Village Harvest Cafe - Hancock

While the cafe could be a bit more accommodating for vegetarians—currently offering only three or four vegetarian options—I believe they could use fewer meat-topped salads, and a couple of vegan dishes would be a great addition. I’m actually surprised they don’t have more vegan recipes given the abundance of produce they grow. Nevertheless, everything they serve is consistently well-prepared. The menu features classic comfort foods, ranging from chicken salad to vegetable soup, and paninis made with wonderfully thick, crusty, chewy bread. They also serve naturally flavored sodas, like Izze, and homemade fruit pies. Plus, they offer SoCo ice cream, which automatically gives them major cool points. I especially enjoy the salad of fresh field greens, cherry tomatoes, roasted beets, and tomato jam (which is more akin to a savory, chunky chutney than true jam), as well as the tomato, mozzarella, and pesto panini. Every time I’ve met an omnivorous friend at the Village Harvest Cafe, they have always chosen the chicken salad panini, suggesting there’s something truly delightful about it. I’ve never had a bad meal here, and my dining companions are always impressed, so I wholeheartedly recommend it. One thing to note: prices are on the higher side, typically ranging from $12 to $14 for a salad or sandwich (the latter comes with a small side salad), but the food is fresh and incredibly local. It surpasses most museum food by a long shot, and considering the cost of running a museum like HSV, paying a few extra dollars for lunch doesn’t seem like too much to ask. Just be sure to dine either early or late, as the cafe can get busy, and service might slow down during peak times.

This was undoubtedly the best lunch I've ever enjoyed at a museum. I ordered the open-faced roast beef sandwich, and it was fantastic. My family members had soup and various other sandwiches, all of which were equally delicious.

My recommendation: As soon as you arrive in the village, head directly to the café for some chowder—it's simply amazing. After that, explore the village, then return for more chowder and an apple turnover before you head out. While you can find a great sandwich elsewhere, the chowder here is definitely worth traveling across the country for!