Jenna Giustino 
Few things pair better than a good book and a beach town. While spending the day reading on the sand is always a Jersey Shore favorite, there are plenty of other cozy spots that are just as inviting for getting lost in a new read. From charming coffee shops and welcoming bars to peaceful outdoor spaces, these local gems make it easy to slow down with a book. Read on for our list of the best places to read a book at the Jersey Shore.
Cafes
A Cup of Literature | 704 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park
A Cup of Literature is a lifestyle cafe in downtown Asbury Park. It has a Gilmore Girls aesthetic, with cozy seating and a bookshelf to shop new selections. A Cup of Literature also makes the list for its signature drinks with references to books. JSG recommends The Chai Gatsby.
Odyssey Coffee | 63 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove
Odyssey Coffee is in Ocean Grove. The natural lighting here is top-tier, with large floor-to-ceiling windows accompanied by stools for a cute spot to read. Odyssey often draws a crowd but remains a space to get away from the noise, and it’s right in the middle of downtown Ocean Grove, so we recommend boutique shopping after a good read.
Steady Hand Cafe | 710 Main Street, Bradley Beach
Steady Hand Cafe is in Bradley Beach. JSG recommends grabbing a coffee and reading here during the warmer months, as it has a backyard garden featuring string lights and a disco ball. After your reading session is over, JSG recommends strolling down Main Street and grabbing dessert at Del Ponte’s Bakery.
Restaurants + Bars
3BR Distillery | 7 Main Street, Keyport
3BR is a distillery in Keyport. Its tasting room has a complete vibe, with a ton of bar seating, hanging chandeliers, and velvet accent chairs (we recommend snagging one of these for your reading time). 3BR is a solid choice if you’re looking for a space where you can get a quality cocktail while also feeling completely comfortable taking out your book at the bar.
Café Pari | 17 Broad Street, Red Bank
Café Pari is a wine bar and coffee shop in Red Bank. The vibe is a neighborhood living room, creating a space you read in during the day over coffee or at night over a glass of wine. JSG recommends trying its pizza slices or pastries, all of which pair well with a good book.
Cameo Love Market | 1213 Main Street, Asbury Park
Cameo Love Market is a European-inspired cafe and restaurant in uptown Asbury Park. The restaurant feels romantic and creates a whimsical atmosphere for reading a book, plus there are chic nooks for reading and plenty of stools at the bar. Cameo Love Market farm-to-table picks are good side dishes for reading time, and we recommend visiting Wolfe + Kron Books (around the corner) after.
Daddy O LBI | 4401 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach
Daddy O LBI is a boutique hotel and restaurant with a rooftop bar. The restaurant level has booths that are basically a reading nook, plus the garden area is the ultimate vibe for reading outside. If feeling adventurous, the rooftop is also a space where you can tan, read, drink, and eat all at the same time. Daddy O LBI is just a block away from Brant Beach, so it’s an easy pit stop before or after a beach day.
Source Brewing | 300 NJ-34, Colts Neck
Source Brewing is a farmhouse-style brewery in Colts Neck. It has Adirondack chairs, picnic tables, and a rooftop terrace, all of which are cute spaces for reading. JSG recommends going during sunset time, as it has the prettiest views, making an ideal backdrop for reading.
Bookstores
Asbury Book Cooperative | 644A Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park
Asbury Book Cooperative is a bookstore in downtown Asbury Park. The community-run, nonprofit bookstore hosts community events like book clubs, live music, author programs, and more. Asbury Book Cooperative also has a couch for reading, making it the type of bookstore where you don’t have to buy and go.
The Little Point Bookshop | 618 Arnold Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach
The Little Point Bookshop is in Point Pleasant Beach. It has a welcoming environment with warm, hanging lights and an in-house coffee shop. The Little Point Bookshop is also dog-friendly and has couches for reading.
Thunderroad Books | 1100 3rd Avenue, Spring Lake
Thunderroad Books is in downtown Spring Lake. It has a large area for reading (think comfy chairs), and there’s also an entire children’s section. Thunderroad Books is also across the street from Divine Park, which is another relaxing place to read a book.
Activities
Bell Works | 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel
Bell Works is a metroburb in Holmdel. It’s a mixed-use building equipped with offices, retail, entertainment, wellness, fitness, and more. Bell Works has a ton of cool and cozy seating areas, and it’s highly suggested to grab food and shop before or after.
The St. Laurent | 408 7th Avenue, Asbury Park
The St. Laurent is a boutique hotel in Asbury Park featuring a restaurant, bar, and outdoor pool. JSG recommends getting a pool day pass as it’s the ideal space for reading – think lounge chairs, poolside sips, and eats. The St. Laurent poolside always seems to remain tranquil, making it an easy-to-read environment.
Silent Book Club of Monmouth County | Monmouth County
The Silent Book Club of Monmouth County hosts events throughout the year. There are monthly meetups where you can read silently and socialize with other book lovers if you are in the mood to chat. The Silent Book Club of Monmouth County posts its event calendar on its Instagram page; to stay up to date, visit here.
Outdoor Spaces
Avon-by-the-Sea Washington Avenue Gazebo | Washington Avenue, Avon-by-the-Sea Boardwalk
Avon-by-the-Sea is a Jersey Shore beach town. It has a pretty gazebo on its boardwalk by Washington Avenue, which provides shade on a sunny day and makes it a relaxing space for reading. The gazebo overlooks people fishing and the bridge that connects to Belmar, so there are pretty and entertaining sights to take in while reading.
Manasquan Inlet | 548 Riverside Drive, Manasquan
Manasquan Inlet is a scenic spot (especially in the off-season). If going during the summer, JSG recommends going early morning before the rush (for peak solitude). You’ll also get a front-row seat to see fishing boats, which create a nature-forward vibe for reading.
Sunset Point | 10th to 12th Streets (Bay Terrace), Ship Bottom
Sunset Point is a community park on Barnegat Bay in Ship Bottom. There are benches alongside a garden area and a gazebo. JSG also recommends going to Sunset Point at sunset for a reading session.
See More: The Best Places to Go For a Walk in Bergen County
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