These Shore cafes are perfect for working remotely
Tired of your home office? Give yourself a break and work remotely in style at a Shore cafe.
Whether you pull up a stool at a chic European-style market or set up shop on a cozy coffeehouse couch, here are some spots that have everything from free WiFi to productivity-boosting atmospheres.
And they offer refreshing drinks, sandwiches and snacks, too.
Cameo Love Market, Asbury Park
This market and cafe offers European fare, grab-and-go bites, hearty coffee, exotic groceries, fresh bread and more. It also provides a cozy little nook for remote working.
During a past interview, owner Aja Feingold said she wants to provide a community-oriented space where people can come together to read, converse or just enjoy a cup of coffee. When she spent time living in Paris, she said her "favorite thing to do on Sundays, was roam the streets ... and find a cafe to sit in and reflect on my week. I'd bring my journal or book, have a glass of wine and reflect."
That's the same vibe she's created here.
Go: 1213 Main St.; 732-361-5462, cameolovemarket.com.
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D'Amore's Caffe and Toast, Wall
Picture yourself sitting at a cafe in Italy on a warm sunny morning, sipping espresso and eating the freshest avocado toast you've ever tried. The new D'Amore's Caffe and Toast in Wall might not be able to fly you to Europe, but they certainly emulate the feeling.
There is plenty of seating in the well-lit environment — it's nearly impossible to be unproductive here. Try bites like Faith Dear's Italian Toast, topped with house arugula salad, fresh mozzarella and homemade tomato salad drizzled with olive oil, a thick balsamic glaze and fresh basil.
Espresso beans are also ground fresh for each drink, like the Pistachio latte with steamed milk and pistachio syrup, topped with crushed pistachios; and the Nutella latte with espresso, steamed milk, hazelnut syrup and chocolate.
Go: 1861 Route 35 (former Circus Drive-in location); 732-561-0114, damorescaffeandtoast.com.
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Coffee Corral, Red Bank
Indoor seating here is limited, but there are seats outside for those sunny days when you want to pull up a chair with your laptop and cup of coffee.
Coffee Corral is known for their specials, from a relaxing lavender hot cocoa to an invigorating Key Lime Matcha with matcha, lime, oat milk, coconut condensed milk, and graham cracker/coconut sugar dusting.
Go: 177 Drs James Parker Blvd.; 732-741-2326, coffeecorral.net.
Green Planet Coffee Co., Point Pleasant Beach and Manasquan
Both locations have indoor and outdoor seating, where you can relax and remotely work. The Point Pleasant Beach location is known for its row of comfy Adirondack chairs out front.
Enjoy drinks like lattes, matchas, chai teas, nitro brews — and cold selections like iced tea or frozen drinks.
Go: For Point Pleasant Beach: 700 Arnold Ave., 732-677-4722. For Manasquan: 78 Main St.
How You Brewin, Surf City
This cafe is this reporter's favorite place to work at the Shore. It's steps away from the beach and provides plenty of outlets to plug laptops in.
Seating ranges from tables to cozy couches (there's also outdoor seating). While you enjoy the free WiFi and the smell of freshly roasted beans, try drinks like the coffee frappe in flavors like caramel, mocha, java chip and vanilla.
The cafe is also known for its specialty flavored coffees like Jamaican Me Crazy, a blend of caramel, vanilla and Mexican liquor. The Bananas Foster flavor is reminiscent of flambeed bananas, nuts and cinnamon liquor.
Go: 8 Long Beach Blvd.; 609-494-2003, howyoubrewin.com.
The Local Market & Kitchen, Ship Bottom
This cafe is known for over-the-top drinks, like the s'mores latte topped with real charred marshmallows and chocolate syrup, but they also have ample room and amenities for remote workers.
The cafe has covered outdoor seating with free WiFi and power outlets. They also have fans running in the summer (and heaters in the winter). Be sure to grab one of the homemade baked goods when you're here, from giant pop tarts to cake pops.
Go: 604 Central Ave.; 609-342-0061, localmarketlbi.com.
Offshore Coffee Co., Long Branch and Belmar
Offshore Coffee Co. in Long Branch was well known for its cozy vibe and homey atmosphere, but now there's a new location in Belmar to enjoy, too.
There is plenty of indoor seating at both locations, as well as some outdoor seating at the original location. Try specialty drinks like matcha lattes, iced mochas and an iced macadamia nut latte.
Go: For Long Branch: 57 Brighton Ave.; offshorecoffeeco.com. For Belmar: 800 Main St.
Other cafes to work from
1st Cup Coffee in Atlantic Highlands is known for coffee and espresso drinks, teas, smoothies and occasional live acoustic music. Go: 96 First Ave.; 732-291-2000, instagram.com/1stcupcoffee/?hl=en.
Asbury Park Roastery's main location and roastery on Second Avenue has plenty of seating, and a relaxed, professional vibe to help boost productivity. There is another cafe location on Ocean Avenue inside Convention Hall. Go: Main roaster: 803 Second Ave.; 732-807-3155; Convention Hall cafe: 1300 Ocean Ave.; aproastery.com.
Booskerdoo has countless locations with ample seating. The franchise offers freshly roasted coffee, as well as homemade baked goods. See all locations at booskerdoo.com.
The Moth in Allentown is a quaint little coffeehouse perched on Conine's Pond. The beautiful views and rustic decorations make for a cozy feel that'll make you question if you're in your own home office. Also enjoy predominantly vegan baked goods that are made in the kitchen daily. Go: 42 S. Main St., Unit 1685; 609-208-3900, mothcoffeehouse.com.
The Perfect Perk in Bradley Beach has plenty of indoor seating, as well as a comfy outdoor patio strewn with palms for a totally relaxed workspace. Try coffee, smoothies, homemade croissants, cakes and more. Go: 300 Main St.; 732- 898-7028, instagram.com/theperfectperk/?hl=en.
Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA Today Network New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to [email protected]. Follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore cafes offer good spots to work remotely