By Chloe Cramutola
A bubbling pot replaced the sound of an alarm clock. White cups placed gently on our dining table. Lots of cream. Heaps of sugar.
Living in Egg Harbor Township as a child, I didn’t visit many coffee bars –– but my grandmother, Mimi, could brew a mean cup o’ joe. My parents didn’t want seven-year-old me drinking caffeine at such a young age, but the half Italian in me begged to try it.
Once, with a relenting smile, Mimi poured the dark liquid in an espresso cup she had bought me. A little mug with “Princess” etched on pink and purple ceramic.
At first sip, I fell in love.
South Jersey certainly houses its own tastes of grandmother’s morning joe and mom’s carefully poured classics –– the flavors that become more than a mere pick-me-up.
Now a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur, I am on the hunt for the best espresso, latte and cold brew a café has to offer. Something that tastes like an 8 a.m. alarm clock, a piece of my grandmother –– a sliver of home.
Here is a list of local gems I’ve come across in my travels.
Cafe Bru, Northfield
Sitting on 333 Tilton Road, this coffee shop is eco-friendly, its goods are freshly made and it uses natural ingredients and family recipes, according to its website.
Scouring the menu on the small blackboard, I decided to try the Hot Havana Cappuccino. It was delicious, and the condensed milk paired nicely with the bitterness of the espresso. I even sat down to get some work done, and the ambience was lovely: Vine decor lined the walls, and soft yellow lights glowed from above.
Barista’s Coffee House, Linwood
Open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day except Tuesdays, the shop is usually bustling with small groups of friends or families sharing specialty coffee flights, desserts or savory breakfast platters. While you have to make a reservation to order a coffee flight, it is entirely worth it.
“We’re really big on customer service,” said Roya Sedighi, supervisor and sister of Leila Karlsen, the shop’s owner. “Sometimes it’s difficult when it gets busy, but we try our best to make everyone’s experience memorable, and we want people to be happy when they leave.”
PJ’s Coffee, Linwood
Located on 1201 New Road, PJ’s Coffee brings a taste of New Orleans to South Jersey.
Known for its famous iced coffees, the shop brews coffee daily using a special cold-drip process that protects the drink’s flavor and richness. This process was pioneered by the franchise’s founder, Phyllis Jordan, over 40 years ago, according to the shop’s website.
“If you think about it, coffee houses and ale houses were meeting places for communities for years and years, right? That’s where the community met, that’s where business meetings took place,” said Wayne Heaton, franchisee of PJ’s Coffee. “And so that’s what we’ve created here in Linwood. A really nice environment, a real welcoming environment, a place where friends can gather and where business associates can gather.”
Ventnor Coffee, Ventnor City
Open seven days a week with live music, open mics and signature summer sips such as Coco Bananas Latte, The Busy Bee and Disco Lemonade, this coffee shop invites all customers to a cozy spot that feels like home.
“When we opened up a coffee shop in a garage, people thought we were nuts,” said Ventnor Coffee owner Christine Pagano. “And I thought I was nuts the first couple years, but now it’s caught on and thankfully we have lines out the door.”
With the help of her daughters and granddaughters, this family run business has been a Ventnor staple since 2013.
“We try to stay involved with the community as much as we can because we’re from that,” she said. “We want to support our local people because they support us.”
No. 7311, Ventnor City
Open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, this shop offers coffee, tea and small batch baking. Decadent and unique cookie flavors include Olive Oil Wine, Lavender Shortbread and Salted Chocolate Rye. Biscotti, scones and pies are also available to order.
In 2015, restaurant owner Cookie Till and baker Kim Richmond opened this shop for the public to enjoy. Everything is baked on site, and No. 7311 offers paleo, gluten-free and vegan options, according to its website.
OC Coffee Company, Ocean City
With locations on 9th and Boardwalk, 10th and Boardwalk, and 917 Asbury Ave., this coffee company searches for the finest blends and roasts from around the world.
Ocean City Coffee Company’s mission is to “provide the best quality gourmet coffee and teas along with the best service to our customers at the lowest prices possible,” according to its website.
Positively 4th Street, Ocean City
Located at on 400 Atlantic Ave. and open seven days a week, Positively 4th Street serves breakfast all day, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. It also invites customers to order online, with options such as a Peanut Butter Banana Cacao Panini and the Bees Knees, a toasted croissant with butter, honey, salt and bee pollen.
Drink options include the classic cappuccino, cortado and au lait, a drip coffee topped with steam milk. Specialty lattes include Vanilla Bean with real vanilla bean paste and Chocolate Heavenly Nut with hazelnut mocha, according to its website.
Jon & Patty’s Coffee Bar & Bistro, Ocean City
This shop hosts an impressive display of over 30 different flavors: Banana Cream Pie, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, S’mores and Lazy Hazy Days, just to name a few.
On my first visit, I enjoyed a Pecan Pie latte and praised the huge, cozy mugs and vast array of flavors. It’s the perfect spot to grab a friend and order drinks, eat and enjoy each other’s company.
That is the essence of a good coffee shop, after all.
