Four years ago, Kismet Coffee was born out of a small concession stand on a Fire Island ferry dock.
Word spread around the popular vacation spot, and what began as a summer side hustle from founder Jackson Davis quickly gained a loyal following.
Less than two years later, he secured a location on Bay Shore’s Main Street.
Roughly the size of a walk-in closet, the shop emerged as a specialty coffee standout, where regulars could try rotating signature lattes, see familiar faces, and chat it up with knowledgeable baristas.
But therein lay the problem.
“People would want to grab a coffee and stick around, but if more than four people came in, we were full,” Davis said. “Still, it was proof of concept and served as a great incubator. We also made lifelong connections with people who would go on to become our regulars.”
That dedicated following made the next step possible when Kismet Coffee Co. moved last fall into a much larger space at 45 W. Main St.—the former home of ITA Kitchen.
Fully equipped with a liquor license and renovated kitchen, Kismet Coffee is now an all-day operation that shifts from coffee shop, to dinner spot, to late-night hangout.
“The vibe here at night is completely different from the day. People come for dinner, after just grabbing a coffee that morning, and are like, ‘Where am I?’” Davis said with a laugh. “They’re blown away by what’s coming out of our kitchen. And they have a lot of fun because we always try to always have events going on—like trivia, bingo, crafts, and live music.”
“If I didn’t own this place, I’d still be here once a week with my friends.”
After dark shift
At 5 p.m., Kismet’s espresso machine lowers (literally, it’s on an electric lift) beneath the bar, lights are dimmed, and candles are lit.
The familiar sounds of grinding espresso and steaming milk are replaced by shaker tins and the buzz of conversation on both sides of the bar.
Kismet’s cocktail menu, designed by general manager Ashley Flyntz, riffs on some of their most popular café drinks. Kismet regulars will immediately recognize the Whipped Honeycomb Espresso Martini, Ruby Sipper Margarita, and Maple Cold Brew Old Fashioned, to name a few.
On Fridays and Saturdays, Kismet stays open until around 2 a.m., with cocktails flowing after the kitchen closes at 9 p.m. and live music carrying through the space. An outdoor courtyard — now being reworked into a garden-style venue — is expected to host live performances and private events.
Dinner focus
The food program is led by Peter Richardson, a 24-year-old East Islip native whose résumé already includes a national television appearance on Season 1 of NBC’s popular “Yes, Chef!”
Richardson describes the menu as a modern, Mediterranean-leaning, seasonal lineup designed for sharing and with approachable flavors executed at a high level.
Small plates are built for social dining, while larger plates focus on comfort, technique, and refinement. Each dish balances richness with acid, herbs, or texture, so the food feels craveable without being heavy, Richardson explained.
“Chef Peter loves food as much as I love coffee,” Davis said. “That’s why we work so well together—we’re constantly trying to outdo each other, and in the end, it’s our customers who benefit.”
Standout dishes include whipped ricotta toast with truffle honey meant for sharing, the Kismet chicken Caesar salad made with house anchovy dressing and parmesan shards, and a spicy rigatoni.
“Just like our coffee menu, our food program is elevated but approachable. We don’t want anyone to feel outclassed,” Davis said.
As for the black garlic aioli burger, Davis said multiple guests have already called it one of the best they’ve had.
“This food is way better than it has any right to be,” he said with a laugh. “We’re a coffee shop.”
Coffee culture
At its core, Kismet’s evolution reflects Davis’s philosophy about coffee itself.
“Coffee began as a communal beverage,” he said, referencing Ethiopian coffee ceremonies and Middle Eastern coffee houses as gathering places for conversation and ideas.
“Somewhere along the way, it became a drive-through commodity. We’re bringing back that sense of community.”
If you go
Kismet Coffee opens daily at 6 a.m. for coffee, breakfast, and lunch. Dinner service begins at 5 p.m. The bar remains open until last call, particularly on weekends when live music and events keep the energy going late.
- Monday: Open Mic Night
- Tuesday: Bingo
- Wednesday: Trivia Night
- Thursday: Espresso Martini Night
- Friday/Saturday: Live Music
Follow along
Top: Kismet Coffee is now an all-day operation that shifts from coffee shop, to dinner spot, to late-night hangout. (Credit: Jenn Kimmel)
