Are you visiting South Jersey, or looking for a mouth-watering reason to visit? From one cafe lover to another, I have compiled four of my absolute favorite cafes in the area. Two are located in Camden County, where I grew up, and the other two are located in Ocean County, specifically on Long Beach Island. The four cafes listed offer distinctly different vibes, but all share the love and satisfaction towards coffee and a quick bite!
1. Cafe lift
A lovely shop located on a quaint downtown street in Haddonfield, NJ. Given its recent expansion, it’s clear that this is a beloved spot in the area. Sit down for a delicious breakfast or sit at the bar top for a quick latte. In the summer months, sit outside and people-watch the busy downtown street. Their spectacular menu does not hide the fame behind even their simple, yet delicious, latte. My go-to order is their lemon ricotta pancakes and a latte.
2. Driftaway cafe
This cafe has been within a ten minute drive of my house for years, and I only discovered it this past year. It’s a real hidden gem just outside of Gibbsboro, NJ. Apart from their delicious and unique coffee flavors, they also offer outstanding breakfast sandwiches. As always, my favorite order includes a butter croissant and any of their specialty coffees. A bonus is that Driftaway Cafe is within the same building as the delectable Napoleon’s Cremepuffery.
3. The Local Market & Kitchen
This one is a favorite among those that visit or live on the island, and most definitely my favorite on this list. The Local, for short, is such an eclectic spot in Long Beach Island. Whether you’re interested in their delectable baked goods, such as the homemade poptart or their crafty coffee orders, I’m sure you’ll find something to love! Their market and kitchen offer a variety of prepared meals that are locally sourced. There is also an airstream on the property that offers speedy service with a beautiful patio that provides shade, tables, and consistent musical entertainment! There are frequent pop-up shops that set up aside the airstream to promote small businesses on the island. Most importantly, The Local is animal friendly and welcomes furry friends to sit outside during the beautiful, warm weather. If you are blessed with the opportunity to try out The Local, I highly recommend their butter croissant and their Mexican Churro Latte. Make sure to get the toppings on this latte as it comes with a bite-size churro and tons of whipped cream!
4. How You Brewin Coffee Company
Another amazing spot in Long Beach Island includes the popular How You Brewin Coffee Company, which has two locations on the island: one in Surf City and one in Barnegat Light. It is more of a coffeehouse than a cafe, though it still has delicious offerings such as breakfast toasts, bowls, wraps, and more. My favorite drink to order here includes their Coffee Cake Latte, although I’m looking forward to trying their Coffee Frappe the next time I go!
suggestions?
There are plenty of cafes in South Jersey that I’m excited to trying. Out of the few I have been to, these are my top four! If you have any recommendations, please reach out as I’m always open to trying a new spot!