Lamu is a Muslim island and alcohol is sold in very few places. The main exception is Peponi's in Shela, whose terrace bar is the social hub of the foreign community and serves cold beer, gin and tonics, and reasonable wine to non-guests as well as guests. The Pool Bar at Lamu House Hotel in town also serves alcohol discreetly.
For tea and coffee, the seafront has half a dozen options. Whispers Coffee Shop is the long-standing favourite — Italian espresso, fresh juice, and a shady inner courtyard a couple of streets back from the harbour. Hapa Hapa on the waterfront does excellent spiced Swahili coffee. The Lamu Palace Hotel terrace is a good spot for a sundowner soft drink.