There’s nothing better than getting a delicious cup of coffee to kickstart your day, or to refuel after a long school day. Whether it be a cup of black coffee, an iced latte, or a sweet frappuccino, you’re sure to find a drink that you’ll like. The South Jersey area offers many places to get some coffee, from gas stations, chain stores, or a local cafe. Although finding places to go isn’t difficult, I’ve gathered five options that will be sure to fill your caffeine needs!

Dunkin’ 

  The likelihood of driving past a Dunkin’ during a car ride longer than 10 minutes is extreme. There is even one right by Eastern, so Dunkin’ is a very convenient spot to get coffee, as well as their famous donuts and breakfast sandwiches. They offer many drinks, not just coffee. Teas, refreshers, and matcha drinks are all offered, but they are not as popular as their coffee ones. One con to getting a flavored coffee at Dunkin’ is the inconsistency of how the drinks turn out. A running joke on TikTok is that sometimes Dunkin’ drinks turn out tasting like “sewer water,” which is not ideal. An extremely important pro to Dunkin’ is the ability to get their drinks or food via the drive-thru line, which is very convenient for people who don’t have much time. Dunkin’ also has their own app, which makes buying from them even easier. The app allows the user to order what they want from their device and pick it up in store. Rewards are also given to consumers if they buy a certain amount of their goods. The most significant pro is the inexpensive menu. A medium iced coffee is 24 ounces, and costs $2.49.

Starbucks

  Almost equally as popular in South Jersey is Starbucks. They have locations in Target and Barnes and Noble, as well as just Starbuck stores. They have many popular drink options, from coffees, lattes, fruit refreshers, frappuccinos, matcha, and teas. Their food is also very tasty, and they offer an array of pastries and snacks: cakepops, croissants, banana bread, to-go lunches, sandwiches, and cookies. Two other pros are their drive-thru line option and mobile app, the same as Dunkin’. Unfortunately, one of their biggest locations for Eastern students right across from Voorhees Middle School burned down in March of 2020. Rebuilding it has gone slowly, but hopefully it will be back up and running soon. Starbucks’ biggest fault is their pricing; they are more expensive than their biggest competitor Dunkin’. The largest size they offer is 20 ounces, and an iced coffee of that size is $2.95.  

Cafe Flora

  Cafe Flora is only a few minutes away from Eastern, so it’s a great option for students to grab some coffee, food, and hangout once the school day is over. You can purchase fruit, yogurt, and pastries there, and they have a few coffee drinks. Another positive reason to go there is to support local businesses, an effort everyone should try to make when they are able to. An iced coffee that is 20 ounces is priced at $2.75, making it less expensive than Starbucks but not Dunkin’.

Koupa Espresso Bar

  Located in Haddon Township, Koupa Espresso Bar is definitely a longer car ride than other places mentioned. Regardless of the drive, the cafe offers many Greek dishes. You can get Greek-style Avocado Toast, Santorini Mediterranean Pie, Tsoureki Politiko Greek Easter Sweet Bread, and more! They have a great lineup of coffee drinks and even offer types of Greek coffee. Unfortunately, the pricing of the food and drinks is more expensive than other places, but that can be expected when getting authentic and decadent dishes. A cold brew of 20 ounces costs a whopping $4.39. Once again, like Cafe Flora, it’s always great to support a local business if you can. 

Trouble Brewing Coffee House 

  Lastly, another great option is Trouble Brewing Coffee House, located again in Haddon Heights. To eat, many bagel toppings are offered, along with pastries, paninis, and breakfast sandwiches. They also boast an extensive coffee menu, with everything from chai tea lattes, cappuccinos, plain coffee, to their famous coffee blends. The price of these drinks are the highest out of the 5 shops, with a 20 ounce cold brew costing $4.50. Still, Trouble Brewing Coffee House is a great spot to grab some breakfast and a drink, and you’ll be supporting a local business. 

What’s the best option?

  After seeing all these options, the obvious question to ask is: what’s the best place to get coffee? The answer to that is that there is no “best” place — it’s all up to preference! Starbucks might make your favorite iced caramel latte, but the food at Koupa Espresso Bar may outweigh that. Regardless of where you go, there are a plethora of options to choose from in South Jersey, so you’re sure to find one you love!