Best of NJ’s Most Instagrammable Cafes

Vinny Parisi

5 months ago

Alkemy Coffee Interior, one of NJ's Most Instagrammable Cafes

In New Jersey, going out for a cup of coffee has become about so much more than just the coffee. Across the state, coffeehouses have become cultural hubs, where the ambiance is just as carefully crafted as the latte art. From European bistros with floral walls to gothic coffee shops with custom tea blends, NJ’s Most Instagrammable Cafes delight both palate and camera lens.

These spots serve more than just espresso, they serve moments. We’re talking rainbow grilled cheeses, charcoal lattes, royal blue matcha, and tres leches cakes that look like a sculpture. But it’s not just the food that’s photo worthy. NJ’s Most Instagrammable Cafes feature atrium-style interiors, fairy-lit patios, velvet lounges, and artfully mismatched furniture. One even has a full-sized tree in the middle of it! For coffee connoisseurs looking to mingle at the intersection of great taste and great taste, here is the inside scoop:

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North Jersey

Cafe Baires

Where: 210 Main St, Hackensack
Details: This authentic Argentinian bakery feels like stepping into the heart of Buenos Aires. From the leather couches to the lounge areas, Cafe Baires exudes comfort and style. This sense of style extends to their menu as well, where every coffee and baked treat is plated with a presentation that is just as tantalizing as the meal itself. The drink menu offers all the classics (Lattes, Cortados, Espresso, etc.) as well as hot chocolate and matcha. Crayons for the kids and dog treats for the fur babies make this spot a community favorite.

Cafe Bubamara

Where: 263 Parker Ave, Clifton
Details: This modern European cafe serves Turkish bites alongside a premium coffee bar. The decorative flowers everywhere make Bubamara feel like an indoor garden. (And the perfect spot to snap selfies during coffee dates.) The food menu features their signature homemade Burek, a baked, filled pie with flaky phyllo dough. Both sweet and savory options are available, and we recommend either the Pizza Burek or the Nutella Burek. More traditional salads, sandwiches, and even quesadillas are also popular.

Cafe Club

Where: 67 Boonton Ave, Boonton
Details: Cafe Club is an Italian cafe and bakery that serves breakfast, lunch, and Instagram-famous latte flights. Their monthly and seasonal latte specials are equally photogenic. Examples include the cold weather Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake, Amaretto Cookie, Caramel Apple Pie, and Iced Oatmeal Cookie lattes. For lunch, we recommend one of their sandwiches (the speck ham with brie and fig is a must-try). Their Spicy Soppressata flatbread is also a fan favorite. From the vibes to the presentation, everything about this spot is on point.

Coperaco Cafe

Where: 777 S 3rd St, Harrison
Details: The unique design of Coperaco Cafe imitates being inside an atrium. In addition to ground floor seating, the cafe has a second story that is like being inside a treehouse. (It’s a great spot for relaxing with friends, or snapping some pics for the Gram.) The coffee menu has all the usual offerings, with a few extra options like Iced Chocolate and Cafe Au Lait. Coperaco has a food menu with both sweet and savory options. We recommend starting with a Caprese Focaccia and ending with a Basque Cheesecake.

Cream & Sugar

Where: 1250 Sussex Turnpike, Randolph
Details: Life along the turnpike isn’t often glamorous, but Cream & Sugar is the exception to the rule. This kid-friendly cafe is equal parts ice cream parlor, with a variety of ways to sip, snack, and scoop. From hot and iced coffees to espresso lattes, cold brews, and teas, the drink menu has it all. On the sweet side, they serve ice cream as a scoop, sundae, or hand-spun milkshake. Their curated selection of sandwiches, croissants, and toasts includes both the Egg-Cellent Avocado toast and French Toast Sticks, which we highly recommend.

Inner City Cafe

Where: 15 S Essex Ave, Orange
Details: At Inner City Cafe, the colorful floral arrangements wrapping around the entrance pillars warmly welcome each guest. The cafe boasts an atmosphere “where vibrant community spirit meets chic elegance in a splash of pink,” as they say. Designed to be Instagrammable, the cafe is bursting with color. From the pink furniture and abundance of flowers to the colorful walls and staircase, it’s definitely a photogenic spot. As for the menu, they serve breakfast, lunch, and an assortment of pastries to pair with their drinks.

La Bella Princess Cafe

Where: 553 Bloomfield Ave, Verona
Details: Guests receive the royal treatment at La Bella Princess. The cafe is brightly lit, with private themed rooms available for special events. Their menu is almost absurdly instagrammable, with one viral highlight being the rainbow grilled cheese sandwich. (Which uses organically-colored mozzarella on brioche bread to create vibrant colors with every bite.) Their sweet croffles are another can’t miss option, with flavors like Oreo + Cream and Nutella + Banana. For drinks, try the colorful, handcrafted Royal Blue Majesty.

Sugar Tree Cafe

Where: 358 Passaic Ave, Nutley
Details: The best descriptor for Sugar Tree Cafe is whimsical. From the floral photo wall to the colorful, full size tree in the middle of the room, everything feels surreal. Their breakfast menu is great for lighter bites like Nutella crepes and avocado toast. Meanwhile, the all-day menu features eclectic favorites like sticky wings, smash burgers, mac and cheese, and Chicken Salad Tartine. They serve coffee of course, but we actually recommend trying one of their milkshakes, either the Banana Pudding or S’mores.

Central Jersey

Featured from Somerset County:
Pink Pistachio Cafe

Where: 1101 Randolph Rd, Somerset
Details: Pink Pistachio Cafe is a vibrant, community-focused cafe that is bursting with character and color. Pink walls, pink chairs, pink flowers, the cafe goes all-in on its namesake color. The spacious interior provides a comfortable, relaxing experience that never feels overcrowded. Despite labeling themselves as a cafe, Pink Pistachio prepares a full menu of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert options. Popular breakfast items include the Mediterranean Omelette and Eggs Benedict, while lunch favorites include the Roasted Salmon Salad and Chipotle Chicken Sandwich. Meanwhile, their dinner menu features ribeye steak and lamb chops. Even when not in the mood for a full meal, Pink Pistachio is perfect for drinks and dessert. We recommend ordering the Pink Matcha Latte and pairing it with the Tres Leches cake or a Dubai Chocolate Bar. The cafe doesn’t take reservations, but recommends going online to join their waitlist up to 2.5 hours prior to arrival. (Especially if visiting during peak hours, Friday through Sunday.)

Featured from Hunterdon County:
Alkemy Coffee

Where: 2 Stangl Rd, Flemington
Details: The experts at Alkemy carefully blend magic and science to create their signature blends of coffees and teas. One of their co-owners is a certified aromatherapist and herbalist, and the menu is reflective of his commitment to serving beverages that nourish both the body and spirit. Known for their warm and welcoming atmosphere, Alkemy is a community-favorite spot that is both tranquil and inclusive. (With a distinct hip, goth aesthetic.) Popular house-made tea blends include the Serenity Solace (rose petals, chamomile, cinnamon, oatstraw, hawthorn leaf) and Elderberry Healer (ginger, elderberries, hibiscus, licorice root). Meanwhile, their signature coffee is the Goth Latte, which features blueberries, charcoal powder, and oat milk. They also serve traditional coffees such as Americano, Cappuccino, and Macchiato, as well as drips and pour overs. Meanwhile, their traditional Italian Macchiatos are served with a shot of espresso and tiny dot of foam on top. The cafe hosts weekly open mic nights and frequent live music events.

Bliss Coffee Lounge

Where: 14 E Main St, Somerville
Details: Bliss Coffee Lounge is super cute. The cozy lounge boasts comfy chairs and couches alongside all sorts of interesting wall decor. The bright and airy atmosphere matches the personalities of their warm and welcoming staff. Their extensive drink menu covers everything from lattes and smoothies to mocktails and cold brews. Likewise, food options include flatbreads and toasts as well as their authentic Beirute. This Brazilian sandwich is made with pita bread, and can include fillings such as chicken, veggies, or Brazilian steak.

Hatch 44

Where: 25 New St, Metuchen
Details: This boho chic spot is popular for its brunch menu and uplifting atmosphere. It’s hard not to feel happy while enjoying fun starters like Cauli Tempora and fan favorite Fluff Cake Flight. But we’d be truly remiss if we didn’t showcase the Coffee Cream Toast on a list of cafes: This thick cut vanilla and cinnamon batter brioche bread is dipped in cappuccino and stuffed with house-made coffee cream. The success of the original Metuchen location has allowed Hatch 44 to open a spot in Bradley Beach.

Jersey Shore

Featured From Cape May County:
Beach Plum Bakery & Cafe

Where: 484 W Perry St, Cape May
Details: Beach Plum Farm is a beautiful 62-acre property of barns, cottages, and farmland. Their bakery and cafe — which proudly carries the Beach Plum name — is located about a mile away from the farm. Specifically, it is part of the West End Garage. Their bakery menu features a delightful selection of scones, quiche, cookies, muffins, croissants, brownies, and more. (Many of which also come in gluten-free variations.) Meanwhile, the drink menu boasts traditional favorites like drip, Americano, espresso, latte, and cappuccino; as well as non-coffee options such as iced tea and hot chocolate. Their Black & Tan coffee blends darker and lighter roasts for a unique and balanced flavor profile. But we recommend trying out any of their seasonal specialties, including fall favorites like Raspberry White Mocha or the Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Latte. The café includes a selection of Beach Plum products sourced straight from the farm. This includes a variety of jams and sauces, from ketchup and BBQ to salsas and glazes.

Birdy’s Cafe Market

Where: 7801 Long Beach Blvd, Harvey Cedars
Details: Birdy’s is all about freshness. Fresh coffee, fresh seafood, fresh bread, and fresh air along the bay. Owner Amy Haeberlein works with local artisans, farmers, and makers to supply a fresh food and drink menu daily. In particular, their donuts arrive all the way from Philadelphia to bring authentic Federal Donuts to LBI. Their coffee menu includes favorites like Lavender Honey Latte, Dirty Chai Latte, and our personal favorite: The Maple Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso Latte. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner is also available.

Cameo Love Market

Where: 1213 Main St, Asbury Park
Details: This a cafe, we swear! A re-imagined bistro of sorts, Cameo Love Market brings the romantic charm of a Mediterranean market to Asbury Park. The menu is farm to table, vegan friendly, and mostly tapas with an authentic Italian espresso bar and specialty drinks. (Popular picks include the Iced Espresso and Ginger Turmeric Latte, but we also recommend the homemade Organic Hot Cocoa.) Meanwhile, the market side of the cafe offers curated European imports alongside NJ-sourced meats, cheeses, and produce.

The French Market

Where: 114 E River Rd, Rumson
Details: This French-inspired gourmet cafe is popular for their sweet and savory crepes, French sandwiches, and quiches. This includes their Banana & Nutella Crepes, as well as their Ratatouille crepes. Most of their meals are made to pair perfectly with a coffee or cappuccino. The interior of the cafe lives up to its name, and looks like a rustic French market. Meanwhile, their outdoor garden is an equally-enticing place to snap a selfie or go live on Instagram. The market side of the cafe sells an assortment of jams, cheese, and more.

South Jersey

Evermore Coffee Roasters

Where: 1 E Pearl St, Suite A, Burlington
Details: This cozy cafe features a plush sofa/lounge, window seating, and an eclectic mix of decor. The most noteworthy — and frequently photographed — is the partially-deconstructed motorcycle hanging from chains near the entrance. Their drink menu primarily features coffees, espressos, lattes, and teas alongside a curated list of seasonal beverages. Menu highlights include the Harvest Apple Toast (a must try) and Breakfast Quesadilla. Stop in after hours for a fun twist, as the cafe transforms into a speakeasy mocktail lounge.

French Press

Where: 2 E Main St, Moorestown
Details: French Press (aka French Press Cafe, aka French Press – Coffee House) is a Parisian-style Cafe nestled in the heart of Main Street in Moorestown. A family-owned business, the Bensons do everything they can to treat guests as if they are visiting them at home. Their selection of hot and cold drinks, alongside bakery favorites like croissants and beignets, draw crowds from far and wide. (We also recommend their Parisian macarons.) A shop in the back of the cafe offers a curated selection of clothing and products.

Hens & Honey Shoppe

Where: Swedesboro
Details: This coffeehouse/gift shop hybrid frequently wows guests from just about every angle. The staff is the friendliest around, the merchandise is a mix of witty and charming, and the decor is fanciful. Floral arrangements surround the spacious interior, while colorful flowers dangle down from the ceiling. It’s a real sensory overload, and that’s before trying anything from the drink menu. From seasonal specialties like peppermint hot chocolate to the Mud Flap Latte with Oreo cookies, every drink looks and tastes unforgettable.

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