. Highly recommend.

    Lattes
    Matt B.

    Breakfast sandwiches were incredible and after watching their barista make a drink we decided to go with it and get some lattes as well (I'm a coffee snob admittedly). They use Stumptown coffee and made a great drink. Loved sitting outside by the docks.

    Outdoor table on the water. Perfect atmosphere, perfect latte, perfect quick breakfast
    Genna G.

    Friday harbor's only coffee shop on the water is a must visit. It is located inside an adventure outfitters store. Order at the counter and snag a table outside and soak in the most beautiful waterfront atmosphere ever. My latte was perfection and they accommodated all my high maintenance requests ( almond milk, sugar free vanilla). Great breakfast menu too and had gluten free bread for my avocado toast which was a huge plus . Husband loved his peanut butter toast as well. Super reasonably priced ( less than Starbucks). A plus experience and a must for a quick coffee and/ or breakfast when on Friday Harbor

    Desserts on display - mine is the missing one
    Steve A.

    A charming little home shop on a charming little island. I'm glad I picked Friday Harbor to eat, because this is probably the best food you'll get out here. There's a nice selection of different bagels, and what I thought was a nice selection of desserts, until my choice took one out of the display! I guess, especially in early April, it's a small crowd on the island so they're more going for locals and Washington weekenders than what summer tourism may bring. Anyway, the prices were really not bad for being so remote, the sandwich was piled up big and tastes nice and fresh, the dessert was also really tasty and clearly fresh made. (I asked, and while they don't bake things themselves, they get them fresh from the mainland and prepare to order, so things aren't frozen or mass-produced. It's all high quality stuff.) Friendly place, rather small especially if there's a crowd, so plan on grabbing food (and coffee, I suppose most people get coffee there) and walking, but there are a few seats there. The cafe is also a little library (books and other trinkets for sale and/or display - I didn't look too hard at them but I was just looking all over the room at the variety). Kinda felt like places I've seen in Vermont. I love little town establishments, and when they deliver on quality as well as a wonderful community vibe, that's 5 stars all the way. Walk on in!

    Cardamom honey latte
    Angela F.

    Super cute cafe by the water. There are some indoor and outdoor seating available. There is a small gift shop joint with the cafe. I tried the honey cardamom latte and it was delicious! The staff was very friendly as well.

    Makiah H.

    Cute coffee shop steps from the ferry terminal. Lots of hot and cold drink along with some seasonal specials. They also offer an assortments of pastries, oatmeal and build your own breakfast sandwich. Perfect if you're just looking for a place to grab coffee or stop by while you wait for the ferry. Look forward to visiting again!

    Iced Coconut/White Chocolate Mocha

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    7 months ago

    Healthy food options and gluten free bagels! Many tasty smoothly options. Friendly and helpful service.

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    5 years ago

    Great chai latte this morning, perfect balance of sweet and spice. Quick, friendly service!

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    Ask the Community - Riptide Cafe

    Yo! Friday Harbor - Yo Friday Harbor! I love their coffee ice creams! Yum Yum

    Yo! Friday Harbor

    (41 reviews)

    $

    Have I ever told you how much I love Lavendar flavored ice cream? And Yo! Friday Harbor's double…read morescoop of this fragrant deliciousness didn't disappoint. While waiting for the departing ferry at Friday Harbor, we left our car parked in the ferry queue and hoofed it a few blocks to this cute little ice cream shop. The staff were super friendly - summer vacation kids working tourist season - but they were kind, engaged, and knowledgeable about flavor selection. And, oh my goodness... the flavors to choose from! This shop serves Lopez Island Creamery ice cream, and if you can, always opt for the seasonal flavors. They had Blackberry Lavender, Lavender, Mountain Huckleberry, Strawberry Fudge Brownie and more. I opted for 2 scoops of Lavender and was not disappointed! Cold, creamy, oh-so fragrant, but without an overpowering medicinal lavendar taste. It was perfect, and so refreshing in the hot summer sun. Make sure you take an opportunity to get some Lopez Island Creamery products while visiting the San Juan Islands. I saw their products available in grocery stores and several restaurants, but do support Yo! Friday Harbor if you can. It's conveniently located next to the ferry and you just can't beat that!

    Lopez island ice cream served daily! With an hour to wait for the ferry it was only natural on a…read moresunny day to crave the creamy goodness of ice cream. I hopped out of my car and right over to Yo! The huckleberry/blackberry ice cream here is a must! Even though you can now buy Lopez Island ice cream in pints in most Seattle grocery stores, somehow it tastes better fresh scooped by somebody else! Prices were reasonable and the service was A+!

    Rocky Bay Cafe - The crispy chicken wrap (add avocado) was absolutely loaded with chicken and bacon! Delicious!

    Rocky Bay Cafe

    (508 reviews)

    $$

    Staff are friendly and attentive, this is a cute local café for breakfast…read more On the first day I had a two egg breakfast. I chose the one called "Healthy Start" because when I travel I'd like to have some veggies or fruit on a daily basis to keep a good bowel movement iykyk. Honestly, I was kind of disappointed with the fruit I got. The strawberries were sour, the cantaloupe looked like a 38 year single dad had just pulled an all nighter and then headed for an 8 hour shift, and the pineapple was ok. The over easy eggs were good. They were actually eggy in a good way. You know how sometimes you have an egg and it literally doesn't taste like anything? That was not the case here. The bacon was the best, it was thick-cut yet crispy. And the sourdough was sourdoughing. My partner had the huevos on our first day, he said it was okay. On the second day, I had oatmeal. I don't know why, but when I read the menu, the oatmeal sounded so much exciting. But when I actually got it, it looked kind of boring, just like the one I make at home. It was good and did the work though. My partner had the "today's special," velvet cake toast. He said it was too chocolatey and the portion wasn't that big for the price. I had one bite, and honestly, I was fine with the chocolatey taste. So if you're a chocolate fan, you might want to try it, otherwise skip it. I guess if I had ordered my usual two egg breakfast, it would probably have been great.

    Strong robust coffee, good stick to your ribs breakfast and good playlist on 70-90's music. Love…read morethey offer a big breakfast menu with dishes like chili relleno omelette and chilaquiles. Our veggie omelette, potatoes and English muffin were hearty and yummy. Will be sure to come every am on our next visit to SJI. Great locals diner vibe! The server was great!

    Bakery San Juan - Key lime pie

    Bakery San Juan

    (206 reviews)

    $

    My wife and I stopped into Bakery San Juan for a couple sweets before investigating lighthouses…read more Bakery is open Mon-Fri from 8am-5pm and closed on Saturday and Sunday. Free parking can be found in the parking lot. Discover is an accepted form of payment. Orders are placed and paid for at the counter. A small outdoor seating area is available as well as indoor seating. Beer and wine can be purchased. Craft coffee drinks can be ordered and enjoyed with ones' pastry order. Bread loaves/rounds can be purchased whole or can be sliced. Some breads are also available in sandwich form (roll/baguette/Rosetta). Menu offers pizza; unfortunately, we were too early for pizza. All pizzas are available as take-and-bakes. Pizza slices are not available until 11am. Sandwiches and salads can also be ordered. My wife and I shared a Cinnamon Roll for $4.75; served warm upon request. We also shared a Cheese Claw for $4; served warm upon request. We ordered a Ham & Cheese Croissant for $5.50 to eat later at our lodging. The minimal interaction with the staff was friendly. Our sweet treats were tasty and reasonably priced. Thank you, Bakery San Juan for fueling our day of fun.

    I was happy with everything I ordered here -- key lime pie, sour cream raspberry muffin, oatmeal…read moremolasses cookie, and mushroom quiche. The key lime pie had a perfect crust and meringue, and just enough filling. I loved the crumbly top of the muffin and whole berries. The cookie was also stuffed with ingredients in every bite and the quiche was well done! It's too bad this place is only on SJI. They would make a killing in Seattle

    Riptide Cafe - cafes - Updated May 2026

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